Care labels use five basic symbols: a washtub for washing, a triangle for bleaching, a square for drying, an iron for ironing and a circle for dry cleaning. An X through a symbol means don’t (FTC). Dots give the heat, more dots meaning hotter, and bars under a symbol ask for a gentler cycle: one bar for permanent press, two for delicate (Government of Canada).
How to read a care label
Read the symbols one at a time, from washing to dry cleaning. Each basic shape names a step; the marks on it tell you how to do that step:
- Dots mean temperature. In the washtub they give the hottest water allowed; in the tumble-dry circle and on the iron, the heat setting. More dots means hotter (Government of Canada).
- Bars mean a gentler cycle. One bar under the washtub or the dryer square means permanent press; two bars mean delicate or gentle (Government of Canada; the FTC lets US labels show these cycles by underlining the symbol).
- An X means don’t: don’t wash, bleach, tumble dry, iron or dry clean (FTC).
- An empty symbol means any: any water temperature, any bleach, any dryer heat (Government of Canada).
- Letters in the circle are for the dry cleaner: P and F name the solvents allowed, and W means professional wet cleaning (Government of Canada).
What the dots mean
| Dots | Washtub (water) | Dryer (tumble dry) | Iron |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 30°C · 86°F | low · 55°C · 131°F | low · 110°C · 230°F |
| 2 | 40°C · 104°F | medium · 65°C · 149°F | medium · 150°C · 302°F |
| 3 | 50°C · 122°F | high · 75°C · 167°F | high · 200°C · 392°F |
| 4 | 60°C · 140°F | – | – |
| 5 | 70°C · 158°F | – | – |
| 6 | 95°C · 203°F | – | – |
| None | any temperature | any heat | any temperature |
Maximum temperatures from the Government of Canada’s care symbol guide; Fahrenheit figures are our conversions. A filled-in circle in the dryer square means no heat. Labels made for other countries may print the wash temperature as a number in the tub, such as 30 or 40, instead of dots.
What US label words mean
Under the FTC’s Care Labeling Rule, the words on a US label have set meanings, and the symbols may stand in for them:
- Cold water is up to 86°F (30°C), warm is 87 to 111°F (31 to 44°C), and hot is 112 to 145°F (45 to 63°C).
- Permanent press cycle means a cool-down or cold rinse before a reduced spin; delicate or gentle cycle means slow agitation and a shorter time.
- Cool iron means the lowest setting and warm iron the medium one.
A US label also says something by leaving things out. If it gives no water temperature, hot water up to 145°F can be used regularly; if it doesn’t mention bleach, all bleaches are safe; tumble dry with no setting allows a hot setting; and iron with no temperature allows the highest one (FTC).
US labels and labels from other countries
In the US, the FTC lets clothing makers use the care symbols in ASTM standard D5489-96c in place of words; those are the only symbols approved for US labels (FTC). Clothes made for Europe carry the symbols of GINETEX, the International Association for Textile Care Labeling, adopted as ISO standard 3758. The two systems share the same five basic symbols but differ in the details (FTC).
The FTC chose the ASTM set in 1997 because the ISO system then lacked symbols for some information US labels must give, it assumed European-style washers that heat water to a set temperature, and GINETEX asserted trademark rights in its symbols (FTC). If a label shows a number in the washtub, it’s the maximum water temperature in degrees Celsius (Government of Canada).
Every laundry symbol
Pick a symbol in the decoder above to jump to it.
Washing
Machine wash
On a US label: “Machine wash”Machine wash at any water temperature, on the normal cycle.
What to do: Any setting is fine. On a US label, a wash instruction with no temperature means hot water up to 145°F (63°C) can be used regularly.
Source: Government of Canada care symbol guide, FTC Care Labeling Rule, 16 CFR 423
Wash at or below 30°C (86°F)
On a US label: “Machine wash cold”Machine wash in water no hotter than 30°C (86°F), on the normal cycle. The Canadian guide calls it cool.
What to do: Use your washer’s Cold setting: on a US label, “cold” means water up to 86°F (30°C).
Source: Government of Canada care symbol guide, FTC Care Labeling Rule, 16 CFR 423
Wash at or below 40°C (104°F)
On a US label: “Machine wash warm”Machine wash in water no hotter than 40°C (104°F), on the normal cycle. The Canadian guide calls it warm.
What to do: Use Warm: on a US label, “warm” means water from 87 to 111°F (31 to 44°C).
Source: Government of Canada care symbol guide, FTC Care Labeling Rule, 16 CFR 423
Wash at or below 50°C (122°F)
On a US label: “Machine wash hot”Machine wash in water no hotter than 50°C (122°F), on the normal cycle. The Canadian guide calls it hot.
What to do: Use Hot: on a US label, “hot” means water from 112 to 145°F (45 to 63°C).
Source: Government of Canada care symbol guide, FTC Care Labeling Rule, 16 CFR 423
Wash at or below 60°C (140°F)
On a US label: “Machine wash hot”Machine wash in water no hotter than 60°C (140°F), on the normal cycle. The Canadian guide calls it very hot.
What to do: Hot is fine: 60°C (140°F) is inside the US label’s “hot” range, which goes up to 145°F.
Source: Government of Canada care symbol guide, FTC Care Labeling Rule, 16 CFR 423
Wash at or below 70°C (158°F)
On a US label: “Machine wash hot”Machine wash in water no hotter than 70°C (158°F), on the normal cycle. The Canadian guide calls it extremely hot.
What to do: Hotter than the US label’s “hot” range (up to 145°F). The Canadian guide lists it for home or commercial machines.
Source: Government of Canada care symbol guide, FTC Care Labeling Rule, 16 CFR 423
Wash at or below 95°C (203°F)
On a US label: “Machine wash hot”Machine wash in water no hotter than 95°C (203°F), on the normal cycle. Near boiling; the Canadian guide lists it for commercial machines only.
What to do: Any wash temperature is within this limit.
Source: Government of Canada care symbol guide, FTC Care Labeling Rule, 16 CFR 423
Permanent press cycle
On a US label: “Machine wash, permanent press cycle”One bar under the washtub: use the permanent press cycle. Dots in the tub still give the top temperature.
What to do: Choose Permanent Press. On a US label it means a cool-down or cold rinse before a reduced spin.
Source: FTC rule notice, 1997, Government of Canada care symbol guide, FTC Care Labeling Rule, 16 CFR 423
Delicate or gentle cycle
On a US label: “Machine wash, gentle cycle”Two bars under the washtub: use the delicate or gentle cycle.
What to do: Choose Delicate or Gentle: on a US label it means slow agitation and a shorter time.
Source: FTC rule notice, 1997, Government of Canada care symbol guide, FTC Care Labeling Rule, 16 CFR 423
Hand wash
On a US label: “Hand wash”Wash gently by hand. The Canadian guide puts it at water no hotter than 40°C (104°F).
What to do: Wash it by hand with gentle squeezing. A US label that says hand wash with no temperature allows water up to 150°F (66°C).
Source: Government of Canada care symbol guide, FTC Care Labeling Rule, 16 CFR 423
Do not wash
On a US label: “Do not wash”Don’t wash it in water. A US clothing label has to give either a washing or a dry-cleaning instruction, so look for the dry-cleaning symbol.
What to do: Follow the professional-care symbol on the label.
Source: Government of Canada care symbol guide, FTC Care Labeling Rule, 16 CFR 423
Do not wring
On a US label: “Do not wring”Don’t wring or twist it to remove water.
What to do: On a US label, “no wring” means no roller wringer and no wringing by hand.
Source: Government of Canada care symbol guide, FTC Care Labeling Rule, 16 CFR 423
Bleaching
Any bleach
On a US label: “Bleach when needed”An empty triangle: any bleach can be used when needed, chlorine or not.
What to do: Use bleach as its own label directs. A US clothing label that doesn’t mention bleach means all bleaches are safe.
Source: Government of Canada care symbol guide, FTC Care Labeling Rule, 16 CFR 423
Non-chlorine bleach only
On a US label: “Only non-chlorine bleach, when needed”A triangle with two diagonal lines: only non-chlorine bleach, when needed.
What to do: Don’t use chlorine bleach. US labels say “Only non-chlorine bleach, when needed.”
Source: Government of Canada care symbol guide, FTC Care Labeling Rule, 16 CFR 423
Do not bleach
On a US label: “No bleach / Do not bleach”No bleach of any kind. In the US and Canadian symbol sets it’s a solid triangle with an X.
What to do: Skip bleach, chlorine and non-chlorine alike.
Source: FTC rule notice, 1997, Government of Canada care symbol guide, FTC Care Labeling Rule, 16 CFR 423
Drying
Tumble dry
On a US label: “Tumble dry”A circle in a square: tumble dry in a dryer, any heat, normal cycle.
What to do: Any dryer setting. On a US label, tumble dry with no setting means a hot setting can be used regularly.
Source: Government of Canada care symbol guide, FTC Care Labeling Rule, 16 CFR 423
Tumble dry, low heat
On a US label: “Tumble dry low”1 dot in the circle: tumble dry at low heat. The Canadian guide sets the limit at 55°C (131°F).
What to do: Choose the Low heat setting on your dryer.
Source: Government of Canada care symbol guide, FTC Care Labeling Rule, 16 CFR 423
Tumble dry, medium heat
On a US label: “Tumble dry medium”2 dots in the circle: tumble dry at medium heat. The Canadian guide sets the limit at 65°C (149°F).
What to do: Choose the Medium heat setting on your dryer.
Source: Government of Canada care symbol guide, FTC Care Labeling Rule, 16 CFR 423
Tumble dry, high heat
On a US label: “Tumble dry high”3 dots in the circle: tumble dry at high heat. The Canadian guide sets the limit at 75°C (167°F).
What to do: Choose the High heat setting on your dryer.
Source: Government of Canada care symbol guide, FTC Care Labeling Rule, 16 CFR 423
Tumble dry, no heat
On a US label: “Tumble dry, no heat”A filled-in circle: tumble dry without heat (air only).
What to do: Use the dryer’s no-heat (air) setting: on a US label, “no heat” means the dryer runs without heat.
Source: Government of Canada care symbol guide, FTC Care Labeling Rule, 16 CFR 423
Tumble dry, permanent press
On a US label: “Tumble dry, permanent press”One bar under the square: the permanent press setting. With two dots, the Canadian guide puts it at medium heat, up to 65°C (149°F).
What to do: Choose Permanent Press on the dryer.
Source: Government of Canada care symbol guide, FTC Care Labeling Rule, 16 CFR 423
Tumble dry, delicate
On a US label: “Tumble dry, gentle cycle, low”Two bars under the square: a delicate cycle. With one dot, the Canadian guide puts it at low heat, up to 55°C (131°F).
What to do: Choose Delicate on the dryer, at low heat.
Do not tumble dry
On a US label: “Do not tumble dry”An X over the tumble-dry symbol: keep it out of the dryer.
What to do: Air dry it: look for a line-dry, drip-dry or dry-flat symbol on the label.
Source: Government of Canada care symbol guide, FTC Care Labeling Rule, 16 CFR 423
Line dry
On a US label: “Line dry”A curved line at the top of the square: hang it to dry once the excess water is out.
What to do: Hang it on a line or bar, indoors or out.
Source: Government of Canada care symbol guide, FTC Care Labeling Rule, 16 CFR 423
Drip dry
On a US label: “Drip dry”Three vertical lines: hang it up soaking wet and let it drip dry.
What to do: Hang it dripping wet; smoothing it by hand is fine.
Source: Government of Canada care symbol guide, FTC Care Labeling Rule, 16 CFR 423
Dry flat
On a US label: “Dry flat”One horizontal line: lay it flat to dry once the excess water is out.
What to do: Lay it out flat to dry.
Source: Government of Canada care symbol guide, FTC Care Labeling Rule, 16 CFR 423
Dry in the shade
On a US label: “Line dry in shade”Two diagonal lines in the corner: dry away from direct sun. It’s added to the line-dry, drip-dry or dry-flat symbol.
What to do: Dry it indoors or in the shade.
Source: Government of Canada care symbol guide, FTC Care Labeling Rule, 16 CFR 423
Do not dry
On a US label: “Do not dry”An X over the square: don’t dry it at home. It goes with the do-not-wash symbol.
What to do: Follow the label’s professional-care symbol.
Ironing
Iron
On a US label: “Iron”An iron with no dots: iron at any temperature, with or without steam.
What to do: Any setting. On a US label, “iron” with no temperature allows the highest setting.
Source: FTC rule notice, 1997, FTC Care Labeling Rule, 16 CFR 423
Iron, low heat
On a US label: “Cool iron”1 dot: iron at a low temperature, no hotter than 110°C (230°F). The Canadian guide lists it for acetate, acrylic, modacrylic, nylon, polypropylene and spandex.
What to do: Use your iron’s lowest setting.
Source: Government of Canada care symbol guide, FTC Care Labeling Rule, 16 CFR 423
Iron, medium heat
On a US label: “Warm iron”2 dots: iron at a medium temperature, no hotter than 150°C (302°F). The Canadian guide lists it for polyester, rayon, silk, triacetate and wool.
What to do: Use your iron’s medium setting.
Source: Government of Canada care symbol guide, FTC Care Labeling Rule, 16 CFR 423
Iron, high heat
On a US label: “Iron (hot)”3 dots: iron at a high temperature, no hotter than 200°C (392°F). The Canadian guide lists it for cotton and linen.
What to do: Use your iron’s highest setting.
Source: Government of Canada care symbol guide, FTC Care Labeling Rule, 16 CFR 423
Do not steam
On a US label: “No steam / Do not steam”An iron with crossed-out steam lines: iron dry, with no steam.
What to do: Turn the steam off. On a US label, “no steam” means steam in any form isn’t used.
Source: FTC rule notice, 1997, Government of Canada care symbol guide, FTC Care Labeling Rule, 16 CFR 423
Do not iron
On a US label: “Do not iron”An X over the iron: don’t iron or press it.
What to do: Don’t use an iron or a press on it.
Source: Government of Canada care symbol guide, FTC Care Labeling Rule, 16 CFR 423
Professional care
Dry clean
On a US label: “Dryclean”An empty circle: it can be dry cleaned.
What to do: Take it to a dry cleaner. In the US the process may include hot tumble drying up to 160°F (71°C) and steam pressing.
Source: FTC rule notice, 1997, FTC Care Labeling Rule, 16 CFR 423
Dry clean, P
On a US label: “Professionally dryclean”A P in the circle: dry clean on a normal cycle with any solvent except trichloroethylene.
What to do: For the dry cleaner: most solvents are fine.
Dry clean, F
On a US label: “Professionally dryclean, petroleum”An F in the circle: dry clean on a normal cycle with petroleum solvent only.
What to do: For the dry cleaner: petroleum solvent only.
Source: Government of Canada care symbol guide, FTC Care Labeling Rule, 16 CFR 423
Professional wet clean
On a US label: “Professionally wet clean”A W in the circle: it can be wet cleaned by a professional cleaner.
What to do: Ask a cleaner that offers professional wet cleaning.
Do not dry clean
On a US label: “Do not dryclean”An X over the circle: don’t dry clean it.
What to do: Wash it as the washing symbol says.
Source: Government of Canada care symbol guide, FTC rule notice, 1997, FTC Care Labeling Rule, 16 CFR 423
Do not wet clean
On a US label: “Do not wet clean”An X over the W: no professional wet cleaning.
What to do: Tell your cleaner.
Questions people ask
What does tumble dry mean?
Dry it in a clothes dryer. The symbol is a circle in a square; dots in the circle set the heat (one low, two medium, three high), a filled circle means no heat, and an X means keep it out of the dryer (Government of Canada). On a US label with no setting given, a hot setting is fine (FTC).
What does the triangle mean on a clothing label?
Bleach. An empty triangle allows any bleach, a triangle with two diagonal lines allows only non-chlorine bleach, and a solid triangle with an X means no bleach (Government of Canada, FTC).
What do the dots mean on laundry symbols?
Temperature. In the washtub, one dot is up to 30°C (86°F) and six dots up to 95°C (203°F); on the dryer and the iron, one, two and three dots mean low, medium and high (Government of Canada).
What does the circle mean on a care label?
Professional cleaning. An empty circle means it can be dry cleaned, P and F tell the cleaner which solvents to use, W means professional wet cleaning, and an X means don’t (FTC, Government of Canada). A circle inside a square is different: that’s the tumble dryer.
What does a line under a laundry symbol mean?
A gentler cycle: one line means permanent press, two lines mean delicate or gentle (Government of Canada).
How hot is hand wash?
The Canadian guide’s hand-wash symbol allows water up to 40°C (104°F). A US label that says hand wash without a temperature allows water up to 150°F (66°C) (FTC).
Sources
- Federal Trade Commission, Care Labeling of Textile Wearing Apparel and Certain Piece Goods (16 CFR Part 423), including Appendix A, the glossary of standard terms: what cold, warm and hot mean; cycle, dryer and iron settings; bleach wording; what a label means when it says nothing; ASTM D5489-96c symbols allowed in place of words (§ 423.8(g)).
- Federal Trade Commission, Care Labeling Rule notice, 62 FR 29209 (May 29, 1997): the five basic symbols; an X cancels a symbol; underlining the washtub for permanent press or gentle cycles; the solid “do not bleach” triangle; the “do not steam” iron; why the ASTM system was chosen over ISO/GINETEX.
- Federal Trade Commission, Clothes Captioning: Complying with the Care Labeling Rule: symbols are optional; only the ASTM D5489-96c symbols are approved in the US.
- Government of Canada, Office of Consumer Affairs, Guide to Apparel and Textile Care Symbols (modified June 12, 2024): every symbol with its maximum temperature; dots for washing temperatures; bars for permanent press and delicate; natural drying; dry cleaning letters; do not wring; wet cleaning.
The symbol drawings are ours, after the shapes these sources describe. GINETEX asserts trademark rights in the international (ISO) care symbols.