ASTM D4488-95(2001)e1

This guide suggests methodology for cleaning tests. Soil/substrate combinations are generally designed to be analogous to soiled surfaces commonly encountered. This methodology can be used with most soil/substrate combinations. Some example test methods that have worked well in other labs are provided in the annexes. There is no requirement for using the soils listed in the annexes. It is the responsibility of the user to select the appropriate battery of tests for the desired end results.

The results of tests based on this guide are regarded as diagnostic screening values useful in formulation studies, quality control, and ingredient raw material qualification. This guide is intended to allow a choice in test conditions and soil/substrate combinations appropriate to the evaluation at hand. For interlaboratory comparisons, exact test conditions must be established before test results are compared.

This guide is applicable to testing all types of multipurpose household cleaners, whether the detergent is prepared by dissolving a soluble powder, a dilutable liquid, or is a pre-diluted product. It may also be useful for evaluation of products or conditions normally associated with industrial or institutional cleaners.

1.1 This guide covers the evaluation of the cleaning per- formance of products intended for use on resilient flooring or washable walls. Such evaluations specifically exclude windows, mirrors, carpets, ceramic tiles, and laminated counter tops. This guide provides techniques for soiling, cleaning, and evaluating performance of detergent systems under con- trolled, but practical, hard-surface cleaning conditions.

1.2 Such systems include any detergent intended for clean- ing hard surfaces such as resilient flooring, washable wall surfaces, and other hard surfaces, but excluding glass, ceramic, or other glossy surfaces. They may consist of solutions of soluble powdered detergent, dilutions of concentrated liq- uid detergent, or products intended to be used full strength, for example, foams, sprays, liquid, or paste.

1.3 There is no universal soil/substrate combination that is representative of the many soil-removal tasks required of this type of cleaner in actual use conditions. Choice of soil/ substrate and cleaning conditions should be by agreement between the testing laboratory and those using the data to evaluate cleaning performance relative to user experience.

1.4 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Material Safety Data Sheets are available for reagents. Review them for hazards prior to usage. Specific precautionary statements are given in Note 2.