Is your mind always spinning from doing laundry? Should you wash your jacket with cold water or warm water? Confused about what the laundry symbols found on clothing labels mean? If thoughts of this nature run through your mind whenever it’s laundry day, then you’ve come to the right place.
If you feel like you’re studying very complicated hieroglyphics, don’t worry, we won’t judge you. At the onset, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by so many clothing care symbols. No need to worry! Our detailed guide will help you become fluent in laundry care in no time. In the article below, we discuss the meaning behind each and every laundry symbol, including those for washing, drying, ironing, and dry cleaning. Once you become familiar with all of those you will definitely be ready to face each and every laundry day the right way. You won’t have to fear ruining your clothes and other essential fabrics!
Here are all the laundry symbols that you need to know as well as some tips that can help you.
Washing Symbols
Machine Wash
Machine Wash is the most common laundry symbol. It indicates that the clothes are durable enough to withstand the pressure caused by a washing machine.
Do Not Wash
The Do Not Wash symbol tells you that the specific clothes are not suitable for the regular laundry routine. The Do Not Wash symbol is close to the image of the Machine Wash symbol but with a big cross mark.
Machine Wash: Gentle or Delicate
Not all clothes that are “Machine Wash Ready” are created equal. It’s important to see the care label first before dumping them into the washing machine. Gentle or Delicate symbols usually have two line bars below the Machine Wash symbol. When you see this symbol, separate clothes from regular washing to the Gentle or Delicate batch.
Machine Wash: Permanent Press
Permanent Press, also known as the wrinkle control cycle, means the clothing needs a slower spin cycle and even warm water. The water at this particular temperature helps prevent or remove some of the wrinkles, while the slower spin will reduce the wrinkle effect from washing.
Hand Wash
As advised from the care label, if you see your clothes with a tub icon with a hand inside, it’s highly suggested to never put them in a washing machine. Washing machines can be equipped with Gentle or Delicate options, but if you see this symbol on your clothes, it’s better not to risk it. Instead, use the traditional way of washing in the sink or small tub, and manually wash it using your hands and with mild laundry soap.
Machine Wash Heat Level: Cold
The Cold Heat Level icon usually has a dot sign in the washtub icon in your care label. Some washing machines have a cold water option that ranges from 15°C to 30°C. Most modern washers today are well-designed to handle cold washing. Even more, there are laundry soap detergents now that are specialized in working with cold water to enhance the overall result.
A pro-tip: using cold water will help to slow down the shrinking of fabrics and make their color last. Cleaning-wise, it can remove several stains from clothing such as food stains and makeup smudges.
Machine Wash Heat Level: Warm
Like the Machine Wash Heat Level: Cold symbol, the Machine Wash Heat Level: Warm symbol shows the washtub icon, but with two dots in the middle. The washing machine’s warm option usually gives about 40°C or 105°F water temperature. Washing with a warm water temperature is suitable for heavy soiling.
Machine Wash Heat Level: Warm-Hot
Similar to the previous symbols, the Machine Wash Heat Level: Warm-Hot symbol has the washtub icon with three dots in the middle. These dots signify that the clothes can take hotter water temperature, about 50°C or 120°F.
Take note that washing at this level has its pros and cons. It can effectively remove the heavy soiling much quicker compared to a warmer level but it can also shrink your garments. Be warned!
