Care-label decoder
Read the label.
A care label is the garment's instruction manual. Pick any symbol below to see what it means, and what we do when we see it.
Washing
Machine wash cold
One dot in the tub: machine wash at 30°C / 85°F or below.
At our counter: Laundered cold and finished by hand where it shows.
The rules
What the FTC requires.
The Federal Trade Commission's Care Labeling Rule says most textile and wool garments sold in the US must carry a care label with clear instructions for regular care.
A care label must
- Be permanently attached
- Stay legible for the useful life of the garment
- Be easy to find at the point of sale
- Give complete instructions for regular care
It should cover
- Washing method and temperature
- Whether bleach is safe
- Drying instructions
- Ironing temperature
- Warnings about any procedure that would harm it
No label?
When the label's gone.
Cut out, faded or never there. It happens, and it's not a reason to guess.
What we do
- We identify the fiber and test color-fastness on a hidden spot
- We consult on unusual textiles before choosing a method
- We explain the risks and ask for your written OK
- We take the most conservative method that will get it clean
For anything we clean outside its label's instructions, we explain the method and its risks first and ask you to sign off on it. Nothing happens to your garment without your say-so.
Ask about a garment