Here's why you should never ignore the symbols on your clothing tags
The quick guide to ensuring your clothes are properly washed and dried
Credit:
Reviewed / Lily Hartman
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So you got a new shirt. You wear it around town and have a ball in it. But when it comes time to wash it, you haven't a clue how to clean it. Everyone just tells you to follow the directions on the tag, but then you find puzzling hieroglyphics.
Well, maybe it's not that confusing. But the individual symbols are common enough, so let's go over what each of these little characters mean. Understanding these laundry symbols is more simple than you might think, and it could even preserve some of your favorite clothes.
Water bucket: Washing instructions
This symbol indicates which wash temperature you should use–if you can wash it at all. Because the whole system was developed by French people, that number is in Celsius. You may also see dots en lieu of numbers. Here's your quick guide to understanding these machine (or handwash) symbols:
Bucket with 30: Wash on cold.
Bucket with 40: Wash on warm.
Bucket with 60: Wash on hot.
Bucket with one dot: Wash on cold.
Bucket with two dots: Wash on warm.
Bucket with three dots: Wash on hot.
Should you be in Canada, you might encounter clothes with six dots. That means you can basically boil them.
There are an overwhelming number of washer options in today's market. But after testing more than dozens of washers, we can help guide you through all of your burning questions. (Spoiler alert: Our favorite dishwasher overall is the GE Profile PTW900BPTRS.)
The GE Profile is designed to handle a lot of laundry with a huge 5.4-cubic-foot drum and built-in detergent reservoirs.
Triangle: Bleaching instructions
Plain triangle: Any bleach can be used, including chlorine-based bleach.
Triangle with diagonal lines: Only use oxygen-based, non-chlorine bleaches.
Triangle with an X: Do not bleach.
With so many bleach options out there, it can be tough to know which one to trust. Our bleach guide explains the differences between formulas and helps you choose the right one for your laundry needs.
These laundry booster pods contain oxygen bleach and a small amount of bleach activator in liquid form. They break down dirt, whitening whites and brightening colors.
Square: Drying instructions
Everything you need to know about drying is indicated by this square. Like with washing, the number of dots indicates how much heat the article in question can tolerate.
Square with a circle in it: Dryer-safe.
Square with one dot: Dry using low heat.
Square with two dots: Dry on medium heat.
Square with three dots: Dry the clothing with high heat.
Empty square: Line dry only.
Square with a semicircle at the top: Hang to dry.
Today's dryer market is packed with choices, which can make picking the right one feel daunting. Luckily, we've tested dozens of models listed in our comprehensive guide and are here to help you navigate your biggest questions.
The Electrolux aces most of our tests. Its performance is excellent, its steam features are helpful, and it's gentle on clothes.
Iron: Ironing instructions
Although it looks like a bent paperclip, this is the symbol for ironing. Like with everything else, more dots indicate higher heat tolerance.
Plain iron: Iron at any temperature.
Iron with one dot: Iron on low heat.
Iron with two dots: Iron on medium heat.
Iron with three dots: Iron on high heat.
Iron with an X: Do not iron.
With so many irons on the market, finding the right one can be tricky. After testing a wide range of models, we’re here to help you cut through the clutter with our iron guide.
The PurSteam is a sturdy, easy-to-use, wrinkle-busting steam iron that comes with all of the features you need for a fresh press
Circle: Dry clean only
If you can't wash, dry, or iron your clothes, you'll probably find a circle laundry symbol on the tag. Circles indicate that a professional needs to do the washing. The various letters inside the circle tell your cleaner which chemicals can be used. For your own purposes, following the washer/dryer care guide is good advice for prolonging the life and durability of your clothes.