Overview
ISO 15703:1998 describes a standardized laboratory method to determine the resistance of leather to mild washing. The procedure assesses both the change in colour of the leather and staining of an adjacent textile fabric, and it records any observable change in the leather finish. The method supports quality control, product development and compliance verification for leather products.
Key elements covered: test principle, specimen preparation, apparatus, test procedure, assessment and test reporting.
Key Topics
- Principle: A composite specimen (leather + adjacent fabric) is agitated with PTFE rods in a defined washing liquor, rinsed, pressed and dried; colour change and staining are then assessed using grey scales or instrumental methods.
- Apparatus and materials: rotating drum (approx. 500 ml working capacity), PTFE rods (20 mm ±2 mm long, 7–9 mm diameter), plain-weave adjacent fabric (100 x 36 mm, typically ISO 105-F10 multifibre), detergent (typically sodium lauryl sulfate), and grade 3 laboratory water (ISO 3696).
- Test specimen: Leather specimen size 100 x 36 mm taken representative of the hide or skin; adjacent fabric attached to the flesh side or inside surface. Larger specimens recommended when further post-wash tests are required.
- Procedure highlights:
- Prepare washing liquor at 5.0 g detergent per litre of water.
- Use 100 ml washing liquor and 20 PTFE rods in the drum; warm to 30 °C ± 2 °C.
- Rotate at 40 rpm ± 5 rpm for 30 min.
- Rinse twice with 100 ml water at 30 °C ± 2 °C, 10 min each at 40 rpm ± 5 rpm.
- Press between blotting paper and glass with a 4.5 kg weight for 1 min; dry under standard conditions (ISO 2419).
- Assessment: Visual grey-scale methods (ISO 105-A02 for change in colour; ISO 105-A03 for staining) or instrumental assessments (ISO 105-A04 and ISO 105-A05).
Applications
- Routine quality control of finished leather goods to detect wash-related colour loss or transfer.
- Comparative testing of dyes, finishes and leather treatments to optimise colour fastness properties.
- Verification of supplier or batch consistency for footwear, garments, upholstery and other leather products.
- Supporting documentation for conformity, product claims and troubleshooting of staining or fading issues.
Related Standards
- ISO 105-A01, A02, A03, A04, A05 (textile colour fastness principles and assessment)
- ISO 105-F10 (multifibre adjacent fabric specification)
- ISO 2419 (conditioning of test pieces)
- ISO 3696 (water for analytical laboratory use)
- IUP 2 (sampling)
Reporting: The standard specifies required report items including reference to ISO 15703, leather type and surface tested, detergent and adjacent fabric used, apparatus description, grey-scale ratings for leather change and adjacent fabric staining, finish changes, deviations and test date.
This summary outlines the practical value of ISO 15703:1998 for laboratories and manufacturers concerned with leather colour fastness to mild washing.