care labels a need of the day
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Home / Technical Review / Care labels: a need of the day
Care labels: a need of the dayLaga S.K. Vignesh Dhanabalan and Joshi Rashmi M. D.K.T.E.S Textile & Engineering Institute, Ichalkaranji-416115(M.H), India Email: [email protected],[email protected],[email protected]
Issue » March, 2014 Volume 07, Issue 03 Print this News
Abstract
Labeling of textiles is an important aspect to provide required information to thedistributer, buyer and consumer about the product. However, labelingrequirements do not apply until the products are ready for sale to the
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consumers. Labeling of textiles normally include the measurements, fibrecontent, care instructions, country of origin and manufacturer’s identification.Different law labels, flammability tags and safety tags are also attacheddepending upon the product and they gives adequate additional information tothe consumers prior to purchase to take necessary precautions. This type oflabeling will protect consumers against misrepresentation in labeling andadvertising of textile fibre products and enable consumers to choose textile onthe basis of fibre content. In this paper, we have emphasized the care labelinformation with respect to washing, bleaching drying, ironing and dry cleaningof textile goods.
Keywords: Bars,Bleach, Dots, Dry, Dry Clean, Iron, Warning, Wash
1. Introduction
Care label means a permanent label or tag, containing regular care informationand instructions, that is attached in such a manner that it will not becomeseparated from the product and will remain legible during the useful life of theproduct.
(a). Basic care label symbols
As a minimum, laundering instructions include four symbols – washing,bleaching, drying and ironing. Dry cleaning instructions include one symbol. Thebasic five symbols are:
(b) Order of the care label symbols
For apparel that needs to be laundered, at least four symbols must be used and
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they must appear in the following order – washing, bleaching, drying andironing. If there is evidence that dry cleaning will damage the item and onewishes to warm against it, one should add the “do not dry clean” symbol last. Ifdry cleaning is the suggested care, only the dry cleaning symbol with anyappropriate additions needs to be used. Following orders can be used:
2. Representation of symbols
2.1 Dot (s) in symbol
Dot(s) added to the symbol indicates increasing heat or temperature. Dot(s) mustbe used to indicate the temperature. Dot(s) is in addition to the three symbolslike
For example:
2.2 Bar(s) under the basic symbol
Bar(s) under to a basic care symbol means minus or reduced action or treatment.
Mild treatment – A bar [ _ ] under the symbol means that the treatmentshould be more mild than indicated by the same symbol without a bar i.e.reduced agitation. It is also referred as “permanent press cycle/setting”.Very mild treatment – A double bar [ = ] under the symbol describes a verymild process e.g. much reduced agitation. It is also referred as
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mild process e.g. much reduced agitation. It is also referred as“gentle/delicate setting”.
For example:
2.3 Dot(s) and Bars(s) added together
Many times both Dot(s) and Bar(s) are added to the same symbol dependingupon the type of care instruction to be conveyed.For example:
2.4 “X” Over symbol
This is a warning symbol i.e. treatment not permitted.For example, an “X” over the wash symbol means “do not wash”. Other examplesare also given below:
Warning
3. Representation of treatment
3.1 Care symbols for washing
Washing is the process designed to clean textile articles in anaqueous bath.
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machine). It is used to convey information regarding the maximum washingtemperature and the maximum washing process severity.
Table No 1: Washing care symbols
Minimum washing instructions
At a minimum, a washing instruction would include a method of washing and amethod of drying, like “Machine wash. Tumble dry”. This means that the productcan be machine washed and tumble dried at any temperature, that ironing is notnecessary, that any type of bleach can be used, and that no warnings arerequired. Thus, all elements of a proper washing instruction would have to beconsidered washing, drying, ironing, bleaching and warnings.
3.2 Care symbols for bleaching
Bleaching is the process carried out in an aqueous medium, before, during orafter washing, requiring the use of an oxidizing agent including either chlorineor oxygen/non-chlorine products, for the purpose of improving soil and stainremoval and improving whiteness.
The triangle symbol represents the bleaching process.
Table 2: Bleaching care symbols
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3.3 Care symbols for drying
Drying is the process carried out on textile articles after washing to removeexcess water (or moisture).Drying process is of two types
Natural drying
Natural drying is the process carried out on textile articles afterwashing, with the intention of removing residual water by line
drying or drip drying or drying flat in the sun or in the shade. Square symbolrepresents the natural drying process. Additional symbolization within thesquare represents the specific natural drying process.
Tumble drying
Tumble drying after washing is the process carried out ontextile articles after washing, with the intention of removing
residual water by treatment with hot air in a rotating drum. The circle in squaresymbol represents tumble drying after washing process and the maximumtemperature setting is being indicated by dot(s) placed within the symbol.
Table 3: Natural drying symbols
Table 4: Tumble drying symbol
3.4 Care symbols for ironing
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The ironing and pressing is the process carried out on textile article to restore itsshape and appearance by means of an appropriate appliance using heat,pressure and possibly steam.
The iron symbol represents the domestic ironing and pressing process, with orwithout steam.
Table 5: Iron care symbols
3.5 care symbols for dry cleaning
Dry cleaning is the process for cleaning textile articles bymeans of treatment in any solvent (excluding water) normally
used for dry cleaning by professions. The circle symbol represents the drycleaning and wet cleaning process for textile articles (excluding genuine leatherand furs) carried out by “professional textile care” process.
Table 6: Dry cleaning care symbols
Letters A, P and F in the circle refer to the solvents which may be used by drycleaners.
4. Textile and apparel to be labeled
4.1 Information required on the care Label
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Care labels for textile wearing apparel must provide either washing or drycleaning instructions. Only one safe method of care is required to be providedregardless of the number of other safe methods that could also be used.
It is important to note that the manufacturer is not required to includeinformation about other care procedures that may not be safe.
Care label must also warn about any part of a prescribed that is reasonablyexcepted to be used that could harm the garment.
In European Union and Switzerland, following requirements are sought:
Mandatory requirementSizeFibre contentCare labeling/washing instructions
Voluntary requirementsOrigin markingBrand or product nameOther consumer information
In USA, Federal Trade commission requires that imported and domestic textileproducts such as wedding gowns be attached with care labels. For examplefollowing four pieces of information must be there on the wedding gown label.Wedding gown labels must contain four pieces information:
The identify of any one business in the distribution channelThe manufacturerThe manufacturer’s registered identification Number (RN), which is issued tocompanies in the U.S. and registered by the FTC.
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The retail store’s name or RN.The RN or business name of any other company in the U.S. directly involvedin the distribution of the gown.The label showing the name RN may be sewn-in or attached as a hang tag.Either way, it must be conspicuously placed.
100% Silk Dry clean only RN 00001
Garment’s fibre content
65% Polyester 35% Silk
Country of origin
The imported wedding gowns must identify the country where they wereprocessed or manufactured –
Gowns made entirely in the U.S. of materials also made in the U.S. must belabeled “Made in U.S.A. or an equivalent phrase.Gowns made in the U.S. of imported materials must be labeled to show theprocessing or manufacturing that takes place in the U.S., as well as theimported component.Gowns manufactured partly in the U.S. and partly abroad must identify bothaspects.If a gown is imported, the country- of origin label must be sewn in to complywith U.S. Customs Service requirements. If a gown is made in the U.S. – ofeither imported or domestic fabric –the country of origin information can besewn in or placed on a hang-tag. In any case, the country-of-origin disclosuremust be placed as close as possible to centre of the neck.
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Care instructions
The care label must identify –At least one safe cleaning method either washing or dry cleaning and anynecessary warnings about the cleaning method.
Example: If the care instruction is to dry-clean, the label must satisfy one type ofsolvent that may be used, unless all commercially available types of solvents canbe used safely on the gown.
Example: If the gown is labeled for washing, the label must say whether any stepof the normal washing process- washing, bleaching, drying, or ironing couldharm the garment or other items cleaned with it.
4.2 Information not required on care label symbols
Exempted apparel:
Footwear, gloves and hats, or other articles used exclusively to cover orprotect the head.
Excluded items:
Neckties, belts and other apparel items not used to cover or protect parts ofthe body.Non-woven garments specially prepared for one-time use and do not requireordinary care.Leather and suede are exempt, as well as household articles.Garments sold to institutional buyers for commercial use.Disposable garments.
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A few textile articles do not require a permanently affixed care label, but careinstructions must be provided.
Totally reversible apparel without pockets.Textile articles that can be washed and dry-cleaned by the strongestpossible method without harm.Apparel where a label would harm its appearance.International standards on care labels
ISO 3758: 2005
ASTM D5489
Efforts are being made to establish a harmonized care symbols among Europe,Asia and the US. Working teams have come to an agreement on a single symbolset that will accomplish the objectives of ISO 3758 and ASTM D5489 that satisfiesthe needs of European, American and Asian manufacturers and their consumers.The proposed harmonized symbol set is basically the current ASTM symbols withminor changes.
4.4 Size and colour of care label
Care label symbols do not have to be a specific size. But they do have to meet theexisting Care Label Rule requirements of legibility. Of course, it is important tokeep in mind, that failure to print legible care symbols may be considered anunfair or deceptive practice and result in civil penalties.
The care symbols do not have to be a particular color. However, colouredsymbols may also be used for conveying specific instructions like:
In case, care symbol is in RED, it means “DO NOT” (like when symbol is
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marked with “X”)In case, care symbol is in YELLOW, it means “WITH CARE”In case, care symbol is in GREEN, it means “OK”In case care symbol is in BLACK, there is no significance of colour onlysymbol itself convey the meaning of instructions.
4.5 Use of additional words with the symbols
The use of other additional words may be necessary where any part of theprescribed regular care procedure, which the consumer or professional cleanercould reasonably be expected to use, would harm the product or others beingcleaned with it.
The number of additional words in the table should be kept to a minimum.Examples are shown in below
Table 7:Examples of additional wording
remove…before washing Professional leather clean only
Wash separately No optical brighteners
Wash with like colours Use wash net
Wash before use Do not steam
Wash inside out Steam only
Do not wring or twist Do not soak
Damp type only Steam iron recommended
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Do not add fabric conditioner Dry away from direct heat
Remove promptly Reshape whilst damp
Iron reverse side only Line Dry
Do not iron decoration Reshape and dry flat
Dry flat Dry away from the sun
4.6 Examples of care labels
100% COTTON MACHINE WASH INCOLD WATER TUMBLE DRY LOWREMOVE PROMPTLY
100% COTTON MACHINE WASH LUKEWARM WATER DO NOTBLEACHTUMBLE DRY COOL IRON
100% SILK DRY CLEAN ONLY MADEIN USA
HAND WASH COLD LINE DRY, MAY BEDRY CLEANED
5. Conclusions
The care label contains information on how to take care of the apparel. Thebeautiful textile materials can be deteriorated due to exposure to the specificenvironment and conditions such as washing, drying, ironing, bleaching and drycleaning. Thus it has been imperative to have care label on apparels so as toretain their original properties. Care label is vital to consumer to the extent thatit may influence the purchase decision. There are several standards of care labellike Canadian, Australian, European, American and alike. Depending on thecountry we should follow the standard of care label.
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6. Bibliography
Noemia D’souza, Fabric Care, New Age International Publication.Subrata Das, Performance of Home Textiles, Woodhead publishing India inTextiles.http://www.fabriclink.com/Care/Caresymbols.cfm retrieved on 25th Dec 2013.Chris Tebbs, Care Labeling The Future, retrieved on 25th Dec 2013http://www.textileaffairs.com/c-common.htmbrowsed on 26th Dec 2013
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