TEXTILE TESTINGLABORATORY

Welcome to the premier testing facility of the drycleaning and laundry industries. We are uniquely qualified to test and evaluate all types of linen and apparel to maximize

performance in use and care.

Care Label Service Inaccurate care labels can cost manufacturers thousands of dollars in garment replacement and repeat business.

Getting a “Good” Label is Easy And Inexpensive

DLI's Care Labeling Service (CLaS) Program for manufacturersprovides an easy and cost-effective way to ensure your care labels are accurate and complete.

How CLaS Works

DLI's testing methods are unique. The laboratory is equippedwith full-scale commercial drycleaning and laundering machin-ery. In addition, CLaS technicians fully understand drycleaningand laundering methods and practices.

Testing at the Institute duplicates exactly what happens whencustomers take their garments to the local drycleaners. This iswhat makes the CLaS program different from other care label-ing programs. Care labels can also be determined from the results of AATCC and ASTM industry-recognized test methods.

Upon completion of testing, exact wording of your care label(including warnings, if necessary) will be provided. Appropriatecare symbols for international trade can also be provided.

Textile Brand ComparisonSelect the right product for your company based on pre-purchase testing that compares characteristics and perform-ance by brand. The test protocol is developed based on end-use and may include:

n Commercial Launderingn Professional Wetcleaning n Home Launderingn Drycleaning

Available testing may include:

n Colorfastnessn Dimensional Stability n Fabric Strengthn Fabric Weightn Thread Countn Yarn Construction

Life Cycle Testing Will those sheets withstand one–three years of use and commercial laundering at the hotel? Will FR fabric meet safetystandards after 100 washes in high temperatures? Will the materials in the uniform withstand drycleaning?

Life cycle testing presents the answer. For example, towels andsheets used in hotels can be laundered multiple times in DLI’sreal world commercial conditions to measure how they will perform before you invest in a large material purchase.

Suggested tests may include:

n Repeated laundering/drycleaning including dryingand finishing to represent real-world processing;consider 10, 25, 50 or 100 cycles to simulate the useful life of your product

n Dimensional Stability – AATCC TM 96; AATCC TM 135;AATCC TM 150; or AATCC TM 158

n Colorfastness – use the AATCC Gray Scale Ratings orinstrumental measurements

n Appearance

Textile Damage Do you need to know why sheets are tearing after only five launderings? Are sheets dingy and rough after laundering?

Chemical Residual Analysis – spot tests suggested by AATCC and DLI experts determine current condition of the fabric.

Appearance and Analysis – combines test results with DLI experts practical knowledge of fabrics and care processes toreach cause of damage.

You may also be interested in:

n Tensile Strength – to determine overall strength ofthe fabric

ASTM D 5034

n Tear Strength – to determine strength of individualyarn

ASTM D 1424 or ASTM D 2261

n Resistance to Pilling – This test determines the fabric’s susceptibility to forming small balls of fiber or pills on the surface

ASTM 3512

1-800-638-2627 or online at DLIonline.org/Textile-Testing

Submitting Items for Testing: Apparel: Send one garment to be reserved as a control and one garment for eachlaundering or drycleaning process to be tested.

Fabric: One linear yard or meter of fabric is sufficient for most test procedures.Additional yardage is often necessary for flammability testing.

Our lab technicians work with you to provide the best tests results possible withavailable materials.

Contact Us:Textile Testing Laboratory

c/o of Drycleaning & Laundry Institute14700 Sweitzer LaneLaurel, MD 20707

Toll Free: 800-638-2627Local: 301-622-1900Fax: 240-295-4200

LORRAINE MUIR, Director Textile Testing Service, lmuir@dlionline.org

14700 Sweitzer Lane | Laurel, MD 20707 | 301-622-1900 | www.DLIonline.org