# Line dry (hang to dry) — Laundry Care Symbol | Launderwise

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Drying

![Line dry (hang to dry)](/images/care-symbols/hang-dry.svg)

# 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 ](/blog/getting-started-laundry/index.md)and then return to this term when the label changes the safe option.

## Related terms

- [Drip dry](/glossary/drip-dry/index.md)
- [Dry flat](/glossary/dry-flat/index.md)
- [Dry in the shade](/glossary/dry-in-shade/index.md)

## Sources

- [ISO 3758:2012 Textiles — Care labelling code using symbols ](https://www.iso.org/standard/42918.html)— International Organization for Standardization

[ Back to the full glossary](/glossary/index.md)