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Laundry Care Made Easy: A Guide to Understanding Washing Instruction Symbols
Ever felt confused by the washing instruction symbols on your clothes tags? You’re not alone! These seemingly cryptic symbols, also known as washing machine symbols or laundry care symbols, can feel like a code that needs deciphering. But fear not! This comprehensive guide will unravel the meaning of washing symbols, transforming laundry day from a chore to a breeze.
By understanding these washing and drying symbols, you’ll learn how to properly care for your clothes, ensuring they stay looking and feeling their best for years to come. No more shrinkage, fading, or damage caused by improper washing! So, grab your laundry basket, and let’s dive into the world of laundry care symbols!
Wash
Picture of a bucket with a wavy line to indicate it is full of liquid
Garment can be washed in a normal wash with hot water and detergent
Cold Machine Wash
Picture of a bucket with a single dot in the middle
Garment needs a wash no warmer than 30℃
Warm Machine Wash
Picture of a bucket with two dots in the middle
Garment needs a wash no warmer than 40℃
Hot Machine Wash
Picture of a bucket with three dots in the middle
Garment needs a wash no warmer than 50℃ (more dots represent hotter washes)
Permanent Press Machine Wash
Picture of a bucket with a single line underneath
Garment can be washed on the setting with cool down or cold rinse with a slower spin
Gentle Machine Wash
Picture of a bucket with two lines underneath
Garment can be washed using a gentle setting or for reduced amount of time
Hand Wash
Picture of a bucket with a hand over the opening
Garment should not be machine washed – wash only by hand with water and detergent
Do Not Wash
Picture of a bucket with a cross through it
Garment cannot be washed safely, may require dry cleaning
Bleach When Needed
A simple triangle shape unfilled
Any bleach cleaning product can be used in the cleaning process
Non-Chlorine Bleach Required
Simple triangle shape with two diagonal lines inside
Garment can be washed with non-chlorine products
Do Not Bleach
A filled in triangle with a cross through it
No bleach cleaning product can be used
Tumble Dry
A square box with a circle inside
Garment can be used with regular tumble dryer machine up to highest setting
Tumble Dry Low Heat
A square box with a circle inside and a single dot
Garment can be tumble dried on the lowest setting
Tumble Dry Medium Heat
A square box with a circle inside and two dots
Garment can be tumble dried up to a medium setting
Tumble Dry High Heat
A square box with a circle inside and three dots
Garment can be tumble dried up to highest setting
Tumble Dry No Heat
A square box with a circle inside shaded in
Garment can be tumble dried with no heat
Tumble Dry Permanent Press
A square box with a circle inside and a line under the box
Garment can be tumble dried but only with permanent press setting
Tumble Dry Gentle
A square box with a circle inside and two lines under the box
Garment can be tumble dried on a gentle setting
Do Not Tumble Dry
A square box with a circle inside, all crossed out by two lines
Garment cannot be tumble dried
Do Not Dry
Square box crossed out by two lines
Garment cannot be machine dried
Line Dry
A square box with a small curve inside at the top to denote a fold
Garment can be hung indoors or outdoors
Drip Dry
Square box with three vertical lines inside
Garment can be left to drip dry indoors or outdoors
Dry Flat
Square box with a single horizontal line in the middle
Garment should be laid flat to dry
Dry In Shade
Square box with two diagonal lines in the upper corner
Garment can be hung to dry but must be kept in the shade
Do Not Wring
A twisted cloth with a cross through
Garment must not be wrung at any point
Iron
A simple outline of an iron
Garment can be ironed on any temperature
Iron Low Heat
Simple outline of an iron with a single dot in the middle
Garment can be ironed on a low heat setting
Iron Medium Heat
Simple outline of an iron with two dots in the middle
Garment can be ironed on a medium heat setting
Iron High Heat
Simple outline of an iron with three dots in the middle
Garment can be ironed on high heat setting
Do Not Steam
Simple outline of an iron with two lines beneath which are crossed out
Garment cannot be steam ironed
Do Not Iron
Simple outline of an iron crossed out
Garment cannot be ironed
Dry Clean
A circle with a blank centre
Garment should be dry cleaned on any setting
Dry Clean With Any Solvent
A circle with a capital ‘A’ in the middle
Garment can be dry cleaned with any solvent
Dry Clean With Petroleum Solvent
A circle with a capital ‘F’ in the middle
Garment can be dry cleaned with petroleum solvent only
Dry Clean With Any Solvent Bar Trichloroethylene
A circle with a capital ‘P’ in the middle
Garment can be cleaned with any solvent except for Trichloroethylene
Do Not Dry Clean
A blank circle with a cross through it
Garment cannot be dry cleaned
So Fresh and So Clean: Maintaining Your Wardrobe with Washing Machine Symbols
With a little knowledge and these handy laundry tips, you can extend the lifespan of your favourite garments and keep them looking their best. Remember, proper care is key to a happy wardrobe!
Following the washing machine symbols on your clothes tags is just the first step. Here are some additional tips to remember:
- Sort effectively: Separate laundry by colour (darks, lights, and delicates) and fabric weight (heavy towels versus light blouses) to prevent colour bleeding and damage to delicate items.
- Dosage matters: Don’t be tempted to overdo it on the detergent. Using the recommended amount based on your machine’s capacity and water hardness will ensure a clean wash without leaving residue on your clothes.
- Prompt action: Avoid leaving damp clothes in the washing machine for extended periods. This can lead to mildew or unpleasant odours. Transfer laundry promptly or run a short rinse cycle if you know you’ll be delayed.
- Air dry when possible: Whenever possible, opt for air drying over tumble drying, especially for delicate items. This can help preserve the shape and colour of your clothes for longer.
By following these simple tips and deciphering the washing machine symbols meaning, you can ensure your clothes stay looking and feeling their best for a long time. But even with the best care, washing machines can sometimes malfunction. If your washing machine ever stops working properly, don’t despair! Domex offers a wide range of washing machine repair services to get your appliance back up and running quickly and efficiently. Our skilled technicians can diagnose and fix a variety of washing machine problems, so you can get back to doing what you love – clean laundry!