Martindale abrasion test, what the number says about the fabric
Short answer: Martindale is a test that measures how many times a fabric can be rubbed before it shows wear. A higher number generally means more rubs, but the number is only one of several answers about the fabric. It says most when you compare similar things using the same method.
What is Martindale
Martindale is the name of a machine that rubs a sample of fabric against a standard surface in a fixed pattern. You count how many times the sample is rubbed before clear wear or holes appear. The result is a number, which is used to compare different fabrics.
How the test works
A round sample of the fabric is clamped in place, and a machine moves an abrasive surface over it in a fixed pattern. At regular intervals, the test is paused and the fabric is checked for wear or broken threads. When wear shows, the count is noted, and that is the number you see in a data sheet.
What the number says about bedding
The number says something about how well the fabric resists rubbing, but bedding wears mostly from washing and use. If you have looked at bamboo bedding, you will have noticed that the figure is not always given, and that is normal. Bedding also wears in other ways than rubbing, for example through washing and drying.
A high number is not everything
A high number is an advantage, but it does not tell you everything about how the fabric feels or copes in the washing machine. A very hard-wearing fabric can be stiff, and a soft fabric can have a lower number. The right choice depends on what the fabric will be used for.
Compare only like with like
Martindale can be used to compare fabrics, but only if they were tested in the same way. A test with a different method or a different load gives a number that cannot be compared. So compare only numbers from the same test, and be careful about drawing conclusions from a single number.
Washing and care matter more than the number
In bedding and clothes it is often washing, heat and drying that wear the most. A fabric with a good number can still wear out if it is washed too hot or dried too hard. Follow the label and use gentle programmes, and you get the most out of the fabric.
What wears in daily life
In clothes, wear is greatest where there is rubbing, for example in the crotch, under the arms and on socks. Socks wear against shoes and floors, and you can look at all bamboo socks for men if you want to compare different types. Here the number is rarely given, so rely on experience and the description instead.
Ask about the method and consider nightwear
If an abrasion figure is given, check which method was used and which numbers can be compared. For nightwear and bedding it is often more interesting how the fabric feels and how it copes with washing, and you can look at sleepwear for comparison. The label and the description are your best tools.
Frequently asked questions
What does a high Martindale number mean?
It means the fabric can be rubbed more times in the test before clear wear appears. It is a measure of abrasion wear and says nothing about all the other properties of the fabric.
Is Martindale important for bedding?
It is part of the picture, but for bedding, washing and care often matter more. Many suppliers do not state the number, and that is not in itself a bad sign.
Can I compare numbers from different manufacturers?
Only if they were measured with the same method and under the same conditions. If you are unsure, ask for the test method before you use the numbers to choose.
