# Tumble dry, delicate — Laundry Care Symbol | Launderwise

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Drying

![Tumble dry, delicate](/images/care-symbols/tumble-dry-delicate.svg)

# Tumble dry, delicate

An ISO 3758 tumble-dry circle with a single bar beneath the square, indicating a gentle drying cycle with reduced mechanical action.

## What it means

The bar under the drying square reduces the tumbling action and is usually paired with low heat. It limits the abrasion and flexing that can pill knits or break down elastic and prints.

## What to do

Use a delicate or gentle dryer programme, ideally with a lower spin already done in the wash so less drying is needed. Remove the load promptly and reshape knits while they are still slightly warm.

## How to use this term

Use this drying symbol before choosing tumble heat, line drying, flat drying or shade drying.

- Read tumble dry, delicate 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

- [Tumble dry, permanent press](/glossary/tumble-dry-permanent-press/index.md)
- [Tumble dry, low heat](/glossary/tumble-dry-low/index.md)
- [Machine wash, delicate](/glossary/machine-wash-delicate/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)