Do not tumble dry
Do not tumble dry. Follow any separate natural-drying symbol.
Prohibition: this is a “do not” symbol
What to do
Keep it out of the tumble dryer. Follow any separate symbol for line, drip, flat, or shade drying.
What to avoid
This mark does not choose an air-drying method. Use only the method shown elsewhere on the label.
How to spot it on a label
Drying is the third part of the standard care row, so start with its square. A circle inside a drying square marks machine tumble drying, while lines inside it mark air drying. On this prohibition, the circle remains visible and two diagonal strokes cross the whole tumble symbol.
Easy to confuse with
- Do not tumble dryTumble dry, any heat
Check the mark
Look for the full diagonal cross over the circle: the prohibited mark has it, while the permitted tumble mark does not.
- Do not tumble dryDo not dry
Check the mark
Check inside the crossed square: do not tumble dry still has a circle, while the ASTM do-not-dry square is empty behind the cross.
On a real label
Merino wool cardigan
Read together: Hand wash, do not bleach or tumble dry, iron on low (one dot), and use P-process professional dry cleaning when needed.
Linen-viscose blazer
Read together: Do not wash, bleach, or tumble dry; iron on low (one dot) and take it to a cleaner for P-process dry cleaning.
- Category
- Drying
- Appears on
- US and international labels
Related symbols
Common questions
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What does a crossed-out square with a circle mean?
- It forbids machine tumble drying. Check the garment's other drying instructions rather than choosing a replacement method from this symbol alone.
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Is do not tumble dry the same as do not dry?
- No. Do not tumble dry has a visible circle inside the crossed square. The ASTM do-not-dry mark is a crossed square with no circle.
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Can I air dry something marked do not tumble dry?
- This symbol does not choose an air-drying method. Follow a line, drip, or flat instruction only when the label shows it or gives that direction in words.
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Does the crossed dryer symbol mean dry cleaning?
- No. Professional cleaning uses a separate circle with no square, later in the care row.