What do the dots on iron symbols mean?

Dots indicate maximum ironing temperature: one dot = low heat up to 110°C (synthetics, nylon, silk); two dots = medium heat up to 150°C (wool, polyester, blends); three dots = high heat up to 200°C (cotton, linen). Never exceed the temperature shown; you may always iron at a lower setting.

Can I iron at a higher temperature than the label says?

No — never exceed the temperature shown on the care label. Higher heat than the symbol permits causes immediate damage: scorching or glazing of synthetics, shrinkage of wool, and in some cases permanent holes in heat-sensitive fabrics.

What if my iron does not have temperature settings?

Most irons use fabric labels rather than temperatures: "Synthetics" or "Nylon" = low (one dot); "Wool" = medium (two dots); "Cotton" or "Linen" = high (three dots). Match the fabric setting to the symbol on the label. When in doubt, start at a lower setting and increase only if needed.

What does "do not steam" mean on an iron symbol?

Do not use the steam function — iron with a completely dry iron. Some fabrics (velvet, certain silks, satin, taffeta) are marked by steam: water droplets that contact the fabric surface dry as permanent ring marks or cause pile collapse in velvet. Empty the water reservoir before ironing these items.

What does Iron with Steam (Japan) mean?

Ironinglow risk

Quick Answer

Iron with steam allowed (Japan JIS standard)

Detailed explanation

The Japanese steam ironing symbol follows the JIS L 0217 standard and indicates that steam ironing is appropriate for this garment — functionally equivalent to the international iron with steam symbol. It confirms that moisture from a steam iron is safe for this fabric and that steam should be used for effective wrinkle removal. This symbol commonly appears on cotton and mixed-fibre garments produced for the Japanese market and may be found alongside international ISO symbols on imported garments.

How to follow the Iron with Steam (Japan) symbol:

1
Iron with steam function enabled
2
Steam helps remove wrinkles effectively
3
Common in Japanese care labels
4
Use appropriate temperature for fabric

When does this symbol appear on care labels?

For garments manufactured or labelled under the Japanese JIS system
When steam ironing is needed and this symbol appears on the label
For cotton, linen, and robust mixed-fibre garments that benefit from steam ironing

Tips and Best Practices

Apply the same steam ironing technique as for any international steam-OK symbol
Use distilled water in the iron reservoir to prevent scale build-up that eventually clogs steam vents and causes the iron to spit discoloured water
Test on the reverse side of the garment first if the fabric type is unfamiliar
For cotton and linen, ironing while slightly damp with steam produces the best results

What happens if this symbol is ignored

Steam ironing a fabric that cannot tolerate steam or moisture causes water spotting, pile damage on velvet, and puckering on certain wovens — but these risks do not apply to garments with this symbol.

Common mistakes to avoid

Not using distilled water — scale build-up causes the iron to spit brown water onto white fabrics
Using maximum steam pressure close to delicate areas or embellishments — use a pressing cloth for protection

Regional Note (US)

Steam ironing allowed

Common Materials

CottonLinenMost fabrics

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Frequently Asked Questions

Related Ironing Symbols

Iron High Heat

Iron at high temperature - up to 200°C (390°F)

Iron Medium Heat

Iron at medium temperature - up to 150°C (300°F)

Iron Low Heat

Iron at low temperature only - up to 110°C (230°F)

Iron Without Steam

Iron without steam - dry iron only

Iron With Steam

Iron with steam allowed - steam is safe to use

Do Not Iron

Do not iron - heat will damage the fabric

Often used together

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