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

Relations

• Refers: ASTM D1729-96(2009) - Standard Practice for Visual Appraisal of Colors and Color Differences of Diffusely-Illuminated Opaque Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2009
• Refers: ASTM D1729-96(2003) - Standard Practice for Visual Appraisal of Colors and Color Differences of Diffusely-Illuminated Opaque Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2003
• Refers: ASTM D1729-96 - Standard Practice for Visual Appraisal of Colors and Color Differences of Diffusely-Illuminated Opaque Materials
• Effective Date: 01-Jan-1996

Overview

ASTM D4265-21: Standard Guide for Evaluating Stain Removal Performance in Home Laundering provides detailed guidance for assessing how well home laundry products and laundry conditions remove various stains from textiles. Developed by ASTM International, this standard is widely used by detergent manufacturers, textile testing laboratories, and quality control professionals. The guide outlines methods for selecting, preparing, applying, and evaluating stains on fabric swatches, focusing on household laundering rather than commercial or dry-cleaning processes.

The guide accommodates a range of fabrics, product types (detergents, bleaches, boosters, pretreaters), washing machines (including both traditional and high-efficiency models), and testing conditions. Its main objective is to compare stain removal performance for product development, quality assurance, and raw material qualification.

Key Topics

• Selection and Preparation of Fabrics: Instructions for washing and cutting test fabrics, ensuring removal of mill residues and simulating real consumer laundry scenarios.
• Stain Application: Guidance on applying common household stains (such as coffee, tea, grass, wine, oils, and makeup) to test swatches under controlled and uniform conditions.
• Flexibility in Testing: The guide promotes flexibility by allowing users to select stains and wash conditions relevant to specific product functions or consumer concerns.
• Washing Protocols: Standardized procedures for both traditional top-loading and high-efficiency washers, with control over variables like water hardness, temperature, wash load size, and drying conditions.
• Product Applicability: Covers all home laundry products, including detergents, presoak agents, pretreatments, bleaches, and boosters.
• Evaluation Methods: Provides visual assessment techniques using reference replicas, and instrumental (reflectance-based) methods for quantitative analysis of stain removal.
• Statistical Analysis: Guidance on replicating tests and using analysis of variance to interpret results across stains, fabrics, and products.

Applications

ASTM D4265-21 is critical for:

• Product Development: Supporting R&D teams in measuring and optimizing stain removal across new detergent and laundry care formulations by simulating consumer laundry conditions.
• Quality Control: Enabling manufacturers to benchmark stain removal capabilities, screen for batch consistency, and qualify raw materials.
• Comparative Testing: Helping third-party testing labs and consumer organizations compare the effectiveness of various laundry products under controlled yet practical conditions.
• Lab Accreditation: Providing a standardized and internationally recognized procedure that supports laboratory accreditation for textile and home care testing.
• Consumer Simulation: Facilitating more realistic product evaluations that reflect actual usage scenarios by covering a spectrum of stains and fabric types, as found in typical household laundry.

Related Standards

For comprehensive and harmonized performance evaluations, ASTM D4265-21 references and aligns with other important industry standards, including:

• ASTM D1729 - Practice for Visual Appraisal of Colors and Color Differences of Diffusely-Illuminated Opaque Materials
• AATCC Test Method 130 - Soil Release: Oily Stain Release Method

These standards assist in establishing consistent visual and instrumental assessment criteria and further support accurate, repeatable stain removal testing.

Conclusion

ASTM D4265-21 is an essential standard in the home laundry products industry, delivering a structured yet versatile approach to evaluating stain removal performance under home laundering conditions. Its practical value lies in supporting innovation, maintaining high-quality products, and ensuring reliable performance comparisons to meet consumer laundry care needs. By following this guide, manufacturers and testing labs can provide more trustworthy and scientifically valid data to inform product claims and customer choices.

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
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
2.1 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,
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.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
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.
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
D4265 − 21
such as sprays and liquids and detergents themselves can be bleaches, and detergent boosters and is expected to be appli-
used as a pretreater when applied directly to the stain. cable to horizontal and vertical axis machines.
3.1.4 stain, n—a local area of undesired foreign matter on a
5.4 It is not intended for the evaluation of products or
textile material, differing in appearance from the textile sub-
conditions normally associated with commercial laundering or
strate.
dry cleaning establishments.
3.1.5 top-loading HE washing machine/washer,
n—vertically oriented agitation machine that is used for home
6. Selection and Preparation of Fabric Swatches
laundry with the fundamental difference from a traditional
6.1 The relative effectiveness of various laundry products or
top-loading washer being that this washer uses reduced water
procedures for removing different types of stains will be
resources during the process.
influenced by the nature of the fabric. If interest is in cleaning
on more than one fabric, testing may encompass more than one
3.1.5.1 Discussion—This washer may: (1) deep fill once
fiber composition (for example, cotton, polyester/cotton blend,
(during the wash or rinse), (2) partially fill one or more times,
or polyester) and fabric construction (for example, wovens or
(3) may have a full agitator, (4) may have an impeller in place
knits) with results tabulated separately for each. The fabric
of an agitator, (5) may use thermal or chemical inputs or both
types most common for the U. S. laundry are polyester/cotton
to offer sanitation or allergen claims, or (6) may use spray
blends, 100 % cotton, and 100 % polyester.
washing or spray rinsing technologies, or combination thereof.
HE washers use considerably less water and energy than
NOTE 1—When ordering pre–cut swatches, the vendor must be alerted
traditional deep-fill washers in the laundering process. HE
that identification of the face side and grain (thread direction) of the
washers are labeled by the appliance industry and may be swatches is an important testing criterion. These factors must also be
considered when bulk yardage is purchased from any source by the
recognizedbytheU.S.DOEandU.S.EPAasEnergyStarrated
experimenter for eventual cutting into test specimen swatches.
machines.
6.2 Fabric test swatches should be washed prior to applica-
3.1.6 traditional deep-fill top-loading washing machine/
tion of stains, if necessary.This is done to eliminate residues of
washer, n—vertically oriented agitation machine that is used
mill finishing agents which might influence stain removal
for home laundry.
results and also to better simulate the fabric condition when
3.1.6.1 Discussion—This washer fills to the basket top at
staining incidents occur in household use.
least two times during the wash process: once for washing and
6.2.1 Sufficient yardage of test fabric is pre-washed to cover
once for rinsing. The type of washer may also include spray
the need of the test series. The washing is more sufficiently
flushes in either the wash or rinse portions of the cycle.
donebeforetheclothiscutintoindividualswatches,butcanbe
accomplished with the pre-cut swatches if this is the fabric
4. Summary of Guide
form that has been purchased.
4.1 Stains are artificially applied in a repeatable manner to
6.2.2 Minimum pre-washing conditions should be two wash
specified fabric substrates. After a prescribed time for setting
cycles in a household automatic washer (see Note 2) with
the stains, the test swatches are treated with the products or
120-140°F (48.8-60°C) (less than 50-ppm) water and ambient
procedures being compared or both, and the relative degree of
(less than 50-ppm) water rinses. The first cycle should include
removal is assessed.
a recommended usage level of a standard detergent such as
American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists
5. Significance and Use
(AATCC) liquid or powder standard detergent without bright-
5.1 This guide suggests a number of staining agents that are
ener. Recommended usage level of liquid hypochlorite bleach
representative of stains commonly encountered in household
may also be added. Additional washes with no detergent are
laundry. The assessment need not be limited to this suggested
recommended until no suds are present.
list of stains, especially if special product types or end uses are
NOTE 2—Any brand of industrial or household automatic washer (or
being evaluated. This guide can be used to compare stain
electric dryer) is acceptable. For household machines, refer to AATCC
removal performance of products; however, there is no con-
recommendations as a general guideline. There may be special circum-
firmed basis for correlation of this controlled laboratory
stances in which other conditions may be required in testing (for example,
technique with consumers’ ranking of stain removal perfor-
emerging washing machine types). Testing in different machines and
mance.
different conditions may yield different results. Data comparison can only
be made under the same test conditions.
5.2 The evaluations generated by this guide should be
6.2.3 Dry the test cloth 35 to 40 min at 150 6 10°F (65.5 6
regarded as diagnostic screening tests that are useful in
6°C) in a home dryer after the last wash cycle (see Note 2).
formulation studies, quality control, and ingredient raw mate-
6.2.4 Wash and dry carrier towels or ballast fabrics to be
rial qualification. This guide provides considerable flexibility
used with the stained test swatches in accordance with 6.2.2
in choosing specific stains, washing conditions, and laboratory
and 6.2.3, but separately from the test fabrics.
equipment appropriate to the objective of the evaluation. This
procedural latitude may result in a reduced level of interlabo-
6.3 Ironthefabriconpermanentpresssettingifnecessaryto
ratory precision and such comparison of results must be
obtain a flat, smooth surface.
evaluated with caution.
5.3 The procedure is applicable to all types of home laundry
productsincludingdetergents,presoakandprespotterproducts, http://www.aatcc.org/testing/supplies/washers.htm
D4265 − 21
6.4 Cut washed test fabric into desired size swatches. 8.2 Set aside clean, unwashed samples of each fabric type
6.4.1 Orientation of the test swatch can influence the ob- tested to be used as reference standards for each equation.
servedstaining/wickingcharacteristicsoftheteststainandalso
8.3 Design the test protocol to generate at least three
the stain removal perceived by either visual grading or instru-
replicatedvaluesforeachtypeoftestspecimensubjectedtothe
mental reflectance. It is therefore important to identify the
individual variable (product or procedure) under study. Mul-
fabric grain (direction of the threads relative to the selvage
tiple runs are suggested to increase statistical confidence. The
edge) and the face side of the fabric when the test specimens
mixing of different kinds of stains in the same wash treatment
are made. Devise a swatch marking system to ensure that all
is acceptable. However, the mixture of stain types and total
specimens in the same test series are stained and graded with
number of stained swatches (soil load) should be the same in
the same fabric orientation.
eachtreatmentwash.Cautionshouldbeusednottooverloadin
6.4.2 Size of the test swatch is not critical, though swatches
the same wash treatment as too much soil may impact the
2 2
of about 12 to 120 in. (77 to 800 cm ) in area are suitable for
ability to differentiate products.
all phases of the testing procedure. To maintain orientation
8.3.1 Other test protocol factors may present a constraint on
consistency, it is suggested to use rectangular rather than
the number of test swatches per wash load. Accommodating
square swatches.
test designs should still have the stain type and soil level
variables balanced across the treatment washes.
7. Stain Material
8.4 Fixed Test Conditions—All test conditions not under
7.1 The key recommendations for inclusion of a stain are
study should be fixed within the range of normal household
that it is relevant to home laundering and is a useful perfor-
practice. The following are suggested as representative of
mance sensor. Suggested performance measures include but
many households:
are not limited to sensitivity, reproducibility, precision, and
8.4.1 Matched Washing Machines—All washings shall be
dynamic range. A stain may be selected to indicate various
performed in the same machine or in mechanically matched
cleaning objectives, such as representing a specific cleaning
units of the same model machine.
mechanism (enzymatic break-down, particulate suspension,
8.4.2 Washer Settings:
surfactant roll-up, bleaching, and so forth), or predicting an
8.4.2.1 Conventional Deep-fill Traditional Top-loader—
important consumer stain or stain class (grass, coffee, greases,
Normal/casual setting, 10-14 min wash cycle, appropriate
clays, and so forth). It is recommended that preliminary
water fill for load size, regular spin speed.
research is done to ensure that the stain set can sufficiently
8.4.2.2 Front-loading HE—Normal/casual or normal/colors
discriminatebetweenproductsinwhichproductdifferencesare
setting, normal soil level, high spin speed.
expected.
8.4.2.3 Top-loading HE—Normal/casual or normal/colors
7.2 The spectrum of selected staining materials can greatly
setting, normal soil level, high spin speed.
influence the relative performance assessment of the stain
8.5 Temperature—Temperature tolerance within a test is
removal products. The stain types most appropriate for a
recommended to be 62°F (1°C).
specific test series are usually dictated by experience. Staining
8.5.1 Conventional Deep-fill Top Loader—86 6 5°F (30 6
materials most often recommended for stain removal assess-
3°C) wash cycle, ambient rinse.
ments are tea, coffee, wine, grape juice, mustard, spaghetti
8.5.2 Front-loading HE—77 6 5°F (25 6 3°C) wash cycle,
sauce, gravy, blueberry puree or jam, chocolate syrup, grass,
ambient rinse.
human or animal blood, ball point ink, drawing ink, facial
8.5.3 Top-loading HE—75 6 5°F (23.8 6 3°C) wash cycle,
makeup base, dirty motor oil, artificial sebum/particulate soil,
ambient rinse.
clay, mud, chocolate ice cream, meat drippings, butter and oil.
See Annex A2 for more detailed descriptions and preparation
8.6 Hardness—35 ppm (2 grains/gal); 100 ppm (6 grains/
information for these staining materials. Please note it is not
gal); 120 ppm (7 grains/gal); 150 ppm (9 grains/gal); and 260
necessary to test all of these stains, but is instead a list of
ppm (15 grains/gal). 120 ppm (7 grains/gal) is suggested if
non-exhaustive stain options to select from.
only one level is tested.
8.6.1 The calcium/magnesium ratio of the hardness miner-
7.3 Testing of six or more stain types is suggested for
als(expressedasCaCO )shouldbeadjustedfordifferentwater
characterizing the performance profile of a stain removal 3
hardness as follows:
product, especially if more than one functional ingredient (for
Water Hardness Range Ca/Mg Ratio
example, oxidizing agent, enzyme, solvent, and so forth) is
present in the tested formulations.
0to60ppm 4:1
61 to 120 ppm 3:1
8. Procedure
121 and over 2:1
8.1 Before testing, the administrator shall ensure that all 8.7 Fabric Load—Minimum of 6 lb (2.7 kg) for each total
unwashed stains are matched across treatments. Demonstration load. Supplement test swatches with ballast fabrics, such as
of matching could include prereading of stains using instru- pillow cases, terry towels, or commercially available yard
2 2
mental evaluation (strongly recommended), certification of goods cut in pieces no larger than 1 yd (0.8 m ) per piece.All
stain matching by the supplier, or visual inspection. Stains ballast loads shall be the same composition for each run.When
mustbeprereadinstrumentallywhenutilizingtheSRIequation running successive test loads, use fresh ballast or rewash and
(see 10.3.1.2). dry for each load. Natural or artificially soiled ballast may add
D4265 − 21
realism to the testing conditions, but a high level of testing (3) Addhardnessifneededandwhenappropriate,closethe
variability may be introduced unless this factor is rigorously door and lid securely, and start machine.
standardized.
8.10 Machine Drying Conditions—High setting (160 6
8.8 Product Concentrations—Use products according to 10°F (71.1 6 6°C) max outlet temperature) for 45 min or until
manufacturer’s label recommendations. dry. Air drying, out of direct sunlight, is also acceptable.
8.9 Pretreating Methods (if applicable)—Multilple stain 8.11 Miscellaneous Guides:
types and replicates are often evaluated when testing stain
8.11.1 Attaching small test swatches to suitable carrier
removal performance of pre-spotters or pre-treat products.
substrates is strongly advised for collection of small swatches
8.9.1 When directly applying prespotter or pretreater prod- for operational efficiency and to simulate normal mechanical
ucts to stains, equalize contact, time, nature, amount of agitation and spin drying action in the washing machine and
product,andamountofmechanicalenergy(ifany)toallstains. minimize test swatch wrinkling. Test specimens are most
Follow label instructions when provided. appropriately attached by one edge around the perimeter of the
carrier substrate.The carrier substrate should not be positioned
8.9.2 If no directions are provided for pre-spotting or
as a backing for the test swatch. Attachment can be accom-
pre-treating a stain directly, the following procedure is recom-
plished by sewing, by noncorrosive pins or staples, or plastic
mended: apply enough product to cover the stain (suggested
fasteners commonly used for apparel hang tags.
amounts for a 2-in. (5-cm) stain are 0.03 fluid oz (1.0 mL) for
liquid and spray products (see Note 3) and 1 tsp (5 mL) for 8.11.2 Wrinkled swatches may be manually smoothed;
pastes of dry detergents made with sufficient water to give it a avoid pressing the swatches with an iron.
toothpaste-like consistency). These amounts may be adjusted
8.11.3 Evaluate test swatches within 24 h after removal
to ensure even coverage of different size stains.
from dryer. Wrap or store swatches in a dark place until
evaluation is started.
NOTE 3—Liquid prespotters or pretreaters packed in aerosol containers
should be applied as a liquid without propellant; s
...

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
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
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1729 Practice for Visual Appraisal of Colors and Color Differences of Diffusely-Illuminated Opaque Materials
2.2 AATCC Standard:
Test Method 130-2010 Soil Release: Oily Stain Release Method
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
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.
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.
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
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 home.
3.1.3 pretreaters, n—usage of a product designed to treat fabric stains not likely to be removed using detergent in wash alone in
the normal household laundering process.
3.1.3.1 Discussion—
Pretreaters can be found in many forms such as sprays and liquids and detergents themselves can be used as a pretreater when
applied directly to the stain.
3.1.4 stain, n—a local area of undesired foreign matter on a textile material, differing in appearance from the textile substrate.
3.1.5 top-loading HE washing machine/washer, n—vertically oriented agitation machine that is used for home laundry with the
fundamental difference from a traditional top-loading washer being that this washer uses reduced water resources during the
process.
3.1.5.1 Discussion—
This washer may: (1) deep fill once (during the wash or rinse), (2) partially fill one or more times, (3) may have a full agitator,
(4) may have an impeller in place of an agitator, (5) may use thermal or chemical inputs or both to offer sanitation or allergen
claims, or (6) may use spray washing or spray rinsing technologies, or combination thereof. 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. DOE and U.S. EPA as Energy Star rated machines.
3.1.6 traditional deep-fill top-loading washing machine/washer, n—vertically oriented agitation machine that is used for home
laundry.
3.1.6.1 Discussion—
This washer fills to the basket top at least two times during the wash process: once for washing and once for rinsing. The type of
washer may also include spray flushes in either the wash or rinse portions of the cycle.
4. Summary of Guide
4.1 Stains are artificially applied in a repeatable manner to specified fabric substrates. After a prescribed time for setting the stains,
the test swatches are treated with the products or procedures being compared or both, and the relative degree of removal is
assessed.
5. 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.
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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.
6. Selection and Preparation of Fabric Swatches
6.1 The relative effectiveness of various laundry products or procedures for removing different types of stains will be influenced
by the nature of the fabric. If interest is in cleaning on more than one fabric, testing may encompass more than one fiber
composition (for example, cotton, polyester/cotton blend, or polyester) and fabric construction (for example, wovens or knits) with
results tabulated separately for each. The fabric types most common for the U. S. laundry are polyester/cotton blends, 100 %
cotton, and 100 % polyester.
NOTE 1—When ordering pre–cut swatches, the vendor must be alerted that identification of the face side and grain (thread direction) of the swatches is
an important testing criterion. These factors must also be considered when bulk yardage is purchased from any source by the experimenter for eventual
cutting into test specimen swatches.
6.2 Fabric test swatches should be washed prior to application of stains, if necessary. This is done to eliminate residues of mill
finishing agents which might influence stain removal results and also to better simulate the fabric condition when staining incidents
occur in household use.
6.2.1 Sufficient yardage of test fabric is pre-washed to cover the need of the test series. The washing is more sufficiently done
before the cloth is cut into individual swatches, but can be accomplished with the pre-cut swatches if this is the fabric form that
has been purchased.
6.2.2 Minimum pre-washing conditions should be two wash cycles in a household automatic washer (see Note 2) with 120-140°F
(48.8-60°C) (less than 50-ppm) water and ambient (less than 50-ppm) water rinses. The first cycle should include a recommended
usage level of a standard detergent such as American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) liquid or powder
standard detergent without brightener. Recommended usage level of liquid hypochlorite bleach may also be added. Additional
washes with no detergent are recommended until no suds are present.
NOTE 2—Any brand of industrial or household automatic washer (or electric dryer) is acceptable. For household machines, refer to AATCC
recommendations as a general guideline. There may be special circumstances in which other conditions may be required in testing (for example,
emerging washing machine types). Testing in different machines and different conditions may yield different results. Data comparison can only be made
under the same test conditions.
6.2.3 Dry the test cloth 35 to 40 min at 150 6 10°F (65.5 6 6°C) in a home dryer after the last wash cycle (see Note 2).
6.2.4 Wash and dry carrier towels or ballast fabrics to be used with the stained test swatches in accordance with 6.2.2 and 6.2.3,
but separately from the test fabrics.
6.3 Iron the fabric on permanent press setting if necessary to obtain a flat, smooth surface.
6.4 Cut washed test fabric into desired size swatches.
6.4.1 Orientation of the test swatch can influence the observed staining/wicking characteristics of the test stain and also the stain
removal perceived by either visual grading or instrumental reflectance. It is therefore important to identify the fabric grain
(direction of the threads relative to the selvage edge) and the face side of the fabric when the test specimens are made. Devise a
swatch marking system to ensure that all specimens in the same test series are stained and graded with the same fabric orientation.
2 2
6.4.2 Size of the test swatch is not critical, though swatches of about 12 to 120 in. (77 to 800 cm ) in area are suitable for all
phases of the testing procedure. To maintain orientation consistency, it is suggested to use rectangular rather than square swatches.
http://www.aatcc.org/testing/supplies/washers.htm
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7. Stain Material
7.1 The key recommendations for inclusion of a stain are that it is relevant to home laundering and is a useful performance sensor.
Suggested performance measures include but are not limited to sensitivity, reproducibility, precision, and dynamic range. A stain
may be selected to indicate various cleaning objectives, such as representing a specific cleaning mechanism (enzymatic
break-down, particulate suspension, surfactant roll-up, bleaching, and so forth), or predicting an important consumer stain or stain
class (grass, coffee, greases, clays, and so forth). It is recommended that preliminary research is done to ensure that the stain set
can sufficiently discriminate between products in which product differences are expected.
7.2 The spectrum of selected staining materials can greatly influence the relative performance assessment of the stain removal
products. The stain types most appropriate for a specific test series are usually dictated by experience. Staining materials most often
recommended for stain removal assessments are tea, coffee, wine, grape juice, mustard, spaghetti sauce, gravy, blueberry puree or
jam, chocolate syrup, grass, human or animal blood, ball point ink, drawing ink, facial makeup base, dirty motor oil, artificial
sebum/particulate soil, clay, mud, chocolate ice cream, meat drippings, butter and oil. See Annex A2 for more detailed descriptions
and preparation information for these staining materials. Please note it is not necessary to test all of these stains, but is instead a
list of non-exhaustive stain options to select from.
7.3 Testing of six or more stain types is suggested for characterizing the performance profile of a stain removal product, especially
if more than one functional ingredient (for example, oxidizing agent, enzyme, solvent, and so forth) is present in the tested
formulations.
8. Procedure
8.1 Before testing, the administrator shall ensure that all unwashed stains are matched across treatments. Demonstration of
matching could include prereading of stains using instrumental evaluation (strongly recommended), certification of stain matching
by the supplier, or visual inspection. Stains must be preread instrumentally when utilizing the SRI equation (see 10.3.1.2).
8.2 Set aside clean, unwashed samples of each fabric type tested to be used as reference standards for each equation.
8.3 Design the test protocol to generate at least three replicated values for each type of test specimen subjected to the individual
variable (product or procedure) under study. Multiple runs are suggested to increase statistical confidence. The mixing of different
kinds of stains in the same wash treatment is acceptable. However, the mixture of stain types and total number of stained swatches
(soil load) should be the same in each treatment wash. Caution should be used not to overload in the same wash treatment as too
much soil may impact the ability to differentiate products.
8.3.1 Other test protocol factors may present a constraint on the number of test swatches per wash load. Accommodating test
designs should still have the stain type and soil level variables balanced across the treatment washes.
8.4 Fixed Test Conditions—All test conditions not under study should be fixed within the range of normal household practice. The
following are suggested as representative of many households:
8.4.1 Matched Washing Machines—All washings shall be performed in the same machine or in mechanically matched units of the
same model machine.
8.4.2 Washer Settings:
8.4.2.1 Conventional Deep-fill Traditional Top-loader—Normal/casual setting, 10-14 min wash cycle, appropriate water fill for
load size, regular spin speed.
8.4.2.2 Front-loading HE—Normal/casual or normal/colors setting, normal soil level, high spin speed.
8.4.2.3 Top-loading HE—Normal/casual or normal/colors setting, normal soil level, high spin speed.
8.5 Temperature—Temperature tolerance within a test is recommended to be 62°F (1°C).
8.5.1 Conventional Deep-fill Top Loader—86 6 5°F (30 6 3°C) wash cycle, ambient rinse.
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8.5.2 Front-loading HE—77 6 5°F (25 6 3°C) wash cycle, ambient rinse.
8.5.3 Top-loading HE—75 6 5°F (23.8 6 3°C) wash cycle, ambient rinse.
8.6 Hardness—35 ppm (2 grains/gal); 100 ppm (6 grains/gal); 120 ppm (7 grains/gal); 150 ppm (9 grains/gal); and 260 ppm (15
grains/gal). 120 ppm (7 grains/gal) is suggested if only one level is tested.
8.6.1 The calcium/magnesium ratio of the hardness minerals (expressed as CaCO ) should be adjusted for different water hardness
as follows:
Water Hardness Range Ca/Mg Ratio
0 to 60 ppm 4:1
61 to 120 ppm 3:1
121 and over 2:1
8.7 Fabric Load—Minimum of 6 lb (2.7 kg) for each total load. Supplement test swatches with ballast fabrics, such as pillow
2 2
cases, terry towels, or commercially available yard goods cut in pieces no larger than 1 yd (0.8 m ) per piece. All ballast loads
shall be the same composition for each run. When running successive test loads, use fresh ballast or rewash and dry for each load.
Natural or artificially soiled ballast may add realism to the testing conditions, but a high level of testing variability may be
introduced unless this factor is rigorously standardized.
8.8 Product Concentrations—Use products according to manufacturer’s label recommendations.
8.9 Pretreating Methods (if applicable)—Multilple stain types and replicates are often evaluated when testing stain removal
performance of pre-spotters or pre-treat products.
8.9.1 When directly applying prespotter or pretreater products to stains, equalize contact, time, nature, amount of product, and
amount of mechanical energy (if any) to all stains. Follow label instructions when provided.
8.9.2 If no directions are provided for pre-spotting or pre-treating a stain directly, the following procedure is recommended: apply
enough product to cover the stain (suggested amounts for a 2-in. (5-cm) stain are 0.03 fluid oz (1.0 mL) for liquid and spray
products (see Note 3) and 1 tsp (5 mL) for pastes of dry detergents made with sufficient water to give it a toothpaste-like
consistency). These amounts may be adjusted to ensure even coverage of different size stains.
NOTE 3—Liquid prespotters or pretreaters packed in aerosol containers should be applied as a liquid without propellant; spray into suitable container
collecting an appropriate quantity needed for the test treatments. Allow all pretreated stains to sit for a consistent amount of time before adding to the
wash water.
8.9.3 If prespotting or pretreating stains with a liquid detergent, it is acceptable to use product in addition to the recommended
dosage, but additional foam testing may be needed to avoid oversudsing in HE washing machines.
8.9.4 Order of Addition to Wash Cycle
8.9.4.1 Conventional Deep-fill Traditional Toploader:
(1) Fill water, add hardness if needed and start agitation,
(2) Add detergents, or additives, or both, and place dosing cup in the drum,
(3) Stop machine and add test fabrics and ballast,
(4) Close lid securely, and
(5) Start agitation at beginning of cycle.
8.9.4.2 Front-loading HE:
(1) When evaluating unit dose products, add the product according to manufacturer’s instructions. If no instructions are
provided, the recommendation is to add the unit dose product to the drum before adding test fabrics and ballast.
(2) When evaluating powder, liquid detergent, additives, or comb
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