Washing machine icons: decoding

While many features on modern washing machines are intended to make laundry simpler, the control panel’s multitude of icons and symbols can be bewildering. To use your machine efficiently, you must comprehend each symbol, which ranges from temperature controls to washing cycles, as it represents a distinct function or setting.

If you don’t understand the meaning of these icons, you could use the incorrect settings and ruin delicate fabrics or even your clothes’ cleanliness. Understanding these symbols can help you make the most of your washing machine and guarantee that your clothes are consistently cleaned to perfection.

To help you confidently operate your appliance, we’ll dissect the most popular washing machine icons and explain what they mean in this post.

Main images / icons

The symbols are arranged according to a straightforward principle: they are next to buttons that, when pressed, initiate certain programs, like washing, or they are positioned around handles that, when turned, select particular functions or modes.

The image shows start and pause buttons in addition to buttons with on/off icons.

There are icons with meanings that are intuitive for users to understand and ones that are consistent across most units. Among them are:

  • a circle with a vertical line at the top – the icon for turning the machine on and off;
  • a triangle and two vertical lines, indicating respectively the start of the program and a pause in its execution (start / pause);
  • a snail or a twisted spiral – the spin symbol on a washing machine;
  • a snowflake, which is usually used to indicate washing or rinsing in cold water;
  • a basin of water, as a rule, corresponds to the wash itself and can be supplemented with other symbols, for example, the manual mode is depicted as a basin with a hand, pre-wash – a container with one vertical line inside, the main – a basin with two vertical lines;
  • a rinse symbol on a washing machine, which is often depicted using a picture of a container filled with water;
  • a basin with a vertical arrow pointing downwards, depicted next to the button responsible for draining the water.

Let’s put this data into a table to summarize it:

Use cold water to rinse.

Drain (empty or drain)

The primary washing modes and fabric types are often designated similarly in various models:

  • cotton fabrics are depicted as a cotton box, synthetic fabrics as a test tube with a spout, woolen fabrics as a skein of yarn, denim fabrics as a pattern of pants;
  • intensive washing can be identified by the image of things with stains;
  • delicate washing is often indicated by the image of a flower, and economical – by a tree.

The image illustrates how to decipher the most widely used symbols on washing machine panels.

It should be noted that the number on the display typically indicates how many minutes are left in the chosen washing program. The majority of symbols on contemporary machine models are also shown on the liquid crystal display. By glancing at this screen, you can learn the current program stage as well as details about the parameters of the chosen washing mode, including the number of spin speeds, temperature indicators, and other functions. For instance, if the spiral icon is lit, it indicates that the machine is spinning.

Icons on the display show which washing mode is active at any given time.

In older models, the dashboard’s indicators, which are small lights that light up next to the corresponding images, provide almost all information about the selected mode and its current state.

You can choose the ideal water temperature by pressing the button featuring a thermometer image.

The economy wash program is initiated by pressing the button bearing the words Eco / Eco Perfect or the letter E.

While most washing machines have similar primary functions, there are some differences between them despite the general similarities in their designations.

It can be difficult to understand washing machine icons, but understanding each one is crucial to getting the most out of your laundry. With the help of this guide, you can quickly and easily decipher the meaning of the most common icons and choose the appropriate settings for each load.

Icon Meaning
Triangle Bleach allowed
Square with Circle Tumble dry
Iron Ironing allowed
Hand in Water Hand wash only
Circle Dry clean only
Bucket with Water Normal wash cycle
Bucket with Hand Delicate wash
Triangle with X No bleach
Iron with X Do not iron

Laundry day can go much more smoothly if you know what the icons on your washing machine mean. The purpose of these symbols is to assist you in selecting the appropriate settings for various clothing types and stains so that your laundry will be fresh and clean. You can maximize your machine’s features and steer clear of common blunders by becoming familiar with what each icon signifies.

Recall that the purpose of these icons is to make the process easier for you and improve your washing experience. The manufacturer’s website or the handbook that came with your washing machine can offer more clarification if you’re ever unclear about a symbol. In the end, better outcomes and more effective laundry cycles can result from taking the time to understand what each icon represents.

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Ivan Petrov

Engineer by education. I enjoy understanding technical specifications, comparing different models and testing new products. My experience allows me to share useful information with you to help you choose the perfect washing machine for your home.

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