Electron beam microanalysis provides information about soiling and soil removal by defining the distribution of residual soils on fibers. Elemental analysis of x-ray emissions from natural soils, such as clay and unsaturated oily soils that have been tagged with osmium tetroxide, yields valuable data on deposition, penetration, retention, and removal. Residual oily soil on cotton fabrics and polyester fabric surfaces was observed relative to the effectiveness of commercial laundry detergents. -- AATA