Laundry Symbols: What Do They Mean?

Whether you like it, love it or hate it, if you wear clothes, eventually you'll need to wash them.

Laundry day. Ugh, am I right? If you like to gamble, you could just put everything into the wash and then the dryer. That's a quick way to find out that washing clothes takes paying at least a little attention to avoid disaster. A good place to start is by looking at those weird symbols on the clothing tags. But what the heck do they mean? Why not just use words?

Let's take a look at how to decode those laundry symbols found on clothing tags. We'll start with some general guidelines. Understanding these symbols helps you properly care for your clothes and extend their lifespan, so you don't have to replace or throw them away before you're ready.

You can find printable laundry symbols charts online that provide a handy reference for decoding these symbols. Print out these charts for quick reference every time you do laundry. Here's a brief description of the symbols you'll see on these charts:

• Bleaching instructions: Triangles indicate if bleaching is allowed. Empty triangles for bleach-safe, triangles with diagonal lines for non-chlorine bleach only, and an X for no bleach.

• Drying symbols: Squares with circles inside show tumble drying permissions, with dots indicating heat levels. Lines beneath suggest permanent press or delicate settings, while an X means no tumble drying.

• Dry cleaning: An empty circle means dry cleaning is permitted, while a circle with an X prohibits it.

• Washtub Icon: Indicates machine washing. Variations include:

• One line underneath: Use the permanent press cycle to minimize wrinkles and fading.

• Two lines underneath: Choose the delicate cycle with colder water and a gentle/slow spin.

• Hand in the washtub: Hand wash only, using mild detergent and gentle agitation.

• X through the washtub: Do not wash; dry clean only.

• Temperature Dots:

• One dot: Cold water (65 °F (ca. 18 °C)–85 °F (ca. 29 °C)).

• Two dots: Warm water (up to 105 °F (ca. 41 °C)).

• Three dots: Hot water (up to 120 °F (ca. 49 °C)).

Tips for Washing Delicate and Wool Items

Delicates:

• Hand wash with cold water and gentle detergent.

• If machine washing on a delicate cycle, use a mesh laundry bag.

• Avoid wringing. Press gently to remove extra water.

• Lay flat to dry or use a drying rack.

Wool:

• Hand wash in lukewarm water with a detergent safe for wool.

• Avoid agitation to prevent shrinking or felting.

• Gently press out water using a towel; do not twist.

• Reshape and lay flat to dry.

Bleaching, drying, and dry cleaning instructions are important to follow to maintain the quality and longevity of your clothing. Using the proper washing method and temperature can prevent shrinkage, fading, and other damage.

Following care label guidelines will help ensure your clothes look their best for longer. Paying attention to these laundry symbols can save you time, money, and the frustration of ruining your favorite garments. With a little care, your clothes can last for years.

Free Printable Laundry Guides

https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/laundry/laundry-tag-symbols

https://www.printablee.com/post_printable-laundry-care-symbol-chart_292099/