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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 combination of stain and fabric that will predict the overall performance of a product or treatment method. A single test, even with a variety of stains/fabrics, can only predict how products or treatment methods compare under the particular conditions chosen for evaluations. A series of assessments is necessary to evaluate the many aspects of stain removal performance and to simulate consumer experience more closely.

1.3 In this guide, the use of both traditional top-loader washing machines as well as front and top-loading high-efficiency washers is addressed.

1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.

1.5 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.

1.6 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.

5.1 This guide suggests a number of staining agents that are representative of stains commonly encountered in household laundry. The assessment need not be limited to this suggested list of stains, especially if special product types or end uses are being evaluated. This guide can be used to compare stain removal performance of products; however, there is no confirmed basis for correlation of this controlled laboratory technique with consumers’ ranking of stain removal performance.

5.2 The evaluations generated by this guide should be regarded as diagnostic screening tests that are useful in formulation studies, quality control, and ingredient raw material qualification. This guide provides considerable flexibility in choosing specific stains, washing conditions, and laboratory equipment appropriate to the objective of the evaluation. This procedural latitude may result in a reduced level of interlaboratory precision and such comparison of results must be evaluated with caution.

5.3 The procedure is applicable to all types of home laundry products including detergents, presoak and prespotter products, bleaches, and detergent boosters and is expected to be applicable to horizontal and vertical axis machines.

5.4 It is not intended for the evaluation of products or conditions normally associated with commercial laundering or dry cleaning establishments.