Washing Machine and Dryer Symbols Explained

Most washers and dryers use small symbols around the dial and buttons instead of long written labels. They cover everything from wash temperature and soil level to delay start, steam clean and the child lock. Some symbols are plain settings, while others are short add-ons that change one part of the cycle. Once you know what the common ones mean, the panel gets much less confusing.

Dryer controls work on a similar idea, with Auto dry stopping at your chosen dryness and Timed dry running for the set time. Learning a few key symbols will help you pick the right cycle every time.

27 symbols

Washer and dryer control-panel icons

Button or iconWhat it doesWhen to use it

Delay StartPostpones the start of the wash cycle by up to 12 hours.Set it when you want the wash to finish at a convenient time, such as overnight or before you get home. Make sure the load is ready before you set the delay, since the machine waits until the time runs out.

End BeepBeeps when the cycle finishes.Leave it on if you want a reminder when the load is done. Switch it off, or use Silent wash, when you need quiet at night.

Steam CleanAdds soak and wash time plus a steam boost for tough stains.Use it for loads with tough stains that need extra soaking and a steam boost. It takes longer than a standard cycle, so plan for the extra time.

Clean WasherSelf-clean cycle for the empty washer, every 30 washes, with a washer cleaner tablet or chlorine bleach.Run it on the empty drum every 30 washes, using a washer cleaner tablet or chlorine bleach. Keep clothes out of the drum for this cycle.

Rinse & SpinA rinse plus high-speed spin for extra rinsing or rinse-only loads.Use it to rinse and spin a load that only needs extra rinsing. It finishes with a high-speed spin, so it suits rinse-only loads well.

Extra RinseAdds a second rinse to most cycles.Turn it on for items that still feel soapy after washing. It adds a second rinse to most cycles, so the cycle runs a little longer.

PresoakAdds a soak period to loosen tough stains before the cycle.Use it for items with visible stains so the soak loosens tough marks before the main wash. Skip it for everyday laundry to keep cycles short.

Wash temperaturePicks the water temperature; use the warmest water safe for the fabric.Pick the warmest water that is safe for the fabric, and check the garment label if you are unsure. Lower the setting for delicate items.

Soil levelSets wash time by how dirty the load is; lighter settings reduce tangling.Choose a lighter setting for lightly soiled loads, which also reduces tangling. Use a heavier setting only for items that are noticeably dirty.

Spin speedFaster spins shorten dry time but may add wrinkles.Choose a faster spin when you want the load to dry sooner in the dryer. Pick a slower spin for items that wrinkle easily.

Child lock (key symbol)Disables all the buttons until switched off.Turn it on when children are near the machine, since it disables all the buttons. Switch it off before you change any setting.

PrewashLow-temperature cycle before the main wash, for heavy soil.Add it for heavily soiled loads, since it runs a low-temperature cycle before the main wash. Skip it for lightly soiled laundry to save time.

SoakLaundry stays in the water longer before the main wash.Use it when a load needs more time to loosen stubborn dirt before the main wash begins. Longer soaking adds time, so plan the cycle accordingly.

Easy ironAdapts the spin to reduce creasing; laundry stays damp enough to hang.Use it for shirts and other items you want to hang straight away. Remove the load promptly so it can be hung while it is still damp.

Rinse holdLaundry stays in the water after the last rinse, with no spin or drain.Use it when you need the laundry to sit in the water after the last rinse. The load will not drain or spin until you finish the cycle.

Silent washTurns off the end-of-cycle signal and lowers the final spin.Turn it on when you want quiet operation, such as overnight. It also turns off the end-of-cycle signal and lowers the final spin.

Intensive plusExtends the cycle by up to 30 minutes for heavy soil.Choose it for very heavy soil, since it extends the cycle by up to 30 minutes. Use a standard cycle for everyday loads.

Anti-stainAdjusts temperature, drum movement and soak time to the stain type.Select it for a known stain type, since the machine adjusts temperature, drum movement and soak time to suit that stain. Use a standard cycle for general washing.

Water plusWashes with more water, gentler on sensitive skin.Use it when you want the load washed with more water, which is gentler on sensitive skin. It uses more water than a standard setting.

Drum cleanCleaning programme to run with no clothing in, for odors.Run it with no clothing in the drum when the machine has odors. Keep the drum empty for the whole cycle.

Foam detectionLights up when too much foam is sensed; adds a rinse.If this light comes on, the machine has sensed too much foam and adds a rinse to clear it. Use less detergent on the next load if the light appears often.

Start / reloadPauses the cycle so you can add forgotten items.Press it to pause the cycle when you forgot an item, then add the item and restart. Use it only to add forgotten items, not to skip a cycle.

Auto (automatic) dryDryer senses moisture and stops at the chosen dryness level.Choose it for most loads, since the dryer senses moisture and stops at the dryness level you pick. Set the level to match how dry you want the clothes.

Timed dryRuns for the time you set; can over-dry.Use it when you want a fixed run time, and start with a shorter time at first. It can over-dry clothes, so check them partway through.

EcoBoostSlightly lower heat to save energy; adds about 40 minutes.Choose it to save energy on loads that can handle slightly lower heat. Expect the cycle to take about 40 minutes longer.

Wrinkle ShieldPeriodic tumbling after the cycle to reduce wrinkles.Use it when you cannot take the load out straight away, since the dryer tumbles it periodically after the cycle. Remove the clothes soon after it ends.

Static ReduceAdds a short tumble with a little moisture; about 8 minutes.Use it for clothes that cling together after drying. The short tumble with a little moisture takes about 8 minutes.

Tips

How to read symbols together

Read the symbols on the dial as one setting, starting with the cycle, then the temperature, then any options. Several of the options add time to the cycle, including Steam clean, Extra rinse, Intensive plus and EcoBoost.

Delay start does not change the wash itself, but it postpones when the wash begins. Check the total time before you start when you combine several options.

What dots, bars and crosses mean

The symbols in this list are control icons on the machine, so dot, bar and cross marks fall outside this list. Use the control icons to choose a cycle and options, and keep the garment label as the reference for fabric care. If you don't recognize a symbol, don't guess its meaning from its shape.

What to do when a symbol has no label

Match the icon to the closest setting in this list, since the icon usually reflects the function it controls. Look for the matching name on the machine's control panel or in its manual.

Start with a standard setting until you are sure what the symbol does. Test a new option on a small load first.

Common mix-ups

Rinse hold and Rinse & spin are different, since Rinse hold keeps the laundry in water with no spin or drain. Presoak and Soak both add time before the main wash, but Presoak is aimed at tough stains.

Clean washer is for the empty drum, while Drum clean is for odors with no clothing in. Auto dry stops by sensing moisture, while Timed dry stops by the clock and can over-dry.

Questions

What does the key symbol on a washing machine mean?

The key symbol means Child lock, which disables all the buttons until it is switched off. Turn it on when children are near the machine. Switch it off before you change any setting.

What does Delay start do?

Delay start postpones the start of the wash cycle by up to 12 hours. Set it when you want the wash to finish at a convenient time. The machine waits until the set time before it begins.

What does Start / reload do?

Start / reload pauses the cycle so you can add forgotten items. Press it, add the item, and then restart the cycle.

What is the difference between Auto dry and Timed dry?

Auto dry senses moisture and stops at the dryness level you chose. Timed dry runs for the time you set and can over-dry the clothes. Auto dry suits most loads.

What does spin speed do to my clothes?

Faster spin speeds shorten dry time but may add wrinkles. Choose a slower spin for items that crease easily. Easy iron adapts the spin to reduce creasing and leaves laundry damp enough to hang.

What does Clean washer do, and how often should I run it?

Clean washer is a self-clean cycle for the empty washer. Run it every 30 washes, using a washer cleaner tablet or chlorine bleach. Keep clothes out of the drum during this cycle.

Does Silent wash turn off the beep?

Yes, Silent wash turns off the end-of-cycle signal and lowers the final spin. Use it when you need quiet, such as overnight. Turn it off again if you want the end beep back.

What does EcoBoost do on a dryer?

EcoBoost uses slightly lower heat to save energy. The cycle adds about 40 minutes. Choose it for loads that can handle the gentler heat.

More care-label symbols

Laundry Symbols: What Every Care Label Symbol Means Washing Symbols: Machine Wash, Hand Wash and Do Not Wash Bleach Symbols: What the Triangle on a Care Label Means Dryer Symbols: Tumble Dry, Line Dry and Dry Flat Ironing Symbols: Iron Temperatures and Do Not Iron Dry Clean Symbols: What the Circle on a Care Label Means