Laundry Tag Symbols Meaning
Avoid shrinking your favorite sweater or ruining delicate shirts. Decode every washing washtub, dryer square, iron dot, and dry clean circle on clothing tags.
Normal Machine Wash
The garment can be normally machine washed at standard temperatures.
A plain washtub with water means standard machine wash cycle with normal agitation and spin speeds.
Hand Wash Only
Do NOT use a washing machine. Gently wash by hand in a sink or basin.
A washtub with a hand reaching in signifies delicate fabrics that will stretch, tear, or unravel under washing machine agitation.
Do Not Wash
Do NOT wash in water. Water will permanently damage this item.
A washtub with a bold X through it. The garment must be taken to a professional dry cleaner.
Cold Wash (30°C / 85°F)
Machine wash in cold water only (30°C / 85°F or one dot).
Protects colored fabrics from fading and prevents shrinking.
Bleach Allowed (Any Bleach)
Any commercial bleach (including chlorine) may be safely used when needed.
A clean empty triangle indicates the fabric is colorfast and bleach resistant.
Non-Chlorine Bleach Only
Use only oxygen-based, color-safe (non-chlorine) bleach.
A triangle with two diagonal stripes warns that chlorine bleach will strip colors or dissolve synthetic fibers.
Do Not Bleach
Never use bleach of any kind on this garment.
A solid black or crossed-out triangle. Bleach will cause yellowing, fabric degradation, or immediate color loss.
Tumble Dry (Normal Heat)
Safe to machine dry in a tumble dryer on standard heat.
A square with a circle inside indicates standard automatic machine tumble drying is permitted.
Tumble Dry Low Heat (Gentle)
Tumble dry on low or delicate heat setting only.
A circle with one single dot inside indicates high dryer heat will cause shrinkage or melt fibers.
Do Not Tumble Dry
Do NOT put this garment in a clothes dryer. Air dry only.
A square with a circle crossed out with an X. Dryer tumble action or heat will ruin this garment.
Dry Flat
Lay garment completely flat horizontally on a towel or drying rack to dry.
A square with a horizontal line. Hanging this item wet on a hanger will stretch the wet fibers out of shape due to water weight.
Iron Low Heat (1 Dot / 110°C)
Iron at low temperature setting without steam (110°C / 230°F).
One dot inside the iron symbol protects delicate synthetics from melting on contact with hot metal.
Iron Medium Heat (2 Dots / 150°C)
Iron at medium warm temperature (150°C / 300°F).
Two dots permit standard household steam ironing for durable woven fabrics.
Iron High Heat (3 Dots / 200°C)
Iron at high temperature with heavy steam (200°C / 390°F).
Three dots indicate heavyweight natural fibers that require high heat and moisture to release stubborn wrinkles.
Do Not Iron
Do NOT iron. Heat from an iron will scorch or melt this fabric.
An iron crossed out with an X. Use a garment steamer at a distance or hang in a steamy bathroom instead.
Dry Clean Only
This garment must be professionally dry cleaned by a dry cleaner.
A simple circle indicates commercial dry cleaning using specialized solvents rather than water.
Do Not Dry Clean
Do NOT dry clean. Dry cleaning chemical solvents will dissolve or ruin this material.
A circle crossed out with an X warns that commercial solvents will damage plastic coatings or glue.