Care label symbols explained: wash, dry, iron, dry clean

Washtub: washing

Our guide to washing machine settings matches these to the programmes on a typical machine.

• A number in the tub is the highest water temperature in degrees Celsius, such as 30 or 40.
• Dots in the tub, common on North American labels, do the same job: more dots, warmer water.
• One bar under the tub asks for a gentler cycle with a reduced spin.
• Two bars mean a very gentle cycle, the sort used for wool and delicates.
• A hand in the tub means hand wash only.
• A crossed-out tub means do not wash in water.

Triangle: bleach

The triangle is the symbol people most often ask about. An empty triangle means any bleach may be used when needed. A triangle with two diagonal lines inside allows only oxygen-based, non-chlorine bleach. A crossed-out triangle means no bleach of any kind. Some older labels show the letters Cl inside the triangle to allow chlorine bleach. On coloured and printed suits, treat bleach as a last resort even when the label permits it.

Square: drying

A square with a circle inside is about the tumble dryer. Squares with lines describe natural drying, and they are the ones worth obeying on kameez and dupattas; see drying suits without fading or shrinking for how to do each.

• Circle in a square: tumble drying is allowed. One dot means low heat, and more dots mean higher heat.
• The same symbol crossed out: do not tumble dry.
• One vertical line: hang to dry. On older and North American labels, a curved line at the top of the square says the same.
• Two or three vertical lines, depending on the system: drip dry, without wringing or spinning.
• A horizontal line: dry flat.
• Diagonal lines in the top corner: dry in the shade.

Iron and circle: pressing and professional cleaning

On the iron, one dot is a low setting, two dots medium and three dots hot. A crossed-out iron means do not iron, and on some labels an iron with crossed-out lines beneath it means no steam.

The circle is for the dry cleaner. A letter inside (P, F or W) tells them which solvent or wet-cleaning process to use, a bar underneath asks for a gentle process, and a crossed-out circle means do not dry clean. Our article on what dry clean only means explains when that instruction can and cannot be bent.

Reading a label on a three-piece suit

A suit can carry one label for three different fabrics, or a separate care card in the box. Read it piece by piece: the kameez, the trousers and the dupatta may each have their own line, and embroidery often has its own warning. Where two instructions conflict, follow the gentler one. Our guide to reading an unstitched suit label covers the rest of what the packaging tells you.

If a label is faded or missing, do not guess: test a hidden area and start gently, as how to wash a suit with no care label describes. Tailor-made clothes often have none. If you send us fabric through unstitched suit stitching, keep a photo of its label or care card so the washing instructions stay with you after the fabric has been cut. You can include the photo with your quote request.