Reference detergent used for laundry tests

Compiled by Juli Case

We’re going to be conducting some laundry tests to see how well our product holds up to home washing. What detergent should we use?

You’re probably not going to want to buy a detergent from the grocery store, especially since most tests are intended to be both consistent and replicable. According to a monograph written by one of the primary test-writing organizations in the United States, the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC), the composition of detergents is not consistent in various parts of the United States. If your product is going to be sold nationally, you would do best to use a reference detergent, one that is designed specifically for testing purposes. Reference detergent is available from AATCC.

SOURCE AATCC

Juli Case is IFAI’s information and technical services manager.