What a care label is for
A care label is the maker’s recommendation for keeping a garment in good condition. It is usually sewn into a side seam or the neckline, and it combines pictograms with, sometimes, a few words. Symbols are used instead of long text so the same label works in many languages. Many regions use a similar system, though details and legal requirements differ by country, so the label on your garment is your best reference.
The label is a guide to what the manufacturer expects the item to survive, not a promise that other methods will ruin it. Still, if you follow it, you are least likely to run into shrinking, color loss or warped shape.
The five basic shapes
The system is built from five shapes. Once you recognize them, most labels become readable.
- Wash tub: washing
- Triangle: bleaching
- Square: drying
- Iron: ironing
- Circle: professional care (dry cleaning or wet cleaning)
Extra marks modify each shape. The additions are consistent, so learning them once helps across all five.
Washing symbols
The tub symbol shows how to wash. A number inside usually indicates the maximum water temperature in degrees Celsius, such as 30 or 40. Dots instead of numbers are also used, with more dots meaning higher temperatures.
- A bar under the tub means a gentler cycle with reduced agitation. Two bars generally mean an even gentler, delicate or wool-type cycle.
- A hand in the tub usually indicates hand washing only.
- A tub with a cross means do not wash. The item typically needs dry cleaning or specialist care.
If you are unsure what temperature suits your load, our guidance on washing clothes covers sorting and sensible settings. As a general idea, lower temperatures are gentler on color and fabric, while higher temperatures are used for sturdy whites or heavily soiled items.
Bleaching symbols
The triangle indicates whether bleach may be used.
- An empty triangle means any bleach is allowed.
- A triangle with two diagonal lines generally means only non-chlorine, oxygen-based bleach.
- A solid crossed-out triangle means do not bleach.
When in doubt, avoid bleach on colored garments. Chlorine bleach can damage some fibers such as silk and wool.
Drying symbols
The square covers drying in several ways.
- A square with a circle inside means tumble drying is allowed. Dots inside the circle show heat: one dot for low and two for medium or normal.
- A crossed-out tumble dry symbol means do not tumble dry.
- A square with a curved line at the top typically means line dry.
- A square with vertical lines is often drip dry, and horizontal lines mean dry flat.
- A diagonal line in the corner commonly means dry in the shade.
These symbols matter most for knits, which often say dry flat. For more on choices, see the comparison of air drying and machine drying.
Ironing symbols
The iron shape shows whether you may press the garment, and dots indicate temperature:
- One dot: low heat, suited to many synthetics and delicate fabrics
- Two dots: medium heat, suited to wool and silk
- Three dots: high heat, typically suited to cotton and linen
- Iron with a cross: do not iron
- Iron with lines under it crossed out: do not use steam
Dot heat levels are relative to the iron’s own settings, so use your iron’s fabric guide as a cross-check, and test on a hidden area if unsure.
Professional care symbols
A circle shows professional cleaning. A circle with the letter P generally indicates dry cleaning with certain solvents, and a circle with F is another solvent group. A crossed-out circle means do not dry clean. A W in a circle means professional wet cleaning. Dry cleaners are trained to read these letters, so you typically do not need to memorize them. Just bring the garment with the label intact.
Words that appear on labels
Some labels use plain wording, such as “dry clean only,” “wash separately,” “wash inside out,” or “cool iron.” The word “only” matters. “Dry clean” with no “only” is sometimes a recommendation rather than a requirement, but an unlabeled risk may not be worth taking for an expensive piece.
Fiber content is listed on a related label, and reading labels for origin, content and certification claims is a separate skill. The fiber mix helps explain care instructions: wool tends to felt, silk can water-spot, and many synthetics melt under high heat.
When the label is missing or faded
If a label has been cut out or faded, identify the fabric as well as you can and use the gentlest reasonable approach: cool water, a delicate cycle, mild detergent, and air drying. Test colors for bleeding by dabbing a hidden seam with a damp white cloth. Taking a photo of care labels when you buy something can help you later.
Putting it to use
Treat the label as a starting point. Sort laundry by symbol where possible, using one pile for 30-degree gentle items, one for sturdy 40-degree loads, and one for hand wash. That habit alone prevents a good deal of accidental damage.