ASTM D5237-05(2013)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Evaluating Fabric Softeners
Standard Guide for Evaluating Fabric Softeners
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The methods in this guide can be used for simple screening of fabric softener products or to evaluate the performance, through multiple accumulative cycles, relative to a designated reference product.
5.2 A single assessment of each of the product characteristics tested by these methods will not predict overall performance of the softener product. A single test run under specified fixed conditions cannot be expected to reflect the comparative performance under many other possible conditions of use.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide evaluates the performance characteristics of fabric softener products. It provides guidance for treating fabric in the wash, rinse, or dryer cycle in a home laundry and for evaluating the efficacy of the treatment chemicals. This guide can be used for simple screening of fabric softener products, or to evaluate the products through multiple accumulative cycles.
1.2 The relative ranking of products assessed by these procedures may be affected by such factors as fabric load composition and the kind and level of soils, as well as by the washing and drying procedures used.
1.3 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.
1.4 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Designation: D5237 − 05(Reapproved 2013)
Standard Guide for
Evaluating Fabric Softeners
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5237; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3.1.1 fabric softener—a laundry auxiliary product or laun-
dry detergent ingredient that gives fabrics a soft feel, smooth
1.1 This guide evaluates the performance characteristics of
surface, or reduces static electricity, or a combination thereof.
fabric softener products. It provides guidance for treating
fabric in the wash, rinse, or dryer cycle in a home laundry and 3.1.2 home laundering—thecleaningandrestoringoftextile
materials to a serviceable condition using the washing and
for evaluating the efficacy of the treatment chemicals. This
guide can be used for simple screening of fabric softener drying equipment commonly found in the home.
products, or to evaluate the products through multiple accu-
mulative cycles. 4. Summary of Guide
1.2 The relative ranking of products assessed by these 4.1 Fabrics are stripped for the removal of mill textile
procedures may be affected by such factors as fabric load conditioners or previously applied fabric softeners following
composition and the kind and level of soils, as well as by the whichtheyaretreatedwithfabricsoftenerproductsinthewash
washing and drying procedures used. or rinse, dried and evaluated for softness, whiteness retention,
rewet or water absorbency, and static control using test panels
1.3 Thevaluesstatedininch-poundunitsaretoberegarded
or instrumental methods.
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
5. Significance and Use
and are not considered standard.
5.1 The methods in this guide can be used for simple
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
screening of fabric softener products or to evaluate the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
performance, through multiple accumulative cycles, relative to
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
a designated reference product.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5.2 A single assessment of each of the product characteris-
tics tested by these methods will not predict overall perfor-
2. Referenced Documents
manceofthesoftenerproduct.Asingletestrununderspecified
2.1 ASTM Standards: fixed conditions cannot be expected to reflect the comparative
performance under many other possible conditions of use.
E313Practice for Calculating Yellowness and Whiteness
IndicesfromInstrumentallyMeasuredColorCoordinates
6. Fabric Pretreatment
2.2 Other Standard:
AATCC Test Method110-1994Whiteness of Textiles
6.1 Scope:
6.1.1 Thissectionprovidesaprocedureforpreparingnewor
3. Terminology
previously used textile specimens for further treatment and
3.1 Definitions: evaluation.
6.1.2 All new fabrics received directly from the mill or
purchased from vendors must be stripped of mill conditioners
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D12 on Soaps and
andprocessingauxiliaries.Testtowelsmaybereusedforupto
Other Detergents and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D12.25 on
five evaluations and sheets used for load bulk may be reused
Consumer Standards.
indefinitely, if stripping is done between each evaluation.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2013. Published October 2013. Originally
approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as D5237-05. DOI:
6.2 Apparatus and Materials:
10.1520/D5237-05R13.
6.2.1 Household Automatic Washing Machine, top load.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
6.2.2 Household Automatic Laundry Dryer, gas or electric.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
6.2.3 HandTowels,approximately16by24in.,whitecotton
the ASTM website.
loop terry cloth. Care should be taken to use towels of similar
Available from American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, P.O.
Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. construction, and weight fiber mix.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D5237 − 05 (2013)
6.2.4 Flat Bed Sheets, full size (approximately 104 by 81 7.4 Procedure:
in.), 65% polyester/35% cotton or 50/50 blend.
7.4.1 Weigh three sheets and four towels previously pre-
6.2.5 AATCC (American Association of Textile Chemists
pared as in 6.3. Load weight should be 2.3 to 2.7 kg.
and Colorists) 1993 Standard Reference Detergent WOB,
7.4.2 Set wash controls for regular or normal cycle with a
(without brighteners), or a commercially built anionic
washperiodof12 62minandawaterfilllevelof16to19gal.
detergent, as desired.
7.4.3 Start wash cycle. As the washer fills, add wash
detergent dose to washing machine.
6.3 Stripping Procedure:
7.4.4 Put fabric bundle in washer and allow washer to run
6.3.1 Load washer with up to 8 lb of dry fabrics. Do not
until it reaches the deep rinse cycle. (If untreated control
overload.
fabricsarebeingprepared,allowwashertogotofinalspinand
6.3.2 Add 50 to 80 g of built anionic detergent.
skip to 7.4.8).
6.3.3 Set machine for normal cycle, high or large water fill
7.4.5 Stop washer and remove towels and sheets.
level, and hot wash/warm rinse temperature setting. Allow
washertofillwithwaterandcontinueonthroughthecomplete 7.4.6 Start deep rinse cycle until tub is approximately one
wash and rinse cycle. third filled with cold water. If a rinse cycle product is being
6.3.4 Repeat 6.3.2 and 6.3.3 four more times. evaluated, add the required amount of fabric softener and
6.3.5 Wash this load of fabric through the complete cycle
agitatetoensureuniformdispersion.Recordwatertemperature
three times with no detergent. If there appears to be residual and time. Specify water temperature.
detergent (as evidenced by sudsing during the previous cycle)
7.4.7 Adddampfabricbundle.Startmachineandallowitto
repeat the water only cycles one or two more times to ensure
complete the rinse and spin cycles.
removal of all anionic detergent.
7.4.8 Place fabric bundle in dryer.Add dryer cycle softener,
6.3.6 Dryfabricsintheautomaticdryeratthe normalor hot
if appropriate. Use the regular or normal dryer setting.
setting until the load is dry.
7.4.9 Dry towels for 45 min or until dry. Store the towels
6.3.7 Store the fabrics. If closed storage is not available,
overnight so they equilibrate (see 8.2.1).
store in plastic bags.
7.4.10 Treated towels can now be evaluated for softness
(Section 8) or absorbency (Section 9), or both.
7. Fabric Treatment with Fabric Softener
7.1 Scope:
8. Fabric Softness Evaluation by Test Panel Scoring
7.1.1 This section provides the procedure for application of
8.1 Scope—This section covers a subjective testing proce-
the test products to the textile substrates.
dureforrankingtherelativesoftnessoftreatedfabrics.Treated
7.2 Apparatus and Materials—Same as 6.2.
towels are ranked by panelists on a five point scale (least
7.3 Conditions of Treatment:
soft=1, most soft=5). The comparisons include an untreated
7.3.1 Washing Machine Water Level—Use the water fill
towelandatoweltreatedwithacontrolproductforbenchmark
setting that will give a 16 to 19-gal water level. Record actual
rankings.
water fill to the nearest gallon.
8.2 Procedure:
7.3.2 Water Hardness—Tap water or conditioned water
8.2.1 Condition the fabrics in a constant temperature-
containing 150 6 20 ppm calcium carbonate hardness.
humidity room (if available) for 24 h prior to evaluation.
7.3.3 Water Temperature—Record temperature actually
Suggested controlled environments are between 65 to 75°F
used. If only one treatment temperature is tested, use a warm
(18.3 to 23.9°C) and 40 to 50% relative humidity.
wash/cold rinse setting.The suggested test temperatures are as
8.2.2 It has been observed that different scores result when
follows:
one-day old towels are compared to four-day old towels. This
Hot water 130°F (54.4°C)
may be due to a loss fluff over time, resulting in a leveling
Warm water 90°F (32.2°C)
Cold water 80°F (26.7°C) effect. Fabrics being tested should all be treated with softener
the day prior to the evaluation.
7.3.4 Dryer Setting—Use the regular or normal dryer set-
8.2.3 To effectively evaluate a set of towels, at least four
ting.
panel members are needed. Eight are preferred. The panelists
7.3.5 Fabric Load Weight—Dry load should weigh 2.3 to
should wash their hands before handling the test fabrics.
2.7 kg.Aload consisting of three sheets and four hand towels
During the evaluation the panelists may need to rewash their
will generally be in this range.
hands to remove any softener or oily build up that might
7.3.6 Wash Detergent Dosage—Use 50 g of AATCC 1993
interfere with the test.
StandardReferenceDetergentWOB(withoutbrighteners).Ifa
8.2.4 Each panelist is given a group of test fabrics for
commercial detergent is used, follow manufacturer’s recom-
scoring.
mendation. If the wash detergent is also the softening product
being evaluated, determine dosage in accordance with 7.3.7. 8.2.4.1 Each group of test fabrics shall consist of up to five
7.3.7 Softener Product Dosage—Theamountofthesoftener pieces. The test group should contain one untreated control,
dispersion to be used in each test is determined by the level of one softness reference fabric, and no more than three test
activesofteneringredientdesiredperunitweightofdryfabric. fabrics. The softness reference fabric has been treated with
Ifcommercialproductsarebeingtested,followmanufacturer’s dihydrogenated tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride at 0.1%
dosage recommendations. single use level, based on dry fabric weight.
D5237 − 05 (2013)
8.2.4.2 Panelist should use the same handling technique for 9.2.4 Bar, one from stand.
scoring each towel in the test set. 9.2.5 Clamp Holders and Binder Clamps, two.
8.2.4.3 The panelist first picks out the harshest towel and
9.2.6 Laboratory Jacks, two large.
scoresitone.Thenthesoftesttowelisselectedandscoredfive.
9.2.7 Beakers, two 600 mL.
The other towels are scored intermediate between the high and
9.2.8 Timers, two.
lowselectionsandgivenscoressuchastwo,three,orfour.The
9.3 Procedure:
towels are then rearranged and the evaluation repeated. (To
9.3.1 Attachthebarhorizontallytotheringstandswithtwo
eliminate bias, towels are blind coded and panel members are
clamp holders.
not told their rating results before repeat evaluations.)
9.3.2 Cutthe2by5-in.swatchesfromthetowels,treatedin
8.2.4.4 Additional comments by the panel member on the
accordance with Section 7.
feel of the fabric should be recorded, for example, oily, waxy,
9.3.3 Mark a line 1 cm from the narrow edge of each
greasy, etc.
swatch.
8.2.4.5 Aftereachtestthescoresaretotaledandaveragedto
9.3.4 Attach the 2 by 5-in. swatches onto the bar with the
give a single rating number for each treatment product.
binder clamps.
8.3 Paired Comparison Method:
9.3.5 Fill the beakers three-fourths full with the dye solu-
8.3.1 Towels should be conditioned as in 8.2.1.
tion.
8.3.2 Fabrics(towels)beingtestedshouldallbetreatedwith
9.3.6 Raisethebeakerswiththejacksuntilthesolutionlevel
softener the day before testing.
is at the 1-cm mark on the swatches. Start the timer.
8.3.3 For effective evaluation, at least 10 and preferably
9.3.7 After 6 min, remove the swatches from the bar and
15-20 panelists are required.
measure the distance of migration. Because the migration line
8.3.4 Arrange the towels in pairs so that towels treated with
is often uneven, three readings are taken across each swatch
a product are paired at least once and preferably twice with
andthereadingsareaveraged.Recordthisvalueasmm/6min.
towels treated with all the other treatments. Untreated towels
9.3.8 Two swatches, containing no softener, are used for a
may be included as an additional treatment.
reference control against which the treated swatches are
8.3.5 A panelist feels each pair of towels and records their
compared.
preference as to which towel of the pair is softer. The panelist
9.4 Interpretation of Results—The greater the migration of
mustchooseoneofthetowelsineachpair,evenifbothappear
thedyesolutionupthefabric,thebettertherewet(absorbency)
equally soft.
properties.
8.3.6 Whenallthepanelistshaveevaluatedallthepairs,the
results are tabulated and treated as described in Sensory
10. Evaluation of Fabrics for Whiteness Retention
Evaluation Techniques.
8.3.6.1 For each pair of towels, total number of times each
10.1 Apparatus:
towel was judged softer.
10.1.1 Same as fabric treatment.
8.3.6.2 Create a table with the number of columns and the
10.1.2 Towel Swatches, 8 by 8 in. Cut 8 by 8-in. swatches
number of rows both equal to the number of treatments. Label
fromoneofthestrippedhandtowels.Fourtotenswatcheswill
one column and one row with each treatment.
be needed for this whiteness retention test.
8.3.6.3 In the row for treatment “A” and the column for
10.1.3 Light Source, to approximate northern daylight.
treatment “B” enter the number of times the towel treated with
10.2 Conditioning—Same as fabric treatment procedure.
Awere judged softer than the towel treated with B. In the row
for treatment B, and the column for treatment A, enter the
10.3 Procedure:
number of times treatment B was judged softer than treatment
10.3.1 Using indelible ink, mark the terry hand towels I, II,
A. Do this for all the pairings.
III, and IV.
10.3.2 At one of the borders of each swatch, mark the 8 by
9. Evaluation of Fabrics for Rewet (Water Absorbency)
8-in. towel swatches I, II, III, and IV.
9.1 Scope—This section covers the evaluation of treated 10.3.3 Staple swatch I to towel I, swatch II to towel II, etc.
fabrics for water absorbency. Test strips of treated fabrics are 10.3.4 Follow fabric treatment procedure in accordance
positionedinadyedwatersolution.Theheightofmigrationof
with 4.3.1 to 4.3.9, excluding 4.3.3.
the water in a specified time is measured.
10.3.5 Remove swatch I from towel I and retain in a clean,
polyethylene bag, or other suitable container, for the scoring
9.2 Apparatus:
evaluation.
9.2.1 Swatches, two 2 by 5 in., cut from towels treated in
10.3.6 Stapleafresh8by8-in.swatchmarkedIatotowelI.
accordance with 7.4.
10.3.7 Repeat 4.3.2 to 4.3.9 of the fabric treatment method
9.2.2 Aqueous Solution, 0.010% of Rhodamine BX or any
using the sa
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