BR112014026932B1 - DETERGENT COMPOSITION FOR WASHING CLOTHES AND WASHING PROCESS - Google Patents

Abstract

laundry detergent composition and laundry process. The present invention relates to a composition containing 5 to 30% by weight of detersive surfactant selected from non-ionic and anionic surfactant and 0.05 to 4% by weight of polyalkoxylated polyethylene imine polymer, where the polyalkoxy chains are directly linked. to the nitrogens in the pei and each chain has an end group with a molecular weight of less than 100 and wherein the polymer is a pei that has a molar ratio of polyalkoxyl chains, including the end group, to pei of less than or equal to 3 , resulting in 3 or less, preferably 2 or less, most preferably 1 nitrogen attached to the polyalkoxy chains and the pei having a pm of at least 500, preferably of 1000 to 2000, more preferably of less than 1500 and even around 1300.

Description

Field of Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to laundry detergent compositions comprising an anti-redeposition polymer of alkoxylated polyethylene imine (ARP) and detergency surfactants, particularly anionic and nonionic detergency surfactants.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Ethoxylated PEI (PEI = polyethylene imine) is known as an anti-redeposition polymer from CA 1210009. The material PEI(600)20EO with all primary and secondary amino groups completely substituted with polyalkoxylation EO20 is not a good ARP for laundry detergents. These alkoxylated PEIs are usually formed by direct reaction of ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide with PEI, as described in CA1210009.

[0003] EP 2050792 (DIC Corp) describes the preparation of a PEI plus tosylated PEG monomethyl ether as an intermediate in the preparation of a PEG-PEI-epoxy resin backbone. This preparation is repeated in EP 2147733.

[0004] JP 2007/099929 (Dainippon Ink & Chem.) also describes the addition of tosylated PEG monomethyl ether to PEI followed by the addition of a styrene monomer.

[0005] S. Xu et al. (Macromolecular Bioscience Vol 7 p 968-74, 2007) use tosylated monomethyl ether PEG as an intermediate to produce an aromatically substituted PEI with PEG groups attached to the benzyl ring.

[0006] In the documents cited above, the molar ratio of mPEG to PEI used is at least 3:1, which should give an average of at least 3 polyalkoxy chains attached to each PEI.

[0007] Zhang & Lonnie (Chinese J. Chem., Vol 21 p 460-5, 2003) discuss the preparation of PEI-PEO block copolymers and their dispersion in clay. Polymers are triblock-type polymers formed from divalently modified (dimesyl) PEG. The latter forms a PEO crosslink between two PEI groups. Such cross-linked PEI is not desirable because of its low weight efficiency.

[0008] Nonionic containing formulations are widely used in laundry washing, especially for low foaming formulations suitable for automatic front loading washing machines.

[0009] PEI tends to deposit on fabrics based on nylon spandex. EPEI does not suffer from the same negative effects as nylon-elastane and has therefore been widely used in laundry compositions. However, it would be desirable to improve the performance of EPEI as a soil suspension polymer to solve the redeposition problem for the entire range of fabrics found in a typical laundry load: cotton, polycotton, polyester and nylon-elastane.

Invention Summary

[0010] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a laundry detergent composition containing 5 to 30% by weight of detersive surfactant selected from non-ionic and anionic surfactant and 0.05 to 4% by weight, preferably from 0.1 to 2% by weight of polyalkoxylated polyethylene imine polymer, wherein the polymer is a PEI which has a molar ratio of polyalkoxy chains to PEI of less than or equal to 3, resulting in 3 or less nitrogens , preferably 2 or less nitrogens, more preferably 1 nitrogen attached to the polyalkoxy chains and the PEI having a molecular weight (MW) of at least 500, preferably from 1000 to 2000, more preferably less than 1500 and even about 1300 .

[0011] MW is the weight average molecular weight. Molecular weights are preferably determined by dynamic light scattering using a Zetasizer Nano (Malvern).

[0012] Appropriately, when there is one polyalkoxy chain per PEI there is only one polyalkoxy chain per PEI nitrogen.

[0013] Preferably, the fraction (% by weight of nonionic surfactant)/(% by weight of anionic surfactant) is from 0.6 to 2.0, preferably from 0.90 to 1.2.

[0014] Also, according to the present invention, there is provided a washing method in which the composition according to the first aspect of the invention is diluted to a level of 0.3 to 1 g/L of surfactant and 5 to 150 ppm, preferably from 10 to 80 ppm of polymer according to the first aspect, and used for washing fabrics.

[0015] Each polyalkoxy chain is preferably constructed from ethoxy and/or propoxy groups. Most preferably it is a polyethoxy chain. Preferably the polyalkoxy chain contains from 5 to 50 repeating units, more preferably from 8 to 20, most preferably from 10 to 14. The chains may be alkyl limited, preferably methyl limited. To facilitate attachment of the limited polyalkoxy chain to PEI, the chain is preferably provided with a reactive group at the end to be attached to PEI. Appropriate reactive groups can be selected from epoxides, alkenes, a sulphooxyethylsulfonyl reactive group (-SO2CH2CH2OSO3Na), heterocyclic reactive groups and leaving groups such as tosylate. Reactive heterocyclic groups are preferably nitrogen-containing aromatic rings bonded to a halogen or an ammonium group, which reacts with NH2 or NH groups to form a covalent bond. To avoid cross-linking reactions, preferably the pre-formed alkoxy chain contains only 1 reactive group, the other end of the chain is typically limited by alkyl. Each chain has a terminal group of molecular weight less than 100. The terminal group on the polyoxyalkyl chain may be a C1-4 alkyl group, preferably a methyl group.

[0016] An example of the structure of the polyalkoxylated PEI polymer, where the alkoxylation is ethoxylation, the terminal group is methyl and the number of EO units is 13, is the structure (I):

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0017] Detergent compositions may take any suitable form. For example, they can be powders, tablets, liquids or gels and, in the case of liquids, they can be contained in a water-soluble capsule to allow for ease of use. Preferred compositions are liquid due to the compatibility of polyalkoxylated PEI ARP materials with ingredients typically found in liquid detergents.

Surfactants:

[0018] Surfactants assist in the removal of dirt from textile materials and also aid in maintaining the removed dirt in solution or suspension in the washing liquor. Mixtures of anionic and nonionic surfactants are a preferred feature of the compositions. The amount of anionic surfactant is preferably at least 5% by weight, more preferably 10% by weight.

anionic

[0019] Preferred anionic surfactants are alkyl sulfonates, especially alkylbenzene sulfonates having an alkyl chain length of C8-C15. The counterion for anionic surfactants can be an alkali metal, typically sodium or another counterion, eg MEA, TEA or ammonium can be used.

Suitable linear alkyl benzene sulfonate surfactants include Detal LAS having an alkyl chain length from 8 to 15, more preferably from 12 to 14.

[0021] It is further desirable that the composition comprises a polyethoxylated alkyl sulfate anionic surfactant of formula (II): RO(C2H4O)xSO3-M+ (II) where R is an alkyl chain having from 10 to 22 carbon atoms, saturated or unsaturated, M is a cation which makes the compound soluble in water, especially an alkali metal, ammonium or a substituted ammonium cation, eg ranges from 1 to 15.

[0022] Preferably R is an alkyl chain having from 12 to 16 carbon atoms, M is Sodium and x ranges from 1 to 3, preferably x is 3; this is the anionic surfactant sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES). It is the sodium salt of lauryl ether sulfonic acid, in which predominantly the lauryl C12 alkyl group has been ethoxylated with an average of 3 moles of ethylene oxide per mole.

non-ionic

[0023] Nonionic surfactants include primary and secondary alcohol ethoxylates, especially ethoxylated C8-C20 aliphatic alcohol with an average of 1 to 20 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol, and more especially the C10-primary and secondary aliphatic alcohols C15 ethoxylates with an average of 1 to 10 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol. Non-ethoxylated nonionic surfactants include alkyl polyglycosides, glycerol monoethers and polyhydroxy amides (glucamide). Mixtures of non-ionic surfactants can be used. When included herein, the composition contains from 0.1 to 20% by weight, preferably from 1% by weight to 15% by weight, more preferably from 5 to 15% by weight of a non-ionic surfactant, for example alcohol ethoxylate , nonylphenol ethoxylate, alkylpolyglycoside, alkyldimethylamine oxide, ethoxylated fatty acid monoethanolamide, fatty acid monoethanolamide, polyhydroxy alkyl fatty acid amide, or N-acyl N-alkyl glucosamine derivatives ("glucamides").

[0024] Nonionic surfactants that can be used include primary and secondary alcohol ethoxylates, especially ethoxylated C8-C2o aliphatic alcohols with an average of 1 to 35 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol, and more especially aliphatic alcohols primary and secondary C10C15 ethoxylated with an average of 1 to 10 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol.

Amine Oxide

[0025] The composition may comprise up to 10% by weight of an amine oxide of formula (III): R1 N(O)(CH2 R2)2 (III) in which R1 is a long chain component, each CH2R2 being one short chain component. R2 is preferably selected from hydrogen, methyl and -CH2OH. In general, R1 is a primary or branched hydrocarbyl component which may be saturated or unsaturated, preferably, R1 is a primary alkyl component. R1 is a hydrocarbyl component having chain length from about 8 to about 18.

Preferred amine oxides have R1 which is C8-C18 alkyl, and R2 which is H. Such amine oxides are illustrated by C12-14 alkyldimethyl amine oxide, hexadecyl dimethylamine oxide, octadecylamine oxide.

[0027] A preferred amine oxide material is lauryl dimethylamine oxide, also known as dodecyldimethylamine oxide or DDAO. Such amine oxide material is commercially available from Huntsman under the tradename Empigen® OB.

[0028] Suitable amine oxides for use herein are also available from Akzo Chemie and Ethyl Corp. See McCutcheon's compilation and Kirk-Othmer's review article for amine oxide producers.

[0029] Although embodiments where R2 is H are preferred, it is possible to have R2 slightly larger than H. Specifically, R2 can be CH2OH, for example: hexadecylbis(2-hydroxyethyl)amine oxide, tallow(2-hydroxyethyl) oxide hydroxyethyl)amine, stearylbis(2-hydroxyethyl)amine oxide and oleylbis(2-hydroxyethyl)amine oxide.

Preferred amine oxides have the formula (IV): O- - N+(Me)2R1 (IV) where R1 is C12.16 alkyl, preferably C12.14 alkyl; Me is a methyl group. Zwitterionic

[0031] A preferred zwitterionic material is a carbobetaine available from Huntsman under the name Empigen® BB. Betaines and/or amine oxides improve the detergency of particulate soiling in compositions. Additional Surfactants

[0032] Other surfactants (in addition to the preferred LAS, SLES, non-ionic and amine/carbobetaine oxide) may be added to the detersive surfactant mixture. However, cationic surfactants are preferably substantially absent.

[0033] Although less preferred, some alkyl sulfate surfactant (PAS) may be used, especially the non-ethoxylated primary and secondary C12.15 alkyl sulfates. A particularly preferred material, commercially available from BASF, is Sulfopon 1214G.

Polymers Polyester Dirt Release Polymer

[0034] Compositions may include 0.5% by weight or more of a soil release polymer which is substantive to polyester fabric. Such polymers typically have a fabric substantive middle block formed of propylene terephthalate repeating units and one or two polyalkylene oxide endblocks, typically PEG 750 through 2000 with methyl end caps.

Other Types of Polymer

[0035] In addition to the soil release polymer, dye transfer inhibition polymers, and cotton soil release polymers can be used, especially those based on modified cellulosic materials.

hydrotrope

[0036] A hydrotrope is a solvent that is neither water nor conventional surfactant and that helps in solubilizing surfactants and other components in the aqueous liquid to make them isotropic. Among suitable hydrotropes, there may be mentioned as preferred: MPG (monopropylene glycol), glycerol, sodium cumene sulphonate, ethanol, other glycols, for example dipropylene glycol, diethers and urea.

Enzymes

It is preferable that at least one or more enzymes can be present in the compositions. Preferably at least two, more preferably at least three classes of enzymes are used in combination. Preferred enzyme cocktails are selected from the group consisting of: Lipase, Phospholipase, Protease, Cutinase, Amylase, Cellulase, Peroxidases/oxidase, Pectate Liase and Mananase.

[0038] Any enzyme present in the composition can be stabilized using conventional stabilizing agents, for example, a polyol, for example, propylene glycol or glycerol, a sugar or sugar alcohol, lactic acid, boric acid, or a boric acid derivative, for example an aromatic borate ester, or an acid derived from phenyl boric, for example 4-formylphenyl boric acid, and the composition may be formulated as described, for example, in WO 92/19709 and WO 92/19708. Alternatively, or additively, enzymes can be protected by encapsulation.

[0039] When a lipase enzyme is included, a lignin compound can be used in the composition. Preferably, the lignin compound comprises a lignin polymer and, more preferably, is a modified lignin polymer. A modified lignin polymer, as used herein, is lignin that has undergone a chemical reaction to bind chemical components to lignin covalently. Bound chemical components are preferably substituted randomly.

Fluorescent Agents

[0040] It may be advantageous to include a fluorescent agent in the compositions. Usually, these fluorescent agents are supplied and used in the form of their alkali metal salts, eg sodium salts. The total amount of fluorescent agent or agents used in the composition generally ranges from 0.005 to 2% by weight, more preferably from 0.01 to 0.5% by weight.

Preferred classes of fluorescents are: di-styryl biphenyl compounds, eg Tinopal (Trademark) CBS-X, di-amine stilbene disulfonic acid compounds, eg Tinopal DMS pure Xtra, Tinopal 5BMGX and Blankophor (Trade Mark) HRH and pyrazoline compounds eg Blankophor SN.

Preferred fluorescents are: 2(4-styryl-3-sulfophenyl)-2H-naphthol[1,2-d]triazole sodium, 4,4'-bis{[(4-anilino-6-(N) -methyl-N-2-hydroxyethyl)amino 1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)]amino}stilbene-2-2' disodium disulfonate, 4,4'-bis{[(4-anilino-6-morpholino) -1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)]amino}stilbene-2-2' disodium disulfonate and 4,4'-bis(2-sulfoslyryl) biphenyl disodium.

Bleaching Catalyst

The compositions may comprise a weight efficient bleaching system. Such systems typically do not use the conventional percarbonate and bleach activator approach. An air bleach catalytic system is preferred. Suitable complexes and organic molecule precursors (linker) to form complexes are available to those skilled in the art, for example from: WO 98/39098, WO 98/39406, WO 97/48787, WO 00/29537, WO 00/ 52124 and WO 00/60045. An example of a preferred catalyst is a transition metal complex of MeN4Py linker (N,N-bis(pyridin-2-yl-methyl)-1-,1-bis(pyridin-2-yl)-1-aminoethane). Suitable bispidon catalytic materials and their action are described in WO02/48301. The bleach catalyst can be encapsulated to reduce interaction with other components of the liquid during storage.

[0044] Photobleachers may also be used. A "photobleach" is any chemical species that forms a reactive bleach species upon exposure to sunlight, and preferably, is not permanently consumed in the reaction. Preferred photobleachers include oxygen singlet photobleachers and radical photobleachers. Suitable oxygen singlet photobleachers can be selected from water soluble fatalocyanine compounds, particularly metallated phthalocyanine compounds where the metal is Zn or Al-Z1 where Z1 is a halide, sulfate, nitrate, carboxylate, alkanolate or hydroxyl ion. Preferably, the phthalocyanine has 1-4 SO3X groups covalently bonded to it, where X is an alkali metal or ammonium ion. Such compounds are described in WO2005/014769 (Ciba).

[0045] When present, the bleach catalyst is typically incorporated at a level of about 0.0001 to about 10% by weight, preferably of about 0.001 to about 5% by weight.

perfume

[0046] The composition will normally include one or more perfume components. Oil free or encapsulated perfumes and mixtures thereof can be used.

[0047] A particularly preferred way of ensuring that perfume is efficiently employed is to use an encapsulated perfume. Using a perfume that is encapsulated reduces the amount of perfume vapor that is produced by the composition before it is diluted. This is important when the perfume concentration is increased to allow the amount of perfume per wash to be kept at a reasonably high level.

[0048] It is even more preferable that the perfume is not only encapsulated, but also that the perfume is provided with a deposition aid to increase the efficiency of deposition of perfume and its retention on fabrics. The deposition aid is preferably attached to the encapsulate via a covalent bond, entanglement or strong adsorption.

Additional Optional Ingredients

[0049] The compositions may contain one or more other ingredients. Such ingredients include viscosity modifiers, foam enhancing agents, preservatives (eg bactericides), pH buffering agents, polyelectrolytes, anti-shrink agents, anti-wrinkle agents, antioxidants, sunscreens, anti-corrosion agents, trim agents, antistatic agents and ironing aids. The compositions may additionally comprise dyes, pearls and/or opacifiers and tint dyes.

Tint Dyes

[0050] Shade dye can be used to improve the performance of compositions. Preferred dyes are violet or blue. Deposition on fabrics of a low level of a dye of these shades is believed to mask the yellowing of fabrics. An additional advantage of tint dyes is that they can be used to mask any yellow ink in the composition itself. Examples of shade dyes are alkoxylated thiophene dyes, acid violet 50, direct violet 35, direct violet 99, direct violet 9, solvent violet 13, dispersed violet 28, dispersed blue 165.

[0051] The tint dye can be used in the absence of fluorescent, but it is especially preferred to use a tint dye in combination with a fluorescent one, for example, in order to reduce yellowing due to chemical changes in the adsorbed fluorescent.

Anti-Lime and Sequestering Agents

[0052] Detergent compositions may also optionally contain relatively low levels of organic detergent anti-lime agent or sequestering material. Examples include alkali metal, citrates, succinates, malonates, carboxymethyl succinates, carboxylates, polycarboxylates and polyacetyl carboxylates. Specific examples include the sodium, potassium and lithium salts of oxydisuccinic acid, mellitic acid, benzene polycarboxylic acids and citric acid. Other examples are DEQUEST™, organic phosphonate-type sequestering agents sold by Monsanto, and alkane hydroxy phosphonates.

[0053] Other suitable organic descaling agents include the higher molecular weight polymers and copolymers known to possess descaling agent properties. For example, such materials include suitable polyacrylic acid, polymaleic acid and polyacrylic/polymaleic acid copolymers and salts thereof, for example those sold by BASF under the name SOKALAN™.

[0054] If used, the organic anti-liming agent materials may comprise from about 0.5% to 20% by weight, preferably from 1% by weight to 10% by weight, of the composition. The preferred level of anti-scaling agent is less than 10% by weight and preferably less than 5% by weight of the composition. A preferred scavenger is HEDP (1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1 diphosphonic acid), for example, sold as Dequest 2010. Also suitable, but less preferred as it provides inferior cleaning results, is Dequest® 2066 (Diethylenetriamine penta (methylene phosphonic acid) or heptasodium DTPMP).

Buffers

[0055] The presence of some buffer is preferred for pH control; preferred buffers are MEA and TEA. If present, they are preferably used in the composition at levels from 1 to 15% by weight.

External Structuring

[0056] The compositions can have their rheology modified by the use of a material or materials that form a structuring network within the composition. Suitable builders include hydrogenated castor oil, microfibrous cellulose and builders based on natural material, for example citrus pulp fiber. Citrus pulp fiber is particularly preferred, especially if the lipase enzyme is included in the composition.

Visual effects

[0057] Compositions may comprise visual effects of solid material that does not get dissolved in the composition. Preferably they are used in combination with an external strut to ensure they remain in suspension. Preferred visual effects are lamellar effects formed from a polymeric film that possibly comprises functional ingredients that may not be as stable if exposed to an alkaline liquid. Bleaching enzymes and catalysts are examples of such ingredients. Perfume, particularly microencapsulated perfume, is an example of such an ingredient.

[0058] The invention will now be further described with reference to the following non-limiting examples. EXAMPLES Polymer Synthesis Step (a): Tosylation of methyl-terminated polyethylene glycol Materials Amounts used CH3(O-CH2CH2)nOH (Mn=550) 110 g Tosyl chloride 38 g Triethylamine 20.2 ml Dichloromethane 150 ml

Tosyl chloride was added over 45 minutes to a stirred mixture of poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether and triethylamine in dichloromethane at 0 to 5°C. The mixture was then allowed to warm to room temperature and stirred at room temperature for 16 hours, after which essentially all of the tosyl chloride was consumed, as judged by thin layer chromatography (TLC). The reaction produced a suspension (192 g) of Tosylated PEG.

Step (b): "Polyethoxylation" of Polyethyleneimine

The Tosylated PEG suspension from step (a) was mixed with a 50% by weight solution of Polyethyleneimine (MW=1300) at pH 10.5. The molar ratio of Tosylated PEG to Polyethyleneimine was 1:1. The mixture was stirred overnight (16 hr) at room temperature, after which the formation of para-toluene sulfonic acid was completed as measured by TLC, the pH was then adjusted to 7.0 with conc. and packaged. The synthesis was repeated with different molar ratios of Tosylated PEG to Polyethyleneimine to give a series of polymers as detailed in Table 1. P10 and P30 are marked as comparative because they resemble prior art alkoxylated polyethylene imines.

Wash Test

NaLAS é alquil C11-15 benzeno sulfonato de sódio. NI(7EO) é R-(OCH2CH2)nOH, onde R é alquila C12-15, e n é 7. SLES(3EO) é lauril éter sulfato de sódio com uma média de 3 grupos etoxi. Alquil Betaina é Empigen® BB (ex Huntsman).[0061] The laundry detergent base composition used for the wash test is given in Table 2.Table 2

NaLAS is sodium C11-15 alkyl benzene sulfonate. NI(7EO) is R-(OCH2CH2)nOH, where R is C12-15 alkyl, and n is 7. SLES(3EO) is sodium lauryl ether sulfate with an average of 3 ethoxy groups. Alkyl Betaine is Empigen® BB (ex Huntsman).

[0062] The composition was used to wash a mixture of white fabrics: woven cotton, microfiber polyester, woven polycotton and nylon-elastane mesh with a liquor to fabric ratio of 10:1 in a Linitester. The fabrics were of equal area. 26° French Hardness water was used. Each wash lasted 20 minutes and was followed by 2 rinses in 75 ml of water. This procedure was repeated twice on the base composition given in Table 2 (i.e. without any polymer) and then the fabric was then dried.

[0063] The washing procedure was then repeated three more times, now with the addition of strips of dirt in each wash to simulate the mess. The weight ratio of soil strips to white fabrics was 8.6:1. The soil strips used were Ballast Dirty Fabrics SBL 2004 (ex wfk Testgewebe GmbH) and a Stanley Clay strip (ex Warwick Equest UK) in the weight ratio 1:1. For each of these 3 repetitions, 3.5% by weight of polymer was also included in the composition - the balance water being correspondingly reduced. All compositions were used at 2.3 g/L.

[0064] The clothes were removed, dried and the reflectance spectrum was measured using a reflectometer. The cleaning improvement was measured by AR460 which is given by: AR460 = R460(polymer) - R460(control)

PEI(1300) é o PEI não-e toxilado.[0065] The cleaner the garment, the higher the reflectance, so the higher the AR460 the greater the increase in garment cleanliness versus control. The results are given in Table 3.Table 3

PEI(1300) is the non-toxified PEI.

[0066] Polymers P1 (with 1 ethoxylated chain) and P2 (with 2 ethoxylated chains) show the best overall performance, having good effects on cotton, polycotton and polyester without a broad negative effect on nylon-elastane as seen from PEI totally non-ethoxylated.

[0067] Note that, in Examples 2 and 4 below, the data for P1 and P30 represent the sum of the data from this test and not repeated data.

Example 2

[0068] The synthesis and experiments of Example 1 were repeated for the 1:1 molar ratio for the Tosylated PEG:Polyethyleneimine. The Poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether used was changed to:

[0069] CHe(O-CH2CH2)nOH (Mn=750), and the resulting Alkoxylated PEI polymer coded P1-750; and

[0070] CH3(O-CH2CH2)nOH (Mn=2000), and the resulting Alkoxylated PEI polymer coded P1-2000.

∑ΔR460 é a soma do ΔR460 para cada um dos tecidos.[0071] Washing results are given in Table 4. Table 4

∑ΔR460 is the sum of ΔR460 for each tissue.

[0072] P1, P1-750 and P1-2000, provided improved results compared to polymer P30 and reference polymer PEI(1300). The shorter chain of alkoxylated PEI gave the best results.

[0073] Example 3

The washing experiments of Example 1 were repeated for P1 at a level of 0.4377% by weight (10 ppm in the washing solution). The results are given in Table 5. Table 5

[0075] The polymers of the invention provide benefits at low levels.

Example 4

[0076] The synthesis and experiments of Example 1 were repeated for the 1:1 molar ratio for the Tosylated PEG:Polyethyleneimine. Polyethyleneimine was changed to Polyethyleneimine (PM=800) and coded as Q1. Washing results are given in Table 6.Table 6

Example 5

[0077] Table 7 is an additional detergent composition according to the present invention. Table 7

[0078] Enzyme levels are expressed as pure protein. The lipase used was Lipoclean™ (Novozymes); the cellulose used was CellucleanTM (Novozymes); the amylase used was StainzymeTM (Novozymes).

Claims (11)

1. Laundry detergent composition, characterized in that it comprises from 5 to 30% by weight of detersive surfactant selected from nonionic and anionic surfactant and from 0.05 to 4% by weight of polyalkoxylated polyethylene imine polymer where the polyalkoxyl chains are directly linked to the nitrogens in PEI and each chain has a terminal group with a molecular weight of less than 100 and the polymer being a PEI, which has a molar ratio of polyalkoxy chains, including the end group, to PEI of less that or equal to 3, resulting in 3 or less, preferably 2 or less, more preferably 1 nitrogen bonded to the polyalkoxy chains, and the PEI having a MW of at least 500, preferably from 1000 to 2000, more preferably less than 1500 and even 1300. 2. Composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the fraction (% by weight of non-ionic surfactant)/(% by weight of anionic surfactant) is from 0.6 to 2.0. 3. Composition according to claim 2, characterized in that the fraction (% by weight of non-ionic surfactant)/(% by weight of anionic surfactant) is from 0.90 to 1.2. Composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is a liquid. Composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it is a solid. Composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it additionally comprises a perfume. Composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the terminal group in the polyalkoxy chain is a C 1-4 alkyl group, preferably a methyl group. Composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the polyalkoxylation consists of polyethoxylation. Composition according to claim 8, characterized in that the average number of ethylene oxide units in the polyethoxylated PEI is from 5 to 50, preferably from 8 to 20, more preferably from 10 to 14. 10. Composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a nonionic ethoxylate surfactant. 11. Process for washing clothes, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: (i) diluting the composition, as defined in any one of claims 1 to 10, to a level of 0.3 to 1 g/L of detergent surfactant and 5 to 150 ppm, preferably from 10 to 80 ppm of a polyalkoxylated polyethylene imine polymer; (ii) washing a blended load of fabrics comprising nylon-elastane and at least one additional fabric selected from cotton, polycotton and polyester with said diluted composition.