AU677167B2 - Method of cleaning outdoor wood surfaces - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION NAME OF APPLICANT(S): Agr-Products Special Markets, Inc.

ADDRESS FOR SERVICE: DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Attorneys I Little Collins Street, Melbourne, 3000.

:INVENTION TITLE:

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The following statement is ?L full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:- 45 S S

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*555 S S P:\OPBR\MLA31012-93.236 /99/96 -1A- FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method of cleaning, and more particularly, the present invention relates to a method of cleaning that cleans mold, mildew, algae, grease, and stains from a soiled outdoor wood surface including natural wood.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Numerous cleaning products are currently being marketed in order to clean different types of wood which are used to make decks, fences, siding and so forth. Examples of products on the market which are sold for these purposes include MILDEW CHEK, DECK BRIGHT, JOMAR, CEDAR CLEAN, and WOLMAN DECK BRIGHTENER. All of these products require some type of scrubbing or brushing in order to achieve the stated purpose.

Further, many of these products require mixing or measuring of some sort and therefore are very susceptible to being mixed improperly and being ineffective or being an environmental and safety hazard. Many of the products also harm plants, fish, animals, or birds which can destroy the landscaping around and/or wild life around the structure being cleaned.

As further background to the present invention, several different acids can be used to S 20 clean various types of wood, concrete, and other outside surfaces. However, no single acid will clean mold, mildew, algae, organic stains, and remove dirt without harming one or all of a variety of surfaces to be cleaned.

Also, any one of several products currently being marketed to clean outside surfaces recommend brushing, scrubbing, mixing with other ingredients and/or mention incompatability with some surfaces.

Additionally, chlorine bleach is often used to clean outside surfaces. However although it will do a good job, e'en the manufacturers of chlorine bleach do not recommend Q. it for this use because used alone, the bleach will dry wood too much and cause the knots to P:\OPBR\MLA OJ2-93.236 9/9196 -2shrink and fall out. It will also cause wood to cup when exposed to direct sunlight.

Finally, there are many products that consist of poisonous petroleum based chemicals that will kill mold, mildew, fungus, and algae, but there are none with a combination and compatibility of chemicals that are safe and environmentally degradable.

We have now found a method for cleaning a soiled outdoor wood surface comprising the steps of: coating the outdoor wood surface with an aqueous biodegradable cleaning solution comprising 0.1 to 20 percent by volume of a surfactant that is miscible with water and compatible with chlorinated bleach solutions; 0.1 to 8 percent by volume of one or more alcohols selected from the group consisting of a primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary alcohol which is compatible with chlorinated bleach solutions; 15 the balance being a 0.025 to 5 percent aqueous chlorinated bleach solution; and after a period of time sufficient for the cleaning solution to remove soil on the outdoor wood surface, removing the soil by rinsing the or 'door wood surface with water, The above-described method is new in the industry because the method employs a 20 composition formulated with a combination of chemicals that are considered to be mild household cleaners but works as fast as most dangerous acids. In actual field tests, the presen"' laimed method dramatically out-performed every product that could be found availat ,n and was sold in major hardware, paint, and marine stores in the United States.

In a preferred embodiment, the alcohol is isopropyl alcohol and the bleach solution is a sodium hypochlorite or potassium hypochlorite bleach solution.

Further, the combination of ingredients employed in the present method is unique in that the chlorinated bleach solution will clean mold, mildew, fungus, algae, anmJ other stains on outdoor wood surfaces, but at the same time the surfactant or surfactants act as a buffer I:\OI'P\MLAUIl012-93.236 9 -3in that they combine with and retard the harshness of the chlorinated bleach solution and enhance the action of the chlorinated bleach solution by emulsifying organic oils and any animal fatty acids and dirt residue. The surfactants are also penetrants that will actually penetrate porous surfaces and help lift the foreign matter to the surface for easy removal. The alcohol serves two purposes: first, it helps the chlorinated bleach to slightly raise the grain in wood so the wood will more easily release the foreign matter and cleaning action can take place with no labour, and second, it also acts a drying agent on the emulsified organic oils so that they tend to thicken and stick together for easier removal. With this combination of ingredients, the pressure from the average garden hose is all that is needed to cause the surface to be cleaned. This action is unsurpassed in cleaning and preparing surfaces and especially wood, for painting, staining and sealing.

According to the present invention, the surfactant can be any surfactant that is miscible with water and compatible with concentrated chlorinated bleach solutions. The phrase "compatible with concentrated chlorinated bleach solutions" means that the surfactant and chlorinated bleach solutions are soluble in each other without reacting or changing their chemical composition. The surfactant must be suitable for storage with hypochlorite solutions without loss of its cleaning ability and without reaction,

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20 The surfactant emulsifies the oils and dirt impregnated in the wood or surface being cleaned as well as any perfume or odorant oils added to the composition employed in the present method. Further, the surfactant emulsifies undesirable materials in and on the surface "being cleaned and helps remove these undesirable materials such as oxidized oils and dirt.

The surfactant also serves as a buffer to prevent raising the wood grain by the hypochlorite solution.

Preferably, the surfactant is an ethoxylated and/or sulfonated carbon chain and an amine oxide and/or lauryl betaine.

Specific examples of such surfactants suitable for use in the present composition I':\OPER\MLA\31012-93.236- 9/9/9 -4include a lauryl dimethyl amine oxide, a lauryl betaine, an ethoxylated hydrogenated tallow amine, a nonylphenol ethoxylated or triethanol amine salt of an alkylauryl sulfonate or an octylphenoxy polyethoxy ethanol. An amine oxide, a lauryl betaine, or an octylphenoxy polyethoxy ethanol are preferred.

The surfactant can be one or a combination of surfactants and the total percent by volume ranges from about 0.1 to about 20. The preferred amount of surfactant is about 1 percent by volume.

According to the present invention, the alcohol can be any of a primary, secondary, tertiary, or quaternary alcohol, as long as it is compatible with concentrated chlorinated bleach solutions. The phrase "compatible with chlorinated bleach solutions" means that the alcohol and chlorinated bleach solutions are soluble in each other without reacting or changing their chemical composition.

Specific examples of suit ble alcohols that are useful in the present composition, on a 100 percent basis, include methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol and it denatured counterparts, and isopropyl alcohol.

S: 20 Isopropyl alcohol and/or methyl alcohol are preferred. Ethyl alcohol and its denatured 'i counterparts are less desirable because of high cost and the complexity of the denaturant formulas. Higher alcohols such as butyl, octyl, and decyl alcohol are not desirable because they dry too slowly.

The alcohol aids the penetration of the surfactant and bleach (hypochlorite) into the surface and helps emulsify undesirable oils.

The alcohols can be used alone or in combination.

The alcohol is used in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 8 percent by volume, and (2T 00 l:\OPER\MLA31012.93.236 9/9/6 an amount of about 0.5 to 1.0 percent by volume is preferred.

According to the present invention, the chlorinated bleach solution can be any of sodium hypochlorite, potassium hypochlorite or calcium hypochlorite. Calcium hypochlorite is less preferred because the calcium ion is relatively insoluble and causes surfactants, soaps or detergents to become inactive.

In the present composition, the hypochlorite removes mold, mildew, fungus and algae usually associated with dampness and moisture. The reducing action of the chlorine in the hypochlorite solution whitens and brightens the surface returning it to its original state as when new.

The strength of the bleach solution is 0.025 to about 5 percent chlorinated bleach Ssolution, and about 5 percent by volume is preferred. Further, in practice, the stock solution is a 5 percent solution.

e Examples of other ingredients that can be used in the present method include perfumes, odorants and/or masking agents for the odors of the hypochlorites and colorants.

In addition certain silicones such as those used in the car wash industry commonly called 20 amino-functional may be added to leave the wood water proofed for a short period of time after cleaning. The silicone must be compatible with the oil or solvent based final water proofing applied after using the composition of the present invention. Suitable perfumes, odorants and/or masking agents as well as suitable silicones can be readily selected by those skilled in the art of manufacturing silicones and their emulsions. Examples of suitable silicones include the aminofunctional type such as those sold under the trade names "DOW 531" and "DOW 536" and aminofunctional silicones which are offsets to the DOW materials such as those manufactured by General Electric, Waccker Silicoiles, P.P.G. and others, both foreign and domestic.

The silicone additives are used in an amount of from 1 to 5 percent by volume of the P;\OPER\MLA\1012-93.36 99/6 -6final composition, which wUi b an emulsion.

Suitable amounts of the other additives can be readily determined by those skilled in the art.

The method according to the present invention can be used to clean a broad range of surfaces. The method is unusual in that it can be used on such a wide range of wood surfaces. Any kind of wood (pine, cedar, redwood, mahogany, salt treated, juniper, cypress, etc.) can be treated, with the exception of teak. Other surfaces which can also be cleaned with the present method include vinyl, fibreglass, ceramic tile, concrete, brick, canvas, stone, roof shingles made of asphalt, wood tile, or fibreglass, plastics and aluminium. The composition has been used on houses, decks, boats, trailers, roofs, driveways, walkways, stonewalls, fences, and lawn furnitt, In all cases, the same ultra-fast amazing results were obtained.

The most appealing aspect of the present method to the consumer is that the cleaning solution can be applied by virtually any method, including brushing, pouring, brooming, or spraying, including high pressure or low pressure as obtained, for example, from a garden hose. The most efficient method of application is spraying. The composition is then let to 20 stand, say for 15 minutes, and washed off with water, usually by spraying the water from a garden hose.

The coverage of the cleaning solution used in the present method ranges from about 200 square feet to about 300 square feet per gallon. The difference depends upon the type and condition dryness) of the surface. Thus a smooth hard surface, such as fiberglass, will require less than an old dried out wood surface. The necessary coverage can readily be determined by first testing a small area of the surface to be cleaned.

The newly cleaned wood will last for many months and if unprotected will simply age srn it did before. Other surfaces such as ceramic tile, concrete, brick, fiberglass, stone and

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0 C) P:\OPER\MLA\3 012.93.236 9/9/96 -7canvas will collect dirt and stains as they did before and over a period of months will require recleaning, One advantage of certain embodiments of the present invention is that there is provided a method that will clean a variety of outdoor surfaces in addition to wood with absolutely no scrubbing or brushing.

A further advantage is that the cleaning solution can be sold full strength, so that mixing or measuring is not required, thereby reducing or eliminating improper mixing resulting in ineffectiveness or being an environmental and safety hazard.

SA further advantage of certain embodiments of the present invention is that there is provided a method which employs a cleaning solution which can be sold full strength and S 15 maintain maximum performance while at the same time being so mild that when used as directed will effectively clean without harming the environment such as plants, fish, animals, or birds.

A further advantage of the present invention is that certain embodiments provide a 20 method which eimploys a cleaning solution for outdoor surfaces which is biodegradable and quickly breaks down into inert materials.

*The present invention will now be described by means of examples, which are not meant to be limiting. Unless otherwise specified, all percents, parts, and ratios are by volume.

EXAMPLES

In all of the examples, the cleaning composition had the following composition (all percents are by volume): 1 percent lauryl betaine, S,q 0 0.5 percent isopropyl alcohol, P:\O1PER\MNLA31012-93.236. 9/9/9 -8- 5 percent sodium hypochlorite, and remainder water.

Sodium hypochlorite is only commercially available in solution form. As such, ingredients and are provided by mixing a 5 aqueous chlorinated bleach solution with ingredients and Further, all of the tests were followed over an eight-month period and absolutely no damage or detrimental effects to the cleaned materials or their surroundings were found.

EXAMPLE1 A blackened portion of a house with two different styles of wood siding, horizontal lap sliding above and split shakes below was treated as described below. Both materials were fashioned from white cedar wood. The treated area included

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a* *i o *i UE -9an "ANDERSON" window with a vinyl clad exterior. A well-kept flower garden was located immediately below the test area.

A standard low pressure garden pump-up type sprayer was used to apply the composition to the surfaces while dry.

The initial cleaning action was very dramatic and visually lightened and cleaned the wood in approximately ten seconds. But upon close inspection some of the mold, mildew, algae, and dlirt stain areas were found to be slightly lighter and cleaner than others. The composition was allowed to soak in for fifteen minutes, and the entire area blended into one clean surface at that point.

The test area was thoroughly rinsed with water sprayed through the nozzle of a standard garden hose hooked to the home's standard city water supply.

too No other cleaners, chemicals, objects, or materials of any description were used to brush, scrub, clean or in any way touch the surface.

0" After approximately four hours of drying time, the surface was cleaned and free of all mold, mildew, algae, and stains.

The black stains and dirt were also removed from the "ANDERSON" window exterior vinyl surface.

A second inspection concluded seven days later found the results to be very satisfactory. Also, no damage to any plants was observed even though absolutely no 10 precautions were taken to protect the plants from the composition.

EXAMPLE 2 A blackened portion of a chemically treated yellow pine wooden deck was treated as described below. The wood of the deck was of the type that is pretreated and sold for outdoor use and is very persistent to the outdoor elements. It is the most widely used product to build wooden decks, walkways and fences.

The industry commonly refers to the product as salt treated lumber.

A low pressure pump-up garden sprayer was used to apply the composition to a dry test area of the deck.

The initial cleaning action that lightened the wood took place in about ten seconds. The composition was allowed to soak in for fifteen minutes. No other materials of any description to aid or assist the cleaning action were used. The test area was thoroughly rinsed with water sprayed through the nozzle of a standard garden hose hooked the home's city water system.

The surface was allowed to dry to the touch.

(Approximately four hours.) The test. area was inspected and the results were found to be very satisfactory. In addition to the initial lightening of the wood, nearly all of the mold, mildew, and algae had been removed.

K w 11 EXAMPLE 3 A greyed portion of a standard concrete walkway leading to a residence was treated as described below. This walkway was located among oak trees.

A low pressure pump-up garden sprayer was used to apply the composition to the dry test area of the concrete walkway.

The initial cleaning action that lightened the walkway took place in about ten seconds. The composition was allowed to soak in for fifteen minutes. No other materials of any descriptions were used to aid or assist the cleaning action.

The test area was thoroughly rinsed with water sprayed through the nozzle of a standard garden hose hooked to the home's city water system.

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The surface was allowed to dry to the touch.

(Approximately four hours,) The test area was inspected and the results were found to be very satisfactory. In addition to the initial lightening of the concrete, nearly all of the mold, 0 mildew, algae, and stains had been removed.

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A portion of a weathered -deck lounger constructed of a painted aluminum frame with fiberglass webbing was treated as described below.

A low pressure pump-up garden sprayer was used to apply the composition to the dry test area of the deck lounger.

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R A ^'2 II/a s.w krF jfP W -12- The initial cleaning action that returned the frame and webbing to its original color took place in about seconds. The composition was allowed to remain for fifteen minutes, No other materials of any description to aid or assist the cleaning action were used. The test area was thoroughly rinsed with water sprayed through the nozzle of a standard garden hose hooked to the home's city water system.

The surface was allowed to dry to the touch.

(Approximately thirty minutes.) The test area (aluminum and fiberglass webbing) was inspected and the results were found to be very satisfactory as nearly all of the mold, mildew, algae, and stains had been removed.

While the invention has been described in detail above with reference to a preferred embodiment, various modifications within the scope and spirit of the invention will be apparent to people of working skill in this technological field. Thus, the invention should be considered as limited only by the scope of .210" the appended claims.

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Claims (18)

1. A method for cleaning a soiled outdoor wood surface comprising the steps of: coating the outdoor wood surface with an aqueous biodegradable cleaning solution comprising 0.1 to 20 percent by volume of a surfactant that is miscible with water and compatible with chlorinated bleach solutions; 0.1 to 8 percent by volume of one or more alcohols selected from the groups consisting of a primary, secondary, tertiary, and quaternary alcohol which is compatible with chlorinated bleach solutions; the balance being a 0.025 to 5 percent aqueous chlorinated bleach solution; and after a period of time sufficient for the cleaning solution to remove soil on the outdoor wood surface, removing the soil by rinsing the outdoor wood surface with water.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the surfactant is present in an amount of about S. 0.1 to 5 percent by volume. A method according to either claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the sarfactant is lauryl betaine, the alcohol is isopropyl alcohol, and the bleach solution is sodium hypochlorite or potassium hypochlorite.

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4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of a carbon chain ethoxylated surfactant, a sulfonated surfactant, a mixture of a carbon chain ethoxylated and sulfonated surfactant, an amine oxide, lauryl betaine, and a mixture of an amine oxide and lauryl betaine.

5. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the alcohol is selected from the group consisting of primary and secondary alcohols.

6. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the outdoor wood surface is not scrubbed or brushed between the coating and rinsing steps. P\1'OERWLA31012-93.236 6.9/996 14

7. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the cleaning solution is applied without dilution thereof directly to the outdoor wood surface.

8. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the cleaning solution removes at least one of mold, mildew, fungus, algae and stains from the outdoor wood surface.

9. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein during the coating step the surfactant acts as a buffer by retarding harshness of the chlorinated bleach solution and enhances action of the chlorinated bleach solution by emulsifying organic oils and animal fatty acids and dirt residue on the outdoor wood surface.

O. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein during the coating step the surfactant penetrates porous surfaces of the outdoor wood surface and lifts foreign matter for easy removal thereof during the rinsing step.

11. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein during the coating step the alcohol raises wood grain of the outdoor wood surface and facilitates easy removal of the foreign matter during the rinsing step. I 20

12. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein the coating step is carried out by spraying the cleaning solution on the outdoor wood surface.

13. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the rinsing step is curried out by spraying water from a garden hose onto the outdoor wood surface.

14. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein the during the coating step the surfactant prevents raising of wood grain of the outdoor wood surface by the chlorinated bleach solution.

A method according to any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein during the coating step the P:\OPER\MLAUO1012-93236 -5/2/9 -4-6- chlorinated bleach solution whitens and brightens the outdoor wood surface.

16. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 15 wherein the coating step is carried out by brushing, pouring, brooming or spraying the cleaning solution directly on the outdoor wood surface and allowing the cleaning solution to stand for at least 5 minutes before the rinsing step is carried out,

17. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 16 wherein the coating step is carried out using a pump-up garden sprayer to spray the cleaning solution onto the outdoor wood surface.

18. A method as substantially herein above described with reference to the examples. DATED this 5th day of FEBRUARY, 1997 Armor All Products Corporation 20 by DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Attorneys for the Applicant. S .I S S tO I I S I I S S. I I S S IsO S