ISO 105-C03 is an ISO textile test method for evaluating colour fastness to washing using “Test 3” conditions. It is used to check how much a dyed or printed textile changes colour and how much it stains adjacent fabric when laundered under controlled lab conditions.
This document has been withdrawn by ISO and is historically referenced; many specifications and buyer requirements now cite the newer replacement method. If you need help matching your customer requirement to the correct current method and setup, talk with our team.
ISO 105-C03:1989 — Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part C03: Colour fastness to washing: Test 3
ISO 105-C03:1989 describes a laboratory washing procedure where a textile specimen is washed in the presence of one or more specified adjacent fabrics, then evaluated for colour change and staining.
Because it is withdrawn, ISO 105-C03 is most often encountered in legacy specifications, older purchase orders, or long-lived product qualification files.
Quick Definition
ISO 105-C03 (Test 3) is a controlled wash fastness method that grades (1) change in shade of the specimen and (2) staining transferred to adjacent fabric(s), typically using grey scales.
What This Standard Covers
This standard establishes “Test No. 3” within the ISO 105 wash fastness series.
Core concept: A textile specimen is mechanically agitated in a soap solution for a defined time at a defined temperature, then rinsed and dried before grading colour change and staining.
Primary outputs: Ratings for colour change of the specimen and staining of the adjacent fabric(s).
Why This Standard Matters in Testing
Wash fastness remains a high-impact performance attribute for consumer-facing textiles because laundering is one of the most common real-world exposures. A repeatable lab method helps manufacturers and brands compare dyeing/printing processes, qualify material changes, and set acceptance limits for production.
Revision sensitivity: Even when the requirement is written simply as “ISO 105-C03,” the exact edition and any buyer-specific deviations can affect the selected apparatus, adjacent fabrics, and reporting expectations.
Common Materials, Product Types, or Applications Covered
ISO 105-C03 applies broadly to textiles in many forms where colour durability during washing is important.
- Dyed or printed fabrics (woven, knitted, nonwoven)
- Garments and garment panels
- Home textiles (e.g., bedding, towels, upholstery fabrics)
- Yarns and other textile forms where wash exposure is relevant
Common Test or Verification Workflow
A typical ISO 105-C03 workflow in a QA/QC or lab setting follows a straightforward sequence.
Common workflows: Condition/cut specimens, prepare adjacent fabric assembly, run controlled wash agitation in soap solution, rinse and dry, then grade colour change and staining using standard rating tools.
Common reporting: Grey scale ratings for change in colour and staining (with any customer-specific pass/fail criteria shown separately).
Equipment Commonly Used for This Standard
ISO 105-C03 is equipment-oriented in the sense that repeatability depends on controlled agitation and temperature during the wash exposure, plus consistent visual grading after exposure.
Common equipment: Laboratory launderometer / wash-wheel type apparatus (mechanical agitation), thermostatically controlled water bath or integrated temperature control, test containers (as required by the apparatus), calibrated thermometer/temperature verification tools, specimen marking/cutting tools, and a controlled drying setup.
Evaluation tools: Standard grey scales for assessing colour change and staining, plus appropriate lighting/viewing conditions used for colour assessment.
How to Read This Designation or Revision
ISO 105 identifies the ISO colour fastness test series for textiles.
C03 identifies the specific washing fastness procedure “Test 3” within the washing (C) group.
:1989 indicates the publication year of the cited edition. ISO identifies ISO 105-C03:1989 as withdrawn, with a newer version available as ISO 105-C10:2006.
Related Standards, Methods, or Frameworks when useful
Wash fastness requirements are often paired with common ISO 105 evaluation and general-testing references (for example, general principles and grey scale assessment tools), and many modern specifications point to the replacement method that superseded ISO 105-C03.
Commonly encountered related references: ISO 105-C10 (replacement method for wash fastness testing) and ISO 105 grey scale references used for grading colour change and staining.
Request a Quote for ISO 105 Wash Fastness Equipment
If you are setting up or upgrading a wash fastness lab and need a launderometer-style system, temperature control, and the right evaluation accessories for your cited ISO 105 method, you can request a detailed quote based on your throughput and reporting needs.
