ASTM F2609-11(2021)

Standard Test Method for Litter-Cleaning Effectiveness of Vacuum Cleaners

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1 This test method will provide an indication of the effectiveness of the vacuum cleaner in removing litter from carpet. No data exist to determine if the cleaning effectiveness in the laboratory will be the same as in home cleaning; however, in most cases, a vacuum cleaner that cleans well in the laboratory will clean well in a home.  
3.2 To provide a uniform basis for measuring the performance described in 1.1, standardized test carpet and standardized test litter are used.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers a laboratory test for determining the relative carpet litter-cleaning effectiveness of household vacuum cleaners when tested under standard conditions.  
1.2 This test method is applicable to household types of upright, canister, combination, and stick vacuum cleaners intended for cleaning carpeted floors as a primary or secondary function.  
1.3 This test method applies only to the cleaning of litter from carpet, not the removal of embedded dirt. Litter is defined as material that typically clings to the surface of the carpet, such as pet or human hair, thread, and so forth.  
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Jan-2021
• ICS: 97.080 - Cleaning appliances
• Technical Committee: F11 - Vacuum Cleaners
• Drafting Committee: F11.21 - Cleanability

Relations

• Refers: ASTM F608-24 - Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Carpet Embedded Dirt Removal Effectiveness of Household/Commercial Vacuum Cleaners
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2024
• Refers: ASTM F1334-24 - Standard Test Method for Determining A-Weighted Sound Power Level of Vacuum Cleaners
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2024
• Refers: ASTM F1409-23 - Standard Test Method for Straight Line Movement of Vacuum Cleaners While Cleaning Carpets
• Effective Date: 01-Sep-2023
• Refers: ASTM F608-17 - Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Carpet Embedded Dirt Removal Effectiveness of Household/Commercial Vacuum Cleaners
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2017
• Refers: ASTM F1334-14 - Standard Test Method for Determining A-Weighted Sound Power Level of Vacuum Cleaners
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2014
• Refers: ASTM E177-14 - Standard Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
• Effective Date: 01-May-2014
• Refers: ASTM F608-13 - Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Carpet Embedded Dirt Removal Effectiveness of Household/Commercial Vacuum Cleaners
• Effective Date: 01-Aug-2013
• Refers: ASTM E177-13 - Standard Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in ASTM Test Methods
• Effective Date: 01-May-2013
• Refers: ASTM F1334-12 - Standard Test Method for Determining A-Weighted Sound Power Level of Vacuum Cleaners
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2012
• Refers: ASTM F884-01(2011) - Standard Test Method for Motor Life Evaluation of a Built-In (Central Vacuum) Vacuum Cleaner
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2011
• Refers: ASTM F922-01(2011) - Standard Test Method for Motor Life Evaluation of an Electric Motorized Nozzle
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2011
• Refers: ASTM F1038-02(2011) - Standard Test Method for Motor Life Evaluation of a Canister, Hand-held, Stick, and Utility Type Vacuum Cleaner Without a Driven Agitator
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2011
• Refers: ASTM F1334-11 - Standard Test Method for Determining A-Weighted Sound Power Level of Vacuum Cleaners
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2011
• Refers: ASTM F555-01(2011) - Standard Test Method for Motor Life Evaluation of an Upright Vacuum Cleaner
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2011
• Refers: ASTM F655-11 - Standard Specification for Test Carpets and Pads for Vacuum Cleaner Testing
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2011

Overview

ASTM F2609-11(2021), Standard Test Method for Litter-Cleaning Effectiveness of Vacuum Cleaners, establishes a laboratory procedure for assessing how well household vacuum cleaners remove litter from carpeted surfaces. Developed by ASTM International, this test method provides a uniform and repeatable protocol, allowing manufacturers, testers, and consumers to understand the comparative performance of upright, canister, stick, and combination vacuum cleaners. The standard focuses exclusively on 'litter' - surface debris like pet hair, human hair, and thread - and does not address removal of embedded dirt.

Key Topics

• Litter Definition and Scope: Litter is defined as material that clings to the carpet surface (e.g., hair, thread), distinguishing it from embedded soil or grit.
• Applicability: Applies to all household vacuum cleaner styles designed for cleaning carpets, whether as a primary or secondary function.
• Laboratory Test Setup:
  • Use of standardized test carpet and standardized test litter to ensure consistency.
  • Testing environment is controlled for temperature and humidity, replicating real-world indoor settings.
  • Specific movement rates, stroke lengths, and nozzle positioning for repeatable results.
• Measurement and Reporting:
  • Cleaning effectiveness is expressed as the average number of cleaning strokes required to clear a set area of litter.
  • Precision and repeatability of results are considered, with defined limits for intra- and inter-laboratory variability.
• Safety and Compliance:
  • Users of the standard are responsible for ensuring proper safety, health, and environmental procedures.
  • Developed in accordance with international standardization principles under WTO guidelines.

Applications

The ASTM F2609-11(2021) standard provides practical value for several groups:

• Manufacturers: Enables benchmarking of vacuum cleaner models, supports product development, and provides a basis for making objective cleaning performance claims.
• Testing Laboratories: Offers a clear, validated protocol for standardized testing, supporting reliable third-party verification.
• Retailers and Brands: Facilitates transparent comparisons between products, enhancing consumer trust in published cleaning effectiveness data.
• Consumers: Informs purchasing decisions by providing quantifiable cleaning performance metrics according to a recognized international standard.

This test method can be used in product specification sheets, certification processes, and comparative product testing to demonstrate compliance and performance within the global marketplace.

Related Standards

ASTM F2609-11(2021) complements several related ASTM standards for vacuum cleaner performance and testing:

• ASTM F608 - Evaluation of Carpet Embedded Dirt Removal Effectiveness of Household/Commercial Vacuum Cleaners.
• ASTM F655 - Specification for Test Carpets and Pads for Vacuum Cleaner Testing.
• ASTM F1334 - Determining A-Weighted Sound Power Level of Vacuum Cleaners.
• ASTM F1409 - Test Method for Straight Line Movement of Vacuum Cleaners While Cleaning Carpets.
• ASTM F555, F884, F922, F1038 - Motor Life Evaluation Test Methods for various vacuum cleaner types.

These standards, when used together, deliver a comprehensive framework for evaluating vacuum cleaner performance covering not only litter removal effectiveness but also embedded dirt cleaning, operational sound, and component longevity.

Keywords: vacuum cleaner litter-cleaning, carpet cleaning effectiveness, ASTM F2609, vacuum cleaner standards, surface debris removal testing, household vacuum evaluation

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F2609 − 11 (Reapproved 2021)
Standard Test Method for
Litter-Cleaning Effectiveness of Vacuum Cleaners
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F2609; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope F608 Test Method for Evaluation of Carpet Embedded Dirt
Removal Effectiveness of Household/Commercial
1.1 Thistestmethodcoversalaboratorytestfordetermining
Vacuum Cleaners
the relative carpet litter-cleaning effectiveness of household
F655 Specification for Test Carpets and Pads for Vacuum
vacuum cleaners when tested under standard conditions.
Cleaner Testing
1.2 This test method is applicable to household types of
F884 Test Method for Motor Life Evaluation of a Built-In
upright, canister, combination, and stick vacuum cleaners
(Central Vacuum) Vacuum Cleaner
intended for cleaning carpeted floors as a primary or secondary
F922 Test Method for Motor Life Evaluation of an Electric
function.
Motorized Nozzle
F1038 Test Method for Motor Life Evaluation of a Canister,
1.3 This test method applies only to the cleaning of litter
from carpet, not the removal of embedded dirt. Litter is defined Hand-held, Stick, and Utility Type Vacuum Cleaner With-
out a Driven Agitator
as material that typically clings to the surface of the carpet,
such as pet or human hair, thread, and so forth. F1334 Test Method for Determining A-Weighted Sound
Power Level of Vacuum Cleaners
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
F1409 Test Method for Straight Line Movement of Vacuum
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
Cleaners While Cleaning Carpets
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
and are not considered standard.
3. Significance and Use
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1 This test method will provide an indication of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
effectiveness of the vacuum cleaner in removing litter from
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
carpet. No data exist to determine if the cleaning effectiveness
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
in the laboratory will be the same as in home cleaning;
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
however, in most cases, a vacuum cleaner that cleans well in
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
the laboratory will clean well in a home.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the 3.2 To provide a uniform basis for measuring the perfor-
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- mance described in 1.1, standardized test carpet and standard-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical ized test litter are used.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
4. Apparatus
2. Referenced Documents
4.1 LED Timer Bar, or other type of equipment capable of
2.1 ASTM Standards:
establishing the specified rate of movement of the cleaner.
E177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
4.2 Voltmeter, to measure input voltage to the cleaner and
ASTM Test Methods
provide measurements accurate to within 61%.
F555 Test Method for Motor Life Evaluation of an Upright
4.3 Voltage-Regulator System, to control the input voltage
Vacuum Cleaner
to the cleaner. The regulator shall be capable of maintaining
120 6 1 % V root mean square (RMS), 60 Hz, with a
This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee F11 on Vacuum
waveform that is essentially sinusoidal with 3 % maximum
Cleaners and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F11.21 on Cleanability.
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2021. Published February 2021. Originally harmonic distortion for the duration of the test.
approved in 2007. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as F2609 – 11 (2015).
4.4 Test Carpets, Wilton Wool; specification and source to
DOI: 10.1520/F2609-11R21.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or be added.
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
4.5 TestPadding, Sponge rubber type of waffle construction
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. as described in Specification F655.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F2609 − 11 (2021)
4.6 Psychrometer, for measuring temperature and humidity. 7. Conditioning
4.7 Rake,forlightlyembeddingthelitterintothetestcarpet. 7.1 Test Room—Maintain the test room in which all condi-
See Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. tioning and vacuum cleaner testing is done at 70 °F 6 5°F
(21 °C 6 3 °C) and 45 % to 55 % relative humidity.
4.8 Supporting Surface—Aflat surface consisting of a piece
of ⁄4 -in. (19-mm) thick exterior grade plywood with the “A” 7.2 All components involved in the test shall remain and be
surface upward to support the test carpet and pad. The test exposed in the controlled environment for at least 16 h before
carpet and pad may be fastened to the supporting surface, but the start of the test.
only the four corners by any acceptable means.
8. Procedure
4.9 Test Area Template—Cardboard or plastic sheet or
8.1 Preparation of Test Vacuum Cleaners:
equivalent with a 7-in. by 7-in. (178-mm by 178-mm) square
8.1.1 New Test Vacuum Cleaners—Run the vacuum cleaner
opening. The opening defines the litter area and is to be
in at rated voltage 61 % and rated frequency with filters in
centered within the 18-in. (457-mm) long cleaning stroke.
place.
8.1.1.1 Preconditioning a Rotating Agitator-Type Vacuum
5. Reagents and Materials
Cleaner—In a stationary position, operate the vacuum cleaner
5.1 Test Litter—Uncarded cut viscose rayon tow, 1.5 denier,
for 1 h with the agitator bristles not engaged on any surface.
⁄4-in. (19-mm) length, SN TN-79, unbleached, hard finish.
8.1.1.2 Preconditioning a Straight-Air-Type Vacuum
Cleaner—Operatethevacuumcleanerfor1hwithawide-open
6. Sampling
inlet.
6.1 A minimum of three units of the same model vacuum
8.1.2 Test Vacuum Cleaner Settings—Tests shall be con-
cleaner selected at random in accordance with good statistical
ducted using the same settings (nozzle, motor speed, suction
practice shall constitute the population sample.
regulator, and so forth) for the specific carpet as used for
6.2 To determine the best estimate of cleaning ability for the straight line movement (Test Method F1409), sound power
population of the vacuum cleaner model being tested, the (Test Method F1334), cleaning (Test Method F608), and motor
arithmetic mean of the cleaning ability rating of the sample life evaluation (Test Methods F555, F884, F922, and F1038).
from the population shall be established by testing it to a 90 % 8.1.3 Before each test run (cleaning of one square litter
confidence level within 65 % of the mean value of the area), thoroughly remove excess rayon tow from the underside
cleaning ability rating. of the nozzle and brush area. For vacuum cleaners using
FIG. 1 Rake Head
F2609 − 11 (2021)
FIG. 2 Rake Handle
disposable bags, use a clean bag for each test series (six test 8.1.6 Embedtherayontowintothetestcarpetbypullingthe
runs). For vacuum cleaners using nondisposable receptacles, rake once over the litter area in the direction of carpet lay
empty after each test series (six test runs) and clean the
followed by pulling the rake once across the carpet perpen-
receptacle until all traces of rayon tow are removed.
dicular to the direction of carpet lay. Do not apply any
8.1.4 Mark the litter area on the test carpet or use the
downward force to the rake. The handle of the embedding tool
template.
is held approximately 31.5 in. (0.8 m) off the floor and the rake
8.1.5 To spread the rayon tow, start with a ball approxi-
is pulled slowly to avoid b
...