ASTM E2406

Standard Test Method for Evaluation of Laundry Sanitizers and Disinfectants for Use in High Efficiency Washing Operations

Summary

The ASTM E2406 method is used to evaluate the activity of a liquid sanitizing/disinfectant laundry product to inactivate microorganisms on fabrics, while simulating the operations of a high efficiency front-loading washing machine by placing microorganism-contaminated fabric swatches into several layers of clean fabrics which are wrapped around a stainless spindle.  The spindle with the fabrics is put in a mason jar, filled with the test product per an appropriate water to fabric ratio, and agitated using a tumbler apparatus.  This test method is designed predominantly for testing with vegetative bacteria but can also be adapted for fungi and viruses.

Typical Test Substances

• liquid sanitizing/disinfectant laundry products

Outline of Test Procedure

• Inoculate test organism onto pre-washed fabric swatches and allow to dry
• Place swatches into several layers of clean fabrics wrapped around a spindle
• Spindle with fabrics put into a mason jar
• Add test product; agitate using a tumbler
• Collect swatches; elute microorganisms into a neutralizer
• Plating and counting (quantitative assay)

Regulatory Agencies / Purpose

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
• Other Agencies
• R&D and Marketing

Similar Methods

• ASTM E2274 (simulating traditional top-loading washing operations) 
• ASTM E1052
• EN 1276
• EN 14476