Laundry care labels contain important instructions for keeping clothes looking their best.
However, the symbols and terminology on tags can be confusing. Reading laundry care labels properly ensures clothes last longer, retain their color and shape, and avoid damage. Taking a few minutes to learn how to interpret the icons, recommended temperatures, and other directions on garment tags will help you clean items correctly. Understanding care label guidance makes doing laundry easier and prevents ruining beloved clothes.
What is a Laundry Care Label?
A laundry care label is a small tag, usually made of fabric, that is sewn into garments and other textile items. It provides important instructions on how the item should be cleaned, washed, dried, and ironed in order to maintain its quality and appearance. The symbols, images, and written care instructions on a laundry label indicate the fabric content and special care requirements for that particular item. Following these instructions helps consumers avoid damaging their clothes during laundering and keeps garments looking their best for longer. Most clothing, towels, sheets, and other textiles will have a permanent care label sewn in an inconspicuous location, such as along the side seam or inner hem. The small tag is intended to withstand multiple trips through the laundry. Understanding how to read a laundry care label is an essential laundry skill.
Location
Laundry care labels are usually found along the neckline or side seam of clothing items. Brands place the labels in these standard locations so they are easy to find when sorting laundry. The care label provides important cleaning instructions that must be followed to avoid damaging the garment, so brands want to ensure it is easily visible. Some exceptions are that sleepwear may have the label on the front waistband since the neckline is often obscured. Socks or other small clothing items may have the label printed directly on the fabric itself. But in general, checking along the neck, side seams, or waistband is the best way to quickly find the care label when doing laundry. Being aware of these standard label locations can help ensure you never miss important washing instructions that could lead to shrinking or other damage.
Symbols
Laundry care labels contain symbols that provide instructions on how to properly wash, dry, and care for the garment. Some of the most common symbols include: –
**Washing tub symbol** – Indicates the recommended washing or water temperature for the garment. A tub with waves means use warm water. A tub with a single dot means use cold water. –
**Triangle/Iron symbol** – Provides ironing instructions. A dot means iron with low heat. Lines mean do not iron. An empty triangle means the garment can be ironed. –
**Square/Dryer symbol** – Shows the heat setting to use when machine drying the item. A square with dots means tumble dry low. An empty square means tumble dry. A crossed out square means do not tumble dry. –
**Circle/Bleach symbol** – Indicates if bleach can be used when washing. An empty circle means bleach when needed. A crossed out circle means no bleach. –
**Dryclean symbol** – A circle indicates that the garment should be professionally dry cleaned. A crossed out circle means do not dry clean. Understanding the meaning behind the symbols on clothing tags is important for properly caring for different fabrics and preventing damage. Following the instructions provides the best way to clean items and extend their lifespan.
Wash Temperatures
The wash temperature symbols indicate the maximum water temperature that is safe for washing the garment. Following the recommended temperatures helps prevent shrinking or damage. –
**Cold water** is generally up to 30°C / 85°F. The cold water symbol (a bucket with a single dot) is commonly used for delicates and items prone to shrinking or fading. Washing in cold water helps colors stay vibrant. –
**Warm water** is usually 30-40°C / 85-105°F. The warm water symbol (a bucket with two dots) is suitable for most laundry loads. Warm water provides effective cleaning for everyday items like t-shirts, jeans, towels etc. –
**Hot water** is typically 40-60°C / 105-140°F. The hot water symbol (a bucket with three dots) is meant for very dirty laundry and whites/light colors. Hot water helps remove tough stains, but can increase fading for bright or dark colors. Check item labels before using hot water.
Bleach
Bleach symbols indicate if bleach can be used when washing the item. There are generally three types of bleach symbols: – Triangle – This means bleach can be used safely on the item. The triangle is usually white inside another symbol like a circle or square. – Diagonal lines through a triangle – This indicates bleach should NOT be used on the item, as it may cause damage or fading of colors. – Empty triangle – An empty upside down triangle means only non-chlorine bleach should be used. Non-chlorine bleach is safer for colors. Knowing if bleach can be used on an item is important to prevent damage. Using chlorine bleach on a “do not bleach” item can cause colors to fade or fabric to weaken. However, bleach is useful for getting out stubborn stains and brightening whites. When in doubt, it’s best to avoid using chlorine bleach unless the label specifically says it’s safe to use. Stick to color-safe bleach or alternatives like hydrogen peroxide for “do not bleach” items. Check the label before each wash to determine if bleach is recommended or should be avoided. ## Drying The drying symbols on clothing care labels indicate how an item should be dried to avoid damaging the fabric or causing it to shrink. There are a few common drying symbols to look for: ###
Tumble Dry A circle with a dot inside indicates the garment can be tumble dried. If the circle has an X inside, it means do not tumble dry. A square around the circle means the garment can be tumble dried at a high heat setting. ###
Hang Dry A triangle indicates you should hang the item to dry instead of using the dryer. Hang drying helps maintain the shape and fit of delicate fabrics. ###
Flat Dry A square symbol tells you to lay the garment flat while drying. Sweaters and delicate fabrics often require flat drying to prevent stretching. You can lay items flat on a towel or drying rack. Following the care label’s drying guidelines helps prevent shrinkage or other damage during the drying process. Some fabrics require air drying rather than high heat to preserve the material. Checking the symbols first ensures you choose the right drying method. ##
Ironing
When it comes to ironing your clothes, the iron settings can vary quite a bit depending on the fabric. The iron symbols on clothing tags are trying to tell you what heat setting you should use when ironing that item. Here’s a quick guide to common iron setting symbols: – Dot symbol – This means the garment can be safely ironed at a maximum temperature, usually around 200°C. Cotton and linen items often have this symbol. – One dot symbol – Iron at a medium heat around 150°C. This is for fabrics like wool, cashmere, silk, and nylon. – Two dot symbol – Use a low heat around 110°C. Items with this symbol are very delicate fabrics like acetate and triacetate. – Cross or X symbol – Do not iron the garment. Fabrics like suede, leather, vinyl, and plastic melting synthetics should not be ironed. The key is to always start at the coolest setting first and work your way up to the recommended heat. This prevents any accidental scorching or melting of delicate fabrics. When in doubt, opt for a cooler iron to be safe. Properly following garment labels will help extend the life of your clothes and prevent damage.
Drycleaning
Drycleaning is required for some delicate fabrics that cannot be washed in water. Look for the dryclean symbol on the care label, which is a circle. The letters inside the circle indicate the type of solvent that can be used: – P = Perchloroethylene solvent – F = Petroleum solvent – W = Water-based solvent – Any letter = Any solvent If the dryclean symbol has a cross through it, this means do NOT dryclean the item. The fabric is too delicate and will likely be damaged by the chemicals. Some materials like wool, silk, and rayon often require drycleaning. The agitation of a washing machine and heat of the dryer can cause these fabrics to shrink, felt, or lose their shape. Lace, beading, embroidery, and other embellishments may also be damaged. While drycleaning is gentler than washing, the chemicals still present some risk to delicate fabrics. It’s best to limit drycleaning when possible, and only use it when specifically instructed by the label. Some items may say “Dryclean Only” meaning they should never be machine washed. When in doubt about drycleaning requirements, consult a professional cleaner for guidance. They can inspect the clothing and determine the safest method. It’s better to ask first than risk damaging your expensive clothes by using the wrong process. Following the care label instructions for drycleaning will keep garments looking their best for longer. Ignoring them and machine washing dryclean only items will likely lead to shrinkage, dye issues, and other damage over time. So check those labels before throwing your clothes in the wash! ##
Conclusion
Laundry care labels provide important information to help consumers properly wash, dry, and care for their clothing. While the symbols may seem confusing at first, taking the time to understand them can extend the life of your garments. Following the instructions on the label prevents damage from heat, agitation, and improper chemical use. As you do laundry, take a moment to check the tag for the recommended washing method. Sort items by water temperature, wash cycle, and drying method. This simple habit helps your clothes retain their size, shape, and color over many wears. If you invest in quality items or have specialty clothing like silks or wool, following the care instructions is especially important. Though the symbols look like a foreign language, laundry labels contain wisdom to make your clothes last. Heeding that guidance helps you get the most out of your wardrobe.