Care Labels, FTC Labeling Rules, and ISO Symbols

Why Care Labels Matter

Every garment or household textile that enters your shop carries a small rectangle of fabric or printed tape that tells you exactly how to clean it safely. Reading that label correctly is not optional — it is the first line of defense against shrinkage, color loss, fiber damage, and liability. In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Care Labeling Rule requires most clothing and household fabrics sold at retail to carry a permanent care label that states fiber content and at least one safe cleaning method. The label must remain legible for the useful life of the garment.

The FTC Care Labeling Rule

The FTC Care Labeling Rule (found in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 16, Part 423) places the responsibility for accurate care instructions on the manufacturer or importer, not on you as the cleaner. What the rule means for your daily work is straightforward:

• At least one safe method must be listed. If a garment can be laundered, the manufacturer may list only laundering — even if drycleaning would also work. Conversely, if the label says "Dryclean Only," that is the manufacturer's stated safe method, and following it protects both the garment and your business.
• Fiber content must appear on a separate label or the same label. You will see designations such as "100% Polyester," "65% Cotton / 35% Polyester," or "Shell: 55% Wool / 45% Nylon — Lining: 100% Acetate." Multi-fiber garments list each component.
• "Professionally Dry Clean" and specific solvent restrictions may appear. When you see a restriction such as "Petroleum Solvent Only" or "No Trichloroethylene," that instruction is legally significant and must be followed to prevent damage.

The FTC rule also allows care instructions to be expressed as ISO symbols in place of, or alongside, written words.

The ISO Care Symbol System

The United States uses a set of symbols based on the international ISO 3758 standard. Five base symbols represent five cleaning processes:

| Symbol Shape | Process |

|---|---|

| Washtub / basin | Laundering (machine or hand wash) |

| Circle | Drycleaning |

| Square with circle inside | Tumble drying |

| Iron outline | Ironing / pressing |

| Triangle | Bleaching |

Lines under the symbol indicate reduced agitation (one line = permanent press cycle; two lines = gentle or delicate cycle). Dots inside the washtub or iron indicate temperature — more dots mean higher heat. An X through any symbol means do not perform that process.

For the dryclean circle, letters inside indicate the solvent class approved by the manufacturer:

• P — tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene, or "perc") and all solvents listed under normal drycleaning conditions
• F — petroleum solvent (hydrocarbon) only
• W — wetcleaning (professional wet process)
• A — any solvent

A bar under the dryclean circle modifies agitation and moisture, just as bars modify the wash symbol.

Wetcleaning Symbols and Professional Processes

Professional wetcleaning is a computer-controlled, water-based process distinct from home laundering. A garment labeled with the wetclean symbol (a circle containing a W) or labeled "Professionally Wetclean" must go to a wetcleaning machine programmed for that fabric — not a standard commercial washer. Some garments marked "Dryclean Only" in written words may also carry the wetclean symbol, giving the cleaner a water-based option if they have the correct equipment and expertise.

Reading a Label Step by Step

1. Identify fiber content first. Fiber type predicts how the textile responds to heat, water, and solvents. Acetate and triacetate, for example, can be damaged by certain solvents and high heat. Wool felts in hot water with agitation.

2. Read all symbols in order: wash → bleach → dry → iron → dryclean. Do not skip the bleach or iron symbols — they affect finishing decisions.

3. Note any solvent restriction or special instruction text. Written warnings printed alongside symbols always take precedence when there is ambiguity.

4. Translate the combination into a process recommendation. A circle with P and no bar means standard perc drycleaning at normal conditions. A circle with F means use petroleum (hydrocarbon) solvent — never perc on this item.

Safety-Critical Label Errors

Mistaking a solvent restriction is one of the most serious errors in this trade. Applying perchloroethylene to a garment labeled "Petroleum Solvent Only" can dissolve coatings, melt adhesives, or cause irreversible color damage. Always double-check the letter inside the dryclean circle before loading the machine. Similarly, applying chlorine bleach to a protein fiber (wool, silk) or a garment labeled "No Bleach" will cause irreversible fiber degradation. When in doubt, choose the gentler method and consult your DLI Drycleaning Technology reference before proceeding.

Communicating with Customers at the Counter

Customers rely on your expertise. When you receive a garment, read the care label aloud if the customer is present, identify the fiber content in plain language, and explain what process you will use and why. Saying "Your jacket is 100% wool with a 'dryclean, petroleum solvent only' label, so we'll run it in our hydrocarbon machine" builds trust and protects your shop from disputes. Document the label findings on the work order before the customer leaves.