Care labels provide consumers with guidelines to care for the garment, as well as the washing procedures to follow for different fabric combinations. Following the instructions on the care labels is a guarantee that the appearance and size of the garment will be maintained even after repeated washing treatments.

From a manufacturer's perspective, damage to garments that results from incorrect washing methods can lead to complaints, costly customer returns, and a bad reputation. Instead, well written washing instructions can prevent customer dissatisfaction. 

WHY DO WE NEED CARE LABELS?

Because the various textile fibers and dyes used in the manufacturing process of the garment behave differently to the water, dry cleaning treatments and temperatures the temperature at which these treatments are carried out.

WHAT ARE SOME IMPORTANT FACT ABOUT CARE LABELS?

The apparel and textile industries worldwide have set different standards for care labeling a product. It is the manufacturer responsibility to make sure customers understand the right methods of maintaining a product. 

Different countries have set different standards, rules, and laws for the manufacturers or exporters that need to be duly followed. In Italy, for example, care labels are not a must, but they are compulsory in some other European countries, in the USA, Canada and Japan.

Normally the country where the garment is sewn is the country of origin shown on the care label. The care labels must be permanently attached so that they are easily accessible at the time of purchase. They are generally placed on the side or at the bottom of a garment. 

WHAT I MUST INCLUDE IN MY CARE LABEL ?

In the care label there must be: 

1 - washing symbols, based on a symbology unified by ISO; and there may be: 

2 - short phrases that can report additional or supplementary information to the meaning of the symbols themselves. 

There are five mandatory symbols: wet cleaning, bleaching, tumble drying, ironing, dry cleaning. Additional information on natural drying and professional water cleaning can be given by means of specific symbols, placed under the two main drum drying and dry cleaning symbols.