Differentiating Manual Dish Detergent Performance Using the New ASTM D8549 Method

The absence of a standardized method for manual dishwashing performance has led to variation in testing protocols among formulators and suppliers. The newly introduced ASTM method, “Guide for Testing Cleaning Performance of Hand Dishwashing Detergents,” addresses this gap by providing a performance standard that is easily implementable in most laboratories. This method offers substantial value in detergent formulation testing by effectively differentiating formulations across a range of soils, including lipid-based soils and other consumer-relevant soils such as starch and protein. As consumers increasingly favor milder, more eco-friendly products without sacrificing performance, this method ensures a standardized approach to distinguishing formulations, yielding reproducible results across formulators, suppliers, and third-party testing laboratories. Furthermore, it highlights the benefit of reduced scrubbing effort after brief contact time with soiled substrates, without the use of hot water.

This presentation will show that detergents made with milder ingredients, including enzymes, can outperform stronger formulations when tested using the ASTM D8549 protocol. The inclusion of enzymes not only enhances cleaning efficacy but also allows for the creation of products that are gentler on hands and more environmentally friendly. Importantly, this improvement in formulation does not result in increased production costs, making it a viable option for manufacturers aiming to meet consumer demands for both performance and sustainability.