ASTM D4720-08(2019)

Standard Performance Specification for Soft Window Covering Fabrics for Household Use

ABSTRACT
This performance specification establishes the evaluation of specific performance characteristics of any washable or dry-cleanable soft window covering fabrics, whether lined or unlined, for household use. The characteristics to be evaluated prior to repeated refurbishing include, but are not limited to, seam strength and appearance, uniformity of shade (part to part), and size consistency (side to side and part to part). Consequently, the characteristics to be evaluated after repeated refurbishing include, but are not limited to, colorfastness, dimensional change, seam strength, appearance, and compatibility of components. Compatibility of dimensional change between drapery fabric and lining should be noted.
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This specification may be used to evaluate pertinent performance characteristics of washable and drycleanable soft window coverings, whether lined or unlined.  
4.1.1 Soft window covering characteristics to be evaluated prior to repeated refurbishing include, but are not limited to, seam strength and appearance, uniformity of shade (part to part), and size consistency (side to side and part to part).  
4.1.2 Soft window covering characteristics to be evaluated after repeated refurbishing include, but are not limited to, colorfastness, dimensional change, seam strength, appearance, and compatibility of components. Compatibility of dimensional change between drapery fabric and lining should be noted.  
4.2 The specified home laundry machine settings do not reflect advances in cycle design or special features of washer and dryers which enhance the performance of these products. The standard washing and drying procedure reflects the minimum capabilities of current home laundering equipment used by consumers in accordance with care label instructions.  
4.2.1 The reproducibility of the results of the test method specified in 9.2 depends on the use of procedures for automatic home laundering as specified on care labels.  
4.3 The areas to be evaluated and the criteria assigned to these areas shall be set by mutual agreement between purchaser and supplier.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers the evaluation of specific performance characteristics of any washable or drycleanable soft window covering.  
1.2 This specification is not a specification for washable or drycleanable soft window coverings but may be used by mutual agreement between the purchaser and the supplier to establish material specifications.  
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 14-Jan-2019
• ICS: 97.160 - Home textiles. Linen
• Technical Committee: D13 - Textiles
• Drafting Committee: D13.63 - Home Furnishings

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D4720-08(2013) - Standard Performance Specification for Soft Window Covering Fabrics for Household Use
• Effective Date: 15-Jan-2019
• Refers: ASTM D123-17 - Standard Terminology Relating to Textiles
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2017
• Refers: ASTM D123-15b - Standard Terminology Relating to Textiles
• Effective Date: 15-Sep-2015
• Refers: ASTM D123-15a - Standard Terminology Relating to Textiles
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2015
• Refers: ASTM D123-15 - Standard Terminology Relating to Textiles
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2015
• Refers: ASTM D3136-14 - Standard Terminology Relating to Care Labeling for Apparel, Textile, Home Furnishing, and Leather Products
• Effective Date: 15-May-2014
• Refers: ASTM D3136-13 - Standard Terminology Relating to Care Labeling for Apparel, Textile, Home Furnishing, and Leather Products
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2013
• Refers: ASTM D3136-13e1 - Standard Terminology Relating to Care Labeling for Apparel, Textile, Home Furnishing, and Leather Products
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2013
• Refers: ASTM D123-13a - Standard Terminology Relating to Textiles
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2013
• Refers: ASTM D123-13ae1 - Standard Terminology Relating to Textiles
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2013
• Refers: ASTM D123-13 - Standard Terminology Relating to Textiles
• Effective Date: 15-May-2013
• Refers: ASTM D123-12e1 - Standard Terminology Relating to Textiles
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2012
• Refers: ASTM D123-12 - Standard Terminology Relating to Textiles
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2012
• Refers: ASTM D123-09 - Standard Terminology Relating to Textiles
• Effective Date: 15-Jan-2009
• Refers: ASTM D123-09e1 - Standard Terminology Relating to Textiles
• Effective Date: 15-Jan-2009

Overview

ASTM D4720-08(2019), titled Standard Performance Specification for Soft Window Covering Fabrics for Household Use, is an internationally recognized standard developed by ASTM International. This specification provides a method for evaluating key performance characteristics of washable or dry-cleanable soft window covering fabrics intended for household use, including curtains, draperies, and similar textile products. The standard applies to both lined and unlined fabrics, focusing on their suitability for repeated cleaning and household application.

Key Topics

• Performance Characteristics: The standard outlines criteria for assessing soft window covering fabrics both before and after repeated refurbishing (laundering or dry-cleaning). Key evaluations include:

  • Seam strength and appearance
  • Uniformity of shade (color consistency)
  • Size consistency (side-to-side, part-to-part)
  • Colorfastness
  • Dimensional change
  • Compatibility of components (especially between drapery fabric and lining)

• Refurbishing Methods: Emphasis is placed on using standard home laundering and dry-cleaning procedures that reflect typical consumer practices indicated by care labels.

• Sampling and Measurements: The specification details sampling plans, measurement locations, and tolerances to ensure reliable and reproducible testing between suppliers and purchasers.

• Mutual Agreement: Areas and criteria for evaluation are often set by mutual agreement between the purchaser and the supplier, allowing flexibility to address specific use cases or material characteristics.

Applications

ASTM D4720-08(2019) is widely used for quality assurance and material specification in the textile, home furnishing, and interior design industries. Practical applications include:

• Material Selection: Manufacturers and retailers use this standard to select and specify fabrics that consistently meet durability and appearance requirements for window coverings.
• Supplier Verification and Quality Control: Purchasers apply this specification to ensure that supplied soft window covering fabrics conform to agreed-upon quality standards.
• Product Development: Textile engineers and designers utilize the test methods referenced in this standard to develop fabrics with improved seam strength, colorfastness, and resistance to dimensional change after cleaning.
• Consumer Communications: The standard helps in the development of accurate care labeling and cleaning instructions for end users, ensuring optimal performance and longevity of window covering products.
• Regulatory and Trade Compliance: As this document aligns with WTO TBT (Technical Barriers to Trade) principles, it facilitates international trade and helps manufacturers meet global market requirements.

Related Standards

Several referenced standards are essential for comprehensive evaluation and testing as required by ASTM D4720-08(2019):

• ASTM D123 - Terminology Relating to Textiles
• ASTM D1683 - Test Method for Failure in Sewn Seams of Woven Fabrics
• ASTM D3136 - Terminology Relating to Care Labeling for Apparel, Textile, Home Furnishing, and Leather Products
• ASTM D3691 - Performance Specification for Woven, Lace, and Knit Household Curtain and Drapery Fabrics
• AATCC TM135 - Dimensional Changes of Fabrics after Home Laundering
• AATCC TM143 - Appearance of Apparel and Other Textile End Products after Home Laundering
• AATCC TM158 - Dimensional Changes on Drycleaning in Perchloroethylene: Machine Method

Practical Value

Adopting ASTM D4720-08(2019) ensures the production and procurement of high-quality soft window coverings that maintain appearance and functionality through standard cleaning processes. Its application reduces product returns, enhances customer satisfaction, and supports consistent quality within the global home furnishings industry. This makes it a critical resource for textile testing labs, manufacturers, importers, and retailers seeking to ensure regulatory compliance and market competitiveness in soft window covering products.

Keywords: soft window coverings, washable fabrics, dry-cleanable fabrics, seam strength, colorfastness, dimensional stability, ASTM D4720, textile standards, drapery fabrics, household use, performance specification.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation:D4720 −08 (Reapproved 2019)
Standard Performance Specification for
Soft Window Covering Fabrics for Household Use
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4720; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope Fabrics (Withdrawn 1995)
2.2 AATCC Test Methods:
1.1 This specification covers the evaluation of specific
TM88BSeam Smoothness in Fabrics after Home Launder-
performance characteristics of any washable or drycleanable
ing
soft window covering.
TM135Dimensional Changes of Fabrics after Home Laun-
1.2 This specification is not a specification for washable or
dering
drycleanable soft window coverings but may be used by
TM143 Appearance of Apparel and Other Textile End
mutual agreement between the purchaser and the supplier to
Products after Home Laundering
establish material specifications.
TM158Dimensional Changes on Drycleaning in Perchloro-
ethylene: Machine Method
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
NOTE 1—Reference to documents in this specification give only the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
permanentpartofthedesignationofASTM,AATCCorothertestmethods
or standards. The current edition of each standard prevails.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3. Terminology
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.1 Definitions:
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3.1.1 soft window coverings, n—curtains,draperies,orother
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
accessoriesonwallorwindowopeningsthatareeitherlinedor
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
unlined and primarily constructed of textile fabrics.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
3.1.1.1 Discussion—Washable soft window coverings in-
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
clude those that can be refurbished by any procedure in which
the cleaning solvent is water. Drycleanable soft window
2. Referenced Documents
coverings include those that should be refurbished by any
2.1 ASTM Standards:
procedure in which the cleaning solvent is primarily nonaque-
D123Terminology Relating to Textiles
ous and used in drycleaning.
D1683Test Method for Failure in Sewn Seams of Woven
3.2 For definitions of textile terms used in this specification
Fabrics
refer to Terminology D123 and Terminology D3136.
D3136Terminology Relating to Care Labeling for Apparel,
Textile, Home Furnishing, and Leather Products
4. Significance and Use
D3691PerformanceSpecificationforWoven,Lace,andKnit
4.1 This specification may be used to evaluate pertinent
Household Curtain and Drapery Fabrics
performance characteristics of washable and drycleanable soft
D3773Test Methods for Length of Woven Fabric
window coverings, whether lined or unlined.
D3940Test Method for Bursting Strength (Load) and Elon-
4.1.1 Soft window covering characteristics to be evaluated
gation of Sewn Seams of Knit or Woven Stretch Textile
prior to repeated refurbishing include, but are not limited to,
seam strength and appearance, uniformity of shade (part to
part), and size consistency (side to side and part to part).
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D13 on
4.1.2 Soft window covering characteristics to be evaluated
Textiles and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D13.63 on Home
after repeated refurbishing include, but are not limited to,
Furnishings.
Current edition approved Jan. 15, 2019. Published February 2019. Originally
approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 2013 as D4720–08 (2013).
DOI: 10.1520/D4720-08R19. The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or www.astm.org.
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Available from American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on (AATCC), P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2215, http://
the ASTM website. www.aatcc.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D4720−08 (2019)
colorfastness, dimensional change, seam strength, appearance, 8.2 MarkandrecordmeasurementsasdirectedinSection11
and compatibility of components. Compatibility of dimen- of this specification to establish size consistency, side to side
sional change between drapery fabric and lining should be and part to part, and as a basis for determining dimensional
noted. changes.
4.2 The specified home laundry machine settings do not 8.3 Examine the soft window coverings for unacceptable
reflect advances in cycle design or special features of washer shade difference from part to part, using a commercially
and dryers which enhance the performance of these products.
available laboratory light source as agreed upon by purchaser
The standard washing and drying procedure reflects the mini- and supplier.
mum capabilities of current home laundering equipment used
8.4 Examine soft window coverings for any other pertinent
by consumers in accordance with care label instructions.
defects.
4.2.1 The reproducibility of the results of the test method
specifiedin9.2dependsontheuseofproceduresforautomatic
9. Refurbishing Conditions
home laundering as specified on care labels.
9.1 Laundering:
4.3 The areas to be evaluated and the criteria assigned to
9.1.1 LaundersoftwindowcoveringsasdirectedinAATCC
theseareasshallbesetbymutualagreementbetweenpurchaser
TM135 as in the permanently attached care label instructions.
and supplier.
Use laundering temperatures as directed in AATCC TM135.
9.1.2 Any domestically available detergent, as agreed upon
5. Sampling, Selection, and Number of Specimens
by purchaser and supplier, may be used.
5.1 Division into Lots—For acceptance testing, divide the
9.1.3 When chlorine bleach is to be used, introduce one cup
product into lots as agreed upon by the purchaser and the
of any liquid chlorine household bleach containing 5.25%
supplier.
sodium hypochlorite (5% available chlorine) into the washer
in the manner directed on the bleach container. When testing
5.2 Lot Sample—Asalotsampleforacceptancetesting,take
with non-chlorine bleach is indicated, introduce it into the
at random the number of shipping cartons directed in an
washer in the amount and manner directed on the bleach
applicable material specification or other agreement between
container.
the purchaser and the supplier. Consider shipping cartons of
curtains or draperies to be the primary sampling units. 9.1.4 Dry items following care label instructions or as
directed in AATCC TM135.
NOTE 2—A
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