Dry in the shade
An ISO 3758 drying square with a diagonal line in the top-left corner, indicating the garment should be dried away from direct sunlight.
What it means
The corner stripe modifies a line- or flat-dry instruction to add: keep it out of the sun. Ultraviolet light fades dyes and weakens some fibres, so shade drying preserves colour and strength on the affected item.
What to do
Combine the drying method shown (hang or flat) with a shaded, well-ventilated spot — indoors near an open window, under a covered line, or on the shadier side of the garden. Avoid drying dark or bright colours in full midday sun.
How to use this term
Use this drying symbol before choosing tumble heat, line drying, flat drying or shade drying.
- Read dry in the shade 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 treat drying as a harmless final step; heat and hanging tension can shrink, stretch or set a remaining stain.
For the broader method, use the Beginner laundry 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