8/8/2019 ClrAltTestSht-62303

1/2

TEXTILE INDUSTRYAFFAIRS

SOLUTION: Undiluted Liquid Ultra Clorox 2.

PROCEDURE: (1) Place a drop of Clorox 2 on the colors to be tested.

If you are testing a garment, apply solution to a hidden part

(inside seam, hemline or cuff). Be sure to test all colors and any

decorative trim or ribbing.

Blot if necessary to ensure penetration.

(2)Let the sample stand for one minute.

(3) Rinse thoroughly and let the dampened area dry completely.

EVALUATION:Visually evaluate the test area(s). If there is no color change, or ifthe amount of color change is acceptable, the bleach care

instruction should be Non-Chlorine Bleach When Needed, or

words to that effect, i.e. Only Non-Chlorine Bleach.

An instruction Do Not Chlorine Bleach is not acceptable under the Rule because

although it warns against chlorine bleach, it does not inform that non-chlorine

bleach is acceptable.

When performing evaluations the most accurate instruction will result from

comparing the tested sample to one laundered in detergent alone. This will ensure

that the observed color change is attributable only to the bleach. The AATCC

procedure for testing for colorfastness to laundering in detergent is AATCC 61 2A

SOLUTION: Combine one part Clorox Ultra Liquid Bleach with five parts wate

PROCEDURE: (1) Apply one drop of solution and allow it to saturate the fabric.

If you are testing a garment, apply solution to a hidden part

(inside seam, hemline or cuff).

Be sure to test all colors and any decorative trim or ribbing.

Blot if necessary to ensure penetration.

(2) Let the sample stand for one minute, then rinse and blot dry.

(3) Visually evaluate for color change.

EVALUATION: If there is no color change, or if the amount of change is acceptabl

the bleach care instruction should be Bleach When Needed.

Colorfastness is not usually an issue with white fabric, but all white fabric

known to have a chemical finish should be tested for potential yellowing by

interaction with chlorine bleach. This bleach test can also be used as a screenin

for white fabric.

ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURES FOR

TESTING TEXTILE COLORFASTNESS TO CHLORINE

AND NON-CHLORINE (COLOR-SAFE) BLEACHES.

continued on b

The appropriate protocol for testing

colorfastness to chlorine bleach is

AATCC 61-5A and 188. This

procedure approximates

colorfastness results after five

wash/dry cycles in the presence of

detergent and chlorine bleach.

While very reliable, this procedureis time, labor and resource

intensive.

A widely accepted reliable

alternative to 5A is a one-minute

spot test that simulates five home

launderings. This test has been

shown to be 95+% reliable and in no

case gives false negatives.

Fabrics that prove unacceptable for

laundering in chlorine bleach must

be tested for colorfastness to

non-chlorine bleach. The care-

labeling rule is very specific. If a

garment is safe in non-chlorine

(color-safe) bleach, but not in

chlorine bleach the label must say

Non-chlorine Beach When Needed,

or words to that effect. The only

way to determine if non-chlorinebleach is safe is to test for

colorfastness.

The applicable AATCC protocol

is 172-1988, or RA60-172. A reliable

alternative has been developed for

this procedure as well.

ALTERNATIVE TO 5A ONE-MINUTE SPOT TEST

ALTERNATIVE TO AATCC PROTOCOL IS 172-1988, OR RA60-172.

8/8/2019 ClrAltTestSht-62303

2/2

For over 30 years,

Textile Industry Affairs

has provided expertcounsel and support to

the textile and apparel

industries on a full range

of trade and consumer

issues.

One major service

initiative is TIA support

of the FTC rule-making

and regulatory

compliance process.

TIA OFFERS THE TRADE AN

ARRAY OF CAPABILITIES:

resourcefor lectures,seminarsand private consultation onregulatory compliance.

effective communicationswith legal, design, marketingand senior management

consumer and trade researchdevelopment and analysis

technical evaluations toproduce the reliableevidencerequired to document careinstructions

facilitator in communicatingwith appropriate Federalagencies

The trade can now look to

TIA for guidance on all

facets of textile labeling

including care, fiber content,

country of origin and brand

identification.

Call or email any time f

information or assistan

with labeling complian

ABOUT TEXTILE INDUSTRYAFFAIRS

DryingINSTRUCTIONS

Tumble Dry,No Heat

Tumble Dry,Low Heat

Tumble Dry,Medium

Tumble Dry,High

Tumble Dry,Permanent Press,No Heat

Tumble Dry,Permanent Press,Low Heat

Tumble Dry,Permanent Press,Medium

Tumble Dry,Gentle Cycle,No Heat

Line Dry

Do NotTumble Dry

Drip Dry

Dry Flat

Tumble Dry,Gentle Cycle,Low Heat

Tumble Dry,Gentle Cycle,Medium

WashingINSTRUCTIONS

BleachingINSTRUCTIONS

Machine Wash,Cold

Iron, Steam or Dry,with Low Heat Do Not Iron

with Steam

Do Not Iron

Iron, Steam or Dry,with Medium Heat

Iron, Steam or Dry,with High Heat

DrycleanMay appear withadditional lettersand/or linesTake this item to aprofessional drycleaner

Do NotDryclean

Machine Wash,Warm

Machine Wash,HOT

Bleach As NeededAny bleach, like Clorox, may be safely used

Do Not BleachNo bleach product should beused including detergents with

bleachSpecial Warning: This symbolonly applicable for less than

2% of all washables

Non-chlorine Bleach As NeededUse only a color-safe bleach, like Clorox 2

HandWash

Do NotWash

Machine Wash,ColdGentle Cycle

Machine Wash,WarmGentle Cycle

Machine Wash,HotGentle Cycle

Machine Wash,ColdPermanent Press

Machine Wash,WarmPermanent Press

Machine Wash,HOTPermanent Press

IroningINSTRUCTIONS

DrycleaningINSTRUCTIONS

TEXTILE INDUSTRYAFFA25 years of service to Apparel Profes

843-499-9875Fax: 843-449-9845

Email: info@TextileAffairs.comInternet:www.TextileAffairs.com

Machine Wash,Warm

Non-chlorineBleach

Tumble Dry,Low Heat

This chart illustrates care symbolsaccepted by the Federal TradeCommission. This chart is referencedfrom ASTM D5489-96c Commercialand Home Laundering andDrycleaning Symbols, whichillustrates the symbols to use forlaundering and drycleaninginstructions.

As a minimum, launderinginstruction shall include, in order,four symbols: washing, bleaching,drying, and ironing; and drycleaning instructions shallinclude one symbol. Additionalwords may be used to clarify language-dependent instructions.

Complete Apparel /Textile Care Label

and Symbol Information on the Internet!

at www.TextileAffairs.comIron,

Steam or Dry, withMedium Heat

ITS THE LAW:The Federal Trade Commission Trade

Regulation Rule 16 CFR 423, as amended,

provides regulations for the care labelingof textile wearing apparel. The Rule isenforced by the Bureau of ConsumerProtection and is one of the most popularconsumer Rules ever promulgated.

The Rule requires that all manufactur-ers and importers, or any person ororganization that directs the manufactureor import, of textile wearing apparel mustprovide the consumer with accurate careinstructions. Most Bed & Bath and HomeFurnishings manufacturers provide careinstructions even though their productsare not included in the Rule. If theychoose to provide them, the instructionsmust comply with the Rule.

Care instructions must include, at least,instructions for proper washing, bleaching,and drying. Ironing instructions must beincluded if necessary or recommended. Ifan article cannot be laundered, then drycleaning instructions must be provided.

ITS SMART MARKETING:Consumers have developed a reliance oncare label information. They have alsoexpressed preferences for garments withcertain types of information on the carelabel.

83% of consumers read carelabels before making a purchase

decision.

59% of consumers considercare information the mostimportant information on agarment, after size.

73% of consumers say thata garment they can launder

with some type of bleach ishigher quality, a better value,more durable, and easier tocare for than one that prohibitsbleach use.

68% of consumers will evenswitch brands to get a bleachablegarment.

ITS EASY:The Rule prescribes only three allowableach care instructions.

Bleach When Needed is the correinstruction if all commerciallyavailable bleaches, chlorine and

non-chlorine, can be safely used on aregular basis. This is the appropriateinstruction for most whites and pastel

and is appropriate on over 45% of allwashable apparel. The Rule also allowthat if all commercially available bleacan be safely used, the care label doesneed to mention bleach; however, usinthe easy care instruction Bleach WheNeeded has been shown to be aneffective marketing strategy.

Non-chlorine Bleach When Needor Color Safe Bleach Only is the

most common bleach instruction is acceptable on virtually all

machine-washable apparel. The Rulestates that, If the regular use of chlorbleach would harm the product, but th

regular use of non-chlorine bleach wonot, the label must say Only Non-chloBleach When Needed or words to thateffect, such as Color Safe Bleach Only

Do Not Bleachmayonly be useall commercially available bleacchlorineand non-chlorine, wou

harm the product when used on a regubasis. This instruction is rarely applicagiven more than 98% of all washabletextile products are safe in some type bleach. Also, consumers interpret DoNot Bleach products as lower qualityless durable, and not easy-care.

RELIABLE EVIDENCE:

The Rule also requires that you possreliable evidence to document any insttion or warning given on a care label. Kelements of reliable evidence are that acceptable to the industry, is documenin writing, and is in your possession.

IMPROPER OR LOW-LABELINLow-labeling is the use of unjustifi

cautious care instructions and is aviolation of the Federal Care Label RuIf tests indicate a garment is safe andcolorfast in chlorine bleach, it must belabeled Bleach When Needed. If agarment is not safe in chlorine bleach,is safe in color-safe bleach, it must belabeled Non-chlorine Bleach Only orColor-Safe Bleach Only.

I M P O R T A N T C A R E L A B E L I N G C O M P L I A N C E I S S U E S

COMPLYING WITHFEDERAL BLEACHCARE LABELINGREQUIREMENTS