Care labels use five symbols: a tub for washing, a triangle for bleach, a square for drying, an iron for pressing and a circle for professional cleaning. A cross through any symbol means do not. A circle with a letter means the item should go to a professional cleaner, and "dry clean only" pieces should never go in a home washing machine.
The washing tub
A tub with a number shows the maximum water temperature in Celsius. Dots mean the same thing: one dot is cool, two is warm, three is hot. A hand in the tub means hand wash only. Lines under the tub mean a gentler cycle.
The bleach triangle
An empty triangle means any bleach is fine. A triangle with two diagonal lines means non chlorine bleach only. A crossed triangle means no bleach at all.
The drying square
A square with a circle inside means tumble drying is fine, with dots for heat level. A square with lines means line dry, flat dry or drip dry. Many delicate fabrics should never see a dryer.
The iron
One dot is a cool iron for synthetics and silk, two dots medium for wool and polyester blends, three dots hot for cotton and linen. A crossed iron means no ironing, and lines under it mean no steam.
The professional cleaning circle
A circle means professional cleaning. The letter inside tells the cleaner which method to use: P and F are dry cleaning solvents, and W means professional wet cleaning. A crossed circle means do not dry clean. When an item is labelled dry clean only, washing it at home risks shrinkage, colour loss and a ruined shape.
Frequently asked questions
Can I wash a dry clean only item by hand?
It is risky. Wool, silk, structured jackets and anything with lining or trims can shrink or lose shape in water. When in doubt, ask a professional.
Does dry cleaning use water?
No. Dry cleaning uses solvents instead of water, which is why tailored garments keep their shape.
Related: Dry cleaning, Everyday laundry