What do you need to include on your wash care labels?

Great aftercare is vital to the longevity of our clothes, both in terms of keeping them in great condition as the years go by and, of course, keeping them out of landfill for longer.

However, people rarely think about how they’re going to look after their new clothes before they purchase them. Only very few care-conscious customers will scan the wash care information on your garments before they head over to the till.

But when ‘wash day’ comes around, they are almost always grateful for the advice these small yet important labels give them. As a designer, manufacturer or retailer, it’s your job to make sure your wash care labels deliver the right guidance and have been put together in accordance with all the latest rules and regulations.

What rules do you need to follow when designing your wash care labels?

Your customers will expect to find certain information on your garments’ wash care labels, including:

Its fibre content

It’s good to know what our clothes are made from, right? According to UK law, the main fibre content of any garment must be displayed in percentage terms – so, for example, 100% cotton, or 50% cotton/50% polyester.

All the stipulations relating to the way this information should be presented can be found in the 2012 edition of the Guidance on Textile Products (Labelling and Fire Composition) Regulations, which you’ll find here.

Its flammability

Certain types of clothing – including nightwear and small children’s garments – must carry a permanent label that confirms to the customer that their purchase meets the flammability standard BS-5722. If these items do not meet these regulations, they must carry the warning “KEEP AWAY FROM FIRE”, in a red, capitalised, emboldened Arial font that’s at least pt. 10 in size.

Its country of origin

There’s no legal requirement to place the country of origin on your washcare label – but with consumers becoming more interested in where and how their garments are made, it’s a good idea to include it.

General washing instructions

Core labelling needs to be included on your wash care labels to ensure the customer knows how to clean, dry and generally look after their new clothes.

GINETEX international care symbols are commonly used throughout Europe. They appear in the following sequence:

  • Washing
  • Bleaching
  • Ironing
  • Dry-Cleaning
  • Drying

You need to be aware that these symbols are trademarked and cannot be reproduced, issued or used without a special license agreement. Click here to be taken to the official GINETEX website, where you’ll learn all about the basic principles of care labelling and what your obligations are when it comes to designing and developing your own care instructions.

And if you need any further help putting together your next batch of washcare labels, you can always talk to our expert team of label specialists, too! 

You might also enjoy