CA1327503C

CA1327503C - Carpet cleaning composition and method of use

Info

Publication number: CA1327503C
Application number: CA000602010A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Charles Randolph Minns
Original assignee: BASF Corp
Current assignee: Honeywell International Inc
Priority date: 1988-06-14
Filing date: 1989-06-07
Publication date: 1994-03-08
Anticipated expiration: 2011-03-08
Also published as: JP2653699B2; EP0346835A2; EP0346835B1; AU3630789A; JPH0234698A; AU611808B2; EP0346835A3; DE68919755T2; HK1004756A1; ATE115179T1; DE68919755D1

Abstract

CARPET CLEANING COMPOSITION AND METHOD OF USE

ABSTRACT

An aqueous cleaning composition suitable for removing stains, soils, or combinations thereof from synthetic polymer fibers. The composition finds particular application in removing coffee stains from fibers contained in textile products such as carpets. The composition has a pH in the range of from about 7.0 to about 12 and comprises a peroxyhydrate, i.e., hydrogen peroxide, and a water soluble alcohol having up to 5 carbon atoms, i.e., isopropyl.

Description

CARPET CLEANING COMPOSITION AND MEIHOD OF USE

~ACKGROUNr) OF THE I~avENTIoN
A. Field of ~he Invention This iIlvexltion relates to a~ueous cleaning composi-tions and, more particularly, relates to an aqueous cleanin~
composition having the ability to remove stains, soils, or combinatiorls thereof from textile fibers.

B. Description of the Prio.r Art Carpets containing synthetic pol~ner f ibers are a popular f loor coverins f or both residlential and co~nercial applications. Su~h carpets axe rela ivel~ inexpensive and have a corr~ina~ion of desirable quali~ies, such as durabilit~, comfort, safety, warmth, and quie~ness.
Various ~cypes of synthetic pol~rmer f ibers axe used in making carpe~s . Two popular synthetic polymer f ibers utilized ir earpe~s are polyamide f ibers, such as nylorl 6 and nylon 66, and polyester f iber~ .

The f i~ers contained in the carpets are severely and 20 pea:maner~tly stai~ed or ~oiled when con~acted, such as by inadver-spilling, with cer~ain artificial and na~ural colorantspresen~ in household items, sllch as tea, coffee beverages made from offee beans, and so:Et drink beveraç~s. Many of these ~oloran s are acid dyes ~oloran~s, which cause the most sPvere :

stains. As a result thereof, carpets are ssmetimes replaced because of unsightly s~iling or staining, even though the carpet has no~ been worn out~
The ~erms "stain and staining" as used herein with reference to synthetlc fibers means discoloration of the fibers caused by a chemical reaction with ~ chemical substance. Acid dyes are representative of a staining material for nylon fibers.
The terms "soils" as used herein refers to both organic and inorganic matter which comes in contact with fiber~ and adhere there~o, Dirt particles, grease, oils, foods, and cosmetics are representative of materials referred to a soils that work their way onto and into various textile ~ibers.
The ~erm "fiber" as used he~rein includes fibers of extreme or indefinite length (i.e. filaments) and fibers of short length (i.e. staple~ The term 1'yarn" as used herein means a continuous s~ra~d 9f ~i~ers.
In an attempt to prevent undesirable stainin~ of fibers and, particul~rly, fibers rontained in caxpets, it has been proposed that the fibers be treated with an additive which coa~s the fiber and makes ~he fiber resi~tant to staining. Exampl~s ~f such additives are condensation products made from aroma~ic sulfonic acids, and formaldehyde. Althou~h such additive~ have been somewhat suc~essful in impar ing ~ain resis~ance, certain problems remai~. For instance, ma~y o~ the additives reduce staining of fibers, bu~ do not totally eliminate ik. In addition, traffic on carpet wears off the additives, which leaves the resulting fi~ers of the carpe~ with little or no protection against staining.
Colored food beverages, such as colored soft drink beverages, tea beverages, and coffee beverages made from co~fee beans, present a erious staining problem to textile ~i bers.
Coffee stains are particularly unsightly because of their dark brown color.
Various fluorochemicals have been applied to carpet fibers in order to reduce their water and oil wet~ability. The t fluorochemical reduces the tendency of soils to adhere to the fibers, thereby maki~g the removal of soils from the carpet fib~rs ehsier than if the fluorochemicals were omitted, but offers little protection to the carpe~ fibers from spills oon~ainin~ acid dye colorants unless tha coloran~s are in~ediately removed from the fibers. In addi~ion, traffic on the carpet wears off t he fluoro~
rhemicals ~ number of cleaning soluti.ons have been proposed in ~he past for removing stains and soils from fibers. For instance, volatile solvent dry-cleanin~ fluid~ have been proposed, bu~ uch fluids are les~ ~han satisfactory in removing water^s oluble stains or soils. In addi~isn, aqueous compositions c~ntaining synthe~ic deter~ents have been proposed ~or removing stains and soils from fi~rs, but such compositions have not been fo~nd to be par~icularly effe~ive~
One of ~he problems with these cleaning solu~ions is that while they may, at ~ime~, loosen and/or dispense ~he soil, : , .~

1 3~7503 they fail to pick up or retain the soil, which re5ults in it being redeposited on the fibers. Furthermore, ~hey are not very effective against difficult s~ains, such as acid and coffee stains. Still further, since acid and coffee stains ar~ not water soluble, aqueous detergent compositions are not particularly ~ffective and many times it is difficult ~o remoYe ~11 of the detergent from the fiber surface, even when xinsed with large amounts of water or ste~m. As a result thereof, the carpet fibers become tacky due to a ~ilm of detergent. The film attracts and re~ains soils, which results in a cleaned carpet that will soil more ea~ily after a cleaniny than prior thereto.
Finally, many of ~he agueous cleaning compositions require larye amounts of water. This causes the fibers in the carpet and, many times, the pad under the carpet, to become saturated with waterr which can result in degr dation of the pad and/or carpet.
The presen~ invention provides a ~leaning composi~isn sui~able ~or removing stains and soils from syn~heti~ polymer fibers which overcomes, or at least m~tigates, many of the above-described problems.

SUMMA~Y OF ~HE INVENTION
The present inven~io~ is an aqueous cleaning compositionand a metho~ for removing stains, soils, or combinations thereof from fibers made from synthetic polymers utilizing the aqueous ~5 ~leaning composition. The cleaning composition has a pH in ~he range of from about 7.0 to about 12.0 and comprises an oxidizing agent and a water-soluble aliphatic alcohol. The method of the invention is carried out by contacting the soiled and/or stained fiber wi~h ~he ~leaning composit1on.
The c~mposition finds particular application in cle~ning fibers con~ained in carpets, ru~s~ upholster~, drap s, clothing, nd other similar textile products. Still further, the compo.~ition is very effective in removing s~ains from coffee ~everages, even whe~ the ~everages have remained on the fiber for extended periods of ~ime~ e.g., 30 minu~es or more. Finally, the use o~ the composition does not result in appreciably degrading the fi~ers.

DESCRIPTION OF TEIE PREFE~RRE:D E~BODI~NTS
Alcohols which are suitabl~ for use in the inv~ntion include watçr-soluble alcohols containing up to 5 carbon a~oms, such as methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, ~-propyl alcohol, i~opropyl alcohol, n-bu~yl alcohol, isobu~yl alcohol, sec-~utyl alcohol, tert-butyl al~ohol, tert-penty1 alcoholO The preferred alcohol is isoprDpyl alcohol.
Oxidizing ag~nts that find particular application in the invention inolude pero~yhydrates. The term "peroxyhydrate", as used herein, m~ans hydrogen peroxide or any compound which, in an agueous composition, yield~ hydrogen perox'de. Examples of such compounds includ@ alkali metal peroxides, ~uch as sodium peroxide and potassium peroxide, sodium p~rborate monohydrate and ~5--, . ~ ~

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1 3~7503 tetrahydrate, sodium persulfate, sodium percarbonate, sodium peroxydihydrate, various phosphate peroxyhydrates such as sodium or potassium peroxydiphosphate, potassium carbonate, peroxydihydrate, and or~anic peroxyhydrates such as urea peroxide.
The preferred oxidizing agent is hydrogen peroxide.
The amount of oxidizing agent and alcohol utilized in ~he aqueous cleaning composition will vary over a wide range with no limitations in ~his regard. For fibers having stains from co~fee bevrrages, the amount o~ oxidizlng ag2nt employed is generally an amount in the range of from about 3 to about 15 percent by weight of aqueous composition and, preferably, an amoun~ of from abou~ 3 to 12.~ percent by weight of aqueous c~mposikion~ The amount o~ alcohol w.ill generally be an amount in the range of from about 10 to abou~ 30 percent by weight of a~ueous composition and, pre~erably, an amount of from about 10 ~o about 20 wei~ht per~nt ~a~ed on the weigh~ of ~he aqueous composition.
The pre~ise manner that the aqueous composition functions to remove soils or stains, particularl~ ccffee ~tains, is no~ fully unders~ood and need not be. I~ is believed that thQ
aqu~ous composition oxidize~ colored high molecular compounds to colorles~ low0r molecular weight compounds. In any case, the o~servable ef~eo~ is that the utilization of the aqueous solution con~aining ~he peroxyhydr~te and alcohol very e~ctively removes, or a~ least substan~ially redu~es, soils and stains, particul rly cof~e~ s~ains, in ~he fibers. In addition, the alcohol appears to ,.
-.
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1 3~7503 assis~ in the stain and soil removal and promotes drying of the cleaned fiber. The cleaning effect occurs without any appreciable de~rimental effect to ~he fi~ rs.
In the practice of the invention, it is necessary that o th~ pH of the aqueous compositi~n be in the range of from about 7.0 to about 12.~ and, more prefera~ly, in the range of from ~bout 9.0 ~o about 10.~. The pH can ~e adjus~ed using acidic or alkaline compounds well known in the ar~. The pre~erred compounds, for raising the pH-of ~he composition are sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, and, most preferably, ammonium hydroxide.
The pr~ferred agu~ous composition has a pH of from a~out 9OO to about 10~0 and comprises hydro~en peroxide present in an amount in the range from about 3 to about 12.5 percent by weigh~
-5 of aqueous composition and isopropyl alcohol pre~ent in an amoun~
in ~he range from abou~ 1~ to about 20 percen~ by weight of aqueous composition.
The most preferred composition comprisPs about 9 per~ent - by wei~ht h~drogen peroxide, 10 percent by weigh~ isopropyl alcohol, and a p~ of abou~ 9.5. Preferably, pH adjus~mQnt of this composition is carried out usin~ ammonium hydroxide.
Generally, any synthetic fiber may be cleaned utilizing the cleanin~ composition o~ the present inven~ion. Examples o~
su~h fibers include tho~e made from ~ynthetic thenmoplastic polymers whi~h a~e capable of being ~orm~d into fibers su~h as by m@lt extrusion i~cluding polyolefins, for example, homopolymers o ., .

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, ~ .
, olefins such as low-density polyethylene, high-denslty polyethylene, polypropylene, and the like. Copolymers of olefins with other ethylenically unsaturated monomers such as ethylene-propylene copolymers and ethylenebutene copolymers and the like find particular application in ~he presen~ inven~ion.
Fibers made from polyamides also find particular applica~ion in ~he presen~ inventio~ Examples of such polyamides include homopolyclmides and copolyclmides which are obtained by the polymerization o~ lactam or aminocaprioniG acid or a copolymerization product from mixtures of diamines together with dicarboxylic acids or mixtures of lactams.
Typical polyamides include nylon 6, nylon 6/6, nylon 6/10, nylo~ 6/12, nylon 11~ nylon 12~ copolymers thereof, or mixtures ~hereof. Polyc~mides can be also copolymers of nylon 6 or :5 nylon 6,6 and a ~ylon salt obtained by reacting a dicarboxylic acid component such as terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, adipic acid or sebacic acid wit~ a diamine such as hexamethylenediamine or 1,4-bisamin~methylcyclohexane.
Fi~ers mad~ from polyester also find partisular applicati~n in ~he presen~ invention. The preferred polyest@r~
are ~he linear ~erephthal~te polye~ters, i. 20 ~ polyesters of a ; glycol containin~ fr~m 2 to 20 carbon atoms and a di~arboxylic acid component compri~in~ at least about 7~ terephthalic acid.
The remainder, if any, of the dicarboxylic acid component may be an~ suitabl~ dicarboxylic acid such as sebacic acid, adipic acid, isophthali~ acid, sulfon~l-1,4-4-dibenzoic acid, or 2,8-di-. , ' ~,, ' ", "' , .~ , ., , ~' ' ' ' ~"

benzofurandicarboxylic acid. Examples of linear terephthalatepolyesters which may ~e employed include poly(ethylene terephthalate3, poly(bu~yle~e terephthalate), poly(ethylene terephthalate/5-chloroisophthalate), pol~(ethylene terephthalate), poly(butylene terephthalate~, poly(ethylene terephthala~e/5-chloroisophthalate), poly(ethylene terephthalate/5-~sodium sulfo]-isophthalate), and poly(cyclohexane 1,4-dimethylene terephthalate/hexahydroterephthalate).
Fibers comprising polyacrylonitrile homopolymers an copolymers can als~ be utilized i~ the present invention. The term "polyacrylonitrile" as used herein means a synthetic polymer composed o~ at least 85 percent by wei.ght acrylonitrile monomer uni~s (-CH2-CH-). Up to 1~ percent of the polymer can ~e CN
comprised of a vinyl monomer which is copolymerizable with acrylonl~rile such as methyl acrylate, methyl me~hacrylate, vinyl acetate, and vinyl derivatives con~aining sul~o or carboxyl groups.
The aqueous compositio~ can be prepared by mixing together the alcohol~ oxidi~ing agent~ and water in any order.
Prior to utilizing the ~ompositio~ s pH will usually have to be ad~usted.
The method sf cleaning usin~ the cle~ni~g eompo~ition compris~s a~plyi~ the a~ueous composition to the ~ibers to be 2~ cleaned and removin~ the r~sidue of the composition toge~her with ~ain, soil, or combinations thereof. The residue may be remov~d _g_ , ' hy rinsing, scrubbing, vacuuming, sweepin~, brushin~, and the like. The amount of aqueous composition applied will depend on the severity of the staining or soiling encountered. For severe staining c3r soiling, more than one application of the cleaning composition may be desired. In addition, the cleanirlg composition should remain on the f ibers f t~r a period of time that insures proper cleaning of the stains, soils, or combinations thereof.
After removing the composition from the fibers, the fibers are preferably washed with water to thoroughly remove the cleaner.
A desirable fea~ure of u~cilizing the composition for cleanirlg soiled and/or stained f iber~ is that ef f icacious cl~aning occurs thereon without leaving a residue. In addition, the use of the cleaninçT compositis~a does not impaix the color, even dyed colors, of the f ibers .
The invention s ~Eur~her exemplif ied by the examples below, whi~h are presented to illustrate certain specific embo~iments of the iaventiora ~ ~u~ are not i~teTlded to be constsued so as to be restricti~e of the spirit arld scope thereof~

~E
An amount of 10 millili~ers of a beverage comprising black coff~e which had a ~emperature of 180F wa~ poured into the c2n~er c/f each piece of a 6 inch by 6 inch sample o~ a commercial c:arpet. The sampl~ c~mprised nylon, polyester, or polypropylene.
The samples were then allowed to air dry a~ ambierlt tempera'cures 2~ for a period of 48 hours~ After 48 hs:~urs, each stain was sprayed -10 ' " : ' . , 1 327503 ~, with a comTercial carpet detergent. The de~ergent was allowed to contac~ the sarnple for a period of one minute after being li~htly agi~ated b~ means of a f in~er . Thereaf ter, the detergen~c was removed from the sample using a co~unercial hot water ex1:raction 5 machine having a 4 inch wand attached ~co a vacu~n hose. Next, the stain was sprayed with lOD% whitP vinegar ~ which was allow~d to stand for one minute arld subsequently removed from the carpet in the same manner as the detergerlt . The cof f ee stains were not appreciably removed f rom the sa~nples af ter ~chese treatments .
lQ Thereafter, each coffee stain was sprayed wi~h an aqueous cleaning composi'cion comprising 10 percent by weigh~c iso~ropyl alcohol 9 3 0 percent by weight of an aqueous hydrogen peroxide composition containing 30 percen~ by weight hydrsgen peroxide ~9 percent by weight hydrogen peroxide), 10% by weight o~
an a~nmonium hydroxide for pH adjus~ment, and 50 percent by weis~h'c ~f wa~er. The pereen~ages of the alcohol, hydr~gerl peroxid~, . .~mT onium hydroxide were based on the total weigh~ of the ~leani~g c~mpositiDa. The stains w~re no longer visible after less thar one hour O The aqueous ~of f ee s~ain removing composition ( CAGS ) 20 was ex~racted from th~ samples, rinsed wi~h an aqueous solution cc:ntaining 50% by weight white vinegar and S0% by weight water, ar~d, allowed to dry. Upon visual observation, all traces of the coffee st. in were removed from each sample.

Althouyh c rtain pref erred embodiments o ~he invention 25 have been herein described ~or illustrative purposes, it will be ~ 327503 appreciated that various modifications and innovations of the procedures recited may be effected without departure from the basic principles which underlie the invention. Changes of this type are therefore deemed to lie wi~hin the spirit and scope of the invention excep~ as may be necessarily limited to the amended claims of reasonable equiva~ents thereof~

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Claims

1. An aqueous cleaning composition having a pH in the range of from about 7 to 12 and comprising:
(a) an effective amount of water-soluble alcohol containing 1 to about 5 carbon atoms;
(b) between about 3 and about 15 percent by total composition weight of a peroxyhydrate oxidizing agent; and (c) a pH adjustment substance.

2. The composition recited in Claim 1 wherein said water-soluble alcohol is selected from the group consisting of methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, n-propyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, n-butyl alcohol, isobutyl alcohol, sec-butyl alcohol, tert-alcohol, tert-pentyl alcohol, and mixtures thereof.

3. The composition recited in Claim 2 wherein said peroxyhydrate is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen peroxide, sodium peroxide, potassium peroxide, sodium perborate monohydrate, sodium perborate tetrahydrate, sodium persulfate, sodium percarborate, sodium peroxydihydrate, sodium peroxydiphosphate, potassium peroxydiphosphate, potassium carbonate peroxydihydrate, urea peroxide, and mixture thereof.

4. The composition recited in Claim 3 wherein said pH is from about 9.0 to about 10.5.

5. The composition recited in Claim 4 wherein said alcohol is present in an amount in the range of from about 10 to about 20 percent by weight of said composition.

6. The composition recited in Claim 5 wherein said peroxyhydrate is present in an amount in the range of from about 3 to about 12.5 percent by weight of said composition.

7. The composition recited in Claim 6 wherein said peroxyhydrate is hydrogen peroxide.

8. The composition recited in Claim 7 wherein said alcohol is isopropyl alcohol.

9. The composition recited in Claim 8 wherein said pH adjustment substance is ammonium hydroxide.

10. A method of removing stains, soils, or combinations thereof from a synthetic polymer fiber comprising:
contacting said fiber with an effective amount of an aqueous cleaning composition having a pH in the range of from about 7 to 12 and comprising:

(a) an effective amount of water-soluble alcohol containing 1 to about 5 carbon atoms;

(b) between about 3 and about 15 percent by total composition weight of a peroxyhydrate oxidizing agent; and (c) a pH adjustment substance.

11. The method recited in Claim 10 wherein said water-soluble alcohol is selected from the group consisting of methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, n-propyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, n-butyl alcohol, isobutyl alcohol, sec-butyl alcohol, tert-alcohol, tert-pentyl alcohol, and mixtures thereof.

12. The method recited in Claim 11 wherein said peroxyhydrate is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen peroxide, sodium peroxide, potassium peroxide, sodium perborate monohydrate, sodium perborate tetrahydrate, sodium persulfate, sodium percarborate, sodium peroxydihydrate, sodium peroxydiphosphate, potassium peroxydiphosphate, potassium carbonate peroxydihydrate, urea peroxide, and mixtures thereof.

13. The method recited in Claim 12 wherein said synthetic polymer fibers are selected from the group consisting of polyamide, polyester, and polyolefin fibers.

14. The method recited in Claim 13 wherein said stains are coffee beverage stains.

15. The method recited in Claim 14 wherein said pH of said composition is in the range of from about 9.0 to about 10.5.

16. The method recited in Claim 15 wherein said peroxyhydrate is hydrogen peroxide and said alcohol is isopropyl alcohol.