A detergency test based on rapid aging of unremoved sebum

Abstract

Abstract A laboratory test has been developed for screening detergent compositions with respect to the removal of sebum soil in the absence of particulate soil. The fabrics are uniformly soiled with an aqueous emulsion of synthetic sebum and are then laundered under controlled conditions in a Tergo‐Tometer. The unremoved soil is rapidly aged, and the resulting yellowness is measured instrumentally. This test can be run in a minimum amount of time and with a minimum amount of equipment. It enables one to check many variables (such as sequentering capacity, temperature effects, brightener build‐up under soiled conditions, etc.) on various fabrics, with or without special treatments. The results are in terms of yellowness, which is recognized by the housewife, and are not a measurement of total soil removal. These values, when combined with grayness values derived from the sebum airborne test, are good prognosticators of practical performance.