Should our tee care label say "tumble dry low" or "line dry"? How do we decide?
Choose the drying instruction by testing garments. If tumble drying on low causes damage, such as too much shrinkage or cracked prints, the label should say so; do not choose line dry by default.
Our printed cotton tees shrink a little more in the dryer. The factory suggests labelling them "line dry" to be safe. Our customers mostly use dryers. What should the label say?
Main answer
Decide by testing, not by default. The FTC Care Labeling Rule, 16 CFR Part 423, requires care labels that tell consumers how to clean the garment in regular use, and warnings about any procedure consumers could reasonably be expected to use that would harm it. The FTC's business guidance says manufacturers must have a reasonable basis for the instructions. If tumble drying on low does no harm, you can say so. If it causes damage, such as excessive shrinkage or cracked prints, the label must reflect that.
Why "line dry" by default is not ideal
A cautious label can cost sales and is often ignored. Many customers tumble dry anyway, and then the garment shrinks more than they expect. A label that matches how the tee really behaves under tumble drying is more useful, and it may show you that the fabric or print needs improving.
How to test
Wash and dry tees with a named procedure such as ISO 6330, using its tumble drying option at a low setting and comparing with line or flat drying. Use several cycles. Measure length and width, and check prints, seams and colour. Set your own pass limits, for example a maximum shrinkage in length, and see which drying method meets them.
If the dryer is the problem
If shrinkage after tumble drying is too high, ask the mill about relaxing and compacting the fabric. If prints crack, check the ink and curing with the decorator. Improving the product may let you keep a tumble-dry instruction customers will follow.
Symbols and words
The FTC rule allows care instructions in words or in the symbols of the ASTM standard it recognises. ISO 3758 symbols are used in the EU and many other markets. If you use one label for several markets, check that the symbols and any words work for each. Where the dryer must be avoided or used on low, show it clearly.
Keep records
Keep your test results with the style, since they are the basis for the care label. Retest if the fabric, print or construction changes.
Many brands also add short care tips on the product page, consistent with the label, to set expectations.
Sources and further reading
- eCFR — 16 CFR Part 423, Care Labeling of Textile Wearing Apparel
- FTC — Clothes Captioning: Complying with the Care Labeling Rule
- ISO 3758:2023 — Care labelling code using symbols
- ISO 6330:2021 — Domestic washing and drying procedures for textile testing
Standards and rules are summarised from their published scope or official guidance. Use the current edition and confirm requirements for your market.
Three perspectives on this question
Purchasing perspective
I'd ask the mill for tumble-dry shrinkage results on the fabric before we commit to the label wording.
Merchandising perspective
Our customers use dryers. If we can make tees that survive tumble dry low, that's a selling point.
QC perspective
We'd wash and tumble dry samples over several cycles and keep the results with the style file.
Working on a similar program?Send your tech pack, fabric references and test requirements. We reply with a quote and the questions we need answered.
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