GB440952A - Improvements in or relating to a detergent for use in and a process for washing, laundering or the like - Google Patents

Abstract

A detergent composition comprises a plurality of ingredients each in the form of separate particles or grains, the several ingredients being so chosen as to have different rates of solubility. With such a detergent there is produced in a bath containing goods to be cleaned, successive solutions of different chemical composition, each such solution being that most suited to the performance of the several stages of the washing &c., operation. The solubilities of the several ingredients are determined by their chemical composition, although they may be modified to some extent by the fineness of the particles; and it is possible to employ the same substance but in different particle sizes in one composition. A suitable composition comprises on the one hand readily soluble alkali and albumen-coagulation inhibitors or reversants such as soda ash, caustic soda and trisodium phosphate, or rather less readily soluble alkalies such as hydrated alkali silicates, simple or compound, such as those of Specification 200,175, [Class 91], also the anhydrous compound silicates described in Specification 339,355, [Class 91], if sufficiently finely ground, and on the other hand more slowly soluble emulsifiers or wetting agents such as soaps of relatively high titre or anhydrous simple or mixed alkali silicates such as those described in Specifications 339,355 and 357,224. Other coagulation inhibitors are alkali benzoates, oxalates and fluorides, and glycerine, glycol &c. In addition to the other ingredients there may be added a soap of relatively low titre or a sulphonated oil or alcohol to act as an indicator; the latter also serve to lay the dust when the detergent is being handled. A detergent as described permits of the employment of bath temperatures above 100 DEG F., even as high as 130 DEG F., so shortening the washing operation.