Decoding laundry symbols: A guide to caring for your clothes

Ever found yourself staring at a laundry symbol on your favorite shirt and have no idea what it means? You're not alone! Our guide will break down the most common laundry symbols and what they mean, so you can properly care for your clothes and keep them looking their best.

Washing symbols

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• Machine wash: This symbol looks like a bucket filled with water. If there’s a number inside, it indicates the recommended maximum temperature in degrees Celsius.

• Hand wash: A hand in a tub of water means that the item should be washed by hand only. You can use a mild detergent or soap and gently agitate the item in the water before rinsing.

• Do not wash: A circle with a cross means that the item should not be washed in water under any circumstances. This symbol is typically found on articles of clothing that are dry clean only.

Bleaching symbols

• Bleach when needed: A triangle with diagonal lines indicates that it is safe to use bleach on the item. However, be sure to check the fabric care label for more specific instructions.

• Do not bleach: A triangle filled with an X means that bleach should not be used on this item.

Drying symbols

• Tumble dry: A circle inside a square represents tumble drying. The dots inside the circle indicate the recommended heat level.

• Line dry: A square with horizontal lines or a half-circle means that the item should be hung to dry on a clothesline or hanger.

• Do not dry: A circle with a cross means that this item should not be put in the dryer and is best air dried.

Ironing symbols

• Iron: An iron symbol with dots inside indicates the recommended temperature setting for ironing. One dot represents low heat, two dots represent medium heat, and three dots represent high heat.

• Do not iron: A circle with an X means that this item should not be ironed.

Understanding fabric care labels

In addition to laundry symbols, clothing items also come with fabric care labels that provide more specific instructions on how to care for the item. Here's a breakdown of some common terms you may see:

• Machine wash cold/warm: This means that the item should be washed in cold or warm water, respectively.

• Gentle cycle: Use this setting on your washing machine to prevent harsh agitation of delicate fabrics.

• Dry clean only: This means the item should not be washed at home and instead taken to a professional dry cleaner.

Properly washing your clothes can extend their life significantly. Use this handy list to make your clothes last like new wash over wash.