High TFM Soap in India: How Popular Brands Compare on Total Fatty Matter
A high TFM soap in India is one with 76% or more Total Fatty Matter, which makes it Grade 1 under IS 2888:2004. Among widely sold brands, commonly reported figures range from about 60% to about 80%, and several popular products are sold as bathing bars instead of toilet soaps. Formulations change, so the TFM printed on the wrapper you are holding is the figure to trust.
What are the official TFM grades?
The Department of Consumer Affairs leaflet on toilet soaps sets out three grades under IS 2888:2004:
| BIS grade (IS 2888:2004) | Minimum TFM |
|---|---|
| Grade 1 | 76% |
| Grade 2 | 70% |
| Grade 3 | 60% |
| Bathing bar (IS 13498) | Separate standard; often below 60% TFM or detergent-based |
If TFM is new to you, start with our explainer on what TFM in soap means.
How do popular Indian soaps compare on TFM?
The table below lists commonly reported TFM (check the current wrapper) for familiar brands. These are ranges seen in published lists and packaging photos, not lab results of ours, and they are shown here only to help you know what to look for.
| Soap | Commonly reported TFM (check the current wrapper) | Typical grade band |
|---|---|---|
| Daksha Herbal Plus (cold-process) | 85.96% (Daksha lab figure) | Grade 1 |
| Mysore Sandal Soap | about 78-80% | Grade 1 |
| Santoor | about 72-76% | Grade 2 to Grade 1 |
| Dettol Original | about 70-76% | Grade 2 to Grade 1 |
| Lux | about 70% | Grade 2 |
| Lifebuoy | about 60-65% | Grade 3 |
| Medimix (classic) | about 60-62% | Grade 3 |
| Pears | Commonly sold as a bathing/beauty bar | TFM-type rating not applicable in the same way |
| Dove | Commonly sold as a bathing/beauty bar | TFM-type rating not applicable in the same way |
Does a lower TFM mean a bad soap?
No. Each of these brands is made for a purpose and a price point, and many families have used them happily for years. A Grade 3 soap still meets the national standard for a toilet soap. Beauty bars like Pears and Dove are designed differently, often with synthetic cleansers and added moisturisers, which is why the TFM grading does not apply to them in the same way. The table is about knowing what you are buying, not about ranking brands.
What TFM does tell you is how much of the bar is true soap. A higher figure generally means fewer fillers, a denser bar that lasts longer in the soap dish, and more cleansing material per rupee.
Why does Daksha's Herbal Plus have a high TFM?
Our cold-process Herbal Plus soap has a TFM of 85.96%, well above the 76% minimum for Grade 1 under the Indian standard. Three things explain it:
- Oil-rich recipe: coconut oil is the main base, joined by sesame, hydnocarpus (marotti) and almond oils, so most of the bar starts life as plant oil.
- Cold-process method: oils and lye are combined at low temperature and the bar is left to rest for weeks while excess water evaporates. Nothing is bulked out with talc or starch. Our guide to cold-process vs machine-made soap explains the difference.
- Glycerin stays in: the glycerin formed naturally during saponification remains in the bar rather than being separated out.
You can read the full ingredient breakdown in Herbal Plus soap ingredients and benefits.
How should I compare soaps in a shop?
- Read the word on the pack: toilet soap or bathing bar.
- Find the TFM or grade and note it down.
- Check the weight. TFM multiplied by weight gives you roughly how many grams of actual soap you are paying for.
- Read the ingredient list for the base oils and any fragrance or colour you prefer to avoid.
- Patch test a new soap on your inner arm if your skin is sensitive, and see a dermatologist for any skin condition.
Key takeaways
- Grade 1 toilet soap needs 76% TFM or more; Grade 2 needs 70%; Grade 3 needs 60%.
- Commonly reported figures for big brands range from about 60% to about 80%.
- Pears and Dove are commonly sold as bathing/beauty bars, so compare them differently.
- Daksha Herbal Plus is a cold-process bar with 85.96% TFM.
- Always trust the current wrapper over any list, including this one.
If you would like to try a cold-process Grade 1 bar from Kerala, see the Herbal Plus Natural Skin Care Soap or message us on WhatsApp to order with cash on delivery.
Frequently asked questions
Which TFM is considered high for soap in India?
76% TFM or more is Grade 1 under IS 2888:2004, which is generally what people mean by a high TFM soap.
Are these brand TFM figures exact?
No. They are commonly reported values from published lists and packaging photos. Formulations change, so always check the TFM printed on the current wrapper.
Why do Pears and Dove not show a TFM grade?
They are commonly sold as bathing or beauty bars, which follow a different standard and often use synthetic cleansers, so the toilet-soap TFM grading does not apply in the same way.
What is the TFM of Daksha Herbal Plus soap?
Our cold-process Herbal Plus soap has a TFM of 85.96% (Daksha lab figure), above the 76% Grade 1 minimum.
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What customers say
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