what do the symbols on clothes labels mean

Clothing care symbols are standardized pictograms that provide instructions for washing, drying, ironing, bleaching, and professional cleaning to prevent garment damage.

Washing (The Tub). The washing tub symbol indicates if an item can be machine or hand washed. Numbers inside the tub specify the maximum temperature in degrees Celsius, while dots are sometimes used in North American standards to indicate heat levels. Bars underneath the tub signify the need for a gentler cycle.
Bleaching (The Triangle). The triangle represents bleaching. An empty triangle allows any bleach, two diagonal lines permit only non-chlorine (oxygen) bleach, and a crossed-out triangle prohibits all bleaching.
Drying (The Square). The square indicates drying. A circle inside the square refers to tumble drying, with dots indicating heat levels. Lines inside the square represent natural drying methods, such as line drying, drip drying, or drying flat.
Ironing and Professional Care. The iron symbol indicates ironing instructions, with dots representing temperature ranges. The circle symbol relates to professional cleaning, where letters inside (such as P, F, or W) guide professionals on the appropriate solvents or processes to use.