Washing Care Label Symbols

You should always check garment care labels for special requirements before washing, drying or ironing. Below we explain what each symbol on garment care labels mean.

Washing Symbols

Wash Cycle Related

	Machine Wash (Permanent Press)	Garments which have been permanently shaped (are wrinkle resistant) should be laundered in the "permanent press" cycle. This cycle normally involves a cold rinse before a reduced spin cycle.
	Machine Wash (Gentle, Delicate)	Wash only on the gentle cycle, involving a reduced spinning cycle and gentle agitation.
	Hand Wash Only	Wash these garments using water, detergent or soap gently using your hands.
	Do Not Wash	These garments cannot be safely washed. Usually, these will need to be dry cleaned.

Temperature Related

	Machine Wash (NORMAL)	When there is no temperature or dots in the symbol, and no line underneath, it is recommended the garment be washed with hottest available water temperature, as hot water washes better than cold.
	Machine Wash (COLD)	When 30C or one dot is shown, the recommended maximum temperature for washing the garment is 30°C (85°F).
	Machine Wash (WARM)	When 40C or two dots are shown, the recommended maximum temperature for washing the garment is 40°C (105°F).
	Machine Wash (HOT)	When 50C or three dots are shown, the recommended maximum temperature for washing the garment is 50°C (120°F).
	Machine Wash (HOT)	When 60C or four dots are shown, the recommended maximum temperature for washing the garment is 60°C (140°F).
	Machine Wash (HOT)	When 70C or five dots are shown, the recommended maximum temperature for washing the garment is 70°C (160°F).
	Machine Wash (HOT)	When 95C or six dots are shown, the recommended maximum temperature for washing the garment is 95°C (200°F).

Bleaching Symbols

	Bleach As Needed	Any bleach may be used when needed on the garment.
	Bleach As Needed (Non-Chlorine Only)	Only non-chlorine, colour-safe bleach may be used on these garments when needed.
	Do Not Bleach	Garments with this symbol are not able to withstand any bleach.

Drying Symbols

Drying Procedures

	Tumble Dry (Permanent Press)	Garments may be dried in a tumble dryer, but only on the "permanent press" setting.
	Tumble Dry (Gentle)	Garments may be dried in a tumble dryer, but only on the "gentle" setting.
	Do Not Tumble Dry	Garment may not be tumble dried. Usually one of the alternative symbols below will be supplied.
	Line Dry	Hang the garment to dry.
	Drip Dry	Hang the garment to dry, without shaping or smoothing.
	Dry Flat	Lay the garment out flat to dry.
	Dry In Shade	This symbol may appear in conjunction with Line or Drip Dry. Dry the garment in the shade, away from direct sunlight.
	Do Not Wring	Do not wring the garment to dry.

Temperature Related

	Tumble Dry (Normal)	Garment may be tumble dried at the hottest available setting.
	Tumble Dry (Cold)	Garment may be tumble dried only at the cold "No Heat" or "Air Only" setting.
	Tumble Dry (Low Heat)	Garment may be tumble dried only at a low heat.
	Tumble Dry (Medium Heat)	Garment may be tumble dried up to a medium heat only.
	Tumble Dry (High Heat)	Garment may be tumble dried at a high heat.

Ironing Symbols

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	Iron (Normal)	Garments may be ironed at any temperature, using steam or dry.
	Iron (Low Heat)	Garments may be ironed using steam or dry, at Low setting, 110°C (230°F), only.
	Iron (Medium Heat)	Garments may be ironed using steam or dry, at Medium setting, 150°C (300°F).
	Iron (High Heat)	Garments may be ironed using steam or dry, at High setting, 200°C (390°F).
	Do Not Steam	Garment may be ironed, but only dry. Using steam may damage the garment.
	Do Not Iron	Garment may not be ironed.

Dry Cleaning Symbols

	Dry Clean	Dry clean the garment, using any solvent, cycle, moisture & heat.
	Dry Clean (Any Solvent)	Dry clean the garment, using any solvent. This symbol may appear with others restricting the cycle, moisture or heat.
	Dry Clean (Petroleum Solvent)	Dry clean only using a petroleum-based solvent.
	Dry Clean (Not Trichloroethylene)	Dry clean the garment using any solvent, except trichloroethylene.
	Dry Clean (Short Cycle)	Dry clean using the short cycle.
	Dry Clean (Reduced Moisture)	Dry clean using reduced moisture.
	Dry Clean (Low Heat)	Dry clean on a low heat setting.
	Dry Clean (No Steam)	Dry clean using no steam.
	Do Not Dry Clean	Garment may not be dry cleaned.