WHAT IS THE CARE LABELING RULE?
The Care Labeling Rule was issued by the Federal Trade Commision in 1971 to help consumers with clothing care. The rule states that manufacturers must tag their clothing with at least one safe cleaning method. Beginning July 1, 1997, manufacturers may use certain care symbols in place of words on labels. These symbols and their meanings are explaind on this Guide to Apparel/Textile Care.
WHAT DO THE SYMBOLS ON THE CARE LABEL MEAN AND WHAT INFORMATION IS REQUIRED?
Every care label has to provide you with either dry cleaning or machine washing instructions. Only one safe method of care is required to be provided by the manufacturer. The label must also warn you against any procedure that might harm the item during reasonable care. For example, the label must say whether any step of the care method - washing, bleaching, drying, ironing or dry cleaning - could harm the garment or other garments cleaned with it. Please see this Guide to Apparel/Textile Care Symbols.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER SYMBOLS?
The symbols are approved for use throughout North America. There is not an internationally recognized care label system at the present time. Clothing manufactured in countries outside of North America may use different symbols.
CAN A GARMENT BE MACHINE WASHABLE AND DRY CLEANABLE?
Sometimes yes. But the safest method of care has to be stated on the care label.
WHAT IF THE CARE LABEL INSTRUCTIONS FAIL?
You will need to return the garment to the store.
BUTTONS ON CLOTHING:
Dry Cleaning - The variety in style and button materials are vast. We most often see the following: They can crack or break, they can lose their finish or coating and some buttons dissolve away, as well as other problems.
Laundry - The biggest problem is cracked, broken and missing buttons, we will gladly replace broken buttons on your shirts.
According to the Federal Trade Commision Regulation, all attached trim must be compatible with the care instructions on the label.
HOW OFTEN SHOULD I HAVE MY CLOTHES WASHED OR DRYCLEANED?
Guidlines recommended by the Dry Cleaning and Laundry Institute include:
- Clean dress shirts and polo shirts after every wear
- Clean blouses every other wear
- Clean khakis and casual pants every other wear
- Clean formal wear and business attire after every wear
- Of course if you spill coffee on your blouse, get ink on your dress shirt or wear your golf shirt to the course on a hot day, bring them in asap.
