Label decoder
Read the care label as a sequence.
The standard order is washing, bleaching, drying, ironing, then professional textile care. This decoder follows GINETEX symbol definitions and FTC care-label rules; read every family before treating one part of the garment.
Symbol families
Shape tells you the type of care.
Washtub
Washing
A number gives the maximum wash temperature in Celsius. A line below means a milder process; two lines mean a very mild process. A crossed-out treatment is not permitted.
Triangle
Bleaching
An empty triangle permits chlorine and oxygen bleach. Diagonal lines limit care to oxygen/non-chlorine bleach. A crossed triangle means do not bleach.
Square
Drying
A circle inside the square refers to tumble drying; dots communicate heat severity. A plain square may carry natural-drying instructions.
Iron
Ironing
Dots communicate the permitted iron temperature. A crossed iron means do not iron. Follow any written warning about steam.
Circle
Professional care
Letters inside the circle identify professional-cleaning solvents and processes. Lines below the circle indicate mild or very mild processing. This family is guidance for a professional textile cleaner.
FTC wording
“Dry clean” and “dry clean only” are not interchangeable.
The FTC explains that “dry clean only” warns against washing. A simple dry-clean instruction does not by itself say washing will damage the garment. Written restrictions such as “no steam” matter.
When in doubt
Show the whole label.
Photograph the front and back, fiber content, trim, and any separate instructions. A cleaner needs the complete construction—not one symbol in isolation.
Find a dry cleanerReviewed August 9, 2026
Primary sources
Rules and symbol definitions.
GINETEX care symbols are registered trademarks. This guide describes their function in words and does not reproduce the symbol artwork.