Colour fastness to washing is a textile’s ability to keep its original colour after washing under the specified conditions. This means they will not fade or change colour. It is an important indicator of the quality of printing and dyeing. The unqualified discolouration or staining affects the product’s look and performance. It also harms the appearance and performance of the textiles washed with it.
The current standards for colour fastness to washing are: ‘Textile colour fastness test part C06: colour fastness to domestic and commercial washing’ (ISO105-C06:2010); ‘Textile colour fastness test part C10: colour fastness to washing with soap or soda’ (ISO105-C10:2006); and ‘Colour fastness to washing in water: accelerated method’ (AATCC61:2010). AATCC61:2010).
ISO 105-C06:2010 Colour fastness to washing Purpose and principle
The ISO 105-C06:2010 test checks the colour fastness of textiles. It measures the durability of their colours during washing. The test checks the colour fastness of textiles. It simulates washing and observes any colour changes.
The colour fastness to washing test involves washing the test samples with the appliqué fabrics. We perform this under specified conditions with mechanical agitation. After washing, we rinse and dry the samples. The test checks for any discoloration of the samples and staining of the appliqué fabrics. The test uses various detergents, temps, and times to simulate different washes. This assesses textiles’ color fastness under those conditions.
Why choose ISO105-C06:2010 Colour fastness to washing?
We chose ISO 105-C06:2010. It tests textiles’ colour fastness to washing. It ensures they keep their original colour after repeated home and commercial laundering. This standard tests the colour fastness of textiles to washing. It considers various washing methods to ensure accurate, reliable results.
The ISO 105-C06:2010 standard tests the colour fastness of textiles. It focuses on their ability to resist fading from domestic and commercial laundering. This standard simulates the colour change of textiles during washing. It does this via a series of standardised test procedures. It expresses the results in a five-tier rating system. A rating of 1 indicates the strongest colour. A rating of 5 indicates the least strong. This test method ensures that the colour fastness of textiles from different batches or producers is comparable.
The wash fastness test is key to knowing how to wash textiles. It shows how often and how well you can wash them. Textiles of different qualities and materials may change color in the wash. Manufacturers and consumers both value colour fastness tests. They ensure the quality and durability of textiles. Also, the test results depend on the detergent, wash temp, time, and drying conditions. You must consider these to ensure the test’s accuracy.
In summary, we chose the ISO105-C06:2010 washing test. It provides a standard, reliable test for textile colour fastness. It is for various uses.
How does ISO 105-C06:2010 colour fastness to washing rate the test results?
ISO 105-C06:2010 tests the colour fastness of textiles to washing. It uses a series of standardised steps and rating systems. These assess the textiles’ colour stability in domestic and commercial laundering. The test results are usually expressed as a rating, e.g. a five-point system (1 is the best, 5 the worst).
The test method involves the steps of washing, drying and evaluating the samples. Below, we describe the specific steps:
Prepare the lye solution for the test. Configure it differently for each test item.
Place the sample, the multi-fibre cloth, and the stainless steel ball in a stainless steel cylinder. Then, add the lye solution.
Set the wash time, temperature, and other parameters. Then, wash.
After washing, we wash the sample with distilled water to remove excess water. Then, they dry it in an environment not exceeding 60°C.
A standard grey scale under a standard light source rated the colour change of the samples and the staining of the multifibre cloth.
The grading system usually uses a five-point scale as follows:
Grade 1: Very little colour change, barely noticeable.
Grade 2: Small colour change, but clearly visible.
Grade 3: There is a moderate change in colour.
Grade 4: Significant change in colour.
Level 5: A very significant colour change, almost to another colour.
Below is the specific test procedure of the ISO 105-C06-2010 standard.
ISO 105-C06:2010, a test for textiles, is about colour fastness to laundering. It covers both domestic and commercial washing.
1. Test principle
Someone sews a textile specimen with one or two pieces of a standard appliqué fabric. It is then placed in a soap solution and anhydrous sodium carbonate. Someone agitates the mixture for a set time and temperature. Then, someone washes and dries it. The original sample as a reference. Use a grey sample card or tool to check for stains on the lining fabric.
2. Instruments and equipment
① Suitable washing machine, with a rotating shaft and a water bath. The rotating shaft supports a number of stainless steel containers. Each has a capacity of 550 ± 50 mL, a diameter of 75 ± 5 mm, and a height of 125 ± 10 mm. The distance from the shaft’s center to the container’s bottom is 45 ± 10 mm. shaft and container rotation speed of (40 ± 2) r / min. The thermostat controls the water bath temperature. It keeps the test solution at the specified temperature ± 2 ℃.
② Balance, accurate to ±0.01g.
③ A mechanical stirrer must spin at least 16.667 r/s (1000 r/min). This will fully disperse the substance and prevent precipitation.
④ Corrosion-resistant stainless steel beads with a diameter of approximately 6mm.
⑤ A device for heating the soap, such as a heating plate.
3. Reagents and standard substances
① Reagent preparation
Soap, by dry weight, must contain no more than 5% moisture. It must meet these requirements: free alkali (as Na₂CO₃) ≤ 0.3%; free alkali (as NaOH) ≤ 0.1%; total fat matter ≥ 850g/kg; prepared soap mixed fatty acids freezing point of ≤ 30 °C; iodine value of ≤ 50. Soap must not contain fluorescent whitening agents.
Anhydrous sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃).
Soap with 5 g of soap (a.) per litre of water (d.) for tests under conditions A and B, and 5 g of soap (a.) and 2 g of sodium carbonate (b.) Dissolve the soap in tertiary water at (25±5)°C for tests under conditions C, D, and E, using 1 g of soap per litre of water. Stir for (10±1) min.
Tertiary water.
② Appliquéd fabrics, selected according to a. or b.
a. Multi-fibre lining fabrics, selected according to the test temperature:
DW type (including acetate, cotton, nylon, polyester, acrylic, wool, 1.5cm wide)
Type TV (containing acetate, cotton, nylon, polyester, acrylic, viscose, 1.5cm wide)
Test at 40°C and 50°C, and sometimes 60°C, on multi-fibre lining fabrics with wool and acetate. Specify this in the test report.
Multifibre interlining fabrics without wool and vinyl (for some tests at 60°C and all tests at 95°C).
b. Two pieces of single-fibre interlining fabric. The manufacturer makes the first piece from the same fibres as the specimen. They make the second piece from the specified fibres. If the specimen is a blended article, the manufacturer makes the first piece from primary content fibres. The manufacturer makes the second piece from secondary content fibres, or as specified.
4. Specimen preparation
① If the specimen is fabric, prepare the combined specimen using one of these methods.
Take a 100mm x 40mm specimen. Its front side must touch a 100mm x 40mm piece of multi-fibre lining fabric [(3) ②b.]. Sew it along one short edge.
Take a 100mm x 40mm specimen. Sandwich it between two 100mm x 40mm single-fibre lining fabric pieces [(3) ②b.]. Sew along a short edge.
② If the specimen is yarn, we can weave the yarn into a fabric and test it in the same manner as the fabric. For yarn or loose fibre, take a mass equal to half of the appliquéd fabric’s total mass. Then, prepare a combined specimen in one of the following ways.
Sandwich a 100mm x 40mm piece of multi-fibre fabric and a 100mm x 40mm piece of dyed, non-colourful fabric. Sew along the four sides.
Sandwich two pieces of 100mm x 40mm single-fibre lining fabric. Sew along the four edges.
③ Determine the mass of the combined specimen with a balance in g to facilitate the precise bath ratio. The bath ratio is 50:1.
5. Procedure
① Prepare the soap solution according to the test method.
② Combine the specimens and the given number of stainless steel beads in the container. Inject the required amount of soap, preheated to ±2℃ of the test temperature, at a 50:1 bath ratio. Cover the container. Then, operate at the specified temperature and time, and start timing. It is best to clearly separate the test containers. One should contain a fluorescent whitening agent, and the other, a non-fluorescent one. (Note: Some detergents’ brighteners may stain the container.) If testers use stained containers in tests with detergents that do not contain fluorescent brighteners, they may affect the specimen’s color fastness.)
③ For all tests, remove the combination specimen at the end of washing. Wash them twice separately in tertiary water and then rinse in running water until clean.
④ For all methods, squeeze the excess water from the combination specimen by hand. (If needed, leave one stitch on the short side. Remove the rest and unfold the combined specimen.))
⑤ Place the specimen between two sheets of filter paper. Squeeze to remove excess moisture. Then, hang it to dry in air at no more than 60°C, with the specimen connected to the lining by a single seam only.
6. Analysis of results
Use a grey sample card or instrument to grade the specimen. Compare it to the original. Assess the specimen’s discolouration and the lining fabric’s staining. Then, record the data and generate a paper test report. (ChiuVention colour fastness to washing tester: generate an online test report and share it with one click. It’s smart and efficient!))
Steps of ChiuVention colour fastness to washing tester
WashTrue colour fastness to washing tester uses an intelligent temperature control algorithm. It ensures the washing test is both reliable and meets the requirements. You can conduct test operations on the touch screen. They include selecting standards, parameters, time, and temperature. You can also add or drain water.
The washing fastness tester uses IoT to connect to the SmarTexLab APP on mobile/PC. It also connects to ERP/LIMS via an API. The instrument can connect directly to ERP/LIMS. The tester can now obtain test orders and sample info from the system. They can then perform the test and record the sample info, test process, and test results. The system will automatically summarize this into a test report. SmarTexLab or ERP/LIMS can receive it, and all parties can view it in real-time.
Testers can remotely monitor the status of multiple tests. They can modify test requirements, get alerts when a test ends, and remotely stop or repeat the test.
In SmarTexLab, you can:
Set up programmes to start or stop instruments remotely.
Chat online with customer service for quick support.
Get reminders for instrument calibrations, maintenance, and consumable replacements.
Perform regular OTA remote upgrades.
1. Preparation
① Put the test clothes into the cup together with the steel ball.
② Install the large test cup to the main shaft of the water cylinder. Then, install the small test cup to the same main shaft.
Ensure that no one installs the test cups or puts their hands in the tank before rotating the test cup clamps.
Check that the water inlet and drain pipes are properly installed.
2. Weighing and Dispensing
SmartDispen is a tailor-made device for washing colour fastness test.
The washing colour fastness test is now faster. Sample prep is 6 times more efficient. Three stations can dispense different soaps. With 24 test cups, the old method took over 20 minutes. The SmartDispen method takes only 3 minutes.
More reliable testing: automatic weighing and dispensing of the sample, stirring, water filling, and output of a set number of steel balls. This one-step process prepares samples for colour fastness testing of washing. It reduces errors from manual operation.
The intelligent washing dispenser is IoT-enabled. It can view sample prep data in SmarTexLab, ERP, or LIMS.
3. Selection of standards
It applies to ISO105C06:2010, AATCC61-2013e3, GB/T12490-2014, M&SC4, AATCC190-2010e2(2016)e2, NEXTTM02, and other standards.
4. Start Test
Click the Start button to begin the test.
5. End of Test
(Buzzer Alarm) The test has finished. Take out the clothes in the cup. Click the drain button (make sure the water is below 70 degrees). Drain the water to finish the test.
For more information on textile testing methods/standards
or textile testing machines, contact us:
What’s App: +86 180 2511 4082
Tel: +86 769 2329 4842
Fax: +86 769 2329 4860
Email: [email protected]