The symbols that concern bleaching

Short answer: Bleaching has only one symbol, the triangle, in three versions. An empty triangle allows any bleach, two lines allow only oxygen bleach, and a crossed out triangle means no bleaching at all.

The triangle means bleaching

On a care label, the triangle always stands for bleaching. It comes second in line, right after the tub for washing. The triangle only comes in three versions, which makes it one of the easiest symbols to learn. When you see it, it tells you which bleach you may use, and whether any is allowed at all.

The three versions

An empty triangle means any bleach may be used, including chlorine. A triangle with two diagonal lines inside means only oxygen bleach is allowed. A crossed out triangle means the item must not be bleached at all. That is all there is to it, so you can quickly see what applies to the item in your hand.

Why the triangle is rarely empty

Most fabrics today are dyed or contain elastane, and neither handles chlorine. Chlorine strips colour and weakens elastic. That is why the triangle usually has two lines or a cross, for example on bamboo panties. You mainly see an empty triangle on plain white items without stretch.

What oxygen bleach is

Oxygen bleach is a powder or liquid based on hydrogen peroxide. It works from forty degrees and releases no chlorine, so it is milder on colours and fibres. It can be used a few times a year on white items such as a women's bamboo sweatshirt, if they have turned grey or yellowish after long use.

When bleaching makes sense

Bleaching is justified for yellowed white items, for example after long storage in a cupboard. A single treatment with oxygen bleach can bring the white back. It is a solution for rare cases, not part of the regular wash. Always follow the dosage on the pack and rinse the item well afterwards.

What to do instead

The best way to avoid bleaching is prevention. Sort by colour, dose the detergent correctly and wash whites separately. Then bleaching is almost never needed. This applies to all the most popular items for women, whose colours stay best when they are not washed with very light or very dark items.

Coloured clothes and bleach

Coloured clothes must not be bleached, not even with oxygen bleach, unless the label allows it. The colour comes off in patches and cannot be fixed. If a coloured item looks dull, it is usually detergent residue or limescale, and washing a few times with a little less detergent often helps.

Frequently asked questions

When is bleaching justified?

For yellowed white items after long storage. A single treatment with oxygen bleach can bring back the white, but it should not become a habit.

Does oxygen damage the fibres?

Less than chlorine, but repeated use still weakens them. So it is best to use oxygen bleach rarely and only on white items that really need it.

Can you bleach coloured clothes?

No, the colour comes off in patches and cannot be fixed. If a coloured item looks dull, try washing it a few times with a little less detergent.