Colorfastness Performance Factors Washfastness - resistance to loss of color or change in properties during laundering. Greatly affected by types of detergents, bleaches and temperatures used. Crockfastness - resistance to rubbing off of dye resulting from insufficient dyepenetration or fixation. Crocking is normally caused by the use of an improper dye or dyeing method or insufficientwashing and treatment after dyeing. It may occur when the thread is wet or dry.
Dark colors tendto crock more than light colors.
Sublimation may result in the transfer of color to adjacent threads or fabrics. Because of its obvious importance, particularly in apparel, thread users frequentlyinclude colorfastness in their purchase specifications. Unfortunately, an imprecise system ofterms and descriptions has evolved over the years as a means for establishing minimumacceptable quality. The system is based on cotton as the typical fiber and in many ways, does notreflect the wide use of synthetic fibers, new dyestuff classes and new manufacturingtechnology. Usually satisfactory for apparelintended to be dry cleaned.