Closet
Cues:
Care Labels & Your Clothes |
July 1997 Your
favorite sweater shrank, your new pants puckered, and the colors in your
designer shirt ran. You’re furious. Don’t toss the clothes
out just yet. If you followed the cleaning instructions on the care labels,
you can return the garments and ask the retailer for an exchange or a refund.
 Under
the Federal Trade Commission’s Care Labeling Rule, manufacturers must tag
their clothing with at least one safe cleaning method. Garments sold without a
care label — or with inaccurate cleaning instructions — may violate
the Rule. Beginning July 1, 1997, manufacturers may use certain care
symbols in place of words on labels. To help consumers understand the new
symbols, the FTC says manufacturers must include written explanations of those
symbols on hang tags or elsewhere on garments for the next 18 months. Select
any of the five care label symbols on this page to view the
chart that decodes the new symbols.
This
brochure explains the Rule, the new care symbols, and what to do if your
clothes end up damaged — even after you’ve followed the care
instructions. When Is a
Label Required?
Care labels
are required on most textile clothing. They are not required on
clothing made primarily of suede or leather, footwear, items for the head and
hands — such as hats and gloves — or on household items like sheets
and towels. However, many manufacturers of these items provide care
information voluntarily.  The
care label must be attached firmly to a garment, be easy to find, and readable
for the useful life of the garment. Some garments have more than one piece. If
the pieces are sold separately — or if they require different care —
each must have its own label. Otherwise, only one label is necessary.
What
Should the Label Say?
In
addition to giving one safe cleaning method, care labels must list any
necessary warnings about that cleaning method. 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 items cleaned
with it. Does "Washable"
Also Mean My Garment Can Be Dry Cleaned?
 Not
necessarily. Only one method of safe care has to be listed — regardless
of how many other safe methods could be used. The label does not have to warn
about unsafe cleaning methods. For example, clothing labeled "washable"
may not dry clean well. What
About Trim?
Care instructions
apply to all permanently attached parts of the garment, such as buttons,
lining, or decorative trim. Labels that say "Dry Clean Only, Exclusive of
Decorative Trim" do not meet legal standards because they don’t
explain that the trim must be removed before the garment is cleaned, or give a
separate care method for the trim. What
If I Have Problems?
If you followed the washing
instructions and your red-and-white shirt is now pink or if your garment was
dry cleaned according to the care instructions and is damaged, return it to
the retailer and ask for an exchange or refund. If the retailer won’t
cooperate, ask for the manufacturer’s name and address, and write to the
company.  In
your letter, describe the garment and list information from the labels and
tags. Estimate how many times you’ve washed the garment or had it dry
cleaned. Include the full name and address of the retailer. Your letter may
look something like the sample shown below.
You
also can contact the FTC by writing to: Consumer Response Center, Federal
Trade Commission, Washington, DC 20580. Although the FTC can’t resolve
individual disputes, the information you provide may indicate a pattern of law
violations requiring action by the Commission. The FTC also would like
to know if you’ve purchased clothing without a care label. Please include
the name and address of the retailer and the manufacturer. Can
I Remove the Label?
Care
labels must be attached when you buy clothing. The recommended care could
influence your purchasing decision. For example, you may want to avoid "dry
clean only" items if you’re concerned about cleaning costs.  Although
you can remove a care label, you risk losing important information about the
proper care of your garment.
For
More Information
For a free
copy of Best Sellers, a complete list of FTC publications, contact:
Consumer Response Center, Federal Trade Commission,
Washington, DC 20580; 202-326-2222, TDD 202-326-2502.
| Sample
Complaint Letter |
(Your address)
(Your city, state, zip code)
(Date)(Name of contact person)
(Title)
(Company name)
(Street address)
(City, state, zip code) Dear
(contact person): On (date), I purchased
(describe the garment) from (retailer's name and address). The care label
indicated that (list information from the labels and tags). Unfortunately, my
garment has been damaged because (explain the problem). Therefore,
to resolve the problem, I would like you to (state the specific action you
want). Enclosed are copies (copies, NOT originals) of my records (receipts,
canceled checks, and any other documents). I
look forward to your reply and a resolution to my problem (set a time limit).
Please contact me at the above address or by phone (home or office numbers
with area codes). Sincerely, (Your
name) |
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