INTERNATIONAL ISO

STANDARD 105-C08

Second edition
2010-03-01

Textiles — Tests for colour fastness —

Part C08:
Colour fastness to domestic and
commercial laundering using
a non-phosphate reference detergent
incorporating a low-temperature
bleach activator
Textiles — Essais de solidité des coloris —
Partie C08: Solidité des coloris aux lavages domestiques et industriels,
utilisant un détergent de référence sans phosphate comprenant
un activateur de blanchiment à basse température

Reference number
ISO 105-C08:2010(E)

© ISO 2010
ISO 105-C08:2010(E)

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 ISO 105-C08:2010(E)

Contents Page

Foreword ............................................................................................................................................................iv
Introduction.........................................................................................................................................................v
1 Scope ......................................................................................................................................................1
2 Normative references............................................................................................................................1
3 Principle..................................................................................................................................................2
4 Reagents and materials ........................................................................................................................2
5 Apparatus ...............................................................................................................................................3
6 Test specimen ........................................................................................................................................4
7 Test procedure.......................................................................................................................................4
8 Test report ..............................................................................................................................................4
Annex A (normative) ECE non-phosphate reference detergent/TAED procedure.......................................5
Bibliography........................................................................................................................................................8

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ISO 105-C08:2010(E)

Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take Part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.

International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.

The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

ISO 105-C08 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 38, Textiles, Subcommittee SC 1, Tests for
coloured textiles and colorants.

This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition (ISO 105-C08:2001), which has been technically
revised. The dates of the references in Clause 2 have been removed, tolerances have been added in
Clause 6 and instrumental measurement has been added to applicable clauses. It also incorporates
ISO 105-C08:2001/Amd.1:2006 and a modified version of ISO 105-C08:2001/Cor.1:2002.

ISO 105 was previously published in 13 “parts”, each designated by a letter (e.g. “Part A”), with publication
dates between 1978 and 1985. Each part contained a series of “sections”, each designated by the respective
part letter and by a two-digit serial number (e.g. “Section A01”). These sections are now being republished as
separate documents, themselves designated “parts” but retaining their earlier alphanumeric designations.
A complete list of these parts is given in ISO 105-A01.

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 ISO 105-C08:2010(E)

Introduction
The test methods specified in ISO 105-C06 and that specified in this part of ISO 105 are intended to reflect the
effect of laundering by domestic or commercial laundering procedures, as distinct from the washing test methods
given in ISO 105-C10.

The general principles of testing described in ISO 105-A01 must be understood before using this part of ISO 105.

© ISO 2010 – All rights reserved v

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 105-C08:2010(E)

Textiles — Tests for colour fastness —

Part C08:
Colour fastness to domestic and commercial laundering
using a non-phosphate reference detergent incorporating
a low-temperature bleach activator

1 Scope
This part of ISO 105 specifies methods for determining the resistance of the colour of textiles of all kinds and
in all forms to domestic or commercial laundering procedures used for normal household articles using a non-
phosphate reference detergent incorporating a low-temperature bleach activator.

The colour loss and staining resulting from desorption and/or abrasive action in one single test closely
approximates to one domestic or commercial laundering.

This method does not reflect the effect of optical brighteners present in some commercial washing products.

2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.

ISO 105-A01:2010, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part A01: General principles of testing

ISO 105-A02, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part A02: Grey scale for assessing change in colour

ISO 105-A03, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part A03: Grey scale for assessing staining

ISO 105-A04, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part A04: Method for the instrumental assessment of
the degree of staining of adjacent fabrics

ISO 105-A05, Textiles — Test for colour fastness — Part A05: Instrumental assessment of change in colour
for determination of grey scale rating

ISO 105-F01, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part F01: Specification for wool adjacent fabric

ISO 105-F02, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part F02: Specification for cotton and viscose adjacent
fabrics

ISO 105-F03, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part F03: Specification for polyamide adjacent fabric

ISO 105-F04, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part F04: Specification for polyester adjacent fabric

ISO 105-F05, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part F05: Specification for acrylic adjacent fabric

ISO 105-F06, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part F06: Specification for silk adjacent fabric

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ISO 105-C08:2010(E)

ISO 105-F07, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part F07: Specification for secondary acetate adjacent
fabric

ISO 105-F10, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part F10: Specification for adjacent fabric: Multifibre

ISO 3696, Water for analytical laboratory use — Specification and test methods

3 Principle
A specimen of the textile in contact with specified adjacent fabric or fabrics is laundered, rinsed and dried.
Specimens are laundered under appropriate conditions of temperature, alkalinity, bleaching and abrasive
action such that the result is obtained in a conveniently short time. The abrasive action is accomplished by the
use of an appropriate number of steel balls. The change in colour of the specimen and the staining of the
adjacent fabric or fabrics are assessed with reference to the original fabric, either with the grey scales or
instrumentally.

4 Reagents and materials

4.1 Reference detergent.

4.1.1 ECE1) non-phosphate reference detergent base powder (1998 formulation).

4.1.2 Bleach activator, tetra-acetylethylene diamine (TAED).

4.1.3 Sodium perborate tetrahydrate.

4.2 Non-corrodible (stainless) steel balls, approximately 6 mm in diameter.

4.3 Adjacent fabrics (see ISO 105-A01).

NOTE Supplies of spun acetate might be limited due to decreased manufacturing.

Either

4.3.1 A multifibre adjacent fabric, complying with ISO 105-F10, according to the temperature used:

⎯ a multifibre adjacent fabric (DW) containing wool and acetate (for tests at 40 °C and 50 °C and in certain
cases, to be indicated in the test report, at 60 °C);

⎯ a multifibre adjacent fabric (TV) not containing wool and acetate (in certain tests at 60 °C, and in all tests
at 95 °C).

In the use of multifibre with wool, it should be taken into consideration that the combination of a temperature of
60 °C and sodium perborate might be harmful to the wool.

Or

4.3.2 Two single-fibre adjacent fabrics, complying with the relevant standards ISO 105-F01 to
ISO 105-F07. One of the adjacent fabrics shall be made of the same kind of fibre as that of the textile to be
tested, or that predominating in the case of blends, and the second piece shall be made of the fibre indicated
in Table 1 or, in the case of blends, of the kind of fibre second in order of predominance, or as otherwise
specified.

1) European Colourfastness Establishment (ECE), Gartenstrasse 5, D-14169 Berlin, Germany.

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 ISO 105-C08:2010(E)

Table 1 — Pairs of adjacent fabrics

Second piece
First piece
For tests at 40 °C and 50 °C For tests at 60 °C and 95 °C

cotton wool viscose

wool cotton —
silk cotton —
viscose wool cotton
acetate viscose viscose
polyamide wool or cotton cotton
polyester wool or cotton cotton
acrylic wool or cotton cotton

4.3.3 Non-dyeable fabric, e.g. polypropylene, if required.

4.4 Grade 3 water, complying with ISO 3696.

4.5 Grey scale for assessing change in colour, complying with ISO 105-A02.

4.6 Grey scale for assessing staining, complying with ISO 105-A03.

4.7 Spectrophotometer or colorimeter for assessing change in color and staining, complying with
ISO 105-A04 and ISO 105-A05.

4.8 Acetic acid solution, containing 0,2 g of glacial acetic acid per litre if required for souring treatment.

5 Apparatus

5.1 Suitable mechanical laundering device, consisting of a water bath containing a rotatable shaft which
supports, radially, stainless steel containers with a diameter of (75 ± 5) mm and a height of (125 ± 10) mm, of
capacity (550 ± 50) ml, the bottom of the containers being (45 ± 10) mm from the centre of the shaft.

The shaft/container assembly is rotated at a frequency of (40 ± 2) min−1. The temperature of the water bath is
thermostatically controlled to maintain the test solution at the prescribed temperature ±2 °C.

NOTE Other mechanical devices can be used for this test, provided that the results are identical with those obtained
with the apparatus described in 5.1.

5.2 Balance, accurate to 0,01 g (see ISO 105-A01).

5.3 Mechanical stirrer, minimum speed 16,667 s−1 (minimum 1 000 r/min) to ensure thorough dispersion
and prevent settling.

5.4 Flat-iron, (if required for pressing treatment), of mass not exceeding 2,5 kg and capable of giving the
temperature appropriate to the fabric under test [see A.9 b)].

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ISO 105-C08:2010(E)

6 Test specimen
6.1 If the textile to be tested is fabric, either

a) attach a specimen (100 ± 2) mm × (40 ± 2) mm to a piece of the multifibre adjacent fabric (4.3.1), also
(100 ± 2) mm × (40 ± 2) mm, by sewing along one of the shorter edges, with the multifibre adjacent fabric
next to the face side of the specimen, or

b) attach a specimen (100 ± 2) mm × (40 ± 2) mm between the two single-fibre adjacent fabrics (4.3.2), also
(100 ± 2) mm × (40 ± 2) mm, by sewing along one of the shorter edges.

6.2 Yarn may be knitted into fabric and tested in this form. Where yarns or loose fibres are to be tested,
take a mass of the yarn or loose fibre approximately equal to one-half of the combined mass of the adjacent
fabrics and either:

a) place it between a (100 ± 2) mm × (40 ± 2) mm piece of the multifibre adjacent fabric (4.3.1) and a piece
of the non-dyeable fabric (4.3.3), and sew them along four sides (see ISO 105-A01:2010, 10.3,
Preparation of composite specimens), or

b) place it between (100 ± 2) mm × (40 ± 2) mm pieces of the two specified single-fibre adjacent fabrics
(4.3.2) and sew them along all four sides.

6.3 Determine the mass, in grams, of the composite specimen using the balance (5.2) to aid accurate liquor
ratio volumes.

7 Test procedure
Provision is made in Annex A for a washing procedure using a bleach activator and reference detergent.

8 Test report
The test report shall include the following information:

a) a reference to this International Standard, i.e. ISO 105-C08:2010;

b) all details necessary for complete identification of the sample tested;

c) the temperature of the method of test used (as listed in Table A.2);

d) the numerical grey scale rating or instrumental assessment for change in colour of the specimen;

e) if single-fibre adjacent fabrics were used, the numerical grey scale rating or instrumental assessment for
staining of each kind of adjacent fabric used;

f) if a multifibre adjacent fabric was used, the type of multifibre adjacent fabric used and the numerical grey
scale rating or instrumental assessment for staining of each fibre in the multifibre adjacent fabric;

g) whether steel balls have been used in the 40 °C or 50 °C tests;

h) whether the treatment in the acetic acid reagent described in A.7 was conducted;

i) whether the specimen was air dried or dried by pressing as described in A.9; in the latter case, the
temperature of the pressing treatment shall be reported;

j) the reference detergent and bleach activator;

k) any deviation from the test method.

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 ISO 105-C08:2010(E)

Annex A
(normative)

ECE non-phosphate reference detergent/TAED procedure

A.1 The reference detergent is supplied in three separate parts and the composition is given in Table A.1:

a) ECE non-phosphate reference detergent base powder (1998 formulation);

b) bleach activator, tetra-acetylethylenediamine (TAED);

c) sodium perborate tetrahydrate (NaBO3· 4H2O).

For details of suppliers, apply to: The Society of Dyers & Colourists, Perkin House, 82 Grattan Road,
Bradford BD1 2LU, England, or Deutsche Echtheitskommission e.V., Zur Niedermühle 4, D-85435 Erding,
Germany.

Table A.1 — ECE 1998 non-phosphate reference detergent (without optical brightener)

Base detergent %

Linear sodium alkyl benzene sulphonate (mean length of alkane chain C11,5) 9,7
Ethoxylated fatty alcohol C12 − 18 (7EO) 5,2
Sodium soap, chain length C12 − 17 46 %:C18 − 20 54 % 3,6
Foam inhibitor (DC-42485) 4,5
Sodium aluminium silicate (zeolite 4A) 32,5
Sodium carbonate 11,8
Sodium salt of a copolymer from acrylic and maleic acid 5,2
Sodium silicate (SiO2:Na2O = 3,3:1) 3,4
Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) 1,3
Diethylene triamine penta (methylene phosphonic acid) 0,8
Sodium sulfate 9,8
Water 12,2

Tetra-acetylethylenediamine (TAED) (100 % active)a As separate addition

Sodium perborate tetrahydrate As separate addition

a The activity of the supplied TAED will be specified and is likely to be less than 100 %.
The required amount, in grams, of TAED per litre of wash liquor is calculated:

0,15 × 100
% activity

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ISO 105-C08:2010(E)

If it is desired to evaluate the effect of enzymes, the optional addition of the following enzymes can be made
with a corresponding reduction in the base detergent powder.

⎯ Protease: Savinase 12T, reduction of 0,5 %.

⎯ Lipase: Lipolase 100T, reduction of 0,1 %.

⎯ Amylase: Termamyl 60T, reduction of 0,3 %.

⎯ Cellulase: Celluzyme 0,7T, reduction of 0,3 %.

All these enzymes are available from Novo Nordisk Bio-industrials2).

A.2 Prepare the wash liquor by dissolving 4 g of the ECE non-phosphate reference detergent base powder
[A.1 a)] plus 0,15 g of TAED [A.1 b)] (at 100 % activity) (see Table A.1 for details of the calculation where the
activity of the TAED is less than 100 %) and 1 g of sodium perborate tetrahydrate [A.1 c)] per litre of grade 3
water (4.4).

A minimum of 1 L of detergent solution should be prepared immediately prior to each laundering run.

A.3 Vigorously disperse the ECE base detergent powder, sodium perborate tetrahydrate and TAED, in the
amounts specified in A.2, using a mixer with a minimum speed of 16,667 s−1 (1 000 r/min) in grade 3
water (4.4) at (25 ± 5) °C for (10 ± 1) min.

A.4 Add to each container the volume of wash liquor required to give a liquor:fabric composite volume
of 20:1 ratio. See Table A.2.

Place the composite specimen in the container, together with the specified number of steel balls (4.2). Note the
initial temperature (25 ± 5) °C, close the container and place in the laundering device and commence rotation.

Table A.2 — Test conditions

Temperature
Liquor:fabric Time at temperature
(±2 °C) Steel balls
°C ml/g min
a
40 20 30 25
a
50 20 30 25
60 20 30 25
95 20 30 25
a For delicate fabrics and articles of wool or silk or blends containing these fibres, steel balls are not used in the test. Record the use
of steel balls in the test report. [See 8 g)].

A.5 Raise the temperature at a rate of (1,5 ± 0,5) °C per min to the temperature specified in Table A.2, and
continue to run the test for a further (30 ± 1) min at the same temperature.

A.6 For all tests, remove the composite specimen at the end of the wash and place it in a 4 L beaker half
filled with grade 3 water (4.4) at ambient temperature. Gently agitate, rinse for 1 min and then place the
beaker under a cold running tap for 10 min.

2) This information is given for the convenience of users of this part of ISO 105 and does not constitute an endorsement
by ISO of the products named. Equivalent products may be used if they can be shown to lead to the same results.

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 ISO 105-C08:2010(E)

A.7 In countries where the practice is to sour at the end of the washing operation, the following optional
operation may be conducted.

Treat each composite specimen in a 100 ml portion of the acetic acid solution (4.8) for 1 min at 30 °C. Then rinse
each composite specimen in a 100 ml portion of grade 3 water (4.4) for 1 min at 30 °C.

A.8 For all methods, extract the excess water from the composite specimen.

A.9 For all methods, dry the specimen by one of the following procedures:

a) by hanging it in air at a temperature not exceeding 60 °C, with the parts in contact only at the line of
stitching;

b) in countries where the practice is to dry fabrics by pressing, each specimen may be dried by pressing it
with the flat-iron (5.4) at the temperature appropriate to the fabric under test, but in no case at a
temperature above 150 °C, with the adjacent fabric uppermost and in contact with the specimen. Record
the temperature used in the test report [8 i)].

A.10 Assess the change in colour of the specimen and the staining of the adjacent fabric with reference to
the original specimen using either the grey scales or instrumentally. See ISO 105-A02, ISO 105-A03,
ISO 105-A04 and ISO 105-A05.

A.11 If testing is performed at temperatures other than those listed in the method, it must first be agreed
upon between the interested parties and detailed in the test report [8 c), 8 k)].

© ISO 2010 – All rights reserved 7

ISO 105-C08:2010(E)

Bibliography

[1] ISO 105-C06, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part C06: Colour fastness to domestic and
commercial laundering

[2] ISO 105-C10, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part C10: Colour fastness to washing with soap or
soap and soda

[3] ISO 105-J01, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part J01: General principles for measurement of
surface colour

[4] ISO 105-J03, Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part J03: Calculation of colour differences

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ISO 105-C08:2010(E)

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