What does Tumble Dry Low Heat mean?

Detailed explanation

The tumble dry low heat symbol (a square with a circle and one dot inside) permits machine drying but only at the lowest heat setting — typically labelled "Low", "Delicate", or "Air Dry" on most machines, with drum temperatures around 55°C (130°F). This temperature is below the threshold at which most synthetic fibres begin to distort, elastane loses its stretch permanently, and heat-transfer printed designs crack. This symbol is very common on activewear, stretch fabrics, and garments with printed graphics because these items would be irreversibly damaged by medium or high heat.

How to follow the Tumble Dry Low Heat symbol:

1. 1

   Select the "Low", "Delicate", or "Gentle" heat setting on your dryer

   confirm it is genuinely low heat, as some machines label a medium-heat setting as "low"; check your machine's manual if uncertain

2. 2

   Clean the lint filter before loading

   essential before every cycle regardless of temperature

3. 3

   Fill the drum to no more than two-thirds capacity to allow items to tumble freely

4. 4

   Do not add fabric conditioner sheets to the drum for activewear or moisture-wicking fabrics

   the waxy coating reduces their technical performance properties

5. 5

   Place mesh or knit fabrics in a laundry bag inside the dryer to prevent them from snagging on drum fins

6. 6

   Remove items when dry or just slightly damp

   over-drying at even low temperature degrades elastic fibres and heat-transfer prints over time

7. 7

   Hang activewear and synthetic items immediately after the cycle to allow residual moisture to evaporate and to maintain their shape

When does this symbol appear on care labels?

• For synthetic stretch fabrics — yoga pants, leggings, sports bras, and performance activewear
• For items with heat-transfer or screen-printed designs that would crack at higher temperatures
• For blended fabrics containing elastane or Lycra
• For synthetic fleece and technical outdoor garments rated for machine drying
• For items that have previously shrunk at medium or high heat

Common mistakes to avoid

• Setting the dryer to high heat assuming "a short cycle is fine" — even brief high-heat exposure permanently damages heat-sensitive synthetics
• Using fabric softener sheets with activewear in the dryer — the waxy coating degrades moisture management performance
• Over-drying — extended time at even low temperature degrades elastic fibres and printed graphics
• Not verifying the machine has a genuinely low heat option — some dryers label medium heat as "low"

Common Materials