Soil Release:

Oily Stain Release Method

AATCC Test Method 130 – 2018t

 Purpose and Scope
• Measures the ability of fabrics to release
oily stains during home laundering
• Test used by fabric finishers to
evaluate the likely performance
of soil release finishes in actual
use
 Principle
• Stain is applied to a test specimen
• Stained substance is forced into fabric by a
weight
• Stained fabric is laundered
• Stain is rated on a scale
from 5 to 1
 Terminology
• Soil – dirt, oil or other substance not normally
intended to be present on a substrate such as a
textile material
• Soil release – the degree to which a soiled
substrate approaches its original, unsoiled
appearance as a result of a care procedure
• Stain – a local deposit of soil or discoloration on
a substrate that exhibits some degree of
resistance to removal, as by laundering or
drycleaning
 Apparatus and Materials
• AATCC White Textile
Blotting Paper
• Corn oil
• Glassine paper
• Timer
• Weight, cylinder, 5.0 ± 0.1 lb. (2.268 ± 0.045
kg); stainless steel is preferable
• Amber bottle with medicine dropper
 Apparatus and Materials (cont’d)
• Washer, automatic
• Dryer, automatic
• Granular commercial detergent or
1993 AATCC Standard Reference Detergent or
2003 AATCC Standard Reference Liquid
Detergent WOB
• Ballast, 36 x 36 in. (92 x 92 cm)
• Lighting and evaluation area
 Apparatus and Materials (cont’d)
• Table with non-glare black top 24 x 36 in.
(61 x 92 cm); 35 ± 1 in. (89 ± 3 cm) high
• Stain Release Replica or 3M Stain Release
Rating Scale
• Thermometer
• Balance or scale
 Test Specimens
• Two test specimens 15 x 15 in.
(38 x 38 cm) for each fabric

• Condition test specimens for a

minimum of 4 hours at 70 ± 2°F
(21 ± 1°C ) and 65 ± 2% RH prior
to the application of stains
 Staining Procedure
• Place unstained specimen on AATCC
White Textile Blotting Paper
• Use medicine dropper, place 5
drops of corn oil in center of test
specimen
• Place a 3 x 3 in. (7.6 x 7.6 cm)
of glassine paper over stained area
 Staining Procedure (cont’d.)
• Place weight on glassine paper over the
stained area
• Let weight sit for 60 ± 5 seconds
• Do not allow stained test specimens to
contact each other
• Wash within 20 ± 5 minutes after staining
 Washing Temperature Selection

WASHING PROCEDURE
TEMPERATURE

• II - Cold • 80 ± 5°F (27 ± 3°C)

• III - Warm • 105 ± 5°F (41 ± 3°C)
• IV - Hot • 120 ± 5°F (49 ± 3°C)
• V - Very hot • 140 ± 5°F (60 ± 3°C)
 Washing Procedure

• Fill washer with 18 ± 1 gal. of water;

check temperature with thermometer
• Add 100 ± 1 g of detergent; start water agitating,
place ballast and then test specimens in the washer;
the maximum number of test specimens per washer
load shall be 30 with one stain per specimen
• Set for Normal 12 minute wash cycle and allow washer
to run to completion
• After final spin cycle place the entire load in dryer
 Drying Procedure

• Dry at Normal (cotton sturdy) setting for

45 minutes or until dry
• Remove specimens from dryer and lay flat
to prevent formation of wrinkles
• Rate residual stains within 4 hours after
drying
 Evaluation
• Mount stain release replica
on mounting board; center
of replica 45 ± 1 in. (114 ± 3 cm)
from the floor
• Place test specimen flat with
face up in the center of the
table; one edge of the table
touching the mounting board
• Table height should be 35 ± 1 in. (89 ± 3cm)
 Evaluation (cont’d)
• Rater stands in front of
specimen; viewing distance
of 30 ± 1 in. (76 ± 3 cm)
from back mounting board
• Each rater should independently rate the
residual stain on the test specimen with the
stains on the replica to the nearest 0.5 grade
• Grade 5 is the best stain removal and Grade 1
the poorest
 Report
• Calculate the average of 4 grades
for each fabric (nearest 0.1)
• Report scale used; Stain Release
Replica or 3M Stain Release Rating Scale
• Report the washing procedure
• Report stains other than corn oil; identify
stain and report stain grade for each stain
 Report (cont’d.)
• Report water hardness (ppm)
• Report the type ballast material used
• Report the detergent used and the
phosphorus content
• Report the manufacturer and model
number of the washer and dryer
Factors Influencing Soil Release
• Type of soil
• Amount of soil
• Size and shape of fabric
sample
• Temperature of wash
• Type and amount of detergent
• Mechanical energy of wash
 Notes
• Fresh ballast should be used
if oily buildup has occurred
• Ballast should be replaced when it becomes
worn or frayed
• The stain release replica should be stored in
the dark to prevent fading and replaced every
12 months