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Written by Grove Collaborative
Last updated: June 14, 2021
This laundry symbol guide will teach you how to properly wash and dry your favorite clothes. In it we decipher the images of each symbol that you could see on the labels of your clothes or fabrics.
SKIP TO SECTION
- Washing instruction symbols and their meaning
- Go Green with Grove Natural Laundry Detergent
- Machine wash icons and what they mean
- Washing machine temperatures: how to choose the right one
- The basics of whitening
- What's the matter with the dryer symbols?
- Drying temperature symbols: how to choose the right temperature
- Shop more of Grove's line of eco-friendly laundry products
Clothing should be a comfortable expression of your personality, but keeping your favorite pieces looking new requires proper care. Before throwing your next load in the washer and dryer, take a few minutes to learn all the laundry symbol meanings. (We found some we didn't know about!)
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To know moreWhere can you find laundry symbols?
You can find laundry symbols on the label of every piece of clothing or fabric you buy. These tags are usually located in the center of the back neckline, along the bottom side seam, or along the waistband or hem.
The labels contain a series of symbols to guide you on the correct washing method, drying method and whether or not the garment is dry clean only.
The first step is to determine the washing method by deciphering the different washing machine symbols for machine washing, hand washing or dry cleaning.
Washing instruction symbols may vary in design, especially in style, but the basic ideas remain the same from piece to piece.
Washing machine
If you see the image of a bathtub filled with water, it means that the garment is machine washable. If you see the same symbol with an X in the middle, the item must benobe machine washed.
wash the hand
The one-hand water pan indicates that the garment should only be washed by hand, usually because the garment is too delicate for heavy-duty machine washing.
Dry clean only
If you see an open circle icon, the garment is dry clean only and cannot be washed at home.
If you see an X on the symbol itself, it means the item mustnobe chemically clean.
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Your washing machine probably offers many different wash programs. Fortunately, the symbols take the guesswork out of picking the right one.
It all starts with the traditional washing machine icon, which has no lines below, one line below, or two lines below.
normal cycle
If the tub of water doesn't have a line under it, go ahead and use the machine's normal cycle.
permanent print cycle
If there is a single line below the tub symbol, your washing machine's permanent pressing process is required.
gentle or delicate cycle
If the machine wash symbol has two lines, it is a delicate garment that requires a gentle cycle during washing.
Washing machine temperatures: how to choose the right one
There are three different symbols that indicate the appropriate washing temperature for the garment. This is basically the machine wash symbol with one, two or three dots in the middle.
1 point: low temperature
A machine wash symbol with a dot allows for temperatures between 65 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. If you're washing a favorite piece of clothing, think twice.Wash clothes in cold water.
2 points: average temperature
Two spots allow you to machine wash the item in temperatures up to 105 degrees Fahrenheit.
3 points: High temperature
Three dots indicate durable fabrics that can be washed in temperatures up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
Sometimes adding a little bleach to the wash cycle is a way to lighten white clothes. Make sure the materials used in the garment are bleach tolerant to avoid potential damage.
allowed washing
A symbol with a triangle means that the garment is compatible with chlorine.
Do not bleach
If you see a triangle with an X, move away from the bleach completely.
Use non-chlorine bleach
A triangle with two additional diagonal lines means you can use bleach, as long as it's a non-chlorine type.
Find non-chlorine bleach alternatives at Grove!
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Professional washing advice
Take the stress out of spills by pre-treating your favorite clothes with anon-toxic stain treatment. That's what Grove author Carly Reynolds thought at the time.Tried a Grove Natural Stain Remover.
What's the matter with the dryer symbols?
The type of fabric, the embellishments of the garment, and the construction of the garment itself all help determine whether it is safe to toss the garment in the dryer or whether a gentler drying method is needed.
to addnatural drying wipesodrying ballsAdd a smooth, fresh finish to your laundry routine.
When shopping for new clothes, make it a habit to check the various drying symbols to ensure they are not only stylish, but also a practical addition to your wardrobe.
clothes dryer
A square with a large circle in the center is the symbol that resembles a tumble dryer, indicating that the garment can be machine dried. If this symbol is crossed out with a big X, it should not be thrown in the dryer.
dry autumn
If the dryer is too hard for your clothes, you'll see a hang dry icon. These vary in appearance, but generally feature a clothesline element within a square.
dry ground
Sweaters and other items that tend to stretch are not candidates for hanging or tumble drying. If you see an icon with a square and a line, let that item dry completely.
don't press
Going from the washing machine to the clothesline or drying rack can cause excess water to run off the garment. If you see a torque symbol with an X, wait before wringing the fabric, as this could damage the fabric.
Drying temperature symbols: how to choose the right temperature
Once you know you can throw your clothes in the dryer, you need to determine the proper dryer setting. There are different versions of the dryer icon to help you choose the right temperature.
1 point: low heat
The dryer symbol with a dot in the middle indicates that the dryer should be set to the lowest temperature setting.
2 points: medium fire
If you see two dots in the middle of the symbol, a medium temperature setting is appropriate for the garment.
3 points: high heat
Heavy fabrics may have three dots in the center of the symbol, meaning the garment is suitable for the highest heat settings.
without heat
When the icon's center circle is completely filled, look for the "No heat, no air" option on your dryer.
An iron needs a good iron to get that home dry cleaning feel, but not all fabrics can handle the heat. Make sure each piece of clothing has an iron symbol.
safe to pass
If you see the shape of an iron with one, two or three points in the middle, then you can safely iron such clothes. One dot is low fire, two dots is medium fire, and three dots is high fire.
Do not iron
If the same iron icon has a large X in the center of the image, stop the presses as this fabric is not suitable for ironing.
Do not steam iron
You may see an iron symbol with an X under the iron instead of through the iron. This symbol means that you can iron the garment carefully, but you should not put water in the iron to generate steam.
Understanding the different symbols on clothing labels will not only help you choose the right clothes for your wardrobe, it will also help you preserve the quality of your favorite pieces for longer.
To further understand the art and science of washing, and how to do it naturally, read ourAdvice on natural washingfor laundry hacks, tips and tricks from the cleaning experts at Grove.
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