What do the laundry symbols mean?

Concerns & risks

You were trying to do laundry right, but your new shirt's tag is covered in tiny symbols that look like hieroglyphics.

Everyday mishaps add up.

Causes & evidence

Care symbols show washing, bleaching, drying and ironing instructions. See laundry care labels.

What to do

1. Tub = washing.
2. Triangle = bleach.
3. Square = drying.

Common mistakes: Common mistakes: ignoring the tag and washing everything hot. Learn the basics: a tub means washing, and dots inside it show water temperature, with more dots meaning hotter. A hand in the tub means hand wash. A triangle is about bleach; crossed out means no bleach, and a triangle with lines means only non-chlorine bleach. A square is drying; a circle inside means tumble dry. An iron shows ironing heat by dots. A circle alone is for professional cleaning. Lines under symbols mean gentler cycles. Take a photo of a symbol chart and keep it on your phone. If the label is missing, wash cold on gentle and air dry.

Speed Man tip: Keep a symbol chart handy.

Wrap-up: Tub. Triangle. Square.