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