care labelling

Textile and Garment

Care Labels

What are Care Labels?

Care labels indicate how to clean textile articles in the best possible way.

Care symbols provide all the necessary information on washing, bleaching, ironing, dry cleaning and tumble drying.

General appearance of care label

Contents of Care Labels

Fiber content

Country of origin

Care instructions

Sometimes other details like

Size, style No. etc

are also mentioned

• Technological advancements in textile and garment industry is at a higher rate

• Number of products are large

• Traditional sources of care information and personal

experience are based on hit and trial method

• Fibers and other components of wearing apparel are

relatively large in number in some products

Why care instructions ?

• Most of the products are new combinations or

complex variety of old products

• The finishes imparted to materials is also

diverse in nature

• Information is so large that one can’t recall all

the information and on right time

Provide complete instructions about regular care for the garment or provide warnings if the garment cannot be cleaned without harm.

Ensure that care labeling instructions, if followed, will cause no substantial harm to the product.

Warn consumers about certain procedures that they may assume to be consistent with the instructions on the label,

but that would harm the product.

For e.g, if a pair of pants is labeled for washing, consumers may assume they can iron them.

About Care Labels

Contd…

If the pants would be harmed by ironing, the label should read, "Do not iron."

Therefore, Ensure that care labels remain attached and legible throughout the useful life of the product.

Guarantee covers all component materials, colour fastness, appearance, dimensional stability and workmanship

Care Labels: A brief history

• 1972 - the Federal Trade Commission introduced the Care

Labeling Rule. For the first time, requested manufacturers to

label their clothing with instructions.

• January 1984 - FTC amended a rule to clarify care labeling

requirements, simplify and unify the care label language and

provide more specific and detailed information for consumers.

• July 1, 1997- FTC introduced a "conditional exemption" to its Care

Labeling Rule and allowed manufacturers to use certain care

symbols in place of written instructions.

• The symbols were developed by ASTM.

Types of Care Labeling

I. Temporary labels II. Permanent Labels

Temporary labels or tags

• Removes in the first wash

• Printed on low price disposable materials such as cardboard, processed

papers and plastic sheets

• Used for garments on shelf

• Content is same as permanent label

• Its basically used to attract more and more customers

Permanent labels

It lasts the complete fabric or garment life

• Printed on the garment or textile piece directly or stitched in the garment

seam after printing on fabrics such as nylon, taffeta, satin etc.

• Is available for customer for regular reference on the garment or textile

• It is an aid for daily care routines

Labeling the Clothing

Labels are attached where they can be seen or easily found by consumers at the point of sale.

If labels can't be seen easily because of packaging, additional care information must appear on the outside of the package or on a hang tag attached to the product.

Labels are attached permanently and securely and be legible during the useful life of the product.

Contd…

When a garment consists of two or more parts only one care label is provided, if the care instructions are the same for all pieces.

The label should be attached to the major piece of suit if it has two parts and but separate care instructions are provided if required

Labeling Piece Goods

Goods manufacturers and importers provide care information clearly and conspicuously on the end of each roll or bolt.

This information give what regular care is needed.

The information is applied to the fabric not to additional elements but not to the fabric, such as trim, lining, or buttons.

Care Labeling Material

• Paper

• Cardboard

• Plastic

• Fabrics -Taffeta, Nylon, Satin, etc.

Components of Care Labeling

The instructions expressed should appear in the order of the processes

WashingBleaching Drying IroningDry cleaning

The instructions represented applies to the whole of the garment, including trimmings, buttons, zippers, linings, and so on

Made by the means of tests

• American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) published

standard guidelines for care instructions and symbols

• It has test methods for all kinds of processes such as

Washing and drying Bleaching Ironing Dry-cleaning

Decision on care instruction for a particular material

Washing and Drying

TEST METHOD

DESCRIPTION

ASTM D2057

Colour fastness of zipper to laundering

ASTM D2051

Durability of finish on zipper to laundering

ASTM D1683

Failure of sewn seams of woven fabric

Bleaching

TEST METHOD

DESCRIPTION

AATCC 3 Colour fastness to bleaching with chlorine

AATCC 101

Colour fastness to bleaching with peroxide

AATCC 172

Colour fastness to non-chlorine bleaches in home laundering

Ironing

TEST METHOD

DESCRIPTION

AATCC 88C

Appearance of creases in durable press items after home laundering

AATCC 88B

Appearance of seams in durable press items after home laundering

AATCC 128

Wrinkle recovery of fabric: appearance method

TEST METHOD

DESCRIPTION

AATCC 132

Colour fastness to dry-cleaning

AATCC 158

Dimensional changes to dry cleaning

ASTM D2052

Colour fastness of zipper to dry-cleaning

Dry-Cleaning

GINETEX - The International Association for Textile

Care Labeling manages the Care Label symbols.

The GINETEX care symbols are registered with WIPO

– World Intellectual Property Organization in Geneva,

Switzerland.

Some of the objectives of GINETEX are the followings:

To inform consumers on the correct care labeling of

textiles through a system of uniform and simple care

labeling symbols, independent of language.

To achieve and promote voluntary care labeling on

an international basis.

Care Label Symbols

　

Hand wash

Washing

The number below the level of water in the washtub indicates the maximum permitted temperature of the water in degrees centigrade.

The washtub and temperature also indicate that machine washing is possible.

A hand in the washtub indicates that the garment can only be washed by hand.

An underline beneath the washtub indicates that a milder treatment is in order.

About Care Symbols

machine washpermanent press

machine washgentle or delicate

Machine wash Cool/Low

temp.

Machine wash Warm/medium

temp.

Machine wash Hot/high

temp.

Bleach When Needed

Any commercially available bleach product may be used in the laundering process.

Non-Chlorine Bleach When Needed

Only a non-chlorine or oxidizing bleaches, color-safe bleach may be used in the laundering process. Chlorine bleach may not be used.

Do Not BleachNo bleach product may be used. The garment is not colorfast or structurally able to withstand any bleach.

Bleaching

Iron, Any Temperature, Steam or Dry

Regular ironing may be needed and may be performed at any available temperature with or without steam is acceptable.

Iron, LowRegular ironing, steam or dry, may be performed at Low setting (110C, 230F) only.

Iron, MediumRegular ironing, steam or dry, may be performed at Medium setting (150C, 300F).

Iron, HighRegular ironing, steam or dry, may be performed at High setting (200C, 290F).

Do Not SteamSteam ironing will harm garment, but regular dry ironing at indicated temperature setting is acceptable.

Do Not IronItem may not be smoothed or finished with an iron.

Ironing

Dry clean Dry Clean, any solvent, any cycle any moisture, any heat.

Dry clean, Any Solvent

Dry Clean, any solvent. Usually used with other restrictions on proper dry cleaning procedure.

Dry clean, Fluorocarbon solvent Only

Dry Clean using fluorocarbon solvent. Usually used with other restrictions.

Dry clean, Any Solvent Except Trichloroethylene

Dry cleaning using petroleum solvent other than trichloroethylene may be safely used.

Dry clean, Short Cycle May be used with A, P, or F solvent restriction.

Dry clean, Reduced Moisture May be used with A, P, or F solvent restriction.

Dry clean, Low Heat May be used with A, P, or F solvent restriction.

Dry clean, No Steam May be used with A, P, or F solvent restriction.

Do Not Dry clean Garment may not be commercially dry-cleaned.

Dry Cleaning

Drying

Tumble Dry, NormalA machine dryer may be regularly used at the hottest available temperature setting.

Tumble Dry, Normal, Low Heat A machine dryer may be regularly used at a maximum of Low Heat setting.

Tumble Dry, Normal, Medium Heat

A machine dryer may be regularly used at a maximum of Medium Heat setting.

Tumble Dry, Normal, High Heat A machine dryer may be regularly used at a High Heat setting.

Tumble Dry, Normal, No Heat A machine dryer may be regularly used only at No Heat or Air Only setting.

Tumble Dry, Permanent Press A machine dryer may be regularly used only at the Permanent Press setting.

Tumble Dry, Gentle A machine dryer may be regularly used only at the Gentle setting.

Do Not Tumble DryA machine dryer may not be used. Usually accompanied by an alternate drying method symbol.

Do Not DryA machine dryer may not be used. Usually accompanied by an alternate drying method symbol.

Line Dry Hang damp garment from line or bar, in or out doors.

Drip DryHang dripping wet garment from line or bar, in or out doors, without hand shaping or smoothing.

Dry Flat Lay out horizontally for drying.

Dry In ShadeUsually added to Line or Drip Dry. Dry away from direct sunlight.

Do Not Wring Do Not Wring.

Drying Contd…

Textile Care Labeling Standards Specifications In

India

British Standards Institute’s (BSI)

• Founded in 1901 to co-ordinate the development of national

standards and incorporated with Royal Charter in 1929

• A non-profit distribution organization remaining

independent of government, industry or trade association

BS 2747 – textile care labeling code BS 1903 – glossary of terms used in clothing industry

World’s Major Care-Labeling Systems

International Care Labeling System

British Care Labeling System

Canadian Care Labeling System

Japanese Care Labeling System

Australian Care Labeling System

American Care Labeling System

Washtub indicates WASHING

Triangle indicates BLEACHING

Iron indicates IRONING

Circle indicates DRYCLEANING

Square indicates DRYING

Cross-Cross superimposed on any of the preceding symbols indicates, such a treatment or process should not be used.

The British care labeling system uses graphic symbols.The 5 basic symbols used are as follows:

British care labeling system

http://www.apparelkey.com/apparelkey/document/cate3/3.7.4/British_Washing.htm

http://www.apparelkey.com/apparelkey/document/cate3/3.7.4/British_Bleaching.htm

http://www.apparelkey.com/apparelkey/document/cate3/3.7.4/British_Ironing.htm

Consists of five basic symbols that are

illustrated in three conventional traffic light

colours.

Words in English and French are used, in

addition to the symbols conveying special

instructions not covered by one of the basic

symbols.

Canadian Care labeling system

The basic symbols of the Japanese care labeling system are categorized as follows:

WASHING BLEACHING IRONING DRYCLEANING WRINGING DRYING

Japanese Care labeling System

Symbol Instructions

Machine wash in water temperature of 95oC or less. No other restrictions.



Machine wash at delicate cycle or hand wash in water temperature of 40oC or less.

Machine wash at delicate cycle or hand wash in water temperature of 30oC or less.

Hand wash in water temperature of 30oC or less.

Do not wash (not washable).

Bleaching Symbols


Bleaching Symbols

Symbol Instructions

　 Use chlorine bleach.

Do not use chlorine bleach.


Ironing Symbols

Symbol Instructions

May be ironed directly at 180-210oC

May be ironed directly at 140-160oC.

May be ironed directly at 80-120oC

Do not iron

May be ironed directly at 180-210oC if a cloth is placed between iron and garment.


Dry Cleaning Symbols

Symbol Instructions

Dry clean. Use any dry cleaning agent.

Dry clean. Use only a petroleum based agent.

Do not dry clean.


Symbol Instructions

　 Wring softly by hand or spin dry by machine quickly.

Do not wring by hand.

Wringing Symbols


Drying Symbols

Symbol Instructions

Hang dry.

Hand dry in shade.

Lay flat to dry.

Lay flat to dry in shade.


The rule became effective in July 1972 and was amended effectively in January 1984.

Written instructions are used on the care labels in the USA rather than symbols.

For washable garments For dry cleanable garments

For washable garments, the label give specific instructions for each of the following procedures

Washing Bleaching Drying Ironing



For dry cleanable garments, the label state dry clean with the following exceptions:

The label state which solvent (s) are safe to use.

For e. g, professional dry clean: petroleum.

If some process normally used would damage the

garment, the label state it.

For e.g., professional dry clean: no steam.

If the label states dry clean only, proof shows that

washing harms the garment.

Similar to the US care labeling system, the Australian system uses words with a few symbols to describe the care instructions.

Based on Australian Standard 1957-1987, phrases and symbols used in laundering and dry-cleaning instructions fall into five categories:　

General and warnings Washing Drying Ironing Dry cleaning

Australian Care Labeling System

Washing Bleaching Drying Ironing Dry cleaning

Dark color

White cotton -Bleach with chlorine.

Dried in a tumble drier.

200oC; the goods should be damp.

All normal solvents can be used.

White

Color

Cotton fabrics:

A few examples of wash care symbols for different fabrics according to ASTM D5489-96c


Should not be bleached.

Do not dry in direct sun light or direct heat.

150oC; With steam or a damp cloth.

Per chloro ethylene can be used.

Wool fabrics:



Should not be bleached.

Do not dry in direct sun light

120o-150oC; Do not press seams.

Per chloro ethylene can be used.

Silk fabrics:


Light colour 100% Nylon Negligee

Water temperature 30oC.Machine wash or lightly by hand.

Use a neutral detergent.Not chlorine bleach.

Use a cool iron. Hang in a shady place. 　

A few examples of wash care symbols for different fabrics according to Japanese care labeling system

Single colour 70% Acrylic 30% Polyester Sweater

Water temperature 30oC.Hand wash.Use a neutral detergent.　

Use a medium-hot iron with a cloth.

Use any dry cleaning agent

Do not wring. Lay out in a shady place. 　

A few examples of wash care symbols for different fabrics according to Japanese care labeling system

http://www.carelabel.com/about.html

http://www.paxar.com

http://www.apparelkey.com/apparelkey/document/Japanese_CL_01.htm

Managing Quality in Apparel Industry by P.V.Mehta

Fiber To Fabric by Corbman

Bibliography