Machine washing symbols — sometimes called logos, pictograms, or abbreviations — help you choose the right program (cotton, synthetic, delicate/wool), temperature, spin speed, and options (pre-wash, rinse, anti-crease, etc.). There are two main categories:
- icons on the appliance (buttons, dial, or screen of your machine);
- care labels sewn into the textile (standard similar to ISO 3758).
Symbols on care labels (clothing)
These washing pictograms indicate whether the textile is machine washable, hand washable, or not to be washed, as well as the temperature, bleach, drying, ironing, and dry cleaning instructions.
Washing (tub/basin)
- Simple water tub: machine washing allowed.
- Tub + number (30/40/60/90): maximum temperature (e.g., 30° machine wash symbol).
- Tub + hand: hand wash (delicate program if machine).
- Crossed-out tub: do not machine wash (do not machine wash symbol).
- Lines under the tub: level of delicacy (1 line = delicate textiles; 2 lines = very delicate/wool).
Bleaching (triangle)
- Empty triangle: bleach allowed.
- Triangle with lines: oxygenated bleach only (chlorine-free).
- Crossed-out triangle: no bleach (washing machine bleach symbol → forbidden).
Drying (circle in a square = tumble dryer)
- One dot: gentle drying (low temperature).
- Two dots: normal.
- Crossed-out circle: no tumble drying (washing machine drying symbol → forbidden).
- Square with line(s): air drying (flat or on a line).
Ironing (iron)
- 1/2/3 dots: iron at low/medium/high temperature.
- Crossed-out iron: no ironing.
Dry cleaning (circle)
- Circle with letter(s): solvents allowed (for dry cleaning).
- Crossed-out circle: no dry cleaning.
Symbols and programs on the washing machine
Depending on the brand (Whirlpool, Bosch, Samsung, LG…), the icon may vary, but the logic remains the same.
Main programs (frequent logos)
- Cotton (washing machine cotton symbol): t-shirts, towels, sheets; energetic wash, strong spin.
- Synthetic (washing machine synthetic logo): sports, technical fibers; gentler mechanics.
- Wool / Delicate (delicate symbol / wool logo): knitwear, cashmere; very gentle, low temperature, reduced spin.
- Eco / 40–60 ECO: performance + energy saving; longer cycles, optimized temperature.
- Quick / Express 15–30’: small loads, lightly soiled clothes.
- Mixed: mixed cotton/synthetic.
- Baby / Allergy: reinforced rinses, hygiene.
- Colors / Darks: protects color.
Useful options and pictograms
- Pre-wash: small water compartment or “I”; for very dirty laundry.
- Rinse (washing machine rinse symbol): wave/flowing water, adds a rinse cycle.
- Spin (washing machine spin symbol / spin logo): spiral, drop with arrow; adjusts revolutions/min.
- Drain: emptying tub, crossed-out drop.
- Anti-crease: shirt on hanger, drum stopped in water.
- Rinse hold: delays spinning to prevent creases.
How to set the spin correctly (key to "spin symbol" queries)
The spin symbol controls the speed (400 → 1400 rpm).
- Delicate textiles / wool: 400–800 rpm to preserve fibers.
- Synthetics: 800–1000 rpm.
- Cotton / towels: 1200–1400 rpm to remove maximum water.
Tip: if you see a washing machine spin logo or washing machine spin symbol, choose low for wool/satin/silk and high for sponges/jeans.
Temperatures and washing machine logos
- 30 °C: colors, delicate fibers, risk of bleeding.
- 40 °C: t-shirts, synthetics; good compromise between cleanliness/wrinkle removal.
- 60 °C: whites, household linen, robust cotton.
- 90 °C: exceptional (dishcloths, compatible textile disinfection).
Searched variations: washing machine logo, machine wash logo, washing machine symbol.
Detail by material
- Cotton (washing machine cotton symbol): supports 40–60 °C, high spin.
- Wool (washing machine wool symbol): cold/30 °C, wool cycle, low spin.
- Synthetics: 30–40 °C, medium spin.
- Delicates (silk, viscose): delicate cycle, 20–30 °C, very gentle spin.
- Sports / technical: synthetic program, thorough rinse to remove detergent.
"Do not" labels
- Crossed-out tub: do not machine wash.
- Crossed-out triangle: no bleach.
- Crossed-out circle in a square: no tumble drying.
- Crossed-out iron: do not iron.
- Crossed-out circle: no dry cleaning.
Target queries: do not machine wash symbol, no washing machine logo, do not machine wash label.
FAQ (quick meanings)
What is the "machine wash" symbol?
The water tub (basin). If it is not crossed out, machine washing is allowed. A number indicates the maximum temperature.
What is the spin symbol?
A spiral or a drop with an arrow. It adjusts the revolutions per minute (RPM). Lower it for wool/delicates.
What does the triangle on the label mean?
The triangle concerns bleach: empty = bleach OK; lines = oxygenated only; crossed out = forbidden.
"Wool" / "delicate" logo on the machine?
A ball of yarn (wool) or a feather/flower (delicate): gentle agitation, low spin, 20–30 °C.
"Rinse" symbol?
Waves/drops: adds a rinse cycle (useful against detergent residues).
What if the pictogram is blurry or specific to my brand?
Refer to the machine manual: icons vary slightly (e.g., Whirlpool washing machine symbols), but the logic remains universal.
Cheat sheet (express glossary)
Washing machine symbol / washing machine symbols / washing machine sign / washing machine abbreviations: all refer to the appliance's program icons.
Machine wash logo / machine wash pictogram / machine wash abbreviation: care label (tub).
Washing machine spin symbol / spin logo: RPM setting.
Washing machine bleach symbol: triangle (allowed/forbidden).
Washing machine drying symbol: circle in a square (tumble dryer).
Washing machine pictogram / washing machine icon: general representation of the appliance, often used in guides.
Best practices for immaculate laundry
- Always read the label: it takes precedence over the program.
- Sort by material & color: avoid bleeding and felting.
- Dose detergent according to dirtiness & water hardness.
- Lower the temperature when possible (savings, preserved colors).
- Fabric softener: in moderation (be careful with technical textiles).
- Empty the filter and leave the door ajar after washing (anti-odors).