Pestävyys

Pestävyys, or washability/cleanability, is a property that describes how easily a material or surface can be cleaned using typical cleaning methods, such as water, detergents, solvents, and some level of mechanical action. It covers how soils are removed, how the material withstands cleaning cycles, and how cleaning affects color, texture, and structure.

In textiles and fabrics, pestävyys includes how readily soils are released during washing, how colors and finishes hold up under laundering, and how the fabric’s construction and finishes influence moisture transfer and soil trapping. Factors such as fiber type, weave or knit structure, porosity, and surface treatments (stain resistance, soil-release finishes) play a major role.

For coatings, plastics, ceramics, and other solid surfaces, pestävyys refers to the ease of cleaning without causing damage, discoloration, or abrasion. Surface energy, roughness, porosity, and the presence of protective layers or coatings affect how easily contaminants can be removed and how resistant the surface is to cleaning agents.

Measurement typically involves standardized cleaning tests that simulate real-world washing or cleaning cycles with defined detergents, temperatures, and mechanical action. Outcomes assessed include soil removal efficiency, colorfastness or gloss retention, and physical integrity after cleaning. Standards from organizations such as ISO and ASTM are used, depending on the material and application.

Applications of pestävyys range from consumer labeling and care instructions to product development for kitchens, healthcare, and clothing. Designers balance washability with other properties such as durability, aesthetics, and environmental impact.