Bleach symbols and what they mean
The bleach symbol is the triangle. An empty triangle allows any bleach, two diagonal lines inside allow only oxygen bleach, and a crossed triangle means no bleach at all.
Not sure which one is on your tag? Point the laundry symbol scanner at it and it reads every symbol for you.
All bleach symbols at a glance
Any bleach
Any bleach is allowed, chlorine or oxygen. Older tags write CL inside the triangle.
What to do: Dilute chlorine bleach as the bottle says. It is safest on white cotton.
Non-chlorine bleach only
Only oxygen-based (non-chlorine) bleach. Chlorine bleach will damage or discolor it.
What to do: Use color-safe bleach or an oxygen stain remover. Check the bottle says non-chlorine.
Do not bleach
No bleach of any kind, not even color-safe bleach. Some tags draw it as a filled black triangle.
What to do: Use a normal detergent without bleach and treat stains with a gentle stain remover first.
Chlorine or oxygen bleach?
Chlorine bleach (sodium hypochlorite, the classic household bleach) whitens hard and removes color. Oxygen bleach (sodium percarbonate or hydrogen peroxide, sold as color-safe or oxygen bleach) is gentler and safe on most colors. The triangle tells you which of the two the fabric can take.
| Symbol | Chlorine bleach | Oxygen bleach |
|---|---|---|
| Empty triangle | Yes | Yes |
| Triangle with two lines | No | Yes |
| Crossed triangle | No | No |
Why so many tags say do not bleach
The crossed triangle is the most common symbol on care tags by far. Most colored clothes, anything with spandex or elastane, wool, silk and many synthetic blends are damaged by chlorine, and makers often rule out oxygen bleach too, to be safe. Some tags fill the crossed triangle in black. It means the same.
How to remove stains without bleach
- Treat the stain early, before it goes through a hot wash or the dryer, which can set it.
- Use an enzyme stain remover or a little liquid detergent rubbed into the spot, then wash as the tag says.
- For grey whites, wash at the highest temperature the tub allows with a full dose of detergent.
- Dry whites in the sun when the tag allows it. Sunlight brightens white cotton.
Check the washing symbols on the same tag for the warmest water you can use.
Other care symbols
The laundry symbols chart has every symbol on one page. Or read the guides to washing, drying, ironing and dry cleaning symbols.
Have the tag in your hand? The scanner reads every symbol in seconds.
Open the scanner