Color is affected by various factors, chiefly by washing, boiling, soap, hot irons, wear, friction, and exposure to sun and air.

Cotton and linens must generally be tested for laundering. A sample should be cut in two, and one-half kept fresh. The other half should be subjected to vigorous soap and water washing, dried, pressed, and then compared with the original sample. The sample may be exposed to strong sunlight by placing it outdoors for a few hours or days. Half of the sample should be kept covered so that the degree of fading may be observed.

Materials worn next to the skin should have sufficiently fast color to withstand friction. They may be tested by vigorous rubbing with a piece of clean white cloth.