CHALLENGES FACED BY

WASH CARE LABELS IN

INDIA

Priyanka | Ritu |
MFM - II
Roopas
INTRODUCTION
Care labels are supposed to
tell consumers how to
properly care for their
apparel
Following the instructions
on the care labels is an
assurance that the
appearance and fit of the
garment will be maintained
INTRODUCTION
From a manufacturers point of view
Damage to garments from incorrect
cleaning methods can lead to complaints
costly customer returns and a bad image
Accurate & clearly written labels prevent
customer dissatisfaction
INTRODUCTION
From a consumers point of view
Accurate & clearly written instructions
serve as a cleaning guide and influence
purchase
Garments with ease of care are often
preferred over garments with complicated
or difficult to understand care procedures.
PROBLEMS IN CARE
LABELS
NO UNIVERSAL SYSTEM
& REGULATIONS IN
INDIA
At present, there is no universal symbol system. The ASTM symbols are
accepted in NAFTA countries. ISO/GINETEX symbols are accepted in most of
Europe and Asia, and Japan has their own symbol system. [14]
It is totally up to to the company to choose whatever care label system they

want to use, depending on the country they are selling to. But just as the
Federal Trade Commission regulates the rules laid by its policy and protects
Americas conusmers, there is no body which is taking care of the care labeling
and providing strict and stringent rules for its implementation.
According to BIS, the textile fabric shall also be marked with minimum five care
labeling symbols as per IS 14452 depicting instructions for subsequent use in
washing, bleaching, dry-cleaning, drying and ironing. [15] The Indian Garments
may have the care label, but they are most of the times insufficient or face
other problems as discussed below.
INSUFFICIENT KNOWLEDGE ABOUT
THE CARE LABEL SYMBOLS
Consumers aware of markings,
labels
Very less understand the meaning of
various signs/symbols/markings
Info. in terms of wash care symbols
Customer who has no knowledge of
the symbols will be unable to
launder the garment as intended
INCOMPLETE INFORMATION
Fabric is compatible, accessories or trims
are not
No care instructions for the trims
A white wool garment has red leather trim.
The white wool washes very well. The
leather bleeds and ruins the garment.
 FADED CARE LABELS
Printed labels will fade over time depending on
the consumers washing process.
PROBLEMS CAUSED TO CONSUMERS
Made of a man-made fibre, tends to make a
person itch
Sometimes there are up to four labels joined
together
Its length means its often visible through the
fabric
CARELESS CONSUMERS
Ignorant regarding the checking of
specifications.
Do not look for care and informative labels.
 CARE LABEL ISSUES
WITH SILK FABRIC
Silk responds well to dry
cleaning than washing

Garments have labels

hand wash
 CARE LABEL ISSUES
WITH SILK FABRIC
In addition to giving one safe
cleaning method, which is Dry
Cleaning Only, care labels do not
have necessary warnings about
that cleaning method
Label must say whether any step of
the care methodwashing,
bleaching, drying, ironing, or dry
cleaningcould harm the garment,
or other items cleaned with it
CARE LABEL ISSUES
WITH NYLON FABRIC
Maximum temperature for
ironing is 110 C
Nylon melts subjected to
extreme heat
Label does not mention
instruction regarding
ironing
CARE LABEL ISSUES
WITH COTTON FABRIC
Hydrogen peroxide applied
during 25h at pH 10.512
at boiling temperatures
Decrease in the degree of
polymerization of cellulose
A drop in tensile strength
Label does not mention
instruction regarding
bleaching
CARE LABEL ISSUES
WITH WOOL FABRIC
Gets shrunk, if tumble
dried

Recommended to flat dry

Label does not mention

instruction regarding
drying
SUGGESTIONS
PROBLEM IDENTIFIED-
INSUFFICIENT KNOWLEDGE
Training programs could be conducted for
different age and income groups, men consumers
and for different colleges as target group
Washing powder companies can help in spreading
awareness among the consumers regarding the
care label symbols
Initiative taken by Ariel
using the social media, website, or by giving out
information pamphlets
INITIATIVE BY ARIEL
PROBLEM IDENTIFIED-
PROBLEM CAUSED TO
CONSUMERS
Manufacturer should sew the care
labels and tack the tag down and
avoid putting the care labels on the
neck line
Manufacturers can also print the
washing instructions (if feasible) on
the garment instead of attaching it
on the sides or the neck lines
PROBLEM IDENTIFIED-
NO UNIVERSAL SYSTEM
& REGULATIONS
Although the company can choose the symbols according
to their requirements, negotiations are under way to
harmonize the two major systems; ASTM and GINETEX,
into a truly universal symbol system for care procedures,
according to an article

There should be a monitoring body, which regulates the

labelling system in India and keeps a check on the rightful
implementation of the system
PROBLEM IDENTIFIED-
WASH CARE LABELS
FOR SILK FABRIC
Since 100% silk loses its strength when wet, it is advised to
dry clean silk. Thus, it should be made clear to dry clean
silk only rather than writing washing on the care labels

Manufacturers should keep in mind that other warnings

must also be given on the care labels. It should be ensured
that is in particular one thing is harmful for the product, it
should be certainly mentioned on the care labels.
DRY CLEAN ONLY
GARMENTS
DIRECTLY INTO
THE
RecentMACHINE
advancement in washing
technologies & laundry detergents
Gentler wash cycles, lower temperatures,
drying settings

Source: AEG. (2017, March 28). Care Label Projects. Retrieved from aeg.co.uk:
http://www.aeg.co.uk/care/inspiration/care-label-project/
DONT OVERWASH
New labels marked Dont Overwash

Frequent wash makes the garment lose its

charm
Washing clothes less will prolong their lifespan

Source: AEG. (2017, March 28). Care Label Projects. Retrieved from aeg.co.uk:
http://www.aeg.co.uk/care/inspiration/care-label-project/
TUMBLE DRYING
Enforcing instruction, air drying instead
Last longer with tumble drying in right cycle
With most recent technology, silk & wool can be
dried

Source: AEG. (2017, March 28). Care Label Projects. Retrieved from aeg.co.uk:
http://www.aeg.co.uk/care/inspiration/care-label-project/
HAND WASH ONLY
Consumes time and water, stress fibres
Rubbing is more harsh than machine wash
Gentle cycle with lower washing
temperature

Source: AEG. (2017, March 28). Care Label Projects. Retrieved from aeg.co.uk:
http://www.aeg.co.uk/care/inspiration/care-label-project/
30 DEGREES
Maximum washing temperature, not the
recommended one
Extends life of garments, making them feel
new & fresh

Source: AEG. (2017, March 28). Care Label Projects. Retrieved from aeg.co.uk:
http://www.aeg.co.uk/care/inspiration/care-label-project/
OTHER SUGGESTIONS
Uniform labelling system followed across all
countries, with common symbols depicting the
instructions
Easily visible and not hidden which would otherwise
lead to difficulties in conveying information
The symbols and letters on the labels shall be
legible throughout useful life of garment
OTHER SUGGESTIONS
Made of suitable material with resistance to the
care treatment indicated in the label at least
equal to that of the article on which they are
placed
Consumers should be made educated about
these symbols so that they can easily read and
follow them
Companies selling in India should start giving
the instruction in written along with the symbols
CONCLUSION
Thank
You!