Statewide Appliance Spares Blog

Dryer Symbols Explained: Settings, Programmes & What They Mean

Today's dryers offer a wide range of symbols, settings and programmes designed to suit different fabrics and drying needs. Choosing the right setting not only improves drying performance but also helps protect your clothes from unnecessary wear. However, if you're not sure what those symbols or programmes mean, selecting the right option can quickly become confusing.

While symbols and programme names can vary slightly between manufacturers, many dryers from brands including Bosch, Electrolux, Fisher & Paykel, LG, Miele and Samsung use similar symbols and functions. If you're unsure, it's always worth referring to your dryer's user manual.

This guide explains the most common dryer symbols, settings and programmes, what they mean, and when to use them, so you can get the best drying results every time.

Common Dryer Symbols at a Glance | Quick Reference Guide

Use this guide to choose the best dryer setting for your load. Exact symbols and programme names may vary slightly between manufacturers.

Setting Best For Heat Level
Auto Dry Everyday mixed loads Sensor controlled
Bedding Quilts, doonas, blankets and bulky bedding Medium–High
Cotton Cotton clothing, towels, sheets and bedding High
Delicates Silk, lace, lingerie and delicate fabrics Low
Eco Dry Energy-efficient drying for everyday loads Low
Easy Care Shirts, blended fabrics and reducing wrinkles Medium
Iron Dry Clothes to be ironed (stops slightly damp) Medium
Night Dry Quiet overnight drying Low
Quick Dry Small loads or lightly damp clothing Medium–High
Rack Dry Shoes, soft toys and delicate items (with drying rack) Heat varies by model
Shirts Shirts and business wear Medium
Sport Activewear and technical fabrics Low
Synthetics Polyester, nylon and blended fabrics Low
Timed Dry Manual drying for a selected time User selected
Towels Thick towels and heavy fabrics High
Wool Tumble dryer-safe wool garments Very Low

Auto Dry

Auto Dry dryer symbol

Auto Dry uses sensors to detect when your clothes have reached the selected dryness level and automatically stops the cycle.

Best for: Everyday mixed loads, saving energy and preventing overdrying.

Bedding

Bedding dryer symbol

Designed for bulky items such as quilts, blankets and doonas. This programme uses longer drying times and adjusted drum movements to dry thick fabrics more evenly.

Buzzer

Buzzer dryer symbol

Turns the end-of-cycle notification sound on or off. Useful if you want to know when the drying cycle has finished or prefer quieter operation.

Child Lock

Child Lock dryer symbol

Prevents buttons or settings from being changed while the dryer is operating. A useful safety feature for households with young children.

Cotton

Cotton dryer symbol

The Cotton programme is designed for everyday cotton garments including towels, T-shirts, sheets and underwear.

Best for: Cotton clothing, towels and bedding.

Delay Start

Delay Start dryer symbol

Allows you to schedule the dryer to start later.

Ideal for running the dryer during off-peak electricity periods or finishing a cycle when it's most convenient.

Delicates

Delicates dryer symbol

Uses lower temperatures and gentler drum movements to help protect delicate fabrics from heat damage.

Perfect for: Lingerie, lace, delicate tops and lightweight fabrics.

Eco Dry

Eco Dry dryer symbol

Eco Dry reduces energy consumption by drying at lower temperatures over a longer period.

Ideal for everyday loads when energy efficiency is a priority.

Easy Care

Easy Care dryer symbol

Also called Permanent Press or Anti-Crease on some dryers.

Designed to reduce wrinkles by using moderate heat and gentle drum movements, helping minimise ironing.

Filter Clean

Filter Clean dryer symbol

Indicates it's time to clean the lint filter.

Regularly cleaning the lint filter improves airflow, reduces drying times and helps your dryer operate more efficiently.

Iron Dry

Iron Dry dryer symbol

Stops the drying cycle while clothes remain slightly damp, making garments easier to iron.

Best for: Shirts, business wear and school uniforms.

Night Dry

Night Dry dryer symbol

A quieter drying programme that reduces operating noise, making it suitable for overnight use where available.

Quick Dry

Quick Dry dryer symbol

Designed for drying small loads or lightly damp clothing in less time. Ideal when you need clothes dry quickly.

Rack Dry

Rack Dry dryer symbol

Used with a drying rack (if supplied with your dryer) to dry shoes, delicate items and garments that shouldn't tumble.

Shirts

Shirts dryer symbol

Designed specifically for shirts and business wear. Uses moderate heat and drum movements to help reduce creasing.

Sport

Sport dryer symbol

Designed for sportswear and technical fabrics. Uses controlled heat to help protect moisture-wicking materials and performance fabrics.

Synthetics

Synthetics dryer symbol

Designed for polyester, nylon and blended fabrics.

Uses lower temperatures than the Cotton programme to help prevent shrinkage and fabric damage.

Timed Dry

Timed Dry dryer symbol

Allows you to manually select how long the dryer runs, regardless of moisture levels.

Ideal for small loads or finishing off slightly damp clothes.

Towels

Towels dryer symbol

Uses higher heat and longer drying times to thoroughly dry thick towels and similar heavy fabrics.

Wool

Wool dryer symbol

A gentle programme designed for woollen garments that are suitable for tumble drying.

Always check the garment care label before drying wool.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all dryers use the same symbols?

Most manufacturers use similar symbols and programme names, although the exact icon and wording may vary between brands. If you're unsure, refer to your dryer's user manual.

What is the difference between Auto Dry and Timed Dry?

Auto Dry uses moisture sensors to stop the cycle automatically, while Timed Dry runs for the length of time you select.

Is Eco Dry worth using?

Yes. Eco Dry uses less energy than standard drying programmes, although the cycle usually takes longer.

What does the lint filter symbol mean?

The Filter Clean symbol reminds you to clean the lint filter. Keeping the filter clean improves drying performance, reduces energy use and helps maintain your dryer.

How often should I clean the lint filter and vent?

Clean the lint filter after every load. The vent itself should be cleaned at least once a year, or more often if you dry large loads frequently or notice drying times creeping up.

Learn more about how often you should clean your dryer lint filter in our blog guide.

Why is my dryer taking longer than usual to dry clothes?

A longer drying time is usually the first sign of restricted airflow. The most common causes are a clogged lint filter, a blocked vent, overloading the drum, or a worn heating element that's no longer reaching full temperature.

Why are my clothes still damp at the end of the cycle?

This usually points to poor airflow (blocked vent or lint filter), a faulty moisture sensor, or a heating element that's starting to fail. If it happens suddenly rather than gradually, it's worth checking the heating element or thermostat first.

Why do my clothes shrink?

Clothes usually shrink when they're dried on a setting that's too hot for the fabric. Always check the care label and choose the appropriate drying programme.

How can I make my dryer more energy efficient?

Clean the lint filter every load, don't overload the drum, dry similar fabric types together, use a moisture sensor cycle instead of timed drying where possible, and keep the vent clear so the dryer isn't working harder than it needs to.

Discover how to dry clothes faster (without overloading your dryer).

What dryer parts wear out most often (belts, thermal fuses, heating elements)?

  • Drive belts – wear out or snap with age and heavy use, often causing the drum to stop turning.
  • Thermal fuses – blow as a safety response to overheating, usually caused by a blocked vent.
  • Heating elements – gradually weaken over time, leading to longer dry times or no heat at all.

Learn the warning signs your dryer is failing — identifying the problem early can help avoid costly repairs, reduce energy bills and extend the life of your appliance.

Top Dryer Tips

  • Clean the lint filter after every load
  • Don't overload the drum
  • Dry similar fabrics together
  • Use Auto Dry where possible
  • Empty the condenser tank (if applicable)
  • Check vents regularly

Keep your dryer performing at its best

Choosing the right drying programme is only one part of keeping your clothes looking their best.

Regularly cleaning the lint filter, avoiding overloading and selecting the appropriate programme for each fabric type will improve drying performance and help extend the life of your dryer.

If your dryer isn't heating, tumbling or drying clothes properly, Statewide Appliance Spares has Australia's biggest range of genuine dryer spare parts from leading brands including Bosch, Electrolux, Fisher & Paykel, LG, Miele and Samsung. You can find drum belts, brackets, door latches, hinges, pumps, thermostats and more. Need some help finding your dryer spare part? Our team of local experts are here to help!