TEXTILE INDUSTRY AFFAIRS

SOLUTION: Undiluted Liquid 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”, orwords to that effect, i.e. “Only Non-Chlorine Bleach”.

An instruction “Do Not Chlorine Bleach” is not acceptable under the Rule becausealthough it warns against chlorine bleach, it does not inform that non-chlorinebleach is acceptable.

When performing evaluations the most accurate instruction will result fromcomparing the tested sample to one laundered in detergent alone. This will ensurethat the observed color change is attributable only to the bleach. The AATCCprocedure for testing for colorfastness to laundering in detergent is AATCC 61 2A.

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

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 acceptable,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 byinteraction with chlorine bleach. This bleach test can also be used as a screeningfor white fabric.

ALTERNATIVE PROCEDURES FORTESTING TEXTILE COLORFASTNESS TO CHLORINEAND NON-CHLORINE (COLOR-SAFE) BLEACHES.

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The appropriate protocol for testingcolorfastness to chlorine bleach isAATCC 61-5A and 188. Thisprocedure approximatescolorfastness results after fivewash/dry cycles in the presence ofdetergent and chlorine bleach.While very reliable, this procedureis time, labor and resourceintensive.

A widely accepted reliablealternative to 5A is a one-minutespot test that simulates five homelaunderings. This test has beenshown to be 95+% reliable and in nocase gives false negatives.

Fabrics that prove unacceptable forlaundering in chlorine bleach mustbe tested for colorfastness to non-chlorine bleach. The care-labeling rule is very specific. If agarment is safe in non-chlorine(color-safe) bleach, but not inchlorine bleach the label must say“Non-chlorine Beach When Needed”,or words to that effect. The onlyway to determine if non-chlorinebleach is safe is to test forcolorfastness.

The applicable AATCC protocolis 172-1988, or RA60-172. A reliablealternative has been developed forthis procedure as well.

ALTERNATIVE TO 5A – ONE-MINUTE SPOT TEST

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

For over 30 years,

Textile Industry Affairs

has provided expert

counsel 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 ANARRAY OF CAPABILITIES:•resource for lectures,seminars

and 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 toTIA for guidance on allfacets of textile labelingincluding care, fiber content,country of origin and brandidentification.

Call or email any time for

information or assistance

with labeling compliance.

ABOUT TEXTILE INDUSTRY AFFAIRS

DryingINSTRUCTIONS

Tumble Dry,No Heat

Tumble Dry,Low Heat

Tumble Dry,Medium

Tumble Dry,High

Tumble Dry, Permanent Press,No HeatTumble 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 with additional letters and/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 withbleachSpecial Warning: This symbolonly applicable for less than2% 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 INDUSTRY AFFAIRS30 years of service to Apparel Professional

212-372-3252Fax: 212-505-3300Email: info@TextileAffairs.orgInternet: www.TextileAffairs.org

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; anddrycleaning instructions shallinclude one symbol. Additionalwords may be used to clarifylanguage-dependent instructions.

Complete Apparel /Textile Care Labeland Symbol Information on the Internet!

at www.TextileAffairs.orgIron,

Steam or Dry, withMedium Heat

IT’S 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.

IT’S 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 purchasedecision.

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

73% of consumers say that a garment they can launder with some type of bleach is higher quality, a better value,more durable, and easier to care for than one that prohibitsbleach use.

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

IT’S EASY:The Rule prescribes only three allowablebleach care instructions.

“Bleach When Needed” is the correctinstruction if all commerciallyavailable bleaches, chlorine and

non-chlorine, can be safely used on aregular basis. This is the appropriateinstruction for most whites and pastelsand is appropriate on over 45% of allwashable apparel. The Rule also allowsthat if all commercially available bleachescan be safely used, the care label does notneed to mention bleach; however, usingthe easy care instruction ”Bleach WhenNeeded” has been shown to be aneffective marketing strategy.“Non-chlorine Bleach When Needed”or “Color Safe Bleach Only” is the

most common bleach instruction andis acceptable on virtually all

machine-washable apparel. The Rulestates that, “If the regular use of chlorinebleach would harm the product, but theregular use of non-chlorine bleach wouldnot, the label must say ‘Only Non-chlorineBleach When Needed’ or words to thateffect, such as ‘Color Safe Bleach Only’.”

“Do Not Bleach”may only be used ifall commercially available bleaches,chlorine and non-chlorine, would

harm the product when used on a regularbasis. This instruction is rarely applicablegiven more than 98% of all washabletextile products are safe in some type ofbleach. Also, consumers interpret “DoNot Bleach” products as lower quality,less durable, and not easy-care.

RELIABLE EVIDENCE:The Rule also requires that you possess

reliable evidence to document any instruc-tion or warning given on a care label. Keyelements of reliable evidence are that it isacceptable to the industry, is documentedin writing, and is in your possession.

IMPROPER OR “LOW-LABELING”:“Low-labeling” is the use of unjustifiably

cautious care instructions and is aviolation of the Federal Care Label Rule. -If tests indicate a garment is safe andcolorfast in chlorine bleach, it must belabeled “Bleach When Needed”. If agarment is not safe in chlorine bleach, butis safe in color-safe bleach, it must belabeled “Non-chlorine Bleach Only” or“Color-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 LABELING REQUIREMENTS