ISO 105-C06-2010 PDF

Full title and description

ISO 105‑C06:2010 — Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part C06: Colour fastness to domestic and commercial laundering. This International Standard specifies laboratory methods for assessing the resistance of textile colours to household and commercial laundering using reference detergents and defined mechanical, thermal and chemical conditions; it provides single (S) and multiple (M) test procedures to approximate one or several launderings.

Abstract

ISO 105‑C06:2010 defines procedures to launder test specimens under controlled conditions (temperature, alkalinity, bleaching, mechanical action) with reference detergents, then evaluate colour change and staining on adjacent fabrics. The standard describes single (S) tests that approximate one wash and multiple (M) tests that are more severe (up to approximately five launderings at temperatures ≤ 70 °C in many cases). The methods do not reproduce optical-brightener effects from some commercial detergents and are intended for household/commercial laundering (industrial/hospital laundries may need adapted procedures).

General information

• Status: Published (International Standard; under systematic review process).
• Publication date: March 2010.
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
• ICS / categories: 59.080.01 (Textiles).
• Edition / version: Edition 4 (2010).
• Number of pages: 9 pages.

Scope

Specifies test methods for determining the colour fastness of textiles of all kinds to domestic and commercial laundering procedures using specified reference detergents and controlled mechanical action, temperature and rinsing/drying steps. Covers both single (S) and multiple (M) test procedures; indicates limitations (e.g., does not reproduce effects of optical brighteners) and notes that different detergents/bleach systems or industrial procedures may require adapted conditions.

Key topics and requirements

• Test types: single (S) test to approximate one wash and multiple (M) test to approximate repeated launderings (more severe mechanical action).
• Apparatus: rotatable water-bath washing device (Gyrowash/Launder‑Ometer/Autowash-type machines), stainless-steel containers and steel balls to produce abrasive action; temperature control and specified rotation speed (e.g., ≈40 rpm) are required.
• Reference detergents and bleaching systems: defined reference detergent formulations (ECE or equivalent reference detergents without optical brightener for many procedures) and controlled alkalinity/bleach additions where specified.
• Specimen preparation: test specimens mounted with multifibre adjacent fabrics (to assess staining) or specified single-fibre adjacent fabrics; seam/attachment and specimen dimensions are defined.
• Test conditions: specified temperatures, wash times, mechanical action (number of steel balls, container volume), rinsing and drying procedures; M tests are explicitly more severe than S tests and many M tests simulate up to five domestic/commercial launderings at ≤ 70 °C.
• Assessment: visual evaluation with ISO grey scales (ISO 105‑A04/A05) or instrumental colour measurement to record colour change and staining for each adjacent fibre.

Typical use and users

Used by textile testing laboratories, manufacturers (fibres, yarns, fabrics and finished garments), quality assurance teams, test-house laboratories, certification bodies and R&D groups to quantify laundering fastness, compare dyeing/finishing recipes, verify supplier claims and support product specifications and compliance activities.

Related standards

Part of the ISO 105 series (Tests for colour fastness) that includes many complementary parts covering light, rubbing, water, perspiration, dry cleaning and adjacent-fabric specifications (ISO 105‑A, ‑D, ‑E, ‑F parts, etc.). ISO 105‑C06 is often referenced alongside regional/adopted versions (EN ISO 105‑C06) and related test methods such as AATCC laundering procedures that serve similar purposes.

Keywords

colour fastness, laundering, washing, ISO 105, domestic laundering, commercial laundering, multifibre adjacent fabric, reference detergent, Gyrowash, Launder‑Ometer, grey scale, staining, test method.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 105‑C06:2010 is an ISO International Standard that specifies laboratory test methods to assess the colour fastness of textiles to domestic and commercial laundering.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers specimen preparation, defined wash procedures (single and multiple tests), apparatus requirements (rotating water-bath machines, containers and stainless steel balls), reference detergents/bleach systems, rinsing and drying steps, and assessment procedures for colour change and staining using grey scales or instrumental methods.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Textile manufacturers, independent testing laboratories, R&D teams, quality/production control personnel and conformity assessment bodies use it to validate laundering fastness and support product specifications.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ISO 105‑C06:2010 is the published edition (Edition 4, issued March 2010). The ISO record shows the 2010 edition as published and indicates the standard is subject to ISO's periodic review cycle; previous editions (e.g., 1994) were withdrawn when the 2010 edition was published. Users should check the ISO national body or ISO catalog for any amendments or a newer revision after 2010 before relying on it for mandatory compliance.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ISO 105‑C06 belongs to the ISO 105 series (Textiles — Tests for colour fastness), which contains many parts (A, B, C, D, E, F, N, X, etc.) that address different agents and assessment methods; related parts specify grey scales and adjacent-fabric types used together with C06 test procedures.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: colour fastness; laundering; domestic washing; commercial washing; reference detergent; Gyrowash/Launder‑Ometer; multifibre adjacent fabric; grey scale; staining; ISO 105.