Laundry symbols

Every garment you buy comes with a series of labels featuring small icons related to what we can do or should avoid when washing, drying, and ironing them. Do you know what the washing symbols mean? Although they are present on all garments, questions often arise about their meaning.

The origin of clothing washing symbols

These symbols were created by Ginetex, the International Association for Textile Care Labelling, which in 1963 saw the need to include them on clothing care labels so that garments could be treated and cared for as they deserve. The meaning and shape of the washing symbols are similar throughout the world, except in Japan and Australia. Although we may sometimes have underestimated them, it is very important to learn to understand the meaning of the washing, drying, and ironing symbols, as this will enable us to treat our garments properly. This will not only keep the fabrics in good condition and in their original shape, but will also make them last much longer. Fabrics are evolving, and new blends and textiles are constantly appearing that require special care. If we don't know how to care for them, we can damage them by washing or ironing them, causing them to stretch or shrink, fade, tear, or become misshapen. To prevent this from happening to your clothes, we'll explain the meaning of each and every laundry symbol!

What are the laundry symbols on clothing?

These are the main washing symbols you will see on clothing labels. There are different types of washing, and not all of them are suitable for all types of garments. For example, a wash that includes spinning will not be suitable for a garment that contains wool. Other fabrics, such as silk, cannot withstand high temperatures, and polyester is best washed at cold temperatures. Take note so you don't ruin your laundry.

Machine wash symbols

To indicate that they refer to the washing process, all these symbols are represented by a rectangular tub, to which certain information is added.

• Crossed-out tub. This means that the garment cannot get wet.

• Bucket filled with liquid. This is one of the most common symbols and simply means that the garment can be immersed in a container filled with water without any problem.

• Bucket filled with a line underneath. It must be washed on a delicate cycle.

• ● Bucket with temperature. Sometimes there are numbers inside the bucket, which indicate the maximum temperature to which the fabrics can be subjected. However, there are other times when the degrees are represented by dots. These are interpreted as follows:

  • One dot. Maximum 30°C.

  • Two dots. Maximum 40ºC.

  • Three dots. Must not exceed 50ºC.

  • Four dots. Maximum 60ºC.

  • Five dots. The maximum washing temperature is 70°C.

  • Six dots. This garment can be washed at 95°C, meaning it could even be boiled without suffering any damage.

Hand wash symbols

Knowing how to read clothing labels means knowing when a garment can only be washed by hand. This recommendation is usually made for very delicate garments, such as underwear made from certain fabrics. This prevents the garments from shrinking, for example.

• Bucket with one hand. The garment can be washed with water, but it must be washed by hand. An alternative is to use a protective bag for delicate garments and wash it in the washing machine on the gentlest cycle. Some washing machines have a hand wash cycle, in which the garment is not spun.

• Bucket filled with two stripes underneath. When the bucket has one stripe instead of two, the wash must be extra delicate. In these cases, you can opt for hand washing.

Symbols for the use of bleach and whiteners

The washing instructions include specific instructions for the use of bleach and whiteners. Triangle-shaped symbols are used for this purpose. They can be found in the following forms:

• ● Empty triangle. Any product of this type can be used. If it includes the letters CL, it means that you can use bleaching products that contain chlorine, such as bleach.

• ● Crossed-out triangle. You cannot use any bleaching products. This symbol may be white or black, but both mean the same thing. No bleach!

• ● Triangle with stripes inside. In this case, you can use oxygen-based bleaching products, as these do not damage the colors of your underwear.

Clothes drying symbols

In addition to the importance of washing your clothes correctly, the drying process will also help you achieve the best results. Pay attention to the types of drying you may find on a label..

Machine drying

For tumble drying, these symbols are used. It is usually represented by a square with a circle inside:

• Square with a crossed-out circle. Do not use the dryer. There is also a variation with a square with a black circle inside.

• Square with a circle inside. Tumble dryer can be used.

• Square with a dot in the center. Tumble dry at low temperature.

• Square with two dots. Tumble dry at normal temperature.

• Square with three dots. Tumble dry at high temperature.

• Square with a circle and a line underneath. Can be tumble dried but at medium temperature and on a delicate cycle.

• Square with a circle and two lines underneath. Can be tumble dried at low or cold temperature on a delicate cycle.

Air drying

There are also symbols that indicate how to air dry garments, suitable for fabrics that cannot withstand the high temperatures of the dryer and need more care. In these cases, there is no circle inside the square.

• Crossed-out square. The garment cannot be spun in the washing machine, so it must be left to drain and dry in the open air.

• Crossed-out bow. Drain the garment without twisting it.

• Square with a curved line inside. The garment can be hung on a clothesline.

• Square with three vertical lines. Allow the garment to drain while hanging vertically on hangers.

• Square with two diagonal lines in one corner. Dry in the shade.

• Square with a horizontal line. Dry the garment horizontally.

Clothes ironing symbols

The iron symbol is probably the easiest to recognize, as it is a pictogram representing this household appliance. We can identify several:

• Crossed-out iron. Do not iron!

• Iron symbol without a line through it. The garment can be ironed at a normal temperature.

• Iron with a dot. Iron at a low temperature and without steam.

• Iron with two dots. Iron at medium temperature.

• Iron with three dots. Ironing at high temperature is permitted without damaging the garment.

• Iron with crossed-out steam lines. Iron without using the steam option.

Professional clothing cleaning symbols

Professional laundry cleaning is usually indicated on labels with symbols in the form of circles. These are the most common symbols, which you will need to explain to the cleaning center where you take your garments that require this type of cleaning.

Dry cleaning

For garments that require dry cleaning, there are different symbols in the form of circles that indicate what can and cannot be done. For example, these are the dry cleaning symbols:

• Circle with a line through it. Cannot be dry cleaned.

• Empty circle. Dry cleaning is permitted at a professional laundry or dry cleaner.

• Circle with an A. Solvents may be used in dry cleaning.

• Circle with an F. Must be treated as delicate garments when dry cleaning. Benzine can be used for this purpose.

• Circle with a P. Perchloroethylene can be used, but no other solvents.

• Circle with a line underneath on the left. Dry cleaning at low temperatures.

• Circle with a line above on the left. Dry cleaning without steam.

• Circle with a line below on the right. Dry cleaning with a short cycle.

• Circle with a line above on the right. Dry cleaning using reduced moisture.

Water cleaning

Sometimes professional cleaning is not dry cleaning, and water is used, although in a different way than you would use it for hand washing or machine washing. This is the symbol for this:

• ● Circle with a W. Normal professional cleaning with water.

Now you know how to identify and understand the meaning of washing symbols. It doesn't seem so difficult anymore, does it? Keep our guide handy and consult it whenever you see a symbol on your clothing labels that you don't know how to interpret. And remember that at LaTacaNeta, we help you take the best care of your clothes at affordable prices.