What do the many symbols on your laundry stand for? A little symbol guide.
7.9.2017
Translation: machine translated
A pool full of water. A pool full of water and a two-digit number that seems to be swimming around in it. There is also a socket. And a triangle. Or is that a tent after all? The last sign must be a steam locomotive. Far from it - we're talking about washing symbols and their not always so obvious meaning.
Dirty laundry - now what?
Have you just moved out and find yourself faced with a mountain of unwashed clothes? You've been doing your own laundry for ages, but only ever at 30 degrees so that nothing gets ruined? Are you a washing expert but still only understand half of the symbols on the little white labels on your clothes? Don't worry, because I'll decipher the most important hieroglyphics for you below. So that your laundry not only gets pore-deep clean, but also remains wearable.
The crème-de-la-crème: the wash tub
Extremely simple and yet extremely important: the number indicates the maximum temperature at which you can wash your laundry. A line under the tub means that you should also use a delicate programme, if available. Two dashes tell you that you or your washing machine should handle the textiles even more carefully, e.g. using a delicate wash
or wool wash programme. If a hand is involved or can be found on the symbol, this means Hands off the washing machine and get to work - washing by hand is the order of the day. If the symbol is even crossed out, it's best not to wash it at all.
International washing symbols
If you ever stray across the pond to America and discover your perfect outfit in a shop there: Treat yourself and buy it. Because there are also translations for washing symbols: For example, one dot in the USA means wash at 30 degrees, two dots stand for 40 degrees and so on. All other symbols should also be decipherable with a bit of detective work and a good brain.
The traffic sign: the bleach sign
Whitening helps to turn discoloured clothes white again or remove extremely stubborn stains. But be careful, very few items of clothing can be bleached without problems. That's what the triangle is for. A triangle means you can bleach. A crossed-out triangle means: "Me no bleaching, please." The letter combination "CL" (see illustration above) tells you that you must use chlorine for bleaching, two lines in the triangle indicate a bleaching process using oxygen only.
For professionals: the chemical circle
The circle stands for professional or dry cleaning by a specialised company. Although the employees should know the different letters and symbols within the circle, I'll explain them briefly anyway - you never know. The "P", for example, stands for "perchloroethylene". It's actually logical, isn't it? This unpronounceable word stands for a colourless liquid that is used as a solvent by professional cleaning companies. No letter or an "A" means that the dry cleaner can use all means and measures to get rid of the stains. Or at least try to. An "F" stands for a wash cycle with hydrocarbon solvents or petrol, one or two lines under the circle indicate gentle or very gentle cleaning. A black, crossed-out circle also indicates to the cleaning company that wet cleaning is not permitted.
Washing machines that handle your laundry with kid gloves
Let off steam: The iron
The iron stands - what a big surprise - for the ironing temperature. Crossed out also means: no! The dots (one to three possible dots) stand for the temperature: one dot means never iron too hot and be careful with steam ironing. Two dots stand for medium heat and three for high heat, which the garment can withstand and still look nice afterwards.
You're flat: irons can also be gentle on your clothes
After washing is before drying
A circle in a square? Ah, all right: the dry cleaner (circle) is located in an office complex (square). Wrong! Well, then that can only mean that I have to connect the tumble dryer to the power supply, right? Right, this symbol stands for the tumble dryer. The dots in it - one for low, two for medium and three for high temperatures - indicate how hot it can get. I am omitting the crossed-out symbol here for the reasons already mentioned above.
Hot, dry and fluffy soft
Don't despair in an emergency
And just ask us or Google... or have I forgotten a symbol and you don't know what it means? I've tried to cover the most important symbols. If you're still missing one, let me know or ask your question about other washing symbols in the comments section below and I'll make sure your laundry is treated the way it deserves.
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Header image: A cry for help from ancient Egypt? No, clear instructions to you and your washing machine.
Raphael Knecht
Senior Editor
raphael.knecht@digitecgalaxus.chWhen I'm not stuffing my face with sweets, you'll catch me running around in the gym hall. I’m a passionate floorball player and coach. On rainy days, I tinker with my homebuilt PCs, robots or other gadgets. Music is always my trusted companion. I also enjoy tackling hilly terrain on my road bike and criss-crossing the country on my cross-country skis.