Do not bleach (US symbol)
Crossed triangle: do not use any bleach.
LAUNDRY CARE
Do not bleach symbol: crossed, plain and lined triangles
Tell a crossed triangle from the plain and two-line bleach symbols, then choose products that match the garment label.
What the symbol means
The triangle is the bleach instruction. A crossed triangle means bleaching is not allowed—including chlorine and oxygen/non-chlorine bleach.
What to do
- Avoid laundry bleach and products whose directions describe them as chlorine or oxygen/non-chlorine bleach.
- Use the wash temperature and cycle shown elsewhere on the garment label.
- Do not treat the two diagonal lines as a prohibition: that different triangle permits oxygen bleach but excludes chlorine bleach.
Compare the three triangle marks
Use the whole mark, not only its outside shape.Bleach allowed
Plain triangle: chlorine or oxygen bleach is allowed.
Non-chlorine bleach only
Triangle with two diagonal lines: oxygen/non-chlorine bleach only; no chlorine bleach.
Put it into practice
Check detergent as well as additives
Choose a bleach-free detergent suitable for the garment. Read the product directions: some detergents and stain treatments include oxygen bleach even when they are sold as color-safe.
Treat a stain only within both labels
Use a bleach-free stain treatment only when its directions allow the fabric and the garment label allows that treatment. Follow any test-area instructions; do not improvise a mixture of cleaning products.
Keep the remaining wash limits
Use the garment’s permitted temperature and cycle. A stubborn stain does not make a hotter wash or bleach safe, even on white clothing.
Match the rest of your label
Use this as a reading aid and follow the complete garment label, including any written instructions.
Symbol sets can include regional variants. Home Cues labels known US variants explicitly in the full reference.