Learn the meaning of laundry symbols

Every garment you buy comes with a series of labels that display small icons related to what we can do or should avoid when washing, drying, and ironing it. Do you know the meaning of the washing symbols ? Although they are present on all garments, questions often arise about their meaning.

The origin of laundry symbols

These symbols were the brainchild of Ginetex , the International Textile Conservation Labeling Association , which in 1963 saw the need to include them on clothing labels to treat and care for clothes as they deserve. The meaning and form of the washing symbols are similar worldwide, except in Japan and Australia. Although we may sometimes underestimate them, it's very important to learn to understand the meaning of washing, drying, and ironing symbols , as this will allow us to treat our clothes properly. This way, not only will the fabrics stay in good condition and maintain their original shape , but they'll also last much longer. Fabrics are constantly evolving, and new blends and textiles are emerging that require special care. If we don't know these things, we can damage them during washing or ironing, causing them to stretch or shrink, discolor, tear, or become misshapen . To prevent this from happening to your clothes, we'll explain the meaning of each and every one of the washing symbols!

What are the laundry symbols?

These are the main washing symbols you'll see on clothing labels. There are different types of washes, and not all are suitable for all types of garments . For example, a wash that includes a spin cycle won't be suitable for a garment containing wool. Other fabrics, such as silk, won't tolerate high temperatures, and polyester prefers cold temperatures. Take note so you don't ruin your laundry.

Machine wash symbols

To indicate that they refer to the washing process, all these symbols are represented by a rectangular bucket , to which some information is added.

• Crossed-out bucket. This means the garment cannot get wet.
• Liquid-filled bucket. This is one of the most common and simply means that the garment can be submerged in a container filled with water without any problem.
• Full bucket with a line underneath. Wash using a delicate cycle.
• Temperature bucket. Sometimes, there are numbers inside the bucket, indicating the maximum temperatures to which the tissues can be subjected. However, other times, the temperatures are represented by dots. They are interpreted as follows:
  • One point. Maximum of 30 ºC.
  • Colon. Maximum of 40 ºC.
  • Three points. It must not exceed 50ºC.
  • Four points. A maximum of 60 ºC.
  • Five points. The maximum washing temperature is 70ºC.
  • Six points. This garment can be subjected to a temperature of 95°C, meaning it could even be boiled without damage.

Handwashing symbols

Knowing how to read clothing labels means knowing when a garment can only be hand-washed. This recommendation is often made for very delicate garments , such as underwear made of certain fabrics. This prevents garments from shrinking in size, for example.

• Bucket with one hand. The garment can be washed with water, but this must be done by hand. An alternative is to use a protective bag for delicate garments and then wash it in the washing machine on the gentlest setting. Some have a handwash setting, in which the garment is not spun.
• A full bucket with two lines underneath. When the bucket has one line instead of two, the wash should be extra gentle. In these cases, you can choose to hand wash.

Symbols for the use of bleach and whitening agents

In the washing instructions, there are specific instructions for the use of bleach and whitening agents. Triangle-shaped symbols are used for this purpose. These can be found in the following forms:

• Empty triangle. Any product of this type can be used. If it includes the letters CL, it means you can use chlorine-containing bleach, such as bleach.
• Crossed-out triangle. You may not use any bleach. This symbol may be black or white, but they both mean the same thing. No bleach!
• Triangle with stripes inside. In this case, you can use oxygen-based bleaching products, as they won't damage the colors of your underwear .

Clothes drying symbols

In addition to the importance of washing your clothes properly, the drying process will also help you achieve the best results . Pay attention to the drying methods you can find on the label.

Machine dry

For tumble drying, these symbols exist. They are usually represented by a square with a circle inside :

• Square with crossed-out circle. Do not tumble dry. Also available in a square with a black-filled circle.
• Square with a circle inside. Can be tumble dried.
• Square with a dot in the center. Machine dry at low temperature.
• Square with two dots. Machine dry at normal temperature.
• Square with three dots. Machine dry on high heat.
• Square with a circle and a line underneath. Tumble dry at medium temperature and on a delicate cycle.
• Square with a circle and two lines underneath. Tumble dry at low or cold temperatures and on a very delicate cycle.

Air drying

There are also symbols indicating how to air-dry garments, suitable for fabrics that cannot withstand the high temperatures of a dryer and require more care. In these cases, there is no circle inside the square.

• Crossed-out square. The garment cannot be machine-spun, so it should be drained and air-dried.
• Crossed-out bow. Wring out the garment without twisting it.
• Square with a curved line inside. The garment can be hung on a clothesline.
• Square with three vertical lines. Water should be allowed to drain from the garment while it is hanging vertically on hangers.
• Square with two transverse lines in one corner. It should be dried in the shade.
• Square with a horizontal line. The garment should be dried horizontally.

Ironing symbols for clothes

The iron symbol is possibly the easiest to recognize, as it's a pictogram representing this appliance. We can identify several:

• Crossed-out iron. Do not iron!
• Iron on white. You can iron the garment at normal temperature.
• Iron with a dot. Iron at a low temperature and without steam.
• Iron with two points. Iron at medium temperature.
• Iron with three points. Ironing at a high temperature is permitted without damaging the garment.
• Iron with crossed-out steam lines. Iron without using the steam option.

Professional clothing cleaning symbols

Professional laundry cleaning is usually characterized by circular symbols on the labels. These are the most common symbols, which will need to be interpreted at the cleaning center where you take your garments.

Dry cleaning

For garments that require dry cleaning, there are various circular symbols indicating what can and cannot be done. For example, these are the dry cleaning symbols:

• Crossed-out circle. Not suitable for dry cleaning.
• Empty circle. Dry cleaning is permitted at a professional laundry or dry cleaner.
• Circle with an A. Solvents may be used for dry cleaning.
• Circle with an F. Should be treated as delicate items when dry-cleaned. Benzene may be used for this.
• Circle with a P. Perchloroethylene may be used, but not other solvents.
• Circle with a line below on the left. Dry clean at low temperatures.
• Circle with a line at the top left. Dry cleaning without steam.
• Circle with a line below on the right. Dry clean with a short cycle.
• Circle with a line at the top right. Dry clean using reduced humidity.

Cleaning with water

Sometimes, professional cleaning isn't dry cleaning, and water is used, although in a different way than you would with hand or machine washing. This is its symbol:

• Circle with a W. Normal professional cleaning with water.

Now you know how to identify and understand the meaning of washing symbols. Doesn't it seem so difficult anymore? Keep our guide handy and refer to any symbols on your clothing labels that you're unsure of. And don't forget to keep them in mind when caring for your Abanderado garments so you know how to wash underwear properly and keep it in good condition longer.