The role of wash temperature in color protection is somewhat controversial; my hypothesis is that a substantial portion of the color loss isn't directly caused by warmer water, but rather by warmer temperatures increasing the activity of chlorine-based sanitizers in drinking water.   To test this, we need a baseline set of data on how three different wash temperatures affect textile color.

So Phase I of Project Blackwatch is a wash temperature trial; textile monitors will be washed and dried 26 times, corresponding to six months of wear, at three temperature conditions - tap cold, 86F/30C (aka Care Tag Cold) and 107F/40C (aka Care Tag Warm), using my Kismai Æssistant telemetry platform .

Colorimetry will be recorded before washing and after washes 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 and 26. 

Reference Photos will be taken before washing and at washes 1, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 26.

You'll be able to see the colorimetery and reference photos as they're published, along with videos on my YouTube channel.