What Do Washing Machine Signs Mean? Every Symbol Explained
What Do Washing Machine Signs Mean? Every Symbol Explained
You see signs on your washing machine control panel and on your clothes care labels, and you’re not sure what they mean. There’s a tub with dots, a triangle, a square with a circle, and an iron. These washing machine signs tell you how to wash, dry, bleach, and iron each garment. Ignoring them can ruin your clothes: shrinking wool, melting synthetics, or fading colors. But once you know what every sign means, you can wash every garment correctly. Here’s every washing machine sign explained.
Washing machine signs are symbols on washing machine control panels and clothes care labels that tell you how to wash, dry, bleach, and iron a garment. The symbols are standardized internationally and use shapes to represent different care operations: a tub for washing, a triangle for bleaching, a square for drying, an iron for ironing, and a circle for dry cleaning.
To read washing machine signs, learn the 5 basic shapes (tub, triangle, square, iron, circle) and their variations. The tub tells you water temperature and cycle, the triangle tells you bleach type, the square tells you drying method, the iron tells you heat setting, and the circle tells you dry cleaning. Always follow the signs to avoid damage.
Washing Signs (Tub)
Water Temperature
| Sign | Meaning | Temperature |
|---|---|---|
| Tub with one dot or 30 | Cold | 60 to 85F |
| Tub with two dots or 40 | Warm | 85 to 105F |
| Tub with three dots or 60 | Hot | 105 to 120F |
| Tub with hand | Hand wash only | Cold water |
| Tub with X | Do not wash | Dry clean only |
Cycle Type
| Sign | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Tub with no lines | Normal cycle |
| Tub with one line | Permanent press |
| Tub with two lines | Gentle cycle |
Bleaching Signs (Triangle)
| Sign | Meaning | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Empty triangle | Any bleach OK | Use oxygen or chlorine bleach |
| Triangle with two lines | Oxygen bleach only | Use oxygen bleach only |
| Triangle with X | Do not bleach | Don’t use any bleach |
Drying Signs (Square)
Tumble Dry
| Sign | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Square with circle | Tumble dry |
| Square with circle, one dot | Low heat |
| Square with circle, two dots | Medium heat |
| Square with circle, three dots | High heat |
| Square with circle, X | Do not tumble dry |
Other Drying
| Sign | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Square with one line under | Permanent press dry |
| Square with two lines under | Gentle dry |
| Square with curved line | Line dry |
| Square with horizontal line | Dry flat |
| Square with diagonal corners | Drip dry |
Ironing Signs (Iron)
| Sign | Meaning | Heat Setting |
|---|---|---|
| Iron with one dot | Low | Synthetics |
| Iron with two dots | Medium | Silk, wool |
| Iron with three dots | High | Cotton, linen |
| Iron with X | Do not iron | N/A |
Dry Cleaning Signs (Circle)
| Sign | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Circle | Dry clean |
| Circle with F | Petroleum solvent only |
| Circle with P | Any solvent |
| Circle with W | Wet clean |
| Circle with X | Do not dry clean |
Washing Machine Control Panel Signs
Common Cycle Signs
| Sign | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Tub | Normal wash |
| Tub with lines | Gentle or delicate wash |
| Square with circle | Dryer cycle |
| Clock | Quick wash |
| Leaf | Eco wash |
| Lock | Child lock |
| Fan | Spin speed |
| Sun | Extra dry |
| Water drop | Water level |
| Thermometer | Temperature |
Special Cycles
| Sign | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Baby bottle | Baby care |
| Shirt | Easy iron |
| Snowflake | Cold wash |
| Stars | Intensive wash |
| Spiral | Rinse and spin |
How to Use Washing Machine Signs
Step 1: Check the Care Label
Before washing any garment, check the care label for washing, bleaching, drying, and ironing signs.
Step 2: Match to the Washing Machine Setting
Match the care label signs to the washing machine settings:
- Cold water sign = cold water setting
- Warm water sign = warm water setting
- Hot water sign = hot water setting
- Gentle cycle sign = delicate or gentle cycle
- Permanent press sign = permanent press cycle
Step 3: Choose the Right Detergent
Use Tide Free and Gentle for most loads. It’s gentle, fragrance free, and HE compatible.
Step 4: Add the Right Products
- For odors: Add half a cup of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda
- For softening: Add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse
- For stains: Pre-treat with OxiClean Max Force Spray
Step 5: Dry According to Signs
Set the drying method according to the drying sign on the care label.
Monthly: Clean the Machine
Use affresh Washing Machine Cleaner monthly.
FAQ
What do washing machine signs mean? Washing machine signs are symbols on control panels and care labels that tell you how to wash, dry, bleach, and iron a garment. The tub means washing, the triangle means bleaching, the square means drying, the iron means ironing, and the circle means dry cleaning.
What does a tub with two lines under it mean? A tub with two lines under it means gentle cycle. Use cold water and a gentle detergent like Tide Free and Gentle.
What does a triangle with two lines mean? A triangle with two lines means oxygen bleach only. Don’t use chlorine bleach on this garment.
What does a square with a circle and an X mean? A square with a circle and an X means do not tumble dry. Line dry or dry flat instead.
What does a circle with an X mean? A circle with an X means do not dry clean. This garment can be washed at home.
References
- Federal Trade Commission. “Care Labeling Rule.” ftc.gov.
- American Cleaning Institute. “Laundry Symbol Guide.” cleaninginstitute.org.
- The Spruce. “Washing Machine Symbols Guide.” thespruce.com.
- Tide. “Washing Machine Cycles Guide.” tide.com.
