Shirt Labels...

@howard96h (11640)
New York, New York
February 24, 2007 2:19pm CST
why do shirt makers put really stupid instructions on their labels, is it to confuse some of us? I have this shirt that the label says, "Iron with a cool iron" I ironed this shirt for 30 minutes and could not get any of the wrinkles out. I called my mom to complain and find out what I was doing wrong. She asked me how warm was the iron, I told her it wasn't warm at all because it said use a cool iron so I never plugged it in. It took a few minutes for my mom to get back on the phone because she was on the floor rolling in laughter. Why does it say use a cool iron - why doesn't it say use a warm iron or the lowest setting. To use a cool iron means you should not plug it in at all or else it's no longer a cool iron. Come on guys - anyone agree with me here???
20 people like this
37 responses
@crazynurse (7482)
• United States
24 Feb 07
Oh howard96h, I am going to have to be painfully honest here. I read your discussion post and I spewed coffee all over my keyboard! That is so like somthing that my sons would do! But, in your defense, I suppose 'cool' iron does mean 'cool' and not 'warm.' AFter I think about it, your lack of experience shouldn't be a problem, you were following the 'directions' given! You are right, someone could easily mistake the instructions if they followed them to the letter. The instructions assume way to much don't they! Thanks for making my day. I think all of us myLotters should write the garment industry and have them work on their care labels! We are a strong voice here at myLot!
3 people like this
@howard96h (11640)
• New York, New York
24 Feb 07
Thank you, thank you, thank you. Lets get these letters out in the mail. Damn labels!
2 people like this
@lols189 (4742)
24 Feb 07
yes i agree with you. i think its crazy having labels all together as we all know how 2 wash certain clothes and iron them
3 people like this
@howard96h (11640)
• New York, New York
24 Feb 07
I didn't do it right trying to iron that shirt. I just think they should put the correct instructions on the labels. I find ironing very annoying. Thanks for your response.
3 people like this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
24 Feb 07
I think it is because so many people are suing companies these days for the most stupid things they have to be careful in how they word things. If they said iron, or iron with a hot iron, somebody somewhere well burn themselves and try to sue the company. Saying it was there fault, they didn't warn him to be careful with a hot iron. Yes your write instructions should be clearer, but perhaps it is a question of space on the label as well. Perhaps they can only fit in so many words.
@howard96h (11640)
• New York, New York
24 Feb 07
Very true, I see your point. I now know the iron must always be plugged in, even if they say use a "cool iron." Thanks.
1 person likes this
@blackbriar (9076)
• United States
25 Feb 07
lol Thanks for the laugh, howard. That was pretty funny but you are very right. It got to the point that I don't even read the friggin' labels anymore and just wash everything in cold water cept jeans and whites. Those I wash in warm water. I don't even own an iron so no worries for me there. I use lots of fabric softener when I hang my clothes outside and shake em out real good b4 hanging. Otherwise I use the convinient dryer. What I hate most is you buy a $5 t-shirt only to find out the label says to wash on delicate cycle. A kid's t-shirt at that! I'm thinking wth are they thinking? I don't know bout other kids, but my daughter can't stay clean for more than 5 min. Again, I say screw the label and wash it with like colors on normal cycle. Have yet to ruin a 'delicate' garment washing it on normal cycle. To me, only thing the label should state is the size and what kind of fabric it is. As for the annoying neck-itching labels, they could put them in a side seam where it won't itch too bad. I'm just glad that some clothing manufacturers are starting to print the labels directly on the backs of the necks. Now, if they could only print it in a ink that won't fade after 5 washes. ....rolls eyes....
1 person likes this
@howard96h (11640)
• New York, New York
25 Feb 07
Thank you, I like your idea, similiar to another poster who said she hangs her clothes up after the dryer. You know when this happened I first thought something was wrong with the iron, so I shook it, banged it, took a big wooden spoon and slapped it, cursed it and still couldn't figure out why the wrinkles were still there, I mean I was following the directions and using a COOL iron. I think I might need to take an ironing class.
• United States
28 Feb 07
ok howard, your answer to my response made me laugh soooooo friggin' hard that I went into coughing fits setting my dog off into thinking something was terribly wrong and trying to 'cure' me with his face washing. lol Either I gotta stop reading your posts or make darn sure I'm not drinking/eating anything while reading any of your posts. PS...you don't need an ironing class. lol To me, COOL iron would mean just that as well. THAT'S why I refuse to iron. It's a pain in the u know what.
• United States
25 Feb 07
After finishing reading all the posts, something tells me your going to throw your iron out along with removing all the labels. lol I'm tellin' ya, the dryer with a fabric softener sheet beats a iron anyday. Happy drying!
@tsgirl01 (900)
• United States
24 Feb 07
I have to be honest like Crazynurse, I had a good laugh at the expense of your discussion. But you are right about the labels. Thanks for the laugh!
2 people like this
@howard96h (11640)
• New York, New York
24 Feb 07
Bet the garment union has something to do with this. Thanks.
1 person likes this
• United States
10 Aug 08
I am over here laughing my head off. I had my husband read it also, and he is in total agreement with you! He said that if it says a cool iron he would not have plugged it in either. He really doe not see what is so funny! LOL that is a Hoot! This has been the funniest thing that I have read here yet! When I get a chance I will have to go and check out more of your funny discussions!
@howard96h (11640)
• New York, New York
10 Aug 08
Tell your husband thank you for his support. He does not see what is so funny - neither do I. I was very upset with that shirt label, I followed the instructions, it just didn't work for me. I have thrown that shirt in the garbage because I was so mad and it was such a nice shirt!
• Canada
24 Feb 07
That is Funny , I know what you mean though I`ve had similar washing instructions on some of my clothes . Sometimes its frustrating but then I gotta laugh it off .
1 person likes this
@howard96h (11640)
• New York, New York
24 Feb 07
I have ruined more shirts because of those labels. Thanks for your reply.
1 person likes this
@SnIcKasS (1375)
• Israel
25 Feb 07
lol, I know that labels make people mad.. hehe.. but some of them are funny. but, I agree with you :)
@howard96h (11640)
• New York, New York
25 Feb 07
You know you have a good point, I'll bet when they sat and thought what they were going to print on the label they were probably laughing and saying, wonder how many idiots are going to try and iron this shirt with a cool iron. LOL Well, they got me. Now I know for next time.
1 person likes this
• India
29 Sep 07
It is very funny and interesting.I think cool means not too hot.I never read such instructions and it is only a marketing trick.
@howard96h (11640)
• New York, New York
28 Jul 08
Well I wish they would be careful how they word some of these ironing instructions. Thanks for your comment.
• United States
22 Aug 07
LMAO..... Howard WHY can I picture you standing there forever with an unplugged iron wondering why the heXX you can't get the wrinkles out? Wow how I miss your humor! LOL
@howard96h (11640)
• New York, New York
25 Aug 07
Hate the labels, hate the shirt and I hate irons!!!
@Fishmomma (11378)
• United States
25 Feb 07
I agree many of the labels are hard to understand and follow the instructions. One of my red shirts says wash in cold water, but what it falls to say is don't wash it with other cold water clothes, as my shirt isn't very red anymore. The other 3 shirts are a light red, so now I have 4 shirts that are exactly the same color. My daughter did the washing that day and now she washes every cold water item by itself.
@howard96h (11640)
• New York, New York
25 Feb 07
You see that, another new thing I just learned. Maybe they want us to mess things up so we can go and buy another one. Thanks.
1 person likes this
@junior07 (972)
• India
25 Feb 07
ya u r right,but cool here means not so much hot.
1 person likes this
@howard96h (11640)
• New York, New York
25 Feb 07
Now I know, but they could have just said "iron with a warm iron" I think they do this so we mess up the shirt and have to buy another one. LOL Thanks for responding.
1 person likes this
@tad1fan (3367)
• Canada
25 Feb 07
ITA with you here,as a matter of fact me and my sister were just talking about this last week as I bought a shirt and on the label it says to wash in cold water and than 'drip dry'.....to me,drip dry menas tohand wash and than wring out,gently and let hang to try.....am I suppose to remove it from the washer before the spin cycle?It's a mystery to me.....by the way,thanks for the chuclke,this is to funny
@tad1fan (3367)
• Canada
26 Feb 07
LMAO....this IS NOT what I really look like.....honestly!LOL
@howard96h (11640)
• New York, New York
26 Feb 07
I know you don't really look like this because your not wearing any make-up today!
@howard96h (11640)
• New York, New York
25 Feb 07
Always a pleasure to see your beautiful face.
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
4 Sep 07
Oh, here I am ready to call it a night, and say good night to mylot, but then I came across your discussion here and had fits of laughter...you made my whole day and night....I can see why your mom was rolling on the floor with laughter. But yes labels can be confusing...Another winner I think is the one where it says do not wring garment--this is for a "delicate" hand washable garment..in other words don't wring it to get the extra water off the garment...so then it's dripping all over the place..creating nice puddles--I rather risk wringing out the extra water and risk a few wrinkles than creating a flood
@howard96h (11640)
• New York, New York
4 Sep 07
I am so glad my ironing made you laugh. Now that I think about it I kind of feel like an idiot for not turning on the iron at all but it did say to use a "cool iron"! Oh I'll never understand some of the instructions they put on those labels. Please, lets not talk about washing clothes. hahaha
@ljcapps (1925)
• United States
28 Feb 07
Ironing? what's ironing? isn't that what they make the dryer for? dry cleaners? LOL okay, so in this house, we do actually own an iron, but it's more of a conversation piece than anything. We have simple rules, ignore the tag, if it's delicate, dry cleaners. if it's white, separate it, pants, towels etc etc. otherwise? wash it all in cold. LOL iron? HA!
@howard96h (11640)
• New York, New York
28 Feb 07
I like your system. I am going to put my iron on a shelf in my living room, it will now become my coversation piece. Thanks for the advice. LOL PS - I have removed all the labels on every shirt I have and I got a little carried away so while in LABEL REMOVAL MODE I even removed the labels off the mattresses. (shhhhhh - can't let the feds know!)
@matlgal (1686)
• United States
28 Feb 07
Oh My gosh Howard! you made me laugh sooooooooooooooo hard and I so needed that tonight, I've worked an 11 hour day and I knew I had come home and Iron a shirt for tomorrow for myself and I had this silly visual of you and that unplugged iron and got the giggles. But in all seriousness I agree with the labeling issues. I'm an old Iron-er from way back so I knew what a cool iron meant... but yet another label amy read low setting? or lowest setting like you said, So yes I think there needs to be a "universal" language that is used that befits the task at hand. And... one more complaint... LOL Don't make the label Identification with metallic thread that scratches! I hate those. I am a huge fan of the NO label brands now. But bless you tonight for the smiles!
@howard96h (11640)
• New York, New York
28 Feb 07
I am glad my ironing put a smile on your face. :)
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
13 Jul 07
I would have been laughing with your mom as well. I usually read the settings on the iron. There are ones for rayon, nylon, wool, cotton, linen, etc. and you should use the one for your type of material. They should have said to use the cool or lowest setting. I wonder where your shirt was made and whether the people who did the labels really knew English.
@howard96h (11640)
• New York, New York
18 Aug 07
I ended up throwing the shirt away I was so mad. Thanks for your reply.
@urbangirl (1456)
• Australia
26 Feb 07
howard96h, I'm with your mum - that made me laugh too! It never occurred to me that someone might not know what a "coll" iron meant. Next time they should put detailed instructions...1) Plug in the iron .....
@howard96h (11640)
• New York, New York
26 Feb 07
You see - that's the way to do a label. Thank you very much!!!
@mfpsassy (2827)
• United States
13 Jul 07
I do not iron period! When your clothes are done drying hang them up or fold them. Easy fix. If they are dry and wrinkled put them in the dryer with a damp towel and dry them for a few minutes. Wa la still no need for an iron
@howard96h (11640)
• New York, New York
18 Aug 07
I am going to try that. Thanks.
@bowtieguy (5915)
• United States
8 Jul 07
They must think were all ideots or something.
@howard96h (11640)
• New York, New York
9 Jul 07
I agree, they need to put the correct instructions on the labels. Thanks.