Inspection Standards | Home Textile Fabric Inspection Standards and Processes, Inspection and Factory Certification Testing by China Inspection and Quarantine

As demand for product quality continues to rise, more and more brands, importers, and retailers in domestic and international trade are relying on professional third-party inspection companies to objectively assess and control product quality. Quality inspection is particularly crucial for home textiles, which are frequently used daily and come into direct contact with the skin. As a seasoned inspector with twenty years of professional inspection experience, this article will systematically introduce the inspection standards and procedures for home textiles, providing a comprehensive understanding of how to conduct scientific and standardized home textile inspections .

1. Home Textile Fabric Inspection Standards and Inspection Process

Home textile fabric inspections typically use the internationally accepted "four-point" or "ten-point" scoring system. By examining a sample of fabric across multiple indicators, the quality grade of the entire batch is determined. During the inspection process, random sampling is strictly performed according to the sampling standards, and the following inspection items are performed:

1. Fabric length inspection <br>Use a fabric inspection machine and a meter/yard chart to measure each piece of fabric and check whether it is consistent with the length marked on the label. The results must be recorded in detail in the inspection report .

2. Fabric width inspection <br>Each piece of cloth should be measured at least three times (head, middle and tail). If it is close to the lower limit of tolerance or the width is uneven, increase the number of measurements to ensure the representativeness of the data.

3. Yarn count inspection <br>Use a balance or electronic scale to compare the weight of yarn of equal length in the approved sample with that in the incoming cloth to determine whether the warp and weft yarn counts meet the requirements.

4. Warp and weft density inspection <br>Use a magnifying glass or cloth mirror to count the number of warp and weft yarns per unit area and compare with the specification or confirmation sample.

5. Structure inspection <br>Check whether the weave of the fabric (plain, twill, satin, etc.) is correct and uniform to ensure that it is consistent with the sample.

6. Weight inspection <br>Use a circular sample cutter to take samples, and use an electronic scale to accurately measure the weight per unit area to verify whether it meets the technical standards.

7. Color consistency test <br>Includes color difference within the piece (edge, center, head and tail) and color difference between pieces. It must be compared with the confirmation sample under a standard light box (D65/TL84 and other light sources). The color difference must not be lower than gray card level 4-5.

8. Defect Inspection <br>The fabric is spread out at a constant speed on the inspection table. The inspector needs to carefully check for various defects such as weaving defects, dyeing defects, damage, etc., and record and rate them according to the scoring criteria.

2. Quality Evaluation and Inspection Acceptance Standards

Currently, there is no complete international standard for fabric testing, but Europe and the United States generally adopt the following principles to determine the conformity of the entire batch. If any of the following conditions occur, the entire batch will be judged as "unqualified":

• The total score exceeds the limit;

• The proportion of second-class products exceeds 10%;

• The actual fabric length is less than 1% of the label length;

• The design does not match the confirmed sample.

If a single roll of cloth has the following problems, it will be judged as second-class and needs to be graded:

1. Color difference does not match : the color difference with the confirmed sample is 4-5 levels lower than the gray card;

2. Continuous color difference : obvious color difference at the head, tail, or center of the horse;

3. Length shortage : the actual length is less than 2% of the nominal length;

4. Pattern size deviation : Pattern cycle size error exceeds ±1%;

5. Insufficient cutting width : narrower than the specified value (remarks are required for woven fabrics exceeding 1 inch and knitted/stretch fabrics exceeding 2 inches);

6. Weft bow/skew tolerance : woven printed/striped products are within ±2%, solid colors are within ±3%; knitted products are relaxed accordingly;

7. Defective selvedge : the selvedge is loose or tight or the surface of the fabric is uneven;

8. Continuous defects : If the defects appear continuously for more than 10 yards and the score for each defect is 4 points or more, it will be directly classified as second-class product.

3. The service value of third-party inspection companies

When inspecting home textiles, professional inspection companies offer more than just the above services. They typically provide a comprehensive service chain, including factory assessments, in-process inspections (DUPRO), final random inspections (FRI), and container loading supervision. Inspectors utilize specialized equipment (such as fabric inspection machines, standard light boxes, and electronic scales) based on AQL sampling standards, client technical documentation, and international regulations to conduct objective assessments. They then issue detailed inspection reports with images and data highlighting any issues, providing the client with a basis for acceptance, rejection, or rework.

IV. Summary

Home textile product inspection is a systematic and rigorous process, involving multiple technical specifications and appearance quality checks . By entrusting a third-party inspection company with extensive experience and a strong reputation, companies can significantly reduce quality risks, avoid trade disputes, and enhance brand reputation and consumer satisfaction. A comprehensive inspection process is not only a core component of quality control but also an indispensable part of modern supply chain management.

We at China Huibang Focus specialize in product inspection and quarantine, testing and certification, supplier background checks, audits, factory inspections and other services.