Understanding Laundry Care Symbols: A Complete Guide
20th October 2026 · Laundry & Textile Care
Laundry Care Symbols Explained: Your Complete Guide
Understanding washing, drying, bleaching and ironing symbols to help care for your healthcare textiles.
Have you ever looked at a laundry care label and wondered what all those symbols mean?
From washing temperatures to drying instructions, laundry care symbols provide important guidance on how to look after textiles correctly. However, with so many different symbols, it can sometimes be difficult to know exactly what they mean.
In healthcare environments, where textiles are frequently laundered, understanding these instructions is particularly important. Following the correct care procedures can help maintain product performance, prevent unnecessary damage and extend the lifespan of reusable textiles.
At MIP, we're here to help make textile care a little simpler!
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In this guide, we'll explain the four main categories of laundry care symbols: machine washing, bleaching, drying and ironing, and why they matter when caring for healthcare textiles.
1. Machine Washing Symbols: Understanding Washing Temperatures and Cycles
The machine washing symbol is represented by a wash tub filled with water. It is usually one of the first symbols displayed on a textile's care label.
This symbol tells you whether an item can be machine washed and, if so, the maximum recommended washing temperature and appropriate wash cycle.
What do the symbols mean?
Wash tub with a number
Indicates the maximum washing temperature in degrees Celsius, such as 40°C, 60°C or 95°C.
Wash tub with one line underneath
Indicates a mild or reduced-action washing process.
Wash tub with two lines underneath
Indicates a very mild washing process.
Wash tub with a hand
Indicates that the item should be hand washed.
Crossed-out wash tub
Indicates that the item should not be washed.
Why does washing temperature matter?
In healthcare settings, effective laundering plays an important role in maintaining hygiene and infection prevention. Selecting the correct washing temperature helps ensure textiles are cleaned appropriately while protecting their quality and performance.
Washing textiles at temperatures higher than recommended can lead to:
- Shrinkage or loss of fabric shape.
- Damage to protective coatings and specialist materials.
- Reduced textile performance.
- Premature wear and shortened product lifespan.
Many MIP textiles are designed to withstand high-temperature laundering, with certain products suitable for washing at temperatures up to 75°C or 95°C, depending on their individual care instructions.
However, not all healthcare textiles have the same washing requirements, so it's important to follow the specific instructions provided for each product.
MIP Tip: Always check the product's care label before washing and follow your facility's validated laundering and infection-control procedures. Using the correct washing temperature can help maintain textile performance and extend product lifespan.
2. Bleaching Symbols: Knowing When Bleach Is Safe to Use
Bleaching symbols are represented by a triangle and indicate whether a textile can be treated with bleaching agents.
Bleaching products are sometimes used in healthcare laundering to support stain removal and hygiene. However, using unsuitable chemicals can damage textile fibres, affect colours and reduce the performance of specialist materials.
What do the symbols mean?
Empty triangle
Bleaching is permitted using suitable bleaching agents.
Triangle with two diagonal lines
Only non-chlorine bleach is permitted.
Crossed-out triangle
Do not bleach.
Why is choosing the correct laundry chemical important?
Healthcare textiles often feature specialist materials, coatings and absorbent layers designed to perform specific functions.
Using inappropriate bleaching agents or other laundry chemicals can potentially cause:
- Fading or discolouration.
- Damage to textile fibres and protective coatings.
- Reduced absorbency or fluid-management performance.
- Premature deterioration of reusable textiles.
Fabric softeners should also be considered carefully. They can leave residues on fibres, potentially affecting absorbency, particularly in products such as bed pads and clothing protectors.
For facilities using automated chemical dosing systems, it is important to check chemical compatibility with the textile manufacturer's instructions.
MIP Tip: Always check the product care label and the chemical manufacturer's instructions, including relevant safety data sheets, before introducing or changing laundry chemicals.
3. Drying Symbols: Preventing Heat Damage and Overdrying
Drying symbols provide guidance on how textiles should be dried after washing.
The most commonly recognised tumble drying symbol is a square containing a circle. Dots inside the circle indicate the permitted drying temperature.
What do the symbols mean?
Square with a circle and one dot
Tumble dry at a low temperature.
Square with a circle and two dots
Tumble dry at a normal temperature.
Crossed-out square with a circle
Do not tumble dry.
Square with a horizontal line
Dry flat.
Square with a vertical line
Line dry.
Why is correct drying important?
Drying textiles at excessively high temperatures or for longer than necessary can contribute to damage and premature wear.
Overdrying may cause:
- Excessive shrinkage.
- Weakening or brittleness of certain fibres.
- Damage to protective coatings and specialist materials.
- Reduced textile lifespan.
For healthcare textiles that undergo frequent laundering, selecting the correct drying process is an important part of maintaining their condition.
MIP Tip: Follow the recommended drying temperature and avoid unnecessary exposure to heat. Check that textiles are adequately dried before storage or reuse, in accordance with your facility's procedures.
4. Ironing Symbols: Understanding Heat Settings
Ironing symbols are represented by an iron-shaped icon. The number of dots inside the symbol indicates the maximum permitted ironing temperature.
Although ironing may be suitable for some traditional textiles, many specialist healthcare products are designed to be used without ironing.
What do the symbols mean?
Iron with one dot
Iron at a low temperature, up to 110°C.
Iron with two dots
Iron at a medium temperature, up to 150°C.
Iron with three dots
Iron at a high temperature, up to 200°C.
Crossed-out iron
Do not iron.
Why is following ironing instructions important?
Some healthcare textiles contain specialist materials, including fluid-proof barriers, coatings and low-friction fabrics, which may be sensitive to direct heat.
Ironing at an unsuitable temperature can potentially cause:
- Damage to fluid-proof barriers and protective coatings.
- Reduced performance of specialist fabrics.
- Discolouration or distortion of textile fibres.
- Premature wear and shortened product lifespan.
For example, certain bed pads and clothing protectors feature protective backing materials that may be damaged by ironing. Similarly, some moving and handling products use specialist fabrics or coatings that require specific care.
Ironing products marked as non-iron can compromise their intended performance and potentially shorten their useful lifespan.
MIP Tip: Never assume a healthcare textile can be ironed simply because it looks like a conventional sheet or fabric. Always refer to its individual care label and avoid direct heat where ironing is not permitted.
5. Laundry Best Practices: Caring for Healthcare Textiles
Understanding laundry care symbols is just one part of looking after reusable healthcare textiles.
Following a consistent laundering process can help maintain product quality, support safe use and minimise avoidable replacement costs.
Here are five important considerations:
1. Always check the care label
Different textiles have different washing, drying and chemical requirements. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for each product to help maintain its intended performance.
2. Use appropriate washing temperatures
Select the correct temperature for the textile and ensure that the laundering process meets your facility's hygiene and infection-control requirements.
3. Check chemical compatibility
Avoid using bleach, fabric softeners or other chemical treatments unless they are compatible with the product's care instructions.
4. Avoid excessive heat
Washing, drying and ironing at unsuitable temperatures can damage fibres, coatings and specialist textile features. Following the recommended settings can help prevent unnecessary wear.
5. Regularly inspect textiles
Check reusable products for signs of wear, damaged seams, deterioration of protective barriers or changes in performance. Remove unsuitable items from service in line with your facility's procedures.
MIP Tip: A consistent laundering process, combined with regular textile inspections, can help maintain product performance, support efficient laundry operations and reduce unnecessary textile replacement.
6. Caring for Your MIP Products
At MIP, we understand the importance of maintaining the quality, performance and longevity of healthcare textiles.
From bedding and towels to bed pads, clothing protectors and moving and handling products, each MIP product is designed for a specific purpose and may have different laundering requirements.
Always refer to the individual product's care label to ensure the correct washing, drying and chemical processes are followed. For detailed commercial laundry instructions, please reach out to your local Business Development Manager for more information.
Need Further Guidance?
If you're unsure about the correct washing and care instructions for an MIP product, our team is here to help.
As a global supplier of healthcare textiles for over 40 years, MIP provides comfort and efficiency for the healthcare community, but most importantly, for its people. It’s all part of our core belief that real, vital impact stems from the seamless integration of both the scientific side of healing and the human side of providing care.