What do the dots in the washtub care symbol mean, and which one should we use?
The washtub shows the maximum wash temperature, with dots or a number. Choose the temperature the garment actually passes, and check US label rules separately.
Our label supplier sent artwork with a washtub and two dots, but our previous labels used a washtub with 40 printed inside. Are these the same, and how do we decide which temperature to put on our jersey tees?
Main answer
The washtub symbol in the ISO 3758 care labelling system shows that the garment can be washed and gives the maximum wash temperature. The temperature can be shown as a number inside the tub or as dots, where more dots mean a higher temperature. Lines under the tub indicate a milder process, and a hand in the tub means hand wash. A crossed-out tub means do not wash. The dots and the numbers are two ways of showing a temperature, so check that the dots on your new artwork match the temperature you intend.
Choose the temperature the garment passes
Pick the temperature from test results, not habit. Wash garments with a named procedure such as ISO 6330 at the intended temperature, then check shrinkage, appearance, colour change and staining. Dark colours, prints and spandex blends often need a lower temperature than plain white cotton. If the garment fails at the higher temperature, label the lower one.
Check the rest of the symbol set
The washtub is one of five basic symbols in ISO 3758: washing, bleaching, drying, ironing and professional care. They are used in a fixed order. The ISO 3758:2023 edition is the current one, so ask the label supplier which edition the artwork follows.
US labels
In the United States, the FTC Care Labeling Rule, 16 CFR Part 423, requires care instructions. The rule allows symbols from a specified ASTM system to be used in place of words, under its conditions. The FTC business guide explains how symbols and words can be used and what instructions must cover. If you sell in both the US and Europe, confirm that one label meets both sets of requirements rather than assuming it does.
Remember that the symbol has to be true for the whole garment, including trims, prints and labels. A tee whose fabric survives 60 °C may still have a print or an elastic binding that does not. Test the finished garment, not only the fabric.
Keep the test results with the label approval, so the next label change can be checked against them. A sewn-in label also has to stay legible for the life of the garment, so check it after the same washes.
Sources and further reading
- ISO 3758:2023 — Care labelling code using symbols
- ISO 6330:2021 — Domestic washing and drying procedures for textile testing
- FTC — Clothes Captioning: Complying with the Care Labeling Rule
- eCFR — 16 CFR Part 423, Care Labeling of Textile Wearing Apparel
Standards and rules are summarised from their published scope or official guidance. Use the current edition and confirm requirements for your market.
Three perspectives on this question
Purchasing perspective
I'd ask the label supplier to show the ISO 3758 edition on the proof and to confirm that dots and numbers will not be mixed across our ranges.
Merchandising perspective
Customers read the wash temperature first. I'd keep it consistent across colours of the same style unless testing shows a darker shade needs a lower one.
QC perspective
We'd check the label on bulk against the approved proof, symbol by symbol, and include a photo in the inspection report.
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