Textiles — Care labelling code using symbols

Why Are Care Labels So Important?

Care labels are essential when deciding to purchase items, especially clothing. Without the guidance of an accurate care or content label; it would not be known how to properly care for a particular garment which in the long run could ruin the fabric.

Importance of Care Labels

So, why is it important to read clothing care labels?

If certain materials are not cared for properly, it is possible the fabric could rip, come apart, or even shrink. Often without proper care labels, colours will run onto other clothes while in the washing machine, or some fabrics should not even be put in a traditional washer; instead, they must be dry cleaned by a professional service.

Garment labels, for example, are sewn into the inside of the fabric to let the consumer be aware of any special instructions regarding the care information for the item. Unfortunately, some pieces of clothing, bedding or even drapes are not as easy to clean and take care of as others, and they may have special instructions listed on their particular care labels.

When consumers are searching for particular items to purchase, oftentimes the care labels make a huge impact on whether the person is willing to follow the specific instructions and possibly hand wash the item or even pay the added cost of taking it to a dry cleaning service.

What information should I include in my care labels?

Generally, law labels state if an item needs to be hand washed and let air dry or if it’s safe to wash in a washing machine; if so it may require being washed on a specific cycle such as gentle or delicate. Many times items such as sweaters have to be laid out flat and allowed to air dry, as to prevent the fabric from shrinking.

Items such as winter coats, leisure suits, or even comforters often times need to be cleaned either by a special drying cleaning service or with a fabric steamer. Certain materials simply cannot be submerged for periods of time in hot or even cold water, or for that matter cleaned with traditional detergents.

Care labels also explain to consumers how much heat an item can withstand if it were to be put into a dryer, or ironed to remove any wrinkles and creases. Many times the label will state that an item needs to be dried on a very cool cycle or even tumble-dried; also many types of fabric cannot hold up under a lot of heat, and may begin to melt.