A proper care label provides full instructions for cleaning a garment using symbols specified by the HLCC and GINETEX standards. It must remain legible for the useful life of the garment and warn of any cleaning processes that could damage the garment. While care labels are voluntary, including one makes the cleaning instructions legally binding under UK law.

2.  In the UK Care Labelling is a voluntary system.
However, current Trading Standards practice suggests
that when a care label has been put into a garment (or
any textile item) then that label becomes part of the
description of the article in respect of the "Sale of
Goods Act – Fitness for Purpose" and is therefore
legally binding. Consumers can encourage good
practice by buying only garments that have been care
labelled properly. No care label – Do Not Buy.

3.  A care label gives the recommended care instructions.
The label must be attached so that it will not become
separated from the product, and it must remain legible
during the useful life of the product. You should be
able to see the care label or find it easily.
 When a garment has two or more parts that are sold as
a unit, only one care label is required. However if each
piece is designated to be sold separately or if each
piece requires different care procedures, the each part
of the article must have its own label. ‘If you have a
two-piece, always take both pieces to the cleaner.

4.  A proper informative care label is one that uses the symbols specified
by the HLCC (The Home Laundry Consultative Council, the UK’s
representative body for care labelling) in accordance with the
requirements as set out by GINETEX. These symbols may also be
supplemented by additional wording. The care label should:
 Give full instructions for at least one satisfactory method of cleaning
necessary to enable the ordinary use of the garment, with the specified
method representing the most severe process that the garment will
withstand whilst maintaining its original condition.
 Warn about any part of the recommended method of cleaning that a
cleaner could reasonably be expected to use that would harm the
garment or harm other garments being cleaned or laundered with it.
 Warn if there is no method for cleaning a garment without damaging
it.
 Remain legible throughout the useful life of the garment.

5.  If a manufacturer decides to put in a Care Label it
should be attached at the time of purchase so that the
consumer can take care instructions into consideration
before making a purchase. Occasionally, you may wish
to remove the care label, but this may entail some risk
as full information or warning regarding proper care
will no longer be available to either yourself or the
drycleaner/launderer.

7.  Very hot.Maximum washSpin or wring.
 Whitecottonandlinenarticles. Without special finishes
 Very Hot.Minimum washDrip-dry.
 Cotton articles withspecial finishes capableof being
boiled but requiring drip-drying

8.  Hot.Maximumwash. Spin or wring.

 Cotton, linen or viscose
 articles without special finishes where colours are fast at
60°C

 Hot. Medium wash.
 Cold rinse, short spin or drip-dry.
 White nylon, white
 polyester/cotton mixtures.

9.  Hand-hot. Medium
 wash. Cold rinse,
 short spin or drip-dry.

 Coloured nylon, polyester, cotton and viscose
acrylic/cotton mixtures.

10. Warm. Maximum Cotton, linen or viscose
wash. Spin or articles where colours are
wring. fast at 40°C but not at 60°C.
Acrylics, acetate and
Warm. Minimum
triacetate, including
wash. Spin. Do not
mixtures with wool,
hand wring.
polyester/wool blends.
Warm. Minimum Wool, including blankets and
wash. Spin. Do not wool mixtures with cotton or
hand wring viscose, silk.

11. Cool. Minimum Silk and printed acetate
wash. Cold rinse, fabrics with colours not fast
short spin. Do not at 40°C.
wring.

12. Articles which must not be
machine-washed
HAND WASH
If drycleanable steaming or
Do not wash prespotting may cause problems
of dye bleeding.

13.  HOT(200°C)Cotton, Linen, Viscose.
 WARM (150°C)Wool, Polyestermixtures.
 COOL (110° C)Acrylic, Nylon, Triacetate, Polyester.

14.  Normal textiles drycleanable in all solvents. Normally
used for drycleaning

 Normal textiles drycleanable in perchloroethylene,
white spirit, Solvent R 113, Solvent 11.

15.  Textiles sensitive to drycleaning which may be cleaned
with the same solvents shown for P but with a strict
limitation. Examples: acrylic, velvet, unlimted
woollens.
 Normal textiles drycleanable in white spirit. HCS and
Solvent R 113.

16.  Textiles sensitive to drycleaning which may be cleaned
with the same solvents shown for F but with a strict
limitation. Examples glitter fabric.
 Do not dryclean, be careful with spot removal.
Example, pvc coating: rubberised fabrics

17.  Chlorine bleaching isallowed
 Do not use chlorine bleach

18.  Tumble dry
 Do not tumble