Understanding the meaning of clothing labels helps avoid mistakes: shrunken sweaters, bleeding colors, damaged fibers in the dryer, pilling… This clear guide compiles the symbols on clothing labels (also called pictograms, logos, or acronyms) and explains how to read clothing labels for safe washing, drying, and ironing.
The 5 families of pictograms on clothing labels
1. Washing (the "tub")
Tub alone: machine washable.
Tub + number (30/40/60/95): maximum temperature (e.g., 30°C washing symbol).
Tub + hand: hand wash (or "delicate/wool" cycle).
Crossed-out tub: do not wash ("no wash" logo).
Tub with 1 or 2 lines underneath: program delicacy (one line = delicate, two = very delicate).
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2. Bleaching (triangle)
Empty triangle: bleach allowed.
Triangle with lines: oxygen bleach only (non-chlorine).
Crossed-out triangle: no bleach.
3. Drying (square)
Square with circle = tumble dry (clothing dryer logo).
1 dot: gentle drying (low T°).
2 dots: normal.
Crossed-out circle: do not tumble dry.
Square with lines: air dry (flat, on a line).
Variations: dryer clothes, clothing dryer logo, clothing wash symbols.
4. Ironing (iron)
1/2/3 dots: low/medium/high T°.
Crossed-out iron: do not iron.
5. Dry cleaning (circle)
Circle with letter(s): solvents/conditions for dry cleaning.
Crossed-out circle: no dry cleaning.
How to read clothing labels step-by-step
Start with the tub: machine wash or hand wash allowed.
Check the temperature (30/40/60/95). In doubt? 30–40°C protects most colors and fibers.
Check the dryer: if the dryer logo is crossed out, air dry.
Adjust ironing: number of dots on the iron = intensity.
Bleach and dry cleaning: only if the triangle or circle allows it.
Useful synonyms: clothing label logo, clothing wash icons, clothing label acronyms, clothing pictogram.
Recommended temperatures & programs (quick reference)
30°C: colors, delicate materials (silk/viscose), synthetics.
40°C: T-shirts, light cotton, everyday laundry.
60°C: whites, towels, sheets (robust cotton).
95°C: special cases (heavily soiled laundry compatible).
Tip: the mention "clothing wash label" often refers to these temperature pictograms.
Drying: recognizing the right clothing logo
Dryer logo = square + circle.
1 dot: synthetics/delicates → gentle heat.
2 dots: cotton/robust laundry → normal heat.
Crossed out: forbidden → prefer flat/on a line (square with lines).
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By material: what do clothing wash symbols mean?
Cotton: washable 40–60°C, tumble dry 2 dots possible, medium/strong iron.
Wool / delicate: tub + hand or tub + 1–2 lines; 20–30°C, no tumble dry (often), gentle spin.
Synthetics: 30–40°C, dry at low T°, light iron.
Technical/sportswear textiles: 30–40°C, little fabric softener, thorough rinse.
Common mistakes to avoid
Confusing 2 dots for the dryer (temperature) with 2 lines under the tub (wash delicacy).
Ignoring the crossed-out tub: "do not machine wash" means dry clean or hand wash only.
Putting everything in the dryer: check the drying pictogram first (risk of shrinkage/felting).
Overdosing detergent: residues, odors, irritations → read the symbols for clothing washing but also for dosages.
Mini glossary (for all your query variations)
Symbol on clothing label / clothing label symbol: standardized pictograms sewn into the textile.
Logo on clothing label / clothing wash logo: common synonyms for pictograms.
Clothing pictogram / clothing wash icons: visual representation of instructions.
Clothing label acronyms / clothing wash acronym: same information in symbol form.
Clothing wash labels / clothing label meaning: all instructions (washing, bleaching, drying, ironing, dry cleaning).
Clothing dryer logo: square + circle (with 0/1/2 dots or crossed out).
Clothing wash symbols: all pictograms related to the care cycle.
FAQ – Clothing label meaning (quick)
How to recognize the washing machine symbol?
The tub. Not crossed out = washable. The number indicates the maximum temperature.
What do the lines under the tub mean?
They indicate the delicacy of the program: 1 line = delicate, 2 lines = very delicate.
What is the dryer logo?
A circle in a square. 1 dot = gentle, 2 dots = normal, crossed out = forbidden.
Triangle on label: bleach or not?
Empty triangle = bleach OK, lined = oxygen only, crossed out = forbidden.
Should I iron if the iron is crossed out?
No. Crossed-out iron = do not iron (risk of damaging fiber or coating).
Simple roadmap for reading a label
Washing authorization (tub) → 2) Temperature → 3) Tumble dry → 4) Ironing → 5) Bleach/dry clean.
When in doubt, choose low temperature, delicate cycle, air dry, and gentle iron.
To remember
Clothing label symbols are universal: tub (washing), triangle (bleach), square (drying), iron (ironing), circle (dry cleaning).
Wash logos tell you how to care for each fiber to extend the garment's life.
Look for "clothing label meaning" on your item: a photo of the tub and the square/circle is often enough to decide on the correct program and drying method.