Quick Answer, Washing Symbols Meaning in One Minute
- EU labels show a number in the tub for °C limits. US tags may use dots.
- Cycle icons, cotton, synthetics, delicates, change drum motion and time.
- Spin icon sets RPM. Higher dries faster, increases wrinkle risk.
- Extra rinse adds a water-only pass to cut residue.
- Start, pause, delay, locks, eco, and steam differ by brand. Check your manual.
What Panel Icons Cover vs Care Label Symbols
Machine panel icons control the washer, start or pause, spin, delay, steam, eco, locks, and drum clean. These are brand specific. Manual rules.
Garment care label symbols tell the safest cleaning method, washing, bleaching, drying, ironing, professional care. These are standardized in Europe by ISO 3758.
Callout, ISO 3758 governs care label symbols used across Europe, with families for wash, bleach, dry, iron, and professional care. GINETEX hosts a plain-language overview that tracks the standard.
Front Load Washing Machine Symbols Meaning
Varies by model. Use your exact manual for the final word.
Start or Pause, Door Lock, Spin, Prewash
- Start or Pause begins or pauses a cycle.
- Door Lock prevents opening during heat or spin.
- Spin Speed sets RPM for water removal.
- Prewash runs a short wash before the main cycle for heavy soil.
Examples, Whirlpool quick sheet explains start, temp, spin, and time displays.
Extra Rinse, Time Delay, Steam, Eco, Drum Clean
- Extra Rinse adds a water-only pass to cut residue.
- Time Delay schedules the start later.
- Steam helps loosen wrinkles on models that support it.
- Eco often lowers temperature and water and extends time.
- Drum Clean or Clean Washer runs a maintenance program to reduce residue and odor.
Brand guides, Samsung and Bosch list symbol legends on support pages.
Varies by Model, How to Verify in Your Manual
Find the model code on the door frame or rear label. Search the brand portal for the exact manual. If an icon is missing from the legend, I am not certain. Brands differ here. Verify in the manual. Whirlpool and LG publish model-specific quick references and help pages.
European Washing Machine Symbols and Temperatures
Cotton, Synthetics, Delicates, Wool, Eco 40 to 60
- Cotton uses normal agitation and full spin.
- Synthetics uses gentler action and medium spin.
- Delicates lowers agitation and spin.
- Wool runs a special low-agitation profile.
- Eco 40-60 is defined in EU rules as a program that can wash normally soiled cotton declared washable at 40 °C or 60 °C together in one cycle.
Temperature Dots and °C to °F Equivalents
On ISO or GINETEX labels, the number inside the washtub is the maximum °C. In North America, some labels use dots inside the tub for temperature, one dot cold, two warm, three hot. Follow what your tag shows. One dot about 30 °C, 86 °F. Two dots about 40 °C, 104 °F. Three dots about 50 to 60 °C, 122 to 140 °F.
For a visual explainer of the care families, see GINETEX’s symbol guide.
Laundry Symbols on Garment Labels, Fast Decoder
- Washing tub, wash at or below the printed temperature.
- Triangle, bleach use as shown.
- Square, drying method, tumble or line dry indicators.
- Iron, dots show low, medium, high.
- Circle, professional dry cleaning codes.
If unsure, default to cold wash, low spin, air dry. ISO and GINETEX cover these families.
For a fuller home guide, see our internal Laundry Care Guide.
Laundry Symbols Chart, Screenshot Friendly
| Icon name | What it means | When to use | Risks if ignored |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start or Pause | Begin or pause a cycle | Mid cycle checks | Some models unlock and drain if paused mid-fill |
| Door Lock | Door is locked for safety | Heat or spin phases | Forcing door can damage latch |
| Spin Speed | Sets RPM for extraction | Higher for towels, lower for delicates | Stretching, creasing, pilling |
| Prewash | Short wash before main | Muddy, sandy, heavy soil | Soil redeposition, dull fabrics |
| Extra Rinse | Adds water-only rinse | Sensitive skin, heavy detergent | Residue, stiffness, odor |
| Time Delay | Starts cycle later | Timed finish or off-peak power | Wet load sits if mistimed |
| Steam | Steam assist feature | Wrinkle help, some stains | Not universal, check fabric limits |
| Eco 40-60 | Energy-focused cycle | Normally soiled cotton rated 40 or 60 °C | Longer time, possible residue |
| Drum Clean | Self-clean program | Monthly or every 30 cycles | Odor, biofilm, sensor errors |
| Washing tub, 40 °C | Machine wash warm | Mixed loads | Shrink or fade if too hot |
| Triangle crossed | Do not bleach | Darks and prints | Discoloration if bleached |
| Square with circle, 1 dot | Tumble dry low | Delicates, synthetics | Melt or shrink on high heat |
| Iron, 1 to 3 dots | Low, medium, high iron | Match label dots | Scorch or shine if too hot |
| Circle P or F | Dry clean as marked | Suits, coats | Shape loss with home wash |
Panel icon names differ by brand. Confirm in your model manual. Examples, Whirlpool quick sheets, Samsung and Bosch symbol pages.
How to Read Your Washer Panel Without Guessing
- Note the model number on the door frame or rear label.
- Open the brand support portal and download the exact manual.
- Read the legend or symbol page first, then the cycle guide.
- Test settings on an old towel before trying a favorite sweater.
- Record your default temperature, spin, and rinse so you repeat safely.
Example, Whirlpool front load quick reference, PDF.
Common Mistakes That Cost Clothes
- Hot wash on low-temperature labels, shrink and dye bleed. Strong consensus.
- High spin on delicates, snag and stretch. Strong consensus.
- Skipping Drum Clean, odor and residue buildup. Strong consensus.
- Assuming eco equals cold, brand logic differs. Mixed.
- Treating hand wash as delicate, agitation can still be rough. Limited.
Manufacturer pages show different logic for options such as eco, child lock, or spin handling.
For fabric behavior, see our Fabric Types Cheat Sheet. For dryer tradeoffs, see Dryer Settings Explained. For stains, see Stain Removal Basics.
Download, Printable Laundry Symbols PDF
A one page chart, US and EU terms, black and white, printer friendly, is provided below for conversion.
One Page “Laundry Symbols PDF” Text Block
Laundry Symbols, Quick Reference, US and EU Terms
| Icon name | What it means | When to use | Risks if ignored |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washing tub, 30 °C | Machine wash cold, max 30 °C, 86 °F | Most knits, colors | Shrink, dye bleed if hotter |
| Washing tub, 40 °C | Machine wash warm, max 40 °C, 104 °F | Everyday mixed loads | Set-in stains if too cool |
| Washing tub, 60 °C | Machine wash hot, max 60 °C, 140 °F | Towels, bedding | Shrinkage for some fibers |
| Triangle empty | Bleach allowed | Whites, stain removal | Color loss if fabric not stable |
| Triangle crossed | Do not bleach | Darks, prints | Discoloration if bleached |
| Square with circle, 1 dot | Tumble dry low | Delicates, synthetics | Melt or shrink on high heat |
| Square with circle, crossed | Do not tumble dry | Wool, structured items | Distortion if tumbled |
| Iron, 1 to 3 dots | Low, medium, high iron | Match label dots | Scorch or shine if too hot |
| Circle P or F | Dry clean as marked | Suits, coats | Shape loss with home wash |
| Start or Pause | Begin or pause cycle | Mid cycle checks | Some models unlock and drain if paused mid-fill |
| Child Lock | Buttons disabled, safety | Homes with children | Settings changed accidentally |
| Spin Speed | Sets RPM extraction | Higher for towels | Creasing, stretch if too high |
FAQs
What does the eco leaf icon actually do?
Usually lowers temperature and water, extends time. Details vary by brand. Check your manual. In the EU, Eco 40-60 targets normally soiled cotton labeled for 40 or 60 °C. Legislation.gov.uk
Do more dots always mean hotter?
On North American tags, yes. EU labels typically show a number in the tub instead.
Is hand wash the same as delicate?
Not exactly. Hand wash limits agitation more than many delicate cycles. Follow the tag.
Can I tumble dry if the square has a circle with one dot?
Yes. That is tumble dry low. One dot is low heat.
Why do symbols vary by brand?
Panel icons are not standardized. Manuals define them. See your brand’s guide.
Sources and Evidence Notes
- ISO 3758:2023 defines the care label symbol families and usage order, washing, bleaching, drying, ironing, professional care.
- GINETEX publishes public overviews consistent with ISO 3758, including quick PDF references.
- EU definition of Eco 40-60 clarifies scope for the named program.
- Manufacturer manuals and support pages define panel icons and options. Examples, Whirlpool quick references, Samsung and Bosch symbol pages, LG help library.
- Interpretation in this guide, how to test and record defaults, is practical method, not a standard.
If a symbol is not in ISO 3758 or your brand legend, I am not certain. Brands differ here. Use your model number to pull the manual and confirm.
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
I’m Iskra Banović, editor of Blufashion and the voice behind its fashion, beauty, and lifestyle stories. Fashion, beauty, and lifestyle are my playground, but I’m just as likely to share the messy side of it all, like the time I tested a “must-have” skincare gadget and ended up with glitter stuck in my hair. I love turning trends and everyday finds into something useful (and fun) for real people.
