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

Open ACF, go to Templates tab and select the Product scope
Click “Add new field”
Label: “Washability” — Key auto-fills as “washability”
Namespace: leave as “accentuate”
Field type: Shopify >> Single-line text (single value for most products)
Do not enable multiple selections unless the product has multiple distinct washing methods
Click Done, then Save
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 %}
  <div class="care-info">
    <span class="care-label">Cleaning:</span>
    <span class="care-value">{{ washability }}</span>
  </div>
{% 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.