Can you cut the care label off

Short answer: Yes, you can cut off the care label if you write down the fibre content first. Cut close to the seam without cutting into the fabric itself, and the item will not be damaged.

Why many want the label gone

A care label can scratch, especially in the first weeks while the edge is still stiff. That is why many people cut it off. That is perfectly fine, as long as you do it carefully and keep the information. The label has a job, but you can easily hand that job to a photo or a note before you cut.

What you lose by cutting

The label holds the fibre content, care instructions and often the size, and all three can be hard to remember. This is especially true when you own several of the same women's bamboo tops. So take a photo of the label before cutting, and you can always check how to wash the item and what size it is.

How to cut safely

Cut parallel to the seam and leave two millimetres of the label in place, so the seam does not open. Use small, sharp scissors and hold the fabric slightly taut, so you do not cut into the item. The same care applies to women's bamboo underwear, where the fabric is thin and the seam sits close to the skin.

Avoid unpicking the label

It can be tempting to unpick the label from the seam to remove it completely. But then you risk opening the seam, and it will need sewing again. The small stub left when you cut close usually does not bother you, and it softens after a few washes. Just leave it.

The alternative that is often better

Instead of cutting, sew the label flat against the fabric with two stitches at each end. Then the edge does not stick out, and you keep the information on the item. This works especially well on thicker items such as a bamboo jogging suit, where the stitches cannot be seen from outside.

Wait a few washes first

A label usually only scratches in the first weeks, until washing has softened the edge. If you are unsure, give it a few washes before you decide. Many find that the label settles and can no longer be felt. Then you do not need to cut, and all the information stays on the item.

Returns and the product page

Your right to complain does not end because the label has been cut off. The receipt is what counts. If you forgot to save the information, you can often find the fibre content on the retailer's product page, if the item is still sold. It is a good reason to keep the receipt and perhaps a link.

Frequently asked questions

Do you lose your right to complain if the label is cut off?

No, the receipt is what counts. So keep it, and you can document the purchase if a problem with the item comes up later.

Can you find the fibre content elsewhere?

On the retailer's product page, if the item is still sold. Even so, it is a good idea to photograph the label before cutting it off.

How often does a label scratch?

Mostly only in the first weeks, until washing has softened the edge. So it pays to wait a few washes before cutting the label off.