AATCC TM179-2023

Test Method for Skew Change in Fabrics After Home Laundering

Foreword 3.11 ASTM D3882, Standard Test lb) capacity.
Method for Bow and Skew of Woven 6.8 Laundering ballast, Type 1 or Type
AATCC TM179 is used to evaluate the and Knitted Fabrics (see 15.2). 3 (see Table IV).
change in fabric skew after home launder- 3.12 ISO 6330, Textiles—Domestic 6.9 Standard tumble dryer (see Table
ing. AATCC TM207 is for evaluation of washing and drying procedures for textile III and 15.5), or facilities for drip/line
seam twist before and after home laun- testing (see 15.3). drying.
dering. ASTM D3882 is only used to 6.10 Digital Imaging System (op-
evaluate fabric skew in its original (un- tional, see 15.6).
laundered) state. The relationship among 4. Terminology
results of these methods is unknown; re- 4.1 laundering, n.—of textile materi-
sults of one method should not be com- 7. Test Specimens
als, a process intended to remove soils
pared to those of another method. and/or stains by treatment (washing) 7.1 Test Specimens from Fabric Sam-
with an aqueous detergent solution and ples.
1. Purpose normally including rinsing, 7.1.1 Consider each roll of fabric to be a
extraction and drying. sample. Randomly select rolls from each
1.1 This test method is used to deter- 4.2 skew, n.—a fabric condition result- production lot as agreed.
mine change in skew of fabrics as a re- ing when filling yarns or knitted courses 7.1.2 Test 3 specimens from each sam-
sult of home laundering. are angularly displaced from a line per- ple. Cut specimens for Marking Method 1
1.2 This test is applicable to all woven pendicular to the edge or side of the fabric at least 380 × 380 mm (15 × 15 in.) Cut
and knitted fabrics suitable for home (see ASTM D123). specimens for Marking Method 2 at least
laundering. 380 × 660 mm (15 × 26 in.)
5. Safety Precautions 7.1.3 Where possible, cut specimens
2. Principle from different areas of the fabric so that
NOTE: These safety precautions are each specimen will contain different
2.1 Marks are applied to fabric or gar- for information purposes only. The pre- groups of lengthwise and widthwise
ment specimens before laundering. The cautions are ancillary to the testing pro- yarns. Identify fabric face; mark length-
alignment of marks is measured after 3 cedures and are not intended to be all wise direction on each specimen.
standard laundering cycles. Percent skew inclusive. It is the user’s responsibility 7.1.4 If it is of interest to determine
is calculated and direction of skew re- to use safe and proper techniques in whether the magnitude of the skew
corded. A value close to zero indicates handling materials in this test method. change is different from one side of the
little or no skew; a higher value indicates Manufacturers MUST be consulted for fabric to the other, prepare 3 specimens
greater skew; the calculations in this specific details such as material safety from each area of interest. Identify area
method do not produce negative skew data sheets and other manufacturer’s rec- from which each set of specimens was
values. ommendations. All OSHA standards and taken; i.e., left-side, center or right-side.
rules must also be consulted and fol- 7.1.5 Test specimens prepared for
3. Referenced Documents lowed. AATCC TM124 and/or AATCC TM135
5.1 Good laboratory practices should be may also be tested by this method, using
3.1 AATCC LP1, Home Laundering: followed. Wear safety glasses in all labo-
Machine Washing (see 15.1). Marking Method 1 (see 15.7), or Mark-
ratory areas. ing Method 2, provided specimens are
3.2 AATCC LP2, Home Laundering: 5.2 Detergent may cause irritation. cut large enough to accommodate the re-
Hand Washing (see 15.1). Care should be taken to prevent expo- quired markings.
3.3 AATCC TM124, Smoothness Ap- sure to skin and eyes. 7.2 Test Specimens from Garment
pearance of Fabrics after Home Launder- 5.3 Manufacturer’s safety recommen- Samples.
ing (see 15.1). dations should be followed when operat- 7.2.1 Consider each garment to be a
3.4 AATCC TM133, Colorfastness to ing laboratory testing equipment. sample. Randomly select garments from
Heat: Hot Pressing (see 15.1). each production lot as agreed.
3.5 AATCC TM135, Dimensional 6. Apparatus and Materials (see 15.4) 7.2.2 Test 3 garments or a total of 3
Changes of Fabrics after Home Launder- panels from 2 garments. Use the largest
ing (see 15.1). 6.1 Conditioning facilities and condi- panels in the garments. Consider each
3.6 AATCC TM143, Appearance of tioning/drying racks with pull-out, perfo- tested panel to be a specimen.
Apparel and Other Textile End Products rated shelves (see 15.1). 7.2.3 Test specimens prepared for
after Home Laundering (see 15.1). 6.2 Indelible ink marking pen (see AATCC TM143, AATCC TM150, and/or
3.7 AATCC TM150, Dimensional 15.1). AATCC TM207 may also be tested by this
Changes of Garments after Home Laun- 6.3 Right-angle marking device (trian- method, using Marking Method 1 or 2.
dering (see 15.1). gle, L-square or template).
3.8 AATCC TM207, Seam Twist in 6.4 Tape or rule marked in millimeters, 8. Conditioning
Garments Before and After Home Laun- tenths of an inch or smaller increments.
dering (see 15.1). 6.5 Standard washing machine (see Ta- 8.1 Prior to marking, condition test
3.9 ASTM D123, Standard Terminol- ble I and 15.5). specimens as directed in ASTM D1776.
ogy Relating to Textiles (see 15.2). 6.6 AATCC 1993 Standard Reference Use conditions indicated in Table 1 for
3.10 ASTM D1776, Standard Practice Detergent (powder, with brightener) (see Textiles, general and conditioning time as
for Conditioning and Testing Textiles 15.1). indicated in Table 2 for the appropriate fi-
(see 15.2). 6.7 Balance with at least 5.0 kg (10.0 ber content.

AATCC TM179-2023 1
 ≥ 380 mm

≥ 75 mm
B B
90° 90°

≥ 380 mm

≥ 660 mm

500 mm
500 mm
250 mm 250 mm
B C B C
90° 90°
≥ 380 mm

250 mm
250 mm

90° 90°
Y 90° Z Y 90° Z
A ≥ 75 mm A
A D A ≥ 75 mm D ≥ 75 mm

Fig. 1—Marking Method 1 for fabric (left) and garment (right). Fig. 2—Marking Method 2 for fabric (left) and garment (right).

8.1.1 Lay specimens flat, separately, on Fig. 2). 10.1.1 Select washing conditions for
a screen or perforated shelf of a condi- 9.2.1 Mark specimens without tension testing from Table I. Set washing ma-
tioning rack. For garments normally on a flat, smooth, horizontal surface. chine controls to generate the selected cy-
stored hung, hang separately on hangers 9.2.2 On each specimen, mark refer- cle parameters.
to condition. Allow space for air move- ence line YZ perpendicular to the length 10.1.2 Load for laundering shall con-
ment on all sides of the garment. of the specimen, at least 75 mm (3 in.) sist of all specimens in the sample,
8.2 Specimens will be conditioned above the bottom edge. plus enough laundering ballast pieces to
again after laundering. 9.2.3 Mark A midway on YZ. make a total load weight of 1.8 ± 0.1 kg
9.2.4 Place one side of a right-angle (4.0 ± 0.2 lb).
9. Marking of Specimens marking device along YZ so that the per- 10.1.3 Begin selected wash cycle. Al-
pendicular side extends upward from low machine to fill to specified water
9.1 Marking Method 1 (see 15.8 and point A. Mark a line along this side of level.
Fig. 1). the right-angle marking device, upward 10.1.4 Add 66 ± 1 g of AATCC 1993
9.1.1 Mark specimens without tension from point A, perpendicular to YZ, at least Standard Reference Detergent to washing
on a flat, smooth, horizontal surface. 500 mm (20-in.) long. machine as directed by washing machine
9.1.2 On each specimen, mark 250-mm 9.2.5 Mark point B along the second manufacturer’s instructions. If detergent
(10-in.) pairs of benchmarks parallel to line, 500 mm (20-in) above point A. If is added directly to wash water, agitate
the length of the specimen and 250-mm the specimen size is insufficient to mark briefly to dissolve completely. Stop agita-
(10-in.) pairs of benchmarks perpendicu- a 500-mm (20-in.) length, mark B at the tion before adding wash load.
lar to the length of the specimen. Indi- farthest available point along the line that 10.1.5 Add wash load (test speci-
cate any alternate benchmark distances in is at least 75 mm (3 in.) below the upper mens and ballast), distributing evenly
the test report (see 15.9). edge of the test specimen. Indicate any al- around center agitator. Restart wash cy-
9.1.3 Extend and connect benchmarks ternate distance in the test report. cle.
so that a square is formed. Label corners 9.2.6 or circular knitted fabrics to be 10.1.6 For specimens to be drip dried
as A, B, C and D in clockwise direction used in tubular form (e.g., underwear, (drying procedure C), stop wash cycle be-
starting with lower left corner. sweatshirts, etc.), test in tubular form. For fore the water begins to drain from the fi-
9.1.4 For circular knitted fabrics to be others, slit tube and test in open-width nal rinse cycle. Remove specimens soak-
used in tubular form (e.g., underwear, form. ing wet. For specimens to be tumble (A),
sweatshirts, etc.), test in tubular form. For line (B), or screen/flat (D) dried, allow
others, slit tube and test in open-width 10. Laundering Procedure washing to proceed through the final spin
form. cycle.
9.2 Marking Method 2 (see 15.8 and 10.1 Washing. 10.1.7 After each washing cycle, sepa-

Table I—Standard Washing Machine Parameters (see 15.5, 15.10)

Cycle (1) Normal (2) Delicate (3) Permanent Press
Water Level, L (gal) 72 ± 4 (19 ± 1) 72 ± 4 (19 ± 1) 72 ± 4 (19 ± 1)
Agitation Speed, strokes/min. 86 ± 2 27 ± 2 86 ± 2
Washing Time, min. 16 ± 1 8.5 ± 1 12 ± 1
Final Spin Speed, rpm 660 ± 15 500 ± 15 500 ± 15
Final Spin Time, min. 5±1 5±1 5±1
Wash Temp, °C (°F)1 (II) Cold: 27 ± 3 (80 ± 5) (II) Cold: 27 ± 3 (80 ± 5) (II) Cold: 27 ± 3 (80 ± 5)
(III) Warm: 41 ± 3 (105 ± 5) (III) Warm: 41 ± 3 (105 ± 5) (III) Warm: 41 ± 3 (105 ± 5)
(IV) Hot: 49 ± 3 (120 ± 5) (IV) Hot: 49 ± 3 (120 ± 5) (IV) Hot: 49 ± 3 (120 ± 5)
(V) Very Hot: 60 ± 3 (140 ± 5) (V) Very Hot: 60 ± 3 (140 ± 5) (V) Very Hot: 60 ± 3 (140 ± 5)
1
Due to US Department of Energy requirements, many washing machines use cooler water. An external control box may be used to override the machine set temperatures.

2 AATCC TM179-2023