Purpose and Scope

This monograph recommends a standard laboratory practice to determine the effect of five home launderings, with detergent, in combination with other laundering additives, on the flammability performance of fabrics which are being evaluated before sale. It is not intended as a guideline for cleaning those items sold as flame resistant. Many flammability tests and regulations have a laundering requirement either to determine the durability of the flame resistant performance or to establish the flammability classifications of textiles (16 CFR Part 1610) before and after laundering. Some of these tests or regulations incorporate one AATCC procedure or another. Organizations have established different procedures, often not well documented. Hence the need for an AATCC recommended standard laboratory practice which allows the test method to match the potential home care practices of the consumer and to differentiate between durable and nondurable flame resistant fabric treatments.

This laboratory practice is intended to represent a rigorous home laundering. Consequently, 60°C (140°F) is selected as the laundering temperature and 29°C (85°F) as the rinse temperature. The 1993 AATCC Standard Reference Detergent is the detergent recommended. TIDE, a commonly used detergent, may be used. In case of dispute the affected parties should use 1993 AATCC Standard Reference Detergent. Most other detergents are rather similar with respect to pH and other factors which might affect flammability performance.

Soap products are known to degrade the flammability performance of some flame resistant fabrics, hence some flame resistant products have a care label recommending against the use of soap in laundering. Soaps interfere with the flammability performance by leaving a deposit on the fabric and not by removing any durable flame resistant chemical additive. Laundering additives may be incorporated if the parties agree. Consistent with the rigorous home laundering cycle concept, a drying cycle set on Normal [67°C (154°F) stack temperature] is specified after each home wash cycle.