Skip to main content

To bleach or not to bleach: A guide to laundry symbols

what do laundry dry cleaning symbols mean 30437917  label clothes description jeans blue background
fotoall/123RF
From bathroom placards to “slippery when wet” signs along the highway, our day-to-day lives are filled with symbols. We decipher these ideograms hundreds of times a day without even thinking about them; however, many of these omnipresent representations still elude many of us. Most people would quickly recognize a biohazard sign, but only a select few may be able to decipher the symbol for “tumble dry at a low temperature.”

The pesky tags on the backs of our t-shirts contain an array of useful and exceedingly specific information, much of which goes unnoticed. Understanding these modern hieroglyphics may not save your life, sure, but it just might save your sweater from shrinking. Check out our guide to the basketful of symbols below.

Washing

Washing-allowed-blue Machine wash
Machine-wash,-permanent-press Machine wash, permanent press
Machine-wash,-gentle-or-delicate_ Machine wash, gentle or delicate
Hand-wash Hand wash

Hand washing is the preferred cleaning method with many delicate items. The strenuous spin and undulating of the mechanical wash cycle may stretch or damage certain articles of clothing.

Do-not-wash Do not machine wash
Machine-wash-cold-at-or-below-30-degrees-C-(86-degrees-F)_ Machine wash at or below 80°F / 30°C

This setting helps minimize the risk of shrinking or fading. Delicate fabrics are more likely to be damaged by warm water, while bright colors may bleed onto other materials.

Machine-wash-warm-at-or-below-40-degrees-C-(104-degrees-F)_ Machine wash at or below 105°F / 40°C
Machine-wash-hot-at-or-below-60-degrees-C-(140-degrees-F)_ Machine wash at or below 140°F / 60°C
Machine-wash-hot-at-or-below-70°C-(160°F)_ Machine wash at or below 160°F / 70°C
Machine-wash-hot-at-or-below-95°C-(200°-F)_ Machine wash at or below 200°F / 95°C
Do-not-wring Do not wring

Delicate articles may be stretched or damaged by wringing.

Dry-clean-only Dry clean only

Drying

Tumble drying allowed Tumble drying allowed
Tumble-dry-on-low-temperature-setting Tumble dry on low temperature setting

Machine drying is harsh on clothing. Some materials are more likely to shrink at higher temperatures (especially on the first or second wash).

Tumble-dry-at-normal-temperature Tumble dry on medium temperature setting

This item can withstand some heat.

Tumble-dry-at-high-temperature Tumble dry on high temperature setting

This item can withstand the high heat setting.

Do-not-dry-with-heat_ Tumble dry, no heat
Do-not-tumble-dry Do not tumble dry

Clothes with this symbol should not go in the dryer.

Dry-on-a-clothesline Hang to dry
Drip-dry Drip dry

Alternative drying methods are used to extend the longevity of clothing. Heavier materials that easily maintain their shape when hanging wet are ideal for drip drying.

Dry-flat Dry flat

Certain items may stretch when hanging wet on a clotheslines for an extended period of time, thus drying flat helps articles maintain their original shape.

Dry-in-the-shade Dry in the shade

Drying articles on a clothesline is less harsh than machine drying them. Certain clothing — especially darks and bright colors — can be easily faded by the sun.

Do-not-dry_ Do not dry

Bleaching

Bleaching-allowed Bleaching allowed

Use bleach when necessary on this item.

Bleaching-with-chlorine-allowed Bleaching with chlorine allowed

Use chlorine bleach when necessary on white items.

Non-chlorine-bleach-when-needed Non-chlorine bleach when needed

You may use a color-safe bleach on this item.

Do-not-bleach Do not bleach
Do-not-bleach-(alternative) Do not bleach (alternative)

Ironing

Ironing-allowed Iron or steam at any temp.
Iron-on-low-heat-setting Iron at or below 230°F / 110°C

Nylons, acrylics, acetate, and other materials can only be ironed on low temperature settings. Ironing at higher temperatures can damage delicate materials.

Iron-on-medium-heat-setting Iron at or below 300°F / 150°C
Iron-on-high-heat-setting Iron at or below 390°F / 200°C
Do-not-iron Do not iron

Screen-printed shirts sometimes have this symbol, as the heat can affect the design.

Do-not-steam_ Do not steam

Using steam might harm this article of clothing.

Dry cleaning

Dry-clean-only Dry clean only
Any-solvent_ Any solvent
Any-solvent-except-tetrachloroethylene Any solvent except tetrachloroethylene
Petroleum-solvent-only Petroleum solvent only
Wet-cleaning Wet cleaning
Do-not-dry-clean Do not dry clean 

Editors' Recommendations

Dallon Adams
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Dallon Adams is a graduate of the University of Louisville and currently lives in Portland, OR. In his free time, Dallon…
How to properly place security cameras around your home
The Wyze Cam Floodlight security camera outdoors.

Security cameras have proven to be great deterrents, forcing would-be robbers to second-guess their devious acts. Despite this, some are brazen enough to go forward, which is why you should think about proper security camera placement. A well-placed camera will have a great field of view and be located in a place that makes the camera difficult to tamper with.

Here's an in-depth look at how to properly place security cameras around your home, ensuring you have eyes on everything that matters.
Facing entrances to the home

Read more
Best Ring deals: Save on Ring doorbell and Ring alarm bundles
Ring Video Doorbell 3

If you're looking for video doorbell deals and other devices that will improve your home's security, you may want to look for Ring deals. The brand's video doorbells, security cameras, and alarm bundles will give you the peace of mind that you need, as they will wrap your family with that extra layer of protection. However, since Ring is one of the most trusted brands in the market, the offers that we've rounded up here will probably not last long. If you see something that you like, push through with the purchase immediately because they may be gone sooner than you expect.
Best Ring doorbell deals

There are different characteristics for the various versions of the Ring Video Doorbell, but they share some things in common -- they're easy to set up as wireless or wired doorbells, they allow you to see whoever's outside your front door, and they will allow you to speak to visitors and delivery people. Ring is a mainstay in our roundup of the best video doorbells, which currently includes multiple Ring Video Doorbell models such as the Ring Video Doorbell 2nd Gen as the bet entry-level video doorbell and the Ring Video Doorbell 4 as the best business-friendly video doorbell.

Read more
Best Dyson deals: Cordless vacuums, purifying fans, and beauty
The Dyson V15 Detect cordless vacuum with its laser.

Dyson is one of the most popular names in the home appliance industry because of its reputation for innovation and quality. Whether you need an upright or cordless vacuum, a purifying or cooling fan, or beauty devices like hair dryers and hair straighteners, Dyson has something for you. The brand's products don't come cheap though, so to help you with your search for savings from cordless vacuum deals and air purifier deals, we've collected our favorite Dyson deals below. Check them out, and don't hesitate to push through with a purchase if any of the offers catches your eye because we're not sure until when they're available.
Best Dyson fan deals

Dyson's bladeless fans can do just about anything -- not only can they heat up or cool down a room, but they can also purify the air by trapping pollutants. Dyson's Air Multiplier technology amplifies surrounding air to create uninterrupted streams of air, while LED screens show the status of the devices. They're fairly expensive though, which is why Dyson fan deals are always in high demand.

Read more