Those small tags sewn into your clothing aren't just annoying flaps that poke your skin—they contain valuable information about how to properly care for each garment. Care labels use standardised symbols that, once understood, tell you exactly how to wash, dry, bleach, iron, and professionally clean your clothes. Ignoring these symbols can lead to shrinkage, colour loss, fabric damage, and ruined garments.
Australia uses the international care labelling system established by GINETEX (the International Association for Textile Care Labelling), which is consistent with standards used across Europe, Asia, and most of the world. This guide will help you decode these symbols and understand how to care for every item in your wardrobe.
The Five Basic Symbol Categories
Care labels use five main symbol categories, each addressing a different aspect of garment care. These symbols always appear in the same order on labels: washing, bleaching, drying, ironing, and professional cleaning. Understanding the base shape of each category makes the symbols much easier to interpret.
- Washtub shape: Washing instructions
- Triangle: Bleaching guidelines
- Square: Drying methods
- Iron shape: Ironing temperatures
- Circle: Professional cleaning
Washing Symbols Explained
The washtub symbol—a simplified bucket with a wavy line representing water—indicates how a garment should be washed. Variations of this symbol convey temperature, cycle type, and whether machine or hand washing is appropriate.
Temperature Indicators
Dots inside the washtub indicate maximum water temperature. One dot means cold water (30°C maximum), two dots indicate warm water (40°C), three dots mean hot water (50°C), four dots indicate very hot water (60°C), and five dots mean you can use the hottest setting (95°C). Numbers inside the symbol may also specify exact temperatures in Celsius.
For most everyday clothing in Australia, the one or two-dot symbols are most common. Hot water settings are typically reserved for white cottons, towels, and heavily soiled items that can tolerate high temperatures without damage.
Cycle Type Indicators
Lines underneath the washtub indicate the required wash cycle. No line means a normal cycle is appropriate. One line underneath indicates a permanent press or synthetic cycle with reduced agitation. Two lines mean a delicate or gentle cycle should be used. These cycle modifications reduce mechanical stress on fabrics that could be damaged by normal agitation.
Hand Wash Symbol
A hand dipping into the washtub indicates the garment should be hand washed. This doesn't necessarily mean you can't use a machine—many washing machines have hand-wash cycles that replicate gentle hand washing. However, for precious items, true hand washing in a basin with mild detergent remains the safest option.
Do Not Wash Symbol
A washtub with an X through it means the garment cannot be washed with water at all. These items typically require professional dry cleaning. Washing them could cause irreversible damage like shrinkage, colour bleeding, or fabric breakdown.
- Washtub alone = machine wash normal
- Dots or numbers = maximum temperature
- Lines below = gentler cycle required
- Hand in tub = hand wash only
- X through tub = do not wash
Bleaching Symbols
The triangle symbol addresses bleaching—using chemical agents to whiten or remove stains. Understanding these symbols prevents accidental damage from inappropriate bleach use.
An empty triangle means any bleach can be used safely—both chlorine (household bleach) and oxygen-based bleaches. A triangle with two diagonal lines indicates only non-chlorine (oxygen) bleach should be used. These oxygen-based bleaches are gentler and colour-safe.
A triangle with an X through it means do not bleach. Using any type of bleach on these garments could cause discolouration, weakening of fibres, or other damage. Many coloured items and synthetic fabrics fall into this category.
Drying Symbols
The square symbol category covers drying methods. A circle inside the square indicates tumble drying is appropriate, while other variations address line drying, flat drying, and shade requirements.
Tumble Drying
A square with a circle inside means tumble drying is permitted. Dots inside the circle indicate heat settings: one dot for low heat, two dots for medium heat, and three dots for high heat. Using higher heat than indicated can cause shrinkage and damage to heat-sensitive fabrics.
A square with a circle and an X through it means do not tumble dry. These garments should be air-dried to prevent heat damage, shrinkage, or loss of shape.
Line and Flat Drying
A square with a curved line at the top represents line drying—hanging garments on a clothesline or rack. A square with a horizontal line inside indicates flat drying—laying the garment flat on a surface. Flat drying is typically specified for knits and items that could stretch if hung.
Diagonal lines in the corner of drying symbols indicate the item should be dried in shade, away from direct sunlight. This prevents fading and heat damage from Australia's intense UV rays.
Even without a shade-dry symbol, it's good practice to dry dark and brightly coloured items in the shade or inside-out in direct sun. Australian UV levels are among the highest in the world and can cause significant fading.
Ironing Symbols
The iron-shaped symbol indicates ironing guidelines, with dots specifying temperature settings that correspond to fabric types.
One dot inside the iron means low temperature (110°C maximum), suitable for delicate synthetics like acetate and acrylic. Two dots indicate medium temperature (150°C), appropriate for wool, silk, and polyester blends. Three dots mean high temperature (200°C) is safe, which suits cotton and linen.
An iron with an X through it means do not iron—the garment could be damaged by heat and pressure. Some symbols show an X under the iron, which means do not steam iron (but regular ironing may be acceptable).
Professional Cleaning Symbols
The circle symbol addresses professional cleaning methods—primarily dry cleaning. Letters inside the circle indicate which cleaning solvents can be safely used, though these are mainly for professional cleaners' reference.
A circle with a P inside indicates perchloroethylene or petroleum-based solvents can be used. A circle with an F means only petroleum-based solvents should be used. A circle with a W indicates professional wet cleaning is appropriate.
A circle with an X through it means do not dry clean. Some garments that appear robust can actually be damaged by dry cleaning solvents, so this symbol is important to note.
When Labels Are Missing or Unreadable
Sometimes care labels have been removed, faded beyond recognition, or never existed (common with very old garments or handmade items). In these cases, you'll need to make educated guesses based on fabric type.
Identify the Fabric
Check any remaining fibre content labels. Cotton and linen generally tolerate higher temperatures and can be bleached (if white). Wool and silk require cool water and gentle handling. Synthetics like polyester and nylon prefer lower temperatures and can melt under high heat.
If you can't identify the fabric, perform a burn test on a small hidden thread (carefully and safely). Different fibres burn differently—cotton burns with a yellow flame and smells like paper, while synthetic fibres melt and smell like plastic.
When in Doubt, Be Conservative
For unidentified garments, use cool water, gentle cycles, and avoid tumble drying. It's better to underwash than to cause permanent damage. Test colourfastness by dampening an inconspicuous area and pressing with a white cloth to check for colour transfer.
If a care label bothers you, carefully remove it but keep it somewhere safe—perhaps pinned to a bulletin board or in a drawer. You can reference it before each wash until you remember the garment's requirements.
Care Labels and Australian Consumer Law
In Australia, care labelling is not strictly mandatory by law, but most reputable manufacturers include labels because they protect both the consumer and the business. If a garment is damaged due to following care label instructions, you may have recourse under Australian Consumer Law—the product has failed to be of acceptable quality.
Keep receipts for expensive garments, and if care label instructions cause damage, contact the retailer. Documenting that you followed the label exactly strengthens any claim for replacement or refund.
Building Care Label Literacy
Learning care symbols takes practice, but soon they become second nature. Start by paying attention to labels on your most precious garments—the items where mistakes would be most costly. Over time, you'll recognise common symbols instantly and know exactly how to care for each item in your wardrobe.
Consider taking a photo of care labels for items where you remove tags. A dedicated album on your phone can serve as a quick reference, especially for garments with complex care requirements.
By understanding and following care label instructions, you'll extend the life of your clothes, maintain their appearance, and avoid the frustration of laundry disasters. These small symbols are your guide to keeping every garment looking its best for years to come.