GB2213495A

GB2213495A - Cleaning liquids

Info

Publication number: GB2213495A
Application number: GB8828674A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Fraser Watt; Anne O'donnell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-12-08
Filing date: 1988-12-08
Publication date: 1989-08-16
Anticipated expiration: 2008-12-08
Also published as: GB8828674D0; GB8728610D0; GB2213495B

Abstract

Improved cleaning liquids, suitable for use in the removal of stains and dirt from a wide variety of fabrics and textile materials, comprise an aqueous solution of an alkyl sulphate or sulphonate detergent to which has been added a quantity of glycerol in the range 1 - 6.5% by weight. The detergent solution may also contain other solvents and dirt-removing constituents together with appropriate colouring and perfume. The solution may be used as such for the removal of spot stains or soiling or may be diluted for general application such as for example, a carpet shampoo.

Description

CLEANING LIQUIDS The invention is concerned with improvements in or relating to liquid cleaning compositions, in particular but not exclusively, cleaning compositions for use in stain and dirt removal from fabric upholstery, soft furnishing materials and other textiles, carpets, paintwork and the like.

Various substances such as detergents are known which will remove or reduce the degree of staining or soiling from fabrics or other materials where there has been a certain amount of penetration of staining or soiling into the structure formed by the fibres or even into the fibres themselves. Careful selection is necessary to ensure success in stain removal without damage to the fibre or dye of the material.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide liquid cleaning compositions, the use of which will not harm the majority of materials or surfaces but will give efficient cleaning of the same.

The invention provides a liquid cleaning composition for use as above comprising an aqueous solution of-an alkyl sulphate or sulphonate detergent to which has been added a quantity of glycerol in the range 1 - 6.5% by weight of active components.

Preferably there is added between 2 - 5%, for example approximately 3%, by weight of glycerol. The detergent solution may also contain other solvents and dirt-removing constituents together with appropriate colouring and perfume.

The detergent solution according to the invention may be used in a concentrated form for the removal of spot staining or soiling or in a more dilute form for general application such as for example as a carpet shampoo.

There will now be described two examples of cleaning fluids according to the invention. It will be understood that the description is given by way of example only and not by way of limitation.

EXAMPLE I A detergent solution comprising the following constituents was placed in a container which was provided with a mixing device.

Sodium alkyl benzene sulphonate Tetra potassium pyrophosphate Ethylene diamine tetra-acetic acid Ethylene or propylene glycol monobutyl ether Alcohol ethoxylate.

The solution is a free-running yellow liquid marketed by Dychem International (U.K.) limited under the trade name ELBOW GREASE and having a pH value of approximately 12 and a specific gravity of 1.04. A sample of this solution was retained to act as a control.

An addition was made to the container of 38 by volume of glycerol and the constituents thoroughly mixed to give a liquid having increased viscosity. Samples of carpeting were then taken which had been heavily stained with coffee and allowed to dry naturally. Those samples which were spot-cleaned by the control liquid retained a faint yellow-brown discoloration. However, no staining remained on those spot-cleaned with the glycerol-containing solution.

A further batch of glycerol-containing mixture was diluted with water and a de-foaming agent added, in the present example, 3% by volume polydimethyl siloxane. A room-sized area was then given a "shampoo" treatment using a conventional carpet cleaning machine and the standard of cleaning efficiency seen to be excellent.

EXAMPLE II A detergent solution comprising the following constitutents was placed in a container having a mixing device provided therein. All percentages are by weight of solution.

2% Sodium tripolyphosphate (STP) 6% Dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether 2% Sodium alkyl ether sulphate 0.58 (Tri) Sodium salt of nitrilo triacetic acid (KSM70) 3% glycerol 5% Brightener solution (NP9) with small additions of lemon and pine perfume (0.002%) and dye.

The above ingredients were made up in an aqueous solution (approx. 81% water).

A comparative trial was carried out to compare the stain removing efficiency of the glycerol containing solution obtained in Example II with the performance of a conventional liquid detergent of the type marketed under the trade mark "Fairy Liquid".

A number of differing types of fabric, cotton, polyester/cotton mixture and a white woollen fabric were taken and samples of each divided into four groups, each group including two portions of each type of fabric.

The fabric portions of each group were subjected to staining by a variety of commonly occurring stain-forming materials, coffee, tomato sauce, curry sauce (turmeric) and household lubricating oil, and allow to dry. One portion of each type of fabric from each group was then treated with the solution of Example II and the other portion of each type of fabric from each group was treated with the conventional detergent. All fabric portions were then rinsed in cold,water and dried.

A visual assessment was then carried out on each group of fabric portions. The trials showed that the solution of Example II exhibited superior stain-removing capability.

Results Fabric Type Cotton Polyester/ White Cotton Wool Coffee Ex. II solution Stain removed Stain removed Stain removed Conventional Faint brown Faint brown Faint brown detergent stain stain stain Tomato Sauce Ex. II solution Stain removed Stain removed Stain removed Conventional Faint brown Stain removed Faint brown detergent stain stain Curry Sauce Ex. II solution Stain removed Stain removed Faint red dish stain Conventional Yellow stain Yellow stain Yellow detergent stain Lubricating Oil EX. II solution Stain removed Stain removed Stain removed Conventional Stain removed Stain removed Stain detergent removed Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A liquid cleaning composition for use in stain and dirt removal comprising an aqueous solution of an alkyl sulphate or sulphonate detergent to which has been added a quantity of glycerol in the range 1 - 6.5 per cent by weight of active components.

2. A composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the quantity of glycerol added is in the range of 2 - 5 per cent by weight of active conponents.

3. A composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the quantity of glycerol added is approximately 3% by weight of active components.

4. A composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a de-foaming agent is added thereto.

5. A composition as claimed in claim 4 wherein the de-foaming agent is polydimethyl siloxane.

6. A composition as claimed in claim 5 wherein the agent is added is 3% by weight of the active components.

7. A composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the active components form at least substantially 18% of an aqueous solution.

8. A composition as claimed in any one of the preceding claims whereing the alkyl sulphate is a sodium alkyl ether sulphate.

9. A composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the alkyl sulphonate is sodium alkyl benzene sulphonate.

10. A liquid cleaning composition for use in stain and dirt removal substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to a) Example I and b) Example

II.