Ever looked at a care label and felt like you were trying to solve a puzzle? Those tiny symbols might seem confusing, but they hold the key to keeping your clothes looking new and lasting longer.
In this guide, we’ll break down what each care label symbol means, so you can wash, dry, and iron your garments the right way—no more shrunken sweaters or faded fabrics!
Why Care Labels Matter
Every clothing item comes with a care label for a reason — it tells you how to properly clean and maintain the fabric without damaging it. Ignoring these instructions can lead to:
❌ Shrinking
❌ Fading
❌ Stretching or misshaping
❌ Fabric damage
By understanding laundry symbols, you’ll protect your favorite pieces and extend their lifespan!
💡 Want a handy reference? We’ve created a Laundry Care Guide that summarizes what each symbol represents.
Decoding Laundry Symbols
Care labels are typically divided into five categories:
1. Washing Symbols
2. Bleaching Symbols
3. Dry Cleaning Symbols
4. Drying Symbols
5. Ironing Symbols
Let’s break them down one by one!
1. Washing Symbols: How to Wash Your Clothes
The washing symbol looks like a bucket of water and tells you how to properly wash your garment.
 |
normal wash |
 |
permanent press |
 |
gentle cycle |
 |
machine wash-cold |
 |
machine wash-warm |
 |
machine wash-hot |
 |
hand wash |
 |
do not wash |
💡 Pro Tip: Always wash delicate fabrics like silk or lace on a gentle cycle to prevent damage!
2. Bleaching Symbols: Can You Use Bleach?
Bleaching symbols look like triangles and indicate whether or not you can use bleach.
 |
bleach if needed |
 |
do not bleach |
 |
non-chlorine bleach if needed |
💡 White clothes only! Bleach can weaken fabric fibers—so always check before using it.
3. Dry Cleaning Symbols: When to Leave It to the Professionals
Dry cleaning symbols look like circles and tell you if your garment needs professional care.
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dry clean |
 |
do not dry clean |
💡 Why dry clean? Some fabrics like wool, silk, and velvet can lose their shape or texture if washed at home.
4. Drying Symbols: How to Dry Without Damage
Drying symbols look like squares, often with circles or lines inside.
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tumble dry normal |
 |
tumble dry permanent press |
 |
tumble dry gentle cycle |
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tumble dry low heat |
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tumble dry medium heat |
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tumble dry high heat |
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do not tumble dry |
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tumble dry no heat |
 |
do not dry |
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dry in shade |
 |
dry flat |
💡 Avoid shrinkage! Tumble drying on high heat can shrink cotton, wool, and delicate fabrics. Always check your label first!
5. Ironing Symbols: How to Prevent Fabric Damage
Ironing symbols look like a small iron with dots indicating heat levels.
 |
iron |
 |
do not iron |
 |
low heat |
 |
medium heat |
 |
high heat |
💡 Pro Tip: Use a steamer on delicate fabrics instead of ironing to avoid scorching!
Your Laundry Symbol Cheat Sheet
To make things even easier, we’ve compiled all these symbols into a free downloadable Laundry Care Guide that you can print and keep in your laundry room!
With this easy-to-follow chart, you’ll never have to guess what those tiny icons mean again!
Final Tips for Garment Care
✔ Always check the label before washing, drying, or ironing
✔ Wash similar fabrics together
✔ Use cold water for colors to prevent fading
✔ Air dry when in doubt—it’s gentler on fabric and helps clothes last longer
By following care labels and understanding laundry symbols, you can keep your favorite outfits in perfect condition for years to come!
