There can be an X over an image that looks like a sweetie, or a tub of water, even a triangle on your piece of laundry – and that's not all.

An X can appear across a square symbol, on top of an iron picture or underneath an iron, and over a circle - so there's a likelihood you have seen an X marked on a few of your garments.

One Reddit contributor asked the online community for advice: "What does the black triangle with the X over it mean?"

In a furore, in another Reddit thread, another commentator pleaded: "We need simpler symbols than this." Another said: "This is confusing."

Somebody else noted: "I think these are not followed by most people because, save a few, most are not very intuitive.

"I mean, the iron, wring, hang dry and hand wash symbols, maybe even wash cold, warm and cold symbols as well, are easy to decipher... but a circle? A triangle? And a Japan flag-like thing?

"If anything, these need to get slightly more detailed as being too abstract (and sometimes absolutely unrelated, like bleach [meaning] triangle) makes them really confusing.

"[Like] if someone doesn't know two bars underneath intend to convey delicate instead of strong."

To the rescue is Ariel, the laundry detergent brand, who has revealed what these symbols with Xs mean.

Take, for example, the bucket filled with water symbol, if there's an X on it, this means you should not put the garment in the washing machine.

If there's an X over the sweetie-looking symbol, then this means "do not wring" the clothes dry.

As for an X over a triangle symbol, this means you should not use bleach on the piece of clothing showcasing this image on the label.

When there's an X over a square image that has a circle inside of it, this means you should not tumble dry the clothing.

In addition, an X over an iron means do not iron while an X underneath the iron means steaming is not allowed.

And an X across a circle symbol means do not dry clean – all of these symbols on the laundry label are there to help protect the garment.

By adhering to the laundry label, you are likely extending the lifespan of your clothes. Of course, however you decide to wash your clothes is entirely up to you.