Prior to 1997, the care instructions onfabric labels were written out, but in the US, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) allowed manufacturers to use symbols after 1 July of that year. There is no requirement that symbols be used, and care instructions are still written out on some garments. To interpret the care directions on a fabric label with symbols only, you need to know the symbols.

Thefabric labels sewn into most clothing garments provide information about the garment. The fabric label tells you what fabric or material a garment is made from, where it was made, what size it is, and informs consumers how to best care for the garment after purchasing it. Depending on the garment, there may be one fabric label, with information on the front and back, or there may be two labels; one with manufacturer information and the other with care instructions.

The symbols on fabric labels represent various stages of fabric care and include a triangle, square, and circle, as well as rudimentary drawings of a washtub, an iron, and a hand. Fabric labels also use dots and lines to represent temperature and wash cycles.

The manufacturing information on a fabric labels, such as size, fabric type, and manufacturing location, are still written out, with the exception of size. Sizes are often indicated by letters such as S (small), M (medium), and L (large). For clothing manufactured in dress or pant size, the appropriate number is used. Other content listed on the manufacturer's fabric label includes the fabric components, which must total 100% of the makeup of the fabric, and where it was manufactured.