All you need to know about the symbols on your washing machine

The myriad of symbols on your washing machine can often seem to be an indecipherable code to a first-time user. However, understanding them can also make a world of difference in how you care for your clothes.  

These symbols, as you probably have already guessed, are not just random doodles. They offer valuable instructions pertaining to water temperature, spin speed, and the type of wash cycle to choose for your clothes, amongst others. Understanding these symbols along with the ones on clothing labels then, can significantly extend the life of your garments.  

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And to help you do just that, we’ve put together this little breakdown the most common washing machine symbols you will encounter, allowing for safe, quick and efficient laundry.

1. Wash symbols

i. Tub with a single line or two lines 

A tub with a single line underneath indicates the use of a permanent-press cycle. This cycle is designed for synthetic fabrics that are prone to wrinkling. If you see a tub with two lines, it signifies the delicate or gentle cycle, which is ideal for delicate items such as lace, silk, or garments with embellishments.  

ii.  Tub with a hand inside or a twisted fabric symbol 

A tub with a hand inside suggests that the garment should be washed by hand, typically in cool water with a mild detergent. When you see a twisted fabric symbol, it means the item requires a low-spin or no-spin cycle, which is suitable for delicate fabrics or items that might lose their shape if spun too vigorously. 

2. Water temperature symbols

Ideal water temperature settings are also indicated through specific symbols.  

i. A tub with one, two or three dots  

A tub with one dot signifies a cold wash, which is appropriate for dark or bright colours that may bleed or fade in warmer water. Two dots inside the tub represent a warm wash, a versatile temperature suitable for most everyday fabrics.  

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Three dots indicate a hot wash, ideal for heavily soiled items such as towels or bedding. Alternatively, some machines use numbers instead of dots to denote temperature, with the numbers indicating the maximum water temperature in degrees Celsius. 

3. Additional garment care symbols to look out for

Additional care instructions are given through various other symbols on garments.  

i. Iron symbol with either one, two or three dots  

An iron symbol often comes with dots to indicate the proper ironing temperature: one dot for a cool iron, two dots for a warm iron, and three dots for a hot iron.  

ii. Triangle symbol for bleaching instructions  

The triangle symbol pertains to bleaching: a plain triangle means any bleach can be used, a triangle with diagonal lines indicates non-chlorine bleach only, and a crossed-out triangle means no bleach should be used.  

iii. Square symbol for drying instructions 

Drying instructions are conveyed with a square symbol. A square with a circle inside means tumble drying is allowed, while a crossed-out tumble dry symbol means the item should not be tumble dried. 

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It is important to note here that while many of the symbols are commonly found for the most part, they could vary between different washing machine models and garments, depending on where you live, and more.  

That said, your washing machine is a powerful tool for keeping your clothes clean and fresh, but understanding the symbols on its control panel is key to using it effectively. By following the instructions indicated by these symbols and the care labels on your clothes, you can ensure that your laundry comes out looking its best, every time.