Why Is Underlabeling So Common These Days ?

[mrboilwash]

Bought a nice beach towel at Walmart in Florida. I`d almost put it back on the rack when I saw that stupid care tag "cold water delicate cycle" but then I thought I`d take the risk. How are you supposed to get greasy suntan lotion out of a beach towel in cold water ? So back home of course I ignored the care tag and washed it at 75°C (167°F) normal cycle.
I didn`t notice any shrinkage, the colors are still bright and the white parts are still white (no color transfer).
The only thing I found annoying is that the color is not UV resistant.
So the care tag should actually read: Wash as you like but keep out of the sun.

 

[mrboilwash]

Notice the faded colors at the seam where sun exposure was stronger than in the center of the towel where I lay on (on the left side of the picture).[this post was last edited: 7/27/2017-11:05]

 

[logixx]

Probably so the manufacturer won't have to take any responsibility and can't be sued if someone dares to wash the towel in warm water...

Also: enjoy your stay in in the sun, while we are drowning over here.

 

[mralex]

I've noticed a lot of my clothes don't recommend washing above 30°C - 86°F and in Europe we have this "IPerfer30" campaign http://www.iprefer30.eu

I don't have a strenuous job or anything and usually 30 is fine.. I do run my washing machine on the Hot cycle from time to time to keep it clean. (sometimes I add antibacterial softener, not really a softener but it goes in the softener compartment)

/Alex

 

[mrboilwash]

Aldi has pants for doctors and nurses on special this week which are made of Cotton-Elasthan (Spandex) for women and Cotton-Polyester for men.
Both types of fabrics can be boil washed at 95°C according to the ad. So it looks like the fabrics generally can take it.

My best guess is that there might be voluntary agreements between the textile industrie and governments to save energy.
Can`t find anything in the net to confirm my suspicion, but in the past we`ve also had a voluntary agreement between the detergent industry and the EU regarding phosphates in laundry detergents.

http://https//www.aldi-sued.de/de/angebote/angebote-ab-donnerstag-27-juli/detailseite-kw30-do270717/ps/p/jobstyle-hose-27072017/

 

[mrboilwash]

Thanks Alexander, but my vaccation was two years ago, now I`m drowning as well ;-)

 

[dustin92]

Oh, that's nothing... We have cotton bath towels labeled cold water, gentle cycle, separately, and I have a set of 100% cotton sheets (tan color) with the same labeling.... Neither the towels nor the sheets have ever seen cold water. The towels have faded a lot though, and we usually wash them in warm. I will admit they are dark colored (green and brown striped), so they may just be getting old. Sheets are always done in hot no matter what the label says, and I've never had any fade or shrink. How can they expect these things to get clean in cold? Especially on the gentle cycle! I have very oily skin, and even with the longest/hottest wash and lots of detergent, my sheets still get a funky smell after a while, I can only imagine if I washed in cold! Blegh!

 

[rolls_rapide]

Labels...

Have a look at this... at about 2:15.

http://https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wrZOFgP_-c

 

[warmsecondrinse]

A few summers ago I gave my mom a break in taking care of my dad (severe Alzheimer's yet FULLY mobile) and sent her away for a week. Before she left she commented she just couldn't get his mattress pads and bedding clean "no matter what" she did. They were pretty nasty...

The bedding was all 100% cotton and seemed hospital grade. Yet all the tags said to wash in cold water only.... EVEN THE INCONTINENT PADS!!!!! (disgusting!). I put everything through the longest heavy duty cycle twice with chlorine bleach then again with just vinegar.... all with the cold water tap of the Kenmore Series 80 OFF. Yes, only hot water the whole time. I didn't measure the temp but it was scalding.

All the bedding came out looking almost brand new.

It turned out my mother was following the care instructions on the tag. I still wonder if caring for my father hadn't addled her brain somewhat. The woman I grew up with would never have washed soiled bedding in cold water.

 

[mrboilwash]

Beach towels, bath towels, sheets and incontinent pads labeled cold water washing... What`s next ? Cloth diapers ?
In Germany those items are usually labeled 60°C hot water but I`m old enough to remember 95°C lables for any of these even brightly colored towels. I suppose the energy crises has changed a lot.

It seems there are also huge differences in the manufacturing process of clothes, whether the fabrics have been preshrunk or not. Can`t tell by brand caretag or price but sometimes by common sense.
Clothes sold in the USA are usually made for tumble drying, so they are way more heat resistant than cold water washing as long as the colors don`t bleed in the wash.
Delicate fabrics like polyester or lycra aren`t that delicate as some may assume, see Aldi-link in post above. Where there`s a will there`s a way.
I also found that if an item has not been pre shrunk it will shrink regardless even when washed at low temperatures but not immediately in the first wash, it`s more like a slow process over time.

 

[foraloysius]

My mother used to wash towels etc. at 95°C in our 1965 Bosch. When the steam was coming from the detergent dispenser on top, I couldn't resist and open the dispenser and get the smell of a boilwash with Dixan. Wonderful memory!