Dimensional Stability

What Is Dimensional Stability?

Dimensional stability test is the measurement of the percentage change in the dimensions of the textile product after washing and drying processes. Permanent marks are placed on the sample, a defined washing cycle is applied, and the distance between the marks is measured again. If the result is negative, there is shrinkage; if it is positive, there is elongation.

Purpose of Dimensional Stability

The aim is to determine whether the product maintains its size and form under the washing conditions specified on the care label. This is the most common cause of size drift and directly affects return rates.

Which Products Is Dimensional Stability Applied To?

Ready-to-wear garments
Ev tekstili (nevresim, havlu, perde)
Knitted and woven fabrics
Work clothes and uniforms
Carpet and upholstery

In Which Sectors Is Dimensional Stability Used?

TextilesRetailConsumer Products

Standards Related to Dimensional Stability

TS EN ISO 3759 (sample preparation, marking and measuring)
TS EN ISO 6330 (domestic washing and drying methods)
TS EN ISO 5077 (determination of dimensional change)
TS EN ISO 3175 (kuru temizleme)
AATCC 135 / AATCC 150

Dimensional Stability Conditions

Conditioning: Before and after measurement in ISO 139 standard atmosphere
Washing program: Among the programs defined in ISO 6330, the one that complies with the maintenance label is selected.
Kurutma: Suspended, flat laid or in drum — according to label declaration
Number of cycles: Usually 1, 3 or 5 cycles; determined by specification

Equipment for Dimensional Stability

ISO 6330 reference washing machine
Drying cabinet and drum dryer
Marking template and permanent marker
Measuring ruler or size measuring table
Conditioning room

Sample Requirements for Dimensional Stability

At least three samples or three final products
Samples must be marked according to ISO 3759
Sample size must be within the dimensions defined in the standard
The filler (ballast) load must be prepared in accordance with the standard

Duration of Dimensional Stability

The number of cycles and the drying method determine the duration. Hang drying takes longer than drum drying; In multi-cycle programs, the experiment is spread over several days.

Dimensional Stability Procedure

1Samples are conditioned and marked according to ISO 3759.
2Distances between marks are measured before washing.
3It is washed with the ISO 6330 program and filler load in accordance with the label.
4It is dried according to the declared method.
5The samples are reconditioned.
6Distances between marks are measured again.
7Dimension change is calculated as a percentage for length and width separately.

Dimensional Stability Acceptance Criteria

The acceptance criterion is the tolerance band in the customer specification (e.g. ±3%). The standard does not give tolerance; The product category and the buyer determine the tolerance.

Evaluation of Results

Length and width are evaluated separately; Most fabrics shrink in length, open in width. Additionally, post-washing torque/spirality and surface appearance are recorded — these can render the product unusable even without dimensional change.

Dimensional Stability Report

Sample description and care label declaration
Applied ISO 6330 program, temperature and drying method
Number of cycles
Percent size variation for length and width
Spiral and appearance observations

Accreditation

EUROLAB holds internationally recognised accreditation obtained from accreditation bodies party to the IAF and ILAC multilateral recognition arrangements, under ISO/IEC 17025 for laboratory testing, ISO/IEC 17020 for inspection and surveillance, and ISO/IEC 17021-1 and ISO/IEC 17065 for system and product certification. This chain ensures the reports and certificates issued are accepted worldwide.

Whether this test can be offered within accredited scope depends on your product and the standard applied; since accreditation is method-based, the scope is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.

Scope and authorisations

Related Regulations

EU 1007/2011 (textile fibre names and labelling)
EU 1907/2006 REACH Annex XVII (restricted substances in textiles)
Regulation on the Naming of Textile Products

Tekstil Testleri — What Does This Testing Field Cover?

The section below describes the field that the Dimensional Stability test belongs to; the conditions and acceptance criteria of this particular test are given in the sections above. The scope specific to your product is confirmed in writing at the quotation stage.

Textile testing answers two questions separately: does the fabric hold up physically over its service life, and does it carry any substance restricted for human health? These two axes require different laboratory infrastructure and different decision mechanisms.

On the physical side, breaking and tear strength, abrasion resistance, pilling, dimensional change, colour fastness and water and oil repellency are measured. Most of these tests depend on the USE SCENARIO: Martindale abrasion cycles are decisive for an upholstery fabric, while dimensional change in washing and colour fastness come to the fore for a shirting fabric. The same fabric goes through a different test set for a different use.

Colour fastness is a body of work of its own in this field and is not a single test. The fastness of the same fabric to light, washing, rubbing, perspiration, saliva, chlorinated water and ironing is measured separately; each represents a different moment of use. Results are rated from 1 to 5 on the grey scale and the specification gives a separate minimum rating for each agent.

On the chemical side, aromatic amines released from azo dyes, formaldehyde, heavy metals, phthalates, short-chain chlorinated paraffins, alkylphenols and PFAS compounds are screened. These items come from REACH restrictions, brand restricted substance lists (RSL) and voluntary schemes such as OEKO-TEX. Brand lists are often stricter than legislation; the target customer is decisive.

There is NO CE marking on consumer textiles. The obligation has three legs: fibre composition and care labelling, compliance with chemical restrictions, and general product safety. Textiles claiming a protective function (workwear, flame-resistant clothing, high-visibility clothing) fall under personal protective equipment legislation, where CE is mandatory — this distinction is commercially critical.

Verifying the label declaration is the most routine work in the field. Quantitative fibre analysis confirms the blend ratio stated on the label; tolerance ranges are defined in legislation. An incorrect fibre declaration both misleads the consumer and affects customs classification.

Sustainability claims have added a new body of work to the field in recent years: verification of recycled content (GRS, RCS), organic content (GOTS), restriction of harmful chemicals and water/energy footprint declarations. These claims now require auditable evidence.

Method groups in this field

Strength and durability
Strip and grab breaking strength, tearing by the Elmendorf and tongue methods, seam strength, bursting strength.
Abrasion and surface
Martindale and rotary platform abrasion, pilling and fuzzing, fabric mass and thread density measurements.
Dimensional stability
Dimensional change in washing and drying, wrinkling behaviour, appearance after ironing.
Colour fastness
Fastness to light (xenon), washing, rubbing, perspiration, saliva, water and chlorinated water; rating on the grey scale.
Functional properties
Water repellency (spray test), oil repellency, waterproofness, air permeability, effectiveness of antibacterial finishes, UV protection factor.
Chemical analyses
Aromatic amines from azo dyes, formaldehyde, pH, heavy metals, phthalates, chlorinated phenols, PFAS and alkylphenols.

Commonly confused in this field

A brand restricted substance list (RSL) may be stricter than legislation; REACH compliance does not mean compliance with the customer specification.
Textiles claiming a protective function fall under PPE legislation and require CE; an ordinary textile test report does not satisfy that file.
Colour fastness is not a single number; a rating cannot be interpreted without stating which agent it relates to.
A result obtained for a fabric does not cover the whole garment made from it; lining, sewing thread, print and trims are assessed separately.
Performance claims after washing are valid together with the stated number of wash cycles; the word "permanent" on its own is not verifiable.

Which decisions these results support

Compliance with the brand restricted substance list (RSL)
Verification of label declarations: fibre composition and care instructions
Determining the performance class of upholstery and technical textiles
Pre-import shipment inspection and lot acceptance
Supporting sustainability and recycled content claims

Related Tests

Frequently Asked Questions About Dimensional Stability

Is one cycle enough?

Most of the time it isn't. Some fabrics shrink less in the first wash and continue to shrink in subsequent cycles. Retail specifications usually call for three or five cycles; The result of a single cycle does not indicate the lifetime behavior of the product.

Do we determine the care label?

Yes, the label declaration is the manufacturer's; The test shows whether that statement is true or not. If the label says 40 °C, the experiment is performed at 40 °C. If the product shrinks at 40 °C, the solution is to either replace the fabric or correct the declaration.