The garment: A ladies black cotton, polyester & spandex all-weather coat. The care label states: "dry clean" with no International code symbols.

The problem: During drycleaning in perchlorethylene (perc), the black dye bleeds, resulting in uneven fading of color.

Who's responsible? The manufacturer since the black dye in the fabric was not able to withstand the recommended care instructions without severe color change.

What to do: This coat should be returned to the retailer or manufacturer.

Since the damage is related to solvent power, a process using a lower power solvent (such as petroleum, hydrocarbon, or GreenEarth) may have been successful. In some cases careful wet cleaning is possible. However, according to the United States care labeling regulation, this dress could be cleaned safely in any solvent, including perc. This interpretation may differ in other countries

Featuring a garment does not imply that a manufacturer is knowingly or continually producing defective goods. While this particular item was deemed unable to withstand the recommended care process, other comparable garments may or may not hold up to the care instructions.

Copyright 2009, Drycleaning & Laundry Institute, all rights reserved.
Unauthorized duplication or distribution is prohibited.