# Tumble dry, medium heat — Laundry Care Symbol | Launderwise

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Drying

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

# Tumble dry, medium heat

An ISO 3758 tumble-dry circle with two dots, indicating tumble drying at a medium heat setting (a maximum exhaust temperature of about 80 °C).

## What it means

Two dots inside the dryer circle allow a moderate temperature — hotter and faster than low heat, but still below the maximum. It suits sturdy everyday items that can take some heat without distorting.

## What to do

Use the medium or permanent-press dryer setting. Shake items out before loading and don't overpack the drum, so air circulates and the load dries evenly without hot spots.

## How to use this term

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

- Read tumble dry, medium heat 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, low heat](/glossary/tumble-dry-low/index.md)
- [Tumble dry, high heat](/glossary/tumble-dry-high/index.md)
- [Tumble dry, normal](/glossary/tumble-dry-normal/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)