This document analyzes the author's wardrobe and identifies the various textile materials used in each garment. The author was previously unaware of the different fabric types and care requirements. Through this assignment, the author learned about laws requiring fiber content and care labels. The author then examines 5 garments - finding they are made of materials like acrylic, cotton, polyester and require different care like cold washing and tumble drying low. The author will now pay closer attention to care labels to better maintain their clothing.

1. Samantha Denaro
FMD 155 IA #2
Usha, Mon – Wed
Textiles through my wardrobe.
There are many different textiles used in clothing today and many are unaware
of the care techniques that should be used for each. The purpose of this assignment it to
take a closer looks at your wardrobe and notices the little things you never took the time
to before. Prior to this assignment I never knew how many different types of fabrics were
used in my clothing. On each of the garments in my closet there are tiny care labels on
the inside that I did not even know were there. Each garment is unique and requires
different steps when it comes to washing them. Before this assignment I would wash all
my clothes the same way. I would never take the time to even separate colors and now I
know why I should have. Various textiles need special care and ignoring these labels will
result in dissatisfaction after the garment is worn.
There are two very important laws and regulations when it comes to the selling of
textile fibers, materials, and products within the United States, the TFPIA (Textile Fiber
Products Identification Act, and PLA (Permanent Labeling Act). The first act is TFPIA;
this act states that on each garment there must be a label with specific information
attached about the fiber content. The label must be on all garments at the time of sale or it
will be violating this act. On the label there must be the generic name of the fibers
present, the percentage of fiber by weight, the country of origin, and the manufacturers
name or a registered identification number that was assigned by the Federal Trade

2. Commission. This label is very important when it comes to identifying what kind and
percent of textiles are used in your garments. Another important act is the PLA, which is
more commonly known as the Care Labeling Rule. This Act requires that care labels
must be attached to all garments. The care labels provide the consumer with the proper
way to safely clean there garments and must be provided by the manufacture or importer.
There are four major activities that must be included on the care label. These are washing
by hand or machine, bleaching, drying machine or air, and ironing. Care labels are very
important on clothing to be aware of how to safely clean the product.
The first garment that I choose was a comfy grey sweater that cost around 40$.
This sweater is from St. Johns bay and is 100% acrylic. Acrylic fibers are synthetic fibers
that are made from synthetic polymers. These fibers have the ability to attract and convey
moisture, which makes the fabric so comfy. The label for this sweater is located on the

3. back neck of the garment and is made in Hong Kong. At first I could not find the care
label but after searching I found it on the lower left hand side. The label states that the
sweater can be machine washed but needs to be on the cold gentle cycle with like colors.
In case of a stain the care labels says that you can only use non-chlorine bleach when it is
needed. To dry this sweater it must be on tumble dry low and to get the wrinkles out you
can iron the sweater but it must be on the lowest setting. When I washed this sweater in
the past I have mostly followed the care label without even knowing it. I am very
satisfied with my sweater after many years of wearing it. The fabric did not shrink on me
because I mostly air dried this sweater. This sweater does comply with both acts.
The second garment that I choose was a pair of Nike pro workout pants that cost
60$. The label is located in the back above the waist on these pants. My Nike pants are
80% polyester and 20% spandex. Because these work out pants are mostly polyester it
helps the fabric retain its shape and resist stains and wrinkles. The label for these pants

4. states that the pants can be machine washed, but should be on cold. There were a lot of
“DO NOTS” on the care label which was surprising to me because they are just work out
pants. You cannot bleach, iron, or dry clean these pants because it is dri- fit material. I am
very satisfied with my pants after I have washed them they still look and feel brand new
to me. These Nike pro dri- fit pants comply with both care acts.
The third garment that I choose was a black and white patterned tank top from
Nollie. I have had this top for a long time but can guess it cost around 20$. The top is
95% cotton and 5% spandex. Cotton today is the most used textile fiber in the world. I
was surprised to see that there is only five percent spandex in this top because it is very
stretchy. There are two labels on this garment, the TFPIA is located on the back neck of
the top, and the PLA is located on the lower left of the top. This top is machine wash cold
as well and can be dried on low heat. I still love this top but I am a little dissatisfied after
washing it. After wearing the top I machine washed it and put it in the dryer. Because this
top is 95% cotton it came out of the dryer slightly smaller. If I had read the care label I

5. would have saved this top from shrinking. This top does in fact comply with both of the
labeling acts.
The fourth garment that I choose was a floral printed crop top. I purchased this
top from Forever 21 for around 15$. The textiles used in this garment are 95% Cotton
and 5% Elastane. This crop top as two labels attached to it, there is one on the back neck,
and one on the middle left side. The label at the back neck shows the brand, size, and
country of origin. The label that is on the middle left is the care instructions for the top.
Unlike all the other garments that I have choose this top is machine wash warm but
should always be washed inside out. This top should also never go to the dry cleaners. I
am a little dissatisfied with this top after I have washed it a couple times. The colors on
the top have faded making the top more pale than it used to be. After reading the care

6. label I see that could most likely be from not washing the top inside out. This top does
comply with both of the labeling acts.
The final garment that I choose was my fuzzy North Face jacket. I purchased this
jacket for around 120$. This jacket has seven labels but they are all located in the same
stop in the back behind the neck. I noticed that many of the labels are in different
languages and there are also pictures to demonstrate how to care for the jacket. This
jacket is 100% polyester and made in China. The fabric is engineered to be both durable
and resistant to pilling. It also offers warmth when wet, launders well, compresses to a
small size and packs easily (The North Face). To care for the jacket it must be machine
washed on delicate cycle with warm water. I thought it was interesting to read that the
jacket can go in the dryer but must be on low. After years of having north face jackets I
was always told that if they go in the dryer they would be ruined. I am very satisfied with

7. this garment because I always took very good care of it when it came to washing it. The
jacket does comply with both of the care labeling acts as well.
After performing this assignment I have a better understanding of different types
of textiles that are used in your everyday life from technical and practical perspectives. I
was never aware of how many different types of textiles are used for so many different
garments. It was interesting to see that garments that I didn’t like as much after I washed
them were because of what I was doing not the actual garment. If I were to take the time
to read the labels before I wash my clothes they will stay good as new for a longer
amount of time. It was also very interesting to see that all the clothing that I had did in
fact comply with both labeling acts. When making purchase decisions at the malls I never
think to look at the labels and make sure the garment is legit. Care labeling is very
important when it comes to garments. Consumers should always be aware of how to care
for their purchases. After this assignment I will defiantly be paying more attention to the
care labels on my clothing before I wash them.

8. TFPIA PLA
1 RN#93877
100% acrylic
Made in Hong Kong
Machine wash cold gentle cycle with like color.
Use only non-chlorine bleach when needed.
Tumble-dry low.
Iron on lowest setting when needed.
2 RN#56323
80% Polyester
20% Spandex
Made in Vietnam
Machine wash cold/ with like colors.
Do not use softeners/ remove immediately.
Do not allow lying on itself when wet.
Do not bleach.
Line dry.
Do not iron.
Do not dry clean.
3 RN#090233
95% Cotton
5% Spandex
Made in Philippines
Machine wash cold, Gentle cycle with like colors.
Only non-chlorine bleach when needed.
Tumble-dry low.
Cool iron if needed.
Do not dry clean.
4 RN#94981
95% Cotton
5% Elastane
Made in Mauritius
Machine wash warm.
Do not bleach.
Dry flat.
Iron low.
Do not dry clean.
Wash inside out.
5 RN#61861
100% Polyester
Made in China
Machine wash on delicate cycle in warm water.
Secure and close all zippers and hooks and loop closures
before wash.
Do not use bleach or softeners.
Tumble dry low heat.
Best results line dry.
Do not iron or dry clean.
References;
Cohen, A.C. & Johnson, 1. (2012). Fabric Science. New York: Fairchild.
"TKA." TheNorthFace USA. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2015.
"What Is Polyester." What Is Polyester. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2015.
"The Fabric Of Our Lives | Cotton." The Fabric Of Our Lives | Cotton. N.p., n.d. Web. 17
Nov. 2015.