This guide suggests methodology for cleaning tests. This methodology can only be applied to assess product performance on typical bathroom soils and is not inclusive of all potential soils present on ceramic tiles or other bathroom surfaces. An assessment of cleaning performance on surfaces other than ceramic tile cannot be presumed since there is no confirmed basis for correlation for this soil on other surface or substrate types.

The results of tests based on this guide are regarded as diagnostic screening values useful in formulation studies, quality control, and ingredient raw material qualification. The results of this guide should be compared to control treatments, which are incorporated into each performance evaluation. These results should be considered to be relative to all other treatments in the study and are not absolute values. For interlaboratory comparisons, exact treatment conditions must be established and then results should be compared as relative ranking to the control treatments rather than as absolute values.

This guide is applicable to testing all types of multi-purpose household and bathroom cleaners, whether the detergent is prepared by dissolving a soluble powder, a dilutable liquid, or is a non-dilutable product. It may also be useful for evaluation of products or conditions normally associated with industrial or institutional cleaners.

1.1 This guide covers the evaluation of the cleaning performance of products intended for use on ceramic tiles. This guide provides techniques for soiling, cleaning, and evaluating performance of detergent systems under controlled, but practical, hard-surface cleaning conditions.

Note 1—The soils described in this guide are known in the industry as “soap scum.”

1.2 Such systems include any detergent, cleaner, or abrasive cleanser intended for cleaning hard surfaces composed of ceramic tile. This guide is not appropriate for evaluating performance on grout. This guide also excludes other surfaces such as glass, resilient flooring, synthetic countertop surfaces or washable wall surfaces. The products for which this guide is intended include solutions of soluble powdered detergent, dilutions of concentrated liquid detergent, or products intended to be used full strength, for example, foams, sprays, liquid, wipes, powders, or paste.

1.3 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 appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Material Safety Data Sheets are available for reagents. Review them for hazards prior to usage.