Laundry Symbols Explained (So You Don’t Ruin Clothes Again)

Have you ever pulled a favorite sweater out of the wash only to find it shrunk… or a silk blouse that suddenly looks wrinkled and dull… or a cotton T-shirt that mysteriously stretched out? If so, you’re not alone—and the real culprit might be something most people overlook: the laundry symbols on the care label.

Laundry symbols look confusing at first glance—like tiny hieroglyphics hidden inside your clothes. But once you understand them, they instantly reveal everything you need to keep your clothes in perfect shape:

• Whether you should wash in hot or cold water
• Whether the item can be machine dried
• If bleach is safe
• If ironing is allowed
• If dry cleaning is required

This SwiftScrub guide breaks down every laundry symbol in clear, simple language so you never accidentally shrink, bleach, stretch, or distort your clothes again. By the end, you’ll be able to read care labels like a professional laundry expert. 🧺✨

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🔍 The 5 Categories of Laundry Symbols

Laundry symbols fall into five main categories:

1. Washing symbols (water icons)
2. Bleaching symbols (triangles)
3. Drying symbols (squares)
4. Ironing symbols (iron icons)
5. Dry Cleaning symbols (circles)

Let’s go through each category one-by-one with detailed examples and explanations.

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🫧 1. Washing Symbols (The “Tub” Icon)

These icons tell you how to wash the garment—and whether machine washing is safe.

✔ Basic Washing Symbol

🛁 A tub with water

Means: Machine wash safe.

✔ Washing Temperature Symbols

• “30°C” → cold wash only
• “40°C” → warm wash
• “60°C” → hot wash

Dots inside the tub also indicate heat:

• • = cold
• •• = warm
• ••• = hot

✔ Hand Wash Symbol

🖐 Hand inside a tub

Meaning: Handwash only. Never use machine agitation.

✔ Do Not Wash

🚫 Tub with an X

Meaning: The garment must be professionally cleaned (dry clean only).

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🧴 2. Bleaching Symbols (Triangle Icons)

✔ Bleach Allowed

△ Empty triangle → bleaching is safe.

✔ Only Oxygen-Based Bleach (Color-Safe Bleach)

△ with diagonal lines

✔ Do Not Bleach

🚫 Triangle with X

This is common for:

• Dark garments
• Silk
• Wool
• Delicate synthetic fabrics

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🌬 3. Drying Symbols (Square Icons)

Drying is one of the biggest reasons clothes get ruined. Understanding these symbols prevents shrinking, melting, and distortion.

✔ Tumble Dry

⬛ Square with a circle

✔ Tumble Dry Temperature

• • = low heat
• •• = medium
• ••• = high

✔ Do Not Tumble Dry

🚫 Square with circle + X

✔ Line Dry

Square with curved top line

✔ Dry Flat

Square with horizontal line

Drying flat is essential for:

• Wool sweaters
• Cashmere
• Knits that stretch easily

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🔥 4. Ironing Symbols (Iron Icons)

Ironing can ruin delicate fabrics if done incorrectly. Here’s how to read the icons:

✔ Iron Safe

Iron symbol

✔ Iron Temperature

• • = low heat (synthetics)
• •• = medium heat (cotton blends)
• ••• = high heat (linen, heavy cotton)

✔ Do Not Iron

🚫 Iron with X

✔ Steam Iron Warning

Iron with steam lines crossed out → no steam

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🌀 5. Dry Cleaning Symbols (Circle Icons)

These indicate when professional cleaning is required.

✔ Dry Clean

○ Circle

✔ Dry Clean With Specific Solvents

• P → petroleum-based solvent
• F → synthetic solvent

✔ Do Not Dry Clean

🚫 Circle with X

This is commonly found on:

• Coated fabrics
• Decorated garments
• Items with metal parts

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🧼 Bonus: The Most Confusing Laundry Symbols (Explained Simply)

✔ “Do Not Wring”

Twisted cloth icon

Meaning: Squeeze water out gently, never twist.

✔ “Drip Dry”

Square with 3 vertical lines

✔ “Dry in Shade”

Square with diagonal line in corner

This protects delicate dye like:

• Silk
• Rayon
• Bright cotton

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💡 Real-World Examples: How to Read a Care Label

Example 1: Silk Blouse

• Handwash
• Do not bleach
• Dry flat
• Cool iron
• Dry clean optional

Example 2: Cotton T-Shirt

• Machine wash warm
• Tumble dry low
• Iron medium heat
• Do not dry clean

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🚫 Common Laundry Symbol Mistakes

• Ignoring drying guidelines (causes shrinking!)
• Ironing without checking temperature
• Assuming all clothes are machine-safe
• Wrong detergent for delicate fabrics
• Washing “dry clean only” items accidentally

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✨ Final Thoughts

Laundry doesn’t have to be confusing. Once you understand the symbols on your clothing tags, you gain full control over how long your garments last— how they look, feel, fit, and function over time.

By following the SwiftScrub laundry symbol guide, you’ll avoid shrinking sweaters, faded fabrics, stretched knits, and damaged delicates forever. Your clothes will thank you—and your laundry routine will feel easier than ever.

SwiftScrub — Clean smart, protect your wardrobe, live beautifully. ✨🧺