| Abstract: | A series of fabric swatches depicting various levels of soil removal were presented to consumers, with one-half of the subjects being given energy requirements to obtain each level of soil removal. A whiteness index of 50 was found to be the minimum acceptable level of soil removal. Information on resources required to obtain the various levels of soil removal did not change the minimum level of acceptance. Attitudes of consumers concerning ecological issues, obtained from a questionnaire, did not correlate with consumers' acceptance scores. There was some indication from the questionnaire data that consumers might be willing to make some trade-offs for monetary savings in place of maximum levels of soil removal. The level of acceptance of soil removal was most closely related to attitude toward cleanliness and neatness. |
