ASTM_D_5237_-_14.pdf

Designation:D523714Standard Guide forEvaluating Fabric Softeners1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5237;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This guide evaluates the performance characteristics offabric softener products.It provides guidance for evaluatingthe on fabric efficacy of treatment chemicals dosed into thewash,rinse,or dryer cycle in a home laundry washer or dryer.This guide can be used for screening of fabric softenerproducts,or to evaluate the products through multiple accu-mulative cycles.1.2 The relative ranking of products assessed by theseprocedures may be affected by such factors as machine typeand settings,fabric load composition,as well as by the washingand drying procedures used.1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regardedas standard.The values given in parentheses are mathematicalconversions to SI units that are provided for information onlyand are not considered standard.1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2E313 Practice for Calculating Yellowness and WhitenessIndices from Instrumentally Measured Color CoordinatesE1958 Guide for Sensory Claim SubstantiationE2164 Test Method for Directional Difference Test2.2 AATCC Standard:3AATCC Test Method 110-1994 Whiteness of Textiles3.Terminology3.1 Definitions:3.1.1 fabric softener,nlaundry auxiliary product or laun-dry detergent ingredient that gives fabrics a soft feel,smoothsurface,provides fragrance,or reduces static electricity,or acombination thereof.3.1.2 front-loading high-effciency(HE)washing machine/washer,nhorizontally or nearly horizontally oriented ma-chine used for laundry that uses varying amounts of water tolaunder fabrics.3.1.2.1 DiscussionThese washers(1)may not exhibit anyvisible free water or may show significant quantities of visiblefree water,(2)may lift and tumble the clothes load,(3)mayemploy both spinning and tumbling in both the washer or rinseprocesses,(4)may use jet sprays of wash solution or rinsesolution,or(5)may use thermal or chemical inputs,or both,tooffer sanitation or allergen claims.HE washers use consider-ably less water and energy than traditional deep-fill washers inthe laundering process.HE washers are labeled by the appli-ance industry and may be recognized by the U.S.Departmentof Energy(DOE)and U.S.Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)as Energy Star rated machines.3.1.3 home laundering,ncleaning or conditioning,orboth,of textile materials using the washing and drying equip-ment commonly found in the home.3.1.4 top-loading high-effciency(HE)washing machine/washer,nvertically oriented agitation machine that is usedfor home laundry,with the fundamental difference from atraditional top-loading washer being that this washer usesreduced water resources during the process.3.1.4.1 DiscussionThis 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 placeof an agitator,(5)may use thermal or chemical inputs,or both,to offer sanitation or allergen claims,or(6)may use spraywashing or spray rinsing technologies,or combination thereof.HE washers use considerably less water and energy thantraditional deep-fill washers in the laundering process.HEwashers are labeled by the appliance industry and may berecognized by the U.S.DOE and U.S.EPAas Energy Star ratedmachines.1This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D12 on Soaps andOther Detergents and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D12.25 onConsumer Standards.Current edition approved Nov.1,2014.Published December 2014.Originallyapproved in 1992.Last previous edition approved in 2013 as D5237-05(2013).DOI:10.1520/D5237-14.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.3Available from American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists,P.O.Box 12215,Research Triangle Park,NC 27709.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 3.1.5 traditional deep-fill top-loading washing machine/washer,nvertically oriented agitation machine that is usedfor home laundry.3.1.5.1 DiscussionThis washer fills to the basket top atleast two times during the wash process:once for washing andonce for rinsing.This type of washer may also include sprayflushes in ei