What to do
- Use the medium or permanent-press dryer setting.
- Pair with a prompt unload — medium heat plus sitting in the drum equals wrinkles.
- Mixed loads dry best at medium: hot enough to finish, cool enough for blends.
What happens if you ignore it
Running high instead of medium gradually stiffens fabrics, fades colors, and shortens elastic life — slow damage you notice a season later.
Where you'll see it
Cotton-poly blends, casual button-downs, chinos, and most everyday mixed loads.
Common questions
Is medium the same as “permanent press” on the dryer?
On most dryers, yes — permanent press runs medium heat with a cool-down phase at the end to relax wrinkles.
Two dots on wash vs two dots on dry — same scale?
Same idea, different appliance. Dots always mean heat level; the surrounding shape tells you whether it's wash water or dryer air.
Related symbols
- Tumble Dry Low — the dryer is allowed, but only on the low-heat (delicate) setting
- Tumble Dry Normal — the dryer is safe at a normal heat setting
- Permanent Press / Gentle Cycle — use the permanent press (sometimes “easy care”) cycle: reduced agitation, a cool-down rinse, and a slower spin than normal
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.