EP3863599B1

EP3863599B1 - Cleaning composition comprising foam boosting silicone

Info

Publication number: EP3863599B1
Application number: EP19778523.1A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Geetika Bhatia; Pravin M BRAHMAPURIKAR; Kalon Chatterjee; Arjun GHOSH; Gurpreet Singh Kohli; Pallab MONDAL; Amit Kumar Paul
Original assignee: Unilever Global IP Ltd; Unilever IP Holdings BV
Current assignee: Unilever Global IP Ltd; Unilever IP Holdings BV
Priority date: 2018-10-12
Filing date: 2019-09-30
Publication date: 2022-03-02
Anticipated expiration: 2039-09-30
Also published as: ZA202101689B; EP3863599A1; PH12021550631A1; CN112839630A; WO2020074302A1

Description

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a cleaning composition having a foam boosting silicone. More particularly, it relates to a fabric cleaning composition having lower concentration of detersive surfactant in combination with the foam boosting silicone.

Background of the Invention

Cleaning compositions comprising detergent surfactants are well-known in many fields of application, for instance in laundry washing and fabric treatment compositions. Most compositions having surfactant have a tendency to foam, in particular once they are diluted upon application. In many such applications, especially where consumers prepare suds or lather from the cleaning composition themselves, such foaming is perceived as a sign of detergency. In consumer minds, often foaming power is even perceived as a prerequisite for detergency. Therefore, good foam formation is a desirable characteristic for many cleaning compositions. It is especially desirable that the foamy or frothy layer, once formed, does not disappear readily but remains in place for the consumer to be observed.
Hand-wash cleaning compositions suitable for washing fabrics are known. Such compositions should have proper foaming performance and must also be able to deliver excellent stain and soil removal benefits. In hand-wash cleaning composition, the user may also use the suds profile and the appearance of the foam like the foam density, and foam whiteness as an indicator that the wash solution still contains active detergent ingredient and the user usually doses the cleaning detergent composition depending on the suds remaining and renews the wash solution when the suds/ foam subsides or when the foam does not look thick enough. Thus, a cleaning composition, particularly a manual hand-wash cleaning composition that provides little or low-density foam, or short-lived foam would tend to be replaced by the user more frequently than is necessary.
However, formulating a cleaning composition to provide optimal foaming may negatively affect other characteristics. In particular, a well-known way to enhance foaming is by increasing the amount of surfactant present in a formulation. Most laundry cleaning formulations include a higher level of surfactant than necessary for removal of the soil so as to obtain desired foaming. From a sustainability point of view, this is undesirable and creates a need to provide an alternative way of enhancing the stability of the foam formed from cleaning compositions.
Thus, it is desirable for a cleaning composition to provide a good foam volume and density as well as good foam stability during the initial mixing of the composition with water and where the foam is also present during the entire washing operation. Compounds known as pro-foamers, foam boosters and foam regulators, have been included in certain detergent products where high foam volume is functionally or aesthetically desirable.
Composition comprising polyalkylene oxide siloxane co-surfactants with different amounts of polyoxyalkylene group are known in many fields of applications.
US 2006/0189508 A1 (P&G ) discloses a rinse-aid composition which is stable and compatible with other acidic rinse-aid compositions and where the composition includes a polyalkoxylated trisiloxane surfactant with ethoxy, propoxy group or mixtures thereof as pendant groups and a non-ionic solubilising system and an acidifying agent. Disclosed polyalkoxylated trisiloxane surfactant includes from about 3 to 9 ethoxy groups and from 0 to 4 propoxy group.
US 2007/0225195 A1 (Saito Yoshinobu et. al,) discloses a solid soap composition capable of performing make up removal and ordinary facial cleaning in a single step. The soap composition includes a soap component and a polyoxyalkylene modified polysiloxane.
JP H01 211516 A (Sunstar Inc, 1989 ) discloses a foaming aerosol type hair cosmetic composition having excellent foaming property under low temperature conditions. The aerosol type hair composition includes specific polydimethylsiloxane-polyoxyalkylene polymer and a specific polydimethylsiloxane.
JP H04 346914 A (Nippon Unicar Co Ltd, 1992 ) discloses a bath composition which generates stable and voluminous foam. The composition disclosed in this document includes organopolysiloxane-polyoxyalkylene copolymer and a foaming surfactant.
JP H07 206633A (Shiseido Co Ltd ) discloses a skin cleanser having a high cleaning effect and foaming ability. The composition disclosed in this document includes polyoxyalkylene- modified methyl polysiloxane and an amphoteric and/or semi polar surfactant.
WO 2004/016722 A1 (Crompton Corp ) discloses use of silicone additives in liquid laundry composition to increase the whiteness of laundering fabrics as well as to improve their ease of ironing, hydrophilicity and softness. The silicone additive may be a pendant or linear polyalkyleneoxide modified polydimethylsiloxane.
More recently, US 2009/0075858 A1 (P&G ) discloses a hard surface treating composition having polyalkoxylate trisiloxane for providing good first-time and next-time cleaning performance on various stains.
It is an object of the present invention to provide fabric cleaning composition that provide enhanced foam sensory properties to the consumer. Thus, it also is an object of the present invention to provide fabric cleaning composition providing enhanced foam stability, without increasing the quantity of detersive surfactants. Desirably, the enhanced foam stability is provided upon dilution of the fabric cleaning composition upon use.
It is another object of the present invention to provide such fabric cleaning compositions that display enhanced foam stability without negatively affecting other desirable properties of the composition, such as their detergent cleaning efficacy, physical appearance and/or other sensory attributes.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide fabric cleaning composition that have a reduced environmental impact attributed to a reduction in the amount of detersive surfactant in the composition and also a reduction in the amounts of water consumed at the rinse stage of the washing process as a consequence of reduction in the levels of the detersive surfactant, without affecting other desirable properties such as cleaning efficacy and stain removal benefits.

Summary of the Invention

We have found that one or more of these objects can be achieved by the fabric cleaning composition of the present invention. In particular, it was surprisingly found that a siloxane having 19 to 30 oxyalkylene group can be used to provide fabric cleaning compositions that preferably upon dilution display good foamability and longer lasting foam. The composition of the present invention provides stable foam and good cleansing while using lesser amounts of detersive surfactant.
It is also surprisingly found that the siloxane according to the present invention lowers the dynamic surface tension of wash liquor, a factor which is believed to improve the overall foam boosting ability of the composition and provides improved cleaning or detergency in composition with lowered total detersive surfactant content.
It was also found that fabric cleaning composition having lower levels of surfactant in presence of the siloxane according to the present invention gives the benefit of delivering the desired foam levels at the washing stage and a reduction of the foam in the rinse stage. This provides the benefit of lowering the consumption of surfactants and water without compromising on the benefits delivered to the consumer.
Accordingly, in a first aspect of the present invention disclosed is a fabric cleaning composition, comprising:

i. a siloxane with a polyoxyalkylene group represented by the following general formula (I):

(R¹ _3-aY_aSiO_1/2)_j(R³ _2-bY_bSiO_2/2)_k(R² ₂SiO_2/2)_p, (I)

wherein:
- R¹ is same or different and is selected from an alkyl, alkenyl or aryl alkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; or alkyl, alkenyl or aryl alkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms comprising a functional group, or mixtures thereof;
- Y is a polyoxyalkylene group having 19 to 30 oxyalkylene group,
- R² and R³ are same or different and is selected from an alkyl, alkenyl or aryl alkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; or alkyl, alkenyl or aryl alkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms comprising a functional group, wherein,
- a is 0, 1 or 2,
- b is 1 or 2,
- where if a is 0 then p is 0 or an integer from 1 to 3, and if a is 1 or 2 then p is 0 or an integer from 1 to 50,
- j, k, are independent of each other and is 0 or an integer from 1 to 50, where either j or k or both is at least 1,
- with the proviso that the siloxane comprises at least one Y radical per molecule.
ii. a surfactant; and,
iii. usual detergent ingredients.

According to a second aspect of the present invention disclosed is a fabric cleaning composition comprising a solid foam boosting system in an amount from 0.5 wt.% to 10 wt.% relating to the total amount of the fabric cleaning composition, said solid foam boosting system comprising:

i. 10wt% to 35wt% of the siloxane in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention represented by the general formula (I), (II) or mixtures thereof;
ii. 0wt% to 10wt% foam enhancing additive; and,
iii. 55wt% to 90wt% filler, preferably sodium carbonate.

According to a third aspect of the present invention disclosed is a fabric cleaning composition comprising a liquid foam boosting system in an amount from 0.5 wt.% to 10 wt.% relating to the total amount of the fabric cleaning composition, said liquid foam boosting system comprising:

i. 10wt% to 35wt% of the siloxane in accordance to the first aspect of the present invention represented by the general formula (I), (II) or mixtures thereof;
ii. 0wt% to 10wt% foam enhancing additive; and,
iii. 55wt% to 90wt% protic solvent, preferably water.

According to a fourth aspect, the invention provides use of siloxane having polyoxyalkylene group represented by the general formula (I), preferably general formula (II) according to the present invention to increase the foam stability of a fabric cleaning composition, preferably a cleaning composition comprising 2wt% to 20wt% detersive surfactant.

Detailed Description of the Invention

As used herein, the term "solid" includes granular, particulate, powder, bar, tablet, water-soluble film and water-soluble pouch product forms.
As used herein, the term "liquid" includes liquid, gel, paste and gaseous product forms, where the gaseous product forms having less than 2wt% propellant.
As used herein by the term "detersive surfactant" is meant that the surfactant provides a detersive (i.e. cleaning effect) to textile fabrics treated as part of a cleaning, preferably a laundering process.
As used herein the phrase " "fabric cleaning composition" includes compositions and formulations designed for cleaning soiled material. Such compositions include but are not limited to, laundry detergent compositions, fabric softening compositions, fabric enhancing compositions, fabric freshening compositions, laundry prewash, laundry pretreat, laundry additives, spray products, dry cleaning agent or composition, laundry rinse additive, wash additive, post-rinse fabric treatment, ironing aid, unit dose formulation, delayed delivery formulation, detergent contained on or in a porous substrate or nonwoven sheet, substrate having fibres preferably said fibres including active agents, and other suitable forms that may be apparent to one skilled in the art in view of the teachings herein. Such compositions may be used as a pre-cleaning treatment, a post-cleaning treatment, or may be added during the rinse or wash cycle of the cleaning process. The cleaning compositions may have a form selected from liquid, powder, single-phase or multi-phase unit dose or pouch form (e.g., a liquid detergent or solid detergent composition that is contained in a single compartment or multicompartment water-soluble pouch, e.g., formed by a water-soluble polymer such as poly-vinyl alcohol (PVA) or copolymers thereof), tablet, gel, paste, bar, or flake. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the detergent or cleaning composition of the present invention is a liquid or solid laundry detergent composition, which is designated for either hand-washing or machine washing of fabric. More preferably, the cleaning composition of the present invention is a solid laundry detergent composition designated for hand-washing purposes.
The cleaning composition according to any aspect of the invention is a composition intended to aid in cleaning, typically in a domestic environment. The precise format and formulation of the composition can suitably be adapted to the intended type of application, as is generally known by the skilled person.

Fabric Cleaning Composition

The fabric cleaning composition according to the present invention includes a siloxane of general formula (1), surfactant and usual detergent ingredients.
Siloxane with polyoxyalkylene group:
According to the first aspect of the present invention disclosed is a fabric cleaning composition comprising a siloxane with a polyoxyalkylene group.

Siloxane with general formula (I):

Disclosed cleaning composition comprises a siloxane having a polyoxyalkylene group represented by the following general Formula (I).

(R¹ _3-aY_aSiO_1/2)_j(R³ _2-bY_bSiO_2/2)_k(R² ₂SiO_2/2)_p, (I)

wherein:

R¹ is same or different and is selected from an alkyl, alkenyl or aryl alkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; or alkyl, alkenyl or aryl alkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms comprising a functional group, or mixtures thereof;
Y is a polyoxyalkylene group having 19 to 30 oxyalkylene group,
R² and R³ are same or different and is selected from an alkyl, alkenyl or aryl alkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; or alkyl, alkenyl or aryl alkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms comprising a functional group, wherein,
a is 0, 1 or 2,
b is 1 or 2,
where if a is 0 then p is 0 or an integer from 1 to 3, and if a is 1 or 2 then p is 0 or an integer from 1 to 50,
j, k, are independent of each other and is 0 or an integer from 1 to 50, where either j or k or both is at least 1,
with the proviso that the siloxane comprises at least one Y radical per molecule.

In the siloxane with general formula (I) according to the present invention, R¹ is same or different and is selected from an alkyl, alkenyl or aryl alkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms. Preferably R¹ is same or different and is a C₁ to C₂₀ alkyl radical. Examples of alkyl radicals are the methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, 1-n-butyl, 2-n-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl and tert-pentyl radical, hexyl radicals such as the n-hexyl radical, heptyl radicals such as the n-heptyl radical, octyl radicals such as the n-octyl radical and isooctyl radicals such as the 2,2,4-trimethylpentyl radical, nonyl radicals such as the n-nonyl radicals, decyl radicals such as the n-decyl radical, dodecyl radicals such as the n-dodecyl radical, and octadecyl radicals such as the n-octadecyl radical. Still preferably R¹ is a methyl radical. Alternately R¹ are same or different and is selected from an alkyl, alkenyl or aryl alkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms comprising a functional group. Preferably the R¹ is a C₁ to C₂₀ alkyl radical comprising a functional group. Examples of preferred functional groups includes but is not limited to alkoxyl group, hydroxyl group or mixtures thereof. The term "alkyl" refers to a straight or branched chain monovalent hydrocarbon radical having a specified number of carbon atoms. As used herein, "alkyl" refers to a linear or branched C₁ to C₂₀ carbon chain.
In the siloxane with general formula (I) according to the present invention, R² and R³ are same or different and is selected from an alkyl, alkenyl or aryl alkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms. Preferably R² and R³ are same or different and is a C₁ to C₂₀ alkyl radical. Examples of alkyl radicals R are the methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, 1-n-butyl, 2-n-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl and tert-pentyl radical, hexyl radicals such as the n-hexyl radical, heptyl radicals such as the n-heptyl radical, octyl radicals such as the n-octyl radical and isooctyl radicals such as the 2,2,4-trimethylpentyl radical, nonyl radicals such as the n-nonyl radicals, decyl radicals such as the n-decyl radical, dodecyl radicals such as the n-dodecyl radical, and octadecyl radicals such as the n-octadecyl radical. Preferably R² and R³ is a methyl radical.
Alternately R² and R³ are same or different and is selected from an alkyl, alkenyl or aryl alkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms comprising a functional group. Preferably R² and R³ are same or different and is a C₁ to C₂₀ alkyl radical comprising a functional group. Examples of preferred functional groups includes but is not limited to alkoxyl, hydroxyl group or mixtures thereof. The term "alkyl" refers to a straight or branched chain monovalent hydrocarbon radical having a specified number of carbon atoms. As used herein, "alkyl" refers to a linear or branched C₁ to C₂₀ carbon chain.
In the siloxane with general formula (I) according to the present invention, Y represents a polyoxyalkylene group having 19 to 30 oxyalkylene group. Preferably the Y represents a polyoxyalkylene group having 23 to 30 oxyalkylene group. The polyoxyalkylene group preferably comprises at least 20 oxyalkylene group, more preferably at least 21 oxyalkylene group, even more preferably at least 22 oxyalkylene group, even more preferably at least 23 oxyalkylene group, still more preferably at least 24 oxyalkylene group per molecule of siloxane. Preferably Y represents a polyoxyalkylene group having from 20 to 30 oxyalkylene group, more preferably from 22 to 30 oxyalkylene group, even more preferably from 23 to 30 oxyalkylene group, still more preferably from 24 to 30 oxyalkylene group, still more preferably from 24 to 28 oxyalkylene group and yet more preferably from 24 to 26 oxyalkylene group. Preferably the polyoxyalkylene group is polyoxyethylene group. It is further preferred that the polyoxyalkylene group has less than 20% of polyoxypropylene group (PO) or other higher oxyalkylene group, still preferable less the 10% of polyoxypropylene group, further preferably less than 5% of polyoxypropylene group, still further preferably less than 2% polyoxypropylene group and most preferably substantially free of polyoxypropylene group or other higher alkylene group.
In one of the preferred embodiments, Y is a polyoxyalkylene group having 19 to 30 oxyalkylene group of the formula -R⁵(OR⁴)_gOR', where R⁴ is same or different and is a C₁ to C₁₀ alkylene radical and preferably a C₂ alkylene radical. R⁵ is same or different and is a C₁ to C₁₀ alkylene radical, R' are same or different and is a hydrogen atom or a C₁ to C₆ alkyl group, preferably a hydrogen atom, and g is from 19 to 30.
The generic structure of the preferred embodiments is as follows:
Preferably the value of j is an integer in the range from 1 to 50, more preferably in the range from 1 to 40, still preferably in the range from 1 to 30 most preferably in the range from 1 to 20. Preferably the value of k is an integer in the range from 1 to 50, more preferably in the range from 1 to 40, still preferably in the range from 1 to 30 most preferably in the range from 1 to 20.
Preferably in the siloxane with general formula (I) according to the present invention, a is 1 or 2 and p is 0 or an integer from 1 to 50.
Preferably the cleaning composition according to the present invention includes a siloxane with a polyoxyalkylene group represented by the general formula (II)

Y_aR¹ _3-aSiO(R² ₂SiO)_p(YR³SiO)_mSiR¹ _3-aY_a , (II)

wherein,

R¹ is same or different and is selected from an alkyl, alkenyl or aryl alkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; or alkyl, alkenyl or aryl alkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms comprising a functional group or mixtures thereof,
Y is a polyoxyalkylene group having 19 to 30 oxyalkylene group,
R² and R ³ are same or different and is selected from an alkyl, alkenyl or aryl alkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; or alkyl, alkenyl or aryl alkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms comprising a functional group or mixtures thereof,
wherein:
- a is 0 or an integer from 1 to 2,
- where if a is 0 then p is 0 or an integer from 1 to 3, and if a is 1 or 2 then p is 0 or an integer from 1 to 50,
- m is an integer from 1 to 50,
- with the proviso that the siloxane comprises at least one Y radical per molecule.

Preferred siloxane with a polyoxyalkylene group according to the present invention includes siloxane with the following structure.

Ex	Siloxane	Generic Structure	Details of the structure
1(a)	25-polyoxyalkylene Siloxane		R¹=R²=R³= -CH₃ R⁵ = (CH₂)₃ R⁴ = -CH₂CH₂-R' = H p=0; m=1; g=25
1(b)	24-polyoxyalkylene siloxane		R¹=R²=R³= -CH₃ R⁵ = (CH₂)₃ R⁴ = -CH₂CH₂-R' = H p=0; m=1; g=~24
2	27-polyoxyalkylene siloxane with 2 D [-OSi(CH₃)₂] units		R¹=R²=R³= -CH₃ R⁵ = (CH₂)₃ R⁴ = -CH₂CH₂-R' = H p=2; m=1; g=27
3	19-polyoxyalkylene siloxane		R¹=R²=R³= -CH₃ R⁵ = (CH₂)₃ R⁴ = -CH₂CH₂-R' = H p=0; m=1; g=19
4	30-polyoxyalkylene siloxane with 3 D [-OSi(CH₃)₂] units		R¹=R²=R³= -CH₃ R⁵ = (CH₂)₃ R⁴ = -CH₂CH₂-R' = H p=3; m=1; g=30
5(a)	Tetramethyl disiloxane with two 25 polyoxyalkylene on the terminal ends.		R¹=R²= -CH₃ R⁵ = (CH₂)₃ R⁴ = -CH₂CH₂-R' = H p¹=0; g=25
5(b)	siloxane with 15 D [-OSi(CH₃)₂] units and two 25 polyoxyalkylene on the terminal ends		R¹=R²= -CH₃ R⁵ = (CH₂)₃ R⁴ = -CH₂CH₂-R' = H p¹=15; g=25

Siloxane with general formula (II):

In the siloxane with general formula (II) according to the present invention, R¹ is same or different and is selected from an alkyl, alkenyl or aryl alkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms. Preferably in the siloxane with the general formula (II), R¹ are same or different and is a C₁ to C₂₀ alkyl radical. Examples of alkyl radicals are the methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, 1-n-butyl, 2-n-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl and tert-pentyl radical, hexyl radicals such as the n-hexyl radical, heptyl radicals such as the n-heptyl radical, octyl radicals such as the n-octyl radical and isooctyl radicals such as the 2,2,4-trimethylpentyl radical, nonyl radicals such as the n-nonyl radicals, decyl radicals such as the n-decyl radical, dodecyl radicals such as the n-dodecyl radical, and octadecyl radicals such as the n-octadecyl radical.
Preferably R¹ is a methyl radical. Alternately R¹ are same or different and is selected from an alkyl, alkenyl or aryl alkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms comprising a functional group. Preferably R¹ are same or different and is a C₁ to C₂₀ alkyl radical comprising a functional group. Examples of preferred functional groups includes but is not limited to alkoxyl group, hydroxyl group or mixtures thereof. The term "alkyl" refers to a straight or branched chain monovalent hydrocarbon radical having a specified number of carbon atoms. As used herein, "alkyl" refers to a linear or branched C₁-C₂₀ carbon chain.
In the siloxane with general formula (II) according to the present invention, R² and R³ are same or different and is selected from an alkyl, alkenyl or aryl alkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms. Preferably in the siloxane with the general formula (II), R² and R³ are same or different and is a C₁ to C₂₀ alkyl radical. Examples of alkyl radicals R are the methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, 1-n-butyl, 2-n-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl, neopentyl and tert-pentyl radical, hexyl radicals such as the n-hexyl radical, heptyl radicals such as the n-heptyl radical, octyl radicals such as the n-octyl radical and isooctyl radicals such as the 2,2,4-trimethylpentyl radical, nonyl radicals such as the n-nonyl radicals, decyl radicals such as the n-decyl radical, dodecyl radicals such as the n-dodecyl radical, and octadecyl radicals such as the n-octadecyl radical. Preferably R² and R³ is a methyl radical. Alternately R² and R³ are same or different and is selected from an alkyl, alkenyl or aryl alkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms comprising a functional group. Preferably R² and R³ are same or different and is a C₁ to C₂₀ alkyl radical comprising a functional group. Examples of preferred functional groups includes but is not limited to alkoxyl group, hydroxyl group or mixtures thereof. The term "alkyl" refers to a straight or branched chain monovalent hydrocarbon radical having a specified number of carbon atoms. As used herein, "alkyl" refers to a linear or branched C₁-C₂₀ carbon chain.
Preferably in the siloxane with the general formula (II), Y represents a polyoxyalkylene group having 19 to 30 oxyalkylene group. Preferably the polyoxyalkylene group 23 to 30 oxyalkylene group. The polyoxyalkylene group preferably comprises at least 20 oxyalkylene group, more preferably at least 21 oxyalkylene group, even more preferably at least 22 oxyalkylene group, even more preferably at least 23 oxyalkylene group, still more preferably at least 24 oxyalkylene group per molecule of siloxane. Preferably Y represents a polyoxyalkylene group having from 20 to 30 oxyalkylene group, more preferably from 22 to 30 oxyalkylene group, even more preferably from 23 to 30 oxyalkylene group, still more preferably from 24 to 30 oxyalkylene group, still more preferably from 24 to 28 oxyalkylene group and yet more preferably from 24 to 26 oxyalkylene group. Preferably the polyoxyalkylene group is polyoxyethylene group. It is further preferred that the polyoxyalkylene group has less than 20% of polyoxypropylene group (PO) or other higher oxyalkylene group, still preferable less the 10% of polyoxypropylene group, further preferably less than 5% of polyoxypropylene group, still further preferably less than 2% polyoxypropylene group and most preferably substantially free of polyoxypropylene group or other higher alkylene group.
Preferably in the siloxane with general formula (II) according to the present invention, a is 1 or 2 and p is 0 or an integer from 1 to 50.
In one of the preferred embodiments, Y is a polyoxyalkylene group having 19 to 30 oxyalkylene group of the formula -R⁵(OR⁴)_gOR', where R⁴ is same or different and is a C₁ to C₁₀ alkylene radical and preferably a C₂ alkylene radical, R⁵ is same or different and is a C₁ to C₁₀ alkylene radical, R' are same or different and is a hydrogen atom or a C₁ to C₆ alkyl group, preferably a hydrogen atom, and g is from 19 to 30.
Preferably in the siloxane with general formula (II), the value of j is an integer in the range from 1 to 50, more preferably in the range from 1 to 40, still preferably in the range from 1 to 30 most preferably in the range from 1 to 20. Preferably in the siloxane with general formula (II), the value of k is an integer in the range from 1 to 50, more preferably in the range from 1 to 40, still preferably in the range from 1 to 30 most preferably in the range from 1 to 20.
Preferably the siloxane with pendant polyoxyalkylene group according to the present invention represented by the general formula (I) or (II) includes 3 to 6 Silicon units. Preferably the siloxane with terminal polyoxyalkylene group according to the present invention represented by the general formula (I) or (II) includes 15 to 20 Si units.
The siloxane with polyoxyalkylene group according to the present invention was also found to reduce the dynamic surface tension. It was found that a detergent wash solution at 14AD (active detergent content) has a dynamic surface tension of around 32mN/m whereas addition of siloxane with polyoxyalkyene according to the present invention reduces the dynamic surface tension by around 2 to 3 mN/m depending on the inclusion level. Without wishing to be bound by any theory it is believed that the lowering of the surface tension achieved in the detergent wash solution by the addition of the siloxane according to the present invention results in improved foaming properties.
Preferably the fabric cleaning composition comprises from 0.1 wt% to 5 wt% siloxane represented by the general formula (I), (II) or mixtures thereof. Preferably the fabric cleaning composition comprises at least 0.2wt% siloxane represented by the general formula (I), (II) or mixtures thereof based on the weight of the fabric cleaning composition, still preferably at least 0.3wt%, still preferably at least 0.4wt%, most preferably at least 0.5wt%, but typically not more than 4wt%, still preferably not more than 3wt%, still more preferably not more than 2.5 wt% and most preferably not more than 1wt%.
Foam enhancing additive:
The cleaning composition according to the present invention preferably includes a foam enhancing additive for improving the copious formation and stability of the foam. The foam enhancing additive includes any known additive used in the cleaning composition which enables the bubbles in the foam to maintain their shape and volume without drainage preferably for at least 10 minutes, more preferably for at least 15 minutes, still preferably at least 20 minutes, further preferably for 25 minutes and most preferably for at least 30 minutes. The foam enhancing additive is preferably an alkyl ester of fatty acid.

Alkyl ester of fatty acid

Preferably the cleaning composition according to the present invention includes an alkyl ester of fatty acid. The addition of the alkyl ester of fatty acid in the cleaning according to the present invention improves foamability of the composition. Specifically, the alkyl ester improves foamability in the cleaning composition according to the present invention including a siloxane with a polyoxyalkylene group i.e. the Y group at the branch.
The alkyl ester of fatty acid is preferably selected from but not limited to fatty acid alkyl or alkylene esters based on C₆ to C₂₂ fatty acids and most preferably is a methyl ester of a C₆ to C₂₂ fatty acid.
Examples of suitable alkyl ester of fatty acid includes methyl or ethyl esters of vegetable oils (Agnique ME 18 RD-F, Agnique ME 18 SD-F, Agnique ME 12C-F, Agnique ME1270, all products of Cognis GmbH, Germany now BASF) fatty acid alkyl or alkylene esters based on C₆-C₂₂ fatty acids. Other suitable alkyl ester of fatty acid may be selected from esters of linear C₆-C₂₂ fatty acids with linear or branched C₆-C₂₂ fatty alcohols or esters of branched C₆-C₁₃ carboxylic acids with linear or branched C₆-C₂₂ fatty alcohols. Also suitable are esters of linear C₆-C₂₂ fatty acids with branched alcohols, esters of C₁₈-C₃₈ alkylhydroxy carboxylic acids with linear or branched C₆-C₂₂ fatty alcohols, and/or branched fatty acids with polyhydric alcohols.
In the cleaning composition according to the present invention preferably the weight ratio of the siloxane to foam enhancing additive is from 1:1 to 10:1, more preferably the ratio of the siloxane to the foam enhancing additive is 2:1 to 10:1, still preferably 2.75:1 to 10:1, further preferably 2.75:1 to 5:1.
Solid foam boosting system:
According to a second aspect of the present invention disclosed is a cleaning composition comprising, a solid foam boosting system in an amount from 0.5 wt.% to 10 wt.% relating to the total amount of the cleaning composition, said solid foam boosting system comprising:

i. 10wt% to 35wt% of the siloxane represented by the general formula (I), (II) or mixtures thereof;
ii. 0wt% to 10wt% foam enhancing additive; and,
iii. 55wt% to 90wt% filler, preferably sodium carbonate.

Preferably the solid foam boosting system according to the present invention comprises from 10wt% to 35wt% siloxane represented by the general formula (I), (II) or mixtures thereof. Preferably the solid foam boosting system comprises at least 12wt% siloxane represented by the general formula (I), (II) or mixtures thereof based on the weight of the solid foam boosting system, still preferably at least 15wt%, still preferably at least 20wt%, most preferably at least 25wt%, but typically not more than 34wt%, still preferably not more than 32wt%, most preferably not more than 30wt%.
Preferably the solid foam boosting system according to the present invention comprises from 0wt% to 10wt% foam enhancing additive. Preferably the solid foam boosting system comprises at least 2wt% foam enhancing additive based on the weight of the solid foam boosting system, still preferably at least 3wt%, still preferably at least 3.5wt%, most preferably at least 5wt%, but typically not more than 8wt%, still preferably not more than 7.5wt%, most preferably not more than 6wt%. The foam enhancing additive present in the solid foam boosting system is in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, preferably the foam enhancing additive is an alky ester of fatty acid.
Preferably the solid foam boosting system according to the present invention comprises from 55wt% to 90wt% filler. Preferably the solid foam boosting system comprises at least 58wt% filler based on the weight of the solid foam boosting system, still preferably at least 60wt%, most preferably at least 65wt%, but typically not more than 88wt%, still preferably not more than 80wt%, most preferably not more than 75wt%. The filler preferably is selected from the group consisting of carbonate, sulphate, dolomite, calcite, silicate, bicarbonate, zeolite, STPP, more preferably the filler is selected from the group consisting of sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, sodium sulphate, potassium sulphate, aluminium silicate, zeolite and mixtures thereof. Most preferably the filler is sodium carbonate, sodium sulphate or mixtures thereof.
The cleaning composition according to the present invention preferably includes a solid foam boosting system in amount from 0.5 wt% to 10 wt% relating to the total amount of the cleaning composition.
Liquid foam boosting system:
According to a third aspect of the present invention disclosed is a cleaning composition comprising a liquid foam boosting system, in an amount from 0.5 wt% to 10 wt% relating to the total amount of the cleaning composition, said liquid foam boosting system comprising:

i. 10wt% to 35wt% of the siloxane in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention represented by the general formula (I), (II) or mixtures thereof;
ii. 0wt% to 10wt% foam enhancing additive; and,
iii. 55wt% to 90wt% protic solvent, preferably water.

Preferably the liquid foam boosting system according to the present invention comprises from 10wt% to 35wt% siloxane represented by the general formula (I), (II) or mixtures thereof. Preferably the liquid foam boosting system comprises at least 12wt% siloxane represented by the general formula (I), (II) or mixtures thereof based on the weight of the liquid foam boosting system, still preferably at least 15wt%, still preferably at least 20wt%, most preferably at least 25wt%, but typically not more than 34wt%, still preferably not more than 32wt%, most preferably not more than 30wt%.
Preferably the liquid foam boosting system according to the present invention comprises from 0wt% to 10wt% foam enhancing additive. Preferably the liquid foam boosting system comprises at least 2wt% foam enhancing additive based on the weight of the liquid foam boosting system, still preferably at least 3wt%, still preferably at least 3.5wt%, most preferably at least 5wt%, but typically not more than 8wt%, still preferably not more than 7.5wt%, most preferably not more than 6wt%. The foam enhancing additive present in the liquid foam boosting system is in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, preferably the foam enhancing additive is an alky ester of fatty acid.
Preferably the liquid foam boosting system according to the present invention comprises from 55wt% to 90wt% protic solvent. Preferably the liquid foam boosting system comprises at least 58wt% protic solvent based on the weight of the liquid foam boosting system, still preferably at least 60wt%, most preferably at least 65wt%, but typically not more than 88wt%, still preferably not more than 80wt%, most preferably not more than 75wt% protic solvent. Preferably the protic solvent is water.
Preferably the liquid foam boosting system further includes an emulsifier. Preferably the liquid foam boosting system may include a non-ionic emulsifier which include alkyl polyglycol ethers, alkylated fatty alcohol alkyl aryl polyglycol ethers, ethylene oxide/propylene oxide (EO/PO) block polymers, fatty acids, natural substances and their derivatives, such as lecithin, lanolin, saponins, cellulose; cellulose alkyl ethers and carboxyalkylcelluloses, saturated and unsaturated alkoxylated fatty amines. Preferable non-ionic emulsifier is an alkylated fatty alcohol a non-limiting example of alkylate fatty alcohol is polyoxyether of lauryl alcohol (CH₃(CH₂)₁₀CH₂OH).
The cleaning composition according to the present invention preferably includes a liquid foam boosting system in amount from 0.5 wt% to 10 wt% relating to the total amount of the cleaning composition.
Surfactant:
The cleaning composition according to the present invention includes a surfactant. Preferably the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactant, non-ionic surfactant, cationic surfactant, amphoteric surfactant or mixtures thereof. As used herein by the term "detersive surfactant" is meant that the surfactant provides a detersive (i.e. cleaning effect) to textile fabrics treated as part of a cleaning, preferably a laundering process. Such detersive surfactant excludes the siloxane.
The detersive surfactant may be one type of surfactant, or a mixture of two or more surfactants. Synthetic surfactants preferably form a major part of the one or more detersive surfactants. Thus, the one or more detersive surfactants are preferably selected from one or more of anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants and zwitterionic surfactants. More preferably, the one or more detersive surfactants are anionic, non-ionic, or a combination of anionic and non-ionic surfactants. Mixtures of synthetic anionic and non-ionic surfactants, or a wholly anionic mixed surfactant system or admixtures of anionic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants and amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants may all be used according to the choice of the formulator for the required cleaning duty and the required dose of the cleaning composition.
In general, the non-ionic and anionic surfactants may be chosen from the surfactants described in well-known textbooks like "Surface Active Agents" Vol. 1, by Schwartz 8 Perry, Interscience 1949, Vol. 2 by Schwartz, Perry 8 Berch, Interscience 1958, and/or the current edition of"McCutcheon's Emulsifiers and Detergents" published by Manufacturing Confectioners Company or in "Tenside-Taschenbuch", H. Stache, 2"' Edn. , Carl Hauser Verlag, 1981; "Handbook of Industrial Surfactants" (4'" Edn. ) by Michael Ash and Irene Ash; Synapse Information Resources, 2008.
Preferably the surfactant comprises an anionic surfactant. Suitable anionic surfactant which may be used are usually water-soluble alkali metal salts of organic sulphates and sulphonates having alkyl radicals containing from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms, the term alkyl being used to include the alkyl portion of higher acyl radicals. The anionic surfactant may include soap (salt of fatty acid). A preferred soap is made by neutralisation of hydrogenated coconut fatty acid, for example Prifac 5908 (ex Croda). Mixtures of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids may also be used.
Examples of suitable synthetic anionic surfactants include sodium and potassium alkyl sulphates, especially those obtained by sulphating higher C₅ to C₁₅ alcohols produced for example from tallow or coconut oil, sodium and potassium alkyl C₈ to C₂₀ benzene sulphonates, particularly sodium linear secondary alkyl C₁₀ to C₁₅ benzene sulphonates; and sodium alkyl glyceryl ether sulphates, especially those ether of the higher alcohols derived from tallow or coconut oil and synthetic alcohols derived from petroleum. Some of the preferred examples of synthetic anionic surfactants includes sodium lauryl sulphate, sodium lauryl ether sulphate, ammonium lauryl sulphosuccinate, ammonium lauryl sulphate, ammonium lauryl ether sulphate, sodium cocoyl isethionate, sodium lauroyl isethionate, and sodium N-lauryl sarcosinate. Mostly preferred the synthetic anionic surfactants are sodium C₆ to C₁₅ benzene sulphonates, commonly called linear alkylbenzene sulphonate (LAS) and sodium C₁₂ to C₁₅ alkyl sulphates. Another synthetic anionic surfactant suitable in the present invention is sodium alcohol ethoxy-ether sulphate (SAES), preferably comprising high levels of sodium C₁₂ alcohol ethoxy-ether sulphate (SLES). It is preferred for the composition to comprise LAS.
Preferably the surfactant comprises a nonionic surfactant. Nonionic detersive surfactants are well-known in the art. Suitable nonionic surfactants which may be used include, in particular, the reaction products of compounds having a hydrophobic group and a reactive hydrogen atom, for example, aliphatic alcohols, acids, amides or alkyl phenols with alkylene oxides, especially ethylene oxide (EO) either alone or with propylene oxide. Specific nonionic detersive compounds are C₆ to C₂₂ alkyl phenol-ethylene oxide condensates, generally 5 to 25 EO, i.e. 5 to 25 units of ethylene oxide per molecule, and the condensation products of aliphatic C₆ to C₁₈ primary or secondary linear or branched alcohols with ethylene oxide, generally 5 to 40 EO. A preferred nonionic surfactant is a C₁₂ to C₁₈ ethoxylated alcohol, comprising 3 to 9 ethylene oxide units per molecule. More preferred are C₁₂-C₁₅ primary, linear ethoxylated alcohols with on average 5 to 9 ethylene oxide groups, more preferably on average 7 ethylene oxide groups.
Preferably the one or more detersive surfactants comprises an anionic surfactant and a non-ionic detersive active materials, preferably the anionic surfactant is a synthetic anionic surfactant and optionally amphoteric surfactant, including amine oxide.
In other embodiments, it is preferred that the one or more detersive surfactants comprise two different anionic surfactants, preferably linear alkyl benzene sulphonate and a sulphate, for example LAS and SLES. Preferably the surfactant is the combination of LAS, SLES and MES or LAS and PAS or LAS, SLES and PAS.
Typical examples of suitable amphoteric and zwitterionic surfactants are alkyl betaines, alkylamido betaines, amine oxides, aminopropionates, aminoglycinates, amphoteric imidazolinium compounds, alkyldimethylbetaines or alkyldipolyethoxybetaines.
The cleaning composition according to any aspect of the invention comprises 2wt% to 20wt% detersive surfactants. The term detersive surfactant is used herein for surfactants other than silicone surfactant or siloxane surfactant. The cleaning composition preferably comprises at least 4wt%, preferably at least 6 wt%, more preferably at least 7 wt%, even more preferably at least 8 wt%, even more preferably at least 9 wt%, still more preferably at least 10 wt%, and yet more preferably at least 12 wt% of the one or more detersive surfactants.
The cleaning composition preferably comprises up to 20 wt%, more preferably up to 18 wt%, even more preferably up to 16 wt%, still more preferably up to 15 wt%, still and yet more preferably up to 14 wt% of the detersive surfactants. Thus, the cleaning composition preferably comprises from 2wt% to 20wt%, still preferably 4wt% to 18wt%, more preferably from 6 to 18 wt%, even more preferably from 7 to 18 wt%, still more preferably from 10 to 18 wt%, still more preferably from 10 to 16 wt% and yet more preferably from 10 to 14 wt% of the detersive surfactant.
The anionic detersive surfactant comprises at least 50% based on the total weight of surfactant present in the cleaning composition, more preferably at least 60w% based on the total weight of surfactant present in the cleaning composition, still preferably at least 65%, further preferably at least 75% and still more preferably at least 85% and most preferably at least 90% based on the total weight of surfactant present in the cleaning composition.
Usual detergent ingredients:
The cleaning composition may preferably include one or more of usual detergent ingredient ingredients which includes but is not limited to builders, shading dyes, fluorescers, sequestrant ingredients, bleach, enzymes, enzyme stabilizer, metal chelating agents, inorganic minerals, polymers and perfume.
Builders or complexing agents
Builders are often included in detergent composition in order to reduce the concentration of free water hardness ions in the wash liquor. Ions such as Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ react with anionic surfactants, such as LAS, and cause precipitation.
Builders may be selected from calcium sequestrant materials, precipitating materials, calcium ion-exchange materials and mixtures thereof. Examples of calcium sequestrant builders include alkali metal polyphosphates, such as sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) and organic sequestrants, such as ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid. Examples of precipitating builders include sodium orthophosphate and sodium carbonate. Examples of calcium ion-exchange builders include the various types of water-insoluble crystalline or amorphous aluminosilicates, of which zeolites are the best known representatives, e.g. zeolite A, zeolite B (also known as zeolite P), zeolite C, zeolite X, zeolite Y and also the zeolite P-type. Low cost formulations may preferably include carbonate (including bicarbonate and sesquicarbonate) and/or citrates as builders. It is preferred to use carbonates as builders.
Where a builder is present, the compositions may suitably contain less than 20 wt %, preferably less than 10 wt%, and most preferably less than 10 wt% builders.
Preferred compositions include non-phosphate builder, still preferably the builder is a carbonate builder. Non-phosphate builders are preferred as they are environment friendly. Preferably the fabric cleaning composition includes a carbonate based builder, which is preferably an alkali metal carbonate, more preferably the builder is sodium carbonate. The fabric cleaning composition includes from 0 wt% to 30wt% sodium carbonate, more preferably from 0wt% to 20wt%, still preferably from 1 wt% to 10 wt.% sodium carbonates.

Shading dyes

As used herein the term "shading dye" means dyes which when formulated in detergent compositions can deposit onto fabrics when the fabrics are contacted with wash liquor having the detergent compositions, thus altering the tint of the fabric through absorption of visible light. Shading dyes are also known as hueing agents. Preferred compositions include at least one shading dye.
Shading dyes deposit onto fabrics during the wash or rinse step, providing a visible hue to the fabric.
Shading of white fabrics may be done with any colour depending on consumer preference. Blue and violet are particularly preferred shades and consequently preferred dyes, or mixtures of dyes are ones that give a blue or violet shade on white fabrics. Therefore, preferred shading dyes are blue or violet. Such dyes give a blue or violet colour to white fabrics. The preferred hue angle is 240° to 345°, more preferably 260° to 320° and most preferably 270° to 300°.
Shading dyes may be classified into several classes and in several ways. One way is to classify the dyes depends on their structures. Examples include azo dyes and anthraquinone dyes. Another way is to classify them according to their mode of application. Examples include direct dyes and acid dyes, disperse, vat, and solvent dyes. According to another method of classification, dyes are called hydrophobic or hydrophilic depending on their affinity for fabrics. Yet another way of classifying shading dyes depends on whether the dyes deposit onto fabrics after a single-wash to show their effect, or whether they deposit after multiple washes. Dyes that deposit in a single-wash are called one-wash dyes.
Examples include Acid Violet 50 (AV50). The others are called build-up dyes. Some examples include Direct Violet 9 (DV9) and Solvent Violet 13 (SV13). Other preferred dyes may be selected from the chemical classes of benzodifuranes, methine, triphenylmethanes, napthalimides, pyrazole, phthalocyanine napthoquinone, anthraquinone and mono-azo or di-azo dyes.
The dye may also be a disperse dye such as Disperse Violet 27 (DV27), Disperse Violet 26(DV26), Disperse Violet 28 (DV28), Disperse Violet 63 (DV63) and Disperse Violet 77 (DV77). Disperse Violet 28 (DV28) is the most preferred disperse dye. Particularly preferred hydrophobic dyes are SV13 and DV28; and DV28 is the most preferred hydrophobic dye.
Preferred compositions include 0.0001 wt % to 0.008 wt%, more preferably 0.0003 wt% to 0.006 wt% hydrophobic dye. When the hydrophobic dye is DV28, the preferred range is 0.001 wt% to 0.006 wt%. When the hydrophobic dye is SV13, the preferred range is 0.0003 wt% to 0.0025 wt%. It is preferred that DV28 is included in the form of an adjunct.
The adjunct may preferably be made of inorganic carriers like soda ash, Sodium sulphate or zeolite. The adjunct may also include a dispersant e.g. lignin sulphonate. The dye may also be a Direct dye. Non-limiting examples of these dyes are Direct Violet (DV) 5, 7, 9, 11, 26, 31, 35, 41 and 51 and DV99. Further non-limiting examples of these dyes are also Direct Blue 34, 70, 71, 72, 75, 78, 82, and 120.
The most preferred direct dye is Direct Violet 9 (DV9). DV99 is also preferred. Such dyes have been described in WO2005/003274 A1 (Unilever ). DV9 may be sourced from BASF.

Fluorescent agents

In order to further improve whiteness, preferred compositions may include a fluorescent agent (also called optical brightener). Fluorescent agents are well known and many such fluorescent agents are available commercially. Usually, these fluorescent agents are supplied and used in the form of their alkali metal salts, for example, the Sodium salts. Total amount of the fluorescent agent or agents which may be used in preferred compositions is generally from 0.005 wt% to 2 wt %, more preferably 0.01 wt% to 0.1 wt %. Preferred classes of fluorescer include di-styryl biphenyl compounds, e.g. TINOPAL^® CBS-X, Di-amine stilbene di-sulphonic acid compounds, e.g.
TINOPAL^® DMS pure Xtra and BLANKOPHOR^® HRH, and Pyrazoline compounds, e.g. BLANKOPHOR^® SN. Preferred fluorescers are: sodium 2 (4-styryl-3-sulfophenyl) -2H-napthol [ 1 , 2-d] trazole, disodium 4,4'- bis { [ (4-anilino-6- (N methyl-N-2 hydroxyethyl) amino 1 ,3,5- triazin-2-yl) ] amino } stilbene-2-2 ' disulfonate, disodium 4, 4 ' -bis { [ (4-anilino-6-morpholino-l, 3,5-triazin-2-yl) ] amino } stilbene-2-2' disulfonate, and disodium 4, 4 '-bis (2- sulfoslyryl) biphenyl .

Bleach

The function of a bleach is the discolouration and the removal of coloured stains such tea, wine, fruit and also of some clay types. Chromophores are disrupted and stains made more polar so that they are better removed. Another function of the bleach system is to kill bacteria.
The oxygen bleach system as is now being used for almost all of the modern bleach containing laundry detergents consists of TAED (tetra acetyl ethylene diamine) and a solid source of hydrogen peroxide (H₂0₂). This combination generates peracetic acid in combination with hydrogen peroxide.
The bleach may also be of the chlorine type, such as hypohalites, e.g. Calcium hypochlorite. Reductive bleaches, such as Sodium meta bi sulphite (Na₂S₂0₅), Sodium Sulphite (Na₂S0₃), perborates or borohydrides may also be used. Percarbonates, such as Sodium percarbonate (Na₂C0₃.1.5 H₂0₂ are the most preferred bleaches. Commercially available materials contain approximately 13 to 14 %, generally around 13.25 % available Oxygen. Percarbonates have good low temperature solubility, storage stability, and they decomposes into carbonates which are environmentally more acceptable than borates.
Preferred compositions may also include 2 to 25 wt%, more preferably 10 to 22 wt%, and most preferably 12 to 22 wt% percarbonate.

Enzymes

Preferred compositions may also include one or more enzymes, which are usually included to counteract stains. Enzymes are known to be substrate-specific in their action, so it is very common to find detergent compositions with a combination of enzymes.
Lipase (also known as esterase) is an enzyme which catalyses hydrolysis of ester bonds of edible fats and oils, i.e. triglycerides, into free fatty acids, mono- and diglycerides and glycerol. It is believed that the primary function of lipase is to reduce build-up of sebum. Lipase is also suitable for detergent compositions that contain higher amount of anionic surfactants, typically 20 to 40 wt%. Lipase is also believed to remove difficult stains like tomato oil, pasta sauce, pesto, motor oil, colourless oils like olive oil and corn oil. Preferred lipase enzymes include those of bacterial or fungal origin.
Chemically modified or protein engineered mutants may also be used. Preferred lipase enzymes are available under the trademarks LIPOCLEAN^®, LIPOLASE^®, LIPOLASE^® Ultra and LIPEX^®. LIPEX^® is particularly preferred, and LIPEX^® 100 TB is further particularly preferred. The activity of commercial lipase is commonly expressed as Lipase Units or LU. Different lipase preparations may have different activities. For fungal lipases these may range from 2,000 to 2,000,000 LU per gram. The activity may also be represented as FIP units/g or FCC III LU/g. One of these new Lipase Units is equivalent to ten of the old LU, or 1 ,000 FIP units/g = 10,000 LU/g. Preferred compositions may include lipase having 5 to 20000 LU/g.
In addition to lipase, one or more other enzymes may also be present in preferred compositions. Such enzymes include proteases, alpha-amylases, cellulases, peroxidases/oxidases, pectate lyases, and mannanases.
Suitable proteases include those of animal, vegetable or microbial origin. Microbial origin is preferred. Chemically modified or protein engineered mutants are included.
The protease may be a serine protease or a metallo-protease, preferably an alkaline microbial protease or a trypsin-like protease. Preferred commercially available protease enzymes include ALCALASE^®, SAVINASE^®, PRIMASE^®, DURALASE ^®, DYRAZYM^®, ESPERASE^®, EVERLASE^®, POLARZYME^®, KANNASE^®, MAXATASE^®, MAXACAL^®, MAXAPEM^®, PROPERASE^®, PURAFECT^® and PURAFECT^® OxP.
Suitable amylases (alpha and/or beta) include those of bacterial or fungal origin. Chemically modified or protein engineered mutants are included.
Amylases include, for example, alpha-amylases obtained from Bacillus, e.g. a special strain of B. lichenformis.
Commercially available amylases are DURAMYL^®, TERMAMYL^®, TERMAMYL^® Ultra, NATALASE^®, STAINZYME^®, FUNGAMYL^® BAN^®, RAPIDASE^® and PURASTAR^®.
Suitable cellulases include those of bacterial or fungal origin. Chemically modified or protein engineered mutants may also be used. Suitable cellulases include cellulases from the genera Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Humicola, Fusarium, Thielavia, Acremonium, e.g. the fungal cellulases produced from Humicola insolens, Thielavia terrestris, Myceliophthora thermophila, and Fusarium oxysporum. Commercially available cellulases include CELLUZYME^®, CAREZYME^®, ENDOLASE^®, RENOZYME^®, CLAZINASE^® and PURADAX^® HA. Suitable peroxidases/oxidases include those of plant, bacterial or fungal origin. Chemically modified or protein engineered mutants may also be used. Examples of useful peroxidases include peroxidases from Coprinus, e.g. from C.cinereus, and variants thereof as those described in WO 93/24618 , WO 95/10602 , and WO 98/15257 . Commercially available peroxidases include GUARDZYME^® and NOVOZYM^® 51004.

Enzyme stabilizer

When enzymes are present, it is common to include a stabilizer. Any enzyme present in the composition may be stabilized using conventional stabilizing agents, e.g., a polyol such as propylene glycol or glycerol, a sugar or sugar alcohol, lactic acid, boric acid, or a boric acid derivative, e.g., an aromatic borate ester, or a phenyl boronic acid derivative such as 4-formylphenyl boronic acid, and the composition may be formulated as described in e.g. WO 92/19709 and WO 92/19708 .

Inorganic minerals

The composition according to the present invention may include inorganic minerals. Preferably the inorganic minerals include but is not limited to carbonates, calcites, dolomite or mixtures thereof. Preferably the carbonate is sodium carbonate.

Metal chelating agents

The compositions may include a metal chelating agent such as carbonates, bicarbonates, and sesquicarbonates. The metal chelating agent can be a bleach stabiliser (i.e. heavy metal sequestrant).
Suitable metal chelation agents include ethylenediamine tetraacetate (EDTA), diethylenetriamine pentaacetate (DTPA), ethylenediamine disuccinate (EDDS), and the polyphosphonates such as the DEQUESTS^®, ethylenediamine tetramethylene phosphonate (EDTMP) and diethylenetriamine pentamethylene phosphate (DETPMP).

Polymers

The compositions may include one or more polymers for soil-release and anti-redeposition of dirt. Anti-redeposition agents are incorporated to reduce the redeposition of soil which was removed from the load during the wash cycle.
Soil release agents improve the removal of soil from a fabric on which a film of such an agent was deposited in the previous wash(es) Examples are carboxymethylcellulose, poly(vinylpyrrolidone), poly(ethylene glycol), polyvinyl alcohol), poly(vinylpyridine- N-oxide) , poly(vinylimidazole) , polycarboxylates such as polyacrylates, maleic/acrylic acid copolymers and lauryl methacrylate/acrylic acid copolymers. Preferably the polymer is a soil release polymer or an anti-redeposition polymer, preferably a polyacrylate or cellulosic polymer.
Modern detergent compositions typically employ polymers as dye-transfer inhibitors (DTI). These prevent migration of dyes, especially during long soak times. Any suitable dye-transfer inhibitor may be used in preferred compositions. Generally, such dye-transfer inhibitors include polyvinyl pyrrolidone polymers, polyamine N-oxide polymers, copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole, manganese pthalocyanine, peroxidases, and mixtures thereof. Nitrogen-containing, dye binding DTI polymers are preferred. Of these polymers, co-polymers of cyclic amines such as vinyl pyrrolidone, and/or vinyl imidazole are preferred.
Copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole polymers (as a class, referred to as "PVPVI") are also preferred. These copolymers can be either linear or branched. Suitable PVPVI polymers include SOKALAN^® HP56, available commercially from BASF.

Perfume

Preferred compositions may also include perfumes. The perfumes could be of natural origin or synthetic. They include single compounds and mixtures. Specific examples of such components may be found in Perfume and Flavor Chemicals by S. Arctander 1969, Montclair, N.J. (USA). By perfume in this context is not only meant a fully formulated product fragrance, but also selected components of that fragrance, particularly those which are prone to loss, such as the so-called top notes. The perfume may be used in the form of neat oil or an encapsulated form.
Other well-known ingredients include salts like sodium chloride and sodium sulphate, flow aids such as Calcite and Dolomite, bleaches, such as peroxy bleach compounds or percarbonates, bleach stabilisers such as phosphonates, bleach activators e.g. tetra-acetyl ethylenediamine (TAED), sodium silicate; coloured speckles; visual cues and fabric conditioning compounds. These may be included during the process of manufacture, if the ingredients are sufficiently robust. Alternatively, the ingredients may be post-dosed in the cleaning composition, as is well known to those skilled in the art.
Preferably the cleaning composition according to the present invention is a fabric cleaning composition in the form of a liquid or solid. Preferably the fabric cleaning composition is a non-aerosol type cleaning composition having less than 2wt% propellant, more preferably less than 1.5wt%, still preferably less than 1 wt% propellant. Most preferably the fabric cleaning composition is substantially free from propellant. Here the term "substantially free" means that there is no deliberately added propellant in the composition. Examples of propellant includes liquefied petroleum gas, freon gas, dimethyl ether and mixtures thereof.
Preferably when the fabric cleaning composition according to the present invention is a liquid cleaning composition it including but is not limited to fabric conditioning composition, fabric treatment composition, liquid fabric detergent composition, rinse treatment composition, liquid composition in a capsule.
Still preferably the cleaning composition according to the present invention is a solid cleaning composition including but not limited to granular detergent composition, powder detergent composition, tablet composition, powder or granular composition enclosed in a water-soluble capsule, water-soluble film, or water-soluble pouch or a bar detergent composition. Preferably the fabric cleaning composition is a powder composition and preferably made by spray drying process or by a non-tower (NTR) process. Accordingly, the detergent composition may be fully spray dried or fully non-tower powders. A mixture of spray dried powder and non-tower powder is preferred. Particularly preferred compositions include 50 to 90 parts non-tower (NTR) detergent powder and 50 to 10 parts spray dried detergent powder. Most preferred combination is 70 parts NTR powder and 30 parts spray-dried powder.
Preferably the fabric cleaning composition according to the present invention is a laundry cleaning composition which is in the form selected from the group consisting of powder, granular, water soluble container, shaped bar and liquid.
The cleaning composition according to the present invention at 1wt% dilution in demineralised water at 20°C has an equilibrium pH in the range of from 8 to 12, more preferably from 8.5 to 11, still preferably from 8.5 to 10.5.
According to a fourth aspect, the invention provides use of siloxane having polyoxyalkylene group represented by the general formula (I), (II) or mixtures thereof, according to the present invention to increase the foam stability of a cleaning composition, preferably a cleaning composition comprising 2wt% to 20wt% surfactant.
According to yet another aspect, the invention provides a method of laundering fabric comprising the steps of:

a) contacting a fabric with an aqueous wash liquor comprising the fabric cleaning composition, the fabric cleaning composition comprising a surfactant and the siloxane of general formula (I) or (II) or mixtures thereof; and
b) in a first rinse step, contacting the fabric from step (a) with an aqueous rinse liquor;
c) optionally drying the fabric.

The invention will now be explained in greater details with non-limiting examples of preferred compositions.

Examples

Example 1: Evaluation of powder laundry detergent composition having the solid foam boosting system.

A first solid foam boosting system having the composition as described in Table 1 was prepared and tested in a powder detergent composition suitable for laundry washing in handwash scenario.

Table 1

Solid foam boosting system	wt%	Formula
Siloxane with a polyoxyalkylene group	11
Foam enhancing additive (methyl ester of fatty acid)	4	methyl ester of C₁₈ fatty acid made from vegetable oils (commercially available as Agnique ME 18 RD-F from BASF).
Sodium carbonate	85
Total	100

A second set of solid foam boosting system was prepared which had a formulation as provided in Table 1a. Table 1a

Solid foam boosting system wt%

Siloxane with a polyoxyalkylene group 15

Sodium carbonate 85

Total 100

4 different siloxanes with structures as provided below were used to prepare comparative and inventive solid foam boosting composition with the formulation as provided in Table 1a.

Siloxanes used in the second set of solid foam boosting system:

Example	Siloxane	Generic structure	Details of the structure
Comparati ve Ex A (10 EO)	10-polyoxyalkyl ene siloxane (EO)		R¹=R²=R³= -CH₃ R⁵ = (CH₂)₃ R⁴ = -CH₂CH₂-R' = H p=0; m=1; g=10
Comparati ve Ex B (EO-PO type)	polyoxyalkyl ene Siloxane ( 10 EO and 1 PO)		R¹=R²=R³= -CH₃ R⁵ = (CH₂)₃ R⁴ = -CH₂CH₂-R' = H p=0; m=1; g=10
Comparati ve Ex C (high D unit)	polyoxyalkyl ene siloxane with 62 D [-OSi(CH₃)₂] units		R¹=R²=R³= -CH₃ R⁵ = (CH₂)₃ R⁴ = -CH₂CH₂-R' = H p=62; m=1; g=25
Ex 2 (according to the invention)	siloxane with 15 D [-OSi(CH₃)₂] units and two 25 polyoxyalkyl ene on the terminal ends		R¹=R²= -CH₃ R⁵ = (CH₂)₃ R⁴ = -CH₂CH₂-R' = H p¹=15; g=25

The first and the second set of solid foam boosting system were used to prepare powder detergent composition having the formulation as given in Table 2 and were thereafter used for evaluating the foam performance.
The powder detergent composition which were used for evaluations are as follows:
Control (C): A control formulation was prepared which included 19.4wt% detersive surfactant and no solid foam boosting system.
Negative Control (NC): The second composition was a negative control (NC) and was prepared by reducing the detersive surfactant levels in the control formulation by approximately 30% and the formulation was made up to 100 using sodium sulphate. A negative control was placed in the study to contextually observe the decrease in foam height in absence of the solid foam boosting system having the siloxane in accordance with the present invention.
Ex 1: The inventive composition was similar to the negative control in terms of inclusion of reduced levels of detersive surfactant as compared to the control however this composition included 1wt% of the solid foam boosting system (given in table 1) in accordance with the present invention.
Ex A: This comparative composition was similar to the negative control in terms of inclusion of reduced levels of detersive surfactant as compared to the control however this composition included 1wt% of the solid foam boosting system (given in table 1a having the siloxane with structure Comp Ex A as given above).
Ex B: This comparative composition was similar to the negative control in terms of inclusion of reduced levels of detersive surfactant as compared to the control however this composition included 1wt% of the solid foam boosting system (given in Table 1a having the siloxane with structure Comp Ex B as given above).
Ex C: This comparative composition was similar to the negative control in terms of inclusion of reduced levels of detersive surfactant as compared to the control however this composition included 1wt% of the solid foam boosting system (given in Table 1a having the siloxane with structure Comp Ex C as given above).
Ex 2: The inventive composition was similar to the negative control in terms of inclusion of reduced levels of detersive surfactant as compared to the control however this composition included 1wt% of the solid foam boosting system (given in Table 1a having the siloxane with structure Ex 2 as given above) in accordance with the present invention.

The seven compositions were thereafter evaluated for their foam height performance as described in detail below.

Table 2

Ingredients	Control (C, wt%)	Negative control (NC, wt%)	Ex 1 (wt%)	Ex A (wt%)	Ex B (wt%)	Ex C (wt%)	Ex 2 (wt%)
Linear Alkyl benzene sulfonate salt	14.4	11.4	11.4	11.4	11.4	11.4	11.4
Methyl Ester Sulphonate	4	1.65	1.65	1.65	1.65	1.65	1.65
Sodium Lauryl Ether sulphate	1	0	0	0	0	0	0
Total detersive surfactant	19.4	13.05	13.05	13.05	13.05	13.05	13.05
Solid foam boosting system (table 1)	0	0	1	0	0	0	0
Solid foam boosting system (table 1a)	0	0	0	1	1	1	1
Soda Ash	29	29	29	29	29	29	29
Alkaline Silicate	9	9	9	9	9	9	9
Sodium Sulphate	34.3	40.65	39.65	39.65	39.65	39.65	39.65
Zeolite	4	4	4	4	4	4	4
Perfume	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3	0.3
Other ingredients (polymers, enzymes, fluorescers and dyes)	4	4	4	4	4	4	4
TOTAL	100	100	100	100	100	100	100

Evaluation of the foaming performance of different detergent compositions:

The seven detergent compositions namely the Control (C), Negative control (NC), comparative examples Ex A, Ex B and Ex C and the inventive examples Ex 1 and Ex 2, as given in Table 2 were evaluated for their foaming performance under two different conditions.
In the first set of experiments each of the seven different detergent compositions were evaluated for foam height in a clean system which did not include any soil while in the second set of experiments soiled ballast load was included in the wash liquor and the foaming performance in the soiled system was evaluated.
Foam height measurement: The height of the foam formed during the hand washing process at the pre-wash stage, post wash stage and the post-rinse stage in the bucket having the foam and the wash liquor/rinse liquor is measured by recording the height of the foam formed calculated from the wash liquor level to the upper point till where the foam is observed. This reading was repeated at 4 different points around the diameter of the bucket and the average of these reading were noted as the foam height.

a) Foaming performance in clean system for hand washing process:
The protocol used for the evaluation of the 7 detergent compositions in clean system by handwashing involved the following process. 7 different buckets were taken and 12 litres of clean water having 20° fH (Ca:Mg 3:1) hard water was added into each of these buckets. To this water, 42 grams of the control detergent composition was added to obtain the detergent solution. Similarly, 42 grams of the negative control and the Ex 1, Ex A, Ex B, Ex C and Ex 2 detergent compositions were added to the other 6 buckets. Each detergent solution was then whisked for 20 seconds to allow the foam to form. At the end of 20 seconds, the foam height was measured and recorded as pre-wash foam height.
3 kg new ballast load of clean pillow case comprising 65% cotton fabrics and 35% polyester fabrics was added to the above prepared detergent solution and allowed to soak for 15 minutes. Thereafter the fabrics were hand rubbed 10 times across the length of the pillow case to replicate scrubbing and rubbing action followed by consumers in a normal hand wash process. The same process of rubbing was followed for all the fabrics. After scrubbing the fabric were wrung and the fabrics were kept aside. The water squeezed out from the wrung fabric flowed back into the bucket and the carry forward water in each bucket was kept constant by applying the same force on the fabric during the wringing process. After this stage, the foam height was measured again and recorded as the post-wash foam height.

In the next step, the wrung fabrics were rinsed in clean water. Rinsing was conducted in 3 stages namely rinse 1, rinse 2 and rinse 3. For each rinse, 10 litres of fresh water having 20° fH (Ca:Mg 3:1) hard water was taken and the fabrics were rinsed and the foam height in each rinse bucket was measured and recorded as post-rinse foam height.

The above process was repeated for 6 times for each detergent composition and the foam height readings recorded at each stage was averaged and reported in Table 3.

Table 3

Clean system (without soil)	Control (Foam height in cm)	Negative control (Foam height in cm)	Ex 1 (Foam height in cm)	Ex A (Foam height in cm)	Ex B (Foam height in cm)	Ex C (Foam height in cm)	Ex 2 (Foam height in cm)
Pre-wash	24	22	24	22	22	21	24.5
Post Wash	4.2	2.9	3.8	2.7	2.6	2.4	4.5

Rinsing
1^st Rinse	3.5	2.5	3	2.3	2.3	1.8	4
2^nd Rinse	1.8	1.5	1	1.2	1.2	1	2
3^rd Rinse	0.5	1	0.5	0.7	0.6	0.5	0.6

The data provided in Table 3 shows that a lowering of the surfactant level by approximately 30% in the negative control as compared to the control formulation has a direct impact on the foam height of the detergent solution in the pre-wash and the post wash stage in a clean system. On the other hand, the composition (Ex 1, Ex 2) according to the present invention having reduced surfactant level and the solid foam boosting system has comparable foam height as that of the control composition in both the pre-wash and the post wash stage. Moreover, in the rinsing stage the foam behaviour is similar to that of the control composition which is desirable as the consumer prefers adequate foaming in the pre-wash and wash stages but during the rinsing stage a lower foaming is desired as this saves water and effort required for rinsing the fabrics. The comparative siloxane of Ex A having lesser number of polyoxyalkylene group (10 oxyethylene group) does not show any benefit on improving foam height in the pre-wash stage and performs similar to negative control. Similarly, comparative siloxane of Ex B having lesser number of polyoxyalkylene group (10 oxyethylene group and 1 oxypropylene group) and comparative siloxane of Ex C (62 D units) having p value greater than 50 units decreases the foam height in the pre-wash stage.
b) Foaming performance in soiled system for hand washing process:
The protocol used for the evaluation of the 7 detergents in soiled system by handwashing involved the following process. 7 different buckets were taken and 12 litres of clean water having 20° fH (Ca:Mg 3:1) hard water was added into each of these buckets. To this water, 42 grams of the control detergent composition was added to obtain the detergent solution. Similarly, 42 grams of the negative control and the Ex 1, Ex A, Ex B, Ex C and Ex 2 detergent compositions were added to the other 6 buckets to obtain respective detergent solution. Each detergent solution was then whisked for 20 seconds to allow the foam to form. At the end of 20 seconds, the foam height was measured and recorded as pre-wash foam height.
Preparation of soiled water: 2 SBL 2004 soil strips were taken and added into 1 litre of water and heated to 90°C for 30 minutes to leach out the soil in water to provide the soiled water.
3 kg new ballast load of clean pillow case comprising 65% cotton fabrics and 35% polyester fabrics, and the prepared soiled water was added to each of the 3 detergent solutions and allowed to soak for 15 minutes. Thereafter the fabrics were hand rubbed 10 times across the length of the pillow case to replicate scrubbing and rubbing action followed by consumers in a normal hand wash process. The same process of rubbing was followed for all the fabrics. After scrubbing the fabric were wrung and the fabrics were kept aside. The water squeezed out from the wrung fabric flowed back into the bucket and the carry forward water in each bucket was kept constant by applying the same force during the wringing process. After this stage, the foam height was measured again and recorded as the post-wash foam height.
In the next step, the wrung fabrics were rinsed in clean water. Rinsing was conducted in 3 stages namely rinse 1, rinse 2 and rinse 3. For each rinse, 10 litres of fresh water each having 20° fH (Ca:Mg 3:1) hard water was taken and the fabrics were rinsed and the foam height in each rinse bucket was measured and recorded as post-rinse foam height.

The above process was repeated for 6 times and the foam height readings recorded at each stage was averaged and reported in Table 4.

Table 4

Soiled system (with SBL 2004 soil)	Control (Foam height in cm)	Negative control (Foam height in cm)	Ex 1 (Foam height in cm)	Ex A (Foam height in cm)	Ex B (Foam height in cm)	Ex C (Foam height in cm)	Ex 2 (Foam height in cm)
Pre-wash	23	21	24	20	20	18.5	24.5
Post Wash	1	0.7	0.9	0.5	0.5	0.3	1.2

Rinsing
1^st Rinse	0.9	0.4	0.3	0	0	0	1
2^nd Rinse	0.2	0.2	0	0	0	0	0.5
3^rd Rinse	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.2

The data provided in Table 4 shows that a lowering of the surfactant level by approximately 30% in the negative control as compared to the control formulation has a direct impact on the foam height of the detergent solution in the pre-wash and the post wash stage in presence of soil. In the soiled system, the comparative siloxane of Ex A, Ex B and Ex C all show lower foam height in the pre-wash stage indicating that no improvement is shown by addition of these siloxanes to the composition. Moreover, the addition of the comparative siloxane (Ex A, Ex B and Ex C) has a negative effect on the foam height as the foam height is lower than the foam height in the negative control. On the other hand, the composition (Ex 1, Ex 2) according to the present invention having reduced surfactant level and the solid foam boosting system has comparable foam height in both the pre-wash and the post wash stage as that of the control composition with higher levels of surfactant. Moreover, in the rinsing stage the foam behaviour of the rinse solution having the composition of Ex 1 shows lower foam amount than that of the control composition which is more desirable to the consumer. The consumer prefers adequate foaming in the pre-wash and wash stages but during the rinsing stage a lower foaming is desired as this saves water and effort required for rinsing the fabrics.
While the foam enhancing performance of the cleaning composition having the siloxane with a polyoxyalkylene group is clearly evident in both clean and soiled system as seen above, it was seen that in the soiled system the foam performance of Ex 1 in the post-wash was closer to the control composition when compared to the performance seen in the clean system. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that this benefit is observed because in presence of soil, the siloxane is unaffected and is freely available in the soiled system to stabilise foam whereas the presence of soil may detrimentally affect the role of surfactant in stabilising foam.
It should be understood that the specific forms of the invention herein illustrated and described are intended to be representative only as certain changes may be made therein without departing from the clear teachings of the disclosure.
Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Claims

A fabric cleaning composition comprising:
i. a siloxane with a polyoxyalkylene group represented by the following general formula (I):

(R¹ _3-aY_aSiO_1/2)_j(R³ _2-bY_bSiO_2/2)_k(R² ₂SiO_2/2)_p, (I)

wherein:
R¹ is same or different and is selected from an alkyl, alkenyl or aryl alkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; or alkyl, alkenyl or aryl alkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms comprising a functional group, or mixtures thereof;

Y is a polyoxyalkylene group having 19 to 30 oxyalkylene group,

R² and R³ are same or different and is selected from an alkyl, alkenyl or aryl alkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; or alkyl, alkenyl or aryl alkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms comprising a functional group, wherein,

a is 0, 1 or 2,

b is 1 or 2,

where if a is 0 then p is 0 or an integer from 1 to 3, and if a is 1 or 2 then p is 0 or

an integer from 1 to 50,

j, k, are independent of each other and is 0 or an integer from 1 to 50, where either j or k or both is at least 1,

with the proviso that the siloxane comprises at least one Y radical per molecule.

ii. detersive surfactant; and,

iii. usual detergent ingredients.
A fabric cleaning composition according to claim 1 wherein the siloxane is represented by the formula (II):

Y_aR¹ _3-aSiO(R² ₂SiO)_p(YR³SiO)_mSiR¹ _3-aY_a (II)

wherein:
R¹ is same or different and is selected from an alkyl, alkenyl or aryl alkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; or alkyl, alkenyl or aryl alkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms comprising a functional group or mixtures thereof,

Y is a polyoxyalkylene group having 19 to 30 oxyalkylene group,

R² and R³ are same or different and is selected from an alkyl, alkenyl or aryl alkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; or alkyl, alkenyl or aryl alkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms comprising a functional group or mixtures thereof,

wherein:
a is 0 or an integer from 1 to 2,

where if a is 0 then p is 0 or an integer from 1 to 3, and if a is 1 or 2 then p is 0 or

an integer from 1 to 50,

m is an integer from 1 to 50,

with the proviso that the siloxane comprises at least one Y radical per molecule.
A fabric cleaning composition according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the composition further comprises a foam enhancing additive.
A fabric cleaning composition according to claim 3 wherein the foam enhancing additive is an alkyl or alkylene ester of a C₆ to C₁₂ fatty acid.
A fabric cleaning composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the weight ratio of the siloxane to the foam enhancing additive is from 1:1 to 10:1.
A fabric cleaning composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the detersive surfactant is selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactant, cationic surfactant, non-ionic surfactant, amphoteric surfactant or mixtures thereof.
A fabric cleaning composition according to any one of the claims 1 to 6 wherein the detersive surfactant is present in amount ranging from 2wt% to 20wt%.
A fabric cleaning composition according to any one of the claims 1 to 7 wherein the usual detergent ingredients is selected from the group consisting of enzymes, perfume, bleach, shading dye, fluorescers, sequestrant ingredients, polymers, inorganic minerals and mixtures thereof.
A fabric cleaning composition according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 8 wherein the inorganic minerals is selected from the group consisting of sodium carbonate, calcite, dolomite and mixtures thereof.
A fabric cleaning composition according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 9 wherein the polymer is a soil release polymer or an anti-redeposition polymer, preferably a polyacrylate or cellulosic polymer.
A fabric cleaning composition according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 10 wherein the composition at 1wt% dilution in demineralised water at 25°C has an equilibrium pH in the range from 8 to 12.
A fabric cleaning composition according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 11 comprising a solid foam boosting system in an amount from 0.5 to 10 wt% relating to the total amount of the cleaning composition, said solid foam boosting system comprising:
i. 10wt% to 35wt% of the siloxane represented by the general formula (I), general formula (II) or mixtures thereof;

ii. 0wt% to 10wt% foam enhancing additive; and,

iii. 55wt% to 90wt% filler, preferably the filler is selected from the group consisting of sodium carbonate, sodium sulphate or mixtures thereof.
A fabric cleaning composition according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 11 comprising a liquid foam boosting system in an amount from 0.5 to 10 wt% relating to the total amount of the cleaning composition, said liquid foam boosting system comprising:
i. 10wt% to 35wt% of the siloxane represented by the general formula (I), general formula (II) or mixtures thereof;

ii. 0wt% to 10wt% foam enhancing additive; and,

iii. 55wt% to 90wt% protic solvent, preferably water.

iv. optionally an emulsifier.
A fabric cleaning composition according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 13 wherein the cleaning composition is a laundry cleaning composition which is preferably in a form selected from the group consisting of powder, granular, water soluble container, shaped bar, tablet, large particles and liquid.
Use of a siloxane with a polyoxyalkylene group represented by the following general formula (I) or generally formula (II) to increase the foam stability in a cleaning composition preferably having from 2 to 20wt% surfactant according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 14.