Machine wash, permanent press
An ISO 3758 washtub with a single bar beneath it, calling for a reduced (gentle) mechanical action, sometimes labelled permanent press or synthetics.
What it means
The single underline tells the machine to ease off: shorter agitation, a lower spin speed and a cool-down rinse. This protects synthetics and easy-care finishes from creasing and from the abrasion of a full-strength cottons cycle.
What to do
Choose your machine's synthetics, easy-care or permanent-press programme, which automatically applies the reduced action. Do not overload the drum, because crease resistance depends on the clothes having room to move.
How to use this term
Use this washing symbol before choosing water temperature, cycle intensity or whether the item should go in the machine at all.
- Read machine wash, permanent press 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
The classic error is treating the gentle cycle as the whole job and leaving the load balled up in the drum. Easy-care cotton and synthetics tend to dry into whatever shape they're compressed in, so a load left sitting damp can set the very creases the permanent-press programme was meant to avoid — ones you then iron back out. Unload promptly, shake each piece, and hang or lay it flat.
For the broader method, use the Washing machine cycles explained 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