Have you ever wondered what the small symbols on clothing care labels actually mean?

Each symbol on a garment care label provides specific instructions for caring for the fabric. Understanding these symbols helps you choose the appropriate washing method, temperature, bleaching process, drying cycle or ironing temperature for each type of textile.

Below are some of the common laundry care symbols you may find on clothing labels.

Understanding Laundry Care Symbols

Machine Wash The wash tub symbol indicates that the garment can be machine washed. Additional dots or lines below the symbol provide information about the recommended temperature or washing cycle.	Washing Temperature The dots inside the symbol indicate the recommended washing temperature: 1 dot = 30°C 2 dots = 40°C 3 dots = 50°C 4 dots = 60°C 5 dots = 70°C 6 dots = 95°C
Permanent Press Use the Permanent Press washing cycle for fabrics designed to retain their shape or resist wrinkling. Always follow the complete care instructions on the garment label when selecting the appropriate finishing method.	Gentle Wash A wash tub with two lines underneath indicates that a gentle cycle should be used. This setting is suitable for fabrics that require careful handling, such as wool, silk and other delicate materials.
Hand Wash The hand symbol inside the wash tub indicates that the garment should be washed by hand. Use a suitable detergent and handle the garment gently to protect the fabric.	Do Not Wash A crossed-out wash tub indicates that the garment should not be washed with water. Check the other care symbols to determine the appropriate cleaning method.
Bleach An empty triangle indicates that bleach may be used according to appropriate product instructions.	Non-Chlorine Bleach Only This symbol indicates that only non-chlorine bleach should be used.
Do Not Bleach A crossed-out triangle indicates that bleach should not be used on the garment.	Dry Cleaning An empty circle indicates that the garment can be processed using dry cleaning.
Normal Dry Cleaning A circle containing the letter F indicates that the garment can be dry cleaned under conditions corresponding to this symbol.	Dry Clean Only A circle containing the letter P indicates that the garment should be processed using dry cleaning according to the corresponding care instructions.
Do Not Dry Clean A crossed-out circle indicates that the garment should not be dry cleaned.	Iron The iron symbol indicates that the garment can be ironed. Dots inside the symbol indicate the appropriate temperature level.
Ironing Temperature One dot: low temperature. Two dots: medium temperature. Three dots: high temperature.	Tumble Dry A circle inside a square indicates that the garment can be tumble dried.
Tumble Dry Temperature One dot: low temperature. Two dots: medium temperature. Three dots: high temperature.	Tumble Dry – Permanent Press Use the Permanent Press drying setting for fabrics that require shape retention or reduced wrinkling.
Gentle Tumble Dry The garment can be tumble dried, but a gentle or delicate setting should be selected when the symbol includes two lines underneath.	Do Not Tumble Dry This symbol indicates that the garment should not be tumble dried. Another appropriate drying method should be selected according to the care label.

Why Is It Important to Understand Clothing Care Symbols?

The symbols on clothing care labels provide important guidance for choosing the appropriate treatment method. Different fabrics cannot always withstand the same washing cycle, temperature or drying process.

For frequently processed textiles, selecting the correct washing program, drying temperature and ironing level helps reduce fabric damage, extend service life and maintain the appearance of the garments.

In professional laundry facilities, understanding the characteristics of different textile groups is also an important basis for developing an appropriate workflow, from sorting and washing to drying and finishing.

Contact for Consultation

If your business, hotel, resort or healthcare facility requires consultation on industrial laundry solutions, washing, drying and ironing equipment, contact PAN for support.

PAN TRADING JOINT STOCK COMPANY
📍 142 B2 Street, Sala Urban Area, An Khanh Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
📞 (+84) 28 3840 2222 | 0919 302 879
🌐 https://pantrading.vn
📩 contact@pantrading.vn