Textile and Garment Care
What this domain tests
Care of textiles links fibre properties, care labels and maintenance. The exam tests symbol recognition, washing, drying and ironing decisions, and dry-cleaning choices.
Core rules
- Read the care label first: washing temperature, bleach, tumble dry, iron temperature, dry clean. Symbols state maximum treatment, not decoration.
- Cotton and linen tolerate hot washing and hot ironing; wool needs cool hand or delicate wash, no wringing, flat drying, cool iron with cloth; silk needs mild detergent and shade drying; polyester washes cool and irons warm but can melt.
- Chlorine bleach damages protein fibres (wool, silk) and can yellow synthetics; oxygen bleach is safer for coloured fabrics.
- Dry cleaning uses solvent, not water, for tailored coats, some silks and fabrics that shrink or distort in water.
Worked example
A wool sweater is labelled “hand wash, cool, do not tumble dry”. Explain the care. Wool scales felt under heat, moisture and friction, so hot washing or tumble drying shrinks and mats it. Use cool water and mild wool detergent, squeeze gently, do not wring, roll in a towel and dry flat to keep shape. Iron cool with a pressing cloth. The reasoning links protein fibre structure to each instruction.
Traps
Do not assume “dry clean only” means the fabric cannot be washed-follow the label. Do not use chlorine bleach on wool or silk. Do not tumble dry elastane or wool. Hot water can set protein stains and shrink fabrics.