The FibreGuard Lab

Our FibreGuard fabrics promise to offer beautiful textiles from fibres to yarns to fabrics. Four key design elements ensure beauty is realised through visual effect, distinctive softness, technically through performance standards and structural excellence, and inherently through permanent stain-on-stain resistance technology.

FibreGuard’s inherent stain-resistant technology is unique in the textiles market. Engineered by textile scientists to create world class fabrics, FibreGuard is subject to customised testing procedures created by Labotex, and an independent textiles laboratory.

In the creation of ‘easy clean fabrics’ with stain-resistant benefits, Labotex technicians test the fabrics’ performance against a range of stringent ISO standards. ISO standards are set out internationally by experts such as manufacturers, sellers, buyers, customers, and trade associations to assess the best way to make products, manage processes, deliver services, or supply materials.

ISO Standards

ISO standards extend outside of product manufacturing. Labotex itself operates under a laboratory-specific certification (ISO 17025) that identifies strict requirements for the competence, impartiality, and consistent operation of laboratories. It’s an international standard that is applicable to all organisations performing laboratory activities, regardless of the number of staff. Additionally, their ISO 9001 certified Quality Management system is a globally recognised specification based on several quality management principles including a strong customer focus, the motivation and implication of top management, the process approach, and continual improvement.

Adhering to internationally regulated systems like ISO ensures that customers consistently receive high-quality products and services. The ISO standards applicable to the development of FibreGuard fabrics include:

Washability standards (ISO 3759). FibreGuard fabrics are fully washable at a range of temperatures and methods.
Dimensional stability (ISO 3759) testing, which evaluates the dimensional stability of the fabric when hanging.
Martindale and Wyzenbeek abrasion testing (EN 14465, ASTM D4157) and Pilling testing (ISO 12945-2, ASTM D 3511) evaluate how our fabrics will look and perform even after prolonged use.
Tensile strength (ISO 13934-1) and Tearing strength (ISO 13937-3). Both tests focus on upholstery fabrics; the tensile strength test measures the fabric’s strength and percentage of elongation until rupture, while the tearing strength test measures the amount of force needed to tear the fabric.
Seam slippage (ISO 13936-2). The seam slippage test measures upholstery fabric’s movement at the seam.
Colour fastness to light (ISO 105-B02). This test records the fading of the colour of the fabric when exposed to light; especially important for FibreGuard Outdoor fabrics and their robust colourfast to light-resistant qualities.
Stain removal fabrics testing. FibreGuard and Labotex have developed a unique set of testing criteria to guarantee ultimate cleanability, stain-on-stain removal, wash after wash.

Dynamo A

Cadet

Cordoba

Aqua

Colourwash

Gull

Kanvas

Dune

FibreGuard's Stain Removal Testing

To guarantee cleanability and stain removal after every wash, FibreGuard has developed a unique set of testing criteria to ensure lasting performance. Many common household stains are applied to the fabric and must be removable under a range of different conditions, including after resting on the fabric for several hours and following multiple washes.

These common household stains include:

Mayonnaise
Ketchup
Mustard
Oil
Ball point pen
Wax crayon
Mud
Yoghurt
Chocolate
Mascara
Red wine
Coffee
Fruit juice
Biological materials like blood, sweat or vomit

To be included in the product range released each year, every FibreGuard fabric must meet these ISO Standards and pass the Labotex stain-removal tests. Such thorough regulations ensure FibreGuard products are high-quality, so you can be confident that they are kind to your family, the environment, and your wallet.