ASTM D2096-11(2019)e1

Standard Test Method for Colorfastness and Transfer of Color in the Washing of Leather

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The procedure is intended, primarily to evaluate the ability of a leather specimen to withstand fixed, and rather strenuous, laundering conditions. This test is not intended as a recommended washing procedure, neither household nor commercial. Although this test concerns itself with colorfastness and transfer of color during washing, the washed leather specimens are available also for comparing other properties (that is, tensile strength, area change, change in outline, etc.) with those of unwashed samples.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the colorfastness of colored leathers, with or without a surface coating. The leathers to be tested are of the type normally expected to withstand frequent laundering. This test method also covers the simultaneous staining of adjacent textile materials when the leather specimens are washed. This test method does not apply to wet blue. Two procedures are covered depending on the apparatus used:  
1.1.1 Procedure A, using the Launder-Ometer,2 and  
1.1.2 Procedure B, using an alternative washing machine.  
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values stated in parentheses are provided for information only.  
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: 31-Aug-2019
• ICS: 59.140.30 - Leather and furs
• Technical Committee: D31 - Leather
• Drafting Committee: D31.04 - Apparel

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D2096-11(2019) - Standard Test Method for Colorfastness and Transfer of Color in the Washing of Leather
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2019

Overview

ASTM D2096-11(2019)e1 is the internationally recognized standard test method for evaluating the colorfastness of leather and the potential transfer of color during washing. Developed by ASTM International, this standard is essential for assessing whether colored leathers with or without surface coatings can withstand frequent laundering without significant loss of color or unwanted staining of adjacent materials. Although this method is designed to simulate stringent laundering conditions and not intended as a recommended washing protocol, it provides valuable data for manufacturers, retailers, and quality control professionals in the leather and textile industries.

Key Topics

• Colorfastness testing: The primary goal is to determine how well colored leathers retain their appearance after repeated washing under fixed, strenuous conditions.
• Transfer of color (staining): The test assesses the simultaneous staining of adjacent textile materials when leather is laundered, highlighting potential risks for products made with a combination of materials.
• Versatility in equipment: The standard outlines two procedures:
  • Procedure A: Utilizes a Launder-Ometer, which is widely recognized for accelerated wash testing.
  • Procedure B: Uses an alternative washing machine, making the method accessible to a wider range of laboratories.
• Comparative analysis: Additional properties, such as tensile strength and dimensional changes, may also be evaluated on washed versus unwashed samples.
• Use of gray scales: The degree of color change and staining is rated against standardized gray scales, ensuring objective and repeatable results.

Applications

ASTM D2096-11(2019)e1 is valuable in various segments of the leather supply chain and testing laboratories:

• Quality assurance: Leather producers and garment manufacturers use this test method to ensure that dyed or coated leathers maintain their appearance and performance after multiple washes.
• Product development: Designers of leather apparel, accessories, and upholstery leverage these insights to select materials appropriate for products requiring frequent cleaning.
• Compliance: Brands and retailers reference this standard to demonstrate compliance with international quality and durability expectations for leather goods.
• Research and development: Testing new dyes, surface treatments, or tanning processes for leathers destined for products subjected to repeated washing.
• Consumer safety: By identifying potential color transfer, manufacturers help prevent unwanted staining of garments, furniture, or other items in contact with leather.

Related Standards

A number of other standards and documents support or complement ASTM D2096-11(2019)e1 in the field of colorfastness and leather testing:

• ISO R105/I, Part 2 and Part 3: Gray scales for assessment of color change and staining, respectively, are essential references in the evaluation process.
• AATCC Test Method 61: Comparable accelerated laundering test methods for assessing colorfastness in textiles.
• ASTM D499 (Withdrawn): Specification for white floating toilet soap, referenced for preparation of washing solutions.
• Leather washing apparatus adjunct: Detailed drawings and specifications for the testing equipment are available as ASTM adjunct documents.

By utilizing ASTM D2096-11(2019)e1, stakeholders throughout the leather and textile industries gain objective, repeatable metrics for color durability and staining risk, supporting quality control, product claims, and ongoing material innovation. This standard ensures that leather products meet the high expectations of both the industry and consumers for color retention and cleanliness during routine maintenance.

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.
´1
Designation: D2096 − 11 (Reapproved 2019)
Standard Test Method for
Colorfastness and Transfer of Color in the Washing of
Leather
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2096; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
ε NOTE—The adjunct information in 2.3 was updated in July 2020.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the color-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
fastness of colored leathers, with or without a surface coating.
D499 Specification for White Floating Toilet Soap (With-
The leathers to be tested are of the type normally expected to
drawn 2000)
withstandfrequentlaundering.Thistestmethodalsocoversthe
2.2 ISO Standard:
simultaneous staining of adjacent textile materials when the
ISO R105/I, Part 2 Gray Scale for Evaluating Change in
leather specimens are washed. This test method does not apply
Color
to wet blue. Two procedures are covered depending on the
ISO R105/I, Part 3 Gray Scale for Evaluating Staining
apparatus used:
2.3 ASTM Adjunct:
1.1.1 Procedure A, using the Launder-Ometer, and
Leather washing apparatus (1 drawing)
1.1.2 Procedure B, using an alternative washing machine.
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
3. Summary of Test Method
as the standard. The values stated in parentheses are provided
for information only. 3.1 Three leather specimens 50 by 80 mm (approximately 2
by 3 in.), and one piece of multifiber test fabric of nearly equal
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
size are washed together in soapy water at 120°F (49°C).After
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
⁄2 h of washing, the leather specimens and cloth are removed
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
and rinsed carefully in running water at about 95°F (35°C).
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
One leather specimen and the test cloth are removed and
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
air-dried. A new piece of test cloth is added to the remaining
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
twoleatherspecimensandthesearewashed,asabove,for ⁄2h.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
Therinsingisrepeated;againoneleatherspecimenandthetest
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
cloth are removed for drying. The remaining leather specimen,
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
with a new piece of test cloth, is washed again for ⁄2 h. This
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
final leather specimen and test cloth are then rinsed and dried
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
as above. When dry, the color of the washed leather specimens
is rated by comparing it with an unwashed piece of leather.
1 Transfer of color to the test fabric is rated by comparison with
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D31 on Leather
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D31.04 on Apparel This test
method was developed in cooperation with the American Leather Chemists Assn.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2019. Published September 2019. Originally
approved in 1962. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as D2096 – 11. DOI: For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
10.1520/D2096-11R19E01. contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
The Launder-Ometer and its development are described in the American Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DyestuffReporter, Oct. 29, 1928, p. 679. It is described also in the currentTechnical the ASTM website.
Manual of the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists. Such an The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
apparatus is illustrated in Figs. 3, 4, and 5. www.astm.org.
The sole source of supply of the apparatus known to the committee at this time Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
is SDL Atlas, 3934 Airway Drive, Rock Hill SC 29732. If you are aware of 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
alternative suppliers, please provide this information to ASTM International Detailed drawings for such an apparatus are available in a digital PDF file from
Headquarters.Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the ASTM International Headquarters. Order Adjunct ADJD2096-E-PDF. Original
responsible technical committee, which you may attend. adjunct produced in 1962. Adjunct last updated in 2020.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
´1
D2096 − 11 (2019)
FIG. 1 Washing Machine, Heated Air Bath (Procedure B)
periods. Such an apparatus is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.
an unwashed piece of test fabric. These comparisons are made
with the aid of the proper Gray Scale. All ratings are made on
5.2 Specimen Containers, glass or stainless steel, 1-pt (500-
dry test specimens.
mL), washer, and cap.
5.3 Balls, type 316 stainless steel, ⁄4-in. (6.4-mm) diameter,
4. Significance and Use
20 per specimen container.
4.1 The procedure is intended, primarily to evaluate the
5.4 Test Cloth, multifiber, 50 by 80 mm, three pieces per
ability of a leather specimen to withstand fixed, and rather
test.
strenuous, laundering conditions. This test is not intended as a
recommended washing procedure, neither household nor com-
NOTE2—Multifibertestfabricsareavailablein6-fibercloth,containing
8 8
mercial. Although this test concerns itself with colorfastness
filling strips of wool, Orlon, Dacron, nylon-66, bleached cotton, and
and transfer of color during washing, the washed leather acetate, assembled in 2-in. (50-mm) repeats. Tests may be run with any
test fabric of special interest and reported accordingly.
specimens are available also for comparing other properties
(that is, tensile strength, area change, change in outline, etc.)
5.5 Gray Scales, consisting of the following:
with those of unwashed samples.
5.5.1 ISO R105/I, Part 2, British, for assessing the effect in
fastness testing, and
5. Apparatus
5.5.2 ISOR105/I,Part3,British,fordeterminingthedegree
5.1 Washing Machine—A Launder-Ometer, or an assembly
of staining in fastness testing.
of apparatus capable of similar test conditions (Note 1). In
either machine, 1-pt (500-mL) specimen containers are held
with their bases toward a horizontal shaft and 2-in. (50 mm)
The sole source of supply of the test cloth known to the committee at this time
out from its center of rotation. Speed of rotation shall be 40 to
is Testfabrics, Inc., 200 Blackford Ave., P.O. Box 420, Middlesex, NJ 08846-0420;
45 rpm. Provision shall be made for maintaining the initial telephone: [phone]; fax: [phone]. If you are aware of alternative
suppliers, please provide this information to ASTM Headquarters. Your comments
temperature of the specimen containers throughout the test.
will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the responsible technical
Additional agitation shall be provided by ⁄4-in. (6.4 mm)
committee, which you may attend.
stainless steel balls in the specimen containers.
Trademark of E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co.
These scales and their use are described in the 1989 Technical Manual of the
NOTE 1—A motor-driven assembly, designed to hold 1-pt (500-mL)
American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists. Additional references on
specimen containers so that they are relative to the axis of the motor shaft
the use of Gray Scales in leather washing tests are as follows:
in the same way as in the Launder-Ometer, can be used
...