Free Printable Laundry Symbol Chart – Laundry care symbols appear on nearly every clothing tag in the United States. These simple pictograms tell you exactly how to wash, bleach, dry, iron, or dry-clean a garment so you avoid shrinking, fading, or damaging your clothes. A free printable laundry symbol chart keeps the most common icons handy right in your laundry room.
This guide explains the standard U.S. care symbols (based on ASTM D5489 and the international ISO 3758 system), shows what the shapes and modifiers mean, and points you to legitimate free printable charts from trusted sources.
Why Laundry Symbols Matter?
Care labels use five basic shapes. Once you know them, most tags become easy to read:
- Washtub = washing instructions
- Triangle = bleaching
- Square = drying
- Iron = ironing
- Circle = professional dry cleaning or wet cleaning
Dots usually indicate temperature (more dots = higher heat). Lines under a symbol mean a gentler cycle. An X through any symbol means “do not.”
Common Washing Symbols
The washtub tells you whether an item can go in the machine and at what temperature or cycle.
- Empty washtub: machine wash, normal cycle
- Washtub with hand: hand wash only
- Washtub with X: do not wash (usually dry-clean only)
- One dot inside: cold water (about 85°F / 30°C)
- Two dots: warm water (about 105°F / 40°C)
- Three or more dots: hotter water
- One line under the tub: permanent-press cycle
- Two lines under the tub: delicate or gentle cycle
Bleaching Symbols
- Empty triangle: any bleach is OK when needed
- Triangle with two diagonal lines: non-chlorine (oxygen) bleach only
- Triangle with X: do not bleach
Drying Symbols
A square with a circle inside means tumble dry is allowed.
- Circle with one, two, or three dots: low, medium, or high heat
- Filled circle: no heat / air fluff
- Square with circle and X: do not tumble dry
- Square with vertical line(s): line dry or drip dry
- Square with horizontal line: dry flat
- Diagonal lines in the corner: dry in the shade
Ironing Symbols
The iron icon shows maximum temperature.
- One dot: low heat (about 230°F / 110°C)
- Two dots: medium heat
- Three dots: high heat
- Iron with X: do not iron
- Lines under the iron crossed out: no steam
Dry-Cleaning Symbols
- Empty circle: dry clean
- Circle with letter (A, P, F, or W): tells the cleaner which solvent or process to use
- Circle with X: do not dry clean
Free Printable Laundry Symbol Chart
Where to Get a Free Printable Laundry Symbol Chart?
Here are current, legitimate free resources you can download and print (US Letter size works well). No purchases required.
- Maytag offers a clear, one-page printable laundry symbols guide covering washing, drying, ironing, bleaching, and dry cleaning: Maytag Laundry Symbols Guide PDF.
- Whirlpool provides a matching free printable chart with the same standard icons and U.S. temperature guidance: Whirlpool Laundry Symbols Guide PDF.
- Tide’s care-label page includes a downloadable printable laundry symbols guide you can keep by the washer: Tide How to Read Laundry Symbols.
- The Clean Freak supplies a free one-page PDF chart with every major symbol organized by category and no email signup required: The Clean Freak Laundry Symbols Chart PDF.
Print the chart, laminate it if you like, and hang it inside a cabinet door or near your machines for quick reference.
Practical Tips for U.S. Laundry Rooms
Always check the care label first—even if you think you know the fabric. When symbols conflict or a label is missing, default to the gentlest option: cold water, gentle cycle, and air dry. Sort by care needs as well as color. Use the permanent-press or delicate cycles when lines appear under the washtub or dryer square.
Following the symbols correctly extends the life of clothing, reduces fading, and prevents costly mistakes.
FAQ
Are laundry symbols the same everywhere?
Most U.S. garments follow ASTM D5489, which closely matches the international ISO 3758 system. Imported items may show slight variations, so when unsure choose cooler water and lower heat.
What if the tag only shows numbers inside the washtub?
Those numbers are maximum water temperatures in Celsius (30 = cold, 40 = warm, 60 = hot).
Can I ignore a “dry clean only” symbol?
It is safest to follow it. Some items can be hand-washed carefully, but the manufacturer recommends professional cleaning to protect the fabric or construction.