Your favorite pair of pants is suddenly much too tight after washing. Unfortunately, this is often a clear case of washing them at too high a temperature. And all because we didn't read the care label properly—or perhaps we don't even really understand what the symbols mean? But these extremely frustrating laundry mistakes are completely avoidable and are super easy to prevent. In our short care guide, we’ll turn you into a real expert and explain exactly what the most common symbols on your clothing labels mean. Then nothing will go wrong when you wash, bleach, dry, or iron your clothes. That’s for sure!
In this guide:
What are the common care symbols?
Care labels can be divided into the following 5 categories:
- Tub: used for washing
- Circle: stands for cleaning / professional textile care)
- Triangle: stands for bleaching
- Square with a circle: stands for drying
- Iron: used for ironing
Sort first, then wash
Before you even start reading the care labels, it’s worth taking a moment to look at the laundry basket. After all, proper sorting is half the battle when it comes to keeping your clothes looking good for a long time:
- Sort by color: – Put whites, light-colored items, and dark-colored items into the washer separately. This way, whites stay truly white and nothing bleeds.
- Sort by delicacy: – Sturdy cotton does not belong in the same drum as delicate silk or wool.
- Close zippers and fasten buttons: – Open zippers are the most common cause of loose threads and holes.
- Turn jeans and printed items inside out: – This protects the outer fabric and keeps the colors vibrant longer.
- Put delicate items in a laundry bag: Bras, pantyhose, and delicate blouses fare much better when washed in a bag and won't get tangled.
Tip: It's better to run one more machine than to throw everything in together. Your favorite items will thank you for it.
Care symbols related to "Washing"
Washing
The symbol indicates whether and at what temperature a garment may be washed. The number always represents the maximum temperature.
Normal wash cycle at 30 °C
Machine washable. If no temperature is specified, wash at 60 °C.
Delicate cycle at 30 °C
One bar under the tub: low spin speed only; laundry bag recommended.
Very gentle wash at 30 °C
Double bar: for delicates and wool—do not spin.
Hand Wash
Hand wash only, maximum 30–40 °C, handle with care.
Do not wash
Please do not wash in water—have it professionally cleaned only.
Good to Know
The temperature in the vat can, of course, vary: In addition to 30, there are also settings for 40, 60, 70, and 95 degrees.
From the icon to the correct wash cycle
You've figured out the symbol—but which program on your machine is the right one? Here's the simple explanation:
- Tub without agitator: – Normal cycle (e.g., cotton/boil wash). For heavy-duty fabrics.
- Washing machine with a bar: – Easy-care or delicate cycle with a reduced spin speed. Ideal for blouses and delicate fabrics.
- Tub with two bars: – Delicate or wool cycle. In this cycle, the drum rotates particularly gently and spins very little or not at all.
- Hand Wash: – Use the wool or hand-wash cycle, if your machine has one. Otherwise: wash by hand.
Important information about spinning: There isn't a separate "Do Not Spin" icon. The bars below the drum are the only indication of how vigorously the clothes can be spun. The more bars there are, the more careful you should be—with two bars, it's best to skip the spin cycle entirely or use only a minimal spin.
And remember: The temperature setting on the washing machine is always a maximum. You can always wash at a lower temperature—this is gentler on the fibers, saves electricity, and is good for the environment.
How to Hand Wash Properly
If the label shows a hand in a tub, that means you should wash it by hand. It sounds more time-consuming than it actually is:
- Run lukewarm water —no more than 30 °C, preferably a little cooler.
- Dissolve a splash of mild detergent(or wool detergent) in the water.
- Gently press the garment and move it around in the water—never rub, knead, or wring it out.
- Rinse thoroughly with clear, lukewarm water.
- Gently squeeze out the water (do not wring it out!) and lay it flat on a towel to dry so that the garment retains its shape.
Wool and silk, in particular, will reward you for these few minutes of care with a significantly longer lifespan.
Care symbols related to "cleaning"
If you can't wash your clothes as usual in the in-house washing machine, be sure to take them to the dry cleaner! The care symbols inside the circle will tell the dry cleaning staff what they need to keep in mind when cleaning your clothes.
Cleaning
If you can't wash the garment at home, take it to the dry cleaner. The district provides the staff there with information on what to keep in mind.
Cleaning with Perchloroethylene
Professional dry cleaning with perchloroethylene or hydrocarbons is available.
Cleaning with Hydrocarbons
Professional dry cleaning is only possible with hydrocarbons.
Professional Wet Cleaning
Professional textile cleaning using only water, without chemical solvents.
Dry cleaning not possible
Professional dry cleaning is not possible.
Care symbols related to "bleaching"
Bleaching
The triangle indicates whether a garment can be bleached—and with what.
Bleaching permitted
Empty triangle: Bleaching with chlorine or oxygen is generally permitted.
Bleaching with oxygen only
Two diagonal lines indicate that bleaching is permitted only with oxygen.
Do not bleach
Crossed-out triangle: Do not use bleach.
Care symbols related to "drying"
Drying
The square with a circle inside represents the clothes dryer. The dots indicate the permitted temperature.
Not suitable for the dryer
Struck-through symbol: Do not tumble dry.
Suitable for the dryer
Empty symbol: Tumble drying is permitted.
Normal temperature
Two settings: Standard program available up to approx. 80 °C.
Low Temperature
One thing to note: Use only the gentle cycle up to about 60 °C.
Care symbols related to "Ironing"
Ironing
The iron symbol indicates whether ironing is permitted and at what temperature.
Do not iron
Crossed-out iron: please do not iron.
Iron on high heat—up to 200 °C
Three dots: suitable for cotton and linen.
Iron on a warm setting—up to 150 °C
Two dots: for wool, silk, and blended fabrics.
Iron on a low setting—up to 110 °C
One note: for delicate synthetics—do not use steam.
Good to know: Dresses with rhinestones & embellishments
Our favorite pieces—especially those with gemstones, sequins, pearls, or embroidery—need just a little extra care. The good news is that with a few simple steps, you can keep their shine and embellishments looking beautiful for a long time. Always follow the care label’s instructions first and foremost—the tips below are just additional guidance.
Our tip:
If you're unsure about a particularly beautiful piece, it's best to take it to a professional cleaner. The few euros are well spent to ensure your favorite dress stays looking its best for a long time.
Here's what you should do:
Use a laundry bag: – A fine-mesh net prevents stones and sequins from getting snagged while also protecting the rest of your laundry.
Turn inside out: – Placing the embellishments on the inside protects them from rubbing against the drum and other parts.
Wash gently in cool water: – Low temperature and a delicate or hand-wash cycle – Heat can cause gemstones to become detached.
If in doubt, wash by hand: – For items with intricate embellishments, hand washing is always the safest option.
Dry while lying flat: – This way, the weight of the stones keeps the wet garment from losing its shape.
Best to avoid this:
Do not spin at high speeds: – High spin speeds can cause stones and sequins to come loose or get scratched.
Do not put in the dryer: – Heat and mechanical stress are harmful to adhesive bonds and delicate appliqués.
Do not iron directly over embellishments: – If at all, only from the reverse side and with a cloth in between—never directly on stones or sequins.
No harsh chemicals: – Bleach and fabric softener can damage the sheen and the adhesive—it’s better to use a mild detergent for delicates.
Cut out the label—now what?
Is the care label scratching your neck and have you cut it off a long time ago? No big deal. If you're unsure about an item, there's a simple rule of thumb:
When in doubt, always store in a cool place, handle gently, and let it air out. So: low temperature (30 °C), delicate or gentle cycle, do not tumble dry. This approach is safe for almost all fabrics. However, for very delicate items such as silk, fine wool, or items with embellishments, it’s best to hand-wash them right away—or take them to the dry cleaner.
You Ask, We Answer – Frequently Asked Questions About Laundry Symbols
What does the crossed-out triangle mean?
A crossed-out triangle means: do not bleach. You should avoid using bleach on this garment. When choosing detergent, make sure it does not contain bleach—it’s best to use a color-safe or delicates detergent instead of an all-purpose detergent.
What do the lines under the wash tub mean?
The bars indicate how gently the laundry should be washed: One bar stands for the delicate cycle with a reduced spin speed. Two bars mean particularly gentle treatment—ideally with no spin at all or only minimal spinning. Incidentally, there is no separate “no spin” symbol.
What do the dots on the iron mean?
The dots indicate the maximum ironing temperature: One dot = up to 110 °C (delicate synthetics, no steam). Two dots = up to 150 °C (wool, silk, blended fabrics). Three dots = up to 200 °C (cotton, linen). The more dots, the hotter you can iron.
What does the circle inside the square mean?
The square with a circle is the dryer symbol. An empty circle means the item can be dried in the dryer. One dot indicates a low temperature (delicate cycle), and two dots indicate a normal temperature. If the symbol is crossed out, the item should not be put in the dryer but should be air-dried instead.
What does the circle with a letter mean?
A circle indicates professional cleaning. The letter tells the cleaning staff which method is allowed: “P” means dry cleaning with special solvents, “F” also means dry cleaning but with different solvents, and “W” stands for professional wet cleaning. As a customer, all you need to know is: Take it to the dry cleaner’s.
What happens if I ignore the care labels?
Otherwise, you run the risk of your favorite item shrinking, fading, warping, or losing its shape. Especially with wool, silk, and delicate fabrics, washing at too high a temperature can quickly cause irreparable damage. So taking a few seconds to check the care label will save you a lot of trouble.
What does the number in the wash tub mean?
The number indicates the maximum wash temperature in degrees Celsius—for example, 30, 40, 60, or 95. Important: This is the maximum temperature, so you can wash at a lower temperature, but never at a higher one. If there is no number on the drum, you can wash at the normal temperature (usually 60 °C).
Christine Schmitz
My love for fashion and communication led me to Ana Alcazar—having cut my teeth as a copywriter and concept developer in traditional advertising, I’ve been writing for our Munich-based designer label for over 10 years. On the editorial team, I’m responsible for all corporate topics, and I also focus on current trends and my passion: gender equality.
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