Home Appliances
Washing symbols and settings
What do the washing symbols mean on your new clothes? Laundry labels contain loads of information, but once you understand the basic logic, they are easy to decipher.
Washing label symbols are divided into five basic categories: washing, drying, ironing, dry cleaning and bleaching. Different variations of the symbols provide detailed care instructions for each phase – always read them before switching on your washing machine.
You can find explanations for individual washing symbols below. Want a quick overview? Download and print our laundry symbol table:
General washing symbols.
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Do not wash Be careful whenever you see this symbol on your garments. Clothes with this washing symbol on the label are not machine-washable. Never place them in the washing machine – and do not wash them by hand. They most likely need dry cleaning (see below). |
Hand wash This washing symbol means that your garment may only be washed by hand. But don't worry, because many washing machines have hand-washing programmes that are just as gentle on your clothes. Always check to see if the label also contains a temperature recommendation. |
Do not wring If you see this symbol, you should resist the urge to twist and turn fabrics to remove excess water, because wringing could damage the fibres. Instead, gently press the fabric (or roll it into a thick towel) to remove water. |
Gentle wash, delicates and spin cycles.
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Permanent press cycle The washing symbol with a line or a dash under the tub means that the laundry can be washed with a shorter washing cycle (like a synthetic programme) and a short or low-speed spin cycle. A tub with no line means that your clothes are machine washable. You'll find this on more robust fabrics like denim. The correct washing temperature will usually appear inside the symbol (see below). |
Gentle cycle or delicates A washing symbol with two lines under the tub means your clothes need an extra-gentle wash. They should only be washed with a gentle programme (e.g. wool) and a suitable detergent. Avoid the spin cycle if possible. |
Gentle cycle with temperature A tub with one or more lines underneath and a temperature simply means that your garment should be washed gently at the prescribed temperature. Avoid the spin cycle if possible. |
Washing temperatures.
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Wash at 30°C This laundry symbol means that your clothing may be machine-washed, but only at low temperatures of up to 30 degrees Celsius. |
Wash at 40°C or below Your garment can withstand washing temperatures of up to 40°C. |
Wash at 50°C or below If you see this washing symbol, washing can be done at temperatures of up to 50°C. |
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Wash at 60°C or below With this laundry symbol, your garment may be washed at temperatures up to 60°C. |
Wash at 70°C or below This washing symbol indicates that the laundry can be washed at up to 70°C. |
Wash at 80°C or below This washing symbol allows the washing of textiles at hot temperatures up to a maximum of 80°C. |
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Wash at 90°C or below Your fabric or clothing piece can withstand extra-hot washing at up to 90°C. |
Washing at 95°C or below Your item can be machine-washed at the highest temperature: 95°C. |
American washing symbols.
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Wash at 30°C or below In the US, the tub symbol with a dot inside means that your laundry that can only be washed at 30 degrees Celsius or below. |
Gentle wash at 30°C or below If you're seeing an extra line below the tub symbol with a dot inside, that means your clothing should be washed using a gentle cycle. |
Wash at 40°C or below The washing symbol with two dots in the tub stands for laundry that can be washed at 40 degrees Celsius. |
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Wash at 50°C or below The tub symbol with three dots indicates laundry that can be washed at hot temperatures of up to 50°C. |
Wash at 60°C or below Care symbols with four dots indicate that items can be washed at a washing temperature of up to 60°C. |
Wash at 70°C or below Laundry that can be washed at up to 70 degrees is indicated in the United States by a tub symbol with five dots. |
The triangle or bleaching symbol usually comes after the tub symbol on a clothes label. It is important to know that bleaching can be done in two ways: Either with the help of oxygen or with chlorine. Each method has its own symbol. Here's an overview of all bleaching symbols:
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Bleach is allowed The triangle symbol on a laundry label means that any type of bleach is permitted. |
Do not bleach The crossed-out triangle washing symbol means that bleach is not allowed. If you find this symbol, make sure to use a good colour detergent, or one that doesn't contain any optical brighteners that will fade your clothes. |
Do not bleach This is an outdated version of the "do not bleach" symbol that you may still find on older items. |
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Non-chlorine bleach only Two diagonal lines inside the triangle mean that you may use bleach to brighten your clothes – just make sure that it's a non-chlorine variety. |
Chlorine bleach The letters CL in a triangle on the washing label stand for chlorine and mean that your garment may only be whitened using chlorine bleach. |
The ironing symbol on the laundry label speaks for itself – after all, it looks just like an iron. The symbol is often supplemented by dots that indicate the maximum ironing temperature. Find them all below.
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Do not iron A crossed-out iron symbol means that it is not safe to press your item with an iron, since ironing may permanently damage the fabric. |
Do not steam-iron If only the steaming portion of the iron is crossed-out, your garment may be ironed as long as you do not use the steam function. |
Ironing is allowed An iron is the general laundry symbol for ironing and means that ironing is suitable for your fabric. |
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Iron at 110°C This iron symbol with a dot stands for extra-gentle ironing at a maximum of 110°C. |
Iron at 150°C The iron symbol with two dots indicates that the item can be ironed at a maximum temperature of 150°C. |
Iron at 200°C If the iron symbol has three dots, you can use a higher temperature of up to 200°C. |
An empty circle is the general laundry symbol for dry cleaning. Variations of this washing symbol provide information on how items of clothing can be professionally cleaned. Letters in the circle stand for the type of cleaning (wet cleaning, cleaning with petroleum solvents or any solvents, etc.).
As with the other laundry symbols, the lines or bars underneath specify the need for gentle care. A crossed-out circle indicates that the garment must not be dry-cleaned.
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Dry clean The circle is the general symbol for dry cleaning. |
Do not dry clean A crossed-out circle means that dry cleaning is not permitted for an item of clothing. |
Dry clean, any solvent An "A" inside the dry cleaning symbol indicates that dry cleaning is possible with all dry cleaning solvents. |
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Dry clean, perchloroethylene (PCE) The letter P inside the dry cleaning symbol means dry cleaning can be done with PCE or petroleum-based solvents. |
Dry clean, petroleum solvents only The letter F inside the dry cleaning symbol means dry cleaning should only be done with petroleum solvents. |
Professional wet cleaning The dry cleaning symbol with the letter W stands for professional wet cleaning only. |
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Cleaning method not allowed If any cleaning method is shown with a crossed out circle, it should not be used. |
Gentle professional wet cleaning A circle with the letter W and a line below it means your item requires gentle professional wet cleaning. |
Extra-gentle professional wet cleaning A circle with the letter W and two lines below it means that the laundry item requires extra-gentle professional wet cleaning. |
The square with a circle inside is the general dryer symbol. If this symbol appears on a laundry label, the garment can be dried in a machine, unless the square is crossed out. Different variations of this drying symbol provide information about the programmes and temperature settings at which laundry can be dried.
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Tumble dry The square with a circle in the middle means that the item can go in your dryer. |
Do not tumble dry Clothing items that are not suitable for tumble drying are marked with an X symbol. Do not place these items in your dryer. |
Air drying A laundry care symbol in the form of a plain square without a circle stands for air drying. You should dry this laundry by hanging it on a (rotary) clothesline or a drying rack. |
Learn more about the most common dryer symbols and dryer programmes here:
Learn more about the most common dryer symbols and dryer programmes here:
Washing Machine Display Symbols
Below are the explanations of symbols you might find on your washing machine display.
Childproof Lock
When the child lock is activated, all the washing machine buttons will be disabled. To deactivate, press and hold the start button or the key symbol button for three to five seconds. After this time the key symbol will disappear.
Start/Reload
Use the button to pause the running cycle and open the door to simply reload forgotten items into the drum and continue the wash. (Not possible on washes over 50°C)
Water Consumption
This washing machine symbol indicates the water consumption for the selected programme. Low is shown as one dash, high is shown with 5 dashes.
Energy Consumption
This washing machine symbol indicates the energy consumption for the selected programme. Low is shown as one dash, high is shown with 5 dashes.
Prewash
A low temperature cycle before the main wash. Can be activated or deactivated. Ideal for washing heavily soiled laundry.
Washing
The programme process is shown as washing.
Soaking
Before the main wash cycle starts, the laundry remains in the water for longer. Ideal for laundry with particularly stubborn soiling.
Spin Speed
The programme is shown as spinning. Depending on what stage the programme is in, you can change the spin speed before and during the programme.
Easy Iron
Reduces creasing in the laundry by adapting the spin cycle and the spin speed. The laundry is damp enough after washing that it needs to be hung out on a washing line.
Rinse
The programme process is shown as rinsing.
Extra Rinse
Up to three additional rinse cycles can be activated or deactivated. It is recommended to use for particularly sensitive skin or in regions with very soft water.
Rinse Hold
The laundry will remain in the water after the last rinse cycle. Activate or deactivate spinning and draining at the end of the washing cycle.
Adding Laundry
If this symbol goes out on the display panel, it is possible to add more laundry.
Silent Wash
The audible signal at the end of programme is deactivated and the final spin speed is reduced.
Intensive Plus
The programme duration is extended by up to 30 minutes. Suitable for heavily soiled laundry.
AntiStain
Use this washing machine symbol to select the type of stain. The temperature, drum movement and soaking time are all adjusted to suit the type of stain.
Water Plus
Wash with more water. Recommended for particularly sensitive skin and for treating laundry more gently.
i-Dos
You can change the settings for automatic detergent dosing before the washing programme starts and during pre-wash.
Light: For lightly soiled laundry
Medium: For normally soiled laundry
Heavy: For particularly heavy soiling and/ or staining
i-Dos
Fabric softener dosage for a medium level of softness.
Light: For slightly soft laundry
Medium: For laundry with a medium level of softness
Heavy: For particularly soft laundry
Drum Clean
If there are odours in the washing machine or drum, run a Drum clean programme with no clothing in.
Memory Programme
You can save a selected programme with your favourite settings here. Simply select a programme and change it to your desired settings, press and hold the symbol for 3 seconds and the programme will be saved.
Remote Start
If you briefly press the button, the appliance will be enabled for remote start via the Home Connect app If you press the button for approx. 3 seconds, the Home Connect menu opens.
Foam Detection
If this washing machine symbol lights up in the display panel, the appliance has detected too much foam during the wash cycle and will automatically activate an additional rinse cycle to remove the foam.
Tip: Add less detergent to the next washing cycle with the same load.
Tap
The water pressure is too low or the supply hose is blocked or kinked. For more information, find out more here.
Washing Machine Features
Find all the convenient features that make your life easier when using your washing machine.
WaveDrum
Preserve delicate clothing with Wave Drum. The unique, patented VarioDrum system structure uses even water distribution to gently and efficiently wash all types of clothing - without stretching, creasing or damaging your most beloved items.
EcoSilence Drive™
Washing machines with Eco Silence drive generate noise of just 41 decibels. That's quieter than the sound of the sea at 55 decibels.
Aqua Stop
AquaStop gives you peace of mind that the water will stop in the event of a leak. The AquaStop function locks the water supply via a shut-off valve.
i-DOS
Save money and time with i-DOS as it automatically senses exactly the right amount of water and detergent to use, as well as the correct temperature. The machine adapts to fabrics, level of soiling and weight of the load.
Reload
Never leave that one sock behind again! With Reload simply pause the cycle and the machine will automatically adjust the water. This then allows you to add or remove any items of any size to your wash.
Time Delay
If you are going to bed or going out to work, simply have your laundry ready when you need it. Just delay the wash at the press of a button.
AntiVibration Design
A spiral design on the side of the washing machine that increases stability and reduces vibration. The enhanced insulation also regulates noise levels, making Bosch washing machines very quiet, even during the spin cycle.
ActiveWater Plus
This function delivers perfect results by only using the water needed. Built-in sensors adjust the water consumption according to the fabric type and the automatically detected load, while the patented drum and water induction systems allow for faster soaking. Choose the wash that helps you manage your water usage and delivers all-round peace of mind.
Anti-Stain System
The Anti-Stain option helps you to reliably move stains. Anti-Stain removes up to 16 of the most stubborn stains, including chocolate, grass, red wine and oil. The machine automatically adjusts the temperature, drum movement and soaking time best suited to removing the stain. Find out more with our stain buster*
Home Connect Remote Control
No need to worry about your washing sitting damp in your washing machine anymore. When you know you won't be around for the end of the cycle, simply pause the wash which will stop the cycle before the final rinse. When you're ready, start the final rinse and your clothes will come out clean and smelling fresh.
SpeedPerfect
Developed for situations where time matters. Reduce your washing time by up to 65%. Use in conjuction with most programmes. For example select your chosen programme, and then choose the Speed Perfect setting to save time.
Quiet Wash
This function reduces the high spin speed during the spin cycle so you can do your washing without disturbing your family.
Allergy Plus
Special setting specifically for the needs of allergy sufferers and sensitive skin.
Drum Clean reminder
After 20 cycles operating under 40 degrees, your washing machine will automatically remind you to clean the drum using the DrumClean programme to maintain perfectly cleaned washing.
4D Wash System
This is a highly efficient water and detergent fabric penetration system for spotless results.The system is based on a combination of water spray and additional extra spin wash, soaking the laundry more evenly and effectively. The Intensive Plus option is specifically for heavily soiled washing and large amounts of washing which require cleaning.
Detergent drawer symbols
*not specific to all models
A = liquid detergent flap
II = Detergent for the main wash, water softener, bleach, stain remover Compartment
Flower = Fabric softener, liquid starch; Do not exceed max. mark
I = Detergent for prewash
Frequently asked questions about washing symbols and laundry symbols.
What should I do if the laundry symbol is missing?
If your label is missing or no longer legible, don't worry. Your garment's fabric will usually give you clues about the correct washing temperature and cycle. Common fabrics such as denim or jersey are easy to recognize and can easily withstand washing at up to 40 degrees. If you're still not sure, you can always refer to the care instructions for garments made from the same material.
Do the same symbols apply worldwide?
Washing symbols for laundry care are internationally standardized (ISO 3758: 2012) and were introduced by GINETEX (International Organization for Textile Care Labels) in 1963. Only South Korea and the USA do not use this system: in these countries there are different symbols, but they are also regulated by national laws and standards.
Why do I need to follow the washing symbols and instructions?
Washing care symbols help you give your garments the best care, so you'll be able to wear and enjoy them for longer. Not following the laundry care instructions on the label can cause your new dress or jumper to shrink, or your favourite blouse to fade.
Extra-delicate fabrics like wool or silk can be damaged if they are washed or ironed at high temperatures. But washing all your clothes at extra-low temperatures just to be on the safe side also isn't a good solution. On the one hand, some detergents are formulated to perform better at higher temperatures and, on the other hand, many items like undergarments should be washed at higher temperatures for hygiene reasons.
