Iron-On Labels for Aged Care Laundry Systems

In most residential facilities, laundry runs are shared: baskets from multiple residents are collected, sorted quickly and pushed through commercial-grade washers and dryers. With so many look-alike garments in circulation, it’s easy for items to go missing. That’s why many facilities require all clothing to be clearly labelled, ensuring everything makes its way back to the right resident.

Infection control is another major factor. Laundry is typically processed at high temperatures to meet hygiene standards, as outlined by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission and supported by members of the sector like Central Highlands Rural Health (which also notes that laundry marker pens are not acceptable due to fading). Additionally, the healthcare laundry benchmark, AS 4146:2024 Laundry Practice - as referenced by the Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control (ACIPC) - emphasises the need for durable identification that can withstand repeated hot wash and dry cycles.

Iron-on labels offer a practical, long-lasting solution. This guide supports carers, laundry teams and families with an end-to-end approach: from choosing the right clothing labels and setting up a rollout process, to the Brother tools that make it easy to build a system that lasts well beyond the first wash.

aged care working loading a washing machine

How iron-on labels support visibility through the laundry lifecycle

When every garment carries a permanent, legible ID - ideally a high-contrast iron-on label placed on the care tag or inside hem - it stays identifiable at every hand-off: from intake to wash, dry, fold and return.

This small change turns laundry from a guessing game into a reliable, repeatable system. Staff sort faster, returns are accurate and favourite jumpers make it back to the right wardrobe. For residents, that protects dignity and reduces distress. For teams, it means fewer complaints, less manual tracking and time back to care.

Here’s how a well-placed clothing labels for aged care residents support every stage of the process:

Intake – Garments are labelled once in a consistent format for each resident
Wash – Iron on labels stay put and remain readable through hot cycles and detergents
Dry – Properly applied clothing labels won’t curl, peel or fade in the dryer
Fold – Staff know exactly where to look (care tag or inside hem)
Return – Clothing is sorted confidently and reaches the correct resident every time

clothes with iron on labels

What to look for in a durable labelling setup for aged care laundry

As garments go through commercial-grade washers and dryers, often at high temperatures, durability matters. Labels that fade, peel or fall off can cause frustration, delays and avoidable admin work.

Here’s what to look for in a durable labelling setup:

Wash & dry tolerance
Choose labelling media that’s rated for hot water, detergent and tumble drying. Heat-seal (iron-on) labels that stay put through repeated wash cycles are ideal - especially when aligned with Aged Care Quality Standards and laundry best practices.
Readability
Labels should be easy to read at a glance. Use high-contrast combinations like blue text on a white background, and aim for a font size between 12–18 pt. If your policy allows, include room numbers or resident IDs for faster sorting and return.
Placement
Make labels easy to find. Apply them to the care tag wherever possible. If that’s not an option, use the inside hem or waistband. These spots help minimise abrasion and ensure labels stay legible longer.

Tips for using iron-on labels in aged care settings

Durable clothing garment labels only work if there’s a consistent system. Use the checklist below to set clear standards in your facility and keep the process seamless for both staff and families:

Make names unmistakable: Use SURNAME Given (Room/ID) in bold, high-contrast text. Keep it short and easy to scan
Choose wash-proof media: Use iron-on (heat-seal) labels for clothing, and laminated adhesive labels for hard items like baskets, walkers or drawers
Place labels where staff expect them: Start with the care tag. If that’s not an option, use the waistband or inside hem
Print in batches: Save time with a master list. Batch-print full sets during onboarding and top up as needed
Size for legibility: Use roughly 12–18 pt font. Test readability at arm’s length
Maximise contrast: Blue on white (or other high-contrast pairings like blue on yellow and blue on pink) stays readable over time
Set the standard from day one: Document format, placement and font guidelines as part of your intake process
Apply labels properly: Use a pressing cloth, firm pressure and the correct heat/time settings. Let cool before handling
Add a quick quality check: At the folding table, re-press or replace any labels that look light or are starting to lift
Keep spares close: Store a roll of iron-on tape and a label maker at each laundry station or care wing

applying an iron on label

Make batch printing easy with free Brother labelling software

Creating large volumes of consistent, readable labels is fast with Brother's label design software. You can set up your own templates, import resident data and print a full run in minutes.

Desktop (Windows/Mac – P-touch Editor): Import a CSV of names and room numbers, choose a pre-designed template (e.g. two lines, bold font), and batch-print all labels at once
Mobile apps: Brother’s Design&Print 2 and iPrint&Label apps let you save templates and print replacement labels on the spot - ideal for laundry teams or carers on the go

brother p-touch cube printing

Cost of Brother P-touch label tapes for laundry labelling

Setting up a laundry labelling system for aged care doesn’t need to be complex or costly. A reliable label maker like the PT-D610BT or PT-P910BT is a one-time purchase that enables quick, consistent label creation. These models are ideal for central benches or mobile use across care wings.

Brother’s TZe Fabric Iron-On tapes are sold in set lengths (3m). You can estimate your cost per label using this method:

Roll length of 3m ÷ average label length of 50mm* = 42 labels per roll
Roll price ($28.50 RRP**) ÷ 60 labels per roll = $0.68 per label

*A 3m roll of Brother TZe Fabric Iron-On tape can produce around 42 standard name-and-surname labels, once you factor in the extra 20mm of tape used at the start of each print. We highly recommend using the chain print and half-cut features to help reduce it.
**Keep in mind that TZe Fabric Iron-On tape and P-touch label maker prices may vary by retailer/reseller. Check with Brother authorised retailers and resellers for the most up-to-date pricing, then use the method above to estimate your per-label cost.

Ready to reduce lost laundry and give time back to care?

Start with iron on labels that last. Explore Brother’s P-touch label printers and TZe Fabric Iron-On tapes, or contact us about a simple, facility-wide rollout for your nursing home.

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