Ever wonder what those Laundry Symbols really mean? We broke down the laundry symbols meaning and created an easy to read washing symbols chart that also doubles as your laundry room decor.
LAUNDRY SYMBOLS
Have you ever understood the little laundry symbols that are found on your clothing and laundry labels? I have seen them and always wondered exactly what they meant and how to use them when doing your laundry. The laundry symbols are actually really helpful for getting your laundry done and getting your clothes cleaned properly. Knowing the common laundry symbols can help your clothes last longer and prevent discoloration, shrinking, and fading due to improper care and washing.
But I got tired of having to look up the laundry care symbols when I had a new article of clothing or laundry that I wasn’t sure how to care for properly. So when I did a little refresh of our laundry room decor, I wanted to add a laundry symbols chart to add to the decor and for a quick and easy reference!
WHAT ARE LAUNDRY SYMBOLS?
A laundry symbol, is a pictogram which represents the method of washing that an article of clothing needs for best results. It is based on the color, type of fabric and weave of the fabric. For example you are given specific direction for drying, dry-cleaning, washing and ironing your clothing. The symbols are written on the clothing labels, also known as care labels or care tags, attached to clothing to indicate how a particular item should best be cleaned.
LAUNDRY SYMBOLS MEANING
- Washing– A washtub is shown, and a number inside of the tub is the maximum washing temperature measured in degrees Celsius. One bar under the tub signifies a gentler washing machine cycle. A double bar signifies very gentle handling. A hand in the tub means that only hand washing should be used on this garment.. A cross through washtub means that the textile may not be washed under normal household conditions.
- Bleaching– An empty triangle means that bleaching is okay with both a chlorine and a non-chlorine bleach. Two oblique lines in the triangle means that bleaching with chlorine based bleach is prohibited. A crossed triangle prohibits any bleaching.
- Drying– A circle in the square symbolizes drying clothes in the clothes dryer. One dot requires drying at reduced temperature and two dots for normal temperature. The crossed symbol means that the clothing should not be dried in the dryer machine and should just air dry.
- Professional Dry Cleaning– A circle is an identification of professional cleaning. A bar under the symbol means clean gently, and two bars means very gentle cleaning by a professional cleaner.
- Ironing– The iron symbol represents how to iron the article. The iron symbol with up to three dots means that it can be ironed. The number of dots relate to the temperature of the iron: one dot prescribes less than 110°C, two for up to 150°C and three for up to 200° degrees C. An iron with a cross means that ironing should not be done on this article of clothing.
LAUNDRY SYMBOLS CHART
And now for the fun part! I created this chart so that I could quickly and easily have a reference for how to wash particular clothes in my laundry room. I also created the laundry symbols chart to share it with you!
To grab a copy of the laundry symbols chart for your laundry room, simply click on the button below.
LAUNDRY ROOM SUPPLIES
Below is a list of some of our favorite items to use in our laundry room!
- Glass jars
- spray bottles
- dryer balls
- metal laundry basket
- laundry sorter
- white frame
- laundry detergent
- laundry dryer sheets
- ironing board
- iron
- stain remover
- portable clothes steamer
LAUNDRY AND CLEANING RELATED POSTS
- Laundry Organization
- Labels Laundry
- Laundry Sign
- How to Do Laundry: Tips and Tricks for Large Families
- How to Tackle Tough Laundry Stains
- 10 Tips for a Cleaner Home
Thanks so much for stopping by! xoxo
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Megann Eichner says
That was brilliant and so helpful! Thank you!
Megann
Amy says
So glad it was helpful!
Stephanie says
A framed reference would be so cute to have in my laundry room! I learned laundry symbols in middle school home ec, and they stuck with me for some reason. Always good to have a refresher though!
Scarlet says
I love the printable laundry symbols chart. I think framing it makes it cute useful decor as well!
Becca says
Totally grabbing one for my laundry room- thanks! This would also be a fun graduation gift along with a roll of quarters and some laundry detergent.
The Idea Room Assistant says
Becca- What a great graduation gift idea…lol!
Thank you for sharing this!! I definitely need this in my laundry room! Sometimes, I look at those symbols & wished I knew what they meant!
Kristyn- So glad you found this helpful!
This is a nifty little chart of symbols and summaries. I wish I had it years ago. Before I started working at a custom clothing label company, I had long wondered what some of the symbols on my clothes were. At the same time, It had never really occurred to me just how many rules there are for the information and placement of laundry labels on clothes.
Thanks for sharing! Where did you get your soap pump dispenser? So cute!
Kellie- I think I got it at Home Goods years ago.