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Guide '07 to a Shatnez-Free Home Guide ‘07 To A Shatnez-Free Home INTRODUCTION This information is current only at the time of publication Frequently Asked Questions reinforcements used in their products. Because of z What types of clothing need Shatnez testing? this lack of information, even a shomer shabbos z Garments from which countries should I avoid? retailer or manufacturer cannot be relied upon to z Can I tell from the label if a garment is non- claim that his merchandise is Shatnez-free. This Shatnez? applies even though the clothing was manufactured especially for him, and even if he was present at the When shopping for clothing, the Jewish consumer factory during production. In addition, many wants to be sure that his purchase is Shatnez–free. retailers will falsely testify that a particular garment Unfortunately, the information generally available was tested and found non-Shatnez. All garments to the consumer is very limited and occasionally pre-tested by an authorized Shatnez laboratory will misleading. Outlined below are the sources of this carry an official label. information and an explanation of their inadequacies. Tailors and unqualified testers – There are some tailors and other people who claim to know Shatnez Content Labels – By Federal law, all garments are testing. While they may be familiar with the basic required to have a label listing the content of the elements of testing, they have not been trained in fabric. However, only the main shell fabric of the the complexities of garment construction and garment is included in this requirement. The content identification, and they do not keep up-to-date with of linings, reinforcements, and internal components the constant stream of new developments in the of the garment are not listed on the label. In field. Only a certified Shatnez tester, who has addition, any fiber making up less than 5% of the received extensive training and who is informed of content is not identified by name, but listed as the latest problems and procedures, can be relied “other fibers”. Even decorations and embroidery on upon to ensure that one’s clothing is Shatnez-free. the outside of the garment are only referred to as “exclusive of ornamentation”. Since all these sources cannot be relied on for information about Shatnez, where can one obtain Besides the deficiencies in the labelling law, the the knowledge to avoid Shatnez problems? To problem is further compounded by the address this need, the International Association of government’s laxness in enforcing these laws. Professional Shatnez Testers and Researchers has Many companies, knowing that they have nothing compiled a chart of clothing and household items, to fear from an enforcement agency, do not bother the Shatnez problems they can have, and their to accurately identify the fibers used in their testing requirements. This information, presented products, and may even deliberately misrepresent on the following pages in chart form, is based on their content in order to boost sales. Consumers years of experience and input from our network of should make a habit of reading the content label in expert testers all over the world. The information order to avoid obvious Shatnez. contained in this guide is current at the time of publication. Changes are constantly occurring and it Retailer’s claims – A storeowner or salesperson is important to keep up to date. Updates via email cannot possibly be familiar with all of the will inform you of all the latest changes and new components and fabrics incorporated in the alerts. You can also contact your local Shatnez garments they sell. Even the factories that tester for advice on these issues. To receive the manufacture clothing are often unaware of, and are emails, contact: [email protected] not required to know, the content of internal Guide To A Shatnez-Free Home ITEM DETAILS REQUIRES TESTING COMMENTS Alterations/Tailoring See “Tailoring” Army/Navy Surplus All military-type garments, including Testing is required. When purchasing these coats, hats, uniforms, etc, are likely to items, which are usually contain extensive Shatnez due to their non-returnable, bear in durable construction. mind that the Shatnez may be so extensive that the garment cannot be repaired. Bandages Do not require testing. Baseball gloves May contain felt pads of recycled Halachic opinions on this material. complex issue vary widely. Bed linens Do not require testing. Bekeshes Even though the external fabric is usually silk or synthetic the internal Tish bekeshes that do not construction could contain wool. Testing is recommended. have a lining do not need to be tested. Belts, leather Do not require testing Blankets/Quilts Down and polyester-filled quilts do not Blankets made of wool or Hand-made blankets, such need testing. “mixed fibers” should be as those made in India or tested. purchased in an Arab shuq, should be tested. Blouses/dresses/jumpers The external fabric, as well as any trimmings, patches, collars, and cuffs, In the case of a snap-on (including children’s) are all areas of concern. Any wool blend, linen blend, linen-look fabric, or linen collar on a wool any fabric containing “other fibers,” requires testing. Cottons and poly- dress, consult your Rov. cottons do not need testing. Rayons and silks that have a linen-look require testing as they may be blended with wool or linen. Boots (men’s, women’s and Usually do not require testing. Boots require testing if they Removable boot liners children’s) are lined with wool or fleece. may contain recycled materials. Felt or fleece boot linings may be wool, while stitching may be linen. Caps & Berets Caps may contain Shatnez in the fabric Have it tested when fabric is or lining. wool, tweed, or linen look. Cardigans – see sweaters Carpet/Rugs Non-woollen carpets do not require House calls are available at There are many halachos testing. most Shatnez laboratories for pertaining to the use of a those who wish to have their Shatnez carpet. Carpet manufactures are producing carpets tested. carpets and area rugs made of wool and Generally, one may not be linen. covered by it nor touch it with their bare skin (lying on it or walking barefoot). Chairs - see couches 2 Guide To A Shatnez-Free Home ITEM DETAILS TESTING PROCEDURE COMMENTS Coats (men’s, women’s and Down coats, anoraks, and parkas do not All wool coats require testing. children’s) require testing if lining is polyester or down-filled. Windbreakers, Shear lings do not require testing. Children’s coat manufactures use reprocessed material in shell fabrics, linings, sleeves, and internal components. Coats- raincoats - See Raincoats Fur- See fur coats Costumes Homemade costumes are often made of All clothing bought from Use caution when sewing many fabrics and can contain Shatnez. consignment shops for Purim costumes for Military uniforms often contain Shatnez. or performances should be performances, etc. Since See “Army/Navy Surplus.” tested. the fabrics used are often Children’s manufactured clown and remnants, care should be animal costumes do not need testing. taken to ensure that they are not Shatnez. Couches, sofas and chairs Upholstery fabric – is usually made of In the case of furniture found Most sofas manufactured synthetic materials or cotton. If the to contain Shatnez, the halacha in Israel prior to 1980 fabric is wool or linen the item should be regarding its use varies contain Shatnez. Those tested for Shatnez. according to the made more recently are Stuffing – may contain reprocessed circumstances. mostly of synthetic fiber. material. Check the labels on the article as in this case they are usually accurate. Curtains Textured or linen-look curtain fabrics Halacha dictates that may contain linen and/or wool. Smooth curtains in one’s home or plain fabrics do not require testing. cannot be Shatnez, since one may wrap oneself in it. (See Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 176:7) Custom-made clothing Any lined custom-made garment, such Shatnez testers around the world constantly report custom- as skirts, suits, jackets, and coats, require made garments that were guaranteed non-Shatnez by the extensive testing. tailor, yet were subsequently found to contain Shatnez. Earmuffs Do not require testing. Embroidery kits - Embroidery, crewel, and needlepoint A needlepoint that is Shatnez A picture mounted in a Needlepoints sets can contain a linen canvas. Wool one should refrain from frame, however may be yarn is also commonly used. draping over one’s lap while hung on one’s wall even making it. if it contains Shatnez. Needlepoint kits often contain a linen (See Yoreh Deah 301: ) canvas and wool yarn. Once the project is completed, the canvas will not be visible and it will look like a wool fabric. Fabrics and trimmings Fabrics and trimmings sold at fabric All fabrics, trimmings, thread, Stores located in stores are often mislabelled, since they etc. used in a sewing project Orthodox Jewish are often transferred through many should be tested to ensure that neighbourhoods have dealers (such fabrics are usually factory wool and linen are not been found to carry leftovers sold through jobbers in odd combined in the same Shatnez fabrics. lots). garment. 3 Guide To A Shatnez-Free Home ITEM DETAILS TESTING PROCEDURE COMMENTS Felt hats Standard felt “black hats” are No testing is needed. constructed of rabbit hair, beaver fur, and in rare cases wool. Fur coats May be stitched, lined, or padded with Standard testing required. wool and/or linen. Gloves Inexpensive knit gloves that contain If lining or outer fabric has a Ski-type gloves with impurities may have reprocessed threads linen-look or if it lists “other Thinsulate linings do not and could contain wool and linen. fibers” or has an appliqué, it have any Shatnez should be tested.
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