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CHECK THE TAG / THE GARMENT CARE FIELD GUIDEEDITION 05 · REFERENCE SNAPSHOT 2026-11-01
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TEMPERATURE FIELD GUIDE

30°C, 40°C, 60°C: what the wash numbers mean.

The number in an international washing tub is the maximum permissible water temperature for that garment and cycle. You may choose a cooler wash, but that does not remove any gentle-cycle restriction.

PRACTICAL, NOT MIRACLE CLAIMSSOURCES BELOW
Interpret a garment label

01 / FIELD NOTE

30°C and 40°C are not universal defaults

Many everyday garments use these limits, but colourfastness, trims and finishes still matter. A bar under the tub reduces agitation; it does not alter the numeric maximum.

02 / FIELD NOTE

60°C and hotter need a specific label

Some household items allow higher temperatures, but never infer this from their cotton content. Read the tub and any printed text on the actual item.

03 / FIELD NOTE

Cooler is not always equally effective

A lower setting may clean less effectively for some soils or hygiene needs. Follow detergent and appliance directions and use an allowed temperature rather than exceeding the label.

04 / FIELD NOTE

U.S. dots are a separate reference

The historical U.S. chart includes numbered dot levels in the wash tub. Use the corresponding reference system rather than treating dots as an ISO temperature number.

EXPLORE THE INDEX

Symbols relevant to this guide

FIELD NOTE 30°C · normal cycle symbolMachine wash at no more than 30°C on a normal cycle.FIELD NOTE 40°C · normal cycle symbolMachine wash at no more than 40°C on a normal cycle.FIELD NOTE 60°C · normal cycle symbolMachine wash at no more than 60°C on a normal cycle.
REFERENCE CHECK / 01 NOV 2026

Source notes and publication editions

Care marks describe permitted treatments for the finished article, not a guarantee of results. Some standards require purchase and the illustrations here are independent teaching representations. Read the evidence and licensing limits.