Care labels say 'dry clean only' as manufacturer liability shields, not cleaning guidance

The FTC's Care Labeling Rule requires manufacturers to list at least one safe cleaning method, but manufacturers overwhelmingly default to 'dry clean only' as a liability shield -- not because the garment actually requires solvent-based cleaning, but because testing additional methods costs money and exposes the manufacturer to claims if the alternative damages the fabric. Studies suggest that the majority of garments labeled 'dry clean only' can be safely wet cleaned. This matters because consumers spend $60-80 per month on dry cleaning they may not need, exposing themselves and dry cleaning workers to unnecessary perc or solvent contact. Wet cleaning has been proven to handle most 'dry clean only' garments with equivalent or better results. The structural root cause is that the FTC rule only requires one method to be listed, manufacturers face liability if they list a method that damages even a small percentage of units, and there is no incentive or requirement to test and list the least toxic effective method.