Nan's Column

Confused about clothing care? Check out the new symbols

Nan Napier

Confused about clothing care? Check out the new symbols


I put on a new spring dress this week – the first time I’ve worn it. As I was putting it on, I noticed the fabric care label. It said, I kid you not, “Do not wash” and “Detach belt before washing.” Huh? Then, of course, these contradictory commands were accompanied by lots of symbols and words in languages I have never studied.


Is anyone else as confused as I am by garment care labels?


According to a recent study, four out of five consumers read care labels before they buy clothing and follow label instructions when washing garments. A recent change in the Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) Care Labeling Rule means that consumers may soon find a new "language" on those fabric care tags.


As of July 1, 2007, the FTC allowed apparel manufacturers to use symbols instead of written instructions on garment care labels. For 18 months after that date, garments that have care labels with symbols must be accompanied by additional information that includes the care instructions in writing. We’re in that transition time now.


The language of these symbols is pretty extensive and very specific, right down to the types of dry-cleaning fluid. For instance, a circle with a capital P inside means that the garment will not stand a stronger fluid than Perchloroethane, the industry’s most common dry cleaning fluid. A little iron icon with three dots inside means you can press the garment with heat up to 200 degree Celsius – an appropriate temperature for linen or cotton. A hand in a bucket of water means, you guessed it, you can wash the garment by hand.


The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) developed these symbols, using a system that is fairly easy to learn. Members of the detergent, textile, apparel and appliance industries, as well as retailers and related media and educational organizations, are working with the FTC to help consumers become familiar with the new symbols.


To make the learning process easier, The Soap and Detergent Association has developed two teaching tools: Your Guide to Fabric Care Symbols and, for a short-cut to understanding the symbols, Fabric Care Language Made Easy! For details on the new clothing care glossary, visit the official websites and get on board with these new symbols.


1. www.textileaffairs.com/c-common.htm

2. www.cleaning101.com