How to Read Laundry Care Symbols
Care label symbols on clothing follow the ISO 3758 international standard. Understanding them helps extend the life of your garments. Browse all five categories — washing, drying, ironing, bleaching, and dry cleaning — using the tabs above.
Basic Symbol Reading Rules
An X over any symbol means that action is prohibited. Dots on the iron symbol indicate temperature level (more dots = hotter). A number inside the wash tub shows the maximum temperature in °C. An underline beneath a symbol indicates a gentle cycle.
FAQ
Check the fiber content tag. Cotton can generally be machine washed warm, wool and silk should be hand washed or dry cleaned, and bright-colored items should be washed cold to prevent color bleed.
Most countries use ISO 3758 symbols. The US also uses ASTM D5489-based symbols, which are similar but can differ slightly. When in doubt, treat the garment gently — cold wash, no heat drying.