The triangle and bleaching

Short answer: The triangle on the label is about bleach. An empty triangle means bleaching is allowed, and a cross over it means it must not be used at all. For coloured clothes the triangle is usually crossed, and then the message is simple.

Two kinds of bleach

Chlorine bleach and oxygen-based bleach are not the same, and they act differently on colour. Two lines in the triangle mean only the oxygen-based kind may be used. If the triangle is fully empty, both kinds are allowed, but that is rarely a good idea for delicate fabrics.

A cross is normal on coloured clothes

Coloured clothes rarely tolerate bleaching without losing colour, so the triangle is usually crossed. That holds even when the colour is light. See bamboo night shorts for women and read the label on your item before you choose a detergent.

Detergent can contain bleach

Many white-wash detergents contain oxygen-based bleach without saying so clearly. Read the pack when the triangle on the label is crossed. Choose a detergent for colours instead, which normally contains no bleach. See bamboo pillowcases and bamboo panties and compare the care labels.

White wash and colour wash

Keep whites and colours apart when choosing a detergent. White clothes can take a white-wash detergent, but only if the label allows it. Coloured clothes need a detergent without bleach. If you mix both in one machine, you end up with a compromise that suits neither.

What bleach does to the fabric

Bleach works by breaking down dyes, and that applies to stains and to the colour of the clothes themselves. The breakdown does not stop by itself, so a fibre can be weakened if it is exposed repeatedly. That is why the triangle is so clear on the label.

If you have stains

For a stain on clothes with a crossed triangle, you can use cold water and a mild detergent directly on the spot. Dab gently, do not rub, and rinse well. If that does not work, it is better to live with a faint stain than risk a large discolouration.

Checking your detergent

Look at the back of the pack, where the contents are listed. If it says oxygen-based bleach, it is not suitable for clothes with a crossed triangle. If it says colour or colours, it normally contains no bleach. If in doubt, choose the mildest detergent you can find.

Making it a habit

Read the triangle each time before you choose a detergent, and pair coloured clothes with a colour detergent. If you have whites, still check the label, since not everything white tolerates bleach. After a few times it becomes a routine you rarely think about.

Frequently asked questions

What if I bleach anyway

The colour can become blotchy, and the fibre can be weakened. It cannot be fixed afterwards, and the damage often becomes clearer with every wash that follows.

May white clothes always be bleached

No. Some white fabrics have a finish that does not tolerate bleach. Always read the triangle on the label, even on white clothes, and follow what it says.