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Even if you’ve been doing laundry for years, deciphering laundry symbols can still be a challenge. You might not have even realized these symbols existed until now since checking tags on your everyday clothing isn’t exactly a common habit. Nevertheless, much like any language, it’s beneficial to familiarize yourself with these symbols, especially if you find yourself traveling internationally or need guidance on how to care for new garments or bedding.
For those who travel frequently, understanding laundry symbols can be especially useful. If you’re in a foreign country and not familiar with the local language, these symbols can be your best bet for ensuring you don’t ruin your clothes. They’re also helpful for beginners; many people didn’t have someone teach them the ins and outs of laundry, making these symbols an easy way to learn the basics. You may even discover them on your favorite suits, sweaters, dresses, or your child’s cherished stuffed animals—like a hidden gem! So, next time you purchase something new and are unsure how to maintain it, checking the laundry symbols can help ensure it lasts.
Once you become familiar with laundry symbols, they won’t seem so daunting anymore. Here’s some essential information about the laundry symbols chart so you can navigate the laundromat like a pro.
Laundry Symbols Overview
When it comes to washing symbols, you might notice variations, but they all share one common element: dots. The dots in washing machine symbols generally indicate the temperature of the water. If you’re looking to wash items in cold water, you’ll want to find the wash symbol with the fewest dots—sometimes, it may just be the wash symbol itself. Charts often make this clearer by including the temperature inside the wash symbol to eliminate any confusion.
Of course, you might not always know the exact water temperature when loading your washer. Many machines only categorize temperatures as “hot,” “cold,” or “medium.” For instance, if you’re a nurse washing work clothes, you’d likely choose hot water, just as a parent dealing with muddy playground jeans would.
Dry Cleaning Symbols
You may often see “dry clean only” on clothing labels. However, while traveling abroad, you might find it challenging to determine if an item can be tossed in the wash when you return home. Fortunately, the symbols indicating dry cleaning needs are straightforward—typically, a circle signifies “dry clean,” while a circle with an “X” through it means “do not dry clean.” Sometimes, more complex symbols may indicate “short-cycle” or “no steam,” but unless you’re a dry cleaner, you probably won’t need to memorize those.
Dryer Symbols
While washing symbols are relatively easy to grasp, dryer symbols can be a bit trickier. Drying clothes correctly is an art, especially since certain items can shrink if not dried properly. Similar to washing symbols, some dryer representations use dots to indicate the appropriate drying temperature. The more dots, the higher the heat, with three dots often representing “high heat.”
There are additional symbols related to drying as well:
- Hang Dry: This is depicted as a square with a towel or envelope about to fall off a clothesline.
- Drip Dry: Represented by a square featuring three vertical lines.
- Dry Flat: Shown as a square with a horizontal line in the center.
- Dry In Shade: A square with two lines in the upper left corner indicates this specific request.
- Do Not Dry: A square with an “X” over it signifies not to dry.
- Do Not Tumble Dry: This is shown as a square with a circle inside, crossed by an “X.”
Next to the dryer symbols, you may find ironing instructions. As usual, the more dots on the iron symbol, the higher the permissible heat.
Bleach Symbols
Using bleach can be tricky unless you’re working with a load of whites. Thankfully, laundry symbols can help you avoid damaging your clothes. The bleach symbol is a triangle, while the symbol for “do not bleach” is a triangle with an “X” through it. Additionally, a triangle with two lines inside symbolizes “non-chlorine bleach,” and a triangle with “CL” indicates “chlorine bleach.”
Next time you buy something new, take a moment to decipher the laundry tag symbols. After reading this guide, you may have acquired a valuable new skill.
Laundry Tips
In addition to understanding laundry symbols, here are some tips to ensure a successful laundry day:
- Treat stains with detergent or stain remover immediately to improve the chances of removal during washing.
- To prevent fading of dark clothing, turn them inside out before washing.
- Liquid detergent is great, but powder detergent is often more effective and cost-efficient, providing a deeper clean.
- Keep your washer and dryer well-maintained through regular cleaning.
- Tired of losing socks? Use safety pins to keep them together in the wash.
- For faster drying and lower electric bills, toss in extra wool sheets when using the dryer.
- Whenever possible, opt for air-drying to save energy and prevent shrinkage.
- Always check pockets for items that might cause stains before washing and zip up zippers while unbuttoning buttons before loading clothes.
- Set a timer on your phone when washing to avoid mildew and unpleasant odors in your clothes.
This article, originally published on October 17, 2021, aims to empower you with the knowledge needed to handle your laundry confidently.
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Summary
Laundry symbols can be a mystery for many, but understanding them is crucial for proper garment care. From washing and drying to bleach instructions, each symbol has its own meaning that can help you preserve your clothing. Plus, following some handy laundry tips can make your washing day even more efficient.