ASTM D3050-07(2024)

Standard Guide for Measuring Soil Removal from Artificially Soiled Fabrics (Not Suitable for Detergent Ranking)

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The guide, as now constituted, is not suitable for ranking of detergent products since no basis is available at this time for correlation of the detergency performance of any particular soiled cloth or clothes with detergency of naturally soiled articles.  
4.2 A suggested procedure for comparing the performance of any two laundry detergents on naturally soiled family items in home laundry equipment under controlled conditions on a paired comparison basis is described in Method D2960.
SCOPE
1.1 This is a guide for measuring the ability of detergents to remove artificially applied soils from 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 relative ranking of detergent products will vary greatly depending on the type of soiled fabrics used in the test. Therefore, selection of the standard soiled fabric to be used in a test shall be made by agreement between the interested parties on the basis of experience.  
1.3 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.  
1.4 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: 59.080.30 - Textile fabrics
• Technical Committee: D12 - Soaps and Other Detergents
• Drafting Committee: D12.15 - Physical Testing

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D3050-07(2015) - Standard Guide for Measuring Soil Removal from Artificially Soiled Fabrics (Not Suitable for Detergent Ranking)
• 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 D3050-07(2024), "Standard Guide for Measuring Soil Removal from Artificially Soiled Fabrics (Not Suitable for Detergent Ranking)" provides standardized laboratory procedures for evaluating the soil removal performance of detergents using artificially soiled fabric swatches. Although this guide offers a means for measuring detergent effectiveness in controlled screening tests, it is not intended for ranking detergent products for consumer guidance, as artificial soiling does not directly correlate with naturally soiled fabrics.

This standard is widely used within the detergent industry for product formulation, quality control, and to establish performance agreements between manufacturers and purchasers. Developed by ASTM International, it adheres to international principles outlined by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Key Topics

• Purpose: Establishes a standardized laboratory method to measure the removal of artificial soils from fabrics.
• Scope: Intended for use as a screening tool in formulation and quality control, not for consumer detergent ranking.
• Procedure Outline:
  • Artificially soiled fabric swatches are washed using standard conditions.
  • The degree of soil removal is measured using reflectance changes via photoelectric colorimetry.
• Instrumental Requirements:
  • Laboratory agitator-type washing machines.
  • Calibrated reflectometers for measuring fabric reflectance.
• Materials:
  • Standard soiled fabrics must be selected based on mutual agreement and industry experience.
  • Reagent-grade chemicals and water meeting ASTM D1193 specifications.
• Limitations: Resulting data is strictly comparative under controlled laboratory conditions and may not predict the effectiveness of detergents on naturally soiled fabrics in real-world scenarios.

Applications

• Detergent Product Development: Enables detergent manufacturers to screen the cleaning efficiency of new formulations under reproducible laboratory conditions before full-scale production.
• Quality Control: Assists laboratories and manufacturers in routinely monitoring the consistency and soil removal performance of detergent batches.
• Contractual Agreements: Facilitates agreements between suppliers and buyers by providing a standardized way to verify product claims regarding cleaning performance on artificially soiled fabrics.
• Research and Testing: Useful as a reference method when conducting comparative studies involving detergent efficiency, process optimization, or the effects of variables such as water hardness and temperature.

Related Standards

• ASTM D1193: Specification for Reagent Water, referenced for water quality requirements in test procedures.
• ASTM D2960: This standard describes a method for comparing detergent performance on naturally soiled family items in household laundry equipment under controlled, paired-comparison conditions. While D2960 has been withdrawn, its approach is noted for those seeking methods for ranking detergent products more closely aligned with real-world laundering.
• International Standardization Principles: This guide aligns with best practices for international standards development as established by WTO’s TBT Committee.

Practical Value

• Offers a controlled, repeatable framework for measuring soil removal, enhancing detergent research and product consistency.
• Not applicable for consumer-facing detergent rankings since artificial soils and fabrics may not mimic the complexity of real household laundry.
• Promotes clear communication between manufacturers and buyers about product expectations by using a common, internationally recognized test procedure within the laundry and cleaning products industry.

For more information about ASTM D3050-07(2024) and related testing standards, visit the ASTM International website.

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: D3050 − 07 (Reapproved 2024)
Standard Guide for
Measuring Soil Removal from Artificially Soiled Fabrics (Not
Suitable for Detergent Ranking)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3050; 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 3. Summary of Guide
1.1 This is a guide for measuring the ability of detergents to 3.1 Soiled fabric swatches are washed in a laboratory
remove artificially applied soils from fabrics. It is intended as washer using the products being tested and the change in
a laboratory screening test to aid in the formulation of reflectance is measured.
detergent products, for quality control and as a basis between
the purchaser and seller in standardizing specific products’
4. Significance and Use
performance.
4.1 The guide, as now constituted, is not suitable for ranking
1.2 The relative ranking of detergent products will vary of detergent products since no basis is available at this time for
greatly depending on the type of soiled fabrics used in the test. correlation of the detergency performance of any particular
Therefore, selection of the standard soiled fabric to be used in soiled cloth or clothes with detergency of naturally soiled
a test shall be made by agreement between the interested articles.
parties on the basis of experience.
4.2 A suggested procedure for comparing the performance
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
of any two laundry detergents on naturally soiled family items
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
in home laundry equipment under controlled conditions on a
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
paired comparison basis is described in Method D2960.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5. Apparatus
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
5.1 Laboratory Washer—A laboratory scale agitator-type
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
washing machine.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
5.2 Reflectometer, calibrated by means of standard vitreous
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
enamel plaques having reflectances in the range of the fabric or
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
swatch samples being measured.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
6. Reagents and Materials
2. Referenced Documents
6.1 Purity of Reagents—Reagent grade chemicals shall be
2.1 ASTM Standards:
used in all tests. Unless otherwise indicated, it is intended that
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
all reagents shall conform to the specifications of the Commit-
D2960 Guide for Controlled Laundering Test Using Natu-
tee on Analytical Reagents of the American Chemical Society,
rally Soiled Fabrics and Household Appliances (With-
where such specifications are available. Other grades may be
drawn 2013)
used, provided it is first ascertained that the reagent is of
sufficiently high purity to permit its use without lessening the
1 accuracy of the determination.
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D12 on Soaps and
Other Detergents and is the responsibility of Subcommittee D12.15 on Physical
Testing.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2024. Published January 2024. Originally
approved in 1972. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as D3050 – 07 (2015). The Terg-o-tometer, obtainable from the United States Testing Co., 1415 Park
DOI: 10.1520/D3050-07R24. Ave., Hoboken, NJ, or its equivalent, has been found satisfactory for this purpose.
2 5
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or ACS Reagent Chemicals, Specifications and Procedures for Reagents and
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standard-Grade Reference Materials, American Chemical Society, Washington,
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on DC. For suggestions on the testing of reagents not listed by the American Chemical
the ASTM website. Society, see Analar Standards for Laboratory Chemicals, BDH Ltd., Poole, Dorset,
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on U.K., and the United States Pharmacopeia and National Formulary, U.S. Pharma-
www.astm.org. copeial Convention, Inc. (USPC), Rockville, MD.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D3050 − 07 (2024)
therefore a hardness of 75 ppm may be more realistic for the lower
6.2 Purity of Water—Unless otherwise indicated, references
hardness level.
to water shall be understood to mean Type IV reagent water
NOTE 3—To avoid discoloration or change, or both, in the structure of
conforming to Specifica
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