A care label has to give regular care instructions that the manufacturer or importer can support. Under the FTC Care Labeling Rule, 16 CFR Part 423, labels for textile wearing apparel must in general have either a washing instruction or a drycleaning instruction. If either washing or drycleaning can be used, the label needs only one. If the product cannot be cleaned by any method without harm, the label must say so. “Dry clean only” is therefore allowed, but only if washing would genuinely harm the sweater.

What the rule asks for

The rule says a manufacturer or importer must have a reasonable basis for care information, which can be reliable evidence from testing, technical literature, past experience or industry expertise. A drycleaning instruction must name at least one solvent that may be used, unless all commercially available solvents are safe, and the terms “Drycleanable” or “Commercially Dryclean” may not be used. A washing instruction must say whether to hand or machine wash and give a water temperature unless hot water up to 145°F is safe.

Test the actual sweater

Test finished sweaters, not only the yarn. Wash samples with a named procedure such as ISO 6330, using the gentle programme and hand wash, and compare with dry cleaned samples. Check shrinkage, felting, shape, colour and handle. Merino can be treated to be machine washable, so the yarn treatment and the knit both matter. Keep the results with the style.

Choosing the instruction

If a gentle hand wash or machine wash is safe, a washable label is more useful for the customer and cheaper for them to follow. Do not say “dry clean only” just to avoid complaints, because customers may wash anyway, and the label must be backed by evidence. If washing harms the sweater, dry clean only, with a warning such as “do not wash,” is the right answer.

Symbols

ISO 3758 symbols are used in many markets. In the washtub symbol, bars underneath indicate milder cycles, with the double bar for a very mild process such as woollens, according to GINETEX. Where you use symbols, check that they match your words and your tests.

Add practical advice

Add product-page tips such as drying flat and reshaping, which are consistent with the label.