Q & A Forum Topics
Care Labels
Back to topic listGovernment Regulations require manufacturers to attach a permanent label to textile garments that provides directions for their care. Manufacturers and importers must list at least one method of safe care for a garment.
The care label must be easily found, not separate from the garment, and remain legible during the garment’s useful life. The label must warn about any part of the recommended care method that would harm the garment or other garments being laundered or dry cleaned with it. It also must warn when there is no method for cleaning a garment without damaging it.
Symbols also may appear on a care label to supplement written instructions. When a garment carries an international symbol tag, all care methods will usually be listed. If you are not sure of a symbol’s meaning, ask us to explain it to you.
The care label must be easily found, not separate from the garment, and remain legible during the garment’s useful life. The label must warn about any part of the recommended care method that would harm the garment or other garments being laundered or dry cleaned with it. It also must warn when there is no method for cleaning a garment without damaging it.
Symbols also may appear on a care label to supplement written instructions. When a garment carries an international symbol tag, all care methods will usually be listed. If you are not sure of a symbol’s meaning, ask us to explain it to you.
Posted At: March 19, 2008 at 11:28 AM
Posted by: Shane Johnston
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 when you buy an item. Removing the care label entails some risk, as full information or warnings regarding proper care will no longer be available to you or your cleaner.
Garments are required to have a care label attached at the time of purchase so that you can take care instructions into consideration when you buy an item. Removing the care label entails some risk, as full information or warnings regarding proper care will no longer be available to you or your cleaner.
Posted At: March 19, 2008 at 11:28 AM
Posted by: Shane Johnston
CLEANING METHODS DEFINITIONS
Dry clean: Uses normal dry cleaning fluid found in any commercial or coin-operated dry cleaning establishment. The process may include moisture added to the fluid, hot tumble drying (160”F), and pressing by steam press or steam air-form finishing.
Machine Wash: Indicates use of either a commercial or home washing machine. Other information may be added giving specific washing temperatures, size of the load, or drying procedures.
Dry clean: Uses normal dry cleaning fluid found in any commercial or coin-operated dry cleaning establishment. The process may include moisture added to the fluid, hot tumble drying (160”F), and pressing by steam press or steam air-form finishing.
Machine Wash: Indicates use of either a commercial or home washing machine. Other information may be added giving specific washing temperatures, size of the load, or drying procedures.
Posted At: March 19, 2008 at 11:28 AM
Posted by: Shane Johnston
DOES “WASHABLE” MEAN IT ALSO CAN BE DRY CLEANED?
If a garment’s care label says “washable,” it may or may not-be safely dry cleaned; there is no way of telling from the label. A manufacturer or importer is only required to list one method of safe care, no matter how many other methods also could be used safely.
The manufacturer or importer is not required to warn about other care procedures that may not be safe. The International Fabricare Institute (IFI) supports voluntary “alternative labeling” by manufacturers to inform consumers of all satisfactory care methods.
If you request a method of cleaning not listed on the care label, we may ask you to sign a consent form. With or without the form, we are obligated to clean items in a professional manner.
If a garment’s care label says “washable,” it may or may not-be safely dry cleaned; there is no way of telling from the label. A manufacturer or importer is only required to list one method of safe care, no matter how many other methods also could be used safely.
The manufacturer or importer is not required to warn about other care procedures that may not be safe. The International Fabricare Institute (IFI) supports voluntary “alternative labeling” by manufacturers to inform consumers of all satisfactory care methods.
If you request a method of cleaning not listed on the care label, we may ask you to sign a consent form. With or without the form, we are obligated to clean items in a professional manner.
Posted At: March 19, 2008 at 11:30 AM
Posted by: Shane Johnston
WHAT IF YOU FOLLOW THE LABEL AND A PROBELEM 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.
Provide a full description of the garment and state all the information that is given on the labels and tags.
Estimate how many times the garment has been washed or dry cleaned, and provide the full name and address of the store where it was purchased.
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.
Provide a full description of the garment and state all the information that is given on the labels and tags.
Estimate how many times the garment has been washed or dry cleaned, and provide the full name and address of the store where it was purchased.
Posted At: March 19, 2008 at 11:31 AM
Posted by: Shane Johnston
