Laundry Symbols and Labels: Understanding All Care Pictograms
Looking for the meaning of a tumble dry symbol or a wash logo? Discover our visual guide to easily read all textile labels!
How to Read a Laundry Label: The Basics
On every piece of clothing or household linen, a care label displays various wash symbols, tumble dry symbols, or ironing icons. Understanding them well helps avoid washing errors, shrinking, or premature wear of your sheets, covers, and towels.
- Washing machine symbol: a water tub, sometimes with a number (max temperature).
- Hand wash symbol: a hand immersed in a tub.
- Crossed-out tub: machine wash prohibited.
- Circle in a square: tumble dry logo allowed (dots = temperature).
- Crossed-out circle: tumble dry forbidden symbol.
- Iron: ironing possible (1 to 3 dots = temperature).
- Triangle: bleaching allowed. Crossed-out triangle: bleach prohibited.
- Single circle: dry cleaning allowed. Crossed-out circle: dry cleaning prohibited.
Deciphering: All Tumble Dry & Wash Pictograms
Tumble Dry Allowed Symbol
Tumble dry logo: A circle in a square indicates that tumble drying is possible.
One dot: low temperature drying.
Two dots: moderate temperature.
Crossed-out circle: tumble dry forbidden symbol ("do not tumble dry").
Horizontal line in the square: flat drying (ideal for wool, linen).
Other Common Pictograms on Laundry Labels
- Machine wash symbol: tub with number: recommended temperature (30°, 40°, 60°).
- Ironing logo: iron: number of dots = tolerated heat.
- Bleaching symbol: triangle (allowed), crossed-out triangle (prohibited).
- Dry cleaning icon: circle with letters or crossed-out.
Table: Quick Glossary of Laundry Label Symbols
| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Water tub | Machine wash allowed |
| Tub + number | Max wash temperature |
| Crossed-out tub | Machine wash prohibited |
| Hand in tub | Hand wash only |
| Circle in a square | Tumble dry allowed |
| Crossed-out circle in a square | Tumble dry prohibited |
| Horizontal line in square | Dry flat |
| Iron (dots) | Ironing temperature |
| Crossed-out iron | Ironing prohibited |
| Triangle | Bleaching possible |
| Crossed-out triangle | Bleaching prohibited |
| Circle | Dry cleaning |
| Crossed-out circle | Dry cleaning prohibited |
Care Tips for Bed Linen & Delicate Textiles
- Wash covers and sheets at 30-40°C to preserve fibers.
- Opt for gentle tumble drying or air drying for linen, wool, and delicate materials.
- Iron slightly damp, at low temperature for linen or cotton sateen.
- Never use bleach on colored linen: prefer oxygen-based agents.
- Always respect the pictograms to keep your linen in perfect condition!
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about Tumble Dry and Wash Symbols and Codes
- What is the tumble dry symbol on a label?
- A circle in a square. If crossed out, tumble drying is prohibited.
- How to recognize a prohibited wash pictogram?
- Crossed-out tub: machine wash not allowed.
- How do I know what temperature to wash my laundry at?
- Look at the number in the tub: 30, 40, or 60°C depending on the fiber.
- Which symbol prohibits ironing?
- A crossed-out iron: no ironing possible.