Decoding the Hieroglyphics: A Guide to Understanding Laundry Symbols

Have you ever taken a quick glance at the care label on your new shirt or pair of jeans, only to be greeted by what looks like a series of abstract hieroglyphics? Those little icons, better known as laundry symbols, carry valuable information on how to properly care for your garments. Understanding them can be the difference between a long-lasting wardrobe and a collection of faded, shrunken, or damaged clothing.

In this blog post, we'll demystify those confusing laundry symbols and help you become a laundry master. So grab your magnifying glass and let's start decoding!

WASHING SYMBOLS

These symbols usually look like a little tub of water. Variations on this base symbol will guide you on how to wash your clothes.

Basic Tub: This symbol means your garment is safe for machine washing.

Hand in Tub: A hand reaching into the tub means you should hand wash the item.

Number Inside the Tub: This indicates the maximum temperature (in Celsius or Fahrenheit) you should use for washing.

Line Under Tub: A single line beneath the tub indicates a reduced spin, and two lines suggest a gentle cycle.

DRYING SYMBOLS

Drying symbols often resemble a square, sometimes with additional icons or lines.

Basic Square: If you see just a blank square, that means you can tumble dry the item.

Circle Inside Square: This indicates that you should use a low heat setting.

Lines Under Square: One or two lines under the square mean you should use the permanent press setting or gentle cycle, respectively.

Dotted Square: This indicates that you should air dry your clothing.

IRONING SYMBOLS

Ironing symbols look like a traditional iron.

One Dot Inside Iron: Use a low heat setting.

Two Dots Inside Iron: Use a medium heat setting.

Three Dots Inside Iron: Use a high heat setting.

Iron with an X: Do not iron!

BLEACHING SYMBOLS

Bleaching symbols often look like a triangle.

Empty Triangle: It's safe to bleach this garment.

Triangle Filled with Stripes: Only non-chlorine bleach should be used.

Triangle with an X: Do not bleach.

DRY-CLEANING SYMBOLS

These symbols look like a circle and often come with additional marks to indicate special instructions.

Empty Circle: You can dry clean this item.

Letter Inside Circle: This specifies what kind of solvent to use.

Circle with an X: Do not dry clean.