Clothing and textiles
All clothing and most textile items sold in Australia must have care labelling which details how to care for an item to prevent problems with your purchase.
Caring for your clothing and textiles
Care instructions
All clothing and most textile items sold in Australia must have a label detailing the care instructions for the item. This is called ‘care labelling.’
These instructions should include:
- prohibited treatments and warnings
- washing instructions
- drying instructions
- ironing instructions
- dry cleaning instructions.
Before taking your item to be dry cleaned, make sure it is the right way to care for it.
Preventing further problems
There are a few things that both you and your dry cleaner can do to ensure that problems do not occur such as:
- making sure cleaning is done in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions outlined on the care label
- if you insist on an item being dry cleaned, despite the advice of the dry cleaner, ensure the dry cleaner notes this on the docket, and you should acknowledge it
- prior to dropping off the garment, all pockets should be checked to ensure that there are no foreign objects that may spoil the cleaning process
- examining the item carefully with the dry cleaner and noting any damage, for example, cloth blemishes, fading or tears on the docket
- keeping your dockets and receipt in case a problem occurs in future.
Your consumer rights with clothing and textiles
Under Australian Consumer Law, most products or services bought in Australia after 1 January 2011 come with automatic consumer guarantees.
The remedy if something goes wrong
The remedy when things go wrong will depend on whether the problem is major or minor.
You are entitled to an appropriate remedy from the business when the product or service you purchased does not meet one or more of the consumer guarantees.
You can find out more by visiting our repairs, replacements and refunds page.
Making a complaint
When making a complaint, you should include:
- details of the issues you are experiencing
- copies of any correspondence that shows how you have tried to resolve the matter.
How Fair Trading will handle your complaint
Your complaint will be reviewed to determine the most appropriate resolution. This may include:
- providing you with information to help resolve your complaint
- recording the complaint issues to assist in future compliance programs, or
- contacting the other party to try and resolve the dispute.
You can lodge a complaint:
Online
If you cannot resolve your matter, submit your complaint by using our form.
By mail
Post your complaint form and documentation to:
NSW Fair Trading
PO Box 972
Parramatta NSW 2124
Ask a question
If you are unable to find the information you need, you can call us between 8:30am to 5pm on Monday to Friday. You can also use our form to make an enquiry.