| Garment machine | | | | on a regular basis without harming the |
| | | | Garment, the label does not have to mention |
| To produce the end product, Garments, a lot | | | | bleach. If using chlorine bleach on a regular |
| of processes are carried out. Different | | | | basis would harm the Garment, but using |
| machinery or instruments are set up to | | | | non-chlorine bleach on a regular basis would |
| perform varied activities. Industrial sewing | | | | not, the label must say, "Only non-chlorine |
| machines, cutting machines, finishing and | | | | bleach, when needed." If all commercially |
| steam machines, embroidery machines, quilting | | | | available bleaches would harm the product |
| machines, dry clean machines and many more | | | | when used on a regular basis, the label must |
| are distinct machinery to perform industrial | | | | say "No bleach" or "Do not bleach." |
| activities before producing Garments. | | | | |
| | | | Drying Unless regular use of a high |
| Quantitative fabric-needle-sewing machine | | | | temperature will harm the Garment when |
| interactions at different speeds have been | | | | machine dried, the label doesn't have to |
| used to construct qualitative rules mapping | | | | indicate a temperature setting. The label |
| fabric properties to optimum sewing machine | | | | must always say whether a Garment should be |
| settings for the next generation of | | | | dried by machine or some other method. If |
| "intelligent sewing machines", using model | | | | specific drying instructions are given such |
| free estimation. The inference procedures of | | | | as "Dry flat," the manufacturer isn't |
| fuzzy logic have been implemented in a neural | | | | required to state "Do not tumble dry." |
| network to allow for optimization of output | | | | |
| membership functions and subsequently, | | | | Ironing If regular use of a hot iron will |
| self-learning. The technique is successfully | | | | not harm a product, it is not necessary to |
| applied to industrial lockstitch and overlock | | | | indicate a temperature setting. Ironing |
| sewing machines. Optimum settings were | | | | information must be given on a care label if |
| achieved under static and dynamic machine | | | | ironing will be needed on a regular basis. If |
| conditions from the properties of difficult | | | | a Garment will be harmed by ironing, even if |
| fabrics and compensation for mishandling by | | | | ironing is not regularly needed, the label |
| the operator over the speed range of the | | | | should state "Do not iron" if a consumer |
| sewing machine. | | | | could reasonably be expected to iron the |
| | | | product. |
| Dry Clean vs. Dry Clean Only Did you know | | | | |
| that articles of clothing cannot be marked | | | | Warnings If a consumer could reasonably be |
| "Dry Clean Only" unless there is proof that | | | | expected to use a care procedure that would |
| washing is harmful to the Garment? | | | | harm the product, the FTC requires a warning |
| Furthermore, if a Garment can be washed and | | | | be issued on the label i.e., "Do not," "No," |
| dry cleaned, the manufacturer must only | | | | "Only," to warn against harmful procedure. If |
| include one of these instructions. Dry Clean | | | | a procedure on one Garment could cause harm |
| instruction on the label does not mean that | | | | to another being washed with it, a warning |
| the Garment cannot be cleaned by washing, but | | | | must be indicated. Some examples of these |
| rather that dry cleaning is an appropriate | | | | warnings are "Wash with like colors" or "Wash |
| cleaning method. | | | | separately." |
| | | | |
| If you intend to wash your "Dry Clean" items, | | | | Reading Between the Lines The minimum |
| you should probably consider shrinkage, | | | | washing instructions required on a care label |
| fabric treatments and colorfastness. Often, a | | | | include a method of washing and drying, for |
| manufacturer will label a Garment "Dry Clean" | | | | example "machine wash. Tumble dry." How is |
| because it provides some protection when they | | | | this interpreted according to the FTC? The |
| aren't sure how it will react to traditional | | | | Garment can be machine washed and tumble |
| laundering. | | | | dried at any temperature, ironing isn't |
| | | | necessary, any type of bleach can be used, |
| Washing by Hand vs. machine All labels must | | | | and no warnings are required. |
| say whether a Garment should be washed by | | | | |
| hand or machine, and must also include a | | | | Now that you have the labeling requirements |
| water temperature setting if regular use of | | | | clear in your mind, you should be able to |
| hot water will do harm. If you have a | | | | make your clothing purchases with confidence. |
| delicate item that must be washed by hand, it | | | | You'll not only know how to extend the life |
| is not a good idea to attempt washing it in | | | | of your clothing with the proper care, you'll |
| your machine. | | | | look marvelous! |
| | | | |
| To Bleach or Not to Bleach If all | | | | For more information click |
| commercially available bleaches can be used | | | | here……. |