Interpreting Garment Care Labels
MACHINE WASH – DRY CLEAN ONLY – WET CLEAN ONLY – DO NOT IRON – DO NOT WASH – HAND WASH
To protect consumers, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires clothing manufacturers to provide cleaning instructions for the routine care of garments.1 Today’s garment labels may display any one or more of 43 different garment care symbols and instructions. MORE ARE ON THE WAY! Although FTC requires only a single care instruction, other preferable methods may exist to do a better job. The myriad of fabrics, dyes and garment ornamentation makes cleaning many of your garments a complex and overwhelming task. Ruining a favorite item through improper cleaning at home can be a costly and upsetting mistake.
You need an expert!
With the advent of more environmentally friendly dry cleaning solvents, and new and advanced wet cleaning technology, your professional dry cleaner gets results not possible with traditional home washing.
Expert Garment Care Process
Your professional dry cleaner has specially trained garment care experts to ensure a perfect result for all of your apparel by:
- evaluating your garment care instructions with a detailed and knowledgeable eye,
- selecting gentle biodegradable detergents, spotting and finishing agents,
- custom programming of advanced equipment to use the right agitation, the right amount of water, the right temperature and
- using the appropriate (gentle) drying and restorative finishing procedures.
Tips to help you get the most from your cleaner
- Stains are difficult or impossible to remove so don’t wait for them to set. Bring your garments to your professional cleaner as soon as possible.
- Keep perfume, lotion, deodorants and other toiletries from contacting clothing. Allow them to dry before dressing. These items often contain alcohol, which can affect some dyes.
- Don’t iron stained clothes since heat may make the stains more difficult to remove.
- Protect your garments from excessive perspiration, especially silk fabrics as the perspiration can cause many dyes to discolor over time.
- Clean matching pieces together such as bedspreads, drapes or suits in the event there is a chance of fading due to a defect in the material.
- Shirts and other items that are stated as Washable can be laundered.
- Delicate fabrics, such as silk, rayon, satin, acetate, wool, etc. may shrink when you put them in water. Consult your professional cleaner to determine the best process.
- Identify stains as oily or water-based, and never allow anyone to use water or club soda to attempt removal of a stain. For best results, blot the stain dry and bring the garment to your dry cleaner promptly. Fresh stains are much more likely to be removed without damage to the garment.
Professional Wet Cleaning
Advanced wet cleaning technology is a newer environmentally friendly process that may be the best choice for many garments because of its enhanced dye retention characteristics. Ask your professional cleaner whether this alternate method is appropriate for your garments.
Expert Results with Satisfaction Guaranteed
Your professional cleaner is committed to providing the highest quality cleaning results through their knowledge, advanced methodologies, attention to detail and responsive customer service.
Environmentally preferred chemistry along with state of the art equipment utilized by textile experts guarantees the best care one can achieve to improve the appearance and life of your fine garments.