Clothing Laundry Care Symbol Decoder

How This Tool Works

This decoder helps you understand laundry care symbols found on clothing tags. Simply select the symbol type (washing, drying, ironing, bleaching, or dry cleaning) and specific icon to receive detailed care instructions. The tool explains washing temperatures (30°C, 40°C, etc.), cycle types (delicate, normal, permanent press), drying methods (tumble dry, air dry, line dry), ironing settings (low, medium, high heat), bleaching guidelines (safe or not safe), and dry cleaning requirements (regular, petroleum, or do not dry clean).

Understanding these symbols helps you care for your clothing properly and extend garment life. The symbols are standardized internationally (ISO 3758 standard), so they mean the same thing regardless of where your clothing was made. Following the care instructions prevents shrinking, fading, damage, and extends the life of your garments. The decoder makes it easy to understand these sometimes-confusing symbols, ensuring you wash and care for your clothes correctly.

Understanding Laundry Symbols

• Washing Symbols: Tub icons indicate washing instructions. Numbers show temperature in Celsius, dots show temperature levels, and lines indicate cycle type.
• Drying Symbols: Square icons with circles inside indicate drying methods. Dots show heat levels, and lines indicate air-dry options.
• Ironing Symbols: Iron icons show ironing temperature and steam settings. Dots indicate heat levels from low to high.
• Bleaching Symbols: Triangle icons indicate whether chlorine bleach is safe. A crossed triangle means no bleach.
• Dry Cleaning Symbols: Circle icons indicate dry cleaning requirements. Letters inside show specific solvents, and crossed circles mean no dry cleaning.
• Special Instructions: Additional symbols may indicate hand wash only, do not wring, or other special care requirements.

Laundry Care Tips

• Check Tags First: Always check care labels before washing new garments
• Sort by Care Instructions: Group similar care requirements together for efficient washing
• Follow Temperature Guidelines: Use recommended water temperatures to prevent shrinking and fading
• Respect Special Instructions: Follow hand wash, dry clean only, and other special care requirements
• Use Appropriate Detergents: Choose detergents suitable for your fabric type and water temperature
• Air Dry When Recommended: Some fabrics require air drying to maintain shape and prevent damage

FAQ

• What do laundry care symbols mean?
  Laundry care symbols are international icons on clothing tags that indicate how to properly wash, dry, bleach, iron, and dry clean garments. Each symbol represents specific care instructions to help maintain fabric quality and prevent damage. The symbols follow the ISO 3758 standard, so they're consistent worldwide regardless of where the garment was made.
• How do I read laundry symbols?
  Laundry symbols are read from left to right, starting with washing instructions, then bleaching, ironing, and dry cleaning. The symbols use different shapes (tub for washing, square for drying, iron for ironing, triangle for bleaching, circle for dry cleaning) and lines to indicate temperature, cycle type, and special care requirements. Numbers indicate temperature in Celsius, dots indicate heat levels.
• What does a crossed-out symbol mean?
  A crossed-out symbol means you should NOT perform that action. For example, a crossed-out iron means do not iron, a crossed-out circle means do not dry clean, and a crossed-out triangle means do not bleach. Always respect crossed-out symbols to avoid damaging your garments.
• Why are laundry symbols important?
  Following laundry care symbols helps preserve fabric quality, prevent shrinking, fading, and damage. Proper care extends garment life and maintains appearance. Ignoring symbols can ruin clothing - washing a "dry clean only" item can shrink or damage it, using too high heat can melt synthetic fabrics, and bleaching can fade or damage colors.
• What do the dots on symbols mean?
  Dots indicate temperature or heat levels. One dot = low/cool (30°C washing, low heat drying/ironing), two dots = medium (40°C washing, medium heat), three dots = high/hot (60°C+ washing, high heat). More dots = higher temperature. Always check the specific symbol type (washing, drying, ironing) to understand what the dots mean in that context.
• What if I can't find the care symbols on my clothing?
  If care symbols are missing or faded, look for text instructions on the tag. If both are missing, use general guidelines: cotton can usually be washed warm and tumble dried, synthetics often need cool wash and low heat, delicate fabrics may need hand washing or dry cleaning. When in doubt, use gentler settings (cool water, low heat, air dry) to be safe.