Understanding Laundry Symbols is important for anyone living in Japan. These symbols tell you how to properly care for your clothes. Whether you’re washing, ironing, or dry cleaning, knowing what each symbol means helps keep your clothes in good condition. In this article, we’ll explain the most common Laundry Symbols you’ll find on clothing labels. This guide will help you understand how to care for your laundry with ease.
Please kindly check the following for more guidance to help you live in Japan.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Laundry Symbols for Home Washing
Washing Machine
You can wash clothes with a washing machine or by hand at home. The most common symbols are:
Bucket symbol: Indicates machine washing is allowed.
Number inside the bucket: Shows the maximum water temperature for washing.
Example: “40” means you can wash in a washing machine at a maximum temperature of 40°C in the “standard” mode.
“30” means you can wash in a washing machine at a maximum temperature of 30°C in the “standard” mode.
Line under the symbol: Indicates washing in the “delicate” or “gentle” mode is allowed.
Since the “standard” and “delicate” modes can vary depending on your washing machine model, always check the user manual for your washing machine.
Hand Wash
Items that can be hand-washed are marked with a hand symbol inside the bucket.
Typically, the symbol indicates hand washing is possible at a maximum temperature of 40°C.
If there is a line under the symbol, the maximum temperature is 30°C.
A “X” inside the bucket means the item cannot be washed at home.
Chapter 2: Bleaching Clothes
The triangle symbol indicates that bleaching is allowed.
A line inside the triangle means oxygen bleach is allowed, but chlorine bleach is not.
A “X” inside the triangle means bleaching agents are not allowed.
Chapter 3: Tumble Drying
Next, let’s look at the tumble dryer symbols.
If there are two dots inside the symbol, it means tumble drying is possible up to a maximum of 80°C.
If there is one dot inside the symbol, it means tumble drying is possible at a low temperature up to 60°C.
As with other symbols, a “X” means tumble drying is not allowed.
Chapter 4: Air Drying
Next, let’s look at air drying symbols.
Clothes that can be hung to dry (such as on a hanger) are marked with an “I” inside a square.
Items that should be air-dried in the shade have a shadow symbol in the top-left corner.
Chapter 5: Ironing Symbols
Similar to tumble drying, the number of dots on the iron symbol indicates the temperature setting:
Three dots mean high heat, up to 210°C.
Two dots mean medium heat, up to 160°C.
One dot means low heat, up to 120°C.
If there is a steam symbol under the iron, it means steam ironing is not allowed.
As with other symbols, a “X” means ironing is not allowed.
Chapter 6: Dry Cleaning
Finally, let’s look at dry cleaning symbols.
P means dry cleaning is allowed with perchloroethylene or petroleum-based solvents.
F means dry cleaning is allowed with petroleum-based solvents.
W means wet cleaning is allowed.
A “X” means dry cleaning is not allowed.
In conclusion, understanding Laundry Symbols helps you properly care for your clothes in Japan. If you want to know more about Japanese detergents and which ones are most effective, please check out our article on Japanese laundry products.
For a guide to use Japanese washing machine, please check article below.
