Colour Fastness

Resistance of dye to fading from washing, light, or friction. Higher fastness = longer-lasting colour.

Colour fastness measures how resistant a dyed fabric is to colour loss from washing, light exposure, friction, and other factors.

Types of Fastness

Wash fastness: Resistance to colour loss during laundering. The most important for towels.

Light fastness: Resistance to fading from sunlight/UV exposure.

Rub fastness: Resistance to colour transfer from friction (wet or dry).

Chlorine fastness: Resistance to bleaching agents.

Measurement

Colour fastness is measured on standardised scales (typically 1-5):

  • 5 = Excellent (no change)
  • 4 = Good (slight change)
  • 3 = Fair (noticeable change)
  • 2 = Poor (considerable change)
  • 1 = Very poor (severe change)

Factors Affecting Fastness

  • Dye type: Reactive and vat dyes have best fastness
  • Dye application: Proper processing matters
  • Fibre type: Some fibres hold dye better
  • Colour depth: Darker colours may show fading more

In Towels

Good colour fastness means:

  • Towels maintain colour through many washes
  • No bleeding onto other laundry
  • No fading from bathroom light

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