Textile Testing Methods

1. 1

2. INTRODUCTION
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This test determines
• the loss & change of color in the washing
process by a consumer;
• the possible staining of other garments or
lighter portion that may be washed with it;
• the performance of any dyed or printed
textile product to the common washing
process using a detergent and additives.

3. TEST EQUIPMENT AND
CONSUMABLES
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• Wash wheel
• Standard reference detergents without
Optical Brighteners, either ECE or AATCC
• Multifibre Fabric
• Stainless Steel Balls
• Bleach & Bleach activators
• Grade 3 Water
• Assessment facilities

4. TEST EQUIPMENT AND
CONSUMABLES
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Wash wheel pots
and stainless
steel balls
AATCC & ECE Standard
Reference Detergents
SDC DW Multifibre
Fabric

5. APPARATUS, MATERIALS AND
REAGENTS
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Suitable mechanical device, consisting of a
water bath containing a rotatable shaft which
supports, radially, stainless steel containers (75
mm ± 5 mm diameter ×125 mm ± 10 mm high)
of
capacity 550 ml ± 50 ml, the bottom of the
containers being 45 mm ± 10 mm from the
center of the shaft.
The shaft/container assembly is rotated at a
frequency of (40 ± 2) /min.
The temperature of the water bath is at the

6. APPARATUS, MATERIALS AND
REAGENTS
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Non-corrodible (stainless) steel balls,
approximately 6 mm in diameter
Adjacent fabrics
• a multifibre adjacent fabric (DW) containing
wool and acetate (tests at 40°C and 50°C
and in certain cases, to be indicated in the
test report, also at 60°C);
• a multifibre adjacent fabric (TV) not
containing wool and acetate (in certain tests

7. APPARATUS, MATERIALS AND
REAGENTS
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Detergent, without optical brightener. A
minimum volume of 1 litre of detergent solution
shall be
prepared, because of possible lack of
homogeneity of the detergent powder.
Either of two detergents may be used:
a) AATCC Reference Detergent WOB.
The detergent is low-sudsing; the surfactants
composing the detergent are anionic, with a
small proportion of non-ionic, and are

8. APPARATUS, MATERIALS AND
REAGENTS
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b) In countries where perborates are used in
laundering, the ECE Reference Detergent for
colour fastness testing, without optical
brightener, may be used.If required, sodium carbonate(Na2CO3)
Sodium hypochlorite or lithium
hypochlorite.

9. APPARATUS, MATERIALS AND
REAGENTS
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ISO 3696 Standard
ISO: International Organization for Standardization
Parameter Grade 3
Conductivity µS/cm < 5
pH at 25°C 5.0 -7.0
Oxidizable matter
Oxygen (02) content
mg/l < 0.4
Grade 3 Water

10. APPARATUS, MATERIALS AND
REAGENTS
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Grey Scales for
Assessment
Assessment being done in
standard lighting
conditions

11. PRINCIPLE
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A specimen of the textile in contact with
specified adjacent fabric or fabrics is laundered,
rinsed and dried.
Specimens are laundered under appropriate
conditions of temperature, alkalinity, bleaching
and abrasive action such that the result is
obtained in a conveniently short time.
The abrasive action is accomplished by the use
of a low liquor ratio and an appropriate number
of steel balls. The change in colour of the
specimen and the staining of the adjacent fabric

12. PROCEDURE IN BRIEF
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• Specimens are cut either in 40 x 100 mm
size (ISO) or 50 x 100 mm.
• A Multifibre swatch is attached to the
specimens. Care must be taken to ensure all
colours in the specimen are covered in
the test .
• A wash liquor is prepared using Grade 3
water, the appropriate detergent and
additives.
• The detergents that are specified are

13. PROCEDURE IN BRIEF
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• The composite specimen + multifibre is
placed in the wash wheel pot containing
wash liquor, with additives and steel balls
as may be required.
• The wash wheel is then run for the
appropriate time duration.
• The specimens are then removed, rinsed and
dried instill air at temperatures not exceeding
60°C.
• Once dry and conditioned, assessment is

14. ASSESSMENT
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Colorfastness to washing is assessed in three
ways:
• Change in shade – loss of color or tone
as compared to the original unwashed
sample
• Extent of staining on the multifibre sample.
• Self staining if any.
Standard grey scales are used for the
assessment where grades between 1 and 5 are
given in half steps. Assessment needs to be
done with clean grey scales using masks and
under standardized lighting conditions in a dark

15. ASSESSMENT
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Sample of rug showing shade
change and staining in the
colourfastness to washing test
Colourfastness to washing
specimen showing unacceptable
loss of colour

16. SUMMARY OF TEST CONDITIONS
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17. CONCLUSION
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The test for colourfastness to washing is one of
the most basic colourfastness tests used by
customers to evaluate end products. The
processor is required to understand the
product and its requirements so as to select the
colouration techniques and processes
accordingly.