The wash care label is also referred to as a
care label, washing instruction label, care &
content label, and a few other choice terms.
Essentially, this is the label that you find in
a garment that contains the washing instructions
for the garment. When I say washing, I actually
mean all elements of care for the garment
(washing, drying, ironing, etc.). For an
example, you may find a cotton t-shirt with the
following care instructions.
MACHINE WASH COLD
WITH LIKE COLORS
GENTLE CYCLE
ONLY NON-CHLORINE
BLEACH WHEN
NEEDED
TUMBLE DRY LOW
REMOVE
PROMPTLY
LOW IRON IF
NEEDED
Along with
the written care instructions,
you will also find
care symbols
that will
match to the instruction of the
written text.
Some retailers may require
bi-lingual care labels. This is
a label with more then one
language. Some retails may
require additional languages as
well. The problem is that the
care label is intended to be
small so that it does not cause
the wearer discomfort. If you
add multiple languages to the
care label, the label becomes
larger. Keep in mind that the
text can not be too small or
people will have difficulty
reading the instructions.
The wash care label also
contains fabric content information. The
"content" refers to the fiber content. For
example, a garment can be 100% cotton. Another
example, would be a blended fabric that is 60%
cotton / 40% polyester.
In the United States, it is
required that each item of clothing contains a
care label (wash care label). As a matter of
fact, the Federal Trade Commission has a whole
list of care labeling rules. You can check them
out at
http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/textilejump.shtm.
If you are importing product
into the United States, the care label will also
contain an RN#. RN stands for Registered
Identification Number. It is a number issued by
the FTC to U.S. businesses that manufacture,
import, distribute, or sell products covered by
the Textile, Wool, and Fur Acts. Businesses can
use this number on product labels in lieu of the
company name.
The wash care label will also
contain the country of origin. This means the
name of the country that produced
the clothing. Not the country that will be
selling the product...
