Decoding Washing Instruction Symbols

Understand the meaning of common washing instruction signs to take proper care of your clothes.
Explore Washing Machines
3 min
14-Jan-2025
Understanding how to read laundry care symbols can save your clothes from unnecessary damage. These symbols are designed to guide you on how to wash, dry, and iron garments properly. By following these simple signs, you ensure that your favourite clothes last longer, keeping them looking fresh and vibrant.

Before you start using your washing machine, it is essential to understand the care symbols on your clothes. When you check the product details on Bajaj Mall, you can make the right choice with various brands offering washing machines that fit your needs. Once you have gathered all the details, head to any of Bajaj Finserv’s 1.5 lakh partner stores in 4,000 cities to choose a model that meets your heating preferences. Choose the model that you like and get Easy EMI and zero down payment offers exclusively with Bajaj Finserv.

Introduction: Understanding laundry care symbols

Laundry care symbols are universal indicators that provide essential instructions for washing, drying, and ironing garments. These symbols help protect fabrics from damage and maintain their quality, ensuring that clothes last longer. For example, a washing machine’s water temperature setting is crucial, as higher heat can shrink delicate fabrics. Symbols also indicate whether a garment should be hand washed, machine washed, or dry cleaned, as well as the recommended drying and ironing methods. Understanding these symbols is essential, as it prevents costly mistakes and ensures that your clothes receive the proper care. When selecting a washing machine, be sure to compare washing machines price to find a machine that suits your laundry care needs, offering features that support the gentle washing of different fabric types.

The importance of reading laundry care symbols

  • Protects fabric quality: Laundry care symbols help prevent damage to clothes, ensuring fabrics remain intact after washing, drying, or ironing.
  • Prevents shrinkage or colour fading: By following these symbols, you can avoid using the wrong temperature or detergent, which could lead to shrinkage or colour loss.
  • Saves time and money: Proper care reduces the need for costly repairs, replacements, or dry cleaning. It also ensures clothes last longer.
  • Optimises washing machine use: Washing machine manufacturers provide washing machine latest offers to accommodate specific laundry needs, such as automatic washing machines designed for delicate fabrics. Understanding the symbols helps you make the most of these offers, ensuring efficient machine usage.
  • Simplifies laundry routine: With clear guidelines for every garment, reading the care symbols makes laundry tasks easier and less stressful.

Key laundry symbols to know: Washing, drying, and ironing

  • Washing: The washing symbol, a tub with water, indicates the maximum temperature allowed for washing. A number inside shows the temperature in Celsius. For example, a 30°C symbol means to wash at a low temperature to prevent fabric damage.
  • Drying: A square with a circle inside represents the drying process. Dots inside indicate the heat level for tumble drying: one dot for low heat, two for medium, and three for high heat. If the circle is crossed, it means no tumble-drying.
  • Ironing: An iron symbol indicates whether ironing is safe and the temperature setting. One dot means low heat, two dots mean medium, and three dots mean high heat.
  • Machine care: A top load washing machine can be used for many fabrics, but it is crucial to check the specific care symbols to ensure proper handling and avoid damage.

Decoding the washing symbols: Machine wash, hand wash, and temperature limits

  • Machine wash: A tub with water and a number inside indicates machine washing instructions. The number shows the maximum temperature (in Celsius). For example, "40" means washing at 40°C. A symbol with a hand inside the tub means hand wash only.
  • Hand wash: A tub with a hand symbol means you must wash the garment by hand. It is typically for delicate fabrics that could be damaged in a washing machine.
  • Temperature limits: The number inside the tub represents the maximum temperature for machine washing. A "30" or "40" symbol is common for everyday fabrics, while "60" is recommended for sanitising clothes like towels and bedding.
  • Bleaching: A triangle symbol indicates whether bleach can be used. A crossed triangle means no bleach, while an empty triangle means that bleach is safe.

How to handle specific fabrics based on their care symbols

Different fabrics require different handling to preserve their quality. For delicate fabrics like silk or wool, look for hand wash or low-temperature machine wash symbols to avoid damage. Fabrics like cotton and polyester can usually tolerate higher temperatures and machine washes. If the care symbol indicates dry cleaning, it is best to avoid washing at home altogether. When dealing with heavier fabrics like denim, check for machine wash symbols with higher temperature limits. For outerwear like jackets or coats, specific symbols often indicate the need for special cycles or dry cleaning.

For heavy items, consider using a 12 kg washing machine that can handle bulkier loads and ensure an effective, gentle wash without compromising the fabric quality.

You can visit one of our partner stores, select the washing machine of your choice and convert the cost into Easy EMIs. You can choose to repay it in a convenient tenure of up to 60 months. This financing solution from Bajaj Finserv is available on 1 million products.

Explore washing machines on Easy EMI with Bajaj Finserv

Bajaj Mall offers a seamless way to browse a wide range of washing machines, featuring the latest models, specifications, and prices. After reviewing your options online, visit your nearest Bajaj Finserv partner store to choose the washing machine that suits your needs. With Bajaj Finserv's financing options, you can enjoy convenient EMI plans and a zero down payment option. Enjoy hassle-free shopping and take home your ideal washing machine with easeby choosing a repayment plan that works for you.

Benefits of shopping with Bajaj Finserv’s financing options

  • Affordable pricing: Bajaj Finserv partner stores provide competitive prices, making it easier for you to buy the right washing machine without stretching your budget.
  • Easy EMIs: With Bajaj Finserv's Easy EMI options, you can spread out your payments and manage your finances with ease.
  • Zero down payment: Choose from select products with zero down payment, so you do not need to make a large initial payment.
  • Wide selection: Bajaj Finserv’s financing options cover a wide range of washing machines, available at partner stores across India.
  • Free delivery: Enjoy the convenience of free delivery for selected washing machines, making your purchase even more hassle-free.

Bajaj Finserv App for all your financial needs and goals

Trusted by 50 million+ customers in India, Bajaj Finserv App is a one-stop solution for all your financial needs and goals.

You can use the Bajaj Finserv App to:

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Frequently asked questions

What does the symbol with a bucket of water mean?
The symbol with a bucket of water indicates the washing instructions for a garment. It shows the recommended water temperature for machine or hand washing. If the symbol includes numbers, they correspond to the maximum temperature in Celsius. A hand in the bucket suggests a hand wash, while a machine inside the bucket indicates machine washing.

How do I know if my clothes can be tumble-dried?
To determine if your clothes can be tumble dried, check the care label for the tumble dry symbol, which looks like a square with a circle inside. If the symbol has one dot, it indicates low heat; two dots mean medium heat; and three dots indicate high heat. If there is a cross over the symbol, avoid tumble drying.

What does the triangle symbol with a cross mean?
The triangle symbol with a cross means "Do not bleach." It indicates that the fabric should not be exposed to bleach or other strong chemicals, as this can damage or discolour the material. Always avoid using bleach on clothes that feature this symbol to maintain the quality and appearance of the fabric.

Can I ignore the laundry care symbols for most clothes?
No, you should not ignore laundry care symbols. These symbols provide crucial information on how to wash, dry, and iron clothes properly, helping to maintain their quality and longevity. Ignoring them can lead to damage, such as shrinking, fading, or fabric wear, ultimately affecting the appearance and durability of your clothes.

What does the "Do not bleach" symbol look like?
The "Do not bleach" symbol is represented by a triangle with an "X" inside it. This symbol indicates that bleach should not be used on the fabric, as it can damage or discolour it. It is important to follow this instruction to maintain the integrity and colour of the garment.

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