Non-chlorine bleach only
An ISO 3758 triangle with two diagonal lines inside it, indicating only non-chlorine (oxygen) bleach may be used; chlorine bleach is prohibited.
What it means
The two diagonal stripes restrict bleaching to oxygen-based products such as sodium percarbonate. Chlorine bleach would damage the fibre or strip colour, so it is excluded while colour-safe oxygen bleach remains allowed.
What to do
Reach for an oxygen bleach (sometimes sold as colour-safe or all-fabric bleach) rather than household chlorine bleach. Dissolve it in warm water for a soak, and never substitute chlorine bleach on an item carrying this symbol.
How to use this term
Use this bleach symbol before choosing chlorine bleach, oxygen bleach or a no-bleach stain route.
- Read non-chlorine bleach only with the other symbols on the same care label; the strictest symbol wins.
- Match the instruction to the garment's most fragile part, including trims, lining, prints and finishes.
- If the label, fabric behaviour and stain method disagree, test a hidden area or choose the lower-risk route.
Common mistake
Do not assume colour-safe bleach is safe for every fabric; silk, wool, leather and some dyes can still be damaged.
For the broader method, use the Set-in stain guide and then return to this term when the label changes the safe option.
Related terms
Sources
- ISO 3758:2012 Textiles — Care labelling code using symbols — International Organization for Standardization