What is the ISO standard for color fastness?

Color fastness to washing refers to a textile's ability to retain its original color after washing under specified conditions, meaning it remains colorfast and colorfast. It is a key indicator of printing and dyeing quality. Unacceptable fading and discoloration can affect the appearance and performance of the product and impair the appearance and performance of the textile after washing.

Color fastness can also be defined as the resistance of color to bleeding or bleeding after washing or wearing. This describes the material's ability to resist fading or bleeding. If the color and dye of a garment do not bleed or run from the garment, the garment is considered colorfast. Color fastness should be tested before using any type of bleach, bleaching solution, or harsh cleaning product. Color fastness is a very important factor for buyers. The color fastness performance of a textile is an important measure of product quality.

To test color fastness, first locate an inconspicuous seam or hidden area on the garment. Apply detergent to the garment and dab the area with a clean cotton cloth.

Currently, the standards for color fastness to washing include: "Textiles—Tests for Color Fastness—Part C06: Color Fastness to Domestic and Commercial Laundry" (ISO 105-C06:2010); "Textiles—Tests for Color Fastness—Part C10: Color Fastness to Washing with Soap or Soda" (ISO 105-C10:2006); and "Color Fastness to Washing: Accelerated Method" (AATCC 61:2010).

Color Fastness to Washing

The color fastness to washing test measures the ability of a fabric to retain its color after washing. This test assesses the effects of domestic or commercial laundering on the color of a fabric. Washing color fastness testing is crucial for various textile products, especially those that are frequently washed, such as clothing, bedding, and other household textiles, or textiles used in hospitals.

The primary standard for color fastness to washing is ISO 105-C06:2010. which uses a reference detergent to simulate typical household washing conditions.

Two types of tests are performed:

Single (S) test: This represents a single commercial or domestic wash cycle and evaluates fading and staining due to desorption and abrasion.

Multiple (M) test: This simulates up to five commercial or domestic wash cycles, simulating more severe washing conditions by increasing mechanical stress.

This test involves washing a fabric sample under specific conditions (temperature, detergent concentration, and mechanical stress) and then evaluating adjacent fabrics for fading and staining.

ISO 105-C06:2010 Colorfastness to Washing - Purpose and Principles

The ISO 105-C06:2010 test examines the colorfastness of textiles. It measures the durability of color during washing. This test examines the colorfastness of textiles. It simulates washing and observes any color changes.

The colorfastness to washing test involves washing a test sample with an applique fabric. Mechanical agitation is applied under specific conditions. After washing, the sample is rinsed and dried. The test examines the sample for any fading and the applique fabric for stains. The test uses various detergents, temperatures, and times to simulate different washing conditions. This assesses the colorfastness of textiles under these conditions.

Why choose ISO 105-C06:2010 for colorfastness to washing?

This standard tests the colorfastness of textiles to washing, ensuring that fabrics retain their original color after multiple home and commercial washes. This standard tests the colorfastness of textiles to washing. It considers various washing methods to ensure accurate and reliable results.

ISO 105-C06:2010 tests the colorfastness of textiles. This standard focuses on the ability of textiles to resist fading from home and commercial washing. It simulates the color change of textiles during washing. It does this through a series of standardized testing procedures. The results are expressed on a five-point rating system. A rating of 1 indicates the darkest color. A rating of 5 indicates the lightest color. This test method ensures that the colorfastness of textiles from different batches or manufacturers is comparable.

Washfastness testing is key to understanding how textiles are washed. It reveals how often and effectively you wash your textiles. Textiles of varying qualities and materials may change color during washing. Colorfastness tests are valued by both manufacturers and consumers. They ensure the quality and durability of textiles. Furthermore, test results vary depending on the detergent, washing temperature, time, and drying conditions. These factors must be considered to ensure accurate testing.

How can colorfastness be improved?

The term colorfastness encompasses a complex range of properties, including resistance to water, perspiration, washing, rubbing, light, peroxides, chlorine, and combined properties such as weathering. In reality, many fastness properties are determined by the chemistry of the dye system used and the molecular structure and stability of the dye.

Therefore, improving colorfastness often focuses on the following aspects: The dyeing chemistry enables dye migration and re-equilibrium. Under use and care conditions, the establishment of a new exhaustion equilibrium leads to desorption of dye molecules.

Polycationic compounds: Deposition of polycationic compounds can improve the waterfastness of direct and reactive dyes. Polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (polyquaternium) is a representative compound. Polycations form insoluble ionic compounds with anionic dyes, thus helping to improve dye fixation.

Direct dyes adhere to fibers solely through van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonds; therefore, this treatment prevents the establishment of a new solubility equilibrium under humid conditions.

For reactive dyes, the dye is covalently bound to the fiber, so such treatment would appear unnecessary. However, the presence of large amounts of adsorbed hydrolysis products and the slow hydrolysis of the anchoring bonds can lead to dye molecular migration, necessitating their retention on the fiber surface. These polycationic additives are also used in the wash cycle of dark reactive dyeing to shorten process times, as complete release of adsorbed hydrolysis products can take considerable time in industrial rinsing operations.

The presence of these chemicals can also affect other properties of dyed products and may result in decreased lightfastness, color shifts, graying, increased soil absorption, and reduced softener absorption.

Synthetic tannins—condensation products of aromatic sulfonates: Synthetic tannins (synthetic tannins) are used for dyeing polyamide fibers. Acid dyes and metal complex dyes used for polyamide dyeing are negatively charged. Therefore, the mechanism of action of these anionic polymers differs.

Economic Impact

Reducing Returns and Waste: Products with poor colorfastness often have higher return rates, increasing brands' operating costs. Furthermore, premature fading forces consumers to replace items more quickly, increasing waste (which is inconsistent with sustainability goals).

Complying with Standards: Many industries have strict colorfastness regulations (such as EU textile standards and automotive interior specifications). Meeting these standards can avoid fines, recalls, or market access barriers.

Supporting Sustainable Development

In an era focused on reducing environmental impact, colorfastness plays a subtle but important role:

Extending Product Life: Items that retain their color longer can be used longer, reducing the need for frequent replacement and reducing resource consumption (such as water, energy, and raw materials) during the production cycle.

Efficient Care: Fabrics with good washfastness can withstand regular cleaning without fading, allowing consumers to properly care for items rather than discarding them prematurely.

Colorfastness is a key indicator of textile quality, and its various tests and performance directly impact a product's market acceptance. Professional testing services can provide strong support for the control of textile colorfastness.

2025-10-22 13:33