ASTM D4265-21

Standard Guide for Evaluating Stain Removal Performance in Home Laundering

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This guide suggests a number of staining agents that are representative of stains commonly encountered in household laundry. The assessment need not be limited to this suggested list of stains, especially if special product types or end uses are being evaluated. This guide can be used to compare stain removal performance of products; however, there is no confirmed basis for correlation of this controlled laboratory technique with consumers’ ranking of stain removal performance.  
5.2 The evaluations generated by this guide should be regarded as diagnostic screening tests that are useful in formulation studies, quality control, and ingredient raw material qualification. This guide provides considerable flexibility in choosing specific stains, washing conditions, and laboratory equipment appropriate to the objective of the evaluation. This procedural latitude may result in a reduced level of interlaboratory precision and such comparison of results must be evaluated with caution.  
5.3 The procedure is applicable to all types of home laundry products including detergents, presoak and prespotter products, bleaches, and detergent boosters and is expected to be applicable to horizontal and vertical axis machines.  
5.4 It is not intended for the evaluation of products or conditions normally associated with commercial laundering or dry cleaning establishments.
SCOPE
1.1 This is a guide for evaluating stain removal performance of home laundry products or home laundering conditions. It provides guidance for the selection, preparation, application, and examination of various types of stains on test fabrics that are subjected to controlled but practical stain removal treatment conditions.  
1.2 There is no single combination of stain and fabric that will predict the overall performance of a product or treatment method. A single test, even with a variety of stains/fabrics, can only predict how products or treatment methods compare under the particular conditions chosen for evaluations. A series of assessments is necessary to evaluate the many aspects of stain removal performance and to simulate consumer experience more closely.  
1.3 In this guide, the use of both traditional top-loader washing machines as well as front and top-loading high-efficiency washers is addressed.  
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: 14-Jan-2021
• ICS: 71.100.40 - Surface active agents
• Technical Committee: D12 - Soaps and Other Detergents
• Drafting Committee: D12.15 - Physical Testing

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: D4265 − 21
Standard Guide for
Evaluating Stain Removal Performance in Home
1
Laundering
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4265; 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 2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 Thisisaguideforevaluatingstainremovalperformance
D1729 Practice for Visual Appraisal of Colors and Color
of home laundry products or home laundering conditions. It
Differences of Diffusely-Illuminated Opaque Materials
provides guidance for the selection, preparation, application,
3
and examination of various types of stains on test fabrics that
2.2 AATCC Standard:
are subjected to controlled but practical stain removal treat-
Test Method 130-2010 Soil Release: Oily Stain Release
ment conditions.
Method
1.2 There is no single combination of stain and fabric that
3. Terminology
will predict the overall performance of a product or treatment
3.1 Definitions:
method.Asingle test, even with a variety of stains/fabrics, can
3.1.1 front-loading high-effıciency (HE) washing machine/
onlypredicthowproductsortreatmentmethodscompareunder
washer, n—horizontally or nearly horizontally oriented ma-
the particular conditions chosen for evaluations. A series of
chine used for laundry that uses varying amounts of water to
assessments is necessary to evaluate the many aspects of stain
launder fabrics.
removal performance and to simulate consumer experience
more closely.
3.1.1.1 Discussion—These washers: (1) may not exhibit any
visible free water or may show significant quantities of visible
1.3 In this guide, the use of both traditional top-loader
freewater, (2)mayliftandtumbletheclothesload, (3)mayuse
washing machines as well as front and top-loading high-
both spinning and tumbling in both the washer or rinse
efficiency washers is addressed.
processes, (4) may use jet sprays of wash solution or rinse
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
solution, or (5) may use thermal or chemical inputs, or both, to
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
offer sanitation or allergen claims. HE washers use consider-
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
ably less water and energy than traditional deep-fill washers in
and are not considered standard.
the laundering process. HE washers are labeled by the appli-
ance industry and may be recognized by the U.S. Department
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Environmental Protection
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Agency (EPA) as Energy Star rated machines.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1.2 home laundering, n—cleaning or conditioning, or
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
both, of textile materials using the washing and drying equip-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
ment commonly found in the home.
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
3.1.3 pretreaters, n—usage of a product designed to treat
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the fabric stains not likely to be removed using detergent in wash
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
alone in the normal household laundering process.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
3.1.3.1 Discussion—Pretreaters can be found in many forms
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D12 on Soaps and contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Other Detergents and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D12.15 on Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Physical Testing. the ASTM website.
3
Current edition approved Jan. 15, 2021. Published January 2021. Originally Available from American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists
approved in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as D4265 – 14. DOI: (AATCC), P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, http://
10.1520/D4265-21. www.aatcc.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ------------------
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D4265 − 14 D4265 − 21
Standard Guide for
Evaluating Stain Removal Performance in Home
1
Laundering
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4265; 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
1.1 This is a guide for evaluating stain removal performance of home laundry products or home laundering conditions. It provides
guidance for the selection, preparation, application, and examination of various types of stains on test fabrics that are subjected
to controlled but practical stain removal treatment conditions.
1.2 There is no single combination of stain and fabric that will predict the overall performance of a product or treatment method.
A single test, even with a variety of stains/fabrics, can only predict how products or treatment methods compare under the
particular conditions chosen for evaluations. A series of assessments is necessary to evaluate the many aspects of stain removal
performance and to simulate consumer experience more closely.
1.3 In this guide, the use of both traditional top-loader washing machines as well as front and top-loading high-efficiency washers
is addressed.
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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1729 Practice for Visual Appraisal of Colors and Color Differences of Diffusely-Illuminated Opaque Materials
3
2.2 AATCC Standard:
Test Method 130-2010 Soil Release: Oily Stain Release Method
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D12 on Soaps and Other Detergents and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D12.15 on Physical Testing.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2014Jan. 15, 2021. Published February 2014January 2021. Originally approved in 1983. Last previous edition approved in 20072014 as
ε1
D4265 – 98D4265 – 14.(2007) . DOI: 10.1520/D4265-14.10.1520/D4265-21.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Available from American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC), P.O. Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, http://www.aatcc.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D4265 − 21
3.1.1 front-loading high-effıciency (HE) washing machine/washer, n—horizontally or nearly horizontally oriented machine used
for laundry that uses varying amounts of water to launder fabrics.
3.1.1.1 Discussion—
These washers: (1) may not exhibit any visible free water or may show significant quantities of visible free water, (2) may lift and
tumble the clothes load, (3) may use both spinning and tumbling in both the washer or rinse processes, (4) may use jet sprays of
wash solution or rinse solution, or (5) may use thermal or chemical inputs, or both, to offer sanitation or allergen claims. HE
washers use considerably less water and energy than traditional deep-fill washers in the laundering process. HE washers are labeled
by the appliance industry and may be recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) as Energy Star rated machines.
3.1.2 home laundering, n—cleaning or conditioning, or both, of textile materials using the washing and drying equipment
commonly found in the
...