Non-chlorine (oxygen) bleach only
Use only non-chlorine (color-safe / oxygen) bleach. The two diagonal lines mean 'no chlorine.'
What to do
Use only non-chlorine bleach, the oxygen or color-safe kind.
What to avoid
Don't use chlorine bleach. The two diagonal lines are there to rule it out.
How to spot it on a label
Look in the second position for a triangle containing two parallel diagonal lines. Both lines sit inside the triangle and run in the same direction. At small print sizes, check that they do not cross each other or continue through the triangle's outline.
Easy to confuse with
- Non-chlorine (oxygen) bleach onlyAny bleach when needed
Check the mark
Look closely inside the triangle. This symbol has two diagonal lines; the any-bleach triangle is completely empty.
- Non-chlorine (oxygen) bleach onlyDo not bleach
Check the mark
Follow the diagonal strokes to their ends. These two stay parallel and inside the triangle; the do-not-bleach pair intersects over the center and extends beyond the outline.
On a real label
Printed cotton duvet cover
Read together: Machine wash warm, use only non-chlorine bleach if needed, tumble dry at medium heat, and iron on medium.
Dark cotton sweatshirt
Read together: Machine wash cold, use only non-chlorine bleach if needed, tumble dry on low, and iron on low.
- Category
- Bleaching
- Appears on
- US and international labels
Related symbols
Common questions
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What do two diagonal lines in a triangle mean?
- They permit only non-chlorine bleach, also called oxygen bleach. Do not use chlorine bleach.
-
Is oxygen bleach the same as color-safe bleach?
- Those terms are commonly used for non-chlorine bleach, but check the product label. Choose one clearly labeled non-chlorine or oxygen bleach.
-
Can I use chlorine bleach when the triangle has two lines?
- No. The two lines specifically rule out chlorine bleach.
-
Are two diagonal lines the same as a crossed triangle?
- No. Follow both lines. The non-chlorine pair stays parallel and inside the triangle, while the prohibition strokes intersect and continue through the outline.