DURHAM, N.C. — March 5, 2026 — The AATCC Stain Release Replica is the essential tool to evaluates a fabric’s ability to release stains from corn oil (AATCC TM130) and household soils (AATCC TM215). We’re excited to announce advancements that make it more sustainably manufactured.
Oils and Soils: An everyday laundry problem
One of common challenges that everyday consumers and laundry professionals alike face is removal of oily stains. To evaluate this, testing labs have depended on AATCC Test Method 130: Test Method for Soil Release: Oily Stain Release for nearly 60 years. Now, a newer test method, AATCC TM215: Test Method for Soil Release: Household Soils, developed in 2023, also utilizes the AATCC Stain Release Replica. AATCC Research Committee RA56: Stain Resistance Test Methods, developed both of these essential test methods.
The AATCC Stain Release Replica is the essential tool to evaluates a fabric’s ability to:
- release an oily stain after home laundering, or
- release household soils during home laundering
Today we highlight the advancements of this essential evaluation tool.
Functions of the AATCC Stain Release Replica
The AATCC Stain Release Replica is a dependable tool to evaluate oil release and household soil release in textiles, using two AATCC Test Methods, AATCC TM130 and TM215.
The principle of AATCC Test Method 130: Test Method for Soil Release: Oily Stain Release, is that an oil stain is applied to fabric specimen, weight is applied to the stain, and the fabric is washed using standardized home laundering conditions. To make this repeatable, the standardized laundering conditions are followed including standardized laundry detergent, AATCC Standard Reference Powder Detergent.
Similar concepts are applied in AATCC TM 215, in which the testing operator applies household stains (including red wine, ketchup, mustard, coffee, grape juice) to fabric, Next, standard weight is applied to each stain, and the operator conducts a standard laundering procedure.
To evaluate the ability of the fabric to release the oil stain (AATCC TM130) or the household stain (AATCC TM214), the stain on the washed fabric is compared to the AATCC Stain Release Replica.
Improvements to the AATCC Stain Release Replica
Recent advancements for this product have allowed AATCC to reduce some of the adhesives and paper used in its manufacture. This benefits customers with a way of continuing this essential testing with less impact on the environment.
Features:
- The trusted 5 rating scale provides for clear assessment and grading
- Can be used in both AATCC TM130 and TM215
- Used alongside the AATCC Standard Reference Detergent, Glassine Paper, and 5 Lb Stainless Steel, and AATCC Blotting Paper
- An authentic AATCC Testing Product used for conducting AATCC Test Methods.
Benefits:
- Enables visual assessment with the human observer in a standard viewing environment.
- Labs: enhance your offerings, allowing for conducting of two popular test methods, AATCC TM130 and AATCC TM215.
- Companies: Evaluate the performance of your textile products, using stain standardized stain release test methods to aid in their acceptance testing of fabrics.
What’s New in the AATCC Stain Release Replica
- Improved Sustainability Manufacturing: Produced using a direct printing method, reducing paper and adhesive materials
- Same consistent rating system
Highlights:
The AATCC Stain Release Replica is the essential tool to evaluate how well a fabric releases an oily stain after home laundering.
It’s used in two global test methods:
- AATCC Test Method 130: Test Method for Soil Release: Oily Stain Release
- AATCC TM215: Test Method for Soil Release: Household Soils
AATCC Stain Release Replica now features an improved manufacturing processes, reducing paper, adhesives, and improving sustainability
To place an order visit: https://members.aatcc.org/store/stain/
Posted: March 7, 2026
Source: The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC)
