Common Laundry Symbols

by Marissa Zumbo, December 2023

Navigating the laundry room can sometimes feel like deciphering a secret code, especially when faced with an array of tiny symbols on clothing tags. These symbols, often overlooked, hold the key to proper garment care and longevity. From washing and drying to ironing and bleaching, understanding these laundry symbols is like unlocking a manual for maintaining your favorite outfits. Let's embark on a holiday-themed journey through some of the more common laundry symbols!

Ring-a-ling! You usually don't need dry cleaning to be the 'belle' of the ball. No wrinkles, just jingles!

Decorative holiday bells with laundry instructions labels: one labeled 'Dry Clean' with a circle symbol, and the other labeled 'Do Not Dry Clean' with a circle with a slash symbol, hanging on a Christmas tree with colorful blurred lights in the background.

Wash and decorate, it's a laundry holiday! Remember, clean clothes is the real 'ornament' of a sparkling festive season.

Guidelines for washing clothes: top left - machine wash normal, top right - machine wash perm press, center - machine wash delicate, bottom left - hand wash normal, bottom right - do not wash.

Adjusting the washing machine temperature is like spinning the dreidel of cleanliness. Find the perfect spin for your clothes!

Four blue laundry care symbols with instructions, shown against a metallic, shiny background. Each symbol indicates washing temperature guidelines: one for below 30°C/86°F, one for below 40°C/104°F, one for below 50°C/122°F, and one for below 60°C/140°F.

When it comes to laundry, adding bleach can be like lighting a scented candle for your clothes. But sometimes bleach - or an open flame - is the last thing you should do.

Two yellow candles with black symbols and text, one with a triangle and labeled 'Bleach,' the other with a crossed-out triangle and labeled 'Do Not Bleach,' with a blurred menorah and lights in the background.

Drying clothes is like wrapping presents – you need the right technique to ensure they come out looking fresh and ready for the spotlight.

Colorful illustrated laundry dryer settings guide showing five options: yellow for normal drying, purple for no heat drying, red for high temperature, orange for medium temperature, and blue for low temperature, with corresponding icons and descriptions.

Ironing out the wrinkles in your holiday outfit is like decorating a Christmas tree – it's all about adding that extra touch of perfection.

Comparison of clothes iron labels: one labeled 'Iron' with an iron symbol, and the other labeled 'Do Not Iron' with a crossed-out iron symbol.

If you don't want to decode laundry symbols, we can take care of it for you. At Big Waves Laundromat, we understand that not everyone speaks 'laundry.' That's why our Fluff & Fold and Delivery services are here to rescue you from the perplexing world of laundry symbols. Simply drop off your clothes or schedule a pickup, and our expert team will take care of the rest.