colourfastness

textiles

Also known as: wash fastness

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Last updated

June 24, 2026

Quick Summary

Colourfastness in textiles refers to a dye's ability to resist fading or bleeding when exposed to various conditions, such as light, washing, or rubbing. This property is crucial for the longevity and appearance of dyed fabrics.12

The selection of a dye involves considering its fastness properties alongside cost and the specific textile material. Factors like lightfastness, resistance to washing, and crocking (rubbing) are important. Dyes attach to textile fibers through forces like ionic bonds, hydrogen bonding, van der Waals forces, or covalent chemical linkages.1

Standardization tests, published by organizations like the International Organization for Standardization, help assess colourfastness. These tests measure resistance on scales, with higher numbers indicating better fastness.12

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dye
Standardization tests and identification of dyes
Colourfastness tests are published by the International Organization for Standardization. For identification purposes, the results of systematic reaction sequences and solubility properties permit determination of the class of dye, which, in many cases, may be all that is required. With modern instrumentation, however, a variety…
Read More
Colourfastness tests are published by the International Organization for Standardization. For identification purposes, the results of systematic reaction sequences and solubility properties permit determination of the class of dye, which, in many cases, may be all that is required. With modern instrumentation, however, a variety…
Read More