Designation: D 5237 – 05
Standard Guide for
Evaluating Fabric Softeners1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 5237; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This guide evaluates the performance characteristics of
fabric softener products. It provides guidance for treating
fabric in the wash, rinse, or dryer cycle in a home laundry and
for evaluating the efficacy of the treatment chemicals. This
guide can be used for simple screening of fabric softener
products, or to evaluate the products through multiple accu-
mulative cycles.
1.2 The relative ranking of products assessed by these
procedures may be affected by such factors as fabric load
composition and the kind and level of soils, as well as by the
washing and drying procedures used.
1.3 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are provided
for information only.
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 appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E 313 Test Method for Indexes of Whiteness and Yellow-
ness of Near-White Opaque Materials2
2.2 Other Standard:
AATCC Test Method 110-1994 Whiteness of Textiles3
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 fabric softener—a laundry auxiliary product or laun-
dry detergent ingredient that gives fabrics a soft feel, smooth
surface, or reduces static electricity, or a combination thereof.
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D12 on Soaps and
Other Detergents and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D12.25 on
Consumer Standards.
Current edition approved May 1, 2005. Published June 2005. Originally
approved in 1992. Discontinued January 2002 and reinstated as D 5237-05.
2
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
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
3
Available 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 States.
1
3.1.2 home laundering—the cleaning and restoring of tex-
tile materials to a serviceable condition using the washing and
drying equipment commonly found in the home.
4. Summary of Guide
4.1 Fabrics are stripped for the removal of mill textile
conditioners or previously applied fabric softeners following
which they are treated with fabric softener products in the wash
or rinse, dried and evaluated for softness, whiteness retention,
rewet or water absorbency, and static control using test panels
or instrumental methods.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 The methods in this guide can be used for simple
screening of fabric softener products or to evaluate the perfor-
mance, through multiple accumulative cycles, relative to a
designated reference product.
5.2 A single assessment of each of the product characteris-
tics tested by these methods will not predict overall perfor-
mance of the softener product. A single test run under specified
fixed conditions cannot be expected to reflect the comparative
performance under many other possible conditions of use.
6. Fabric Pretreatment
6.1 Scope:
6.1.1 This section provides a procedure for preparing new or
previously used textile specimens for further treatment and
evaluation.
6.1.2 All new fabrics received directly from the mill or
purchased from vendors must be stripped of mill conditioners
and processing auxiliaries. Test towels may be reused for up to
five evaluations and sheets used for load bulk may be reused
indefinitely, if stripping is done between each evaluation.
6.2 Apparatus and Materials:
6.2.1 Household Automatic Washing Machine, top load.
6.2.2 Household Automatic Laundry Dryer, gas or electric.
6.2.3 Hand Towels, approximately 16 by 24 in., white cotton
loop terry cloth. Care should be taken to use towels of similar
construction, and weight fiber mix.
6.2.4 Flat Bed Sheets, full size (approximately 104 by 81
in.), 65 % polyester/35 % cotton or 50/50 blend.
 D 5237 – 05
6.2.5 AATCC (American Association of Textile Chemists
and Colorists) 1993 Standard Reference Detergent WOB,
(without brighteners), or a commercially built anionic deter-
gent, as desired.
6.3 Stripping Procedure:
6.3.1 Load washer with up to 8 lb of dry fabrics. Do not
overload.
6.3.2 Add 50 to 80 g of built anionic detergent.
6.3.3 Set machine for normal cycle, high or large water fill
level, and hot wash/warm rinse temperature setting. Allow
washer to fill with water and continue on through the complete
wash 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 the complete cycle
three times with no detergent. If there appears to be residual
detergent (as evidenced by sudsing during the previous cycle)
repeat the water only cycles one or two more times to ensure
removal of all anionic detergent.
6.3.6 Dry fabrics in the automatic dryer at the normal or hot
setting until the load is dry.
6.3.7 Store the fabrics. If closed storage is not available,
store in plastic bags.
7. Fabric Treatment with Fabric Softener
7.1 Scope:
7.1.1 This section provides the procedure for application of
the test products to the textile substrates.
7.2 Apparatus and Materials—Same as 6.2.
7.3 Conditions of Treatment:
7.3.1 Washing Machine Water Level—Use the water fill
setting that will give a 16 to 19-gal water level. Record actual
water fill to the nearest gallon.
7.3.2 Water Hardness—Tap water or conditioned water
containing 150 6 20 ppm calcium carbonate hardness.
7.3.3 Water Temperature—Record temperature actually
used. If only one treatment temperature is tested, use a warm
wash/cold rinse setting. The suggested test temperatures are as
follows:
Hot water 130°F (54.4°C)
Warm water 90°F (32.2°C)
Cold water 80°F (26.7°C)
7.3.4 Dryer Setting—Use the regular or normal dryer set-
ting.
7.3.5 Fabric Load Weight—Dry load should weigh 2.3 to
2.7 kg. A load consisting of three sheets and four hand towels
will generally be in this range.
7.3.6 Wash Detergent Dosage—Use 50 g of AATCC 1993
Standard Reference Detergent WOB (without brighteners). If a
commercial detergent is used, follow manufacturer’s recom-
mendation. If the wash detergent is also the softening product
being evaluated, determine dosage in accordance with 7.3.7.
7.3.7 Softener Product Dosage—The amount of the softener
dispersion to be used in each test is determined by the level of
active softener ingredient desired per unit weight of dry fabric.
If commercial products are being tested, follow manufacturer’s
dosage recommendations.
7.4 Procedure:
7.4.1 Weigh three sheets and four towels previously pre-
pared as in 6.3. Load weight should be 2.3 to 2.7 kg.
2
7.4.2 Set wash controls for regular or normal cycle with a
wash period of 12 6 2 min and a water fill level of 16 to 19 gal.
7.4.3 Start wash cycle. As the washer fills, add wash
detergent dose to washing machine.
7.4.4 Put fabric bundle in washer and allow washer to run
until it reaches the deep rinse cycle. (If untreated control
fabrics are being prepared, allow washer to go to final spin and
skip to 7.4.8).
7.4.5 Stop washer and remove towels and sheets.
7.4.6 Start deep rinse cycle until tub is approximately one
third filled with cold water. If a rinse cycle product is being
evaluated, add the required amount of fabric softener and
agitate to ensure uniform dispersion. Record water temperature
and time. Specify water temperature.
7.4.7 Add damp fabric bundle. Start machine and allow it to
complete the rinse and spin cycles.
7.4.8 Place fabric bundle in dryer. Add dryer cycle softener,
if appropriate. Use the regular or normal dryer setting.
7.4.9 Dry towels for 45 min or until dry. Store the towels
overnight so they equilibrate (see 8.2.1).
7.4.10 Treated towels can now be evaluated for softness
(Section 8) or absorbency (Section 9), or both.
8. Fabric Softness Evaluation by Test Panel Scoring
8.1 Scope—This section covers a subjective testing proce-
dure for ranking the relative softness of treated fabrics. Treated
towels are ranked by panelists on a five point scale (least
soft = 1, most soft = 5). The comparisons include an untreated
towel and a towel treated with a control product for benchmark
rankings.
8.2 Procedure:
8.2.1 Condition the fabrics in a constant temperature-
humidity room (if available) for 24 h prior to evaluation.
Suggested controlled environments are between 65 to 75°F
(18.3 to 23.9°C) and 40 to 50 % relative humidity.
8.2.2 It has been observed that different scores result when
one-day old towels are compared to four-day old towels. This
may be due to a loss fluff over time, resulting in a leveling
effect. Fabrics being tested should all be treated with softener
the day prior to the evaluation.
8.2.3 To effectively evaluate a set of towels, at least four
panel members are needed. Eight are preferred. The panelists
should wash their hands before handling the test fabrics.
During the evaluation the panelists may need to rewash their
hands to remove any softener or oily build up that might
interfere with the test.
8.2.4 Each panelist is given a group of test fabrics for
scoring.
8.2.4.1 Each group of test fabrics shall consist of up to five
pieces. The test group should contain one untreated control,
one softness reference fabric, and no more than three test
fabrics. The softness reference fabric has been treated with
dihydrogenated tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride at 0.1 %
single use level, based on dry fabric weight.
8.2.4.2 Panelist should use the same handling technique for
scoring each towel in the test set.
8.2.4.3 The panelist first picks out the harshest towel and
scores it one. Then the softest towel is selected and scored five.
The other towels are scored intermediate between the high and
 D 5237 – 05
low selections and given scores such as two, three, or four. The
towels are then rearranged and the evaluation repeated. (To
eliminate bias, towels are blind coded and panel members are
not told their rating results before repeat evaluations.)
8.2.4.4 Additional comments by the panel member on the
feel of the fabric should be recorded, for example, oily, waxy,
greasy, etc.
8.2.4.5 After each test the scores are totaled and averaged to
give a single rating number for each treatment product.
8.3 Paired Comparison Method:
8.3.1 Towels should be conditioned as in 8.2.1.
8.3.2 Fabrics (towels) being tested should all be treated with
softener the day before testing.
8.3.3 For effective evaluation, at least 10 and preferably
15-20 panelists are required.
8.3.4 Arrange the towels in pairs so that towels treated with
a product are paired at least once and preferably twice with
towels treated with all the other treatments. Untreated towels
may be included as an additional treatment.
8.3.5 A panelist feels each pair of towels and records their
preference as to which towel of the pair is softer. The panelist
must choose one of the towels in each pair, even if both appear
equally soft.
8.3.6 When all the panelists have evaluated all the pairs, the
results are tabulated and treated as described in Sensory
Evaluation Techniques.4
8.3.6.1 For each pair of towels, total number of times each
towel was judged softer.
8.3.6.2 Create a table with the number of columns and the
number of rows both equal to the number of treatments. Label
one column and one row with each treatment.
8.3.6.3 In the row for treatment “A” and the column for
treatment “B” enter the number of times the towel treated with
A were judged softer than the towel treated with B. In the row
for treatment B, and the column for treatment A, enter the
number of times treatment B was judged softer than treatment
A. Do this for all the pairings.
9. Evaluation of Fabrics for Rewet (Water Absorbency)
9.1 Scope—This section covers the evaluation of treated
fabrics for water absorbency. Test strips of treated fabrics are
positioned in a dyed water solution. The height of migration of
the water in a specified time is measured.
9.2 Apparatus:
9.2.1 Swatches, two 2 by 5 in., cut from towels treated in
accordance with 7.4.
9.2.2 Aqueous Solution, 0.010 % of Rhodamine BX or any
water-soluble dye which is not substantive to cellulose.
9.2.3 Ring Stands, two.
9.2.4 Bar, one from stand.
9.2.5 Clamp Holders and Binder Clamps, two.
9.2.6 Laboratory Jacks, two large.
9.2.7 Beakers, two 600 mL.
9.2.8 Timers, two.
9.3 Procedure:
4
Meilgaard, Civille, and Carr, Sensory Evaluation Techniques, CRC Press LLC,
2000 N.W. Corporate Blvd., Boca Raton FL, 33431, pp. 103–106.
3
9.3.1 Attach the bar horizontally to the ring stands with two
clamp holders.
9.3.2 Cut the 2 by 5-in. swatches from the towels, treated in
accordance with Section 7.
9.3.3 Mark a line 1 cm from the narrow edge of each
swatch.
9.3.4 Attach the 2 by 5-in. swatches onto the bar with the
binder clamps.
9.3.5 Fill the beakers three-fourths full with the dye solu-
tion.
9.3.6 Raise the beakers with the jacks until the solution level
is at the 1-cm mark on the swatches. Start the timer.
9.3.7 After 6 min, remove the swatches from the bar and
measure the distance of migration. Because the migration line
is often uneven, three readings are taken across each swatch
and the readings are averaged. Record this value as mm/6 min.
9.3.8 Two swatches, containing no softener, are used for a
reference control against which the treated swatches are
compared.
9.4 Interpretation of Results—The greater the migration of
the dye solution up the fabric, the better the rewet (absorbency)
properties.
10. Evaluation of Fabrics for Whiteness Retention
10.1 Apparatus:
10.1.1 Same as fabric treatment.
10.1.2 Towel Swatches, 8 by 8 in. Cut 8 by 8-in. swatches
from one of the stripped hand towels. Four to ten swatches will
be needed for this whiteness retention test.
10.1.3 Light Source, to approximate northern daylight.
10.2 Conditioning—Same as fabric treatment procedure.
10.3 Procedure:
10.3.1 Using indelible ink, mark the terry hand towels I, II,
III, and IV.
10.3.2 At one of the borders of each swatch, mark the 8 by
8-in. towel swatches I, II, III, and IV.
10.3.3 Staple swatch I to towel I, swatch II to towel II, etc.
10.3.4 Follow fabric treatment procedure in accordance
with 4.3.1 to 4.3.9, excluding 4.3.3.
10.3.5 Remove swatch I from towel I and retain in a clean,
polyethylene bag, or other suitable container, for the scoring
evaluation.
10.3.6 Staple a fresh 8 by 8-in. swatch marked Ia to towel I.
10.3.7 Repeat 4.3.2 to 4.3.9 of the fabric treatment method
using the same towel and sheet bundle.
10.3.8 Remove swatch II from towel II and retain in a clean,
polyethylene bag, or other suitable container, for the scoring
evaluation. (Steps 10.3.5 through 10.3.7 should be repeated
removing swatch III and replacing it with a swatch marked IIIa
and, likewise, for swatch IB. At this point swatches are on hand
which have been washed and softened one, two, three, and four
times and the scoring should be done at this point.)
10.4 Interpretation of Results (Visual Method):
10.4.1 Fold the borders of each swatch and fasten with
paper clips so that the identification number of the swatch is
not visible to the scorer.
 D 5237 – 05
10.4.2 Fold the border of a stripped 8 by 8-in. swatch which
has not been treated with softener but has been washed with
detergent and fasten with paper clips so that it looks identical
to the marker swatches.
10.4.3 Place the five swatches on a black background under
fluorescent light. The swatches should be placed randomly on
the black background and not in the order in which they were
washed and softened.
10.4.4 Four to eight panelists should be selected for the test.
Each panelist, individually, should be asked to rank the
swatches according to whiteness. The panelist should be asked
to score the swatches one through five with the whitest being
given a score of five, the next to the whitest a score of four, etc.
Record the scores given by each panelist.
10.4.5 Evaluate data to determine if there is a break or
number of washings and softening at which discoloration
begins to occur and if whiteness decreases with subsequent
washing and softening.
10.4.6 Retain the test swatches in a clean, polyethylene bag
for future reference, if comparisons are to be made with other
softeners.
10.5 Interpretation of Results (Instrumental):
10.5.1 Apparatus:
10.5.1.1 Reflectometer or Colorimeter, with UV filters.
10.5.2 Procedure:
10.5.2.1 Treated swatches are read for reflectance using a
reflectometer or colorimeter. (Standardize equipment as de-
scribed by the manufacturer.) Three readings should be taken
using a different location for each reading. Record readings
from the Hunter L, a, b Opponent-Colors scale or the CIE
Tristimulus X, Y, Z scale. (See Note 1.) Record initial
whiteness.
NOTE 1—The relationship between Hunter L, a, b values and the CIE X,
Y, Z values is as follows:
L = 10=Y Y = 0.01L2
a = 17.5[~X/0.98041!2Y]
=Y
X=
F
0.98041 0.01L2 1 S DG
aL
175
b = 7.0[Y2~Z/1.18103!#
=Y
Z=
F
1.18103 0.01L2 1 S DG
bL
70
10.5.3 Rating:
10.5.3.1 Calculate whiteness by either of the following
equations, where appropriate to the instrument used:
(1) W = L + 3a − 3b (Stensby) (only if appropriate UV
source is included)
(2) W = L − 3b (Hunter) (to be used when no UV source is
included) or the Whiteness Index in accordance with Test
Method E 313 and AATCC Test Method 110.
11.1.2 Fabric Bundle, high static, weighing approximately
2.5 kg (5.5 lb) consisting of the garments or equivalent in yard
goods shown in Table 1.
11.1.3 AATCC standard detergent No. 123; or other, as
desired.
11.1.4 Hygrometer.
11.1.5 Thermometer.
11.1.6 Softener Dispersion—The amount of the softener
dispersion to be used in each test is determined by the amount
of active softener desired to be deposited on the dry weight of
the fabric.
(1) Example—How many grams of a 7.5 % active softener
should be added to the final rinse so that 0.1 % of active
softener, based upon the dry weight of fabric, is available for a
2500-g cloth load?
(2) Calculation—2500 3 0.001/0.075 = 33.4 g of 7.5 %
active softener dispersion.
NOTE 2—Commercial fabric softeners can also be used. Follow manu-
facturer’s recommendations.
11.1.7 Instruments:
11.1.7.1 Simco Electrostatic Locator.5
11.1.7.2 Faraday cage; see description at end of method.
11.1.7.3 Voltmeter, 3000 V; see description at end of
method.
11.1.7.4 Wooden Rod or Clothes Rack; (for instrumental
method using Simco Electrostatic Locator).
11.1.7.5 Plastic Gloves; (for instrumental method using a
Faraday Cage).
11.2 Conditioning:
11.2.1 Washing Machine Water Level—Medium for 5 to
6-lb (2.3 to 2.7-kg) fabric bundle. Medium water level is
approximately 16 to 19 gal.
11.2.2 Water Hardness—Tap water or 150 ppm as CaCO3.
Record hardness.
11.2.3 Water Temperatures.
Hot Wash 50°C (;120°F)
Warm Wash/Warm Rinse
Cold Rinse
36°C (;100°F)
15°C (;60°F)
11.2.3.1 Temperatures actually used should be recorded.
11.2.4 Dryer Cycle—Normal fabrics setting.
11.3 Procedure:
5
The sole source of supply of the apparatus known to the committee at this time
is Simco Inc., 2257 North Penn Rd., Hatfield, PA 19440. If you are aware of
alternative suppliers, please provide this information to ASTM International
Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the
responsible technical committee 1, which you may attend.

WI 5 4[~ZCIE2/1.18103!#23Y
(1) TABLE 1 High-Static Fabric Bundle
Approximate Bundle,
10.5.3.2 The higher the numerical value, the whiter the Fabric Articles
Weight, g %
fabric. Nylon Tricot, 100 % slips, 3 whole and 2 half 250 10
10.5.3.3 A four unit difference in whiteness between two Polyester, 100 % 3 knit shirts, short sleeved 250 10
samples is needed for two samples to be distinguished visually. Acrylic, 100 % 2 knit shirts (virgin orlon) 300 12
Rayon, 100 % 1 shirt, long sleeved 100 4
Acetate, 100 % 1 slip 100 4
11. Measurement of Static Control Polyester/Cotton, 1 or 2 sheets, full size, cut into 700 28
65/35 blend quarters
11.1 Apparatus: Cotton Terry 6 towels 775 31
11.1.1 Same as fabric treatment.

4

11.3.1 Follow 4.3.1 to 4.3.9 in the Fabric Treatment Method
using the high-static bundle in place of the towel and sheet
bundle.
11.3.2 Place fabric bundle in the dryer, which has been
cleaned with a damp towel.
11.3.3 Dry bundle for 45 min.
11.3.4 Record the temperature and relative humidity within
the vicinity of the dryer. Variation in relative humidity will
influence the degree of observed static control. (Upper limit is
40 % relative humidity.)
11.4 Interpretation of Results (instrumental method using a
Simco Electrostatic Locator):
11.4.1 Set Simco Electrostatic Locator (static meter) near
dryer.
11.4.2 Ground and zero static meter in accordance with
instructions.
11.4.3 After drying time has elapsed, stop the machine,
remove a section of one of the following fabrics, close door
and resume tumbling. (Warning—Avoid discharge remaining
garments.)
11.4.4 Choose at least two garments or sections of 100 %
polyester fabric, two garments or sections of 100 % acrylic
fabric, and two garments or sections of 100 % nylon.
11.4.5 Hang the garment or section of fabric flat, over the
wooden rod or clothes rack.
11.4.6 Turn on static meter and approach fabric from about
1 ft away. Stop at exactly the desired distance from the
material.
11.4.7 Read the meter and record value.
11.4.8 Ground the static meter and repeat the procedure,
measuring the static for four different areas on the fabric.
11.4.9 Open the dryer and remove the next garment or
section of fabric. Close door and resume tumbling.
11.4.10 Calculation:
static reduction, % 5 ~a 2 b!/a 3 100
where:
a = average voltage of an untreated bundle; that is, no
fabric softener, and
b = average voltage of a treated bundle.
NOTE 3—The record of the relative humidity should be reported with
the percent static reduction.
D 5237 – 05
11.5 Interpretation of Results (instrumental method using a
Faraday Cage):
11.5.1 Check Faraday Cage to ensure that the inner cage
does not touch the outer cage.
11.5.2 Turn on voltmeter.
11.5.3 After drying time has elapsed, put on plastic gloves
and remove dried laundry from the dryer and place in Faraday
Cage.
NOTE 4—Avoid contact of the fabric with the body and the outer cage.
11.5.4 Press discharge button once to discharge the excess
voltage on the load. This will standardize each load since the
voltage in the dryer is unknown.
11.5.5 Take initial reading at the high end of the voltage
scale, 3000 V. If reading does not register on meter, reduce
voltage scale to 600 V and, if necessary, lower to 75-V scale.
11.5.6 Remove articles one at a time, making sure articles
do not cling together.
11.5.7 Take reading. Use the correct scale. If the value is
over 3000 V record as 3000 V. The needle indicator may go
past the initial reading and then settle back. Record the voltage
when settled. Take reading before needle starts drifting to 0.1.
Note and record, if articles cling.
11.5.8 Discharge by pressing the discharge button.
11.5.9 Return the scale to 3000-V scale.
11.5.10 Repeat 11.5.5-11.5.9 until all of the fabric has been
removed.
11.5.11 Record the temperature and relative humidity in the
vicinity of the dryer.
11.5.12 Calculation—Add all the readings for a total charge
of the load.
11.6 Interpretation of Results—(subjective anti-static evalu-
ation).
11.6.1 After drying time has elapsed, stop the machine and
pull sections of fabric from the dryer. As fabric is being
removed, the amounts of cling, crackle, and static are ob-
served.
(2)
11.6.2 Evaluations should be made by at least two trained
observers.
11.6.3 The following rating scale is used:
5 = no cling, crackle, or static
4 = very slight cling
3 = light cling, crackle, and static
2 = moderate cling, crackle, and static
1 = heavy cling, crackle and static

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