ASTM D4265-98
(Guide)Standard Guide for Evaluating Stain Removal Performance in Home Laundering
Standard Guide for Evaluating Stain Removal Performance in Home Laundering
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 type of stain that will predict the overall performance of a product or treatment method. A single test, even with a variety of stains, can only predict how products or treatment methods compare under the particular conditions chosen for evaluation. A series of assessments is necessary to evaluate the many aspects of stain removal per- formance and to simulate consumer experience more closely.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of whoever uses this standard to consult and establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Designation:D4265–98
Standard Guide for
Evaluating Stain Removal Performance in Home
Laundering
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4265; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 4. Summary of Guide
1.1 Thisisaguideforevaluatingstainremovalperformance 4.1 Stains are artificially applied in a standardized manner
of home laundry products or home laundering conditions. It tospecifiedfabricsubstrates.Afteraprescribedtimeforsetting
provides guidance for the selection, preparation, application, the stains, the test swatches are treated with the products or
and examination of various types of stains on test fabrics that procedures being compared or both, and the relative degree of
are subjected to controlled but practical stain removal treat- removal is assessed.
ment conditions.
5. Significance and Use
1.2 There is no single type of stain that will predict the
overall performance of a product or treatment method.Asingle 5.1 This guide suggests a number of staining agents that are
test, even with a variety of stains, can only predict how representative of stains commonly encountered in household
laundry. The assessment need not be limited to this suggested
products or treatment methods compare under the particular
conditions chosen for evaluation. A series of assessments is list of stains, especially if special product types or end uses are
being evaluated. However, even when the assessment incorpo-
necessary to evaluate the many aspects of stain removal
performance and to simulate consumer experience more rates a wide variety of stains, an overall performance ranking
of products or treatment methods cannot be presumed since
closely.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the there is no confirmed basis for correlation of this controlled
laboratory technique with consumers’ ranking of stain removal
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- performance.
5.2 The evaluations generated by this guide should be
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. regarded as diagnostic screening tests that are useful in
formulation studies, quality control, and ingredient raw mate-
2. Referenced Documents
rial qualification. This guide provides considerable flexibility
2.1 ASTM Standards: in choosing specific stains, washing conditions, and laboratory
D 1729 Practice for Visual Evaluation of Color Differences equipment appropriate to the objective of the evaluation. This
of Opaque Materials procedural latitude may result in a reduced level of interlabo-
D 2960 Test Method of Controlled Laundering Test Using ratory precision and such comparison of results must be
Naturally Soiled Fabrics and Household Appliances evaluated with caution.
5.3 The procedure is applicable to all types of home laundry
3. Terminology
productsincludingdetergents,presoakandprespotterproducts,
3.1 Definitions: bleaches, and detergent boosters. It is not intended for the
3.1.1 home laundering—the cleaning and restoring of tex-
evaluation of products or conditions normally associated with
tile materials to a serviceable condition, using the washing and commercial laundering or dry cleaning establishments.
drying equipment commonly found in the home.
6. Selection and Preparation of Fabric Swatches
3.1.2 stain—a local area of undesired foreign matter on a
textile material, differing in appearance from the textile sub- 6.1 The relative effectiveness of various laundry products or
strate. procedures for removing different types of stains will be
influenced by the nature of the fabric substrate. Testing should
encompass more than one type of fabric, with results tabulated
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-12 on Soaps and
separately for each fabric type. The fabric types most common
Other Detergents and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D12.15 on
in U. S. laundry are polyester/cotton blends with permanent
Physical Testing.
Current edition approved Jan 10, 1998. Published June 1998. Originally press finish, all cotton, all polyester, and nylon.
published as D 4265 – 83. Last previous edition D 4265 – 83 (1993).
NOTE 1—When ordering pre–cut swatches, the vendor must be alerted
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 06.01.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.04. that identification of the face side and grain (thread direction) of the
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D4265
swatches is an important testing criterion. These factors must also be
materials most often recommended for stain removal assess-
considered when bulk yardage is purchased from any source by the
ments are tea, coffee, wine, grape juice, mustard, spaghetti
experimenter for eventual cutting into test specimen swatches.
sauce, beef gravy, blueberry puree or jam, chocolate syrup,
6.2 All fabric test swatches should be washed prior to
grass, human or beef blood, ball–point pen ink, facial makeup
application of stains. This is done to eliminate residues of mill base, dirty motor oil, artificial sebum/particulate soil, and clay.
finishing agents which might influence stain removal results
See Annex A1, Annex A2, and Annex A3 for more detailed
and also to better simulate the fabric condition when staining descriptions and preparation information for these staining
incidents occur in household use.
materials.
6.2.1 Sufficient yardage of test fabric is pre-washed to
7.2 A minimum of at least six stain types is suggested for
coverthe needs of the test series. The washing is more
characterizing the performance profile of a stain removal
efficiently done before the cloth is cut into individual swatches,
product, especially if more than one functional ingredient (for
but can be accomplished with the pre-cut swatches if this is the
example, oxidizing agent, enzyme, solvent, etc.) is present in
fabric form that has been purchased.
the tested formulations.
6.2.2 Minimum pre-washing conditions would be two wash
cycles in a household automatic washer (see Note 2) with 140
8. Stain Application on Swatches
6 5 °F (less than 3 grains) water and ambient (less than 3
8.1 General Techniques for Spotting:
grains) than water rinses. The first cycle should include a
8.1.1 The intent is to have the fabric swatch suspended
recommended usage level of detergent (AATCC Standard
horizontally in air with the center of the swatch relatively taut
Detergent or the detergent being used in the test) and 1 cup
when the staining material is applied. Any mounting device
(240 mL) liquid hypochlorite bleach. The second wash cycle
that will achieve these criteria is acceptable. Suggested devices
would include 60 g of a complex phosphate water conditioner
includewoodenorcardboardpinningframes,glassbeakers(>2
and no detergent or bleach.
in. diameter) with the swatch secured over the top by rubber
NOTE 2—Any brand of household automatic washer is acceptable as a
bands, and glass bottles with the swatch secured within the top
standard washing machine if it has the following operating characteristics
opening by a plastic retaining ring.
on the normal setting: water fill, 16 to 19 gal; agitator speed, 70 6 5 opm;
8.1.2 The size of the circular stain pattern should be a
spin speed, 500 to 510 rpm; washing time, 12 to 15 min.
minimum of 2 in. in diameter to accommodate instrument
6.2.3 Dry the test cloth 35 to 40 min at 150 6 10 °F in a
grading. Many staining agents will wick beyond the original
home dryer after the last wash cycle (see Note 3).
applicationarea.A4by5in.testswatchissuggestedifwicking
to the edges of the fabric is not desired. Wide variations in
NOTE 3—Anybrandofhouseholdautomaticelectricdryerisacceptable
wicking patterns across test swatches can increase judgement
as a standard electric tumble dryer if it has the following operating
characteristics: controlled exhaust temperature, ranging between 50 and
variability when the treated swatches are graded visually.
71 °C (140 and 160 °F); and a cooling period of at least 5 min while
8.1.3 Using a capillary pipet, medicine dropper, metal
tumbling at the end of the drying circle.
spatula or 2-in die cut polyurethane sponge (depending on
6.2.4 Wash carrier towels or ballast fabrics to be used with
viscosity of the staining material), place an appropriate amount
the stained test swatches in accordance with 6.2.2, but sepa- of staining material in the center of the suspended test swatch.
rately from the test fabrics.
The amount of stain material that will adequately cover the
6.3 Ironthefabriconpermanentpresssettingifnecessaryto intended spot area will vary by fabric substrate and with
obtain a flat, smooth surface.
different batches of stain material. Some experimentation will
6.4 Cut washed test fabric into desired size swatches. beneededonthefirstfewswatches;thesetrialswatchesshould
6.4.1 Orientation of the test swatch can influence the ob-
then be discarded. See Annex A3 for further tips on stain
servedstaining/wickingcharacteristicsoftheteststainandalso application techniques.
the stain removal perceived by either visual grading or instru-
8.1.4 Keep each freshly stained swatch suspended in its
mental reflectance. It is therefore important to identify the
pinning frame or place it face–side–up on a disposable plastic
fabric grain (direction of the threads relative to the selvage
cup until stain is dry (usually 2 to 3 h). Do not allow stained
edge) and the face side of the fabric when the test specimens
specimenstocontacteachotherinamannerthatwouldtransfer
are made. Devise a swatch marking system to assure that all
stains.
specimens in the same test series are stained and graded with
8.2 Aging of Stains:
the same fabric orientation.
8.2.1 When the aqueous-based stains have thoroughly air
6.4.2 Size of the test swatch is not critical, though swatches
dried (feel dry to the touch), set individual swatches in a dark
2 2
of about 15 to 30 in. (100 to 200 cm ) in area are suitable for
placeatroomtemperature(70 65 °F)foraminimumof1day.
all phases of the testing procedure. To maintain orientation
The aging time for oil–based stains may need to be shortened
consistency, use rectangular rather than square swatches.
due to excessive wicking on some substrates.Aminimum of 4
h aging is recommended for oily stains. If wicking to the
7. Stain Materials
swatch edge still occurs in this shortened period, use a larger
swatch for oily stains or reduce the amount applied.
7.1 The spectrum of selected staining materials can greatly
influence the relative performance assessment of the stain 8.2.2 Wrap swatches intentionally held for more than one
removal products. The stain types most appropriate for a day’s aging in aluminum foil and store in 35–40 °F controlled
specific test series are usually dictated by experience. Staining temperature. Swatches with dry aqueous–based stains can be
D4265
stacked in bundles for storage, but store oily stains separately 9.4.3.1 Temperature—90 6 2 °F wash cycle; ambient water
to avoid cross–wicking between test specimens. rinses.
9.4.3.2 Hardness—35 ppm (2 grains/gal); 100 ppm (6
8.2.3 Even when stored as prescribed in 8.2.2, many stains
will continue to set and become increasingly less responsive to grains/gal); 150 ppm (9 grains/gal) (see Note 4); and 260 ppm
(15 grains/gal).
thetestremovaltreatments.Theexperimentermaydeliberately
choose to age the stains more than 1 day before conducting the
NOTE 4—Suggested hardness if only one level is tested.
test washings. It is important, however, that all stain specimens
9.4.3.3 The calcium/magnesium ratio of the hardness min-
in a test series have the same aging history and that this aging
erals (expressed as CaCO ) should be adjusted for different
time be one of the recorded fixed variables of the test design.
water hardnesses as follows:
Experience has shown that stained swatches should be dis-
Water Hardness Range Ca/Mg Ratio
carded if more than several weeks old.
0to60ppm 4:1
8.2.4 Visually inspect stained swatches selected for a par-
61 to 120 ppm 3:1
ticulartestingseriesforcomparableappearance.Anythatshow 121 and over 2:1
atypical application or wicking patterns should not be selected.
9.4.4 Fabric Load—Minimum of 4 lb. Supplement test
8.2.5 Place identifying code markings on the face side of
swatches with ballast fabrics, such as pillow cases, terry
each swatch (same side as stain application) to ensure compa-
towels, or commercially available yard goods cut in pieces no
rable orientation of the swatches when they are graded. Use a 2
largerthan1yd perpiece.Whenrunningsuccessivetestloads,
solvent–and–wash–resistant marking ink for coding.
use fresh ballast or rewash ballast for each load. Natural or
artificially soiled ballast will add realism to the testing condi-
9. Procedure
tions, but a high level of testing variability will be introduced
9.1 Design the test protocol to generate at least three unless this factor is rigorously standardized.
replicatedvaluesforeachtypeoftestspecimensubjectedtothe 9.4.5 Product Concentrations—Use products according to
individual variable (product or procedure) under study. For manufacturer’s label recommendations. Reduce recommended
example, in one test run of a washing condition using six level of detergent added to the wash by the amount used in
different stains on three fabric types, there would be a pretreating (see 9.4.6).
9.4.6 Pretreating Methods (if applicable)—Equalizecontact
minimum of 54 stained swatches (6 stains 3 3 types of
fabric 3 3 replications) plus nine unstained reference swatches time for all stains, with a min of 1 min before fabric is
introduced to the agitating wash water. If prespotter label
(3 types of fabric 3 3 replicates). This allows an adequate
estimate of within–run variability of the results. A second and directions suggest rubbing, the testing should be done both
with and without a standardized rubbing step. If not specifi-
preferably, a third run must be done, generating six (or nine)
values for each type of stained test specimen. The number of cally recommended by product manufacturer, suggested test
amounts for prespotting are: 2 mLfor sprayed–on pre– spotters
replications (swatches per run or number of runs) can be
expanded according to the needs of the experimenter to raise (see Note 5); 5 mL for liquid detergents; and 1 tsp (enough to
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