Laundry symbol decoder
Type what you see (like "triangle", "two dots", or "square line") or pick a symbol family. Every result tells you exactly what to do.
32 symbols.
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Machine wash, cold (30°C)
Wash at up to 30°C (about 85°F) on a normal cycle. On US labels this is one dot in the tub.
Washing (tub)
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Machine wash, warm (40°C)
Wash at up to 40°C (about 105°F). Two dots on US labels.
Washing (tub)
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Machine wash, hot (60°C)
Wash at up to 60°C (about 140°F). Good for towels and bedding that can take it. Four dots on US labels.
Washing (tub)
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Machine wash, very hot (95°C)
Can be washed at up to 95°C, near boiling. Usually white cotton and linen only.
Washing (tub)
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Machine wash, cold (US dots)
US-style label: one dot means cold, up to about 30°C (85°F).
Washing (tub)
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Machine wash, warm (US dots)
Two dots mean warm, up to about 40°C (105°F).
Washing (tub)
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Permanent press / synthetics cycle
One bar under the tub: use a gentler cycle with reduced spin, often called synthetics or permanent press.
Washing (tub)
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Delicate / wool cycle
Two bars under the tub: very gentle cycle with minimal agitation and spin.
Washing (tub)
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Hand wash only
Wash by hand in water no hotter than about 40°C. Do not wring; squeeze gently.
Washing (tub)
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Do not wash
Do not wash in water. Usually paired with a dry clean symbol.
Washing (tub)
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Any bleach allowed
An empty triangle: chlorine or oxygen (non-chlorine) bleach can be used if needed.
Bleaching (triangle)
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Non-chlorine bleach only
Triangle with two diagonal lines: use only oxygen-based, colour-safe bleach. No chlorine.
Bleaching (triangle)
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Do not bleach
Crossed-out triangle: no bleach of any kind.
Bleaching (triangle)
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Tumble dry, normal
Square with a circle: can go in the dryer on a normal setting.
Drying (square)
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Tumble dry, low heat
One dot in the circle: dryer on low heat.
Drying (square)
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Tumble dry, medium heat
Two dots: dryer on medium (normal) heat.
Drying (square)
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Tumble dry, high heat
Three dots (US labels): dryer on high heat.
Drying (square)
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Tumble dry, no heat
Filled circle: air-only or "no heat" setting.
Drying (square)
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Do not tumble dry
Crossed-out dryer: air dry instead.
Drying (square)
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Line dry
Square with a curve at the top: hang on a line or rack to dry.
Drying (square)
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Drip dry
Three vertical lines: hang soaking wet, without wringing or spinning.
Drying (square)
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Dry flat
One horizontal line: lay flat on a towel or rack so it keeps its shape. Common on knitwear.
Drying (square)
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Dry in the shade
Diagonal lines in the corner: dry out of direct sunlight to prevent fading.
Drying (square)
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Iron, low (110°C)
One dot: cool iron, up to 110°C (about 230°F). Synthetics like nylon and acrylic. Steam may damage.
Ironing (iron)
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Iron, medium (150°C)
Two dots: warm iron, up to 150°C (about 300°F). Wool, silk, polyester.
Ironing (iron)
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Iron, high (200°C)
Three dots: hot iron, up to 200°C (about 390°F). Cotton and linen.
Ironing (iron)
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Do not iron
Crossed-out iron: no ironing at all.
Ironing (iron)
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Do not steam
Iron with crossed lines below: iron without steam.
Ironing (iron)
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Professional dry clean (P)
Circle with P: a dry cleaner can use common solvents. Not a home-care instruction.
Professional cleaning (circle)
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Professional dry clean (F)
Circle with F: dry clean with hydrocarbon (petroleum) solvents only.
Professional cleaning (circle)
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Professional wet clean (W)
Circle with W: suitable for professional wet cleaning, a water-based alternative to dry cleaning.
Professional cleaning (circle)
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Do not dry clean
Crossed-out circle: do not dry clean.
Professional cleaning (circle)
The cheat code
- Five shapes: tub = wash, triangle = bleach, square = dry, iron = iron, circle = professional cleaning.
- An X through any shape means don't.
- Dots mean heat: more dots, more heat.
- Bars under the tub mean gentler: one bar is permanent press, two is delicate.
Limitations: these follow the international GINETEX / ISO 3758 system, with notes on US (ASTM) label conventions. Labels in some countries differ slightly, and older garments may use retired symbols. When a label and this decoder disagree, follow the label. Full routine: how to do laundry.
