The care label in underwear and what the symbols mean

Short answer: The care label in underwear tells you with a few symbols how hot you may wash and whether bleach, tumble dryer and iron are allowed. A tub with a number is the wash temperature, a triangle is bleaching, a square is drying and an iron is ironing.

Where to find the care label

The care label usually sits in the side seam or at the neck, and in underwear it can be printed directly on the fabric instead of sewn in. Look for a small row of symbols and numbers. Read the label in the piece you are actually holding, because the label in the garment is always the one that counts.

The tub and the number in it

The symbol that looks like a wash tub shows how hot you may wash. The number in the tub is the highest temperature in degrees, and a line under the tub means a gentler wash. A hand in the tub means hand wash. Feel free to choose a lower temperature if the clothes are not very dirty.

The triangle and bleach

The triangle is about bleach. An empty triangle means bleaching is allowed, while a crossed triangle means you must not use bleach. On bamboo underwear for women the crossed triangle is quite common, and it matters most if the clothes are coloured.

The square and drying

The square shows how to dry the clothes. A square with a circle means tumble drying is allowed, and a crossed square with a circle means it is not. A square with a line at the top means line drying. Air drying is often the gentlest choice for elastic and edges.

The iron and the heat

The iron shows whether you may iron and how hot. One or two dots mean low and medium heat, and a crossed iron means no ironing. Underwear rarely needs ironing, so if in doubt, leave it. Heat can wear on elastic and printed details.

The circle and dry cleaning

The circle with a letter is about professional cleaning. A crossed circle means the item must not be dry cleaned, which is common on underwear washed at home. If you cannot find the circle, do not hand the item in for cleaning, and follow the wash symbol instead.

When the symbols are hard to read

A label can wear away or scratch the skin, so some people cut it off. Write down the temperature first, or take a photo before you cut. Look at bamboo knickers and bamboo tops for women one by one, because they can carry different labels.

Good habits whatever the label says

Turn the clothes inside out, sort by colour and use a gentle wash if the label allows it. Do not use more fabric softener than needed, and preferably air dry. The same habits help underwear keep its shape and gentle grip for longer.

In short, read the symbols calmly

The care label in underwear is simple once you know the five symbols: tub, triangle, square, iron and circle. Read the label in each piece, choose a lower temperature rather than a higher one and air dry. That way you look after the clothes and get more from them.

Frequently asked questions

What does the number in the wash tub mean?

The number is the highest temperature in degrees you may wash at. You can always wash cooler if the clothes are not very dirty.

May I use a tumble dryer?

Only if the square with a circle is not crossed out. Air drying is often gentler on elastic and edges.

What do I do if the label has been cut off?

Wash gently at a low temperature, turn the clothes inside out and air dry, so the fabric is not worn more than necessary.

You can find the full range at Copenhagen Bamboo.