Care Labels
Which care-label symbol represents washing?
A washing tub.
What type of ignition source does TB 117-2013 use to evaluate upholstered-furniture smolder resistance?
A smoldering cigarette.
Which organization developed the LEED green-building rating system?
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
Which ASTM test is associated with the Wyzenbeek abrasion tester?
ASTM D4157.
What does D.R. stand for on a textile specification sheet?
Double rubs, a common reporting unit for Wyzenbeek abrasion testing.
What does an X through a care symbol mean?
The indicated treatment is prohibited.
What is the name of the rapid transition in which many exposed surfaces in a room ignite almost simultaneously?
A Flashover
Which textile standard addresses organic fiber requirements and environmental and social criteria across textile processing?
GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard).
Which ASTM test is associated with the Martindale abrasion tester?
ASTM D4966.
What does a fabric's vertical repeat measure?
The distance between matching points in a pattern as it repeats vertically.
What do dots inside a washing or ironing symbol generally indicate?
Temperature or heat level. More dots generally indicate a higher temperature.
Which ASTM test is commonly known as the Steiner tunnel test?
ASTM E84.
Which type of environmental label reports quantified life-cycle environmental impacts?
A Type III environmental label, typically an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD).
Which ASTM test uses the tongue method to measure fabric tear strength?
ASTM D2261.
What is the purpose of a backing on upholstery fabric?
It can improve stability, provide support, reduce seam slippage, or change the fabric's body and performance.
Which care-label symbol represents bleaching?
A triangle.
What does NFPA 701 evaluate for specified hanging textiles and films?
Flame propagation and flammability performance of specified textiles and films.
What is the difference between a single-attribute certification and a life-cycle-based environmental assessment?
A single-attribute certification focuses on one particular characteristic, such as recycled content or chemical emissions. A life-cycle assessment considers environmental impacts across multiple stages of a product's life.
Which ASTM test evaluates grab breaking strength and elongation of textile fabrics?
ASTM D5034
What does GREENGUARD Certification evaluate that is important for indoor environments?
Chemical emissions from products, helping support better indoor air quality.
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Why can a textile pass a smolder-resistance test but fail a different flammability test?
Different tests use different ignition sources, conditions, specimens, and performance criteria. Passing one test does not guarantee passing another.
Why does recycled content alone not prove that a textile is the most sustainable option?
Sustainability also depends on manufacturing energy, chemical use, durability, transportation, maintenance, recyclability, and end-of-life disposal.
Why can Wyzenbeek double-rub results not be directly converted into Martindale abrasion cycles?
The tests use different rubbing motions, equipment, and procedures. Their results are measured under different conditions and are not directly interchangeable.
Why must a designer consider abrasion, seam slippage, lightfastness, cleaning, and fire performance together when selecting upholstery?
A fabric must meet all the relevant demands of its intended use. Strong abrasion resistance alone does not guarantee safe, cleanable, colorfast, or structurally reliable upholstery.