AU3393797A

AU3393797A - Aerosol carpet cleaner

Info

Publication number: AU3393797A
Application number: AU33937/97A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Maria Ochomogo
Original assignee: Clorox Co
Current assignee: Clorox Co
Priority date: 1996-07-29
Filing date: 1997-06-18
Publication date: 1998-02-20
Also published as: ZA976647B; AR009000A1; CA2260921A1; WO1998004666A1

Description

AEROSOL CARPET CLEANER

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to carpet cleaners and particularly to a dispensable composition that forms a partially stable foam on the surface of soiled carpets which readily collapses to deliver the cleaning formulation into the carpet and in contact with the stains and dirt.

Background of the Invention Aerosol foam forming carpet cleaners are popular for household use. The cleaning compositions are readily dispensed from cans and after the foam collapses some of the solvents in the composition interacts with the dirt in the carpet which is later removed by vacuum. Despite their purported convenience however, aerosol carpet cleaners suffer from a number of disadvantages.

To begin with, the foam on the surface of the carpet tends to retain its structure for long periods which may be an hour or longer. Furthermore, by the time the foam actually collapses, the break-up leaves behind a relatively dry residue on the carpet surface so that little, if any, of the active cleaning components actually penetrate into the carpet and interact with the stain and dirt. Thus a wet mop, sponge, or other means must be used to break the foam and/or to dissolve the dry residue. As a corollary, the cleaning performance of conventional aerosol carpet cleaners is less than satisfactory unless vacuuming of the carpet is preceded by vigorous scrubbing. The latter causes fabric damage and negates the convenience associated with aerosol foam cleaners.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention is directed to a foam forming aerosol cleaning composition that is particularly suited for cleaning carpets, rugs, and the like. The invention is based in part on the discovery that the use of a hydrophobic solvent/surfactant blend in the composition produces a foam that readily collapses to allow the active components to penetrate into the fibers of the carpet. Emulsified and dislodged greasy soil particles are then removed with a vacuum cleaner, mop, sponge or other device. The cleaning composition is also excellent for removing conventional stains.

In one aspect, the invention is directed to a dispensable composition for cleaning soiled fabrics, that includes:

(a) about 0.1% to 6% of a foam forming surfactant;

(b) about 0.5% to 5% of a non-volatile, hydrophobic organic solvent which has a solubility in water of less than about 18% at 25 C;

(c) an effective amount of an emulsifier; (d) an effective amount of a propellant: and

(e) the remainder as water; said surfactant and solvent admixing and interacting with said propellant so as to form an initial foam upon dispensing to collapse without abrasion into a fabric surface and said emulsifier emulsifies the solvent after the collapse, with all percentages on a weight basis.

In another aspect, the invention is directed to a device, for dispensing a composition for cleaning soil fabric, which includes, a closed container containing the above referenced cleaning composition and nozzle means for releasing said composition towards a surface of the soil fabric whereupon said surfactant, solvent, and emulsifier admix and interact with said propellant to form a foam on said surface.

In yet another aspect, the invention is directed to a method for cleaning soiled fabrics having fibers containing soiling particles that includes the steps of: forming a foam by delivering an admixture via a propellant, wherein the admixture and propellant are derived from the above referenced cleaning composition; applying said foam to a soiled carpet surface having fibers containing soiling particles; allowing said foam to collapse without abrasion into said fiber and emulsifying and segregating said soiling particles; and removing soiling particles. Preferably, the cleaning composition comprises magnesium lauryl sulfate which facilitates the removal of greasy dirt, a corrosion inhibitor, a fragrance, an oxidizing agent, or mixtures thereof.

An important feature of the invention is that the foam derived from the composition substantially collapses within a short time, e.g., 3 to 10 minutes, following its formation on the surface of the soiled carpet. This permits the stain and dirt removal components in the foam to penetrate into the fibers faster with minimum loss due to evaporation.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

The present invention relates to an aqueous carpet cleaning formulation that generally includes:

(a) a foam forming surfactant; (b) a non-volatile, hydrophobic organic solvent which has a solubility in water of less than about 18% at 25°C;

(c) an emulsifier;

(d) a propellant;

(e) optionally, magnesium lauryl sulfate; and (0 optionally, an additive comprising an oxidizing agent, corrosion inhibitor, fragrance, or mixtures thereof, with the balance comprising water.

A critical aspect of the invention is that the presence of the hydrophobic organic solvent and emulsifier unexpectedly causes foams of the cleaning formulation to collapse or break faster than foams of prior art aerosol carpet cleaners thereby allowing the solvent and other components to penetrate into the carpet fibers. No brushing, mopping or other physical treatment is required to break the foam. Following collapse of the foam, the action of the emulsifier facilitates the removal of greasy stains by the solvent. Finally, the dislodged soiling particles are removed by conventional means including, for example, a vacuum, mop, or sponge. The foam forming surfactant includes any suitable surfactant which is compatible with the non-volatile, hydrophobic organic solvent. Preferred surfactants include, for example, sodium lauryl sulfate, magnesium lauryl sulfate, sodium N-lauryl sarcosinate, alkyl and alkylol sarcosinate sulfonates such as alkyl benzenesulfonate, and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the surfactant comprises about 0.1% to 6%, more preferably about 1% to 4%, and most preferably about 2.5% of the cleaning composition. All percentages herein are on a weight basis.

The non-volatile, organic solvent include any suitable organic solvent with a solubility in water of less than about 18% (at 25°C) and a boiling point greater than 175°C at

760 mm of mercury. More preferably the solubility is less than about 10% and the boiling point is greater than 200°C. The solvent is further characterized by having a hydrophilic lipophilic balance (HLB) of preferably equal to or less than about 7 and preferably equal to about 7. The use of the non- volatile, organic solvent in combination with the emulsifier produces partially stable foams having membranes that rupture relatively quickly. For example, it has been demonstrated that a layer of foam that is applied onto a carpet wherein the foam has a thickness (i.e., height) of about 1.25 to 2.5 cm will essentially completely collapse in about 3-4 minutes. In contrast, it has been demonstrated that foams formed from conventional aerosol carpet cleaners require about 10 times as long to completely collapse. With the present invention, preferably the cleaning composition is formulated to collapse within 3 to 10 minutes, more preferably about 3 to 7 minutes, and most preferably about 3 to 5 minutes. Increasing the percentage of solvent present in the cleaning composition will tend to reduce the collapse time of the foam in light of the defoaming properties of the solvent.

Suitable solvents generally include, for example, high boiling point glycol ethers, propylene carbonate, glycidyl esters, hydrocarbon solvents, low solubility alcohols, mineral oils, naphthalene depleted aromatics and mixtures thereof. Particularly preferred solvents include dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether, dipropylene glycol t-butyl ether, ethylene glycol hexyl ether, petroleum distillates (low odor) (these are also referred to as mineral spirits), and aromatics (C,₂-C_l5) (a preferred C₁₂ aromatic is available under the trademark AROMATIC

200^m from Exxon Inc., Houston, TX). Preferably, the solvent comprises about 0.5% to 5%, more preferably about 1% to 4%, and most preferably about 3% of the cleaning composition. Preferred solvents are set forth in Table 1.

TABLE 1

Solvent B.P. 760 mm Wt% Water Hg, Solubility

25 C dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether 212 18 dipropylene glycol t-butyl ether 212 12 dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether 229 5 tripropylene glycol n-butyl ether 276 3 ethylene glycol hexyl ether 208 1 ethylene glycol ethyl hexyl ether 224 13 alkyl acetate (C₇ to C,₃) 176-285 0.02 isophorone 210-215 1.2 aromatics (C_l2-C|₅) 185-273 insol isoparaffins (dist. range> 184C) 175-31 1 insol normal paraffins (C₁₂-C,_s) 192-272 insol cycloparaffins (C₁₂-C,₅) 175-310 insol isoheptyl alcohol 181-192 0.1 isooctyl alcohol 184-192 0.06 isonononyl alcohol 202-215 <.05 decyl alcohol 240-265 <.05 dodecyl alcohol 240-265 <.05 tridecyl alcohol 253-264 <.05 linear alcohols (C|₃-C_I3) 280-298 insol hexadecyl alcohol 270-300 insol Solvent B.P. 760 mm Wt% Water

Ife Solubility

25 C octadecyl alcohol 310-335 insol eicosyl alcohol 315-340 insol hexacosyl alcohol 340+ insol petroleum distillates, low odor 175+ <.05 aliphatic solvent (LOPS) 206-257 <.05 dearomatized aliphatic 184-315 insol

The emulsifier is employed primarily to emulsify the non-volatile solvent and not for foam stability. In this regard, the emulsifier may have defoaming or low foaming properties. Preferred emulsifiers will partially emulsify the hydrophobic solvent to enhance foam instability which facilitates its collapse. Preferred emulsifiers include, for example, polyglycerol fatty acid esters (e.g., polyethylene glycol monooleate, polyglycerol fatty acid ester, glycerol mono and dioleate, and diethylene glycol oleate), butyl carbaryl block co-polymers (non-foaming), alcohol ethoxylates C,₀-C₁₂ capped with PO, di-ester sulfosuccinates. sulfonic acid-amine salt, organic phosphate esters, modified alkanolamides and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the emulsifier comprises about 0.1% to 1.5%, more preferably about 0.2% to 1%. and most preferably about 0.3% of the cleaning composition.

The cleaning composition of the present invention is delivered in the form of an aerosol. Specifically, in order to apply and build the foam, it is preferable to deliver the solvent/surfactant/emulsifier mixture via a gaseous propellant. The propellant comprises, for example, a hydrocarbon, of from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, such as methane, ethane, n-propane, n-butane, isobutane, n-pentane, isopentane, and mixtures thereof. The propellant may also be selected form halogenated hydrocarbons including, for example, fluorocarbons, chlorocarbons, chlorofluorocarbons, and mixtures thereof. Examples of other suitable propellants are founded in P. A. Sanders Handbook of Aerosol Technology (Van Nostrand Reinhold Co.)(1979) 2nd Ed., Pgs. 348-353 and 364-367, which are incorporated herein. A liquified gas propellant mixture comprising about 85% isobutane and 15% propane is preferred because it provides sufficient pressure to expel the composition from the container and provides good control over the nature of the spray upon discharge of the composition. Preferably, the propellants comprises about 3% to 30%, more preferably about 3% to 8%, and most preferably about 3% to 6% of the cleaning composition.

The cleaning composition is preferably stored in and dispensed from a pressurized can that is equipped with a nozzle so that an aerosol of the composition can be readily sprayed onto a carpet surface to create a relatively uniform layer of foam. A preferred nozzle comprises a vertical valve having a rectangular orifice with dimensions of 0.010 in. x 0.031 in. that is manufactured by Summit Packaging System, Inc., Manchester. NH. Dispensers are known in the art and are described, for example, in U.S. Patents 4,780,100, 4,652.389, and 3,541,581 which are incorporated herein. Although pressure within the dispenser, i.e., can pressure, does not appear to be critical, a preferred range is about 40 to 58 lbs./in², more preferably 40 to 50 lbs./in², and most preferably 40 to 47 lbs./in² at 70 F (21° C).

Magnesium lauryl sulfate (MLS) is particularly effective in removing greasy stains from carpets. When employed, the MLS preferably comprises about 0.1% to 6%. more preferably about 1% to 4%, and most preferably about 2.5% of the cleaning formulation. As is apparent, the MLS can also be one of the foam forming surfactants, therefore, when MLS is employed, the total amount of surfactant (including the MLS) preferably comprises no more than about 6% of the cleaning composition.

The oxidizing agent includes for example borates, e.g., sodium tetraborate, sodium pentaborate, sodium octaborate, and potassium tetraborate. A preferred oxidizing agent is

Na₂B₄O₇ 10 H₂O which is sold under the trademarks BORAX® (10 mol solution) and

NEOBOR® (5 mol solution), from U.S. Borax Inc., Rosemount, I.L.. When employed, the oxidizing agents preferably comprises about 0.1% to 1%, more preferably about 0.5% to 1%, and most preferably about 0.75% of the cleaning composition The corrosion inhibitor is used to prevent or at least reduce the rate of corrosion of a metallic dispenser. Preferred corrosion inhibitors include, for example: amine neutralized alkyl acid phosphates, amine neutralized alkyl acid phosphates and nitroalkanes, amine neutralized alkyl acid phosphates and volatile amines, diethanolamides and nitroalkanes, amine carboxylates and nitroalkanes, esters, volatile silicones, amines and mixtures thereof.

Specific inhibitors include, for example: sodium meta silicate and sodium benzoate. To provide additional protection, the interior of the dispenser in contact with the cleaning composition can be coated with an epoxy phenolic coating. When employed, the corrosion inhibitor preferably comprises about 0.1% to 1%, more preferably about 0.1% to 0.8%, and most preferably about 0.35% of the cleaning composition. Preferably, with addition of the corrosion inhibitor, the pH of the cleaning composition is greater than 9.5.

Fragrances are usually blends of volatile oils that are composed of organic compounds such as esters, aldehydes, ketones or mixtures thereof. Such fragrances are usually proprietary materials commercially available from such manufacturers as Quest, International

Flavors and Fragrances, Givaudan and Firmenich. Inc. Examples of fragrances which may be suitable for use in the present invention may be found in Laufer et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,876,551. and Boden et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,390,448, which are incorporated herein.

Experimental

To demonstrate the cleaning performance of the inventive aerosol cleaning composition, a comparative evaluation versus conventional carpet cleaners was conducted. Three formulations of the inventive cleaning composition having the components set forth in Table 2 were tested. TABLE 2

Form. 1 Form. 2 Form. 3

Sodium lauryl sulfate 2.5% 2.5% 2.5%

Sodium lauryl sarcosinate 3.5% - -

Magnesium lauryl sulfate - 2.5% 2.5%

Disodium monolauramido sulfonacccinate - 2.0% 2.0%

Polyglycerol fatty acid ester - 0.35% 0.35%

Low odor petroleum distillates - 3.0% -

Dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether 3.0% - 3.0%

Polyethylene glycol 400 monooleate 0.3% - -

85% Isobutane/15% propane (propellant) 5.0% 5.0% 5.0%

Volatile amine/sodium benzoate 0.35% 0.35% 0.35% mixture (corrosion inhibitor)

Firmenich's Rutgere Fragrance 0.5% 0.5% 0.5%

BOROX® (10 mol sol) 0.75% 0.75% 0.75%

SMA^1- resins 3.0% - -

H-,0 balance balance balance

A family of short chain copolymers of styrene and maleic anhydride sold under the trademark SMA® available from Atochem Inc., Great Valley Malvern, PA. was used. These anti-resoil polymers prevent sticky powder residues from re-soiling the carpet.

In loading the dispenser, the non-propellant components of the cleaning composition were mixed into a concentrate and loaded into the dispenser first. Thereafter, the liquefied gaseous propellant was inserted before the dispenser was fitted with a nozzle. White color carpet made from 100% nylon which maximizes the contrast between a stain and the carpet was employed. Swatches (4x4 in. (or 10.16 x 10.16 cm)) were stained with heavy traffic, food grease, BBQ sauce, or ketchup as follows:

1. Heavy Traffic - 10 grams of Shapsburg clay soil was thoroughly mixed with 1 gram of Chevron Supreme Motor Oil® SAE 10W-40. 0.5 grams of this mixture were sprinkled onto the swatches with a salt shaker. The soil was rubbed into the swatches over a 1 in. (2.54 cm) diameter evenly with a damp sponge using equal pressure.

2. Food Grease - 40 grams of a grease mixture (1 part bacon grease and 1 part hamburger grease) were added to 1 gram of a browning and seasoning sauce sold under the trademark KITCHEN BOUQUET^ from Clorox Co., Oakland. California. 0.5 grams of this food grease was spread on the swatches in a 2 in. (5.08 cm) circle .

3. BBQ Sauce - (K.C. MASTERPIECE® original) - 2 grams of BBQ sauce were spread in a 2 in. (5.08 cm) diameter circle.

4. Ketchup (HEINZ® Tomato Ketchup) -2 grams of ketchup were spread in a 2 in. (5.08 cm) diameter circle.

5. Grape Juice (WELCH'S® unsweetened) - 2 grams of grape juice (undiluted) were spread in a 2 in. (5.08 cm) diameter circle.

The inventive cleaning compositions and 2 commercially available foam forming carpet cleaning aerosol products (WOOLITE HT^m available from Reckitt & Coleman, Inc., Wayne N.J. and RESOLVE'"' available from L & F Products, Montvale, N.J.) were tested. Theses products are sold in pressurized cans. For each of the cleaning compositions, 2 grams of the composition were sprayed on the stained swatch (3 grams in the case of heavy traffic stained). The foam was allowed to stand for 10 minutes before and the swatch was rubbed by hand for 10 seconds with a teri towel. This procedure was repeated (2 applications total). The swatches were allowed to dry overnight before being vacuumed with a portable vacuum cleaner and evaluated with a Hunter colorimeter model 6000 without a uv filter. Eight replicate readings of the swatches were made per cleaner. Whiteness was determined by making reflectance measurements before and after cleaning the stained swatches. Based on the aperture reading, the amount of remaining stain and the percent stain removal was calculated. The results are set forth in Tables 3-5.

TABLE 3

Heavy Traffic Grease BBQ Ketchup

Form. 1 66.1 92.4 59.9 78.5

RESOLVE" 63.5 81.6 45.4 64.1

LSD 95* 0.7 3.5 2.9 5.3

Least significant difference. Significant differences are based on Tukey's LSD by calculating an analysis variance (ANOVA) at the 95% confidence level given treatment means and standard deviations.

TABLE 4 % SR(E)(percent stain removal)

Heavy Traffic Grease BBQ Ketchup

Form. 2 79.7 83.8 71.1 42.9

WOOLITE HT"" 76.6 65.6 64.1 34.3

RESOLVE™ 73.6 — 63.0 37.9

LSD 95 3.4 1.1 3.9 5.0 TABLE 5 % SR(E)(percent stain removal)

Heavy Traffic Grease Ketchup Juice

Form. 3 70.49 81.68 69.50 82.4

RESOLVE^® 61.10 52.79 49.56 65

LSD 95 10.80 13.38 15.99 9.2

The results demonstrate that the inventive composition is superior to RESOLVE"" in removing the heavy traffic, ketchup, BBQ sauce, food grease stains and grape juice. The inventive composition is superior to WOOLITE HT'^m for removing ketchup, BBQ, food grease stains and is comparable to it in removing heavy traffic stains.

In these experiments, it was found that during the 10 minute interval that the foams were allowed to stand, the foam of the inventive composition completely collapsed in about 4 to 5 minutes, whereas the foams for the WOOLITE HT"" and RESOLVE"" within the 10 minute period only collapsed slightly. Indeed, it was also demonstrated that it would generally take 30 to 40 minutes for these conventional foams to collapse into a sticky residue on the swatches. Specifically, it was observed that with these conventional foams, the smaller bubbles collapsed within this 10 minute period leaving behind a skeleton of larger bubbles that required about 30 to 40 minutes to break apart.

The foregoing has described the principles, preferred embodiments and modes of operation of the present invention. However, the invention should not be construed as being limited to the particular embodiments discussed. Thus, the above-described embodiments should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive, and it should be appreciated that variations may be made in those embodiments by workers skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

What Is Claimed Is:

1. A dispensable composition for cleaning soiled fabrics comprising:

(a) about 0.1 % to 6% of a foam forming surfactant; (b) about 0.5% to 5% of a non-volatile, hydrophobic organic solvent which has a solubility in water of less than about 18% at 25 C;

(c) an effective amount of an emulsifier;

(d) an effective amount of a propellant: and

(e) the remainder as water; said surfactant and solvent admixing and interacting with said propellant so as to form an initial foam upon dispensing to collapse without abrasion into a fabric surface and said emulsifier emulsifies the solvent after the collapse, and wherein all percentages are on a weight basis.

2. The composition of claim 1 comprising about 0.1% to 6% of magnesium lauryl sulfate.

3. The composition of claim 1 comprising about 0.1% to 1.5% of said emulsifier and about 3% to 8% of said propellant.

4. The composition of claim 1 further comprising an additive that is selected from the group consisting of a corrosion inhibitor, a fragrance, an oxidizing agent and mixtures thereof.

5. The composition of claim 1 wherein the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of sodium lauryl sulfate, magnesium lauryl sulfate, sodium N-lauryl sarcosinate and mixtures thereof.

6. The composition of claim 1 wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether, dipropylene glycol t-butyl ether, ethylene glycol hexyl ether, petroleum distillates (low odor), aromatics (C,₀-C₁₂) and mixtures thereof.

7. The composition of claim 1 wherein the emulsifier is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol monooleate, polyglycerol fatty acid ester, glycerol mono and dioleate, and diethylene glycol oleate and mixtures thereof.

8. The composition of claim 1 wherein the solvent has at boiling point of higher than about 200 C (at 760 mm Hg) and has a solubility of less than about 10% in water at 25C and the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of sodium lauryl sulfate, magnesium lauryl sulfate, sodium N-lauryl sarcosinate and mixtures thereof.

9. The composition of claim 8 wherein the emulsifier is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol monooleate, polyglycerol fatty acid ester, glycerol mono and dioleate, and diethylene glycol oleate and mixtures thereof.

10. The composition of claim 5 wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether, dipropylene glycol t-butyl ether, ethylene glycol hexyl, petroleum distillates, low odor, aromatics (C,₀-C_l2) and mixtures thereof and the emulsifier is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol monooleate, polyglycerol fatty acid ester, glycerol mono and dioleate, and diethylene glycol oleate and mixtures thereof.

11. The composition of claim 1 further characterized in that the solvent has a HLB of about 7 or less.

12. A dispensable composition for cleaning soiled fabrics comprising:

(a) about 0.1% to 6% of a foam forming surfactant;

(b) about 0.5% to 5% of a non- volatile, hydrophobic organic solvent which has a solubility in water of less than about 18% at 25 C; (c) an effective amount of an emulsifier;

(d) an effective amount of a propellant; and

(e) an effective amount of magnesium lauryl sulfate;

(f) the remainder as water; said surfactant and solvent admixing and interacting with said propellant so as to form an initial foam upon dispensing to collapse without abrasion into a fabric surface and said emulsifier emulsifies the solvent after the collapse . and wherein all percentages are on a weight basis.

13. The composition of claim 12 comprising about 0.1 % to 1.5% of said emulsifier, about 3% to 8% of said propellant and about 0.1 % to 6% of said magnesium lauryl sulfate.

14. The composition of claim 12 further comprising an additive that is selected from the group consisting of a corrosion inhibitor, a fragrance, an oxidizing agent and mixtures thereof.

15. The composition of claim 12 wherein the solvent has at boiling point of higher than about 200 C (at 760 mm Hg) and has a solubility of less than about 10% in water at 25C and the emulsifier is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol monooleate, polyglycerol fatty acid ester,glycerol mono and dioleate, and diethylene glycol oleate and mixtures thereof.

16. The composition of claim 15 wherein the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of sodium lauryl sulfate, magnesium lauryl sulfate, sodium N-lauryl sarcosinate and mixtures thereof.

17. The composition of claim 16 wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether, dipropylene glycol t-butyl ether, ethylene glycol hexyl, petroleum distillates (low odor), aromatics (C,₀-C,₂) and mixtures thereof.

18. The composition of claim 12 wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether, dipropylene glycol t-butyl ether, ethylene glycol hexyl, petroleum distillates (low odor), aromatics (C_I0-C,₂) and mixtures thereof.

19. The composition of claim 12 further characterized in that the solvent has a HLB of about 7 or less.

20. A device for dispensing a composition for cleaning soil fabric which comprises: a closed container containing said composition which comprises: (a) about 0.1% to 6% of a foam forming surfactant;

(b) about 0.5% to 5% of a non-volatile, hydrophobic organic solvent which has a water solubility of less than about 18% at 25 C;

(c) an effective amount of an emulsifier;

(d) an effective amount of a propellant; and (e) the remainder as water; and nozzle means for releasing said composition towards a surface of the soil fabric whereupon said surfactant, solvent, and emulsifier admixes and interact with said propellant so as to form a foam on said surface, and wherein all percentages are on a weight basis.

21. The device of claim 20 wherein said composition comprises about 0.1 % to 6% of magnesium lauryl sulfate.

22. The device of claim 20 wherein said composition comprises about 0.1 % to 1.5% of said emulsifier and about 3% to 8% of said propellant.

23. The device of claim 20 wherein said composition further comprises an additive that is selected from the group consisting of a corrosion inhibitor, a fragrance, an oxidizing agent and mixtures thereof.

24. The device of claim 20 wherein the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of sodium lauryl sulfate, magnesium lauryl sulfate, sodium N-lauryl sarcosinate and mixtures thereof.

25. The device of claim 20 wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether, dipropylene glycol t-butyl ether, ethylene glycol hexyl. petroleum distillates (low odor), aromatics (C,₀-C|₂) and mixtures thereof.

26. The device claim 20 wherein the emulsifier is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol monooleate, polyglycerol fatty acid ester, glycerol mono and dioleate, and diethylene glycol oleate and mixtures thereof.

27. The device of claim 20 wherein the solvent has at boiling point of higher than about 200 C (at 760 mm Hg) and has a solubility of less than about 10% in water at 25C and the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of sodium lauryl sulfate. magnesium lauryl sulfate. sodium N-lauryl sarcosinate and mixtures thereof.

28. The device of claim 27 wherein the emulsifier is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol monooleate, polyglycerol fatty acid ester, glycerol mono and dioleate, and diethylene glycol oleate and mixtures thereof.

29. The device of claim 24 wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether, dipropylene glycol t-butyl ether, ethylene glycol hexyl, petroleum distillates (low odor), aromatics (C,₀-C|₂) and mixtures thereof and wherein emulsifier is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol monooleate, polyglycerol fatty acid ester, glycerol mono and dioleate, and diethylene glycol oleate and mixtures thereof.

30. The device of claim 20 further characterized in that the solvent has a HLB of about 7 or less.

31. A method for cleaning soiled fabrics having fibers containing soiling particles that comprises the steps of: forming a foam by delivering an admixture via a propellant, wherein the admixture and propellant are derived from a composition comprising: (a) about 0.1% to 6% of a foam forming surfactant;

(b) about 0.5% to 5% of a non- volatile, hydrophobic organic solvent which has a water solubility of less than about 18% at 25 C;

(c) an effective amount of an emulsifier;

(d) an effective amount of a propellant; and (e) the remainder as water; applying said foam to a soiled carpet surface having fibers containing soiling particles; allowing said foam to collapse without abrasion into said fiber and emulsifying and segregating said soiling particle; and removing soiling particles.

32. The method of claim 31 wherein the foam substantially collapses within about 3 to 10 minutes after being applied onto the surface of the soiled carpet.

33. The method of claim 31 wherein the composition comprises about 0.1% to 6% of magnesium lauryl sulfate.

34. The method of claim 31 wherein the composition comprises about 0.1% to 1.5% of said emulsifier and about 3% to 8% of said propellant.

35. The method of claim 31 wherein the composition comprises an additive that is selected from the group consisting of a corrosion inhibitor, a fragrance, an oxidizing agent and mixtures thereof.

36. The method of claim 31 wherein the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of sodium lauryl sulfate, magnesium lauryl sulfate, sodium N-lauryl sarcosinate and mixtures thereof.

37. The method of claim 31 wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether, dipropylene glycol t-butyl ether, ethylene glycol hexyl, petroleum distillates (low odor), aromatics (C|₀-C_π) and mixture thereof.

38. The method of claim 31 wherein the emulsifier is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol monooleate, polyglycerol fatty acid ester, glycerol mono and dioleate, and diethylene glycol oleate and mixtures thereof.

39. The method of claim 31 wherein the solvent has at boiling point of higher than about 200 C (at 760 mm Hg) and has a solubility of less than about 10% in water at 25C and the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of sodium lauryl sulfate, magnesium lauryl sulfate, sodium N-lauryl sarcosinate and mixtures thereof.

40. The method of claim 39 wherein the emulsifier is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol monooleate, polyglycerol fatty acid ester, glycerol mono and dioleate, and diethylene glycol oleate and mixtures thereof.

41. The method of claim 36 wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether, dipropylene glycol t-butyl ether, ethylene glycol hexyl, petroleum distillates, low odor, aromatics (C_I0-C₁₂) and mixtures thereof and the emulsifier is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol monooleate, polyglycerol fatty acid ester, glycerol mono and dioleate, and diethylene glycol oleate and mixtures thereof.

42. The method claim 31 further characterized in that the solvent has a HLB of about 7 or less.