Overview
ISO 11378-2:2026 is the latest edition of the ISO standard for assessing the propensity of textile floor coverings, such as carpets and rugs, to soiling in a laboratory setting. This part, known as the "Drum test," specifies a reproducible test method that evaluates the soiling characteristics of unused textile floor coverings using a standard artificial soil composition. The process distinctly excludes abrasive wear and texture changes, providing a focused assessment of soiling alone. Applicable to all types of textile floor coverings, this method is essential for manufacturers, quality control labs, and maintenance professionals seeking reliable results on soiling resistance. The procedure can be further extended to evaluate the impact of fibre finishes, cleaning chemicals, and cleaning equipment.
Key Topics
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Scope of Testing: The standard details procedures for testing unused textile floor coverings for their propensity to soil under controlled conditions using standardized artificial soils.
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Drum Test Method: Test specimens are conditioned, then subjected to a drum-based tumbling process with soiled polyamide pellets and chrome alloy steel balls to simulate real-life soiling-without wear or texture alterations.
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Assessment Techniques:
- Color Measurement: Objective color changes are measured using dedicated equipment to determine the difference between soiled and original samples.
- Large Grey Scales: Visual assessment using standardized grey scales for evaluating color change.
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Report Requirements: Every test must be documented with details about the sample, test procedures, atmospheric conditions, assessment methods, and results to ensure reproducibility and comparison.
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Equipment and Materials: The standard lists precise equipment such as hexapod tumbler testers, mixing containers, suction cleaners, and specified artificial soil compositions to guarantee consistency in laboratory soiling tests.
Applications
ISO 11378-2:2026 is crucial in several practical settings:
- Textile Floor Covering Manufacturers: Essential for developing, benchmarking, and optimizing carpets and textile flooring with superior soil resistance.
- Quality Control and Certification Laboratories: Enables standardized and reproducible testing of soiling resistance for compliance and product differentiation.
- Cleaning Product Developers: Supports comparative tests of cleaning chemicals or equipment by measuring pre- and post-cleaning soiling levels.
- Contract Specifiers and End Users: Provides reliable, third-party validated data on soiling behavior, facilitating informed choices for commercial and residential installations.
- R&D for New Materials: Assists in evaluating innovative fiber finishes and surface treatments intended to reduce visible soiling or improve cleanability.
Related Standards
ISO 11378-2:2026 aligns with and references several other international standards to provide a comprehensive testing framework:
- ISO 105-A02: Textiles - Tests for color fastness - Grey scale for assessing change in color.
- ISO 105-J01: General principles for measurement of surface colour.
- ISO 139: Standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing textiles.
- ISO 1957: Selection and cutting of specimens for testing machine-made textile floor coverings.
- ISO 9405 & ISO 23122: Assessment of changes in appearance of textile floor coverings.
- ISO 11379: Relevant for assessing cleaning chemicals and machines when extending the test scope.
For comprehensive soiling assessment, users may also refer to ISO 11377 (test site soiling evaluations) and ISO 11378-1 (laboratory soiling - Kappasoil test).
By adopting ISO 11378-2:2026, industry stakeholders can reliably measure, report, and compare the soiling resistance of textile floor coverings, supporting product quality, performance claims, and optimal cleaning strategies. This standard ensures consistency, objectivity, and international comparability in soiling assessments for the textile flooring industry.
