1、Designation: D5237 14Standard 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 indica
2、tes 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 d
3、osed 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 facto
4、rs 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
5、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 prio
6、r 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
7、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) wash
8、ing 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
9、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 tha
10、n 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
11、, 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
12、 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 b
13、oth,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 berecog
14、nized 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. Origina
15、llyapproved 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 Do
16、cument 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 States13.1.5 traditional deep-fill
17、 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 either
18、the wash or rinse portions of the cycle.4. Summary of Guide4.1 Fabrics are evaluated for the impact of fabric softenerproducts applied in the wash, rinse or dryer cycle for softness,whiteness retention, rewet or water absorbency, static control,or fragrance, or combination thereof, using test panels
19、 orinstrumental methods.5. Significance and Use5.1 The methods in this guide can be used for screening offabric softener products or to evaluate their performance,through a single cycle or multiple accumulative cycles, relativeto a designated reference product or a comparative product(s).5.2 A singl
20、e assessment of each of the product characteris-tics tested by these methods will not predict overall perfor-mance of the softener product.Asingle test run under specifiedfixed conditions cannot be expected to reflect the comparativeperformance under many other possible conditions of use.6. Fabric P
21、reparation6.1 Scope:6.1.1 This section provides a procedure for preparing new orpreviously used textile specimens for further treatment andevaluation.6.1.2 All new fabrics received directly from the mill orpurchased from vendors must be stripped of mill conditionersand processing auxiliaries. Test f
22、abrics are to be used for onlya single evaluation while ballast used for load bulk may bereused indefinitely if stripping is done between each evalua-tion.6.2 Apparatus and Materials:6.2.1 Automatic Washing Machine,6.2.2 Automatic Laundry Dryer, gas or electric.6.2.3 Test Fabrics, white cotton or co
23、tton/polyester loopterry cloth, or both, such as hand towels. Other fabrics suitablefor fabric softener products are also acceptable. Care should betaken to use matched sets of fabrics of the same brand andmanufacturing origin, and similar construction, weight, andfiber blend within each specific te
24、st.6.2.4 Fabric Load, Minimum of 6 lb (2.7 kg) for each totalload. Supplement test fabrics with ballast fabrics, such aspillow cases, terry towels, or commercially available yardgoods cut in pieces no larger than 1 yd2(0.8 m2) per piece. Allballast loads shall be the same composition for each run wi
25、thina test. When running successive test loads, use fresh ballast orstrip the ballast prior to use.6.2.5 Standard Referemce Detergent, such as, AATCC(American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists),liquid or powder (suggested to use without brightener formulaif testing whiteness retention),
26、or a commercially built anionicdetergent, if desired.6.3 Stripping ProcedureThe objective of this procedure isto remove finishes or residues, or both, from the ballast and testfabrics. The procedure below is one suggested way to meet thisobjective.6.3.1 Load washer with appropriate amount of fabrics
27、. Donot overload.6.3.2 Add appropriate dosage of built anionic detergent.6.3.3 Set machine for hot wash temperature setting. Allowwasher to fill with water and continue on through the completewash and rinse cycle.6.3.4 Repeat 6.3.2 and 6.3.3 four more times.6.3.5 Wash this load of fabric through an
28、additional com-plete cycle three times with no detergent. If there appears to beresidual detergent (as evidenced by sudsing during the previouscycle) repeat the water only cycles one or two more times or asneeded to ensure removal of residual anionic detergent to aminimal level.6.3.6 Dry fabrics in
29、an automatic dryer at the normal or hotsetting until the load is dry.6.3.7 If fabrics are stored prior to evaluation, protect fromenvironmental influences such as odor, moisture, dust, etc.7. Fabric Treatment with Fabric Softener7.1 Scope:7.1.1 This section provides the procedure for application oft
30、he test products to the textile substrates.7.2 Fixed Test ConditionsAll test conditions not understudy should be fixed within the range of normal householdpractice. The following are suggested as representative ofmany households.7.2.1 Matched Washing MachinesAll washings shall beperformed in the sam
31、e machine or in mechanically matchedunits of the same model machine using a controlled experi-mental design.7.2.2 Household Automatic Washing Machine:7.2.2.1 Conventional Deep-fill Traditional Top LoaderNormal/casual with 10-14 min wash cycle, appropriate waterfill for load size, and regular spin sp
32、eed.7.2.2.2 Front-loading High EffciencyNormal/casual ornormal/colors setting, normal soil level, and high spin speed,7.2.2.3 Top-loading High EffciencyNormal/casual ornormal/colors setting, normal soil level, and high spin speed.7.2.3 Household Automatic Laundry Dryer, gas or electric.7.2.4 Strippe
33、d Test Fabrics, defined in 6.2 and 6.3.7.2.5 Water Hardness35 ppm (2 grains/gal); 100 ppm (6grains/gal); 150 ppm (9 grains/gal); and 260 ppm (15 grains/gal). 120 ppm (7 grains/gal) is suggested if only one level istested.7.2.5.1 The calcium/magnesium ratio of the hardness min-erals (expressed as CaC
34、O3) should be adjusted to attaindifferent water hardness as shown in Table 1.TABLE 1 Water Hardness RangeWater Hardness Range Ca/Mg Ratio0to60ppm 4:161 to 120 ppm 3:1121 ppm and over 2:1D5237 1427.2.5.2 Hard Water Stock SolutionFor a 2:1 ratio, preparea hard water stock solution by dissolving 2.940
35、g of calciumchloride dihydrate (CaCl22H2O) and 2.033 g of magnesiumchloride hexahydrate (MgCl26H2O) in DI water. Dilute to avolume of 1 L with additional deionized (DI) water. Thissolution contains 3000 ppm hardness (expressed as calciumcarbonate) with a Ca:Mg molar ratio of 2:1. For a 3:1 ratio, us
36、e4.41 g of calcium chloride dihydrate (CaCl22H2O) and 2.033g of magnesium chloride hexahydrate (MgC126H2O) in DIwater. Larger batches or concentrations may be scaled up usingthis ratio of calcium chloride to magnesium chloride.7.2.6 Water TemperatureRecord temperature actuallyused. If only one treat
37、ment temperature is tested, use a warmwash/cold rinse setting. The suggested test temperatures forrespective machine formats are as follows:Conventional Deep-Fill Top Loader86 6 5F (30 65C) wash cycle, 60 6 10F (15.6 6 5.5C) rinse.Front-Loading High Effciency77 6 5F (25 6 5C)wash cycle, 60 6 10F (15
38、.6 6 5.5C) rinse.Top-Loading High Effciency75 6 5F (23.8 6 5C)wash cycle, 60 6 10F (15.6 6 5.5C) rinse.NOTE 1Within a single test, the respective wash and rinse temperatureprofiles should be consistent.7.2.7 Fabric Load WeightDry ballast and test fabric loadshould weigh minimum 6 lb (2.7 kg). Towels
39、 preferably shouldbe pre-weighed. Towels of similar weights (61.0 g) should becompared, as different weights can impact results.7.2.8 Wash Detergent DosageUse recommended dosageof AATCC Standard Reference Detergent WOB (withoutbrighteners). If a commercial detergent is used, follow manu-facturers re
40、commendation.7.2.9 Softener Product DosageThe amount of the softenerdispersion to be used in each test is determined by the level ofactive softener ingredient desired per unit weight of dry fabric.If commercial products are being tested, follow manufacturersdosage recommendations.7.3 ProcedureCalcul
41、ate the proper number of test fabricsto be used in your experimental design. One test fabric may beevaluated by up to five panelists. It is recommended that atleast two, preferably three or more replicates are tested in eachrespective test wash. Multiple wash runs can also strengthenyour experimenta
42、l design. Determine the number of desiredpanelists (see Section 8) and calculate total number of testfabrics needed for each product tested.7.3.1 Traditional Top Load Deep Fill Washer:7.3.1.1 Set washer controls for regular or normal cycle witha wash period of 12 6 2 min and a water fill level of 16
43、 to 19gal. The wash period and fill level chosen should be similar forall products being tested within the experiment.7.3.1.2 Washing machine model safety and mechanicalvariations will impact specific procedural steps for addingproduct, fabric load, and fabric softener; therefore, inter-laboratory p
44、rocedural steps may vary. It is recommended, iffeasible, that your detergent dosage and fabric softener dosage(if applicable) are dispersed evenly into solution.7.3.1.3 Place fabric bundle in dryer. Add dry cycle softener,if appropriate. Use the regular or normal dryer setting.7.3.1.4 Dry fabric bun
45、dle for 45 min or until dry. Store thetest fabric overnight so they equilibrate (see 8.1.2).7.3.1.5 Equilibrate substrates to equal temperature andhumidity, preferably overnight in a humidity controlled envi-ronment (see 8.1.2). Record conditions (RH and temperature).7.3.2 HE Washer:7.3.2.1 Set wash
46、 controls for regular or normal cycle, warmwash.7.3.2.2 Place detergent and fabric softener (if applicable) intheir respective dispenser drawers. If using unit dose product,place in machine drum.7.3.2.3 Put fabric bundle in washer. Start wash.7.3.2.4 Once finished, place fabric bundle in dryer. Addd
47、ryer cycle softener, if appropriate. Use the regular or normaldryer setting.7.3.2.5 Dry test fabrics for 45 min or until dry.7.3.2.6 Equilibrate substrates to equal temperature andhumidity, preferably overnight in a humidity controlled envi-ronment (see 8.1.2). Record conditions (RH and temperature)
48、.7.4 Treated test fabrics can now be evaluated for softness(Section 8), fragrance (Section 9) or absorbency (Section 10),or combination thereof.8. Fabric Softness Evaluation by Test Panel Scoring orInstrumental, or both8.1 ProcedureFabric Softness Evaluation by Test PanelScoringThese assessments are
49、 provided as guidance forevaluating softness by test panel scoring. Other suitable ap-proaches may be used, for example, those referenced in GuideE1958 and sensory textbooks such as Sensory EvaluationTechniques, 4th ed.48.1.1 Note that anyone with a potential bias (for example,employees working on the development of the product) is notappropriate for conducting evaluations.8.1.2 Condition the fabrics in a constant temperature-humidity room (if available) overnight prior to evaluation.Suggested controlled environments are between 65 to
