Guidance on efficacy requirements for biocides: Soft-surface disinfection and sanitization

Porous surface disinfection claims

You can make soft-surface disinfectant claims against vegetative bacteria, viruses or fungi (except for laundry disinfection in washing machine, for which disinfection claims against fungi do not apply). Biocides captured by these include:

laundry additives
- pre-soak or pre-wash treatments
- biocides added during a wash or rinse cycle
biocides applied directly to soft surfaces (such as fabrics and textiles)

Pre-soak disinfection laundry additive

For application in a bucket: You can add a pre-soak disinfection claim if you used an appropriate immersion test method to test against bacteria, viruses or fungi on hard surfaces (for example, AOAC use-dilution methods AOAC 955.14, 955.16 or 964.02). Use the following:

efficacy data to support pre-soak disinfection claims against bacteria and fungi
hard-surface disinfection data against viruses using the ASTM E1053 method to support pre-soak disinfection claims against viruses

To use hard-surface testing to support pre-soak disinfection claims, you should:

modify the test method to include a minimum of 5% organic soil
conduct hard-surface disinfection testing at the concentration that will be used to pre-soak laundry
ensure that contact times are the same as expected for the pre-soak application
test for the same bacteria (as indicated for general (broad-spectrum) or hospital or health care disinfectants)

For application in a washing machine: Similar methods for a pre-wash application may be appropriate for a washing machine application. However, you may need to conduct additional or modified testing when the biocide is mixed with the laundry detergent during the pre-wash cycle. You should contact us to discuss testing requirements for pre-wash or pre-soak washing machine applications before testing the biocide.

The same batch replication, microbial count and performance standards as hard surface bacterial disinfection are required for a pre-soak disinfection laundry additive.

Table 16: Laundry pre-soak disinfectants
Claim	Physical form, method of application	Recommended test methods	Test organisms	Number of batches perorganism, replication, carrier surfaces per batch	Inoculum or carrier count	Performance criteria for efficacy
Core test requirements for laundry pre-soak disinfection
Limited disinfectant	Liquids Water-soluble powders	AOAC use-dilution method modified to include a minimum of 5% organic soil	Salmonella enterica (formerly Salmonella choleraesuis) (ATCC 10708) or Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538)	3 LCL batches 60 carriers per batch	As prescribed in current test methods Unless otherwise prescribed For AOAC use-dilution methods: For S. enterica: 1.0 x 10⁵ to 1.0 x 10⁶ CFU per carrier For S. aureus and P. aeruginosa, each batch to be tested on a different day: 1.0 x 10⁶ to 1.0 x 10⁷ CFU per carrier	As prescribed in current test methods, per batch per bacterium at proposed contact time Unless otherwise prescribed: For AOAC 955.14 testing against S. enterica: 59/60 carriers negative for growth ^{Footnote 1} For AOAC 955.15 testing against S. aureus: 57/60 carriers negative for growth per batch per bacterium For AOAC 964.02 testing against P. aeruginosa: 54/60 carriers negative for growth per batch per bacterium
General (broad-spectrum) disinfectant			Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) and Salmonella enterica (formerly Salmonella choleraesuis) (ATCC 10708) or Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 15442)
Hospital or health care disinfectant			Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 15442)
Efficacy requirements for other micro-organisms for laundry pre-soak disinfection
Additional bacteria	Liquids Water-soluble powders	AOAC use-dilution method modified to include a minimum of 5% organic soil	Additional bacteria to be claimed on the label	2 NCL batches 10 carriers per batch	1.0 x 10⁴ – 1.0 x 10⁵ CFU per carrier (mean test log₁₀ density of 4.0 to 5.0)	10/10 carriers negative for growth per batch at proposed contact time
Fungi	Liquids Water-soluble powders	AOAC use-dilution method modified for growth or recovery of fungi and to include a minimum of 5% organic soil	Trichophyton interdigitale (ATCC 9533)	2 LCL batches 10 carriers per batch	1.0 x 10⁴ – 1.0 x 10⁵ conidia per carrier (mean test log₁₀density of 4.0 to 5.0)	10/10 carriers negative for growth per batch at proposed contact time
Additional fungi	Liquids Water-soluble powders	AOAC use-dilution method modified for growth or recovery of fungi and to include a minimum of 5% organic soil	Additional fungi to be claimed on label	2 NCL batches 10 carriers per batch	1.0 x 10⁴ – 1.0 x 10⁵ conidia per carrier (mean test log₁₀ density of 4.0 to 5.0)	10/10 carriers negative for growth per batch at proposed contact time
Viruses	Liquids Water soluble powders	ASTM E1053 modified to include a minimum of 5% organic soil	Any viruses claimed on the label	2 LCL batches for hardest-to- kill viruses 2 batches at NCL or below for all other viruses 1 carrier per batch for standard viruses 2 carriers per batch for surrogate viruses (refer to surrogate efficacy section)	Recoverable endpoint viral titer after drying of 4.80 to 6.30 log₁₀ per carrier (10^4.8to 10^6.3 infective units per carrier)	If cytotoxicity is present, a minimum 3 log₁₀reduction in viral titer beyond cytotoxic level, taking into account level of neutralization
Automated pre-soak or pre-wash machine setting or cycle to disinfect (any micro-organism)	Similar methods may be appropriate for the automated pre-wash or pre-soak washing machine setting or cycle. However, additional or modified testing may be required. Contact us if you want to add pre-wash or pre-soak disinfection claims for use in washing machines for your biocide.
Confirmatory data requirements for laundry pre-soak disinfection
Limited disinfectant	Same as core bacterium requirements			2 LCL batches 10 carriers per batch	Same as core bacterium requirements	Unless otherwise prescribed: 10/10 carriers negative for growth per batch at proposed contact time
General (broad-spectrum) disinfectant	Same as core bacterium requirements			2 LCL batches 10 carriers per batch	Same as core bacterium requirements	Unless otherwise prescribed: 10/10 carriers negative for growth per batch at proposed contact time
Hospital or health care disinfectant	Same as core bacterium requirements			2 LCL batches 10 carriers per batch	Same as core bacterium requirements	Unless otherwise prescribed: 10/10 carriers negative for growth per batch at proposed contact time
Fungi	Refer to core micro-organism requirements			1 LCL batch, 10 carriers (for carrier test method)	Refer to core micro-organism requirements
Virucide	Refer to core micro-organism requirements			1 LCL batch, 1 carrier per batch for hardest-to-kill virus on the label	Refer to core micro-organism requirements
Abbreviation: CFU: colony-forming unit
Footnote 1 If tested on the same day, the performance standard 59/60 must be met. If batches are tested on different days, a performance standard 58/60 will also be considered, in line with US EPA's requirement described in SOP MB-05. Return to footnote 1 referrer

Laundry disinfection

For biocides intended for laundry disinfection in a washing machine during the wash or rinse cycle, you can use either:

a simulated-use study or
an actual in-use study using a washing machine

Study design

For biocides for use in the wash or rinse cycle with laundry disinfection claims against bacteria and viruses, you can use an actual in-use study using washing machines or a simulated-use study, such as:

ASTM E2274
ASTM E2406

For biocides for use in a washing machine, you should:

test with moderate amounts of organic soil
- modified to include a minimum of 5% organic soil
- testing with 5% soil is not required for biocides that are added in the last rinse cycle, as they do not come into contact with soiled clothes
confirm that the biocide is effective in the presence of detergent when both products are used simultaneously in the washing machine for laundry disinfection (additional or modified testing may be needed)
- efficacy of some biocides may be affected
confirm the contact time is achievable in washing machines
consider the type of machine being used when testing for efficacy
- differences in machine types (standard versus high efficiency, for example) may alter effectiveness
use a method designed to test both the fabric and laundry water, with the laundry water-to-media volume ratio not exceeding 1 to 40

The water-to-fabric ratio (wash volume to fabric weight) is about:

10 to 1 in standard washing machines
2.5 to 1 in high efficiency washing machines

The dilution of the biocide should be considered for different types of machines and load sizes.

The biocide should be tested according to its intended use, in accordance with the label. Therefore, you should take into account how the biocide will be diluted in different types of machines and with different load sizes.

You should conduct bacteriological assays in accordance with the test method used and report the results for the cloth swatches and laundry water against the following representative bacteria:

Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 4352) for general (broad-spectrum) disinfectants
Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 15442), aureus and K. pneumoniae for hospital or health care disinfectants

Additional testing can also be conducted for additional bacteria and viruses for biocides that have been shown to be effective for laundry disinfection against S. aureus and K. pneumonia.

Table 17: Laundry additives disinfectants in washing machine
Claim	Physical form, method of application	Recommended test methods	Test organisms	Number of batches per organism, replication or carrier surfaces per batch	Inoculum or carrier count	Performance criteria for efficacy
Core test requirements for laundry disinfection^{Footnote 1}
Bacteria	Liquids Water-soluble powders	ASTM E2274 or ASTM E2406: using inoculated fabric swatches Test in presence of 5% soil for in-wash biocides, where soil will be present Test in same conditions in which the biocide will be used, taking into account differences in washing machine types (standard versus high efficiency) Contact times should be achievable in washing machines Consider interactions with detergents and detergent residues when applicable or conduct in-use study using washing machines	General (broad-spectrum) disinfection: Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 4352) Hospital or health care disinfectant: Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 15442) and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 4352)	3 LCL batches (3 separately compounded batches per bacterium) 9 cotton swatches per batch per bacterium	Recover a minimum mean of 1.0 x 10⁴ CFU per carrier from the control for valid test (minimum 4 log₁₀ density) Minimum mean of 1.0 x 10⁴ CFU per mL should be recovered from wash water of the control	Record results after 48-hr incubation period No growth in subculture from the fabric carriers and no growth in subculture from the wash water for all test carriers within the contact time claimed on the label
Efficacy requirements for additional micro-organisms for laundry disinfection^{Footnote 1} ^{Footnote 2}
Additional bacteria	Liquids Water-soluble powders	ASTM E2274 or ASTM E2406: using inoculated fabric swatches Test in presence of 5% soil for in-wash biocides, where soil will be present Test in same conditions in which the biocide will be used, taking into account differences in washing machine types Contact times should be achievable in washing machines	Any additional bacteria to be claimed on the label	2 batches at NCL or below (for 2 separately compounded batches per bacterium) 9 cotton swatches per batch per bacterium	Minimum mean of 1.0 x 10⁴ CFU per carrier from control for valid test Minimum mean of 1.0 x 10⁴ CFU per mL from wash water of the control for valid test	No growth in subculture from fabric carriers or wash water for all test carriers
Viruses	Liquids Water-soluble powders	Modified^{Footnote 3} ASTM E2274 or ASTM E2406, using inoculated fabric swatches Test in presence of 5% soil for in-wash biocides Test in same conditions in which the biocide will be used, taking into account differences in washing machine types Contact times should be achievable in washing machines	Specific viruses claimed on the label	2 LCL batches, against hardest-to-kill virus 2 NCL batches for all other viruses (2 separately compounded batches per virus) 3 cotton swatches per batch per virus	Minimum 4.8 log₁₀ per carrier and minimum 4.8 log₁₀ per carrier in wash water of parallel untreated control Test fabric and wash water	Record results after 48-hr incubation period Minimum 3 log₁₀ reduction on each carrier and in corresponding wash water beyond the cytotoxic level
Confirmatory data requirements for laundry disinfection^{Footnote 1} ^{Footnote 2}
Bacteria	Same requirements as for laundry disinfection of core bacteria Testing of additional bacteria not required			2 LCL batches 9 cotton swatches per batch	Same requirements as for laundry disinfection of core bacteria
Viruses	Same requirements as for laundry disinfection of viruses Testing only required for hardest-to-kill virus			2 LCL batches 3 cotton swatches per batch	Same requirements as for laundry disinfection of viruses
Abbreviation: CFU: colony-forming units
Footnote 1 Water-to-fabric ratio should correspond to the type of machine. Return to footnote 1 referrer Footnote 2 Test method for laundry disinfectants only requires testing on cotton swatches. However, the test supports claims on cotton and other fabric types. Return to footnote 2 referrer Footnote 3 Virus disinfection claims will be considered for biocides that are effective against S. aureus and K. pneumoniae. The ASTM E2274 or ASTM E2406 method should be modified for viruses to account for differences in testing principles for bacteria and viruses, such as inoculation, virus propagation conditions, use of cell lines and cytotoxicity. Contact us if you want to add claims against viruses. Return to footnote 3 referrer

Fabrics and textile disinfection

Data requirements to support soft-surface disinfectant claims on fabrics and textiles will depend on the surface and the targeted micro-organisms. The described testing against bacteria, viruses and fungi supports non-residual claims on textiles and fabrics that are sprayed, such as upholstery. The claim is not intended for items that can be easily laundered, for hard porous surfaces such as untreated wood or concrete, or for carpets. Biocides for use in domestic or industrial and institutional settings require testing against both:

Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538)
Klebsiella aerogenes (ATCC 13048) (previously known as Enterobacter aerogenes)

You should modify the method to include a minimum of 5% organic soil. For general claims on soft surfaces, testing should be conducted on cotton and 1 synthetic fabric, such as polyester or rayon.

Table 18: Textile surface disinfectants
Claim	Physical form, method of application	Recommended test methods	Test organisms	Number of batches per organism, carriers per batch	Inoculum or carrier count	Performance criteria for efficacy
Core test requirements for textile surface disinfection^{Footnote 1}
Bacteria	Liquids Water-soluble powders Sprays	AOAC 961.02 modified for soft surfaces For tests: minimum of 5% organic soil 2 representative soft, porous surfaces as test carriers (cotton and either polyester or acrylic fabric)	Limited disinfectant: Salmonella enterica (ATCC 10708) or Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) General (broad-spectrum) disinfectant: Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) and Salmonella enterica (ATCC 10708) or Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 15442 Hospital or health care disinfectant: Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 15442) and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538)	3 LCL batches 60 carriers per batch	As prescribed in current test methods: For S. enterica: 1.0 x 10⁴ to 3.2 x 10⁵ CFU per carrier For S. aureus and P. aeruginosa: each batch tested on a different day: 1.0 x 10⁵ to 3.2 x 10⁶ CFU per carrier	For AOAC 961.02 testing against S. enterica, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa: 59/60 carriers negative for growth
Efficacy test requirements for additional micro-organisms for textile disinfection
Bacteria	Liquids Water-soluble powders Sprays	Same requirements as for core bacteria	Additional bacteria to be claimed on the label	2 NCL batches, 10 carriers per batch	Same requirements as for core bacteria	Testing should demonstrate 10/10 carriers negative for growth
Viruses	Liquids Water-soluble powders Sprays	ASTM E1053 modified for soft surfaces For tests: minimum of 5% organic soil 2 representative soft, porous surfaces as test carriers (cotton and either polyester or acrylic fabric)	Any virus to be claimed on the label	2 LCL batches for hardest-to-kill virus 2 NCL batches for all other viruses 1 carrier per batch	Minimum recoverable endpoint viral titer after drying between 10^4.80 (6.3 x 10⁴) and 10^6.3 (1.9 x 10⁶) per carrier	Minimum 3 log¹⁰ reduction in viral titer beyond the cytotoxic level for all test carriers
Fungi	Liquids Water-soluble powders Sprays	AOAC 961.02 modified for soft surfaces For tests: minimum of 5% organic soil 2 representative soft, porous surfaces as test carriers (cotton and either polyester or acrylic fabric)	Any fungus to be claimed on the label Testing for T. interdigitale (ATCC 9533) required to make additional fungi claims	2 LCL batches for T. interdigitate 2 NCL batches for all other fungi 10 carriers per batch	Inoculum requirement is between 1 x 10⁴ to 1 x 10⁵ conidia per carrier	Test should demonstrate 10/10 carriers negative for growth per batch at prescribed contact time
Confirmatory test requirements for textile disinfectants
Bacteria	Same requirements as for core bacteria Testing not required for additional bacteria			2 LCL batches 10 carriers per batch	Same requirements as for core bacteria
Viruses	Same requirements as for all viruses Testing only required for hardest-to-kill virus			1 LCL batch 1 carrier per batch	Same requirements as for all viruses
Fungi	Same requirements as for all fungi Testing only required against T. interdigitale			1 LCL batch 10 carriers per batch	Same requirements as for all fungi
Abbreviation: CFU: colony-forming units
Footnote 1 You can also refer to the most recent version of the US EPA Guidance for Products Including or Adding Disinfectant Efficacy Claims for Use on Soft Surface Textiles in Non-Residential Settings for guidance on test methods to support disinfectant efficacy claims for products intended for use on soft surface textiles in clinical and institutional (non-residential) settings. Return to footnote 1 referrer

Porous surface sanitization claims

You can make soft-surface sanitization claims against vegetative bacteria. Biocides captured by these include:

Laundry additives
- pre-soak treatments
- biocides added during a wash or rinse cycle
  - non-residual laundry sanitization
  - residual laundry sanitization
biocides applied directly to soft surfaces (such as fabrics, textiles and carpets)

Pre-soak sanitization laundry additive

If you used an appropriate immersion test method (for example, ASTM E1153), you may use efficacy data from a hard, non-porous 1-step sanitizer to support laundry pre-soak sanitizer claims.

The test method should be modified to include a:

minimum of 5% organic soil
test carrier using unglazed ceramic tile

These data may be extrapolated for the sanitization of soiled fabrics by total immersion in the use solution before routine laundry operations. Therefore, testing against the same bacteria specified in the section on the requirements for non-food contact hard non-porous surface sanitizer claims is required.

Batch replication, microbial counts and performance standards

We require the same as what is required for non-food contact hard non-porous surface sanitizer claims. The test carriers used should be unglazed ceramic tiles.

Laundry sanitization

For biocides intended for non-residual and residual laundry sanitization in a washing machine during the wash or rinse cycle, you can use either:

a simulated-use study or
an actual in-use study using a washing machine

Study design

For biocides for use in the wash or rinse cycle, with non-residual laundry sanitization claims against bacteria, you may use an actual in-use study using washing machines or a simulated-use study, such as:

For biocides for use in a washing machine, you should:

test with moderate amounts of organic soil
- modified to include a minimum of 5% organic soil
- testing with 5% soil is not required for biocides that are added in the last rinse cycle, as they do not come into contact with soiled clothes
confirm that the biocide is effective in the presence of detergents when both products are used simultaneously in the washing machine for laundry sanitization (additional or modified testing may be needed)
- efficacy of some biocides may be affected by the presence of detergent
confirm that the contact time required for sanitization is achievable in washing machines
consider the type of machine being used when conducting efficacy tests
- differences in machine types (standard versus high efficiency, for example) may alter effectiveness
use a method that tests for both fabric and laundry water, with the laundry water-to-media volume ratio not exceeding 1 to 40

The water-to-fabric ratio (wash volume to fabric weight) is about:

10 to 1 in standard machines
2.5 to 1 in high-efficiency machines

The biocide should be tested according to how it will be used per the label. Therefore, you should consider how the biocide will be diluted in different types of machines and with different load sizes.

You should conduct bacteriological assays in accordance with the test method used and report the results for the cloth swatches and laundry water. You should test against both of the following core bacteria:

Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) and
Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 4352)

Testing to support non-residual laundry sanitization claims against additional bacteria and viruses, as well as testing to support residual laundry sanitization against bacteria can be conducted for biocides that have shown they are effective as a non-residual laundry sanitizer against S. aureus and K. pneumonia. See Table 19 below for requirements for residual laundry sanitization against bacteria.

Table 19: Laundry sanitizers
Claim	Product form, method of application	Recommended test methods	Test organisms	Number of batches per organism, carriers per batch	Inoculum or carrier count	Performance criteria for efficacy
Core test requirements for laundry sanitization
Non-residual sanitizer pre-soak laundry additive	Liquids Water-soluble powders	Modified ASTM E1153: minimum of 5% organic soil Unglazed ceramic tile should be used for the test carrier	Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 4352) or Enterobacter aerogenes (also known as Klebsiella aerogenes) (ATCC 13048)	3 LCL batches 5 carriers per batch	Average of at least 7.5 x 10⁵ (5.88 log) bacteria should survive the inoculated control squares with an upper limit of 2.0 x 10⁶ (6.3 log)	As prescribed in current test method and at proposed contact time Unless otherwise prescribed: Minimum reduction of 99.9% (3 log₁₀ minimum) for each bacterium
Non-residual laundry sanitization^{Footnote 1}	Liquids Water-soluble powders	Modified ASTM E2274 or ASTM E2406: using inoculated fabric swatches Testing in the presence of 5% soil for in-wash biocides, where soil will be present Testing in same conditions in which the biocide will be used, taking into account differences in types of washing machines (standard versus high efficiency) Contact times should be achievable in laundry machines Interactions with detergents and detergent residues should be considered when applicable In-use study using washing machines may be conducted instead	Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 4352)	3 LCL batches (3 separately compounded batches per bacterium) 3 inoculated fabric swatches per batch per bacterium Include testing of both the fabric and laundry water (5 mL from automatic washer or 0.5 mL from simulated washing machine), with laundry water-to-media volume ratio not exceeding 1:40 Quantitative bacteriological assays should be conducted and plate counts reported for the cloth swatches and laundry water	Minimum mean of 1 x 10⁴ CFU per carrier (minimum 4 log₁₀ density) Minimum mean of 1 x 10⁴ CFU per mL in wash water control	Minimum reduction of 99.9% (3 log₁₀ minimum) for each bacterium over control count for both laundry water and fabric
Residual laundry sanitization	Liquids Water-soluble powders	American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) TM100 or ASTM E2149 Standard Test Method for Determining the Antimicrobial Activity of Antimicrobial Agents Under Dynamic Contact Conditions Testing should be done in 5% soil if it will be present in real-life conditions Fabric treatment as per label directions, taking into account how the biocide will be used and contact times	Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 4352) Other suitable species can also be used in addition to S. aureus and K. pneumonia, depending on intended end-use of test sample	3 LCL batches assayed at 0 min, 30 min, 1 hr, 2 hr, 3 hr, 6 hr and 24 hr Total of 1 g fabric samples per lot should be used for AATCC Fabric types should be selected as per label claims Recommended to test both natural fabric (cotton) and synthetic fabric (rayon or polyester) For AATCC TM100: Number of carriers for each fabric type assayed to be determined according to method For ASTM E2149: 3 fabric carriers for each fabric type per lot, each flask containing a carrier plated in triplicate	For AATCC TM100, 1.0 x 10⁵ to 3.0 x 10⁵ CFU per carrier For ASTM E2149, as described in the test method: 50 mL solution containing 1.5 to 3.0 x 10⁵ CFU/mL	Minimum reduction of 99.9% (3 log₁₀ reduction) in bacteria over the control count at assayed intervals
Efficacy requirements for additional bacteria for laundry sanitization
Non-residual sanitizer pre-soak laundry additive	Same requirements as for core bacteria required		Any additional bacteria to be claimed on label	2 NCL batches (2 separately compounded batches per bacterium) 5 carriers per batch	Same requirements as for core bacteria
Non-residual laundry sanitization				2 NCL batches 3 inoculated fabric swatches per batch per bacterium
Residual laundry sanitization				2 NCL batches Number of carriers in line with method requirements
Confirmatory efficacy data requirements for non-residual laundry sanitization
Non-residual sanitizer pre-soak laundry additive	Same requirements as for core bacteria Testing of additional bacteria not required			2 LCL batches 5 carriers per batch	Same requirements as for core bacteria
Non-residual laundry sanitization				2 LCL batches 3 inoculated fabric swatches per batch per bacterium
Residual laundry sanitization				2 LCL batches Number of carriers in line with method requirements
Abbreviation: CFU: colony-forming units
Footnote 1 While the test method for laundry sanitizers only requires testing on cotton swatches, the test supports claims on cotton and other fabric types. Return to footnote 1 referrer

Fabrics, textiles and carpets sanitization

Data requirements to support soft-surface sanitization claims on fabrics, textiles and carpets will depend on the surface and the targeted micro-organisms.

The described testing against bacteria supports non-residual claims on textiles, fabrics and carpets that are sprayed, such as upholstery. The claim is not intended for items that can be easily laundered or for hard porous surfaces such as untreated wood or concrete.

Biocides for use in domestic or industrial and institutional settings require testing against both:

Staphylococcus aureus(ATCC 6538)
Klebsiella aerogenes(ATCC 13048) (previously known asEnterobacter aerogenes)

You should modify the method to include a minimum of 5% organic soil. Testing should be conducted on cotton and 1 synthetic fabric, such as polyester or rayon.

Table 20: Soft-surface sanitizers
Claim	Product form, method of application	Recommended test methods	Test organisms	Number of batches per organism, carriers per batch	Inoculum or carrier count	Performance criteria for efficacy
Core test requirements for soft-surface sanitization
Non-residual surface sanitization of fabrics and textiles	Liquids Water-soluble powders Sprays	Modified ASTM E1153 using 2 representative soft, porous surfaces as test carriers (cotton and either polyester or rayon) and include minimum of 5% organic soil	Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 4352) or Klebsiella aerogenes (ATCC 13048)	3 LCL batches (3 separately compounded batches per bacterium) 5 inoculated fabric swatches per batch per bacterium 2 different fabric types tested (will depend on the label claim)	Average of at least 7.5 x 10⁵ (5.88 log) bacteria should survive the inoculate control squares with an upper limit of 2.0 x 10⁶ (6.3 log)	Minimum reduction of 99.9% (3 log₁₀ minimum) for each bacterium over parallel control count
Surface sanitization of carpets	Liquids Water-soluble powders Sprays Towelettes	Testing conducted using 2 different representative carpet types with 5% soil load^{Footnote 1}	Domestic or industrial and institutional: Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) and Klebsiella aerogenes (ATCC 13048) Hospital or health care: Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538) and Klebsiella aerogenes (ATCC 13048) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 15442)	3 biocide samples representing 3 separately compounded batches per bacterium at LCL 5 inoculated carpet samples per batch per bacterium and per carpet type Controls showing that bacteriostatic agents in the carpet pile or backing do not interfere with test results	Inoculum count range in line with test method	Minimum reduction of 99.9% (3 log₁₀ minimum) for each bacterium over scrubbed control count for each type of carpet
Additional bacteria test requirements for soft-surface sanitization
Non-residual surface sanitization of fabrics and textiles	Same requirements as for core bacteria		Additional bacteria to be claimed on label	2 NCL batches 5 inoculated fabric swatches per batch per bacterium	Same requirements as for core bacteria
Surface sanitization of carpets	Same requirements as for core bacteria		Additional bacteria to be claimed on label	2 NCL batches (2 separately compounded batches per bacterium) 5 inoculated carpet samples per batch per bacterium and per carpet type	Same requirements as for core bacteria
Confirmatory efficacy data requirements for soft-surface sanitization
Non-residual surface sanitization of fabrics and textiles	Same requirements as for core bacteria Testing of additional bacteria not required			2 LCL batches 5 inoculated fabric swatches per batch per bacterium	Same requirements as for core bacteria
Surface sanitization of carpets				2 LCL batches 5 inoculated carpet samples per batch per bacterium and per carpet type	Same requirements as for core bacteria
Abbreviation: CFU: colony-forming units
Footnote 1 Two different types of representative carpet materials (20.32 x 30.48 cm or 8 x 12 in) should be tested as per standardized test method (for example, nylon, olefin, polyester). If the biocide will be used on a wool carpet, an additional representative sample of wool carpet should be tested as well. Controls should show that bacteriostatic agents in the carpet pile or backing do not interfere with test results. Return to footnote 1 referrer

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Date modified:: 2025-05-30

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