EN ISO 105-C06:2010 PDF

Overview - EN ISO 105-C06:2010 (Textiles | Colour fastness to laundering)

EN ISO 105-C06:2010 specifies standardized test methods to determine the resistance of textile colour to domestic and commercial laundering using reference detergents. It covers single (S) and multiple (M) test procedures that simulate one or several wash cycles, describing test conditions (temperature, alkalinity, bleaching, mechanical action) and how to assess colour change and staining of adjacent fabrics. The methods are intended for textiles of all kinds and in all forms used in households and commercial laundries; industrial/hospital laundering may require adapted procedures.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Test principle: Textile specimens are laundered in contact with specified adjacent fabric(s), then rinsed, dried and assessed for colour loss and staining by grey scales or instrumental methods.
• Test types:
  • Single (S) test - approximates one domestic/commercial wash.
  • Multiple (M) test - increased mechanical action; can approximate up to five launderings (temperatures not exceeding 70 °C in many cases).
• Apparatus & mechanical action:
  • Rotating bath device with stainless steel containers and controlled temperature (shaft/container rotation frequency and dimensions are defined in the standard).
  • Non‑corrodible steel balls to produce abrasive action.
• Adjacent fabrics:
  • Use of multifibre or single-fibre adjacent fabrics (ISO 105-F series), including multifibre types suitable for different test temperatures.
• Detergents & bleaching:
  • Reference detergents without optical brighteners - AATCC 1993 Standard Reference Detergent WOB and ECE Detergent with Phosphates are specified.
  • Methods do not reflect effects of optical brighteners found in many commercial products.
• Assessment methods:
  • Grey scale assessment for change in colour and staining (ISO 105-A02 / A03) or instrumental measurement alternatives (ISO 105-A04 / A05).
• Limitations:
  • Designed for specific detergents/bleach systems; other products may require changed conditions.

Practical applications and users

This standard is used to:

• Validate wash performance of dyed fabrics and garments.
• Guide formulation and selection of dyes, finishes and textiles for wash durability.
• Support quality control in textile manufacturing and supply chains.
• Provide objective test data for retailers, test laboratories, certification bodies and contract laundries. Typical users: textile test labs, apparel manufacturers, dye and chemical suppliers, laundries (commercial/hospital), R&D departments and standards/conformity assessors.

Related standards

• ISO 105 series (A01, A02, A03, A04, A05) - general principles and assessment methods
• ISO 105-F01 to F10 - adjacent fabric specifications (wool, cotton, viscose, polyester, multifibre, etc.)
• ISO 3696 - water for analytical laboratory use

Keywords: EN ISO 105-C06:2010, colour fastness, textiles, laundering test, domestic laundering, commercial laundering, AATCC detergent, ECE detergent, multifibre adjacent fabric, grey scale.