# Care-Symbol Decoder | Launderwise --- # Care-Symbol Decoder Select each symbol printed on your garment's care label to get a plain-language reading of the whole label — what every symbol means and the combined verdict. [← All launderwise tools](/tools/index.md) Tap every symbol that appears on your label. They are grouped by care family. ## Washing 9 - [ Machine wash, cold](/glossary/machine-wash-cold/index.md) - [ Machine wash, warm](/glossary/machine-wash-warm/index.md) - [ Machine wash, hot](/glossary/machine-wash-hot/index.md) - [ Machine wash, very hot](/glossary/machine-wash-very-hot/index.md) - [ Machine wash, normal](/glossary/machine-wash-normal/index.md) - [ Machine wash, permanent press](/glossary/machine-wash-permanent-press/index.md) - [ Machine wash, delicate](/glossary/machine-wash-delicate/index.md) - [ Hand wash](/glossary/hand-wash/index.md) - [ Do not machine wash](/glossary/do-not-machine-wash/index.md) ## Bleaching 3 - [ Bleach allowed (any bleach)](/glossary/bleach/index.md) - [ Non-chlorine bleach only](/glossary/bleach-non-chlorine/index.md) - [ Do not bleach](/glossary/do-not-bleach/index.md) ## Drying 13 - [ Tumble dry, no heat](/glossary/tumble-dry-no-heat/index.md) - [ Tumble dry, low heat](/glossary/tumble-dry-low/index.md) - [ Tumble dry, medium heat](/glossary/tumble-dry-medium/index.md) - [ Tumble dry, high heat](/glossary/tumble-dry-high/index.md) - [ Tumble dry, normal](/glossary/tumble-dry-normal/index.md) - [ Tumble dry, permanent press](/glossary/tumble-dry-permanent-press/index.md) - [ Tumble dry, delicate](/glossary/tumble-dry-delicate/index.md) - [ Do not tumble dry](/glossary/do-not-tumble-dry/index.md) - [ Line dry (hang to dry)](/glossary/hang-dry/index.md) - [ Drip dry](/glossary/drip-dry/index.md) - [ Dry flat](/glossary/dry-flat/index.md) - [ Dry in the shade](/glossary/dry-in-shade/index.md) - [ Do not dry](/glossary/do-not-dry/index.md) ## Ironing 5 - [ Iron, low temperature](/glossary/iron-low/index.md) - [ Iron, medium temperature](/glossary/iron-medium/index.md) - [ Iron, high temperature](/glossary/iron-high/index.md) - [ Iron without steam](/glossary/iron-no-steam/index.md) - [ Do not iron](/glossary/do-not-iron/index.md) ## Professional cleaning 6 - [ Dry clean](/glossary/dry-clean/index.md) - [ Dry clean, any solvent](/glossary/dry-clean-any-solvent/index.md) - [ Dry clean with hydrocarbon solvent (F)](/glossary/dry-clean-hydrocarbon-solvent/index.md) - [ Dry clean with tetrachloroethylene (P)](/glossary/dry-clean-tetrachloroethylene-solvent/index.md) - [ Professional wet cleaning (W)](/glossary/professional-wet-cleaning/index.md) - [ Do not dry clean](/glossary/do-not-dry-clean/index.md) ## Process & technique 1 - [ Do not wring](/glossary/do-not-wring/index.md) This decoder combines symbols with JavaScript. The full symbol reference below explains every symbol, and each symbol above links to its complete glossary entry. ## How to read a laundry care label Care labels use the ISO 3758 / GINETEX symbol set — the same five families in the same order on almost every garment. Here is how to go from label to decision. 1. 1 Find the care label Look inside the garment — usually on a seam at the side of the body or at the neck. 2. 2 Recognise each symbol by its shape A washtub is washing, a triangle is bleach, a square is drying, an iron is ironing and a circle is professional cleaning. A cross through any symbol is a prohibition. 3. 3 Select the symbols you see Tap each symbol in the grid that matches one on your label to add it to your label. 4. 4 Read the combined verdict The decoded panel shows the warmest safe wash temperature and the bleach, drying, ironing and professional-cleaning verdicts together, and flags any contradictions. ## Every laundry care symbol, explained The complete ISO 3758 symbol reference the decoder draws on — 37 care symbols, grouped by family, each with a short plain-language reading. Open any symbol for its full meaning, common mistakes and sources in the [glossary](/glossary/index.md). ### Washing 9 - [Machine wash, cold](/glossary/machine-wash-cold/index.md) The figure 30 inside the tub, or a single dot, caps the wash water at 30 °C. [Full meaning →](/glossary/machine-wash-cold/index.md) - [Machine wash, warm](/glossary/machine-wash-warm/index.md) The figure 40, or two dots, caps the wash at 40 °C — a middle ground that lifts everyday body soil and light… [Full meaning →](/glossary/machine-wash-warm/index.md) - [Machine wash, hot](/glossary/machine-wash-hot/index.md) The figure 60, or three dots, allows washing up to 60 °C. [Full meaning →](/glossary/machine-wash-hot/index.md) - [Machine wash, very hot](/glossary/machine-wash-very-hot/index.md) The figure 90, or four dots, permits a near-boil wash. [Full meaning →](/glossary/machine-wash-very-hot/index.md) - [Machine wash, normal](/glossary/machine-wash-normal/index.md) A plain washtub icon represents the standard wash process. [Full meaning →](/glossary/machine-wash-normal/index.md) - [Machine wash, permanent press](/glossary/machine-wash-permanent-press/index.md) The single underline tells the machine to ease off: shorter agitation, a lower spin speed and a cool-down… [Full meaning →](/glossary/machine-wash-permanent-press/index.md) - [Machine wash, delicate](/glossary/machine-wash-delicate/index.md) The double underline signals the gentlest machine cycle: minimal agitation, a very low spin and a generous… [Full meaning →](/glossary/machine-wash-delicate/index.md) - [Hand wash](/glossary/hand-wash/index.md) The hand-in-tub icon restricts cleaning to manual washing, usually at a maximum of around 40 °C. [Full meaning →](/glossary/hand-wash/index.md) - [Do not machine wash](/glossary/do-not-machine-wash/index.md) A cross through the washtub is an absolute prohibition on wet cleaning. [Full meaning →](/glossary/do-not-machine-wash/index.md) ### Bleaching 3 - [Bleach allowed (any bleach)](/glossary/bleach/index.md) An empty triangle is the most permissive bleaching symbol: both chlorine (sodium hypochlorite) and oxygen… [Full meaning →](/glossary/bleach/index.md) - [Non-chlorine bleach only](/glossary/bleach-non-chlorine/index.md) The two diagonal stripes restrict bleaching to oxygen-based products such as sodium percarbonate. [Full meaning →](/glossary/bleach-non-chlorine/index.md) - [Do not bleach](/glossary/do-not-bleach/index.md) A cross through the triangle is a total prohibition on bleaching. [Full meaning →](/glossary/do-not-bleach/index.md) ### Drying 13 - [Tumble dry, no heat](/glossary/tumble-dry-no-heat/index.md) A dryer circle calling for no heat means the drum should tumble using room-temperature air alone. [Full meaning →](/glossary/tumble-dry-no-heat/index.md) - [Tumble dry, low heat](/glossary/tumble-dry-low/index.md) One dot inside the dryer circle caps the temperature at the low setting. [Full meaning →](/glossary/tumble-dry-low/index.md) - [Tumble dry, medium heat](/glossary/tumble-dry-medium/index.md) Two dots inside the dryer circle allow a moderate temperature — hotter and faster than low heat, but still… [Full meaning →](/glossary/tumble-dry-medium/index.md) - [Tumble dry, high heat](/glossary/tumble-dry-high/index.md) Three dots inside the dryer circle allow the hottest tumble cycle. [Full meaning →](/glossary/tumble-dry-high/index.md) - [Tumble dry, normal](/glossary/tumble-dry-normal/index.md) The square is the general drying symbol and the circle inside it specifically means a tumble dryer. [Full meaning →](/glossary/tumble-dry-normal/index.md) - [Tumble dry, permanent press](/glossary/tumble-dry-permanent-press/index.md) The permanent-press drying cycle combines moderate heat with a cool tumble at the end so that synthetics and… [Full meaning →](/glossary/tumble-dry-permanent-press/index.md) - [Tumble dry, delicate](/glossary/tumble-dry-delicate/index.md) The bar under the drying square reduces the tumbling action and is usually paired with low heat. [Full meaning →](/glossary/tumble-dry-delicate/index.md) - [Do not tumble dry](/glossary/do-not-tumble-dry/index.md) A cross through the dryer circle prohibits machine drying. [Full meaning →](/glossary/do-not-tumble-dry/index.md) - [Line dry (hang to dry)](/glossary/hang-dry/index.md) The vertical line inside the drying square means line drying: the wet item is hung from a line, hanger or… [Full meaning →](/glossary/hang-dry/index.md) - [Drip dry](/glossary/drip-dry/index.md) The two vertical lines mean drip drying: the item is hung immediately after washing, still full of water, so… [Full meaning →](/glossary/drip-dry/index.md) - [Dry flat](/glossary/dry-flat/index.md) The horizontal line means flat drying. [Full meaning →](/glossary/dry-flat/index.md) - [Dry in the shade](/glossary/dry-in-shade/index.md) The corner stripe modifies a line- or flat-dry instruction to add: keep it out of the sun. [Full meaning →](/glossary/dry-in-shade/index.md) - [Do not dry](/glossary/do-not-dry/index.md) A cross over the plain drying square forbids the associated drying process. [Full meaning →](/glossary/do-not-dry/index.md) ### Ironing 5 - [Iron, low temperature](/glossary/iron-low/index.md) One dot on the iron caps the heat at the lowest setting. [Full meaning →](/glossary/iron-low/index.md) - [Iron, medium temperature](/glossary/iron-medium/index.md) Two dots on the iron permit medium heat, suitable for wool, polyester and silk blends. [Full meaning →](/glossary/iron-medium/index.md) - [Iron, high temperature](/glossary/iron-high/index.md) Three dots on the iron allow the hottest setting, used for cotton and linen. [Full meaning →](/glossary/iron-high/index.md) - [Iron without steam](/glossary/iron-no-steam/index.md) The cross over the steam vents at the base of the iron prohibits steam while still allowing dry ironing. [Full meaning →](/glossary/iron-no-steam/index.md) - [Do not iron](/glossary/do-not-iron/index.md) A cross through the iron forbids ironing entirely. [Full meaning →](/glossary/do-not-iron/index.md) ### Professional cleaning 6 - [Dry clean](/glossary/dry-clean/index.md) The circle is the general professional-cleaning symbol. [Full meaning →](/glossary/dry-clean/index.md) - [Dry clean, any solvent](/glossary/dry-clean-any-solvent/index.md) The letter A inside the circle tells the cleaner that any standard dry-cleaning solvent is safe, including… [Full meaning →](/glossary/dry-clean-any-solvent/index.md) - [Dry clean with hydrocarbon solvent (F)](/glossary/dry-clean-hydrocarbon-solvent/index.md) The letter F restricts cleaning to gentler hydrocarbon solvents and excludes the stronger perchloroethylene. [Full meaning →](/glossary/dry-clean-hydrocarbon-solvent/index.md) - [Dry clean with tetrachloroethylene (P)](/glossary/dry-clean-tetrachloroethylene-solvent/index.md) The letter P limits cleaning to the perchloroethylene solvent system (and the milder hydrocarbon solvents). [Full meaning →](/glossary/dry-clean-tetrachloroethylene-solvent/index.md) - [Professional wet cleaning (W)](/glossary/professional-wet-cleaning/index.md) The letter W specifies professional wet cleaning: a gentle, computer-controlled water process using… [Full meaning →](/glossary/professional-wet-cleaning/index.md) - [Do not dry clean](/glossary/do-not-dry-clean/index.md) A cross through the circle prohibits dry-cleaning solvents. [Full meaning →](/glossary/do-not-dry-clean/index.md) ### Process & technique 1 - [Do not wring](/glossary/do-not-wring/index.md) The crossed-out twist forbids wringing. [Full meaning →](/glossary/do-not-wring/index.md) ## About this decoder Every symbol, meaning and instruction here comes from the Launderwise care-symbol glossary, which follows the ISO 3758 international standard (the GINETEX symbol set used across Europe). The decoder does not invent guidance — it reads the symbols you select and states, in plain language, what they allow together: the warmest wash temperature, whether bleach or the tumble dryer are permitted, the safe iron setting, and whether the item is for a professional cleaner. Looking for one symbol rather than a whole label? Browse the full [care-symbol glossary](/glossary/index.md) — every term is a standalone entry with its precise meaning, a common mistake to avoid, and sources.