CO4750717A1 - METHODS, COMPOSITIONS AND ARTICLES FOR THE CLEANING OR HYGIENE OF FABRICS - Google Patents

Abstract

A method of reducing the level of microorganisms in fabrics, which involves the step of contacting the fabric with an aqueous cleaning solution that comprises at least 0.5% detergent surfactant and that has a basic pH greater than about 10, for a time greater than about one minute and sufficient to effect a significant reduction in microorganisms compared to the same process in which the solution is immediately rinsed. The method described in which said aqueous cleaning solution comprises: (a) from about 0.01% to about 15% of C8-C18 fatty acid; (b) optionally, from about 0.1% to about 4% by weight of nonionic surfactant; (c) optionally, from about 0.1% to about 4% by weight of organic polycarboxylic acid; (d) optionally, up to about 0.2 by weight of stable base anionic surfactant; (e) optionally, a toxicologically acceptable basic regulator; (f) optionally, a toxicologically acceptable preservative; (g) optionally, from about 0.05% to about 10% phosphoric acid; and (h) the balance comprising an aqueous vehicle selected from water and, optionally, a toxicologically acceptable low molecular weight organic solvent; wherein said aqueous solution has a pH greater than about 10. A disclosed method wherein said aqueous cleaning solution is in a container having instructions for treating fabrics comprising the instruction to apply the solution to said fabrics and allow the solution to remain in contact for at least one minute.