The Exchange Test Method

A-16: Retention of Creases in Fabrics After Repeated Home Laundering

Issue Date: 30 Apr 1993

Revision Date: 09/30/2011

1. PURPOSE AND SCOPE:

   To evaluate retention of pressed-in creases in fabrics after repeated home laundering.

2. PRINCIPLE:

   Creased fabric samples are subjected to standard home laundering practices, and evaluated for crease retention. Evaluation is performed by rating appearance of samples in comparison with appropriate reference standards using a standard lighting and viewing area.

3. REFERENCE:

   AATCC Test Method 88C-2010, Retention of Creases in Fabrics after Repeated Home Laundering.

4. APPARATUS:

   • 4.1 Automatic washing machine - see 8.1
   • 4.2 Automatic tumble dryer - see 8.1
   • 4.3 Drip dry and line dry facilities.
   • 4.4 1993 AATCC Standard Reference Detergent - see 8.2
   • 4.5 Standard AATCC Three-dimensional Crease Replicas, set of five - see 8.2
   • 4.6 Ballast of 92 x 92 cm (36 x 36 in.) hemmed pieced of bleached 100% cotton sheeting or 50% polyester and 50% cotton bleached and mercerized poplin - see 8.3
   • 4.7 Lighting and evaluation area in an otherwise darkened room
   • 4.8 Scale with at least 5 kg (10 lb.) capacity.

5. PROCEDURE:

   • 5.1 Determine laundry method to be used, by either following the care label instructions on garment or any other method as requested or agreed upon.
   • 5.2 Fill the washing machine with water up to desired level and add 66 +/- 0.1 g of 1993 AATCC Standard Reference Detergent.
   • 5.3 Add test specimens and enough ballast to make a 1.8 kg +/- 0.06 kg (4.00 +/- 0.13 lb.) load. Set washer for selected washing cycle and time.
   • 5.4 Allow washing to proceed through final spin cycle. Remove test specimens immediately. Separate tangled pieces taking care t minimize distortion and place washed load (samples and ballast)
   • 5.5  In tumble dryer and set temperature as recommended on the care label, or as selected. Operate the dryer until total load is dry. Remove immediately after machine stops. Avoid over drying.
   • 5.6 To line or drip dry, hang each sample by two corners with the fabric length in vertical direction. allow samples to hang in still air at room temperature until dry.
   • 5.7 To screen dry, spread sample on a horizontal screen or perforated surface. Remove wrinkles, but do not distort or stretch the sample. Allow to dry in still air at room temperature.
   • 5.8 Prior to evaluation, condition the specimens for a minimum of 4 hours at 21° +/- 1C (70° +- 2F) temperature and 65% +/- 2% relative humidity. Hang samples from two corners with fabric length in vertical direction to avoid distortion.

6. EVALUATION:

   • 6.1 Three trained observers should rate each test sample independently.
   • 6.2 Overhead fluorescent light should be the only light source for the viewing board. All other room lights should be turned off.
   • 6.3 Mount sample on viewing board with seam in the vertical direction. Place most similar three dimensional plastic crease replicas (CR) on each side of test sample to facilitate comparative rating. Mount replicas 1,3, and 5 on the left and 2 and 4 on the right.
   • 6.4 Observer should stand directly in front of specimen 120 cm +/- 3 cm (4 ft. +/- 1 in.) away from the board.
   • 6.5 Confine observations to the crease itself and disregard appearance of the fabric.
   • 6.6 Assign numerical grade of replica which most nearly matches the appearance of the crease in the test sample.
   • 6.7 A crease retention grade of CR-5 is equivalent to the appearance of Standard No. 5, the best level of crease retention; a crease retention of grade of CR-1 is equivalent to that of Standard No. 1, which represents a very poor level of crease appearance.

7. REPORT:

   • 7.1 Report crease retention in fabric as an average of nine observations made on each sample (three grades on each of three test specimens) to the nearest tenth of a grade.
   • 7.2 State washing procedure and drying procedure. Any deviations from stated procedures should be explained completely.

8. NOTE:

   • 8.1 Contact AATCC, P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 tel: 919-549-8141; fax: 919-549-8933; e-mail: orders@aatcc.org for model numbers and sources of currently approved washers and dryers.
   • 8.2 1993 Standard Reference Detergent and Standard AATCC Three-dimensional Crease Replicas are available from AATCC, P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 tel: 919-549-8141; fax: 919-549-8933; e-mail: orders@aatcc.org.
   • 8.3 Ballast available from Testfabrics, Inc., P.O. Box 26, 415 Delaware St., W. Pittston, PA 18643; tel: 570-603-0432; fax 570-603-0433 and Textile Innovators Corp., P.O. Box 8, Windsor, NC 27983; tel: 252-794-9703; fax: 252-794-9704.
   • 8.4 ASTM Standards are available from ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428; tel: 610-832-9500; fax: 610-832-9555.