Laundry Symbols Guide
Doing your laundry is simple and straightforward, right? Many people disregard the little symbols located on the tags of their clothes or don't even realize they exist. For some folks, dry cleaning is more of a suggestion than a rule. For others, handwashing their clothes in a sink isn't entirely feasible due to space and time restrictions. Modern laundry machines have a variety of functions and cycles to aid you but to help keep your wardrobe in tip-top shape, you'll need to do a little research on what works best. While we aren't trying to make you over-think laundry day, those little symbols on your clothes tags each have specific meanings and we're here to help define them for you! Following these guidelines will help extend the life of your garments, prevent damage to your clothes, and keep your favorite t-shirt as lucky as the day you bought it! For more information on getting the most out of your laundry day as well as the latest appliance, furniture, and home design news, remember to check out Appliances Connection's exclusive Learning Center!
 | Machine Wash, Normal - Item may be washed with the hottest available water, detergent, or soap, agitation, and washing machine. |
 | Machine Wash Cold, 30°C - Item should be washed with initial water temperatures not exceeding 30°C, 65° - 85°F. |
| Machine Wash Warm, 40°C - Item should be washed with initial water temperatures not exceeding 40°C, 105° F |
| Machine Wash Hot, 50°C - Item should be washed with initial water temperatures not exceeding 50°C, 120°F |
| Machine Wash Hot, 60°C - Item should be washed with initial water temperatures not exceeding 60°C, 140°F |
| Machine Wash Hot, 70°C - Item should be washed with initial water temperatures not exceeding 70°C, 160°F |
| Machine Wash Hot, 95°C - Item should be washed with initial water temperatures not exceeding 95°C, 200°F |
 | Machine Wash, Permanent Press - Item may be machine washed only on the setting designed to keep Permanent Press with cool down or a cold rinse before reduced spin. |
 | Machine Wash, Gentle or Delicate - Item may be machine washed only on the setting designed for gentle agitation and/or reduced time for delicates. |
 | Hand Wash - Item may be washed with water, detergent or soap and gentle hand manipulation. |
 | Do Not Wash - Item may not be washed by any process. Traditionally, these items will be accompanied by Dry Cleaning instructions. |
 | Bleach When Needed - Any commercially available bleach product is safe to use when laundering these items. |
 | Non-Chlorine Bleach When Needed - Only non-chlorine, color-safe bleach is safe to use when laundering these items. Chlorine bleach may not be used. |
 | Do Not Bleach - No bleach product is safe to use when laundering these items. The garment is not colorfast or structurally able to withstand bleach. |
 | Tumble Dry, Normal - A machine dryer may be regularly used at the hottest available temperature setting. |
 | Tumble Dry, Normal, Low Heat - A machine dryer may be regularly used at a maximum of low heat settings. |
 | Tumble Dry, Normal, Medium Heat - A machine dryer may be regularly used at a maximum of medium heat settings. |
 | Tumble Dry, Normal, High Heat - A machine dryer may be regularly used at a high heat setting. |
 | Tumble Dry, Normal, No Heat - A machine dryer may be regularly used only at no heat or air only settings. |
 | Tumble Dry, Permanent Press - A machine dryer may be regularly used only at the permanent press setting. |
 | Tumble Dry, Gentle - A machine dryer may be regularly used only at the gentle setting. |
 | Do Not Tumble Dry - A machine dryer may not be used. Traditionally accompanied by an alternate drying method symbol. |
 | Do Not Dry - A machine dryer may not be used. Usually accompanied by an alternate drying method symbol. |
 | Line Dry - Hang damp item from line or bar, in or outdoors. |
 | Drip Dry - Hang dripping wet item from line or bar, in or out doors, without hand shaping or smoothing. |
 | Dry Flat - Lay out horizontally for drying. |
 | Dry In Shade - Usually accompanies Line or Drip Dry. Dry away from direct sunlight. |
 | Do Not Wring - Do not wring item. |
 | Iron, Any Temperature, Steam or Dry - Regular ironing may be needed and performed at any available temperature with or without steam. |
 | Iron, Low - Regular ironing, steam or dry, may be done at low settings (230°F) only |
 | Iron, Medium - Regular ironing, steam or dry, may be done at medium settings (300°F). |
 | Iron, High - Regular ironing, steam or dry, may be done at High settings (390°F). |
 | Do Not Steam - Steam ironing will harm item, however, regular dry ironing at suggested temperature levels is acceptable. |
 | Do Not Iron - Item should not be smoothed or finished with an iron. |
 | Dry Clean - Dry Clean, any solvent, any cycle, any moisture, any heat. |
 | Dry Clean, Any Solvent - Dry Clean, Any Solvent. Usually used with other restrictions on proper dry-cleaning process. |
 | Dry Clean, Petroleum Solvent Only - Dry Clean using only petroleum solvent. Usually used with other restrictions. |
 | Dry Clean, Any Solvent Except Trichloroethylene - Any Dry Cleaning solvent other than Trichloroethylene is safe to use with this item. |
 | Dry Clean, Short Cycle - May be dry cleaned with A, P, or F solvent restrictions on a short cycle. |
 | Dry Clean, Reduced Moisture - May be Dry cleaned with A, P, or F solvent restrictions with reduced moisture. |
 | Dry Clean, Low Heat - May be Dry Cleaned with A, P, or F solvent restrictions with low heat. |
 | Dry Clean, No Steam - May be used with A, P, or F solvent restrictions with no steam. |
 | Do Not Dry Clean - Item should not be commercially dry-cleaned. |
