Wash at 70 °C
Machine wash in water up to 70 °C on a normal cycle. GINETEX groups it with the boil wash for white or boil-proof cotton and linen, at a lower temperature than 95 °C.
What to do
Use a cotton programme at 60–70 °C for white cotton and linen; most machines have no 70 °C step, so pick the next setting down (60 °C) rather than up (90 °C).
- Maximum temperature
- 70 °C (158 °F) wash water
- Family
- Washing (tub)
- ISO 3758 name
- Washing, maximum 70 °C, normal process
- Distinguishing mark
- 70
On US and Canadian labels
On a North American label the same limit is five dots in the tub (70 °C, about 160 °F, described as extremely hot).
Often confused with
The item can be machine washed in water up to 95 °C on a normal, full-agitation cycle. It is the hottest wash any care label allows — in practice a boil wash for sturdy whites.
Other washing symbols
Wash at 95 °C95Wash at 60 °C60Wash at 60 °C, gentle cycle60 + 1 barWash at 50 °C50Wash at 50 °C, gentle cycle50 + 1 barWash at 40 °C40Wash at 40 °C, gentle cycle40 + 1 barWash at 40 °C, very gentle cycle40 + 2 barsWash at 30 °C30Wash at 30 °C, gentle cycle30 + 1 barWash at 30 °C, very gentle cycle30 + 2 barsHand washhandHand wash in cool waterhand + 1 barDo not washcrossMachine wash, any temperatureempty tub · USDo not wringcrossed twist · US
Sources
- GINETEX — Care symbols (existing care symbols under ISO 3758:2023) — checked 2026-09-22
- Government of Canada, Office of Consumer Affairs — Guide to Apparel and Textile Care Symbols (North American system) — checked 2026-09-22
Meanings are paraphrased from these sources, not quoted, and checked on the date shown.