Designation: D4721 − 12

Standard Practice for

Evaluation of the Performance of Machine Washable and
Drycleanable Bedcoverings and Accessories1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4721; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope Fabrics (Withdrawn 1995)3

1.1 This practice may be used to evaluate specific charac- D3993 Performance Specification for Woven, Thermal,
teristics of importance in the performance of bedcoverings and Flocked, Nonwoven, and Knitted Household Blanket
accessories (machine washable or drycleanable, woven and Fabrics (Withdrawn 1994)3
knit) including bedspreads, comforters, quilts, pillowshams, D4037 Performance Specification for Woven, Knitted, or
dust ruffles, and blankets, hereinafter referred to collectively as Flocked Bedspread Fabrics
bedcoverings. D7023 Terminology Relating to Home Furnishings
2.2 AATCC Methods:4
1.2 This practice is not to be used to evaluate bedcoverings
AATCC Evaluation Procedure 1
that are refurbished by handwashing.
AATCC 88B Smoothness of Seams in Fabrics after Re-
1.3 This practice shall not be construed to be a standard of peated Home Laundering
performance for bedcoverings. AATCC 96 Dimensional Changes in Commercial Launder-
1.4 This practice shall not be used to evaluate sheets. ing of Woven and Knitted Fabrics Except Wool
AATCC 135 Dimensional Changes of Fabrics after Home
1.5 This practice may be used by mutual agreement be-
Laundering
tween purchaser and supplier to set purchasing specifications.
AATCC 143 Appearance of Apparel and Other Textile End
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the Products After Repeated Home Launderings
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the AATCC 158 Dimensional Changes on Drycleaning in Per-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- chloroethylene: Machine Method
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. 3. Terminology

2. Referenced Documents 3.1 For all terminology related to Home Furnishings see
Terminology D7023.
2.1 ASTM Standards:2
D123 Terminology Relating to Textiles 3.2 The following terms are relevant to this standard:
D1683 Test Method for Failure in Sewn Seams of Woven bedcovering, bedspread, blanket, comforter, drop, dust ruffle,
Apparel Fabrics flounce, quilt, sham.
D1776 Practice for Conditioning and Testing Textiles 3.3 For definitions of all other textile terms see Terminolo-
D3136 Terminology Relating to Care Labeling for Apparel, gies D123 and D3136.
Textile, Home Furnishing, and Leather Products
D3773 Test Methods for Length of Woven Fabric 4. Significance and Use
D3940 Test Method for Bursting Strength (Load) and Elon- 4.1 This practice may be used to evaluate pertinent perfor-
gation of Sewn Seams of Knit or Woven Stretch Textile mance characteristics of machine washable or drycleanable
bedcoverings.
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D13 on Textiles and 4.2 The characteristics to be evaluated and the acceptance
is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D13.63 on Home Furnishings. criteria assigned to these areas shall be set by mutual agree-
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2012. Published March 2012. Originally ment between purchaser and supplier.
approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 2000 as D4721-89(2000)
which was withdrawn October 2009 and reinstated in February 2012. DOI:
10.1520/D4721-12.
2 3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM www.astm.org.
4
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, P.O.
the ASTM website. Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States

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 D4721 − 12
4.3 The significance and use of specific properties are 9.3 Unless otherwise stipulated by mutual agreement be-
discussed in the appropriate test methods and performance tween purchaser and supplier, make original measurement
standards. marks at the locations shown in Fig. 1.
9.3.1 Measure the total length of the bedcovering 250 mm
5. Sampling, Selection, and Number of Specimens
(10 in.) in from each selvage or hem and in the middle of the
5.1 Division into Lots—For acceptance testing, divide the covering, including all ruffles, flounces, and trims (A-A, Fig. 1)
product into lots as agreed upon by the purchaser and the in a relaxed state, taking care that all wrinkles have been
supplier. removed.
5.2 Lot Sample—As a lot sample for acceptance testing, take 9.3.2 Measure the total width of bedcovering 250 mm (10
at random the number of shipping cartons directed in an in.) from each selvage or hem and in the middle including all
applicable material specification or other agreement between ruffles, flounces, and trims (B-B, Fig. 1) in a relaxed state,
the purchaser and the supplier. Consider shipping cartons of taking care that all wrinkles have been removed.
bedcoverings or accessories to be the primary sampling units. 9.3.3 Mark the inner edge of ruffle or flounce where
NOTE 1—A realistic specification or other agreement between the attached to item with 250-mm (10-in.) or 1-m (36-in.) gauge
purchaser and the supplier requires taking into account the variability marks (D-D, Fig. 1). Permitting all fullness to remain, mark the
between shipping cartons, between items within a carton, and between outer edge of the ruffle or flounce with corresponding gauge
specimens within an item so as to provide a sampling plan which has a marks (E, Fig. 1). Measure full dimensions between second set
meaningful producer’s risk, consumer’s risk, acceptable quality level, and of gauge marks (E-E, Fig. 1).
limiting quality level.
5.3 Laboratory Sample—As a laboratory sample for accep- NOTE 2—Ruffle and flounce fullness are standard dimensions which are
tance testing, take two items from each shipping carton in the based on 250-mm (10-in.) or 1-m (36-in.) measurements. It is therefore
recommended that these measurements be used.
lot sample.
5.4 Test Specimens—Take test specimens from each item in 9.3.4 The ruffle and flounce widths edge to edge (C-B1, F-F,
the laboratory sample as directed in individual test methods. Fig. 1).
Perform each test on the product as it will reach the customer. 9.3.5 On the pillowsham, measure the length of the opening.
9.3.6 On each panel of the bedcovering, including ruffle or
CHARACTERISTICS AND TEST METHODS flounce, both face and back, mark with a suitable marking
6. Characteristics device three sets of 1-m (36-in.) gauge marks parallel to the
length of the fabric and three sets of 1-m gauge marks parallel
6.1 The areas to be evaluated and the acceptance criteria to the width of the fabric to the nearest 50 mm (2 in.) away
assigned to these areas shall be set by mutual agreement from all edges of the panel and approximately 125 mm (5 in.)
between purchaser and supplier. apart. Where the size of the panel or product limits the size of
gauge marks, 500 mm (18 in.), or 250 mm (10 in.) may be
7. Fabric Performance Characteristics
used.
7.1 The fabric in the item shall be evaluated as directed in
Performance Specification D3993 for blanket fabrics, and
Performance Specification D4037 for bedspread fabrics.
8. Bedcoverings Performance Characteristics Prior to
Refurbishing
8.1 Evaluate joining seam performance (strength) as di-
rected in Test Method D1683 for woven fabrics or Test Method
D3940 for knit fabrics. Evaluate appearance of all seams as
directed in AATCC 88B.
8.2 Mark and record measurements as directed in Section 11
of this practice to establish size consistency, side to side, and
part to part.
8.3 Examine bedcoverings for shade difference from part to
part, as directed in AATCC Evaluation Procedure 1.
8.4 Examine bedcoverings for all obvious defects.
9. Procedure for Measuring Bedcoverings
9.1 Condition the bedcoverings, laid flat in the standard
atmosphere for testing textiles as directed in Practice D1776
for at least 4 h.
9.2 When necessary, mark the dimension to be measured
with a suitable marking device. FIG. 1 Measurement Marks

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 D4721 − 12
10. Refurbished Bedcoverings where:
10.1 Refurbish bedcoverings following the instructions on F = final measurement, and
the care label. Prepare and measure the bedcovering as directed O = original measurement.
in Section 11. Record measurements. 11.1.1 Negative value is an indication of shrinkage. Positive
10.2 For institutional use, commercially launder as directed value is an indication of growth.
in AATCC Method 96, using washing and drying procedures as 11.2 Reexamine the items for shade difference from part to
agreed upon between the purchaser and supplier. part, as directed in 8.3.
10.2.1 Repeat the process two more times or as agreed upon
11.3 Examine the items for any defects obvious after
by purchaser and supplier.
refurbishing.
10.3 For home use, wash items in an automatic home
11.4 Evaluate joining seam performance (strength) as di-
washing machine, as directed in AATCC Method 135, begin-
rected in Test Method D1683 for woven fabrics or Test Method
ning with Section 5, except use any domestically available
D3940 for knit fabrics. Evaluate appearance of all seams as
laundry detergent as agreed upon by purchaser and supplier.
directed in AATCC Method 88B.
Use laundering temperatures as directed in AATCC
Method 135, Table 1, or as agreed between the purchaser and 12. Report
the supplier, or as specified on the care label.
10.3.1 When chlorine bleach is to be used, introduce a 12.1 State that the specimens were tested as directed in
chlorine-type household bleach containing 5.25 % sodium Practice D4721 and report the following information:
hypochlorite (5 % available chlorine) into the washer in the 12.1.1 Objective of test.
manner directed by the bleach manufacturer’s instructions. 12.1.2 Description and identification of bedcoverings.
When testing with non-chlorine is indicated, introduce it into 12.1.3 Number of bedcoverings tested.
the washer in the amount and manner directed by the bleach 12.1.4 List of performance characteristics evaluated and the
manufacturer. results of each.
12.1.5 Specifics of test where there is any option (“agree-
NOTE 3—Many bedcovering products, such as comforters, bedspreads, ment between purchaser and supplier”).
and blankets, either will not fit into a domestic type washing machine or
12.1.6 Conclusions, if appropriate.
dryer, or will be so crowded that they will be damaged by the agitator, or
will not permit air flow in the dryer. Such large items should be tested in
a large front loading machine, such as those available in many laundro- 13. Conformance
mats. The care instructions should recommend such a machine, rather than 13.1 When the purchaser and supplier have agreed upon
only “machine wash”, which implies domestic-type equipment.
specific requirements for the characteristics that are to be
10.3.2 Dry items following permanently attached care label considered, soft window coverings that fail to meet these
or as directed in AATCC Method 135. requirements may be rejected. Rejection should be reported to
10.3.3 Evaluate the items for durable press where applicable the supplier in writing. In case of disagreement with results of
as in AATCC Method 143. the test, the supplier may make claim for a retest.
10.3.4 For ironing where applicable, follow the procedure in
section 6.3.1 of AATCC Method 135. 14. Precision and Bias
10.3.5 Repeat laundering, drying, and ironing four times, or 14.1 Precision—The precision of the method for measuring
as agreed upon by the purchaser and supplier. bedcoverings as directed in Practice D4721 is being estab-
10.4 If the item is to be drycleaned, refurbish as directed in lished.
AATCC Method 158. 14.2 Bias—The method in Practice D4721 for measuring
10.4.1 Repeat two or more times as agreed upon by pur- bedcoverings has no known bias and may be used as a referee
chaser and supplier. method.
11. Bedcoverings Performance Characteristics After NOTE 4—When actual length and width measurements are made, the
Refurbishing tolerances shall be to the nearest 1 mm (1⁄16 in.). When gauge marks are
used, the measurement tolerances should be supplied by the gauge
11.1 Remeasure the items as directed in Section 9 and manufacturer. See Test Methods D3773.
record measurements. Calculate percent dimensional change
using the following equation: 15. Keywords
F2O 15.1 bedspread; appearance; dimensional change; dryclean-
Percent Change 5 3 100
O ing; laundering; knitted fabric; woven fabric.

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 D4721 − 12
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