Overview
ISO 11379:2009 specifies a laboratory-scale cleaning procedure for textile floor coverings using a spray-extraction technique. Applicable to all kinds of textile carpets and rugs (machine-made and hand-made), the standard defines controlled apparatus, specimen preparation, cleaning procedure and reporting requirements to produce repeatable, comparable test results for evaluation of cleaning performance and material durability.
Key Topics and Requirements
- Scope and purpose: Laboratory cleaning to assess soil removal, appearance change, effects of cleaning materials and durability of surface finishes.
- Apparatus:
- Spray-extraction cleaning machine capable of applying 3.75 ± 0.25 L/m of cleaning solution at a wand travel speed of 40 ± 5 mm/s.
- Wand options: ~100 ±5 mm width with 0.9 ± 0.1 L/min delivery or ~200 ±10 mm width with 1.8 ± 0.2 L/min.
- Suction-only canister vacuum delivering 25 ± 5 L/s through a suction slot of 125 ± 25 mm × 15 ± 2.5 mm.
- Cleaning solution prepared per manufacturer’s instructions; antifoam allowed only in waste tank (not in delivery tank).
- Specimen conditioning and preparation:
- Condition specimens to a standard atmosphere per ISO 139 for a minimum of 24 hours.
- Select and cut specimens per ISO 1957 (example specimen 200 × 300 mm), mount on a base and surround with matching construction material.
- Procedure:
- Pre- and post-treatment suction cleaning using defined double-stroke technique with 50% overlap.
- Spray-extract cleaning with controlled wand speed, performing strokes both with and against pile lay, then rotate specimen 180° and repeat.
- Dry specimens to approximately constant mass and recondition as required.
- Test report must include reference to ISO 11379:2009, product identification, machine description, conditioning atmosphere, cleaning product identity and concentration, application rate and delivery temperature, test date and test purpose.
Applications and Users
- Used by flooring manufacturers, independent test laboratories, quality control teams, product developers and specifiers to:
- Evaluate cleanability, durability of finishes, and effects of cleaning agents on textile floor coverings.
- Support product performance claims, warranty testing and comparative assessments of cleaning methods.
- Inform maintenance recommendations for commercial and residential flooring.
Related Standards
- ISO 139 - Textiles: standard atmospheres for conditioning and testing
- ISO 1957 - Machine-made textile floor coverings: selection and cutting of specimens
Keywords: ISO 11379:2009, textile floor coverings, spray extraction, laboratory cleaning procedure, cleaning performance, carpet testing, spray-extraction cleaning machine.
