The procedure in this test method is used to evaluate the effectiveness of a test reagent (antimicrobial agent/active ingredient) or formulation to reduce or completely kill bacterial populations on contaminated fabrics and in wash water following a single wash under simulated low wash volume conditions. (See Table 1.)

TABLE 1 Typical Use Patterns

1.1 This test method is designed to evaluate sanitizing/disinfectant laundry detergents/additives for use in high efficiency (HE) automatic clothes washing operations that typically utilize very low wash water volumes. This test method is designed to provide testing with representative vegetative bacteria but can also be designed to accommodate the testing of fungi and viruses.

Note 1—Standard test method Test Method E 2274 is the recommended method to evaluate sanitizing/disinfectant laundry detergent/additives for use in traditional high wash water volume automatic clothes washing operations.

1.2 Knowledge of microbiological techniques is required for these procedures.

1.3 In this method metric units are used for all applications, except for distance in which case inches are used.

1.4 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.