Washing Machine Symbols: A Complete Guide to Avoid Mistakes

The washing machine symbols found on your clothing labels can often feel like a secret code. These pictograms indicate the maximum temperature, the appropriate wash cycle, and precautions to take to protect your textiles. Understanding these care symbols will help you avoid shrinkage, discoloration, and extend the lifespan of your garments.

Why Understanding Laundry Care Symbols Is Essential

Clothes and Bed Linen That Last Longer

Respecting the washing symbols on garment labels helps preserve the quality of your textiles. Using the correct cycle prevents premature fiber wear and keeps your clothes looking new for longer. Modern washing machines offer various wash programs depending on fabric type: a cotton program for durable textiles, a delicate program for wool and fragile materials. This applies not only to clothing, but also to household linens, bedding, and table linen.

Preserving Natural Fibers Like Linen

Natural fibers require specific textile care. Washed linen, for instance, does not tolerate high temperatures or strong spinning cycles. Washing it in cold water or at a maximum of 40°C helps preserve its qualities and prevents excessive wrinkling. Wool also requires special care, with a wool program specifically designed for more delicate items.

Avoiding Common Mistakes (Shrinkage, Discoloration, etc.)

Washing machine mistakes are common: a garment shrinks in a drum that’s too hot, colors bleed due to improper sorting, or textiles get damaged by unsuitable detergent. Following the guidelines indicated by the pictograms helps prevent these issues and protects both your wardrobe and your household linens.

Washing Symbols Explained

The Washing Machine Symbol: General Meaning

The Main Symbol: A Tub Filled with Water

The main washing symbol resembles a tub filled with water. This pictogram indicates that machine washing is allowed. When this symbol is crossed out, machine washing is not permitted. In such cases, hand washing or dry cleaning is recommended.

Washing Temperatures: 30°C, 40°C, 60°C, 90°C

The number shown inside the washing machine symbol indicates the maximum washing temperature:

• 30°C: Cold wash for delicate fabrics and fragile colors

• 40°C: Standard temperature for most everyday clothing and bed linen

• 60°C: Cotton program for household linen and heavily soiled textiles

• 90°C: Reserved for durable white cotton fabrics that require disinfection

Wash Cycles: Normal, Delicate, Hand Wash or Do Not Wash

The Lines Under the Symbol Indicate the Type of Cycle

• No line: Normal cycle with standard spin

• One line: Delicate cycle with reduced spin

• Two lines: Very delicate cycle, often equivalent to hand wash

• Crossed-out symbol: Machine washing not allowed

Drying Symbols: What You Need to Know

The Square with a Circle: Tumble Dryer

The square containing a circle indicates that tumble drying is allowed. If this pictogram is crossed out, the garment must be air-dried. This symbol helps protect fibers that are sensitive to the heat of a dryer, such as washed linen or wool.

Drying Temperature: One Dot, Two Dots...

The Dots Inside the Circle Indicate the Drying Intensity

• One dot: Low-temperature drying

• Two dots: Normal-temperature drying

• Three dots: High-temperature drying

• Crossed-out circle: Tumble drying not allowed

Natural Drying: Flat, In the Shade, Line Dry

Natural Drying Symbols Are Represented by Squares with Different Indicators

• Plain square: Air drying

• Square with a vertical line: Line drying

• Square with a horizontal line: Flat drying

• Square with a shaded corner: Drying in the shade

Ironing Symbols: How to Avoid Creases

The Iron Symbol: Recommended Temperatures

The Iron Symbol Indicates the Maximum Ironing Temperature

• One dot: Low-temperature ironing (110°C) for synthetic fabrics

• Two dots: Medium temperature (150°C) for wool and blended fabrics

• Three dots: High temperature (200°C) for cotton and linen

Fabrics That Should Not Be Ironed

A Crossed-Out Iron Means Ironing Is Not Allowed

A crossed-out iron symbol indicates that ironing is strictly forbidden. Some technical fabrics, certain bed linens, or specific finishes cannot tolerate the heat of an iron. In such cases, opt for steaming or careful drying to prevent wrinkles.

Special Considerations When Ironing Linen

Linen is best ironed while still damp using a hot iron (three dots). This method helps smooth the fibers more easily and delivers optimal results. You can also use steam, which further enhances the ironing efficiency on this natural material.

Bleaching and Dry Cleaning Symbols

Triangle: Whether Bleach Can Be Used or Not

The Triangle Symbol Indicates Whether Bleaching Is Allowed

• Empty triangle: Bleaching allowed with all types of products

• Black triangle: Bleaching not allowed

• Crossed-out triangle: No bleaching agents allowed

• Triangle with "CL": Chlorine bleach allowed

• Triangle with diagonal lines: Oxygen-based bleach only

Circle Symbol: Professional Dry Cleanin

Professional Cleaning Symbols Use Specific Circle Icons

The circle symbol indicates the conditions for professional dry cleaning:

• Circle with a letter: Indicates the type of solvent allowed (P, F, W)

• Crossed-out circle: Dry cleaning is not allowed

• Lines under the circle: Specify the cleaning intensity (normal or delicate)

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Washing Machine Symbols

Which Symbols Indicate That Machine Washing Is Not Allowed?

The washing machine symbol crossed out with an “X” means machine washing is prohibited. In this case, opt for dry cleaning or hand washing with cold water and a gentle detergent.

How Can I Tell if a Garment Can Be Tumble-Dried?

Look for the square symbol with a circle inside on the label. If it appears without a cross, tumble drying is allowed. The number of dots inside indicates the temperature:

• One dot for low heat

• Two dots for medium heat

Which Ironing Symbols Should I Know to Avoid Damaging My Clothes?

The iron symbol with one, two, or three dots shows the maximum ironing temperature. A crossed-out iron means ironing is not allowed. For delicate fabrics and natural fibers, it's essential to follow these instructions carefully to preserve the material.

What Do the Bleaching Symbols on Clothing Mean?

The triangle symbol refers to bleaching:

• An empty triangle means all types of bleach are allowed

• A triangle with “CL” means chlorine bleach is permitted

• A crossed-out triangle means no bleach should be used—not even detergents containing bleach agents.