# Tumble dry, normal — Laundry Care Symbol | Launderwise

---

Drying

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

# Tumble dry, normal

An ISO 3758 square with a circle inside, indicating the garment may be dried in a tumble dryer on a normal cycle.

## What it means

The square is the general drying symbol and the circle inside it specifically means a tumble dryer. With no dot or a higher dot count, normal heat is permitted; the dots that often accompany it set the maximum drying temperature.

## What to do

Tumble dry on the cycle indicated by any dots inside the circle. Remove items while slightly damp to limit creasing and over-drying, which shortens fabric life and wastes energy.

## How to use this term

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

- Read tumble dry, normal 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)
- [Do not tumble dry](/glossary/do-not-tumble-dry/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)