How to write care instructions for clothing, candles and accessories
Clear wording for washing, storing and handling guidance across clothing, candles and accessories, based only on what you have tested yourself.
Care instructions are a quiet part of the product page, but they save a lot of trouble. A customer who knows how to look after a piece is less likely to damage it and then write to you unhappy. The key rule is simple: only write what you have tested or know to be true.
Test before you write
Before listing care advice, try it yourself. Wash a sample garment the way you plan to recommend. Burn a candle through a few sessions. Wear an accessory in daily life for a week. If you have not tested something, say less rather than guessing. "Hand wash in cool water" is useful only if hand washing really works for that fabric.
Keep the wording plain and action-led
Use short imperative lines that begin with a verb, one instruction per line:
- Wash separately in cold water
- Dry in shade
- Do not wring or bleach
This is easy to scan and easy to follow. Avoid long paragraphs and vague phrases such as "treat with care".
Clothing
For garments, cover washing, drying and, if relevant, ironing. Mention if the colour may bleed in the first wash, but only if you have seen it happen. For printed or dyed pieces, a short note on colour behaviour is sensible. Fabric details belong earlier in the description; see describing material and fabric honestly.
Candles
Candle care is mostly about burning and storage. You might include:
- Trim the wick before each burn
- Keep away from draughts, children and pets
- Never leave a burning candle unattended
- Store in a cool place away from direct sunlight
Add burn times only if you have measured them with your own candles. The numbers will differ from other makers, so do not borrow them. If you sell candles, this guide to starting a candle business covers more of the product side.
Accessories and jewellery
For jewellery, bags and similar pieces, think about what spoils them: water, perfume, friction and humidity. Typical lines include "keep away from water and perfume" and "store in the pouch provided". Again, write only what applies to the material you use, since brass, silver and plated pieces behave differently. See starting handmade jewellery for related product advice.
Where to place care instructions
Put care near the bottom of the description, after the key facts and specifications, as a short list. On a phone, shoppers who care will find it, and those who do not will not be slowed down. In the Varchas product editor the description field mentions care as one of the details to cover. For the overall order, see how to structure a product description for mobile.
Repeat it with the order
A care card tucked into the parcel is a nice reminder, and it reduces the chance of questions after delivery. You can reuse the same wording from your product page.
Do not make medical or safety claims
If the product is something people use on skin, eat or burn, be careful. Stick to the safe handling you know, and check anything official with a professional. When you are unsure, keep it factual and leave the claim out.