Fabric Care Labels Decoded: Complete Guide
James Calloway·Published
Reading the Universal Care Symbols
Clothing care labels use standardized international symbols. Understanding them extends garment life significantly.
Washing Symbols (Tub)
- Numbers inside tub: maximum water temperature (30, 40, 60C)
- Hand in tub: hand wash only
- Crossed-out tub: do not wash
- Lines under tub: gentle cycle (one) or very gentle (two)
Drying Symbols (Square)
- Circle in square: tumble dry OK
- Dots in circle: heat level (one=low, two=medium, three=high)
Ironing and Professional Care
The iron symbol with dots indicates temperature. A triangle indicates bleach. A circle indicates dry cleaning — letters inside specify the solvent type.
