Care Labels - Caring for Your Clothes

Introduction

In July 1972, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) adopted its Care Labeling Rule concerning textile clothing and certain piece goods. The Rule made it easier for the consumer, professional launderer, and drycleaner to determine proper clothing care. In January 1984, the Rule was amended to include specific changes, such as allowing the manufacturer or importer to list only one method of safe care for the garment.

Under the Rule, textile clothing is "any finished garment or article of clothing made from a textile roduct that is customarily used to cover or protect any part of the body, including hosiery." The Rule excludes footwear, gloves, hats, and other articles that are used primarily to cover or protect the head and hands. Clothing made primarily of suede or leather also is exempt. Household items, such as linens, are NOT covered under the Care Labeling Rule.

What is a Care Label?

A care label is a tag giving instructions. The label must be attached to most clothing so that it will not become separated from the product, and it must remain legible during the useful life of the product. You should be able to see the care label or find it easily.

When a garment has two or more parts that are sold as a unit, only one care label is required. However, if each piece is designated to be sold separately or if each piece requires different care procedures, then each part of the article must have its own label.

Symbols may also appear on a care label. However, written instructions must appear on all garments sold in the United States. Symbols are used only to supplement these written instructions. If you are not sure of a symbol meaning, you should ask your local drycleaner to explain it to you.

What is Required of a Care Label?

Under the provisions of the Care Labeling Rule, the Federal Trade Commission has defined specific practices of manufacturers or importers as unfair or deceptive. Not only are manufacturers or importers prohibited from omitting or incorrectly furnishing care instructions, but they must ensure that their care labels:

• give full instructions for at least one satisfactory method of care necessary for the ordinary use and enjoyment of the garment
• have a reasonable basis for the recommended care procedure given on the label
• warn about any part of the recommended method of care that a consumer or professional cleaner could reasonable be expected touse that would harm the garment or harm other garments being laundered or cleaned with it
• warn when there is no method for cleaning a garment without damaging it
• remain legible throughout the useful life of the garment

May I Remove the Care Label?

Garments are required to have a care label attached at the time of purchase so that you can take care instructions into consideration before making a purchase. Occasionally, a consumer may wish to remove the care label, but this may entail some risk as full information or warnings regarding proper care will no longer be available to you or your dry cleaner/launderer.

What About Trim?

The care instruction on the label applies to all permanently attached parts of the garment such as buttons, lining, or other decorative trim.

Some labels state "Dryclean Only, Exclusive of Decorative Trim." These labels are unacceptable because they do not explain that the trim must be removed before the garment is cleaned, nor do they specify a separate care method for the trim.

Definitions

One part of the Care Labeling Rule includes a glossary of terms. The glossary helps explain different cleaning processes in order to avoid misunderstandings. The following are some examples of those definitions

• Drycleaning - Uses normal drycleaning fluid found in any commercial or coin-operated drycleaning establishment. The process may include moisture added to the fluid, hot tumble drying (to 160 degrees F), and pressing by steam press or steam air-form finishing.
• Professionally Dryclean - Restricts the drycleaning process to methods possible only in commercial drycleaning establishments. "Professionally Dryclean" cannot appear on the label by itself, but must be accompanied by further information, such as "use reduced moisture," "low heat," or "no steam finishing."
• Machine Wash - Indicates use of either a commercial or a home washing machine. Other information may be added giving specific washing temperatures, size of the load, or drying procedures. The maximum ranges are:
  • Hot: use up to 150 degrees F, or the hottest water available from your hot water heater.
  • Warm: Use 90 degrees to 110 degrees F, or hand comfortable.
  • Cold: Use 85 degrees F, or initial water from a cold tap.

Does "Washable" Mean it Also Can be Drycleaned?

Not necessarily. A manufcturer or importer is only required to list one method of safe care for the garment, no matter how many other safe methods also could be used. Also, the manufacturer or importer is not required to warn about other care procedures that may not be safe. So, if a garment has a care label with washing instructions, it may-or may not-be drycleanable; there is no way of telling from the label. The International Fabricare Institute (IFI) supports voluntary "alternative labeling," whereby manufacturers tell consumers all satisfactory care methods.

How Should Drycleaners Handle Garments With Washing Instructions?

Use of a care method not specified on a care label may be risky. Clothing labeled "washable" may-or may not-dryclean satisfactorily.

Many local drycleaners have facilities for properly washing and finishing washable garments, but if you request a method of cleaning not listed on the care label, a drycleaner may ask that you sign a consent form. The signed form shows that the drycleaner has discussed with you the potential risks of cleaning the garment. With or without the consent form, whenever drycleaners daccept garments for cleaning, they obligate themselves to clean garments in a professional manner, to the best of their ability, and using their expertise.

What if you Follow the Label and a Problem Develops?

If you or the cleaner follow the manufacturer's instructions and the garment is damaged, you should return the garment to the store and explain what happened. If the store will not resolve the problem, ask for the manufacturer's name and address and write to the company. In your letter, provide a full description of the garment and state all the information that is given on the labels and on the tags. Estimate how many times the garment has been washed or drycleaned and provide the full name and address of the store where it was purchased. Also, send a copy of your complaint letter to the Federal Trade Commission. Although the Federal Trade Commission cannot resolve your individual problem, the information you supply may reveal a pattern or practice requiring action by the Commission. Further, if you have purchased clothing that has no care label attached, contact the FTC, giving the name and address of the store and the manufacturer as noted above. In either case, write:

Correspondence Branch
Federal Trade Commission
Washington, D.C. 20580

Your IFI Clothing Care Professional Can Help You:

A care information tag is required in most clothing sold in the United States. These written instructions will normally give you only one method of care for your garment; using care methods not mentioned may carry some risks.

When an international symbol tag is also present, all care methods will usually be shown and these can be discussed with you.

Whenever you have any questions or problems concerning care labels or other clothing care issues, please ask your IFI clothing care professional and they will be happy to assist you.

SOURCE: International Fabricare Institute, 12251 Tech Road, Silver Spring, Maryland 20904

---

Contact for questions

to Jan Scholl's home page

 

Updated 10/14/05