ASTM D5237-05

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation: D5237 − 05
StandardGuide for
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Evaluating Fabric Softeners
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5237; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3.1.1 fabric softener—a laundry auxiliary product or laun-
dry detergent ingredient that gives fabrics a soft feel, smooth
1.1 This guide evaluates the performance characteristics of
surface, or reduces static electricity, or a combination thereof.
fabric softener products. It provides guidance for treating
fabric in the wash, rinse, or dryer cycle in a home laundry and 3.1.2 home laundering—thecleaningandrestoringoftextile
materials to a serviceable condition using the washing and
for evaluating the efficacy of the treatment chemicals. This
guide can be used for simple screening of fabric softener drying equipment commonly found in the home.
products, or to evaluate the products through multiple accu-
mulative cycles. 4. Summary of Guide
1.2 The relative ranking of products assessed by these 4.1 Fabrics are stripped for the removal of mill textile
procedures may be affected by such factors as fabric load conditioners or previously applied fabric softeners following
composition and the kind and level of soils, as well as by the whichtheyaretreatedwithfabricsoftenerproductsinthewash
washing and drying procedures used. or rinse, dried and evaluated for softness, whiteness retention,
rewet or water absorbency, and static control using test panels
1.3 Thevaluesstatedininch-poundunitsaretoberegarded
or instrumental methods.
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are provided
for information only.
5. Significance and Use
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
5.1 The methods in this guide can be used for simple
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
screening of fabric softener products or to evaluate the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
performance, through multiple accumulative cycles, relative to
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
a designated reference product.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5.2 A single assessment of each of the product characteris-
2. Referenced Documents
tics tested by these methods will not predict overall perfor-
manceofthesoftenerproduct.Asingletestrununderspecified
2.1 ASTM Standards:
fixed conditions cannot be expected to reflect the comparative
E313Practice for Calculating Yellowness and Whiteness
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performance under many other possible conditions of use.
IndicesfromInstrumentallyMeasuredColorCoordinates
2.2 Other Standard:
6. Fabric Pretreatment
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AATCC Test Method110-1994Whiteness of Textiles
6.1 Scope:
6.1.1 Thissectionprovidesaprocedureforpreparingnewor
3. Terminology
previously used textile specimens for further treatment and
3.1 Definitions:
evaluation.
6.1.2 All new fabrics received directly from the mill or
purchased from vendors must be stripped of mill conditioners
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This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D12 on Soaps and
andprocessingauxiliaries.Testtowelsmaybereusedforupto
Other Detergents and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D12.25 on
five evaluations and sheets used for load bulk may be reused
Consumer Standards.
indefinitely, if stripping is done between each evaluation.
Current edition approved May 1, 2005. Published June 2005. Originally
approved in 1992. Discontinued January 2002 and reinstated as D5237-05. DOI:
6.2 Apparatus and Materials:
10.1520/D5237-05.
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6.2.1 Household Automatic Washing Machine, top load.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
6.2.2 Household Automatic Laundry Dryer, gas or electric.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
6.2.3 HandTowels,approximately16by24in.,whitecotton
the ASTM website.
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loop terry cloth. Care should be taken to use towels of similar
Available from American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, P.O.
Box 12215, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. construction, and weight fiber mix.
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D5237 − 05
6.2.4 Flat Bed Sheets, full size (approximately 104 by 81 7.4 Procedure:
in.), 65% polyester/35% cotton or 50/50 blend.
7.4.1 Weigh three sheets and four towels previously pre-
6.2.5 AATCC (American Association of Textile Chemists
pared as in 6.3. Load weight should be 2.3 to 2.
...