Washing machine symbols: what the icons, buttons and drawer compartments mean
A washing machine control panel often has not only programme names in English but also small icons: a spiral, a clock, a padlock, a shower or a star. In this guide we explain what the most common washing machine symbols, buttons and detergent drawer markings mean, so you do not have to hunt for the manual. We have covered the symbols on clothing care labels separately: laundry symbols on labels.
The detergent drawer: what goes where
| Marking | Meaning | What to put in |
|---|---|---|
| I or A | Prewash | Laundry detergent only when you switch on the prewash option |
| II or B | Main wash | Laundry detergent for every wash |
| Flower, star or ✱ | Rinse, fabric softener | Fabric softener or vinegar. Do not fill above the MAX line |
| MAX | Maximum fill level | If you go over it, the softener will drain away too early |
| Removable divider or flap in compartment II | Liquid detergent mode | Lower it when you use liquid detergent, raise it when you use powder |
You can also pour liquid laundry detergent straight into the drum using a dosing ball or the cap: that way it does not mix with residue in the drawer. How much to use: dosing laundry detergent.
Main buttons and icons
| Symbol or label | In plain words | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Start/Pause, ▶‖ | Start or pause | Starts or pauses the programme |
| Thermometer, Temp. | Water temperature | Sets the water temperature, e.g. 20, 30, 40, 60, 90 °C. "Cold" or a snowflake means cold water |
| Spiral, Spin, rpm | Spin speed | Sets the spin speed, e.g. 400, 800, 1200, 1400 rpm |
| Crossed-out spiral, No spin | No spinning | The water is drained but the laundry is not spun |
| Clock, Delay, Delay end | Delayed start or finish | The programme starts or ends after the time you set |
| Padlock, Child lock | Buttons locked | Locks the buttons. Usually switched on and off by holding two buttons for a few seconds |
| Padlock by the door, Door lock | Door locked | The door cannot be opened while a programme is running or there is water in the drum |
| Tap with a line, No water | No water supply | Check that the tap is turned on and the hose is not kinked |
Extra options
| Label | In plain words | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Prewash | A short wash before the main wash | For very dirty clothes: workwear, sportswear, gardening clothes. You also need detergent in compartment I |
| Soak | Soaking | For set-in stains. The enzymes get more time to break down the dirt |
| Extra rinse, Rinse+ | An additional rinse | For hard water, when detergent residue is left behind, and for fabrics you want rinsed more thoroughly |
| Intensive | A heavy-duty wash | A longer wash for heavily soiled laundry |
| Quick, Speed, Express | A short wash | For a small load of lightly soiled clothes |
| Easy iron, Anti-crease | Fewer creases | A gentler spin and the drum moving at the end, so the laundry creases less |
| Steam | Steam treatment | For refreshing clothes and reducing creases |
| Eco, Energy save | Energy-saving mode | A longer programme at a lower temperature, using less electricity |
| Auto dose, i-Dos | Automatic dosing | The machine adds laundry detergent from a tank by itself. Set the dose according to the detergent label |
Rinse, Spin, Drain: what they mean
- Rinse – rinsing in clean water, with no wash.
- Spin – spinning only.
- Rinse + Spin – a rinse and a spin. Useful if you want to rinse laundry again because detergent was left in it, or to add fabric softener you forgot.
- Drain or Pump out – draining the water only, with no spin.
- Rinse hold – the programme stops with water in the drum before the spin. It is meant for delicate fabrics, so they do not crease while you are not around.
Programme names
The most common programmes are Cotton, Eco 40-60, Synthetics, Mix, Delicates, Wool, Hand wash, Sport, Duvet and Quick. We explained what each of them does and which to choose for which laundry in the article washing machine programmes: Delicates, Eco 40-60 and others.
Indicator lights and display messages
- Numbers with "h", e.g. 3h – the time left on the programme or the delayed start time.
- Start flashing – the programme is paused or waiting for confirmation, for example because the door is not closed.
- "End" or "0:00" – the programme has finished. Take the laundry out straight away so it does not pick up a damp smell.
- A letter and a number, e.g. E20, F05 – an error code. The meaning depends on the manufacturer, so look it up in the manual. The most common causes: a clogged filter, a kinked hose, a door that is not closed.
- A drum or cleaning symbol – the machine is reminding you to run the drum cleaning programme. How to do it: cleaning your washing machine.
How to choose settings for everyday washing
- Choose the programme by fabric: Cotton or Eco 40-60 for cotton, Synthetics for synthetics, Delicates for thin clothes.
- Choose the temperature according to the care label and how dirty the laundry is. For everyday clothes 30–40 °C is usually enough; for towels and bedding 60 °C is sometimes worth it.
- Lower the spin speed for delicate fabrics and synthetics, so they crease less.
- Switch on Prewash and Soak only when the laundry is very dirty or stained.
Ecozyme enzyme laundry detergent is effective at 30–60 °C, so it suits the Cotton, Eco, Synthetics and Delicates programmes. It is not suitable for wool and silk, so for the Wool programme choose a detergent made for wool.
Frequently asked questions
What does the spiral symbol on a washing machine mean?
The spiral means spin. The speed in rpm is often shown next to it. A crossed-out spiral means a programme with no spin.
What does Rinse Spin mean?
Rinse and spin. This programme does not wash the laundry; it just rinses it in clean water and spins it.
Which compartment does liquid detergent go in?
In compartment II or B, the same one you use for powder. If the compartment has a divider for liquid detergent, lower it. You can also pour liquid detergent straight into the drum.
What does the flower on the washing machine drawer mean?
It is the fabric softener compartment. Its contents go into the drum during the final rinse. You can also put vinegar in it.
What does the padlock symbol mean?
A padlock by the door means the door is locked. A padlock by the buttons means the child lock is on: the buttons will not respond until you switch it off.
What does the clock symbol mean?
Delayed start. You set how many hours from now the programme should start or finish. Handy when you want the laundry to be done by the time you get home.
Summary
Washing machine symbols vary slightly between manufacturers, but the logic is the same: compartment I for the prewash, II for the main wash, the flower for fabric softener, the spiral for spin, the clock for delayed start, the padlock for the lock. Once you know these symbols and the ones on clothing care labels, you will pick the right programme for every wash.
