Washing symbols explained: complete guide
16 October 2026
Why should you follow the instructions on the care label?
A care label tells you how the manufacturer intended the garment to be looked after. The symbols show the most intensive treatment the garment can take without lasting damage. Wash it hotter, spin it harder or use bleach when the label says not to, and the item can shrink, fade or stretch. That kind of damage can't be undone. Washing at a lower temperature than the label says is fine. If you look after your clothes and other laundry, always follow the label.
Washing symbols chart with all symbols and their meaning
Below you'll find the meaning of all care label symbols in one overview, by category: washing, bleaching, ironing and professional cleaning.
Symbols for washing
The wash tub is the first symbol on your care label. It tells you whether you can wash the garment, by hand or in the washing machine. It also shows how hot the water may be.
Wash tub with a temperature (95, 70, 60, 40, 30): the number is the highest temperature in degrees Celsius at which you can wash the garment. Washing at a lower temperature is fine, a higher one is not.
Wash tub with one bar: gentle or easy-care wash. The garment needs gentler washing, with less movement. You often see this symbol on fabrics that crease easily, such as viscose and polyester.
Wash tub with two bars: very gentle wash, such as for wool or silk. The garment needs extra careful washing. Many washing machines have special programmes for this.
Hand in the wash tub: hand wash only, in water of no more than 40°C. Use a mild detergent, don't wring out the garment and rinse it well.
Hand in the wash tub with a bar: hand wash at room temperature, in water of around 20 to 30°C.
Crossed-out wash tub: do not wash. The garment is sensitive to water or too large for a regular washing machine.
Symbols for bleaching
The triangle is the second symbol on your care label. It shows whether you can bleach the garment, in other words make it whiter with bleach.
Empty triangle: bleaching is allowed. Both chlorine bleach and oxygen bleach are allowed.
Triangle with stripes: bleach without chlorine. Only oxygen bleach is allowed. Oxygen bleach is found in many all-purpose detergents.
Crossed-out triangle: do not bleach. Only use detergent without bleach.
Symbols for ironing
The iron is the fourth symbol on your care label. The dots show the maximum temperature of your iron.
One dot: iron at up to 120°C. Don't use steam, as steam can cause permanent damage.
Two dots: iron at up to 160°C. Steam is allowed, but don't press too hard.
Three dots: iron at up to 210°C. Steam is allowed. You mostly see this on cotton and linen.
One dot with crossed-out steam: iron at up to 120°C, without steam.
Crossed-out iron: do not iron. The garment can be permanently damaged.
Symbols for professional cleaning
The circle is the last symbol on your care label. It covers professional cleaning, such as at a dry cleaner's. The letter in the circle is meant for the dry cleaner: it shows which solvent may be used.
Circle with P: dry cleaning with perchloroethylene or hydrocarbons.
Circle with F: dry cleaning with hydrocarbons only.
Circle with W: professional wet cleaning. The dry cleaner cleans the garment with water, using equipment you don't have at home.
Crossed-out circle: do not dry clean.
Which wash programme suits which washing symbol?
The table shows which wash programme to choose on a Homie washing machine for each washing symbol. The programmes come from the manuals of the G-70, K-80 PR, K-80 WD and K-90 PR washing machines. Good to know: the K-80 WD has no Synthetic programme. The G-70 has no 30°C setting. The machines don't have a 70°C setting either, so for 70 choose the Cotton programme at 60°C. There is no separate gentle wash programme. Wool is the gentlest programme.
Symbol | Meaning | Programme on a Homie washing machine |
|---|---|---|
Wash tub with 95 | Wash at a maximum of 95°C | Cotton at 90°C |
Wash tub with 70 | Wash at a maximum of 70°C | Cotton at 60°C |
Wash tub with 60 | Wash at a maximum of 60°C | Cotton at 60°C or ECO 40-60 |
Wash tub with 40 | Wash at a maximum of 40°C | Cotton at 40°C, Mix or ECO 40-60 |
Wash tub with 30 | Wash at a maximum of 30°C | Cotton at 30°C, on the G-70 the 20°C programme |
Wash tub with one bar | Gentle or easy-care wash | Synthetic, on the K-80 WD Mix |
Wash tub with two bars | Very gentle wash, such as wool or silk | Wool |
Hand in wash tub | Hand wash only, maximum 40°C | No machine programme |
Hand in wash tub with a bar | Hand wash at room temperature | No machine programme |
Crossed-out wash tub | Do not wash | No programme |
Frequently asked questions
Still have a question about washing symbols or your care label? Here are the answers to a few frequently asked questions.
What does a bar under the wash tub on the care label mean?
A bar under the wash tub on the care label means gentle or easy-care wash: the garment needs gentler washing. Two bars mean very gentle wash, such as for wool or silk.
Can you wash clothes at a lower temperature than the care label says?
Yes, you can wash clothes at a lower temperature than the care label says. The number on the care label is the highest temperature the garment can take, so a lower temperature is safe for the fabric. Very dirty laundry sometimes comes out less clean at a lower temperature.
What do you do if the care label is unreadable or missing?
If the care label is unreadable or has been cut out, choose the gentlest option. Wash the garment separately, at a low temperature and with a mild detergent. If you're not sure the fabric can go in the washing machine, wash it by hand.
What do the square symbols on the care label mean?
The square on the care label is about drying.
