Color fastness to washing

There are different test methods to check the color fastness to washing.

The selection of the test method depends on, Customers Requirements Process Type (Dyed,Print,White) Quality Construction, Some most commonly used methods are

1. ISO-105-CO1
2. ISO-105-CO2
3. ISO-105-CO3
4. ISO-105-CO4
5. ISO-105-CO5
6. ISO-105-CO6

The test methods from CO1 to CO5 are established to check the color fastness to washing of color textiles and cover the range from mild to severe. These test methods are not intended to reflect the comprehensive laundering procedures. The selection of washing test method depends on

1. Construction of the fabric
2. Type of printing or dyeing
3. End Use of the Fabric….etc

Each method has its own parameters of Temp,Time,Chemicals conc.

ISO-105-CO6
This part of ISO -105 specifies methods intended for determining the resistance of the color of textiles in all forms to domestic or commercial laundering. This test method is more severe and usually used for high quality textiles.
ISO-105-CO6 is a washing test for domestic and commercial laundering. In different countries different washing procedures are adopted .Some use only Soap and Soda. Some use some other chemicals like sodium perborate.So this is customers requirement what kind of washing procedures he required.

Washing tests from CO1 to CO5 are mostly used in USA where they use only Soda and soap for washing while in Europe they use Special detergent for washing name Sodium Perborate which is used in ISO-105-CO6.

So ISO-105-CO6 test method is developed in which there is a wide choice of washing conditions to reflect the different washing procedures used through out the world. For instance sodium Perborate is used extensively in Europe , it is not used in USA.

When your customer ask for CO6 washing test confirm the test procedure number. Either it is A1S,A2S,B2S,C2s etc….
There are 16 different washing procedures in ISO-105-CO6 which cover the range for Home and Commercial laundering from mild to swear.

In CO6 washing test method there are 16 different sub methods which cover the range from mild to severe. e.g..

1. ISO-105-CO6 – A1S
2. ISO-105-CO6 – B2S
3. ISO-105-CO6 – B1M

Most important thing to remember is that when ever you commit the test method with your customer must ask for the exact test method number..i.e.CO1,CO3,CO6 ..and if he required CO6 washing test ask him with the exact test procedure either it is A1S,B2S or B2M etc…

Because each test method in CO6 laundering test has different parameters of temperature ,time ,chemicals, liquor ratio…from mild to swear .. And each test method has its own definition…like, if customer ask for B2S ,it means he requires Single home laundering. In this method “S” stands for single .

and if he ask for B1M it means he require multiple home launderings because in B1M “ M” stands for multiple and is equal to 5 home launderings.