AATCC TM172: Ensuring colorfastness to non-chlorine bleach in home laundering
In the textile and apparel industry, helping fabrics maintain their appearance after repeated home laundering is critical to consumer satisfaction. One key element that plays a role in this is the fabric’s ability to resist color change or staining when exposed to non-chlorine bleach. American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) has developed the Test Method 172 (TM172) to provide a standardized method to evaluate the colorfastness of textiles to non-chlorine bleach in home laundering conditions.
Purpose and importance of TM172
Often based on oxygen or peroxide compounds, non-chlorine bleaches are commonly used in households for stain removal and whitening. Unlike chlorine bleach, these alternatives are marketed as safer for colored fabrics. However, improper use or incompatible dyes and finishes can still lead to undesirable color change, fading, or staining.
TM172 helps manufacturers, brands, and researchers assess how well textile materials - whether dyed, printed, or finished - perform under exposure to these agents during typical home laundry cycles.
By applying this method, companies can improve product quality, ensure compliance with consumer expectations, and reduce complaints and returns related to fabric discoloration or damage from non-chlorine bleach use.
Overview of the test method
AATCC TM172 simulates home laundering conditions where fabrics are washed using a detergent containing an activated oxygen bleach or a specific non-chlorine bleach additive. The test is typically conducted in a laboratory washing machine, following precise conditions for temperature, cycle type, and detergent concentration to ensure consistency.
Often cut from the fabric or garment, the test specimen is subjected to the laundering cycle. Importantly, the method may also include multi-cycle testing to simulate repeated laundering and bleach exposure. After washing, the fabric samples are dried according to specified procedures.
The evaluation of colorfastness is carried out by visually assessing any color change, staining, or shade alteration using standardized gray scales or digital color measurement tools. These results help classify the fabric’s performance under the tested conditions.
Critical parameters
Some of the critical parameters controlled in TM172 include:
- Type of bleach used: The test specifies oxygen-based or peroxide-based bleach types to mimic products labeled ‘non-chlorine bleach safe.’
- Wash conditions: Water temperature, wash duration, mechanical action, and detergent concentration are tightly regulated.
- Evaluation method: Color changes are compared against AATCC or ISO gray scales for color change and staining, ensuring objective, repeatable assessments.
Applications
TM172 is widely used by textile mills, apparel manufacturers, dye houses, and retailers as part of fabric development, quality control, and product certification processes. It is especially important for products marketed as easy-care, color-safe, or bleach-safe, such as uniforms, children’s wear, household linens, and performance fabrics.
Retailers often specify TM172 compliance in their fabric performance standards to ensure consistency across supply chains and prevent customer dissatisfaction.
AATCC TM172 provides the textile industry with a reliable and standardized procedure to assess fabric colorfastness to non-chlorine bleach during home laundering. By applying this test, manufacturers can ensure that fabrics live up to the promises of color safety and durability when washed with modern bleach alternatives. In an era of increasing focus on product longevity and consumer confidence, TM172 is an essential tool in quality assurance and product development.