# Tumble dry, permanent press — Laundry Care Symbol | Launderwise

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Drying

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

# Tumble dry, permanent press

An ISO 3758 tumble-dry circle with two bars beneath the square in some chart variants, or the single-bar permanent-press drying cycle, calling for reduced action and a cool-down.

## What it means

The permanent-press drying cycle combines moderate heat with a cool tumble at the end so that synthetics and easy-care finishes set without creasing. The bars under the square indicate the reduced mechanical action.

## What to do

Select the permanent-press or easy-care dryer setting and unload as soon as it finishes, hanging shirts immediately. Leaving permanent-press items piled in a warm drum re-introduces the very wrinkles the cycle is designed to prevent.

## How to use this term

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

- Read tumble dry, 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

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