In the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab (also known as the GH Textiles Lab), fiber scientists and product analysts test and report on all fiber-based products, ranging from bedding, bath towels, and toilet paper to clothing, footwear, luggage and beyond.
Our scientists use specialized equipment and test products according to industry-standard methodologies from the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC), and International Organization for Standardization (ISO). We also develop proprietary methods to ensure products are tested in ways that simulate extended, real-life use. In addition, analysts send products to consumer testers’ homes, where they provide feedback on comfort, support, fit, and more.
How We Test
Our testing process combines rigorous lab analysis, real-world consumer evaluations, and careful reviews of product claims. Here are a few examples of our in-Lab testing:
- Stretch recovery: We stretch leggings, bras, and other apparel made with elastic materials for a set period of time, then measure how well the fabric bounces back to its original shape.
- Dissolvability analysis: To see how well toilet paper breaks down after flushing, we place a sheet in water spinning at a controlled speed. The faster it dissolves, the less likely it is to clog pipes or cause septic issues.
- Absorbency: We measure how effectively diapers, towels, and menstrual products soak up and contain liquids to help keep users feeling dry.
Products are tested both in the Lab and by consumer testers. Testers are carefully selected through a recruitment survey to ensure a good match, and they provide real-world feedback that helps us determine which products are best for our readers. They use the products for several weeks before completing a feedback survey, sharing insights through both scored ratings and open-ended responses.
Here are some examples of our lab equipment:
Instron
This machine pulls swatches of woven and nonwoven fabric to measure the force required to break them. We most often use the Instron to evaluate the durability of sheets.
Martindale
To test resistance to pilling (the formation of small fiber balls), this machine rubs two swatches of the same fabric against each other in various directions. To measure resistance to abrasion, it rubs the fabric against wool under a set weight to apply pressure
Rain tester
We use a rain tester to evaluate products that claim to be water-resistant or waterproof, such as rain boots, jackets, and umbrellas. The machine sprays water at standardized pressure levels to measure how well the products block out moisture in extreme conditions, like a heavy downpour.
Moisture management tester
Many products claim to have cooling properties, but not all live up to the promise. The moisture management tester measures how effectively a fabric wicks away moisture. The better a material is at pulling moisture from the skin and spreading it across the surface, the cooler it feels.
Drop tester
Analysts use a drop tester to evaluate luggage durability by dropping it from a set height before checking for signs of damage such as dents and scuffs. Each piece is filled with a standard weight and dropped at different angles to simulate real-life use.
Meet Our Experts
This team oversees everything from creating content based on lab analysis to matching products with consumer testers and ensuring the accuracy of written features. Our experts stay on top of industry trends and advocate for consumers by calling out misleading claims, greenwashing, and products that overpromise performance. They also evaluate all textile products that submit to Good Housekeeping Award programs—including Bedding Awards, Travel Awards, Parenting Awards, and Bath Awards—as well as those that apply for and earn the Good Housekeeping Seal.
Emma Seymour
Associate Textiles Lab Director
Emma (she/her) has been testing textile products for Good Housekeeping since 2018. She graduated from Cornell University with a B.S. in fiber science and apparel design and a minor in gerontology. Emma serves as an expert source both within Good Housekeeping and other media outlets, regularly appearing on broadcast TV segments.
Amanda Constantine
Home & Apparel Reviews Analyst
Amanda (she/her) holds undergraduate degrees in apparel merchandising, product development, and advertising and marketing communications, and an M.S. degree in consumer sciences from The Ohio State University. Amanda was previously a lecturer for the fashion and retail studies program at Ohio State, where she taught fashion and textiles courses.
Grace Wu
Grace (she/her) holds a Master of Engineering in materials science and engineering and a B.S. in fiber science from Cornell University. While earning her degrees, Grace worked in research laboratories for smart textiles and nanotechnology and held internships at Open Style Lab and Rent the Runway.
Did you know?
- GH fiber scientists have investigated and reported on fabrics falsely labeled as bamboo or other plants. Testing confirmed there was no trace of the original plant in the final products, meaning brands were misleading consumers with inaccurate green claims.
- When testing period products, Textiles Lab analysts use cough syrup to mimic the viscosity of menstrual flow (a trick we learned from menstrual product companies!).
- We bring testers into the Textiles Lab to complete comparative blind tests, such as rating the softness of fabrics or wheeling a suitcase through an obstacle course without knowing the brand.
- Because children’s Halloween costumes and sleepwear must meet federal flammability standards, our fiber scientists conduct in-Lab flammability tests.
- We visit mattress and bedding factories across the country to see new launches and learn about upcoming innovations.
- In recent years, the Textiles Lab team has tested 203 mattresses, 211 pillows, and 353 sheet sets.
