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Dimensional Changes in Automatic Home Laundering

of Garments / Fabric ʹ for reference only
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This test method is intended to determine the dimensional change of items when
subjected to laundering procedures commonly used in the home. This method uses
measurements that reflect dimensional change of the basic fabric in addition to changes
caused by construction, sewing threads, tension, and component parts. The procedure
outlined in this method is to be conducted 3 times (3 cycles) in order to use the
dimensional change criteria outlined in the Gap Performance Standards.

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2.1cAATCC approved home laundering machine meeting following condition:

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Normal Delicate Permanent Press
(A) Water Level 18p1 gal 18p1 gal 18p1 gal
(B) Agitator Speed 179p2 spm 119p2 spm 179p2 spm
(C) Washing Time 12 min 8 min 10 min
(D) Spin Speed 645p15 rpm 430p15 rpm 430p15rpm
(E) Final Spin Time 6 min 4 min 4 min

2.2cAATCC approved home drying machine meeting following condition:

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Cotton Sturdy Delicate Permanent Press
Exhaust Temperature High Low High
66p5C (150p10F) < 60C (140F) 66p5C (150p10F)
Cool Down Time 5 min 5 min 10 min

2.3cAATCC Standard Detergent 124 or Household detergent with brightener like

͞Tide͟detergent from US/Canada origin, not local Tide.
 2.4cDummy load of like garments or ballast as described in AATCC Test Method 124 as
bellows:

Ballast Type 1 Ballast Type 2

c Fiber & Type of 100% cotton bleached 50/50p3% polyester/cotton
fabric: sheeting bleached and mercerized
poplin

c Aarn count: 16͛s/l Ring Spun

c Density: 52 (p2) * 48 (p2)

c Fabric Weight: 155p5gr/Sq.M

c Size of Ballast: 92.0 * 92.0 Cm (36*36 inches)

c Weight of Ballast: 130p10 gr/pc
Note: All edges of Ballast must be hemmed or overlocked securely.

2.5cLine and Flat Drying facilities.

2.6cIndelible marking pen or other suitable marking device.

2.7cMeasuring tape or ruler calibrated in eights of an inch or in millimeter.

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3.1 Garment

3.1.1c Each garment will be considered a specimen. Three specimens of each sample to
be tested are recommended in order to increase the precision of the average.

3.1.2c The specimen is marked and measured before laundering. A minimum of two
length and two width measurements must be taken. Measurements are taken to
the nearest 1/8͟. Additional locations should be determined based on the
particular item.[HK PI ʹ point of measurement can be referred to following
guidelines for easy reference;

Categories Measuring Points

Body Length
Top/Outerwear/ Sleepwear Sleeve Length
Body Width(Chest)/ 1" below arm hole
Inseam
Pants/Sleepwear Waist
Hip
Length
Skirt Hips
Waist
Length
Dress/Sleepwear Chest
Sweep
 3.2c Fabric

3.2.1c Three specimens of each sample to be tested are required to increase the
precision of the average.

3.2.2c Where possible, each specimen should contain different groups of lengthwise
and widthwise yarns.

3.2.3c The specimen is marked and measured before laundering. The marking and size
of specimen should be:

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3.4c Laundering of heavy items may require the addition of dummy load or ballast to
balance loads where distribution is a problem. A weight limit of 8 lbs. (3.6 kg.) may be
then used.

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Wash Method Water Temperature Drying Method

Hand Wash Tumble Regular/Normal
Dry:
Medium
Machine Wash Warm 105p5 F (41 C) 

Normal Cycle

Gentle Cycle Cold 80p5 F (27 C) Air Dry: Drip

Permanent Press Cycle Line
Dry Flat

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5.1c Machine Wash

5.1.1 Set washer based on Care Instruction

Select cycle ʹ 12 minute wash
Cold water rinse

5.1.2c Fill washer to a level which will provide approximately 18 gallons (68 liters).
Monitor water temperature with a thermometer to achieve selected wash
temperature.

5.1.3cAdd 1 U.S. standard measuring cup (66p1 grams) AATCC 124 laundry detergent or
Tide detergent in container with water and dissolve thoroughly before poured into
the machine.

5.1.4c Add sample (s) with enough through cycle.

5.1.5cStop washer before spin only if drip dry option is selected. [HK PI ʹ not commonly
to use drip dry, suggest to omit this]

5.2 Hand Wash

5.2.1 Weight the specimen to +/- 0.1 lb

Table I
Weight of Specimen (lb) Volume of Diluted Detergent Used (Liter)
0.5 or below 2.25 ± 0.1 gal (8.5 ± 1.0 liter)
0.6 - 1.0 4.50 ± 0.25 gal (17.0 ± 2.0 liter)
1.1 - 1.5 6.75 ± 0.1 gal (25.5 ± 3.0 liter)
1.6 ʹ 2.0 or above 9.0 ± 0.5 gal (34.1 ± 4.0 liter)

5.2.2 Figure out the volume of detergent solution needed bases on weight of the
specimen to be washed as per the following table I with a liquor to good
ratio17.0+/- 1.0 liter ( 4.5 gallon+/- 0.25 gallon) to 1 lb.

5.2.3 Wash the item totally and rinse using a 5 minute soak and 30 second wash.
Repeat for 5 cycles.
 5.2.4 The detergent solution is then prepared in a pail of adequate size with a ratio of
1 ml Woolite hand wash detergent (see photo 5 & 6) to 850ml of water. Select
water temperature as per table II below following the care instruction when
preparing detergent solution.

Table II

Tap Water Type Temperature (°C)

Cold 27°C ± 2ºC
Warm 32°C to 41°C (± 2ºC) (Hand Comfortable)

5.2.5 Add the specimen in the water pail with like colors.
5.2.6 Wash for thirty (30) seconds with gentle agitation, but no twisting and wringing.
5.2.7 Soak for another two (2) minutes.
5.2.8 Rinse for two (2) minutes using cold running tap water.
5.2.9 Place the wet specimen between two clean white bath towels to squeeze out
excessive water. (Allow to place wet specimen on perforated rack to release mass
of water drops before towel application for water absorption).

5.2c Tumble Dry

Select drying cycle and dry wash load (sample plus dummy load) for 30 minutes or
until dry.

5.3c Line or Drip Dry

Items to be line dried are removed from washer after final spin. For hand wash
items, squeeze out water. Roll item in a towel and squeeze again. Items to be drip
dried are removed from wash dripping wet (before final spin in washer). Hang each
item on an appropriate hanger straightening and smoothing facings, seams, etc.
Allow the test item to remain in ͞still air͟ at room temperature until dry.

5.4c Dry Flat

After machine washing, spread the item on a horizontal screen or similar perforated
surface. Reshape item and remove wrinkles but do not distort or stretch. For hand
wash items, first squeeze out water. Roll item in a towel and squeeze again. Allow
item to dry in ͞still air͟ at room temperature until dry.


 
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6.1c Tumble Dry items should be cooled to room temperature before restoring.

6.2c For knit garments, restore by placing on appropriate size mannequin for one
minute, smoothing seams and adjusting where necessary. Remove from
mannequin.

6.3c If a mannequin is not available, just lay each test specimen without tension on a
flat, smooth horizontal surface, for a minimum of 15 minutes. Never apply hand
ironing to remove the creases as improper ironing distort the seams and result
different shrinkage data.

6.4c Re-measure and record the measurements.

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7.1c Calculate dimensional change after the prescribed number of laundering and
drying cycles as follows:

Original Dimension ʹ Dimension After Laundering

% Shrinkage = Original Dimension * 100

Dimension After Laundering - Original Dimension

% Growth = Original Dimension * 100

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8.1c Shrinkage or growth %. A growth in measurement is expressed by use of a plus

(+) sign. Dimensional change of all locations is reported to the nearest 0.1%.

8.2c Laundering method and number of cycles.

9.c (%
' AATCC 124
AATCC 135
AATCC 150