LaundrySymbols
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Do Not Bleach

The crossed triangle forbids all bleaching — the default for wool, silk, spandex, and anything colored that you love.

Symbol
Triangle with X
Forbids
chlorine AND oxygen bleach
Applies to
wool, silk, spandex, dyed colors
Why
bleach degrades protein fibers and dyes
Stain alternative
enzyme stain treatment, oxygen soak short
Spandex note
one chlorine wash ruins stretch permanently

How Do Not Bleach Works

The crossed triangle is the most safety-critical symbol: bleaching wool and silk dissolves protein fibers; bleaching spandex (elastane) destroys stretch in a single wash; bleaching dyed fabrics removes color unevenly. Stain emergencies have gentler answers: enzyme pre-treatment, short oxygen soaks (if the label merely lacks a bleach symbol, rather than crossing it), and professional cleaning for the irreplaceable.

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