Starting with the symbol which looks like a wash tub.

This symbol tells us two things -

-

the maximum temperature at which a garment should be washed.

-

the amount of agitation suitable for a given garment.

The number in the 'wash tub' symbol shows the maximum temperature at which you can safely wash the fabric.

A washtub with no dashes indicates the garment is suitable for a cotton wash (maximum agitation) when washed at the appropriate temperature as stated on the fabric care label.

A washtub with one dash indicates the garment is suitable for a synthetics wash (medium agitation) when washed at the appropriate temperature as stated on the fabric care label.

A washtub with two dashes indicates the garment is suitable for a woollen wash (minimum agitation) when washed at the appropriate temperature as stated on the fabric care label.

For a mixed temperature wash load, the lowest temperature should be chosen.

The second piece of information from the wash tub symbol is the amount of agitation suitable for any given garment. This is shown with none, one or two dashes underneath.

For a mixed agitation wash load the lowest agitation should be chosen.

Other wash symbols: