DRAFT UGANDA STANDARD  
  DUS 359  
Second Edition  
2018 -mm-dd 
 
 
 Reference number  
DUS 359: 2018  
© UNBS 2018   
  
Bedsheets and pillowcases  — Specification  
 DUS 359: 2018  
ii © UNBS 2018  – All rights reserved  
 Compliance with this standard does not; of itself confer immunity from legal obligations  
A Uganda Standard does not purport to include all necessary provisions of a contract. Users are 
responsible for its correc t application  
© UNBS 2018   
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilised in any 
form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without prior written 
permiss ion from UNBS.  
Requests for permission to reproduce this document should be addressed to  
The Executive Director  
Uganda National Bureau of Standards  
P.O. Box 6329  
Kampala  
Uganda  
Tel: +256 41 7 333 2 50/1/2 
Fax: +256 41 4 286 123  
E-mail: info@unbs.go.ug  
Web: www.unbs.go.ug  DUS 359:2018  
© UNBS 2018  – All rights reserved  iii 
 Contents  Page 
Foreword  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  iv 
1 Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  1 
2 Normative references  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  1 
3 Terms and definitions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  1 
4 Requirem ents ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  2 
4.1 Fabrics  for bed sheets  and pillowcases  ................................ ................................ ..............................  2 
4.1.1  General  requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  2 
4.1.2  Fibre  composition  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ . 2 
4.1.3  Specific requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  2 
4.2 Sewing  threads  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 3 
4.2.1  General  requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........................  3 
4.2.2  Specific requirement  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............................  3 
5 Make -up ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  3 
5.1 Bed sheets  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............  3 
5.1.1  General  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  3 
5.1.2  Dimensions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  3 
5.1.3  Side edges  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..............  3 
5.1.4  Stitches  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  4 
5.1.5  Seam type ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  4 
5.2 Pillow  cases  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...........  4 
5.2.1  General  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  4 
5.2.2  Dimensions  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  4 
5.2.3  Hemming  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  4 
5.2.4  Stitches and seams  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............................  4 
6 Sampling  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ................  4 
7 Tests ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .......................  4 
7.1 Methods  of test ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 4 
7.2 Testing  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................  4 
8 Compliance  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  5 
9 Packing  and marking  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............................  5 
9.1 Packing  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  5 
9.1.1  Product  units  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .........  5 
9.1.2  Bulk packages  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 5 
9.2 Marking  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  5 
9.2.1  Products  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .................  5 
9.2.2  Bulk packages  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 6 
Annex  A  (informative)  Guide for the selection of bedsheets  ................................ ................................ ....... 7 
A.1 Width  of sheets  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 7 
A.2 Length  of sheets  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 7 
A.3 Example  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..................  7 
Annex  B  (informative)   Dimensions of some pillowcases  ................................ ................................ ...........  8 
Annex  C  (normative)  Suggested procedure for sampling and criteria for conformity  .............................  9 
C.1 Bulk  sample  (number  of product  units  from  shipment  or lot) ................................ ...........................  9 
C.2 Laboratory  sample  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................  9 
Bibliography  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................  10 
 DUS 359: 2018  
iv © UNBS 2018  – All rights reserved  
 Foreword  
Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) is a parastatal under the Ministry of Trade , Industry and 
Cooperatives established under Cap 327 , of the Laws of Uganda , as amended .  UNBS is mandated to co -
ordinate the elaboration of standards and is  
(a) a member of International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and  
(b) a contact point for the WHO/FAO Codex Alimentarius Commission on Food Standards, and  
(c) the National Enquiry Point on TBT  Agreement  of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).  
The work of preparing Uganda Standards is carried out through Technical Committees. A Technical 
Committee is established to deliberate on standards in a given field or area and consists of key stakeholders 
including government, academia, consumer groups, private sector and other interested parties.  
Draft Uganda Standards adopted by the Technical Committee are widely circulated to stakeholders and the 
general public for comments. The committee reviews the comments before recommending the draft standards 
for approval and declaration as Uganda Standards by the National Standards Council.  
The committee responsible for this document is Technical Committee UNBS /TC 7, Textile, Leather, Paper and 
related products , Subcommittee SC 1, Textile and related products . 
This second edition cancels and replaces the first edition ( US 359:2004 ), which has been technically revised.  DUS 359:2018  
© UNBS 2018  – All rights reserved  v 
 Introduction  
The production  of bed linen,  including  bed sheets  and pillow c a s e s , is one of the major  industries  on 
the continent.  The industry  is generally  based  on cotton,  which  is either  bleached,  plain  dyed  or printed.  The 
use of polyester  or polyester -cotton  blends  rich in cotton  for the production  of these  items  is on the increase,  
due to the easy care  associated with  these  products.  
As an expor t product,  the potential  exists  for African  countries  to manufacture  good  quality  bed sheets  and 
pillow c a s e s  for the European  and American  markets.  The products  can also be traded  within  the 
African  region.  
The only problem,  if any, that is associated  with the products  relate  to the dimensions.  These  tend to vary  
from country  to country.  This means  that manufacturers  and consumers  alike have  to be aware  of various  
national  practices  and needs  so that appropriate  dimensions  can be produced.  Annex  A of this standard  
provides  a guide  on the selection  of appropriate  dimensions  for bed sheets.  Pillow cases  also tend to vary in 
dimensions from country  to country  and manufacturers  have  to take note of  this in their production activities.  
It is hoped,  however,  that it will be possible  to provide  standard  specifications,  including  sizes,  for mattresses  
and pillows  to make  it easier  for manufacturers  to produce  bed sheets  and pillowcases with  standard  
dimensions that will satisfy a greater population on  the continent . 
 DRAFT UGANDA STANDARD  DUS 359: 2018  
 
© UNBS 2018  – All rights reserved  1 
 Bedsheets and pillowcases  — Specification  
1 Scope   
This Draft Uganda  Standard  specifies  requirements  for flat bed sheets  and pillowcases  made  from woven  
cotton  or polyester  fabrics  or their  blends meant  for household purposes.  
The standard  is not  applicab le to similar  products used  in institutions such  as hotels and  hospitals.  
The standard  is also not  applicable to fitted  sheets  
2 Normative references   
The following referenced documents referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their conten t 
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated 
references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.  
US ISO 105 -B01, Textiles — Tests for colourfastness  — Part B01: Colour fastness to light: Daylight  
US ISO 105 -C10, Textiles — Tests for colourfastness — Part C10: Colour fastness to washing with soap or 
soap and soda  
US ISO 105 -E04, Textiles — Tests for colourfastness — Part E04: Colourfastness to perspirat ion 
US ISO 105 -X12, Textiles — Tests for colo urfastness — Part X12: Colour fastness to rubbing  
US ISO 3801 , Textiles — Woven fabrics — Determination of mass per unit length and mass per unit area  
US ISO 4915, Textiles — Stitch types — Classification and te rminology  
US ISO 4916, Textiles — Seam types — Classification and terminology  
US ISO 5077 , Textiles — Determination of dimensional change in washing and drying  
US ISO 12945 -1, Textiles — Determination of fabric propensity to surface fuzzing and to pilling — Part 1: 
Pilling box method  
US ISO 13934 -1, Textiles — Tensile properties of fabrics — Part 1: Determination of maximum force and 
elongation at maximum force using the strip method  
US ISO 22198 , Textiles — Fabrics — Determination of width and length  
3 Terms and definitions   
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.  
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:  DUS 359: 2018  
2 © UNBS 2018  – All rights reserved  
 — ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp  
3.1 
product unit  
one unit of the final product consisting of the sealed package  
3.2 
lot 
collection  of product  units  of the same  type,  dimensions  and style,  which  have  been  manufactured  under  
essentially the same conditions  
3.3 
sample  
portions  of the lot,  which are  drawn for examination  or testing  purposes  
3.4 
defective  
sample  that does  not conform to  one or  more  of the  specified  requirements of  this standard  
4 Requirements  
4.1 Fabrics  for bed sheets  and pillow cases  
4.1.1  General  requirements  
The fabric  for the manufacture  of bed sheets  and pillowcases  shall have  a plain  weave  or any other  weave  
agreed  between  the manufacturer  and customer.  The fabric  shall be free from any major  defects.  
4.1.2  Fibre  composition  
When  tested  by the method  of test described  in the relevant  Uganda  Standard,  composition  of the fabric  shall  
be as indicated  on the label.  
4.1.3  Specific requirements  
The fabric  for the manufacture  of bed sheets  and pillowcases  shall conform  to the requir ements  of Table  1 
below  
Table  1 ― Specific requirements for fabrics  for bed sheets and  pillowcases  
Characteristic  Requirements for  Test Method  
 100 % 
cotton  Cotton/polyester  
blend  100 % polyester 
fibre  
Minimum Breaking Strength (N)  
For either weft or wa rp 400 450 500 US ISO 13934 -1 
Mass per unit, g/m2 (Min)  145 120 110 US ISO 3801  
Dimensional change in washing, (Max ) for 
weft or warp  ±4.0 ±2.0 ±1.0 US ISO 5077  
% added matter (Max ) 2.0 2.0 -  
Pilling resistance, (Min).  - 4 4 US ISO 12945 -1 DUS 359: 2018  
© UNBS 2018  – All rights reserved  3 
 Colour  fastness  to: 
a) Light (Min)  
b) Washing  (Min) 
i) Wetscrubbing  
colour change  
staining  
c) Perspiration(Min ) 
colour change  
staining  
d) Rubbing(Min)   
dry 
wet 
bleaching (Min)  
  
4 
 
 
4 
4 
 
4 
3 
 
4 
3 
4  
4 
 
 
4 
4 
 
4 
3 
 
4 
3 
4  
4 
 
 
4 
4 
 
4 
3 
 
4 
3 
4  
 
US ISO 105 -B01 
US ISO 105 -C10 
 
 
 
US ISO  105- E04 
 
 
US ISO 105 -X12 
 
 
4.2 Sewing  threads  
4.2.1  General  requirements  
The sewing  thread  used for the manufacture  of bed sheets  and pillowcases  shall be made  from mercerized  
cotton  or polyester  or cotton  spun  yarn.  The sewing  thread  shall be bleached  or dyed  to harmonize  with the 
colour  of the bedsheet or  pillowcase  
4.2.2  Specific requirement  
The colourfastness  properties  of the sewing  thread  shall conform  to the requirements  for colourfastness  for 
the fabric  given  in Table  1 
5 Make -up 
5.1 Bedsheets  
5.1.1 General  
Bedsheets  shall be  made from  single  pieces  of fabric  without any joints.  
5.1.2  Dimensions  
Dimensions  for bedsheets  shall be as indicated  on the labels  for the products.  The width  and length  shall be 
determined in accordance  with US ISO 22198 . 
Annex  A provides  a general  guidance  to both manufacturers  and consumers  on selection  of appropriate  
dimensions  for bed sheets.  
5.1.3  Side edges  
Side edges of bedsheets shall be perfectly trimmed selvedges or hems of at least 25 mm width of which 5 mm 
shall be tucked in before stitching . DUS 359: 2018  
4 © UNBS 2018  – All rights reserved  
 5.1.4  Stitches  
Hems  shall be uniformly  and evenly  sewn  with either  lock stitches  or over edge  chain  stitches.  The stitches  
shall have  an even  tension  and there  shall not be  less than 4 per centimetre.  
5.1.5  Seam type 
The stitched  seam  shall be either  of type 6.03.04  or of type 6.03.07  as described  in US ISO 4916 
5.2 Pillow cases  
5.2.1  General  
Pillowcases  shall have  two long sides  and two short  sides.  The long sides  and one short  side shall be closed  
by stitching  (except  where  one such  side represents  a fold in the fabric).  The unstitched  open  short  side shall  
be provided  with a flap, which  is folded  and sewn  inside  the pillowcase  to form an internal  pocket  for retaining  
the pillow  when placed  inside the  pillowcase.  
The flap also acts as a closure  when  the pillow  is inserted  in the pillowcase.  The flap shall be at least  20 cm 
deep.  
5.2.2  Dimensions  
The pillowcases  shall have  the dimensions  agreed  between  the manufacturer  and the purchaser.  Annex  B 
provides a list of dimensions  for pillowcases  in use  in many  countries.  
5.2.3  Hemming  
Except  where  there  is a selvedge,  all free ends  of the pillowcase  shall be hemmed  to a depth  of at least  25 
mm. The ends  shall be tucked  in at least 5 mm  before the hemming.  
5.2.4  Stitches and seams  
Stitching  shall be either  by lockstitch  or average  chain  stitches  as described  in US ISO 4915 , and the  
seam shall be  either of type 6.03.04  or of type 6.03.07  as described  in the US ISO 4916. The number  of 
stitches  shall be not  less than  4 per centimetre.  
6 Sampling  
Sampling  for examination and  testing  shall be according to  the method  described in  Annex  C. 
7 Tests  
7.1 Methods  of test 
Samples  of the bed sheet  and pillowcase  materials  shall be tested  in accordance  with the methods  of test 
indicated in 4.1.2  and Table  1. 
7.2 Testing  
7.2.1  From  the bulk samples  obtained  by Annex  C, inspect  the lot  for the following  characteristics:  
a) packing  and marking;  DUS 359: 2018  
© UNBS 2018  – All rights reserved  5 
 b) presence of weaving,  dyeing, printing  and sewing  defects;  and 
c) requirements  of Clause 5.  
7.2.2  From  the laboratory  samples  test for  the requirements of Table  1 and the fibre  composition.  
8 Compliance  
The lot shall be deemed to comply with the standard if after inspection and testing it complies with:  
a) the requirements  of Table I and fibre composition;  and 
b) the complianc e criteria indicated in  C.1.1 of Annex  C. 
9 Packing  and marking  
9.1 Packing  
9.1.1  Product  units  
Bedsheets  and pillowcases  may be packed  separately  or in sets of one or two bed sheets  and two matching  
pillowcases  as agreed between  the purchaser  and the cust omer.  
Each  sheet  shall be folded  to a suitable  dimension  and packed  in a clear,  cellophane  or plastic  bag with 
cardboard  in the middle.  Pillowcases  may also to be folded  and packed  with the bed sheets  or separately  
in clear  cellophane  or plastic  bags  
9.1.2  Bulk packages  
A quantity of  product units  may be packed  together  in appropriate  containers,  which  should  adequately  protect  
the contents.  Such  containers  should  preferably  consist  of only bed sheets  and/or  pillowcases  of the same  
type,  dimensions and  style. 
9.2 Marking  
9.2.1  Products  
Each  bedsheet  or pillowcase  shall have  securely  sewn  into it at an appropriate  edge  a permanent  label  
bearing the following  information:  
a) name of manufacturer or registered trade mark or name , if any;  
b) fibre composition/ blend;  
c) number of bed sheets and/or pillow cases in the package;  
d) dimensions;  
e) country of origin;  and 
f) care label.  DUS 359: 2018  
6 © UNBS 2018  – All rights reserved  
 9.2.2  Bulk packages  
Each bulk container shall have securely affixed  to it a label bearing the following  information:  
a) name of manufacturer or registered  trade  name or  mark,  if any; 
b) description of product  unit, that is , “bed sheets”  “pillowcases”  or bed sheets  and pillowcases;  
c) number of product  units;  
d) fibre composition;  and 
e) country of origin.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 DUS 359: 2018  
© UNBS 2018  – All rights reserved  7 
 Annex  A  
(informative)  
 
Guide for the selection of bedsheets  
The dimensions  of flat bedsheets  depend  on the beds  and the mattresses  they carry.  The sizes  of beds  and 
mattresses  tend to vary over the continent.  These  thus affect  the dimensions  of the sheets.  This guide  has 
thus been  prepared  to assist  manufacturers  of bedsheets  and consumers  in the selection  of bedsheets  
appropriate to their beds.  
A.1 Width  of sheets  
The width  of bedsheets shall  be calculated as  follows:  
Width  of sheet =  Width of  mattress  + (2 x thickness  of the mattress)  + 60cm  (allowing 30cm of sheet  to be 
tucked  under either  side of  the mattress)  
A.2 Length  of sheets  
The length  of bedsheets shall  be calculated as  follows:  
Length  of sheet =  Length of  mattress  + (2 x thickness of  the mattress)  + 60cm  (allowing 30cm of  sheet  to be 
tucked  under the top  and bottom  of the mattress)  
A.3 Example  
For a mattress of the following dimensions:  
length  180 cm;  
width  135 cm;  
thickness  15 cm;   
the width  of the bed sheet  shall be:  
135 + (2 x 15) +  60 = 225  cm; and 
the length of the bedsheet shall  be: 
180 + (2 x 15) + 60 = 270 cm.  
A suitable  flat bed sheet to  use for such  a mattress  shall be one of  minimum  dimensions 225  cm x 270 cm. 
Note : The only variable  element  in this determination  is the amount  of sheet  for tucking  under  the mattress  since  the 
dimensions  of the mattress  are fixed  by the mattress  manufacturer  (or an appropriate  national  standard).  It is thus  
important  for manufacturers  to provide  enough  allowances  in the sizes  of their sheets  to allow  for smooth tucking  of the 
sheets  under  the mattresses.  
 
 DUS 359: 2018  
8 © UNBS 2018  – All rights reserved  
 Annex  B  
(informative )  
 
Dimensions of some pillowcases  
The dimensions  of pillowcases  shall be governed  by the sizes  of pillows  and how loose  the pillowcase s are 
meant  to fit the pillows.  The following  are some  dimensions  of pillowcases  observed  in some African  
countries:  
65 x 65 cm, 50  x 80 cm , 48 x 76 cm  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 DUS 359: 2018  
© UNBS 2018  – All rights reserved  9 
 Annex  C  
(normative)  
 
Suggested  procedure for sampling and criteria for conformity  
C.1 Bulk  sample  (number  of product  units  from  shipment  or lot) 
Take  at random  from the shipment  or lot the appropriate  number  of bedsheets  or pillowcases  shown  in Table 
2. Ensure  that no product shows sig ns of damage.  
Table 2 ― Bulk sample and criteria for conformity  
Number  of 
products  in lots Initial  sample  
size Acceptance  
number  Rejection  
number  Second  sample  
size Cumulative  
acceptance  
number  
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) 
0 – 100 8 0 1 - - 
100 – 300 13 0 2 13 1 
301 – 500 20 0 3 20 3 
501 – 1200  32 1 4 32 4 
1201 – 3200  50 2 5 50 6 
3201 – 10 000  80 3 7 80 8 
over 10 000  125 5 9 125 12 
 
The following  are criteria  for conformity  if: 
a) number  of defective  products  from the initial  samples  inspected  (column  2) do not exceed  the 
acceptance  number  indicated (column  3), accept  the lot; 
b) the number  of defective  products  are equal  to or greater  than the rejection  number  (column  4) then  
reject  the lot; 
c) the number  of defective  products  lies between  the acceptance  and rejection  numbers,  inspect  a 
second  set of samples  (column  5). Accept  the lot if the cumulative  number  of defective  products  do 
not exceed the cumulative  acceptance  number  (column  6). Otherwise  reject the  lot. 
C.2 Laboratory  sample  
From  the bulk sample,  obtai n from randomly  selected  samples  a laboratory  sample  giving  an area not less 
than 3 m2 
 DUS 359: 2018  
10 © UNBS 2018  – All rights reserved  
 Bibliography  
[1] US 359: 2004, Bedsheets and pillowcases  — Specification  
 DUS  359: 2018  
© UNBS 2018  – All rights reserved  11 
 Certification marking  
Products that conform to Uganda standards may be marked with Uganda Nat ional Bureau of Standards 
(UNBS) Certification Mark shown in the figure below.  
The use of the UNBS Certification Mark is governed by the Standards Act, and the Regulations made 
thereunder. This mark can be used only by those licensed under the certificatio n mark scheme operated by 
the Uganda National Bureau of Standards and in conjunction with the relevant Uganda Standard. The 
presence of this mark on a product or in relation to a product is an assurance that the goods comply with the 
requirements of that s tandard under a system of supervision, control and testing in accordance with the 
certification mark scheme of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards. UNBS marked products are 
continually checked by UNBS f or conformity to that standard.  
Further particular s of the terms and conditions of licensing may be obtained from the Director, Uganda 
National Bur eau of Standards.  
 
 DUS 359: 2018    
 
ICS nn.nnn.nn  
Price based on nn pages  
© UNBS 2018 – All rights reserved