Care labels tell you how to wash, dry and iron your clothes so they last. Here’s how to decode them.
Style notes
- Under the FTC’s Care Labeling Rule, most clothing sold in the US must have a permanent label with care instructions.
- A label must include a washing or dry-cleaning instruction, and warnings for steps that could damage the garment.
- Manufacturers can use ASTM care symbols instead of words; European symbols don’t meet the US rule on their own.
- Separate labeling rules require fiber content, country of origin and the manufacturer’s identity on most clothing.
That small label inside your clothes holds a lot of useful information. Reading it before you wash can save a favorite sweater from shrinking.
What the Care Labeling Rule requires
According to the Federal Trade Commission, the Care Labeling Rule requires manufacturers and importers to attach care instructions to most clothing. The label must be permanent and stay readable for the life of the garment.
A care label must include:
| Instruction | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Washing or dry cleaning | At least one safe method; “Do not wash, do not dryclean” if neither is safe |
| Water temperature | Included when hot water would harm the item |
| Bleaching | “No bleach” or “Only non-chlorine bleach, when needed” when some bleach is unsafe |
| Drying | Machine drying or another method, with temperature if high heat would harm it |
| Ironing | Included if the item needs regular ironing |
| Warnings | “Do not,” “No” or “Only” for steps that could damage the item |
Symbols vs words
Manufacturers can use care symbols developed by ASTM International instead of words. European symbols don’t satisfy the US rule on their own. Common symbols include a washtub for washing, a triangle for bleaching, a square for drying, an iron for ironing and a circle for dry cleaning. Dots inside a symbol usually indicate temperature, and an X means “do not.”
Styling tip
If a garment has no label you can read, wash it on a cold, gentle cycle and air-dry it. It’s the safest default for most fabrics.
Other label information
Separate FTC labeling rules require most clothing to show the fiber content by percentage, the country of origin and the identity of the manufacturer or seller. Fiber content helps you predict how a garment will behave; our fabric guide explains common fibers.
Fit check
Labels describing fabric as “bamboo” deserve a closer look. The FTC says the word “bamboo” alone should only describe textiles made directly from bamboo fiber; most bamboo-based fabric is rayon and should be labeled as such, for example “rayon made from bamboo.”
Put it into practice
Sort laundry by the label’s temperature and drying instructions, and treat delicate items gently, as our guide to washing delicates explains.
Style Q&A
Does ‘dry clean only’ really mean I can’t wash it?
Under FTC guidance, ‘Dryclean Only’ should be used only when there’s evidence washing would damage the item. Washing it anyway is at your own risk.
Why don’t some items have care labels?
Some items are exempt from the Care Labeling Rule, including footwear, gloves, hats, neckties, belts and handkerchiefs.
What does ‘no bleach’ mean?
No type of bleach is safe for that item. ‘Only non-chlorine bleach, when needed’ means oxygen-type bleach is fine but chlorine bleach is not.