Care Labels

What the Care Symbols on Your Clothes Really Mean

Every garment sold in the United States must have a care label that explains how it should be cleaned. These labels often include small symbols that can be confusing if you don’t know what they mean.

Understanding care labels helps you protect your clothing and know when to trust a professional cleaner.

United States law requires all garments sold in the country to include care label instructions for at least one way the garment can be cleaned without damage.

Why Care Labels Matter

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires manufacturers to attach a care label that lists at least one safe method of cleaning the garment.

This label must:

  • Be easy to find
  • Be permanently attached
  • Remain readable for the life of the garment
  • Warn if a method of care would damage the garment

However, the label may list only one safe method — even if other methods could also work.

Does “Washable” Mean It Can’t Be Drycleaned?

Not necessarily.

Manufacturers are only required to list one safe method. A garment labeled “Machine Wash” may also be safely drycleaned, and vice versa.

If you’re unsure, ask your cleaner before trying a different method.

Care labels are not required to show every way the item can be cleaned. In some cases, other cleaning options may be available. This is particularly important when a care label is missing or illegible. Garment care professionals know how to test a garment to determine how to best care for it.

What If the Care Label Is Missing?

All garments are required to have a care label when sold. Removing the label means important care information is lost.

Without a label, there is more risk involved in cleaning the garment.

What If Following the Label Still Causes a Problem?

If you follow the care instructions at home and the garment is damaged, the issue may be with how the garment was made.

You may wish to contact the retailer or manufacturer.

If a professional cleaner follows the label and a problem occurs, they may be able to help you seek resolution with the retailer.

Care symbols can be a bit confusing at first but our guide is here to help.

Common Care Label Terms (and What They Mean)

Dryclean

The garment can be safely cleaned using a standard drycleaning process.

Professionally Dryclean

The garment requires special handling outside the normal process.

Spot Clean Only

Only stain removal is safe. The entire garment should not be immersed or fully cleaned.

Hand Wash

A very gentle washing process by hand with limited agitation.

Machine Wash

The garment can be washed in a home or commercial washing machine. The cycle and water temperature may be specified.

Bleach

The label will indicate if bleach is safe and which type (chlorine or non-chlorine) can be used.

Tumble Dry

The garment can be dried in a dryer. The label may specify heat level.

Line or Drip Dry

Hang the garment to dry instead of using heat.

Dry Flat

Lay the garment flat to dry to prevent stretching.

Iron

The label will indicate the safe temperature and whether steam can be used.

Symbols such as these relay care instructions as required under the U.S. Federal Trade Commission's Care Label Rule.

Using a Different Method Than the Label Suggests

Sometimes a cleaner may recommend a different method based on experience, stains, or fabric type. This carries some risk, and you may be asked to approve the alternative process.

Questions? Talk With Your Cleaner

Professional cleaners are trained to interpret care labels and symbols and can help you choose the safest method for your garments.

Care labels help professionals and consumers care for garments properly.

About This Information

This information is provided by the Drycleaning & Laundry Institute (DLI) to help consumers understand clothing care labels.

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