The world behind the washing label: washing symbols explained

A guide to the use of symbols in care labels when importing textiles from Asia

In the textile industry, the washing label or care label plays an important role, not only as a guide to the proper care of textile products, but also as a key factor in complying with European directives. These labels, often small and inconspicuous, contain essential information about washing, drying, and ironing textile products. For importers bringing textiles from Asia to Europe, it is important that these washing labels are clear, correct, and in accordance with EU standards. This not only ensures satisfaction among the end consumer, but also strengthens confidence in the brand.

Why washing labels?

Care labels or washing labels are not just an addition to clothing and textile products; they are the silent guides that help consumers take good care of their purchases. From the correct washing program to the permissible drying method, every symbol on a care label serves a purpose. When you import textiles from countries such as Bangladesh and China, it is important to ensure that these labels contain the correct, understandable information for European consumers.

Washing label meaning and symbols

The meaning behind the symbols on washing labels is standardised in the EU under Regulation (EU) No. 1007/2011. This allows consumers in different EU countries to follow the same instructions without language barriers. Symbols range from washing and drying instructions to specific treatments such as dry cleaning and ironing. Symbols may vary from country to country, but most EU countries are members of GINETEX - an international textile labeling association - so they use the same washing symbols (also known as care symbols or laundry symbols) according to ISO 3758:2023.

List of washing symbols

Washing

	Do not wash The washing symbol, a square open at the top containing a wavy line with a cross through it, means that these items should not be washed.
	Washing allowed The washing symbol, a square open at the top with a wavy line in it, means that these items may be washed. The symbols below indicate how drying is allowed.
	30°C delicate wash The wash symbol containing the number 30 represents a wash cycle for dark-colored items in cotton, polyester and mixed fabrics.
	30°C mild delicate wash The 30°C wash symbol with two dashes means it is suitable for items made from modal, viscose, polyacrylic, polyester and polyamide.
	30°C very mild delicate wash The 30°C wash symbol with two dashes means it is suitable for items made from machine washable wool, for example.
	40°C coloured laundry The wash symbol containing the number 40 represents a wash cycle for dark-colored items in cotton, polyester and mixed fabrics.
	40°C delicate wash The 40°C wash symbol with one line means that it is suitable for delicate washing of modal, viscose or synthetic fibers (e.g. polyacrylic, polyester and polyamide).
	40°C very mild wash The 30°C wash symbol with two dashes means it is suitable for items made of machine washable wool.
	60°C coloured laundry The washing symbol containing the number 60 represents colored items that should not be washed at boiling temperatures, such as cotton, modal, polyester and mixed fabrics.
	60°C coloured laundry The 60°C wash symbol with one line means it is suitable for “Easy care” colored laundry. The drum should not be more than two-thirds full.
	70°C boiling wash The washing symbol containing the number 70 stands for articles made of cotton or linen, white, suitable for washing at boiling temperature, dyed or printed, with an energy-saving method.
	95°C boiling wash The washing symbol containing the number 95 represents articles made of cotton or linen, white, suitable for washing at boiling temperature, dyed or printed.
	Hand wash (at 40°C) The symbol of washing with a hand in it stands for hand washing at a water temperature of maximum 40° C.
	Hand wash (20-30°C) The washing symbol showing a hand with one line means that hand washing is permitted at ambient temperature, or a water temperature between approximately 20 and 30°C.

Bleaching

Do not bleach

The bleaching symbol, a triangle with a cross through it, means that these items should not be bleached.

Bleaching allowed

The symbol of bleaching, a triangle, means that bleaching with oxygen bleach (found in all-purpose detergents) and chlorine bleach are allowed.

Only oxygen bleach allowed

The bleaching symbol, a triangle with two lines through it, means that bleaching with oxygen bleach (which is contained in universal detergents) is permitted, but not with chlorine bleach.

Drying

	Do not tumble dry The drying symbol, a square with a circle in it and a cross over it, means that these items should not be put in the dryer.
	Tumble drying allowed The symbol for tumble drying is depicted as a square with a circle inside. The symbols below indicate how drying is allowed.
	Mild drying process in the tumble dryer A square, containing a circle with one dot, means that tumble drying is allowed with a mild process with reduced thermal action (60°) and treatment time.
	Normal drying process in the tumble dryer A square containing a circle with two dots means that tumble drying is allowed at normal load and temperature (80°) without restrictions.
	Natural drying allowed A square is the symbol for natural drying. The symbols below indicate how drying is allowed.
	Line drying A square with a vertical stripe means that natural drying by means of line drying is permitted for all colourfast textiles.
	Drop line drying A square with two vertical stripes means that natural drying is allowed through line drying, for colourfast, large textiles to dry wrinkle-free.
	Dry flat A square with a horizontal line means that natural drying is allowed by drying textiles flat, for heavy, colourfast textiles.
	Drip flat dry A square with two vertical stripes means that natural drying is allowed by laying textiles flat and drip drying, for colourfast but delicate textiles.
	Dry flat in the shade A square with one horizontal stripe and two diagonal stripes means that natural drying is allowed by flat drying in the shade, for woolen or delicate textiles.
	Drip flat in the shade A square with two horizontal stripes and two diagonal stripes means that natural drying is allowed by flat drying and drip drying in the shade for wool coats, for example.
	Line dry in the shade A square with one vertical stripe and two diagonal stripes means that natural drying is allowed by line drying in the shade, for textiles that are not colourfast, such as silk.
	Drip line dryi in the shade A square with two vertical stripes and two diagonal stripes means that natural drying is allowed by drip line drying in the shade, for delicate textiles such as silk

Ironing

	Do not iron The iron with a cross through it means that these items should not be ironed.
	Ironing allowed The iron is the symbol for ironing. The symbols below indicate how ironing is allowed.
	Iron at low temperature An iron with one dot in it represents ironing at a maximum soleplate temperature of 120 °C. For polyacrylic, polyamide (nylon) and acetate. Steam can cause damage.
	Iron at moderate temperature An iron with two dots in it represents ironing at a maximum soleplate temperature of 160 °C, for wool, silk, polyester and viscose. Steam can be used, avoid heavy pressure.
	Hot iron An iron with three dots in it represents ironing at a maximum soleplate temperature of 210 °C, for cotton and linen. A steam can be used.
	Iron at low temperature without steam An iron with one dot and a cross through the steam at the bottom represents ironing at a maximum soleplate temperature of 120 °C without steam, for polyacrylic, polyamide (nylon) and acetate.

Professional cleaning

	Professional cleaning not allowed A circle with a cross through it means that dry cleaning is not permitted. Also do not use stain removers that contain solvents.
	Professional wet cleaning permitted A circle is the symbol for professional wet cleaning. The symbols below indicate how cleaning is allowed.
	Do not wet clean A circle containing a W with a cross through it means that no professional wet cleaning is allowed.
	Professional wet cleaning A circle containing the letter W represents normal wet cleaning methods without restrictions.
	Mild professional wet cleaning A circle containing the letter W and a line below it represents wet cleaning technique for sensitive textiles with reduced mechanical action.
	Very mild professional wet cleaning A circle containing the letter W and two dashes below it represents wet cleaning techniques for very sensitive textiles with much reduced mechanical action.
	Very mild professional wet cleaning The letter F in a circle represents a normal cleaning process without restrictions. Commercially available solvent-based stain removers should not be used.
	Professional steaming in hydrocarbons (heavy gasolines). The letter F in a circle with a dash represents a mild cleaning process with strict limits on added humidity, mechanical action and temperature. Commercially available solvent-based stain removers should not be used.
	Professional steaming in perchlorethylene or hydrocarbons (heavy gasolines) The letter P in a circle represents a normal cleaning process without restrictions. Commercially available solvent-based stain removers may be used with some restrictions. It is recommended to perform a test on a hidden part of the item beforehand.
	Professional steaming in perchlorethylene or hydrocarbons (heavy gasoline). The letter P with a dash represents a mild cleaning process with strict limits on added humidity, mechanical action and/or temperature. Commercially available solvent-based stain removers may be used with some restrictions. It is recommended to perform a test on a hidden part of the item beforehand.

Washing

	Do not wash The washing symbol, a square open at the top containing a wavy line with a cross through it, means that these items should not be washed.
	Washing allowed The washing symbol, a square open at the top with a wavy line in it, means that these items may be washed. The symbols below indicate how drying is allowed.
	30°C delicate wash The wash symbol containing the number 30 represents a wash cycle for dark-colored items in cotton, polyester and mixed fabrics.
	30°C mild delicate wash The 30°C wash symbol with two dashes means it is suitable for items made from modal, viscose, polyacrylic, polyester and polyamide.
	30°C very mild delicate wash The 30°C wash symbol with two dashes means it is suitable for items made from machine washable wool, for example.
	40°C coloured laundry The wash symbol containing the number 40 represents a wash cycle for dark-colored items in cotton, polyester and mixed fabrics.
	40°C delicate wash The 40°C wash symbol with one line means that it is suitable for delicate washing of modal, viscose or synthetic fibers (e.g. polyacrylic, polyester and polyamide).
	40°C very mild wash The 30°C wash symbol with two dashes means it is suitable for items made of machine washable wool.
	60°C coloured laundry The washing symbol containing the number 60 represents colored items that should not be washed at boiling temperatures, such as cotton, modal, polyester and mixed fabrics.
	60°C coloured laundry The 60°C wash symbol with one line means it is suitable for “Easy care” colored laundry. The drum should not be more than two-thirds full.
	70°C boiling wash The washing symbol containing the number 70 stands for articles made of cotton or linen, white, suitable for washing at boiling temperature, dyed or printed, with an energy-saving method.
	95°C boiling wash The washing symbol containing the number 95 represents articles made of cotton or linen, white, suitable for washing at boiling temperature, dyed or printed.
	Hand wash (at 40°C) The symbol of washing with a hand in it stands for hand washing at a water temperature of maximum 40° C.
	Hand wash (20-30°C) The washing symbol showing a hand with one line means that hand washing is permitted at ambient temperature, or a water temperature between approximately 20 and 30°C.

Bleaching