ISO 15797:2017

Overview

ISO 15797:2017 - Textiles - Industrial washing and finishing procedures for testing of workwear defines laboratory-scale, reproducible test methods that simulate industrial laundering. The standard gives an approach using intermediate-scale equipment and exacting procedures to evaluate workwear (and where appropriate some PPE garments) intended for industrial washing and finishing. It is intended for textile testing - not as operational instructions for industrial launderers - and supports assessment of durability and appearance after repeated industrial-style laundering.

Key technical topics and requirements

• Purpose: Simulate real-life industrial laundering to test properties such as dimensional stability, colourfastness, creasing, seam puckering, pilling and general visual aspects.
• Test specimens: Full garments or representative composite samples; minimum three specimens recommended (actual number depends on test purpose).
• Washing & drying scope: Defined set of eight washing procedures and two drying/finishing procedures (tumble drying and tunnel/cabinet finishing). It is not necessary to run every procedure - select those best suited to the fabric and intended use.
• Apparatus specifications: Detailed equipment characteristics are specified to ensure reproducibility, for example:
  • Washer/extractor cage volume ~220–250 L, cage diameter 750–850 mm, specified g-factors and reversible rotation;
  • Tumble dryer cage volume ~600–720 L, moisture-detection capability and radial airstream;
  • Steam finisher (cabinet) with controlled spray steam pressure and flow parameters.
• Reagents and consumables: Reference detergents (with/without optical brightener) with nominal compositions are provided, plus guidance on peracetic acid, chlorine and hydrogen peroxide bleaches, antichlor agents and required water quality (hardness, pH, metal content).
• Procedure controls: Conditioning (ISO 139), specimen preparation (ISO 3759), pH checks (ISO 3071) and reporting requirements are part of the method.
• Practical note: Because ISO 15797 simulates industrial laundry conditions, final compatibility testing in the actual industrial laundering process may still be advisable.

Practical applications

• Product development and R&D for workwear and industrial PPE fabrics
• Quality assurance and performance verification for manufacturers and converters
• Third‑party textile testing laboratories performing durability and appearance testing
• Compliance testing where industrial laundering resistance is a purchasing or specification requirement

Who should use this standard

• Textile and workwear manufacturers, PPE designers, test laboratories, specifiers, and procurement teams who need standardized, reproducible industrial washing simulations to validate materials and garments.

Related standards

• ISO 139 - Standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing
• ISO 3071 - Determination of pH of aqueous extract
• ISO 3759 - Preparation, marking and measuring of fabric specimens and garments

Keywords: ISO 15797, industrial washing, workwear testing, industrial laundering simulation, textile testing, washer/extractor, tumble dryer, reference detergent.