ISO 6330 Textiles - Domestic Washing and Drying Procedures for Textile Testing

The standard "ISO 6330 Textiles - Domestic washing and drying procedures for textile testing," published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), describes domestic washing and drying procedures for textile testing. The procedures are applicable to textile fabrics, garments, or other textile products subjected to appropriate combinations of domestic washing and drying procedures. This standard also specifies reference detergents and ballasts for the procedures.

This standard includes the following principles:

• 16 different washing procedures based on the use of the reference washing machine type A: horizontal axis, front-loading type.
• 12 procedures based on the use of the reference washing machine Type B: vertical axis, top-loading agitator type.
• 7 procedures based on the use of the reference washing machine Type C: vertical axis, top-loading pulsator type.

Each washing procedure represents a single household wash. This standard also specifies six drying procedures: line drying, line drip drying, flat drying, flat drip drying, flat press, and tumble drying. A complete test consists of a washing and drying procedure. Using different parameters (washing machine type, detergent type, and tumble dryer type) for any test using this standard may affect the test results.

For the purposes of this standard, the following terms and definitions apply:

• Ambient conditions refer to the temperature and relative humidity in the test environment. They are not different from typical indoor conditions or typical outdoor conditions at the location where the test is performed.
• Ballast is the textile fabric to be added to the tested samples to fill the mass required by the washing procedure.
• The drum moisture sensor is a control unit in a drum dryer that can measure the moisture of the load and terminate the drying process at a predetermined residual moisture level.
• Overdrying refers to the prolonged drying process in which the load is dried until all residual moisture in the load is removed.
• A reference detergent is a detergent with specified formulations to be used for testing purposes.
• The reference washing machine is a washing machine with defined engineering specifications to be used for testing purposes.
• The washing procedure is a cycle of washing action that begins with water supply, washing and repeated rinsing, spinning and ends with water supply and spinning in the predetermined manner in the washing machine.
• Spinning is the process of removing water in a washing machine, where water is removed from textiles by centrifugal action as part of the washing procedure.
• Still air is air that is not affected by natural wind or a mechanical device that provides it with forced flow.
• The total air dry cargo mass is the mass of the tested sample and ballast in the conditioned condition in accordance with ISO 139 standard.
• The wash load is the material to be processed and is formed by mixing ballast and sample together.

In principle, the sample is washed in an automatic washing machine and dried according to the specified procedures.

The conditioning atmosphere used in textile samples must comply with the ISO 139 standard.

The total air-drying load mass (i.e., sample plus appropriate ballast) should be 2,0 kg plus/minus 0,2 kg for all types of reference washing machines. If a complete garment is tested, the total load mass should be reported if it is greater than 2,2 kg.

The number of samples to be subjected to the washing and drying processes specified in this standard is determined according to the purpose of testing the material.

Ballast selection depends on the following principles:

• For samples containing 51 percent or more cellulosic fibers, cotton ballast Type I should be used unless otherwise agreed upon by the parties concerned.
• For samples containing 51 percent or more synthetic fibers, polyester ballast Type III should be used unless otherwise agreed upon by the parties concerned.
• For samples made from other fibers or blends, polyester/cotton ballast Type II or polyester ballast Type III may be used unless otherwise agreed by the parties concerned.

In all cases, the ballast type must be reported. A ballast associated with another product performance specification that references the procedures in this standard should be used as long as this is agreed upon and reported by the relevant parties.

If dimensional stability is being determined, no more than half of the wash load should consist of tested samples. If a whole garment is being tested, any load-to-ballast ratio greater than 1:1 should be reported.

The washing procedure to be used is selected from those specified in Annex B for a type A reference washing machine, Annex C for a type B reference washing machine, or Annex D for a type C reference washing machine. (Individual) samples, prepared items, or garments are weighed before washing. If necessary, ballast is added to meet the required load mass. The sample and ballast should be evenly mixed before loading into the reference washing machine.

The item to be washed is placed in the washing machine:

• For Type A reference washing machines, 20 g plus/minus 1 g of reference detergent is added directly to the dispenser. For delicates or wool, 47 g plus/minus 1 g of reference detergent is used in the dispenser.
• For Type B reference washing machines, the machine is filled with water at the selected temperature, then 66 g plus/minus 1 g of reference detergent is added, or if other reference detergent is used, an amount that will provide well-flowing foam with a height of no more than 3,0 cm plus/minus 0,5 cm at the end of the wash cycle.
• In Type C reference machines, the machine is filled with water at the selected temperature, then 1,33 g/l of reference detergent is added directly to the dispenser.
• A summary of the reference detergent dosage is included in the table provided in the standard.

This standard also includes guidelines for the drying procedure. At the end of the selected washing process, the material is removed immediately and the selected drying procedures, from A to F, are followed.

Our organization, which has been supporting businesses across all sectors for years through a wide range of testing, measurement, analysis, and evaluation activities, has a strong team of employees who closely follow global developments in science and technology and are constantly improving themselves. In this context, we also provide testing services to businesses in accordance with the "ISO 6330 Textile - Home Washing and Drying Procedures for Textile Testing" standard.