Care Symbol Chart

The five shapes on a care label always mean the same five jobs: a tub for washing, a triangle for bleach, a square for drying, an iron for ironing and a circle for professional cleaning. Marks added to the shape change the instruction. A cross through any symbol means don’t.

The tub: washing Washing (the tub)

SymbolNameIn plain words
Care label symbol: tubMachine washFine in a normal cycle
Care label symbol: tub with one dotCold washAbout 85°F (30°C) or cooler
Care label symbol: tub with two dotsWarm washAbout 105°F (40°C)
Care label symbol: tub with three dotsHot washAbout 120°F (50°C)
Care label symbol: tub with one line under itPermanent pressA cycle with a cool rinse and slower spin
Care label symbol: tub with two lines under itDelicateThe gentlest cycle your machine has
Care label symbol: tub with a hand in itHand washWash by hand in cool water, don’t wring
Care label symbol: tub with a crossDo not washNot safe in water; see the circle symbols

The triangle: bleach Bleach (the triangle)

SymbolNameIn plain words
Care label symbol: empty triangleAny bleachChlorine or oxygen bleach is fine
Care label symbol: triangle with two slanted linesNon-chlorine bleach onlyOxygen bleach yes, chlorine bleach no
Care label symbol: triangle with a crossDo not bleachNo bleach of any kind

The square: drying Drying (the square)

SymbolNameIn plain words
Care label symbol: square with a circleTumble dryFine in the dryer
Care label symbol: circle with one dotLow heatLowest dryer setting
Care label symbol: circle with two dotsMedium heatNormal setting
Care label symbol: circle with three dotsHigh heatHottest setting
Care label symbol: circle filled inNo heatAir or fluff cycle only
Care label symbol: square with a circle and a crossDo not tumble dryKeep it out of the dryer
Care label symbol: square with a curved line at the topLine dryHang it on a line or rack
Care label symbol: square with three upright linesDrip dryHang it soaking wet, don’t wring or spin
Care label symbol: square with one flat lineDry flatLay it flat so it keeps its shape
Care label symbol: square with two slanted lines in the cornerDry in shadeKeep it out of direct sun

The iron: ironing Ironing (the iron)

SymbolNameIn plain words
Care label symbol: iron with one dotLowAbout 230°F (110°C): synthetics, acetate
Care label symbol: iron with two dotsMediumAbout 300°F (150°C): wool, polyester blends
Care label symbol: iron with three dotsHighAbout 390°F (200°C): cotton, linen
Care label symbol: iron with crossed lines beneathNo steamDry iron only
Care label symbol: iron with a crossDo not ironHeat will damage it

The circle: professional cleaning Professional cleaning (the circle)

SymbolNameIn plain words
Care label symbol: empty circleDry cleanTake it to a cleaner
Care label symbol: circle with a PStandard solventsA note for the cleaner about which solvent is safe
Care label symbol: circle with an FPetroleum solvent onlyA gentler solvent; tell the cleaner
Care label symbol: circle with a WProfessional wet cleanCleaned in water by a professional, not at home
Care label symbol: circle with a crossDo not dry cleanSolvents will damage it

Labels in the United States may use words instead of symbols, and a label lists the harshest treatment the maker tested, not the only one that works. When a label and common sense disagree, go with the gentler option.