In plain English: Don't twist or wring this garment to squeeze water out. Press water out gently instead.
What it looks like on the tagA twisted shape (like a wrung cloth) with an X through it. Less common on modern labels — often implied by hand wash + drip dry instructions.
What to do
- After washing, press the garment against the side of the basin to release water.
- Roll it in a clean towel and press — the towel absorbs most of the water.
- Then follow the drying symbol: usually dry flat or drip dry.
What happens if you ignore it
Wringing twists fibers against each other — it permanently stretches knits, breaks delicate yarns, and leaves set-in creases.
Where you'll see it
Wool and cashmere knits, silk, viscose/rayon, and loosely woven pieces.
Common questions
How do I get water out of a sweater without wringing?
The towel roll: lay the sweater flat on a dry towel, roll the two up together, press along the roll, unroll, and lay the sweater flat to dry.
Is a machine spin cycle the same as wringing?
Mechanically it's gentler than hand-wringing, but for hand-wash garments skip the spin too — the towel method is the safe route.
Related symbols
- Hand Wash Only — too delicate for a washing machine
- Drip Dry — hang the garment up dripping wet
- Dry Flat — lay the garment flat on a surface to dry
Or just scan the label
CareLabl reads the entire care label in one photo — every symbol on it, decoded into plain English, plus the fabric composition. Works with international and US labels. Try Pro free for 3 days, no credit card needed.