Line dry (hang to dry)
An ISO 3758 square with a single vertical line inside it, indicating the garment should be hung up to dry naturally on a line or rail.
What it means
The vertical line inside the drying square means line drying: the wet item is hung from a line, hanger or rail so gravity and air do the work. It avoids dryer heat and is the standard natural-drying instruction for most washable clothes.
What to do
Hang the item on a line or hanger, ideally after a gentle spin so it is not dripping. Shape shoulders over a hanger for shirts, and avoid clothes-pin marks on delicate fabric by hanging from seams or using a drying rack.
How to use this term
Use this drying symbol before choosing tumble heat, line drying, flat drying or shade drying.
- Read line dry (hang to dry) 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