Care Labels

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires
manufacturers to attach a permanent label to textile
garments that provides directions for their care.
According to the 1972 Care Label Rule and its
1984 amendment, manufactures and importers
must list at least one method of safe care for a
garment. The Rule covers all textile clothing except
footwear, gloves, hats, suede and leather clothing,
and household items, such as linens.

DOES "WASHABLE" MEAN IT ALSO CAN BE DRYCLEANED?

If a garment's care label says "washable," it may -
or may not - be safely drycleaned; 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.

WHAT IF YOU FOLLOW THE LABEL AND A PROBLEM DEVELOPS?

If you or the cleaner follow the manufacture'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 manufacture's
name and address and write to the company.

WHAT ARE CARE SYMBOLS?

The FTC now allows care symbols to dictate
how a garment should be cared for.

WHAT TEMPERATURE DOES HOT, WARM AND COLD INDICATE?