Laundry symbols explained: the 5 symbol groups on a care label

A tub with two bars, a square with a circle, a crossed-out triangle: the tiny signs in the collar or side seam look like a secret code. Once you can read laundry symbols, however, a few seconds tell you how hot a garment can be washed and whether it may be bleached, tumble dried or ironed.

In January, when new jumpers, presents and winter clothes pile up in the shared laundry room, a closer look at the label pays off. Here are the five symbol groups, their variations and the most common misunderstandings.

Why laundry symbols are worth a closer look

Laundry symbols are harmonised internationally. They belong to the GINETEX association and are defined in the ISO 3758 standard. The manufacturer has tested what the fabric, colours and seams can take, and the label shows the most intensive treatment that is still safe. Follow it and you avoid the classic mishaps: the shrunken wool jumper, the shirt that ran or the shiny patches on a pair of trousers.

The logic is what matters. Every symbol sets an upper limit: at most this temperature, at most this much mechanical action, at most this much heat when ironing. Gentler is almost always fine; harsher is not. The symbols always appear in the same order, so with a little practice you can read them at a glance.

1. The wash tub: temperature and cycle

The number in the tub is the maximum washing temperature in degrees Celsius. GINETEX explains that one bar under the tub means a milder cycle with reduced mechanical action and two bars a very mild one, for example for woollens.

GINETEX's consumer site adds that for mild cycles you should load the drum less, for wool no more than one-third full, and hand wash at a maximum of 40 °C without rubbing or wringing. Some labels, for instance on imported goods, show dots in the tub instead of a number: the more dots, the warmer the wash may be.

The number is a ceiling, not a recommendation. EnergieSchweiz, the Swiss federal energy programme, advises choosing low temperatures of 20 to 30 °C, eco programmes and full loads. Everyday laundry with normal soiling still comes out clean. Find out more in our guide to washing at 20 degrees.

2. The triangle: to bleach or not to bleach

The triangle covers bleaching agents, including stain-removing powders and heavy-duty detergents that contain bleach:

• Empty triangle: any bleach may be used, including chlorine bleach.
• Triangle with two diagonal lines: oxygen bleach only, for example a stain-removing powder or heavy-duty washing powder.
• Crossed-out triangle: do not bleach. That also rules out heavy-duty detergents with bleach – use a colour detergent instead.

3. The square: tumble dryer or washing line

Everything to do with drying appears inside a square. A circle in the square means the tumble dryer; lines mean air drying.

In a shared laundry room this symbol matters especially, because the tumble dryers there are often powerful. Hang wool, silk and anything with a crossed-out dryer symbol in the drying room, or lay it flat on a towel. For the cold season, see our guide to drying laundry in winter.

4. The iron: dots for the temperature

The dots in the iron show the maximum soleplate temperature. According to GINETEX, that is about 120 °C for one dot, 160 °C for two and 210 °C for three, and this takes priority over the fibre content.

• One dot: low temperature, for example synthetics, silk and acrylic. Steam is often unsuitable.
• Two dots: medium temperature, for wool and blends.
• Three dots: high temperature for cotton and linen.
• Crossed-out iron: do not iron.
• Iron with crossed-out steam lines below: iron without steam.

Iron delicate items inside out or with a cloth in between to avoid shiny patches.

5. The circle: professional care

The last symbol is aimed at the dry cleaner. Letters in the circle tell the professional which process is allowed:

• P in the circle: dry cleaning with the usual solvents.
• F in the circle: dry cleaning with hydrocarbon solvents only.
• W in the circle: professional wet cleaning.
• Bar under the circle: gentle process.
• Crossed-out circle: do not dry clean.

In practice: if the label shows only a circle and a crossed-out tub, the item belongs at the dry cleaner's, not in the washing machine.

The most common mistakes with laundry symbols

• Reading the number as a recommendation: 60 °C means "no hotter than", not "wash at". Cooler is gentler and saves energy.
• Overlooking the bars: a wool jumper with two bars washed on a normal cycle will felt and shrink. The right method is in our guide on how to wash a wool jumper.
• Everything into the tumble dryer: a crossed-out square with circle still applies when you are in a hurry.
• Cutting off the label without noting it: you end up guessing – and often guessing wrong.

Priority Clean editorial teamOur cleaning team from Alberswil, Canton of Lucerne, shares hands-on experience from move-out, house, office and window cleaning across Central and Northwestern Switzerland.