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About Care Labels
A wealth of
information at your fingertips. That's what you will find in the
following pages. Everything from Silk and Rayon to wedding gowns is
discussed here. As a consumer you will be happy to know that you can
find this same information at your OFA member Fabricare Specialists
location nearest you. Ask for the brochure by name and discuss any
problems you having while you are there.
Canadas Care
Labelling Program
Care labels enable your dry cleaner to
properly clean and finish your garment. It is important for
consumers to realize that care labels are not required by law in
Canada. The Canadian Care Labelling Program is a voluntary system of
providing garment care instructions through the use of simple
symbols.
Although the program is voluntary, most
reputable garment manufacturers will include care labels on their
clothing.* But be aware that if you purchase an item without a care
label the manufacturer has no liability for any damage that may
occur when cleaning.
The Ontario Fabricare Association (OFA)
recommends that consumers only purchase garments that have care
labels attached.
When manufacturers use the Care Labelling
System they must:
ensure that the label is capable of withstanding the
recommended care procedures and remains legible and firmly
attached for at least ten cleanings or throughout the life of the
garment.
indicate at least one method of garment care, but they may,
if they choose, provide additional care instructions.
be sure that the care procedure described works for all
areas of the garment including trim, lace, buttons, beads,
etc.
*Canada's Textile Labelling Act, subsection
5(1)
"No dealer shall apply to a consumer textile article a
label, or sell, import into Canada or advertise a consumer textile
article that has applied to it a label containing any false or
misleading representation that relates to or may reasonably be
regarded as relating to the
article."
What
are the Care Labelling Symbols
The Canadian
Care Labelling Program uses five basic symbols in three different
colours. The colours of a traffic light, red, yellow and green,
are used to signify the same ideas: red for "stop", yellow for
"use caution", and green for "go".
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represents washing. |
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is the symbol for bleaching. |
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represents drying. |
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is the pressing or ironing symbol. |
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is the dry cleaning symbol. |
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Any symbol with a red cross through it is telling you
to "stop"-using that method of cleaning will ruin your
garment. |
Temperature
Markings
Different garments will need to be
washed and ironed at different temperatures. It's important for the
consumer to understand that only your dry cleaner can provide all of
the temperature settings required for washing and
ironing.
Washing temperatures are always indicated in
Celsius, usually within the washing machine symbol on the care
label. There are four maximum washing temperatures that are used,
30° C, 40° C, 50° C and 70°C.
Ironing temperatures can be indicated using
temperatures in Celsius degrees, or with dots. The dot symbols
indicate:
• One dot means 110° C, •• Two dots mean 150° C, •••
Three dots mean 200° C
What should you Do
Always check for a care label before purchasing any
garment.
Keep the care label intact so that you or your dry cleaner
will know the manufacturer's recommended care instructions.
If you follow the care instructions and your garment is
damaged you should take it back to the retailer. If the retailer is
unwilling to help you resolve the problem, contact the garment
manufacturer.
When a manufacturer is not willing rectify a problem with a
garment, you can contact Industry Canada's Competition Bureau. Your
call will provide them with important
information and could
result in further investigation. Check the Blue Pages for the
regional office nearest you or visit their internet site at
www.competition.ic.gc.ca.
Ask your Ontario Fabricare
Association member dry cleaner any questions you might have about
care labels
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Follow the
Signs |
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These symbols tell
you which procedures to use or avoid when washing, drying,
ironing and dry cleaning.
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