GB998495A - The cleaning of fabrics and compositions therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

Floor coverings and upholstery fabrics are cleaned by applying to localized areas thereof an aqueous composition which is substantially free of inorganic phosphates and which comprises (a) one or more surface-active organic sulphates or sulphonates, of which at least 10%, preferably 20-40%, by weight are in the form of their potassium salts, unless the composition is not substantially free from sec.-alkyl sulphates, in which case at least 90% are present as the potassium salt; and preferably also (b) as a foam stabilizer, an alkylphenol condensate with ethylene oxide, but much more preferably an alkanolamide of formula R.CO.NHR1 or R.CO.NR12, wherein R is C7- 17-alkyl and R1 is C1- 5-hydroxyalkyl, (b) suitably being present in an amount of 10-50%, preferably 20-30%, by weight of (a). Although (a) may comprise a C9- 15-alkyl benzene sulphonate, an acyl N-methyl tauride or a sulphated condensate of ethylene oxide with an alkylphenol or a fatty alcohol, it is preferred that substantially all (a) consist of alkyl sulphates, that at least 50% by weight thereof be lauryl sulphate, and that the alkyl sulphates be present, in part, as the lithium salts (ammonium, sodium, calcium and magnesium salts may also be present); and that (b) be a mono- or di-ethanolamide or a mono- or di-isopropanolamide of a C10- 14-fatty acid, and have a melting point of at least 50 DEG C. Ethanol, isopropanol, benzyl alcohol or cyclohexanol; magnesium sulphate; benzene, toluene, xylene or cymene sulphonates; soap; formaldehyde; and colour, perfume, thickeners, bacteriostats, fungistats and moth-proofing agents may be incorporated. Hydrochloric, phosphoric, citric, tartaric, but preferably sulphuric, acid may also be added to produce a pH of 5.5-8.5. Reference has been directed by the Comptroller to Specification 708,000.