Dry-cleaning Fastness
Dry-cleaning fastness is an item used to evaluate the property of a textile or product being resistant to discoloration or color transfer to other areas during dry cleaning.
Contents6 sections
Definition and Overview
Dry-cleaning fastness is a quality evaluation that measures how much the color of a dyed textile changes, or whether color transfers to white cloth or other materials in contact with it, during dry cleaning using organic solvents. It is one of the fastness properties related to color stability.
Evaluation results are generally checked separately for color change and staining. Color change refers to changes in the color of the specimen itself, while staining refers to color transfer to surrounding materials. The required level varies depending on the application, color, material, care instructions, and other factors.
Impact on Appearance and Product Quality
If this performance is insufficient, dark areas may look faded after cleaning, or color may transfer to light-colored linings, trims, or contrast fabrics. In products with multiple colors, it can especially cause noticeable differences between sections.
Dry-cleaning fastness does not directly indicate hand feel, thickness, or stretchability. Also, even with good numerical values or grades, it does not guarantee against appearance changes other than color, such as shrinkage, pilling, or changes in resin finishing.
Main Applications and Inspection Situations
It is checked for jackets, suits, coats, formalwear, and garments containing wool or silk that are intended to be cared for by dry cleaning. In products that combine not only the outer fabric but also lining, interlining, tape, sewing thread, and decorative parts, attention must also be paid to color transfer between components.
When selecting a textile, in addition to the test value of the textile itself, it is important to confirm whether it complies with the planned care label and product specifications. For contrast-color designs, combinations with white accessories, or printed or garment-dyed products, it is easier to judge if a preliminary test is performed with the actual construction.
Selection and Handling Precautions
When comparing test results, confirm that the test method, whether the evaluation target is color change or staining, the specimen color, and the judgment criteria are all aligned. Even if a textile has a grade on its label, the same result is not guaranteed if the material composition of the finished product or the secondary materials differ.
In sewing, assume possible color transfer from sewing thread, lining, interlining, tape, and other parts that are different in color from the outer fabric. Do not judge only from the appearance after sewing or pressing; before mass production, confirm color change, staining, shrinkage, and peeling after dry cleaning using prototypes that include accessories.
Differences from Similar Terms
Washing fastness is an evaluation of color change and staining during water washing, and the treatment liquid and conditions differ from those for dry-cleaning fastness. Even if a material is washable, that does not indicate color stability against dry cleaning.
Rubbing fastness evaluates color transfer caused by dry or wet rubbing, and light fastness evaluates color change caused by light. Both are tests of color durability, but because the factors that cause deterioration differ, they should be checked individually according to the required handling conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
If dry-cleaning fastness is high, will the color not fade in water washing?
Not necessarily. Dry-cleaning fastness evaluates resistance to treatment with organic solvents, while color fading or transfer during water washing is checked by washing fastness. It is necessary to confirm test results that match the product's care instructions.
If only the textile's dry-cleaning fastness is checked, is it fine for production?
The result for the textile alone is not enough to make a final judgment. Depending on the combination with lining, sewing thread, interlining, tape, prints, and other components, color transfer or appearance changes may occur. Especially in contrast-color designs, confirmation using prototypes that include accessories is important.
