Do not dry clean
Do not dry clean
Do not dry clean — the solvent will damage the item.
What it looks like
A circle with a cross through it.
What it means
Dry-cleaning solvent dissolves things water leaves alone: polyurethane coatings, foam backings, most glues, some sequins and plastic buttons, and the fill in a down jacket loses its loft. Fake leather and coated raincoats are the usual casualties. This symbol appears alongside a washing instruction, and it means the garment is washable — check the tub for the temperature rather than assuming the item is unwashable because it looks formal.
Defined by ISO 3758. Where a symbol differs between standards, the difference is described above rather than resolved — both versions are in circulation on real labels.
Other laundry and care labels symbols
| Symbol | Means |
|---|---|
| Wash (plain tub) | The item can be machine washed. |
| Wash at 30 °C maximum | Machine wash at 30 °C (86 °F) or cooler. |
| Wash at 40 °C maximum | Machine wash at 40 °C (104 °F) or cooler. |
| Wash at 50 °C maximum | Machine wash at 50 °C (122 °F) or cooler. |
| Wash at 60 °C maximum | Machine wash at 60 °C (140 °F) or cooler. |
| Wash at 70 °C maximum | Machine wash at 70 °C (158 °F) or cooler. |
| Wash at 95 °C maximum | Machine wash at 95 °C (203 °F) or cooler — a boil wash. |
| Mild wash — one bar under the tub | Wash at the stated temperature but with reduced mechanical action — the permanent press or synthetics cycle. |
| Very mild wash — two bars under the tub | Wash at the stated temperature on the gentlest machine cycle, with a much reduced load and spin. |
| Hand wash only | Wash by hand at 40 °C (104 °F) or cooler. No machine washing. |
| Do not wash | Do not wash in water at all, by machine or by hand. |
| Do not wring | Do not twist the item to squeeze water out. |
| Any bleach allowed | Any bleach may be used, including chlorine bleach. |
| Non-chlorine bleach only | Oxygen bleach only — no chlorine bleach. |
| Do not bleach | No bleach of any kind, chlorine or oxygen. |
| Tumble dry (circle in a square) | The item may be tumble dried. |
| Tumble dry low — one dot | Tumble dry on a low-heat setting. |
| Tumble dry normal — two dots | Tumble dry at normal heat. |
| Tumble dry high — three dots | Tumble dry at high heat. |
| Tumble dry, no heat | Tumble dry with the heat off — the air-fluff or air-dry setting. |
Common questions
- What does the do not dry clean symbol mean?
- Do not dry clean — the solvent will damage the item.
- What does it look like?
- A circle with a cross through it.
Related pages
- Dry clean (plain circle) Professionally dry clean. The letter inside, if any, tells the cleaner which solvent to use.
- Professional wet clean — circle W Professional wet cleaning — a controlled water-based process done by a cleaner, not in a domestic machine.
- Do not wash Do not wash in water at all, by machine or by hand.
- Wash (plain tub) The item can be machine washed.
- Wash at 30 °C maximum Machine wash at 30 °C (86 °F) or cooler.
- Wash at 40 °C maximum Machine wash at 40 °C (104 °F) or cooler.
- Wash at 50 °C maximum Machine wash at 50 °C (122 °F) or cooler.
- Wash at 60 °C maximum Machine wash at 60 °C (140 °F) or cooler.
- Wash at 70 °C maximum Machine wash at 70 °C (158 °F) or cooler.
- Wash at 95 °C maximum Machine wash at 95 °C (203 °F) or cooler — a boil wash.
- Mild wash — one bar under the tub Wash at the stated temperature but with reduced mechanical action — the permanent press or synthetics cycle.
- Very mild wash — two bars under the tub Wash at the stated temperature on the gentlest machine cycle, with a much reduced load and spin.
- Hand wash only Wash by hand at 40 °C (104 °F) or cooler. No machine washing.
Sources
- Official vendor product documentation — At One Place