“Do not tumble dry” sign

The manufacturer places a special tag on each item of clothing, which lists the rules for caring for this item, designed in the form of conventional images. Laundry symbols are probably familiar to everyone by now, but what about automatic tumble drying? There are signs that allow automatic drying, prohibit it, or even recommend a specific mode. Let's start with the “Do not tumble dry” icon. What is he?

A symbol that strictly prohibits automatic drying.

Today, there are almost as many symbols for caring for clothes related specifically to drying as there are related to automatic washing. If you mix something up and automatically dry something that is strictly contraindicated, you can assume that all the rules for caring for clothes have been crossed out - in the worst case, you can even ruin the product. So, the “Do Not Tumble Dry” sign looks like a circle inscribed in a square, and the whole thing is crossed out.

In principle, it is not so difficult to remember this designation for yourself - after all, an image crossed out crosswise, as a rule, always means a ban, so you should always be careful and pay attention to the little things.

Other drying signs

Naturally, the designation described above is not the only one in the range of images illustrating the rules for caring for clothes. Let's study the ones that are most likely to come across on the label of your item.

• A circle inscribed in a square, and not crossed out, is a symbol that the product is automatically allowed to dry.In addition, such a symbol on your item indicates that the item is very unpretentious in drying: you can choose absolutely any of the available modes, and the item will withstand drying perfectly and will not be damaged.
• An uncrossed circle inscribed in a square with a dot in the middle allows automatic drying, but only at a temperature not exceeding 40 degrees. You can use the most common program, but don’t forget about the temperature setting! If your dryer doesn't have the ability to adjust the temperature, find a setting that has a set setting.
• If you add one solid line below to the above symbol, this is what the gentle drying icon will look like. This means that the item can only be dried in the machine if you have a special program for delicate fabrics. Hot air can also have a negative effect on the product, as can washing in hot water, hence the limitations.
• The same designation, only with two lines under the square, means using the most gentle drying setting available on your dryer. Usually, silk items, satin fabrics, lace underwear and other “capricious” wardrobe items are dried in such programs.
• If you see a circle with two dots inscribed in a square, you can dry your product at medium temperature (this means that the air can heat up to 60 degrees without the risk of damaging the product). Again, if you do not have a temperature regulator, select a mode whose temperature would correspond to this parameter.
• A circle with two dots in a square and one line under the square allows drying at temperatures up to 60 degrees, but at the same time delicate.
• A circle in a square with three dots allows the user to use high temperature modes. As a rule, such markings can be found on children's clothes or bedding when hot air treatment complements washing in hot water.
• The black circle inside the square prohibits heating the product, but at the same time allows drying by blowing. If your machine can dry without heating, then it is acceptable to use it. Otherwise, you will have to dry the product in the usual way: on the balcony or in a well-ventilated area.
• An envelope-shaped square indicates the need to dry the product vertically, that is, after spinning, you will have to hang it on a hanger and leave it there until it dries completely. Please note that this designation allows machine spinning, but in fact prohibits automatic drying.
• A square with two stripes in the upper left corner prohibits drying the item in the open sun (the item must be dried naturally, in an upright position and in the shade). If you see an envelope-shaped square with two stripes in the upper left corner, it means the same thing: vertical drying in the shade.
• A square with a stripe in the middle and two stripes in the upper left corner indicates drying in a horizontal position away from direct sunlight. For such purposes, you can use a table or hang the product on a folding dryer in a special way.
• A square with three stripes in the middle strictly prohibits spinning. That is, you need to take the laundry out of the machine, hang it upright without wringing it out, and leave it there until it dries completely, while the product can be dried in the sun.
• A square with three stripes in the middle and two stripes in the upper left corner implies not only the absence of spinning, but also placing the product away from the sun's rays, that is, in fact, “Drying without spinning away from the sun's rays.”

Attention! Sometimes manufacturers do not provide information about drying a product, then you can read the composition and find out on the Internet whether automatic drying of such fabric is acceptable and in what modes.

In fact, it is not necessary to remember all these designations at all. Moreover, a hint can be found in the already known symbols associated with washing. For example, if a fabric can withstand high temperatures when washed (usually indicated by a bowl of water with a 90°C sign inside), then it is logical to assume that drying with hot air will be painless. However, it is always better to look at the manual once again so as not to make a mistake. After all, you must admit, it’s quite a shame to wash an expensive item correctly and end up ruining it due to improper drying.

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