Laundry care symbols don’t have to feel like a secret code. Once you understand the basics, these small icons make laundry day easier, protect your clothes, and help fabrics look better for longer.
At KAM, we believe caring for your home—from your kitchen to your laundry room—should feel intuitive and confidence boosting. This guide breaks down the most common laundry symbols, so you can stop guessing and start washing smarter.
⭐ Why Laundry Care Symbols Matter
Laundry symbols are universal instructions that show you how to wash, dry, iron, or clean a garment safely—no words required.
They help you:
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Prevent shrinkage and fading
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Protect delicate fabrics
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Extend the life of your clothes
Ignoring care labels often leads to damaged fibers, lost shape, and colors that don’t survive the wash. Knowing these symbols keeps your clothes looking their best.
Laundry Symbols Cheat Sheet
Washing Symbols: Start Here
The wash tub icon tells you how to clean your garment:
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Tub with water → Machine wash
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Tub with number (30, 40, etc.) → Max water temperature (°C)
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30°C = cold
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40°C = warm
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Tub with one line underneath → Gentle cycle
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Tub with two lines → Very gentle / delicate
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Hand in tub → Hand wash only
✔️ Choosing the correct wash cycle helps prevent stretching, shrinking, and unnecessary wear.
Bleaching Symbols: Read Before You Pour
Bleach instructions are shown with a triangle:
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Triangle → Bleach allowed
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Triangle with lines → Non-chlorine bleach only
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Triangle with an X → Do not bleach
Using bleach when it’s not recommended can weaken fibers and cause discoloration—especially with dark or colored fabrics.
Drying Symbols: Heat Makes a Difference
Drying symbols tell you whether an item belongs in the dryer or should air dry:
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Square with a circle → Tumble dry
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Dots inside the circle → Heat level
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1 dot = low heat
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2 dots = medium heat
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3 dots = high heat
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Square with a horizontal line → Lay flat to dry
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Square with three vertical lines → Drip dry (hang to dry)
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Any drying symbol with an X → Do not tumble dry
Low heat and gentle drying cycles help protect delicate fabrics and reduce shrinkage.
♨️ Ironing & Dry Cleaning Symbols
Ironing
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Iron icon → Iron allowed
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Dots on iron → Heat level
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1 dot = low (silk, synthetics)
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2 dots = medium (wool)
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3 dots = high (cotton, linen)
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Iron with an X → Do not iron
Dry Cleaning
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Circle → Dry clean only
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Circle with an X → Do not dry clean
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Letters inside the circle (A, P, F) → Solvent instructions for professionals
These symbols are especially important for structured, delicate, or specialty garments.
PRO TIP
When in doubt: cold wash + gentle cycle + air dry is the safest combo for most clothes.
✔️ KAM Comments: Laundry Confidence Starts Here
Just like choosing the right appliance cycle for whites, delicates, or heavy fabrics, understanding laundry care symbols helps you make smarter laundry decisions.
At KAM, we believe every part of your home experience—including laundry day—should feel simple and empowering. Decode the labels, trust the symbols, and let your washer and dryer work with confidence.