Ultimate Laundry Symbols Guide: Meanings, Chart & Washing Instructions
13 Aug, 2025
The fashion industry in Dubai is known for its diversity as different types of fabrics and their sources are available. The fabric range includes silk from Milan, which is the home to the top Italian fashion designers, denim from Japan, and kaftans from the souk. That’s why understanding international laundry symbols and garment care icons is key to avoiding common laundry errors like shrinkage, color bleeding, or fabric damage here in hot, humid climates.
How to Read Laundry Symbols
- Locate the care label, usually inside the collar or side seam.
- Identify symbol groups: wash (tub icons), bleach (triangle), dry (square and circle), iron, and professional care (circle).
- Match fabric care icons to their meanings using the visual laundry symbols chart below.
- Follow instructions precisely to avoid damaging the fabric.
Key Laundry Symbols
| Symbol | Meaning | Action |
| Tub with number | Machine wash at indicated temperature (e.g., 30°C, 40°C) | Select eco or cold cycles to save energy and prevent wear. |
| Hand in tub | Hand wash laundry symbol, delicate fabrics only | Use this for lace, silk, and embellished traditional garments. |
| Plain triangle | Use bleach | Use oxygen-based bleach sparingly and avoid harsh chlorine. |
| Triangle crossed out | No bleach | Often found on dyed fabrics, it protects rich colors from fading. |
| Square with circle (with dots) | Tumble dry allowed—dots show heat levels | Use low or no-heat modes as high heat can weaken synthetics. |
| Square with horizontal line | Dry flat | Essential for wool and sweaters to keep shape intact. |
| Iron with dots | Heat level; 1 dot = low, 3 = high heat | One dot protects modern activewear; two for cotton; three for linen. |
| Circle with ‘P’ or ‘F’ | Dry-clean only | Ideal for high-end garments |
Laundry Tips
Hard Water Help
Talk of the tap water in Dubai, it contains a lot of dissolved minerals that will make your clothes dull after several washes if they are not treated for hardness. Use a softener or add a cup of vinegar during the rinse cycle to reduce residue and keep whites bright.
Drying for Humidity
Indoor drying during summer is essential. A ceiling fan helps circulate air and prevent mildew in towel fabrics and cotton shirts.
Avoiding Common Laundry Errors
Mixing whites and colors:
The key is to never mix; in the opposite case, there will be stains on your dresses that can’t be removed.
Machine-washing ‘hand wash only’ items:
Just because it is written doesn’t mean it is for decoration, i.e., the hand-wash symbol on the tag means that you can clean your delicate clothes in safe mode by hand wash only.
High-heat dry synthetics:
Synthetic clothes, for instance, sportswear easily degrade if they are exposed to high temperatures during dry cleaning.
Care Instructions for Special Garments
Kaftans & Embroidered Abayas
These often feature delicate embroidery which always follow the hand wash laundry symbol or dry-clean instructions. Use cool water and gentle detergent for washing delicate clothes.
Imported Silks & Luxury Wear
If the care tag indicates dry-clean only (circle symbol), take them to a professional dry cleaner like Swabi laundry.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1- What does the hand wash laundry symbol mean?
It means the garment should be gently cleaned by hand, usually using cold water and mild detergent.
2- Can I trust laundry symbols for all fabrics?
Yes, universal laundry symbols are designed for most fabrics, but always check specific instructions for specialty materials like silk or wool.
3- Why are machine wash symbols important?
They tell you the appropriate temperature and cycle (e.g., delicate, or normal press) to protect your fabric’s quality.
