ASTM D4008-19(2024)

Standard Guide for Measuring Anti-Soil Deposition Properties of Laundry Detergents

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The guide can be used to compare anti-redeposition performance of products; however, there is no confirmed basis for correlation of this controlled laboratory technique with consumers’ ranking of anti-redeposition performance.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide provides direction for measuring the ability of detergents to prevent the deposition of soils from detergent solutions onto fabrics. It is intended as a laboratory screening test to aid in the formulation of detergent products, for quality control, and as a basis between the purchaser and seller in standardizing specific products' performance.  
1.2 The anti-soil deposition performance of detergent products will vary greatly depending on the type of soils and fabrics used in the test. Therefore, selection of the soils, fabrics, reference detergents, and test conditions shall be made by agreement between the interested parties on the basis of experience.  
1.3 There is no single or combination of oily soils or particulate soils, or both, that will precisely predict overall the performance of a product or treatment with respect to anti-redeposition as perceived by a consumer. This guide is intended to assess or compare detergent performance with respect to the anti-redeposition performance for the specific soil chosen.  
1.4 The values stated in either inch-pound or SI units are to be regarded separately as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
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. Material safety data sheets are available for reagents and materials. Review them for hazards prior to usage.  
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-Dec-2023
• ICS: 71.100.40 - Surface active agents
• Technical Committee: D12 - Soaps and Other Detergents
• Drafting Committee: D12.15 - Physical Testing

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D4008-19 - Standard Guide for Measuring Anti-Soil Deposition Properties of Laundry Detergents
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2024
• Referred By: ASTM D7225-13(2019)e1 - Standard Guide for Blood Cleaning Efficiency of Detergents and Washer-Disinfectors
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-2024

Overview

ASTM D4008-19(2024) - Standard Guide for Measuring Anti-Soil Deposition Properties of Laundry Detergents, is a comprehensive guideline developed by ASTM for evaluating laundry detergents' ability to prevent re-deposition of soils onto fabrics during washing. This standard provides a consistent laboratory test method for comparing the anti-soil redeposition performance of different detergent formulations under controlled conditions. It serves as an essential tool for detergent formulation, quality control, and product specification agreements between manufacturers and buyers. While the laboratory method standardized here is effective for controlled assessment, it does not guarantee direct correlation with consumer perceptions.

Key Topics

• Laboratory Screening Test: The guide outlines procedures for testing how well laundry detergents prevent soil from being redeposited onto fabrics washed in detergent solutions under laboratory conditions.
• Performance Comparison: It enables consistent comparison of anti-soil redeposition properties across different detergent products by specifying test soils, fabrics, and reference conditions.
• Selection of Test Materials: Test results depend heavily on the combination of soils, fabrics, and reference detergents chosen; these are to be selected by mutual agreement and based on application needs and prior experience.
• Reflectance Measurement: The guide provides direction on how to measure and calculate reflectance retention, which serves as the indicator for soil re-deposition on fabric surfaces.
• Safety and Regulatory Considerations: Users are reminded to follow safety protocols and review relevant safety data sheets for all materials and reagents used in the testing process.

Applications

• Detergent R&D and Formulation: Manufacturers use this guide to optimize new laundry detergent formulas for improved anti-soil deposition performance.
• Quality Assurance: Routine testing based on this ASTM standard helps ensure consistent product quality batch-to-batch and troubleshooting of formulation issues.
• Product Specification and Procurement: The standard provides a mutually recognized basis for performance verification in supply agreements between detergent producers and purchasers.
• Benchmarking Products: Marketers and technical staff utilize this method to compare anti-redeposition properties of competing laundry detergents, strengthening product claims with standardized data.

Related Standards

• ASTM D1193 - Specification for Reagent Water: Defines the purity standards for water used in testing.
• ASTM E97 (Withdrawn) - Method of Test for Directional Reflectance Factor: Previously detailed methods for reflectance measurements.
• ASTM E313 - Practice for Calculating Yellowness and Whiteness Indices: Supports color and reflectance data calculation from instrumental measurements.

Practical Value

Using ASTM D4008-19(2024) ensures reliable and reproducible measurement of the anti-soil redeposition properties of laundry detergents, supporting innovation and quality control in detergent manufacturing. By following this industry-recognized standard, stakeholders can streamline product development, facilitate transparent supplier-customer relationships, and maintain high levels of product integrity and performance in the marketplace. The approach aligns with international best practices and supports compliance with global quality expectations for household and industrial laundry detergents.

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: D4008 − 19 (Reapproved 2024)
Standard Guide for
Measuring Anti-Soil Deposition Properties of Laundry
Detergents
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4008; 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 mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.1 This guide provides direction for measuring the ability
of detergents to prevent the deposition of soils from detergent
2. Referenced Documents
solutions onto fabrics. It is intended as a laboratory screening
test to aid in the formulation of detergent products, for quality 2.1 ASTM Standards:
control, and as a basis between the purchaser and seller in
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
standardizing specific products’ performance. E97 Method of Test for Directional Reflectance Factor,
45-Deg 0-Deg, of Opaque Specimens by Broad-Band
1.2 The anti-soil deposition performance of detergent prod-
Filter Reflectometry (Withdrawn 1991)
ucts will vary greatly depending on the type of soils and fabrics
E313 Practice for Calculating Yellowness and Whiteness
used in the test. Therefore, selection of the soils, fabrics,
Indices from Instrumentally Measured Color Coordinates
reference detergents, and test conditions shall be made by
agreement between the interested parties on the basis of
3. Terminology
experience.
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.3 There is no single or combination of oily soils or
3.1.1 reflectance retention, n—the change in reflectance
particulate soils, or both, that will precisely predict overall the
between clean fabric and the same fabric after laundering.
performance of a product or treatment with respect to anti-
3.1.2 soil deposition, n—the soiling of clean fabrics by soil
redeposition as perceived by a consumer. This guide is in-
tended to assess or compare detergent performance with that has been added to the wash bath rather than by soil
removed from another fabric.
respect to the anti-redeposition performance for the specific
soil chosen.
3.1.3 soil redeposition, n—the soiling of clean, or relatively
clean, fabrics during the laundering process by soil that has
1.4 The values stated in either inch-pound or SI units are to
been removed from another fabric.
be regarded separately as the standard. The values given in
parentheses are for information only.
4. Summary of Guide
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 4.1 Swatches of clean fabrics are washed, a minimum of
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- three times, in solutions of the test detergent prepared to
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter- contain known amounts of particulate and oily soils.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 4.1.1 Identical clean swatches are similarly exposed to
Material safety data sheets are available for reagents and prepared solutions of a suitable reference detergent containing
materials. Review them for hazards prior to usage. an identical soil load. The ability of the test detergent to
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor- prevent soil deposition is estimated by comparing the reflec-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- tance retention of the swatches washed in the test detergent to
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the the reflectance retention of those washed in the reference
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- detergent.
1 2
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D12 on Soaps and For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Other Detergents and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D12.15 on contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Physical Testing. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2024. Published January 2024. Originally the ASTM website.
approved in 1981. Last previous edition approved in 2019 as D4008 – 19. DOI: The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
10.1520/D4008-24. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D4008 − 19 (2024)
5. Significance and Use 20 g of vacuum cleaner dirt. Add this mixture to 150 mL of
methylene chloride containing 4 g of triolein and 4 g of mineral
5.1 The guide can be used to compare anti-redeposition
oil. While constantly stirring this mixture, evaporate the
performance of products; however, there is no confirmed basis
solvent under a heat lamp in a hood. The oily/particulate soil is
for correlation of this controlled laboratory technique with
gently ground in a mortar and pestle to disperse any lumps, that
consumers’ ranking of anti-redeposition performance.
may have formed. Store the soil mixture at refrigerator
temperature until use. Recommended use level of this com-
6. Apparatus
bined soil is 0.600 g/1000 mL of wash solution.
6.1 Laboratory Washer—A laboratory-scale, agitator-type
7.4 Standard Clean Fabrics—Because different fabrics have
washing machine.
different soiling characteristics depending on their surface
6.2 Reflectometer or Spectrophotometer.
chemistry and morphology, it is recommended that several
fabric types be used. For example, cotton, nylon, polyester, and
7. Reagents and Materials
polyester/cotton blends may be used. These may be cut to 4 by
7.1 Purity of Reagents—Reagent grade chemicals shall be
⁄2 in. in size with pinked, merrowed, or fused edges to
used in all tests. Unless otherwise indicated, it is intended that
prevent unraveling. Multiple swatches of each fabric should be
all reagents shall conform to the specifications of the Commit-
used for each test. Test each fabric type separately. Pay special
tee on Analytical Reagents of the American Chemical Society,
attention to the identification of finishes, for example durable-
where such specifications are available. Other grades may be
press, soil-release, etc.
used, provided it is first ascertained that the reagent is of
NOTE 2—A preliminary laundering of the fabric may be desired to
sufficiently high purity to permit its use without lessening the
remove any material that might interfere with the test.
accuracy of the determination.
7.5 Reference Detergent—A comparison detergent suitable
7.2 Purity of Water—Unless otherwise indicated, references
to the fabric and conditions shall be included in each run, if
to water shall be understood to mean Type IV reagent water
desired.
conforming to Specification D1193.
7.6 Hard-Water Stock Solution—Prepare a hard-water stock
7.3 Standard Soils—Laboratory prepared soils or commer-
solution by dissolving 2.940 g 6 0.002 g of calcium chloride
cially available soils may be used. For example, vacuum
dihydrate (CaCl ·2H O) and 2.033 g 6 0.002 g of magnesium
2 2
cleaner dirt, air conditioner filter dirt, and colored clay
chloride hexahydrate (MgCl ·6H O) in about 300 mL of water.
2 2
material, or mixtures of two or more of these can be used as
Dilute to a volume of 1 L with additional water. This solution
particulate soil. Triglyceride, fatty acid, paraffinic hydrocarbon,
contains 3000 ppm hardness (expressed as calcium carbonate)
and fatty alcohol are examples of oily soils that may be used.
with a Ca + Mg molar ratio of 2:1. Other ratios may be used.
Mixtures of two or more of these oily soils or a mixture based
on the components of human sebum may also be used. The oily
7.7 Calcium/Magnesium Ratio (as CaCO )—It is suggested
soils may be added as emulsions or solvent solutions or they that this ratio be adjusted for different water hardnesses as
may be added after first mixing with the particulate soil in a follows:
solvent solution and subsequent evaporation of the solvent.
Calcium/
Magnesium
NOTE 1—A 1:1 mixture of vacuum cleaner dirt and Bandy Black clay
Water Hardness Range, ppm (gpg) Ratio
has been found suitable as a particulate soil. A suggested use level of this
...