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Content about Federal Trade Commission

April 16, 2013
Protecting Unique Characteristics

CONCORD, N.C. — Where darks and lights meet; cleaning furs; and protecting ornamental trim

CONCORD, N.C. — In a previous edition of American Drycleaner, readers like you were given a “heads-up” about what to expect from the fashion styles entering the marketplace (Fashion vs. Fabricare, November/December 2012).

The Federal Trade Commission’s recent request for comments on garment care labeling is a symptom of the continuing problem facing our industry.

The manufacturer’s focus on marketability and profitability at times runs contrary to serviceability. It is the obligation of the garment care professional to recognize that the customer’s item has a unique set of handling characteristics and then determine the best way to protect those unique characteristics while reconditioning the item for continued use in the future.

That is a mouthful, I admit, but I hope you get the point. “They” design the garment and “we” have to clean and finish the garment.

October 17, 2012
FTC Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Changes to Care Labeling Rule

WASHINGTON — Deadline to file comments is Nov. 16

WASHINGTON — The Federal Trade Commission is seeking public comment on proposed changes to the FTC Rule that requires manufacturers and importers to attach labels with care instructions for garments and certain piece goods, so consumers have reliable instructions for dry cleaning or washing, bleaching, drying and ironing their clothing.

The Care Labeling Rule—officially the Rule on Care Labeling of Textile Wearing Apparel and Certain Piece Goods—has been in effect since 1971.

The FTC is seeking comments on potential updates to the Rule, including changes that would:

September 1, 2011
Complying with Environmental Marketing Guides

CHICAGO — When promoting your business’ “green” practices, be mindful that the FTC Act gives the Federal Trade Commission the power to bring law enforcement actions against false or misleading marketing claims, including environmental or “green” marketing claims.

The FTC has issued the Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims (“Green Guides”) to prevent the false or misleading use of environmental terms in product or service advertising and marketing and to reduce consumer confusion.

From the FTC website, here is the Commission’s staff’s view of the law’s requirements:

Substantiation — All marketers making express or implied claims about the attributes of their product, package or service must have substantiation—a reasonable basis for their claims. When it comes to environmental claims, competent and reliable scientific evidence may be required.

August 15, 2011
FTC Reopens Care Label Rule; Sept. 6 Deadline for Comments

LAUREL, Md., and NEW YORK — The Drycleaning & Laundry Institute (DLI) and the National Cleaners Association (NCA) are teaming up to protect and improve the Care Label Rule as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reopens it for public comment.

The associations will file joint comments and are asking all cleaners to share their comments with the FTC by the Sept. 6 deadline in a process that requires only a few steps to do online.

The FTC is concerned with all aspects of the Care Label Rule, the associations say, but is looking for comments on:

  • The need to require care labeling
  • Whether or not to include professional wetcleaning in the rule
  • If the rule should be modified to account for current or impending changes in technology or economic conditions
  • Whether some parts of the rule are no longer necessary
  • If languages other than English should appear on care labels

The FTC is also asking if any rule modifications might increase benefits or reduce costs for small businesses.

September 30, 2009
Out for Blood, with a Digester Bath

The white-linen designer dress was a gift from her grandfather after she became junior-class president. It has great sentimental value. It’s the dress she’s wearing when she’s in a car accident and breaks her nose. She’s fine, but she lost a lot of blood — onto the dress. The family wants you to restore it. Can you meet or exceed their expectations?

June 26, 2009
Make Your Plant a Household Name

A first look at the comforter gave me the impression that she had dragged it behind her car. An entire winter of laying on it, wrapping herself up in it and sleeping under it had taken a heavy toll on the orange, green and brown earthtones. When she told me that she had a dust ruffle, shams and drapes to match, I told her that I would hold off on cleaning the comforter until she brought all matching pieces.

April 24, 2009
Timeline: 1990s & 2000s

1990s

The hallmark of the ’90s is a barrage of increasingly stringent rules and regulations covering drycleaning operations and the use of perc, past and present. The industry must constantly protect its interests against the regulators, while simultaneously developing new processes and strategies to secure its viability into the future.

April 17, 2009
Timeline: 1970s & 1980s

1970s

Wash-and-wear, permanent press and other easy-care options take a big bite out of the market as the 1970s dawn; recession, stagflation and two prolonged energy crises also help slash sales and profits. But America’s small businesses mature alongside its consumer culture, and while bruised, drycleaning isn’t beaten.

August 1, 2008
Why Do Draperies, Slipcovers Shrink During Processing?

Q: We have a problem with shrinkage when drycleaning household items such as draperies and slipcovers, although we don’t normally have these kinds of problems when drycleaning regular garments. What causes this, and how can we deal with the problem?

A: Custom-made draperies and slipcovers in people’s homes are often fabricated from bulk fabric, which can shrink more easily than other fabrics when drycleaned.