UK Clothing Care Symbols
Explained β Every Label Icon
The complete visual guide to every symbol found on UK clothing labels, based on BS EN ISO 3758 β the standard used across the UK and Europe, administered by GINETEX. Appendix to our washing symbols guide.
How to Read a UK Clothing Care Label
Every clothing label sold in the UK must display care symbols in a fixed order, left to right. There are five symbol families, each represented by a distinct shape. Once you learn the shape, you understand the category β the details inside the shape tell you the specifics.
- πͺ£ Washtub β Washing
- β³ Triangle β Bleaching
- Iron β Ironing
- β Circle β Dry Cleaning
- β‘ Square β Drying
If a symbol has a cross (Γ) through it, that process is prohibited. A bar underneath any symbol means use a gentler version of that process. Read the full guide on our blog for more context, or if you're ever unsure, bring the garment to our dry cleaning service in Milton Keynes and we'll advise you.
Washing Symbols Washtub β 1st symbol on a UK label
Bleaching Symbols Triangle β 2nd symbol on a UK label
Drying Symbols Square (Β± circle) β 4th symbol on a UK label
Tumble Drying (square with circle)
Natural Drying (square without circle)
Ironing Symbols Iron silhouette β 3rd symbol on a UK label
Dry Cleaning & Professional Cleaning Symbols Circle β 5th symbol on a UK label
Professional Dry Cleaning
Professional Wet Cleaning (circle with W)
Modifier Key β Bars, Dots & the Cross How any symbol can be modified
Frequently Asked Questions About UK Care Symbols
What does a washtub with a number mean on a UK clothing label?
The number inside the washtub is the maximum wash temperature in Β°C β never exceed it. A bar underneath means use a gentler machine cycle: one bar = synthetics/easy-care programme; two bars = wool/delicates programme. A cross through the tub means do not wash by any method β take it to a dry cleaner.
What does a circle on a UK clothing label mean?
A plain circle means the garment must be professionally dry cleaned. Letters inside indicate the solvent: P = perchloroethylene or hydrocarbon (the most common in the UK); F = hydrocarbon only. A circle with W means professional wet cleaning. A crossed circle means do not dry clean at all.
What do the dots on an iron symbol mean?
The dots on a UK iron symbol indicate the maximum sole-plate temperature: 1 dot = cool, max 110Β°C (for polyester, nylon, silk, acetate); 2 dots = warm, max 150Β°C (for wool, polyester, viscose); 3 dots = hot, max 200Β°C (cotton and linen only). A cross through the steam vents means iron without steam. A cross through the entire iron symbol means do not iron.
What does a triangle on a clothing label mean?
A triangle is the bleaching symbol. An empty triangle = any bleach is permitted. A triangle with two diagonal lines inside = only non-chlorine (oxygen/colour-safe) bleach. A triangle with a cross = absolutely no bleach β use a bleach-free detergent only.
Can I take a "do not wash" garment to a dry cleaner?
Yes β in most cases. A do not wash symbol (crossed washtub) means the item cannot be washed in water, but it can usually be dry cleaned. Always check the circle symbol on the label too. If both the washtub and circle are crossed, bring the garment to a specialist like Stony Dry Cleaners in Milton Keynes for professional advice before attempting any cleaning.
What is professional wet cleaning β is it the same as dry cleaning?
No β professional wet cleaning is a water-based process carried out by specialist cleaners using professional equipment, controlled temperature, and specialist detergents. It is not the same as home machine washing. The circle-with-W symbol appears on garments that cannot be home-laundered but can be safely wet-cleaned professionally. We offer this service at Stony Dry Cleaners.
Which standard governs clothing care symbols in the UK?
UK and European clothing care symbols are governed by BS EN ISO 3758 β the British adoption of the international GINETEX standard. The most recent edition is ISO 3758:2023. All clothing sold in the UK should follow this system. Unlike the US ASTM system which uses dots and different symbols, the UK/European system uses temperatures in Β°C inside the washtub and specific letters inside the dry-cleaning circle.
My garment has shrunk β what went wrong?
Shrinkage most commonly occurs when a garment is washed at too high a temperature, spun too fast, or tumble dried when it should not be. Always check the washtub temperature and whether a do not tumble dry symbol is present before washing. If your garment has already been damaged, our garment repair and alterations service may be able to help.
Not Sure About a Symbol? We Can Help
Bring your garment into Stony Dry Cleaners in Stony Stratford, Milton Keynes, or book a free collection and we'll identify the correct care process for you.
Why Read The Clothing Symbols?
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Itβs easier to shrink your clothes than you think, although you cannot completely shrink your clothes in the wash, its possible to severely shrink them with high-temperature washes alongside being dried in a tumble dryer.
Which is what the purpose of washing symbols are, washing symbols can be found on the inside tag of our item of clothing and help assist you in how to wash your clothes while keeping them in excellent condition. Itβs essential that these symbols are followed strictly like a set of instructions to ensure that you keep your clothes in the best condition.
But how are you meant to know each and every symbol, there is a variety of them all with specific and broad meanings, which is why we have devised a list of all of the symbols that can be found on both delicate as well as synthetics and other clothing types. So keep reading!
Clothes Care Symbols
Introduction:
Laundry symbols, those enigmatic hieroglyphics found on clothing tags, may seem like a cryptic code at first glance. However, they are a vital tool for preserving the longevity and appearance of your garments. Understanding these symbols can save you from laundry mishaps and ensure that your favorite pieces remain in pristine condition. In this guide, we’ll decipher the common laundry symbols and empower you to become a laundry care expert.
Laundry Symbols are divided into 5 groups
The clothing and laundry industry has created a standard of five basic symbols that form a kind of universal language. To make it even easier, laundry symbols are always featured in the same order on a label. From left to right, they are:
Washing
Do Not Wash
Synthetic Wash
Wool Mild Wash
Hand Wash
Not Suitable For Washing
The first symbol on the diagram is what looks like a basket with water in with a cross through it. This means not suitable for washing, and that you will most likely have to have the garment dry cleaned.
Synthetic Wash Mild Treatments
Synthetic washes are slightly rougher than normal or delicate washes; this is because synthetics are more robust and take more time to get hard stains out. They have rougher spins and more rinsing.
A Wool / Very Mild Wash
The optimum temperature for a wool wash is warm enough to remove stains but cool enough to keep the delicate material intact. Although always check the label to make sure that your item of clothing is suited to this. Using a laundry bag put your clothing in a wool wash, and it will be span and rinsed gentler than usual.
Hand Wash
This symbol is pretty easy to decipher, and washing means that any of your most precious clothes with things such as beading, sequins or delicate buttons need to be washed on this setting to keep them intact.
Tumble Drying
May Be Tumble Dried
Tumble Dry Low
Tumble Dry Medium
Do Not Tumble Dry
This indicates that this item of clothing may be tumble dried after the washing cycle.
Tumble Dry Low
This symbol means that you can tumble dry your clothing on a low heat in order to avoid the possibility of it shrinking. Be sure to check the labels on all of the clothing to make sure that they are all able to go in a tumble dryer at the same heat temperature.
Tumble Dry Medium
And this means you can tumble dry your clothing on a high heat without the possibility of the clothing shrinking or losing its shape.
Do Not Tumble Dry
Take proper care with this symbol, if this symbol is on any of your clothes then it means that it cannot be tumble dried under any circumstances. If you were to put your clothing in a tumble dryer with this symbol, there is a high chance of your clothing coming out damaged, shrunk or misshaped.
Ironing
Cool Iron
Warm Iron
Hot Iron
Do Not Iron
Cool Iron
A cool iron has a maximum temperature of 110 degrees; this first symbol means that you must use a temperature no more than 110 degrees to iron this garment. This could be due to the delicate materials; if you were to use a warm or hot iron, you risk burning or severely damaging your clothes.
Warm Iron
The second symbol shows a warn iron label symbol; a warm iron can reach up to 150 degrees. Just like before, any temperature higher than
this will cause a high risk of clothing damage.
Hot Iron
A hot iron is up to 200 degrees and is the highest setting on your iron, clothing that has this symbol will not damage as easily as other materials and can be used by this general setting.
Do Not Iron
This last symbol signifies that you should not use an iron on your item of clothing, this could once again be down to the material and delicacy of your clothing.
Dry Cleaning
May Be Dry Cleaned
Specialest Dry Clean
Do Not Dry Clean
May Be Dry Cleaned
This symbol means that your clothes can generally be dry cleaned byΒ dry cleaners Milton KeynesΒ with no worries of damaging your clothes.Β
- Symbol: A circle with the letter ‘P’ inside.
- Meaning: The garment is best suited for professional dry cleaning. Different letters inside the circle denote specific solvents suitable for the fabric.
Specialist Dry Cleaning
This means the item of clothing can also be dry cleaned. However there is an extra step that needs to be taken, the P in the middle of the circle indicates to the dry cleaner which one.
Do Not Dry Clean
Unfortunately, some materials do not mix well with dry cleaning; dry cleaners often use a lot of harsh chemicals that might not mix well with delicate or extremely light coloured materials. So for these items of clothing, you should stay well away of dry cleaners.
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General Drying
Dry Flat
Hang or Line Dry
Normal Dry
Dry Flat
This is for clothing that can easily be distorted or take the shape of the item theyβre being dried on; this means you should dry them flat and have them vertically dry.
Hang Or Line
This symbol means that you should line dry or hang your clothing up to dry, other things good for this could be clothes horses.
Normal-Dry
This means that you can just leave your clothes to βdrip dryβ or dry naturally, dependent on how you do this-this could take longer and result in a lot of ironing, so itβs best to lay it out.
Take Care When Washing Your Clothes
And finally, please take care when washing and drying your clothes, and remember some items are dry cleaning only or cannot be dry cleaned at all so pay attention to the label.
If your clothes have been damaged from using the incorrect washing process, not to worry we offer clothing repairs Buckingham to fix your clothing for you. We hope that this article was helpful, if it was then why not share on social media?
