What does one line under the washing symbol mean?

In ISO, one bar means a mild process with reduced mechanical action. ASTM/US labels use the permanent-press term and define that cycle with a cool or cold rinse before reduced spinning.

Is one line under the tub the same as one dot?

No. A bar sits below the tub and changes the washing process. A dot sits inside the tub and sets the maximum water temperature on an ASTM label.

Is permanent press the same as delicate wash?

No. One bar is the ISO mild process or ASTM/US permanent press. Two bars require the more restricted ISO very mild or ASTM/US delicate or gentle process.

Can I treat a one-bar tub as normal wash?

No. The bar requires less mechanical action than the normal process. On a US label, it is the permanent-press instruction.

Mild / permanent-press wash

One bar means an ISO mild wash with reduced mechanical action. On ASTM/US labels it means permanent press, including a cool-down or cold rinse before reduced spinning.

What to do

Choose the ISO mild process or the US permanent-press cycle, according to the label. Both are milder than an unbarred normal wash.

What to avoid

Don't substitute the unbarred normal cycle. One bar calls for the milder process shown by the label system.

How to spot it on a label

Find the washtub first at the left end of the label, then look directly underneath it. The one-bar mild-wash variant has exactly one horizontal bar below the tub, outside the outline; check that you are not looking at a round dot inside the tub or a pair of bars below it.

Easy to confuse with

Mild / permanent-press wash
Machine wash, normal

Check the mark

Look below the tub: this symbol has one horizontal bar, while the normal-wash tub has none.
Mild / permanent-press wash
Machine wash, cold (30°C / 1 dot)

Check the mark

Check the mark's shape and position: this is a straight bar under the tub, not a round dot inside it.
Mild / permanent-press wash
Very mild / delicate wash

Check the mark

Count the horizontal bars under the tub: this one has exactly one, not two.

On a real label

Wrinkle-resistant dress shirt

Read together: Use a mild process with reduced mechanical action; on a US machine, choose permanent press. Use only non-chlorine bleach if needed, tumble dry and iron at medium heat, or use professional P-solvent dry cleaning.

Polyester-blend trousers

Read together: Select the one-bar wash process, called mild in ISO guidance and permanent press in US terminology. Do not bleach, tumble dry and iron only on low, or use professional P-solvent dry cleaning.

Category: Washing
Appears on: US and international labels

Related symbols

Common questions

What does one line under the washing symbol mean?: In ISO, one bar means a mild process with reduced mechanical action. ASTM/US labels use the permanent-press term and define that cycle with a cool or cold rinse before reduced spinning.
Is one line under the tub the same as one dot?: No. A bar sits below the tub and changes the washing process. A dot sits inside the tub and sets the maximum water temperature on an ASTM label.
Is permanent press the same as delicate wash?: No. One bar is the ISO mild process or ASTM/US permanent press. Two bars require the more restricted ISO very mild or ASTM/US delicate or gentle process.
Can I treat a one-bar tub as normal wash?: No. The bar requires less mechanical action than the normal process. On a US label, it is the permanent-press instruction.

Browse by care category

← All washing symbols