Washing symbols and what they mean
The washing symbol is the tub. A number or dots inside give the hottest water allowed, a hand means hand wash, a cross means do not wash, and lines underneath ask for a gentler cycle.
Not sure which one is on your tag? Point the laundry symbol scanner at it and it reads every symbol for you.
All washing symbols at a glance
Wash at 30°C
Machine wash in water no hotter than 30°C (86°F). On US tags the same tub has one dot and means cold.
What to do: Pick the cold or 30° program. Most everyday clothes, dark colors and anything that might bleed belong here.
Wash at 40°C
Machine wash up to 40°C (104°F). On US tags it has two dots and means warm.
What to do: Use the 40° or warm setting. Good for cotton and polyester that is lightly soiled.
Wash at 50°C
Machine wash up to 50°C (122°F). Three dots on a US tag.
What to do: Few machines have a 50° program, so wash at 40° unless the item is very dirty.
Wash at 60°C
Machine wash up to 60°C (140°F). US tags show four dots and call it hot.
What to do: Use it for towels, bedding and underwear that need a hygienic wash.
Wash at 70°C
Machine wash up to 70°C (158°F). Five dots on a US tag.
What to do: Rare on clothes. Treat it like the 60° program unless you need it hotter.
Wash at 95°C
Machine wash up to 95°C (203°F), close to boiling. Six dots on a US tag.
What to do: Only white cotton and linen take this. Use it for kitchen towels and cloth nappies.
Machine wash
Machine wash at any temperature. Bars under the tub still limit the spin and agitation.
What to do: Use a normal program. If there are bars, switch to the synthetic (one bar) or delicate (two bars) program.
Hand wash
Wash by hand in water no warmer than 40°C (104°F). Do not use the machine.
What to do: Soak in lukewarm water with a little mild detergent, squeeze gently and rinse. A hand-wash program works for many items.
Do not wash
Do not wash in water at all, by hand or by machine.
What to do: These items usually need professional dry cleaning. Spot clean small marks only.
Do not wring
Do not twist or wring the item to get the water out.
What to do: Press water out between towels, then dry flat or hang without twisting.
How to pick the right wash program
The number on the tub is the maximum, not the target. Washing colder than the tag allows is almost always safe and saves energy. Washing hotter is what shrinks wool and fades colors.
| Tag says | Machine program | Typical fabrics |
|---|---|---|
| 30° or one dot | Cold, 30°, or Quick wash | Dark colors, jeans, prints, most everyday clothes |
| 40° or two dots | 40° Cotton or Mixed | T-shirts, cotton blends, sportswear |
| 60° or four dots | 60° Cotton | Towels, bedding, underwear, kitchen cloths |
| One bar under the tub | Synthetics or Easy care | Polyester, shirts, viscose |
| Two bars under the tub | Delicates or Wool | Wool, silk, lace, lingerie |
| Hand in the tub | Hand wash program, or by hand | Knitwear, cashmere, embellished items |
Dots or numbers?
US tags follow the ASTM D5489 standard and show the temperature as dots: one dot is cold (up to about 30°C or 86°F), two dots warm (40°C or 104°F) and three dots hot (50°C or 122°F). European, UK and most Asian tags follow ISO 3758 and print the number in degrees Celsius. Both mean the same thing, and the scanner reads both.
Do not wring
The twisted cloth with a cross means do not wring. It usually sits next to a hand wash symbol on knitwear. Twisting stretches the fibres while they are wet and weak. Roll the item in a towel and press instead.
Other care symbols
The laundry symbols chart has every symbol on one page. Or read the guides to bleach, drying, ironing and dry cleaning symbols.
Have the tag in your hand? The scanner reads every symbol in seconds.
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