How to Read Fabric Labels

Reading clothing labels can save you time and money.

Reading fabric labels on your clothes is essential. When washing and ironing your clothes, you need to know what materials they were made from so you know how to wash them or whether they require dry cleaning. Failure to read fabric labels could result in damage to your clothes.

Instructions

1. Read the size information on the label. This could keep you from choosing the wrong-sized garment.

2. Note the registration or RN number on the label. This is the five-digit number at the bottom of the tag. You'll need this number if you call the manufacturer with product concerns. Visit the Federal Trade Commission's website and get the manufacturer's contact information.

3. Read the fabric description. According to Fabriclink, if a fabric fiber constitutes five percent or more of the total weight of an article of clothing, by law the manufacturer must provide the name of that fiber on the label.

4. Understand what the care symbols mean. According to the Textile Affairs website, a crown with one dot means machine wash in cold water. A crown with two dots suggests you use warm water. A crown with three dots means the garment requires a hot-water wash.

Tips & Warnings

• Pay attention to bleaching instructions. Some white material is more sensitive than others to bleach. If there are no bleaching instructions or the label says "non-chlorine bleach only," obey these instructions. Failure to do so may result in holes in your whites.

• Even if the label suggests using non-chlorine bleach, place a small edge of the garment in the bleach to test for colorfastness since mislabeling of clothes is a possibility.

References

• Fabriclink: How to Read a Label
• Textile Affairs: Laundry Guide to Common Care Symbols