> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.accentuate.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.accentuate.io/use-case-guides/kids-and-baby/washability.md). # Washability OVERVIEW The Washability field describes how a product can be cleaned, what cleaning method it supports, and any care restrictions that apply. For children's products, this is a high-frequency practical concern: toys get mouthed, soft items get spilled on, and outdoor products get muddy. Parents want to know the answer before they buy. Washability is not just a practical filter — it is a durability and safety signal. A product that is easy to clean is more likely to maintain its safety properties over time. A product that cannot be adequately cleaned becomes a hygiene concern. Structured washability data answers a question that parents ask constantly but that product descriptions rarely answer clearly.
BUSINESS VALUE Why this field matters * Washability is among the top practical filters for parents of toddlers and young children * Machine-washable soft toys and bedding are actively preferred over hand-wash-only alternatives * Clear washability data reduces the "will this survive a wash?" pre-purchase question that drives cart abandonment * For products marketed as hygienically safe or medical-grade, washability is a core product attribute * Childcare settings (nurseries, hospitals) require structured washability data for procurement decisions * Returns caused by products that do not clean as expected are significantly reduced by accurate washability data
ACF SETUP How to configure this field in Accentuate Custom Fields | Where | ACF dashboard → Templates tab → Product scope → Add new field | | ----------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Label | Washability | | Name / Key | washability | | Namespace | accentuate (default) | | Field type | Shopify >> Single-line text (single value) — one primary cleaning method per product | | Multi-value | Generally no — a product has one primary washing method. Use the description field for supplementary care notes. |
| Note: For most products a single washability value is sufficient. If a product has genuinely distinct primary and secondary cleaning methods (e.g. a toy with removable machine-washable fabric and a wipe-clean plastic base), consider a List type. When in doubt, single value is cleaner. | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
STEP-BY-STEP IN ACF 1. Open ACF, go to Templates tab and select the Product scope 2. Click "Add new field" 3. Label: "Washability" — Key auto-fills as "washability" 4. Namespace: leave as "accentuate" 5. Field type: Shopify >> Single-line text (single value for most products) 6. Do not enable multiple selections unless the product has multiple distinct washing methods 7. Click Done, then Save 8. Open a soft toy, bath product, or outdoor item and verify the field accepts the washing method value | Shopify admin (optional pinning): Pin in Shopify admin: Settings → Custom data → Products. Namespace: "accentuate", Key: "washability", Type: Single-line text. Single-value field — no list needed. Easy for product managers to fill in from the standard product edit screen. | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Repeatability: Single-value field by design. Do not enable multiple selections or repeatable sections unless the product genuinely requires multiple distinct cleaning methods. | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
REFERENCE VALUES Example values — adapt to your catalog | Value | When to use | | -------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Machine washable 30°C | Standard cool machine wash; most cotton and synthetic soft toys | | Machine washable 40°C | Standard warm machine wash; appropriate for regular hygiene cleaning | | Machine washable 60°C | High-temperature wash; for hygiene-critical items (hospital use, illness recovery) | | Hand wash only | Delicate materials, embellishments, or electronic components that cannot machine wash | | Wipe-clean | Plastic, silicone, or coated surfaces; damp cloth or antibacterial wipe compatible | | Dishwasher safe (top rack) | Hard plastic or silicone items; top rack only to avoid heat damage | | Surface wash only | Spot cleaning with damp cloth; no full immersion; applies to foam-filled items | | Spot clean only | Very delicate materials; targeted cleaning of soiled area only | | Not washable | Electronic, paper-based, or structurally fragile products; no water contact | | Rinse and air dry | Bath toys and water products; rinse after use to prevent mould |
BEST PRACTICES * Use the washing instructions from the product care label as the primary source of truth * For soft toys, machine washable at 40°C or higher is a strong selling point — make it visible * For bath toys, "Rinse and air dry" is essential information that prevents mould — do not omit it * Where washability affects safety certification compliance, note this in the product description * Display washability near material safety attributes — together they form a practical care cluster COMMON MISTAKES * Entering vague values like "Can be cleaned" — specify the method * Applying "Machine washable" without specifying the temperature — temperature matters for safety and longevity * Not populating this field for outdoor products where mud and mess are the entire point * Omitting washability for products marketed to hospitals, nurseries, or childcare settings * Conflating washability with material safety — they are related but distinct dimensions \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \
IN CONTEXT | Organic Muslin Security Blanket | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Age range: 0–6 months, 6–12 months | | Washability: Machine washable 40°C | | Material safety: OEKO-TEX certified fabric, Non-toxic, Flame retardant-free | | Safety certifications: CE, EN 71 Part 2, OEKO-TEX Standard 100 | | Gender neutrality: Gender neutral | \
Developer Implementation | Liquid note: Single-value Shopify >> Single-line text — access with .value directly. No loop needed. Display near material safety and certifications for maximum trust signal clustering. | | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | \
Liquid — Storefront Rendering\\
``` {% comment %} Washability — Shopify >> Single-line text (single value) Namespace: accentuate | Key: washability Single value — access with .value directly, no loop {% endcomment %} {% assign washability = product.metafields.accentuate.washability.value %} {% if washability != blank %}
Cleaning: {{ washability }}
{% endif %} ``` | Pro tip: Add washability to your product page care icons block. Map common values to SVG laundry symbols using a Liquid case statement — machine wash temperatures map to standard laundry care symbols, giving parents a visual care guide at a glance with no extra design work. | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
SEE ALSO * Material safety — material and washing method interact; some washing methods can affect material safety * Safety certifications — OEKO-TEX certification implies washability compliance requirements * Use case — bath time and outdoor use cases make washability a primary attribute, not an afterthought | Full ACF documentation: help.accentuate.io | | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Metafield Definitions → Fields → Field data type → Shopify field types |