The Importance of Care Labels
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires that manufacturers attach a permanent care label to textile garments to provide directions for their care. Manufacturers must list at least one method of safe care for a garment. The rule covers all textile clothing except footwear, gloves, hats, suede and leather clothing, and household items such as linens. The rule stipulates that the care label is easily found, will not separate from the garment, and will remain legible for the garment's useful life. The label must warn about any part of the recommended care method that would harm the garment of other garments cleaned with it. It must also warn when there is no method for cleaning a garment without damaging it.
· Symbols also may appear on a care label to supplement written instructions.
· If a label indicates dry cleaning, all components of the garment, including the outer shell, lining, buttons, interfacing, fusing material, and trim, should be colorfast and remain unaltered during cleaning. If any such problem occurs, it is the responsibility of the manufacturer. If you or your cleaner follow the manufacturer's instructions and the garment is damaged, you should return the garment to the store and explain what happened. If the store will not resolve the problem, write to the manufacturer and send a copy of your complaint letter to the FTC. The information you provide the FTC may reveal a pattern or practice requiring the Commission's attention. If you purchase a garment with no care label, you should contact the FTC, giving the name and address of the store and manufacturer.
· Occasionally, damage done in dry cleaning is the responsibility of the dry cleaner and not the result of preexisting conditions or defects. In such cases, the cleaner will usually settle the claim promptly and fairly, often using IFI's Fair Claims Guide. If there is some doubt about responsibility, the member cleaner can send the garment to IFI's Garment Analysis Laboratory to determine the cause of the problem.
How Can You Help Your Clothes and Your Cleaner?
· Bring your garments in for professional cleaning as soon as possible after staining occurs. Stains or soils left too long may become permanent.
· Discuss any stains with your cleaner.
· Keep perfumes, lotions, deodorants, antiperspirants, and other toiletries away from your clothes. These products likely contain alcohol which will damage some dyes.
· Protect garment, especially those made of silk, from excessive perspiration, as this can cause dyes to discolor.
· Have matching pieces of an ensemble cleaned together so any color fading will be uniform.
· Protect your garments from prolonged exposure to direct light. Don't press stained or soiled clothing, as the heat may set some stains.