The tub shows the maximum washing temperature. Washing at a lower temperature is always an option. Without a line under the tub, the machine should be set to regular or cotton wash. The detergent you should use depends on the type of clothing. All-in-one detergent can be used for underwear and colourfast items, such as shirts. A colour detergent is preferable for coloured wash.
A line under the tub means that a custom washing program is in order, for instance the woollens program at 30°C or a program for non-iron wash at 40°C or 60°C. The load of the wash should be adapted accordingly. For instance, use only one item in the woollens, such as a cardigan

If an item can only be washed by hand, this will be indicated by a hand inside the tub. In this case, the item cannot be left in the suds too long! This may cause the colour to bleed out. The important thing to remember when you wash by hand is to let the detergent dissolve properly. Fluid detergent is preferable.

A cross through the tub means the item cannot be washed. A professional dry cleaner’s may be able to dry-clean your items for you.

If the item can be washed at 40°C as woollens, this will be indicated with a tub with a broken line. Washing woollens requires a mild detergent.

The circle stands for dry cleaning. The only thing you as a consumer need to know is that if the circle is not crossed out, the item can be taken to the dry cleaner’s. They know which cleaning program to use on the item for you. The most common symbols and their correct meaning can be found below.

These cleaning symbols are meant for dry cleaning.

The bar under the circle means: ‘do not add water to the cleansing fluid and apply less mechanical movement in the drying process as well. Drying at a lower temperature.

The item is resistant to all common solvents.

The item is only resistant to perchlorethylene, benzene, white spirit.

The item is only resistant to benzene, white spirit.

Do not dry-clean, careful with stain removers.

This triangle indicates bleaching by means of a bleaching agent, hence the abbreviation of Cl (chloride) illustrated in the triangle. Liquid chloride is hardly ever used in the Netherlands anymore. All-in-one detergents and additional stain removers have made liquid chloride superfluous.

For most coloured outerwear, liquid chlorine is a complete no-go and will be indicated by a crossed out triangle.

This symbol consists of a circle inside a square. One or two dots may appear inside the circle. These dots will tell you something about whether the item is sensitive to temperature. Two dots inside the circle is most common. This applies to regular textile (shirts, underwear, tea-cloths). One dot inside the circle is specifically intended for heat sensitive textile fabrics, such as acrylic fibre. When an item cannot be tumble dried, this will simply be indicated by crossing out the symbol.

The ironing symbol can contain one, two or three dots. These refer to the buttons on the iron and determine the temperature of the iron. One point is moderate heat (110°C). Two points is medium heat (150°C). This temperature can be used for most items. The use of steam may lighten the ironing load considerably. In case of three dots, the temperature is around 200°C. Mainly cotton and linen can endure this temperature. If the item cannot be ironed at all, the symbol will be crossed out.

Modern irons and machines will indicate the differences in temperature with points.

Iron warm, but not hot, maximum temperature 110°C. Careful steaming allowed.

Iron warm, but not hot, maximum temperature 110°C. Careful steaming allowed.

Do not iron or steam.