WOOLMARK SPECIFICATIONSPECIFICATION IB-3: 2016
PILE BEDDING PRODUCTS
PRODUCTS
Woolmark labelling may be applied to the products listed below made from woven, knitted or tufted
pile fabrics:• mattress overlays and under-blankets (ie underbody product) excluding products with a woolfilling. For products with a wool filling (e.g. bed pads) see specification IB-2.
• bedspreads• blankets, (single or double-sided) (ie over body product)• sleeping bags
• cushion covers• pillow cases• woven towelkets (ie a blanket of terry towel loop construction commonly used in Japan).
Pile may be of cut and/or loop construction.
Woolmark Blend Labelling. On a case-by-case basis, Woolmark Blend labelling may be applied topile bedding products with a wool/cotton or wool/silk pile. All products must be submitted to theWoolmark Management Group for consideration.
The Woolmark Blend logo must not be used on any other pile bedding products.

WOOLMARK SPECIFICATION
IB-3 PILE BEDDING PRODUCTS

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MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS
All products irrespective of care claim, including ‘Dry clean only’ products.
Property

Test
methodPass level
Towelket
Double sided

Blankets
Singlesided

Doublesided

Bedspreads,
cushioncovers,
pillow case

Mattressoverlays

Woolmark – Pure New Wool(see Specification F-1, F-2, F-3 or F-4 for details as appropriate)
Wool content of pile (minimum)

155

Product dimensions

Woolmark Blend – 50% Pure New Wool,
50% cotton, silk or other natural fibre(see Specification F-5)
Actual product dimensions must be measured and must be equal to (orgreater than) the stated dimensions on the label.

Surface pile weight(gm-2: minimum)

Total: 200
Each side:
100

200

Total: 300
One side:200
One side:
100

250

500

250

Total: 500
Each side:
250

250

500

277
Sliver knit products only
(if products <500gm-2, ≥300gm-2,see pile density function)
Pile density function (minimum)(if products <500gm-2, ≥300gm-2)

285

Pile height (mm: minimum)

279

–

78

715

Pile thickness (mm: minimum)

280

––––

3

Percentage pile (%: minimum)

289

100

70

70 (eachside)

70

100

Colourfastness to rubbing: wetand dry (grade: minimum)
Products darker than 1/12
standard depth only

165

3–4

Extractable matter of pile(%: maximum)

136

1.0

Colourfastness to light (grade:minimum)
Blankets and bedspreads only

5

•–80

Darker than 1/12 standard depth:
4Lighter than, or equal to, 1/12 standard depth: 3–This table must be read in conjunction with the notes that follow.

NOTES
1. Blankets
Double-sided product: each side must be a minimum of 4mm.
2. Mattress overlays:
The product may be of multi-layer construction with a filling of any fibre combination if the fibre isnew (not previously included in an end-product) or it may be block foam.

WOOLMARK SPECIFICATION
IB-3 PILE BEDDING PRODUCTS

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3. Woolmark TM155: Wool content
Woolmark Blend labelling may be applied to pile bedding products with a wool/cotton or wool/silkpile. All products must be submitted to the Woolmark Management Group for consideration.
Woolmark Blend labelling must not be used on any other pile bedding products.
4. Woolmark TM277: Surface pile weight-2For mattress overlay products where the surface pile weight is less than 500gm , but greater than
-2
300gm , an alternative acceptance criteria based on pile density function is permitted; pile density
function ≥ 80.
5. Woolmark TM285: Pile density function
2
Pile density function = (p /100h), where p is the weight per unit area and h is the pile height.
6. Woolmark TM279: Pile height of bedding
Note new test method.
7. Woolmark TM280: Pile thickness of bedding
Note new test method.
8. Woolmark TM289: Percentage pile area
For fabrics with pile and no-pile areas, the pile must cover a minimum of 70% of the total fabricsurface. In the case of mattress overlays, 100% pile coverage is required. The use of a no-pilearea for a pillow is, however, permitted. Surface pile weight must be calculated on the pile area
only. All samples must be submitted to the Woolmark Management Group for approval.
9. Woolmark TM165: Colourfastness to rubbing
Only applicable to products darker than 1/12 standard depth.
10. Woolmark TM136: DCM extractable matter
No further comment.
11. Woolmark TM05: Colourfastness to light
Only applicable to blankets and bedspreads.

WOOLMARK SPECIFICATION
IB-3 PILE BEDDING PRODUCTS

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ADDITIONAL MANDATORY REQUIREMENT FOR DRYCLEAN ONLY PRODUCTS
Property

Testmethod–Pass level

Total dimensional change: maximum(% shrinkage)
Number and type of cycles: 3 × ISO3175 Normalor CDT

Product must not shrink below stated product dimensions orWidth –5 < DC
Length –5 < DC
(if product dimensions are measured rather than using thestated dimensions on the label)Appearance after three dry clean cycles – pile
Sliver knit products onlyAcceptable(satisfactory after wash level of fibre clumping, felting andconsolidation)
287

Appearance after three dry clean cycles – pileNon-sliver knit products•Acceptable(satisfactory after wash level of fibre clumping, felting andconsolidation)

This table must be read in conjunction with the notes that followNOTES
1. Product dimensions
Actual product dimensions must be measured and must be equal to (or greater than) the stateddimension on the label.
–5 < DC indicates that the product must not shrink more than 5%.
2. Woolmark TM287: Appearance retention of sliver knits
Three dry clean cycles according to ISO 3175 Normal or equivalent for the commercial dry clean
test (CDT).
Felting can occur during use (in addition to that during cleansing). It is essential that all products
exhibit an acceptable degree of appearance retention during use, irrespective of care claim.
To achieve satisfactory appearance after use, especially in high pile height products, it may benecessary to use shrink-resist treated wools.
3. Sample for testing
It is recommended the sample size for Woolmark TM31, CDT or CWT is a single adult size
product (or its equivalent), but samples of 1.0 x 1.0m will be accepted.
4. Appearance after dry cleaning
Dry cleaning must be carried out according to ISO 3175 Normal (or equivalent) using a solvent
system charged with 2% water. In assessing the acceptability of a product, the surface
appearance before and after the specified cleaning cycles will be considered.
“Acceptable” implies satisfactory after wash level of fibre clumping, felting and consolidation.

WOOLMARK SPECIFICATION
IB-3 PILE BEDDING PRODUCTS

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ADDITIONAL MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS FOR HAND WASHABLEPRODUCTS
Property

Test method

Pass level31

Product must not shrink below stated productdimensions
orWidth−4 < DC
Length−4 < DC
(If product dimensions are measured rather
than using the stated dimensions on the label.)Relaxation dimensional change
after 1 × 7A cycle

Felting dimensional change after 1 × 7Acycle

31

Appearance of pile after wash cycles(1x7A + 1x7A)

287

Acceptable

Colourfastness to hand washing
Change of colour (minimum)
Stain wool (minimum)250

3–44Colourfastness to wet alkaline contact
Change of colour (minimum)Stain wool (minimum)
Multicoloured products only174•WidthLength−5 < DC−5 < DC

3–4
4All tables must also be read in conjunction with the notes that follow.

NOTES
1. Care Claim
Hand wash (flat dry or hand wash) line dry.
2. Woolmark TM31: Dimensional stability–4 < DC indicates that the product must not shrink more than 4%.
–5 < DC indicates that the product must not shrink more than 5%
3. Woolmark TM287: Appearance retention of sliver knits
Acceptable implies satisfactory after wash level of fibre clumping, felting and consolidation.
In assessing the acceptability of a product the surface appearance before and after the washingcycle will be considered. In order to achieve satisfactory appearance after washing, machine
washable products must be made from shrink-resist treated wools and it is recommended that alatex back coating be applied to sliver knit products to aid pile retention.
4. Woolmark TM250: Colourfastness to hand washingThis test applies to coloured products only.
5. Woolmark TM174: Colourfastness to wet alkaline contact
This test applies to multi-coloured products only.

WOOLMARK SPECIFICATION
IB-3 PILE BEDDING PRODUCTS

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ADDITIONAL MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS FOR MACHINE WASHABLEPRODUCTS
Property

Test method

Pass level31

Product must not shrink below stated productdimensions (see note below)
orWidth: –4 < DC
Length: –4 < DC
(If product dimensions are measured rather thanusing the stated dimensions on the label.)Relaxation dimensional change (%)
after 1 × 7A cycle

Felting dimensional change (%)
Domestic products after 1 × 5A cycle
Nursing products after 5 × 5A cycles

31

Appearance of pile after wash cycles
1 × 7A + DRY + 1 × 5A + DRYor
1 × 7A + DRY+ 5 × 5A cycles + DRY

287

Acceptable

Colourfastness to machine washing
Change of colour (grade: minimum)
Stain wool (grade: minimum)

193

3–4
4

Colourfastness to wet alkaline contact
Change of colour (grade: minimum)
Stain wool (grade: minimum)
Multi-coloured products only

174

3–44

•

Width: –5 < DC
Length: –5 < DC

This table must be read in conjunction with the notes that follow.

NOTES•Care claim:Machine wash (flat dry or machine wash) line dry.
‘Tumble dry’ as part of the machine washable care claim.
Any product to be labelled ‘Tumble dry’ must be sent to the Woolmark Management Group, whichwill submit the product to the designated laboratory for testing and assessment of compliance tothe appropriate specification. In assessing the acceptability of a product, the surface appearance
before and after the washing and drying cycle will be considered.

•Woolmark TM31: Dimensional stability–5 < DC indicates that the product must not shrink more than 5%.

•Woolmark TM287: Appearance retention of sliver knits
Acceptable implies satisfactory after wash level of fibre clumping, felting and consolidation.
In assessing the acceptability of a product, the surface appearance before and after the washingcycle will be considered. To achieve satisfactory appearance after washing, machine washable
products must be made from shrink-resist treated wools and it is recommended that a latex backcoating be applied to sliver knit products to aid pile retention.

•Woolmark TM193: Colourfastness to machine washingThis test applies to coloured products only.
Testing carried out according to Part A using standard detergent without perborate.
Additional labelling requirements must be observed to prevent problems that could arise when adetergent containing bleach is used during machine washing of the bedding product. In this case,
all tickets and labels attached to products must carry an advisory statement: ‘Wash using aWoolmark approved detergent’ (or similar). Full details of these additional requirements areavailable from the Woolmark Management Group.

•Woolmark TM174: Colourfastness to wet alkaline contact
This test applies to multicoloured products only.

WOOLMARK SPECIFICATION
IB-3 PILE BEDDING PRODUCTS

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APPENDIX: Specifications for additional claims
ADDITIONAL CLAIM: Pure Merino wool
PRODUCTS
Pure Merino Wool may be applied to all Woolmark labelled products meeting the criteria detailed inthis specification.
Pure Merino Wool must not be used on Woolmark Blend or Wool Blend labelled products.
Pure Merino wool additional criteria
Property

Wool content
Mean wool fibre diameter(µm: Absolute maximum)

Test method

155
22 or 23 or 24Requirements

Pure New Wool as indicated in
specifications F-1, F-2, F-3, F-422.5µm

NOTES
1. The mean fibre diameter is determined from the yarn (or fibre if appropriate) removed from thefully finished product.
The fibre diameter requirement (which includes sampling and testing tolerances) is applicable atthe end product stage. It is known that the mean fibre diameter can increase during textile
processing as a result of preferential loss of finer fibres. It is not known how much change will
occur for any particular set of circumstances but in order to meet the end product requirement it isadvised that wools with diameters closer to 21.5–22.0µm be chosen at the raw material stage.
In cases of dispute, the result from Woolmark TM24 must be accepted.

WOOLMARK SPECIFICATION
IB-3 PILE BEDDING PRODUCTS

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ADDITIONAL CLAIM: Australian Merino
PRODUCTS
Australian Merino may be applied to all Woolmark labelled products meeting the criteria detailed inthis specification.
All requests for products to be included in the Australian Merino program for furnishing products,
bedding products, carpets and rugs must be submitted to the Woolmark Management Group forconsideration.

Australian Merino additional criteriaProperty

Test method

Requirements

155

Pure New Wool

Mean wool fibre diameter(µm: Absolute maximum)

22 or 23 or 24

22.5µmAustralian wool content(%:minimum)

Wool importer’s or wool
supplier’s certificate tobe submitted by licensee
for confirmation

50%

Wool content

NOTES
1. The wool must be from pure Merino sheep and written confirmation must be supplied.

WOOLMARK SPECIFICATION
IB-3 PILE BEDDING PRODUCTS

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ADDITIONAL CLAIM: Gold LabelPRODUCTS
Gold Label may be applied to pile bedding products covered by this specification.
All requests for products to be included in the Gold Label program for blankets, bedspreads, travel
rugs and throws must be submitted to the Woolmark Management Group for consideration.

Gold Label additional criteria
Property

Wool content

Test method

155

Requirements

Products must meet all
requirements(seespecifications F-1 to F-4)

Mean wool fibre diameter(µm: Absolute maximum)

22 or 23or 24

22.5µmAustralian wool content(%:minimum)

Confirmation by wool
importer’s or wool
supplier’s certificate to besubmitted by licensee

100%

Woolmark
WoolmarkNOTES
1. The fibre diameter requirement (which includes sampling and testing tolerances) is applicable atthe end product stage. It is known that the mean fibre diameter can increase during textile
processing as a result of preferential loss of finer fibres. It is not known how much change will
occur for any particular set of circumstances but in order to meet the end product requirement it isadvised that wools with diameters closer to 21µm be chosen at the raw material stage.

WOOLMARK SPECIFICATION
IB-3 PILE BEDDING PRODUCTS

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OPTIONAL CARE CLAIM: Machine wash and tumble dryAll products submitted for approval for the use of the Woolmark or Woolmark Blend label must be
submitted to the Woolmark Management Group (WMG). All Information on constructional parameters
for submitted products must be included with products for this care claim. Testing andapproval/rejection of such products will be arranged by the WMG.
SCREENING TEST
Property
Relaxation dimensional change(% maximum)

Test method

31/254

No. and type of wash and dry cycles

Pass level
Width: 4 < DC
Length: 4 < DC
1 x 7A plus 1 x tumble dry

Felting dimensional change
31/254
No. and type of wash and dry cycles
Total dimensional change(% maximum)
Appearance after three dry clean
cycles – pile
Sliver knit products only

WOOLMARK SPECIFICATION
IB-3 PILE BEDDING PRODUCTS

1 x 5A plus 1 x Tumble Dry

31/254

Width: 5 < DC
Length: 5 < DC287

AcceptablePage 10 of 10