On this page you'll find articles of interest regarding your clothes and the care labels attached to them.  They advise you what important information is on these labels to help you keep your clothes fresh and looking great!

In case something happens to your clothes during recommended cleaning techniques, the labels are also important in regards to contacting the manufacturer of the clothing to correct the problem.

Your favorite sweater shrank, your new pants puckered, and the colors in your designer shirt ran.  You're furious.

Don't toss those 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 the consumer (you) understand the new symbols, go to the Carelabels web site by clicking here.  This site is very useful in explaining the new care label symbols.  In addition, you will find a printable care label chart by clicking here.

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, and if they require different care, each must have its own label.  Otherwise, only one label is necessary.

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 (including; washing, bleaching, drying, ironing, or dry cleaning) could harm the garment, or other items cleaned with it.

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.

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.

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.

Look for an RN number on your care label and call 1-877-ftc-help or go to the FTC web site by clicking here.

In a 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.

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.

The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them. To file a complaint, or to get free information on any of 150 consumer topics, call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357), or use the online complaint form. The FTC enters Internet, telemarketing, and other fraud-related complaints into Consumer Sentinel, a secure, online database available to hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies worldwide.

FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION FOR THE CONSUMER:
Call 1-877-FTC-HELP or go online at http://www.ftc.gov/