IE42231B1 - Detergent composition containing semi-polar nonionic detergent and alkaline earth metal anionic detergent - Google Patents

Abstract

1524441 Detergent compositions PROCTOR & GAMBLE CO 5 Jan 1976 [6 Jan 1975 24 Nov 1975] 00163/76 Heading C5D Detergent compositions for removing greasy dirt comprise a detergent mixture of (a) a non-ionic detergent which is an amine oxide having one C 8 -C 28 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl moiety and two C 1 -C 3 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl moieties, a phosphine oxide having one C 8 -C 28 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl moiety and two C 1 -C 3 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl moieties, a sulphoxide having one C 8 -C 18 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl moiety and one C 1 -C 3 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl moiety, or mixtures thereof, and (b) an alkaline earth metal (C 9 -C 15 alkyl) benzene sulphonate, C 8 -C 22 alkyl sulphate, C 8 -C 22 paraffin sulphonate, C 8 -C 22 alkyl (1-30 EO) ether sulphate, C 8 -C 22 olefine sulphonate, a (C 8 -C 22 alkyl) glyceryl ether sulphonate, or mixtures thereof, the weight ratio of (a) to (b) being 1:100 to 1:2. The compositions may be in liquid, aqueous or granular form. Other ingredients include an ethanolamine, ethanol, monoethanolammonium sulphate, sodium cumene sulphonate and sodium sulphate.

Description

This invention relates to a detergent composition especially formulated for the removal of greasy soils.

More particularly, it relates to a detergent composition containing a semi-polar nonionic detergent and an alkaline earth metal salt of an anionic detergent.

Detergent compositions containing a wide variety of water-soluble organic detergents or mixtures thereof have been formulated. Recognizably, cervain water-soluble 43231 organic detergents are better at removing one type of soil than other detergents. For example, anionic detergents are noted for their ability to remove carbohydrate and protein type stains, while nonionic detergents are especially useful in the removal of grease and oil stains. Various mixtures of detergents have been tried in order to find the optimum combination for removing a wide variety of stains as is normally encountered on soiled articles.

(See for example, 0. S. Patents 2,691,636, 3,085,982, 3,177,598, 3,179,599, 3,192,166 and 3,223,647 for various organic detergent combinations.) However, there is a continuing need for detergent compositions that are effective in removing soils, especially greasy soils.

Additionally, various salts such as magnesium and calcium chloride and magnesium sulfate have been suggested as detergent composition additives for improving their detergency (see U. S. Patents 2,908,651 and 2,437,253).

It has now been found that a detergent composition especially effective in the removal of greasy soil is formulated using a semi-polar nonionic detergent and an alkaline earth metal salt of certain anionic detergents.

It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide a detergent composition useful in the removal of greasy soils.

It is another object of this invention to provide a detergent composition containing a semi-polar nonionic detergent and an anionic detergent.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a liquid detergent composition containing a semi-polar nonionic detergent and an alkaline earth metal salt of an anionic detergent which is especially efficient in removing greasy soils.

These and other objects will become apparent from the description to follow.

As used herein, all percentages and ratios are by weight unless otherwise indicated.

According to the invention there is provided a detergent composition for removing greasy soils comprising an organic detergent portion which comprises a mixture of: (a) semi-polar organic nonionic detergent selected from (1) water-soluble amine oxides having one alkyl or hydroxyalkyl moiety of 8 to 28 carbon atoms and two moieties selected from alkyl groups and hydroxy alkyl groups of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, (2) water-soluble phosphine oxides having one alkyl moiety of 8 to 28 carbon atoms and two moieties selected from alkyl groups and hydroxyalkyl groups of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, (3) water-soluble sulfoxides having one alkyl or hydroxyalkyl moiety of 8 to 18 carbon atoms and a moiety selected from alkyl and hydroxy alkyl groups of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and (4) mixtures thereof; and (b) an alkaline earth metal salt anionic detergent selected from (1) linear alkyl benzene sulfonates having 9 to 15 carbon atoms in the alkyl group, (2) alkyl sulfates having 8 to 22 carbon atoms, (3) paraffin sulfonates having 8 to 22 carbon atoms, (4) olefin sulfonates having 8 to 22 carbon atoms, (5) alkyl ether sulfates having 8 to 22 carbon atoms in the alkyl group and 1 to 30 ethylene oxide units,(6) alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonates having 8 to 22 carbon atoms in the alkyl group and (7) mixtures thereof,in a weight ratio of semi-polar nonionic detergent to anionic detergent of from 1:100 to 1:2.

Preferably the detergent composition of this invention is in liquid form, comprising from 25% to 45% of the mixture of components (a) and (b), and water.

The detergent compositions of this invention contain a water-soluble semi-polar nonionic detergent and an alkaline earth metal salt of an anionic detergent as essential ingredients. Descriptions of these detergents follow.

Semi-polar nonionic detergents useful herein include water-soluble amine oxides, phosphine oxides and sulfoxides. The amine oxide has one alkyl or hydroxy alkyl moiety of 8 to 28 carbon atoms, preferably 8 to 16 carbon atoms and two moieties selected from alkyl groups and hydroxyalkyl groups containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms. Examples of such materials include dimethyloctylamine oxide, diethyldecylamine oxide, bis-(2-hydroxyethyl) dodecylamine oxide, dimethyldodecylamine oxide, dipropyltetradecylamine oxide, methylethylhexadecylamine oxide, and dimethyl-2-hydroxyoctadecylamine oxide.

Suitable semi-polar nonionic detergents also include the water-soluble phosphine oxides having one alkyl or hydroxyalkyl moiety of 8 to 28 carbon atoms, preferably 8 to 16 carbon atoms and two moieties selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups and hydroxyalkyl groups containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms. Examples of suitable phosphine oxides include dimethyldecylphosphine oxide, dimethyltetradecylphosphine oxide, methylethyltetradecylphosphine oxide, dimethylhexadecylphosphine oxide, diethyl-2-hydroxyoctyldecylphosphine oxide, bis(2-hydroxyethyl, dodecylphosphine oxide, and bis(hydroxymethyl)tetradecylphosphine oxide.

The water-soluble sulfoxide detergents contain one alkyl or hydroxyalkyl moiety of 8 to 18 carbon atoms, preferably 12 to 16 carbon atoms and one alkyl moiety selected from alkyl and hydroxyalkyl groups having 1 to carbon atoms. Specific examples of these sulfoxides include dodecyImethyl sulfoxide, 2-hydroxyethyltridecyl sulfoxide, hexadecyImethyl sulfoxide, 3-hydroxyoctadecylethyl sulfoxide.

The anionic detergent is an alkaline earth metal salt organic anionic detergent. Especially preferred salts are the calcium and magnesium salts. The anionic detergent salt which is useful in the present invention is selected from the following classes of anionic detergents: (1) Alkyl benzenes sulfonates in which the alkyl group contains from 9 to 15 carbon atoms, preferably 11 to 14 carbon atoms in straight chain or branched chain configuration. An especially preferred linear alkyl benzene sulfonate contains 12 carbon atoms, 0. S.

Patents 2,220,099 and 2,477,383 describe these detergents. (2) Alkyl sulfates obtained by sulfating an alcohol having 8 to 22 carbon atoms, preferably 12 to 16 carbon atoms. The alkyl sulfates have the formula (ROSO3)2M where R is the Cg_22 alkyl group and M is the alkaline earth metal. (3) Paraffin sulfonates having 8 to 22 carbon atoms, preferably 12 to 16 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety? (4) Olefin sulfonates having 8 to 22 carbon atoms, preferably 12 to 16 carbon atoms. U. S.

Patent 3,332,880 contains a description of suitable olefin sulfonates. (5) Alkyl ether sulfates derived from ethoxylating an alcohol having 8 to 22 carbon atoms, preferably 12 to 16 carbon atoms with 1 to 30, preferably 1 to 12 moles of ethylene oxide.

The alkyl ether sulfates having the formula [RO(C2H4°)X so3]2m where R is the Cg_22 alkyl group, x is 1-30, and M is an alkaline earth metal. (6) Alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonates having to 22 carbon atoms, preferably 12 to 16 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety; and (7) Mixtures thereof.

The above-described anionic detergents are all available commercially. The acid form of the anionic - 7 42231 detergent may be converted to the alkaline earth metal salt form either prior to admixture with the semi-polar nonionic detergent or thereafter. Preferably, a source of magnesium or calcium is added to the detergent mixture under desirable reaction conditions to form the desired salts. Calcium and magnesium chloride, calcium and magnesium Sulfate, calcium and magnesium acetate or calcium and magnesium hydroxide are examples of magnesium and calcium sources. Magnesium sulfate is preferred.

It will be recognized that the alkyl groups for the 10 above anionic detergents can be derived from either natural or synthetic sources, e.g., they can be derived from naturally occurring fatty acids; olefins such as those prepared by Ziegler, or Oxo processes; or from olefins separated from petroleum either with or without cracking. Specific examples, e.g., of alkyl sulfates and alkyl ether sulfates include those derived from Neodol 23 which is a synthetic alcohol prepared by an Oxo process and containing about 42 weight percent of dodecanol and about 54 weight percent of tridecanol.

A ratio of semi-polar nonionic detergent to anionic detergent (salt basis) of 1:100 to 1:2, preferably 1:15 to 1:3 provides very satisfactory grease removal. The degree of grease removal obtained from the detergent mixture is greater than that achieved from either of the individual detergents alone when used under normal conditions. The cation of the anionic detergent is also important in that the alkaline earth metal salts of the hereindescribed anionic detergent perform better in terms of grease removal than the alkali metal salts of said anionic detergents when in admixture with the semi-polar nonionic detergent.

The detergent compositions of this invention are formulated in powder, granular, tablet, paste, or liquid form. Regardless of the form of the composition, it is especially effective in the removal of greasy soils.

A preferred detergent composition containing the above-described detergents is in a liquid form. Such liquid compositions are especially useful for the hand washing of soiled cooking utensils and tableware. The liquid composing tions contain frcm 1% to 45%,preferably 10% to 35% of the mixture of components(a) and (b)of the invention .·_ for concentrated products designed for dilution prior to use and preferably 2% to 15% of said mixture for products designed for useas is,of the semi-polar ncnicnic and anionic detergent mixture, ihe balance of the formula comprises water. All manner of known additives may be included in the liquid composition. For example, suds boosters, organic solvents, e.g., Cj-C^ alkanols (preferably ethanol), perfumes, dyes, and hydrotropes may be added for their known functions.

An especially preferred liquid detergent compos.i20 tion also contains a source of alkalinity for increased greasy soil removal. Sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, and mono-, di- or trialkanolamines wherein said alkanol moieties contain from one to five, preferably two to three carbon atoms, in either a linear or branched configuration ate suitable bases. Normally, the higher chain length branched alkanolamines are mono- or disubstituted. Common alkanolamines are mono-, di- and triisopropanolamines and mono-, di- and triethanolamines. Sufficient base is added to the composition to raise its pH to above 7.0, but below 9.0. Preferably, the composition has a pH of 8.0 to 8.5.

Such a composition has not only increased greasy soil removal ability, but also the removal is accelerated. Mono-, di- and triethanolamines and mixtures thereof are preferred sources of alkalinity because of the resultant compositions' physical characteristics, i.e., the compositions have good fluidity and viscosity.

A liquid detergent composition having the following formulation is most preferred: (a) from 2% to 6% of a water-soluble amine oxide having one alkyl moiety of 8 to 16 carbon atoms and two alkyl moieties of 1 to 3 carbon atoms; (b) from 15% to 30% of a calcium or magnesium, preferably magnesium, alkyl sulfate having 12 to 16 carbon atoms; (c) from 0% to 9% of a calcium or magnesium, preferably magnesium, alkyl ether sulfate derived from an alcohol having 12 to 16 carbon atoms ethoxylated with 1 to 12, preferably 1 to 6, moles of ethylene oxide; (d) from 0% to 15% mono-, di- or triethanolammonium, preferably monoethanolammonium sulfate or mixtures thereof; (e) fran 0% to 7% preferably 1% to 7%, mono-, di or triethanolamine or mixtures thereof, preferably monoethanolamine; and (f) the balance water or water and C^-C^ alkanol preferably ethanol) mixtures.

More concentrated liquids and/or pastes containing from 45% to about 95% of said mixture of semi-polar nonionic and anionic detergents are also desirable.

The granular or tableted compositions of this invention contain from 5% to 50% preferably 10% to 30% of the semipolar nonionic and anionic detergent mixture. The balance of the composition comprises inert filler salts. A suitable inert filler salt is sodium sulfate. Various additives, e.g., suds suppressors, dyes, perfume, soil anti-redeposition agents, and water may also be included in the granular or tableted composition.

The liquid detergent compositions of this invention are preferably prepared by neutralizing the acid forms of the anionic detergent with the aforementioned sources of alkalinity, preferably alkanolamine, most preferably monoethanolamine, and then adding a soluble alkaline earth metal salt, preferably magnesium sulfate, to give the finished formula.

The examples which follow are illustrative of this invention. o I I I I o μ tt o I · I o μ © cn The following detergent compositions are formulated on a weight percent basis. o XI* cn tt tt tt tt O CM CM © in CM O in CM o CM CM o in CM O in cm o I M3 CM σ 1X3 ( CM Q) Φ O μ -μ 1 Λ Φ 0 Λ nJ φ Φ 0 μ Ό ϋ μ β μ Φ β ϋ μ μ μ Μ 0 Φ μ * 0 0 2 X Ό £ φ Φ Mm Φ β φ μ ο 0 φ μ μ «μ 0 β μ 'β μ ό μ μ μ β φ φ Φ μ 0 β τί φ φ φ X φ >1 ω β μ β μ μ φ φ μ μ μ 0 Μ φ Φ 0 β μ μ Φ μ φ μ 0) Φ Ν φ μ μ φ β β Φ μ β μ Φ >. 0 β β 4J μ •μ φ •μ μ ω >t β n >1 Φ Φ φ β β β μ μ χ S X Φ φ μ Μ Λ 44 to » ♦Η β μ β ο 8 φ ο μ ϋ bi β μ μ μ Φ φ μ μ χ: >1 φ φ μ β μ β φ μ μ +> £ μ μ μ μ μ μ 43 >1 ω 3 μ μ μ φ Φ Φ 5 0 Φ μ bi β Φ 0 β μ 0 φ Λ Φ Φ β β μ Φ μ 0 φ μ μ μ μ μ μ 0 0 >1 β ϋ μ CM φ CM 0 0 μ μ ο μ β ϋ μ 0 0 Φ β 0 0 μ α μ χί 0 φ χ: 0 β Φ 0 μ Φ Ό μ 0 0 Ο ο μ 0 Φ ο ο μ □ β Ό Φ ϋ CM CM μ ϋ φ ϋ φ ο φω 0 ε ε 0 ε μ ε μ ε Φ μ φ εμ φ 0 β ε Ό β 0 ϋ β ο β ο β φ Φ μ β φ μ ϋ 0 β n •Η μ μ •μ •μ 0 μ 0 μ μ φ ε ω μ ε Φ ε ω £ Φ ε μ ε φ μ ε ε μ φ μ β φ β β Φ β φ 3 Φ β β Φ β 9 β φ μ Ή β ω •Η β μ β μ β •μ β m β β μ μ φ β φ Ό bi Τ3 Cn τί bi •ϋ cn Ό bi tn 0 Φ 0 Φ 0 Φ 0 φ 0 Φ 0 φ ω 2 ω 2 ω S W 2 W a W a in o to μ μ o CM -12 42231 EXAMPLE ♦Ρ β ϋ ο φ ο ο φ • • « • ϋ ** φ φ φ β φ β rd β ο φ ο ο X) • • • • *4· φ φ φ φ ο ο ^Ρ ο ο ^Ρ ο χρ ιη φ φ φ ιη η φ m φ φ rd φ ο φ ο φ ο φ φ φ Ο Φ ο ο χρ Φ ο φ φ ο Φ φ ο τρ Φ ο φ Φ ο Φ Ο ο • • • *4* Φ ο φ φ Ο Φ ο ο τρ Φ φ φ φ ο Φ ο ο • • • • Φ φ φ φ ο β β rd β A φ τ? •Η X ο φ β •Η >1 ε Ό β rd Φ *. ί>1 β Φ ϋ •Η ε Φ β Ρ Ό β Md 0 rd Ρ τι 0 Φ rd β ft >1 β Η ·—* Χί Χί 0 «Ρ ♦μ Μ β « φ φ Φ β □ β •rd •Ρ X! ω ♦rd Μ β -μ •id Q Η & Μ a Compositions A-L are tested for their ability to remove grease from a soiled surface. A preweighed 250 cc. polypropylene cup has 3 cc. of a melted beef grease applied to its inner bottom surface. After the grease has solidified, the cup is reweighed. Then a 1% aqueous solution of the composition to be tested is added to the cup to completely fill it. The aqueous solution has a temperature of 45°C. After 15 minutes, the cup is emptied and rinsed with distilled water. The cup is dried and then weighed to deter10 mine the amount of grease removal. The results of tests performed on the above compositions are reported as follows on a % grease removal basis. 42^ j ι % Grease Removal Composition A 10.0« Composition B 60.0« Composition C 18.0% Composition D 64.0% Composition E 30.0% Composition F 50.0% Composition G 33.0% Composition H 52.0% Composition I 2.0% Composition J 61.0% Composition X 6.0% Composition L 64.0% The above results show that the compositions 15 of this invention, i.e. compositions B, D, F, H, J and L remove more grease than the similar compositions wherein the magnesium cation is not employed.

EXAMPLE II Μ dP dP dP dP dP dP dP O © © in © O O ID m Ν’ n CN in CN in dP dP dP dP dP dP dP O o © in © O © • a a a a • a CO σι •*r CO CN in CO H tn dP dP dP dP dP dP dP o © © O O in • • • β a • co © O CN in »H IO dP dP dP dP dP dP dP o O © O © in • • • a a a io in & CN in Γ- CN m dP dP dP dP dP dP dP o O O © in • • a a a uo in © © CN tn pH CN 10 dP dP dP dP dP dP dP © © © O © © in a a a a CN in CO rd Λ Φ υ fi rn r—| (d Λ Φ W £ •H P •H 0 ft Φ g P 0 T3 id GJ Φ 0 QJH C Φ nd P >tdl P •rl tn id X pH (d X Φ x~v £ m o *w 0 P Φ •H Ηββ pH id >i & 3 Ρ P £ Φ c 0 to Φ Φ to fi 0 »—J •H mm Ό r-J «Μ r-f »1-1 P β Ή £ 0 0 0 0 3 £ 3 ip .£ a pH Φ CO •MOW 0 >1 £ φ Φ HO o ϋ •H Φ E Λ id Ή Ή 0 Φ £ fl 3 H to rd 0 0 Ό id Φ P s 0 «Η g P g P g Td 0 3 Φ £ α ό 3 rH £ 0 ft •h c a) •H td pH * ω ο χ: ό (0 JZ Λ g 0 Φ 0 Ρ - Φ P P 3 £ P • £ 0 ·Η Η £ Φ Φ Ή id Φ o tp ζ) £ 0 tn g •H Ό XI P tn Ή P 0 P id •H s S . Q ω H 2 m o pH , 42^31 ι The pH's of Compositions A, B,.C, D, E and F are 7.0, 7.0, 7.0, 7.0, 8.5, and 8.5, respectively. When tested for grease removal in the manner described in Example I, the following results are obtained.

Composition A Composition B Composition C Composition D '10 Composition E Composition F % Grease Removal 9.0% .0% 51.0% 36.0% 49.0% 64.0% The above results show that Compositions C-F have better grease removal properties than Compositions A and B. Additionally, the results show that the inclusion of triethanol15 amine in Compositions E and F provided an increased removal benefit versus similar Compositions D and C, respectively.

EXAMPLE III When Compositions C-F of Example II are formulated with dimethyldodecylphosphine oxide replacing the amine oxide, substantially the same grease removal results are obtained. , t EXAMPLE IV When methyldodecylsulfoxide is used in place of the amine oxide of Compositions C-F of Example II, substantially the same grease removal benefits are obtained.

EXAMPLE V The use of monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, and sodium and potassium hydroxide in place of the triethanolamine of Compositions E and F of Example II does not change the grease removal performance of the composition..

EXAMPLE VI The following granular detergent composition also shows satisfactory grease removal performance.

Magnesium dodecyl benzene sulfonate 17.0% Diethyltetradecylamine oxide 3.0% Sodium sulfate- 50.0% Water 29.0% Misc. (perfume, dye, etc.) balance CM m The following liquid detergent compositions are especially effective from the standpoint of Ό Φ tn Φ Λ +> ω •r| XJ CT •rl !S β 0) O P Φ A Ο Ο Ο Ο (Μ • • • • • ID (Μ rd (Μ Ο φ ϋ β rd Φ « Φ Ο β π) Η φ Λ H s Φ H e* <0 X a *3 c £ •P +> β rd •rl •P Φ w P O in Ό β CT •rl VI Φ Ό ID Φ ϋ β rd m <, φ ΓΠ CT ιη 44 rd β ·«. » 3 υ •rl CM ID β £ rd '·Ρ dP Φ ο Ο X«tf XJ t—1 XJ 0 tn Η ύΡ Φ P 0 CM P Qi ·» w <44 nJ Qi nJ ι—1 id rd XJ Φ >1 a 44 •β ·· X CT QiXJ ft & 0 β dP 3 CT XJ «Ρ CM 0 ·Ρ CTP ft 5 <ύ* Ρ Φ βχ: Φ 0 CT ? •rl CT >ii-l κ> ·Ρ r4 r4 ·· i-4 >, nJ φ 0 0 dP >iXJ X! S QiU4 44 rd β Φ >s £ 33 3 d)XJ xJ tn m P -rl Ο Φ CT S 0) β Ρ ·Ρ >< 0 •rl Q) P c ’p nJ 3 Η « > Λ •rl 44 O η ΗΛΟ Mm it) Φ ω ρ X >ι·Ρ H 45 β Ρ ·Ρ dP 0 H 44 X Ρ cP a o φ XJ CT β β rd Ρ rd tfl rd rd. •β φ •Η *3 Φ 3 ω 0 +> 5 Φ3 44 ε Η β β •Η XJ ω x; a 44 β 3 • 3 0 β Χί β λ ο n Φ 3 3 <44 Ρ 00 Q. 3 3 +> Ο -H in xj ε ι-4 φ H ε β rd a rd •Η ·Ρ ·»· 3 ♦β H 0 Μ4 ·Ρ ·* ltd rt 4J u X X Μ· ω Ρ I > ο 0 3 Μ* o m 0 Ο Η Ο Χί Η c ·η c» Ρ ο ε v) 44 0 Ο +> -rd Ό rd Φ 0* 3 XJ ω Φ rd rd MJ β CUdP •Η β β rd φ φ dP ια λ c ό •Η 3 ιη β $ 3 0 Qi ω 44 ω W O -rl C ε <μ 0 β •Η 3 rt 13 3 CT ε •Ρ Φ 44 <3 ε ε ·* e η λ Η β .- πΐ ε ε •Ρ X 3 ·<4 m 3xi o - >ι·Ρ <Μ 3 3 ω ω •Η X Η •rd tP V 44 £ Η r4 rd Μ4 0 ϋ) ΟΟ 0) 'rd rd rd Η ΟΟ Ο Ο Ρ 04 Φ Ρ ffl rt >,U 3 Η β β Φ ε CT β QidP β Sd ii γ·4 r—1 dP 3 3 Οι 0 β CT Οι^ tn-P rd dP >ι Ο «η XJ Λ ϋ •rl 3 3 in rt ω rt m χί U4 10 Ρ Ρ *· φ ε •Η Q Φ Ο β Ο a φ ο α ο S ρ φ -ρ φ & pH of

Claims (5)

CLAIMS: 1. To 7 wherein the ratio of semi-polar nonionic detergent to anionic detergent is from 1:15 to 1:13. 9. A detergent composition according to claim 8 wherein the semi-polar nonionic detergent is an amirie oxide. 10. A detergent composition according to any one of claims 1 to 9 in a liquid form, comprising from 25% to 45% of the mixture of components (a) and (b), and water. 11. A detergent composition according to ahy one of the claims 1 to 9 in a liquid form , comprising from 1% to 45% of the mixture of components (a) and (b), and water or mixtures of water and C^-Cg alkanols. 12. A detergent composition according to claim 10 or 11 additionally containing sufficient base to raise the pH of the composition to a pH above 7.0, but below 9.0. 13. A detergent composition according to claim 12 wherein the base is monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, or mixtures thereof. 14. A detergent composition according to claim 13 wherein the base is monoethanolamine. 15. Δ detergent composition according to claim 13 or 14 wherein the composition has a pH of from 8.0 to 8.5. 16. A detergent composition according to any one of claims 1 to 9 in a granular or tabletted form comprising from 5% to 50% of the mixture of components (a) and (b) and inert filler salts. 17. A liquid detergent composition comprising (a) from 2% to 6% of a water-soluble amine oxide having one alkyl or hydroxyalkyl moiety of 8 to 16 carbon atoms and two moieties selected from alkyl groups and hydroxyalkyl groups of 1 to 3 carbon atoms; (b) from 15% to 30% of a calcium or magnesium alkyl sulfate having 12 to 16 carbon atoms; (c) from 0% to 9% of a magnesium or calcium alkyl ether sulfate derived from an alcohol having 12 to 16 carbon atoms ethoxylated with 1 to 12 moles of ethylene oxide; (d) from 0% to 7% mono-, di-, or triethanolamine, or mixtures thereof; (e) from 0% to 15% mono-, di-, or triethanolammonium sulfate, or mixtures thereof; and (f) water or mixtures of water and C^-C^ alkanol. 18. A detergent composition according to claim 17 wherein (b) is the magnesium alkyl sulfate, (c) is the magnesium alkyl ether sulfate, (d) is monoethanolamine, and (e) is monoethanolammonium sulfate. 19. A liquid detergent composition consisting essentially of (a) from 2% to 6% of a water-soluble amine oxide having one alkyl or hydroxyalkyl moiety of 8 to 16 carbon atoms and two moieties selected from alkyl groups and hydroxyalkyl groups of 1 to 3 carbon atoms; (b) from 15% to 30% of a calcium or magnesium alkyl sulfate having 12 to 16 carbon atoms; (c) from 0% to 9% of a magnesium or calcium alkyl ether sulfate derived from an alcohol having 12 to 16 carbon atoms ethoxylated with 1 to 6 moles of ethylene oxide; (d) from 1% to 7% triethanolamine; and (e) water. 20. ,A detergent composition according to any one of claims 1 to 9 in a liquid form comprising from 10% to 35% of the mixture of components (a) and (b), and water or mixtures of water and ethanol. 4223 1 21. A detergent composition according to any one of claims 1 to 9 in a liquid form comprising from 2% to 15% of the said mixture of components (a) and (b), and water or mixtures of· water and ethanol.

1. A detergent composition for removing greasy soils comprising an organic detergent portion which comprises a mixture of: (a) a semi-polar organic nonionic detergent selected 5 from (1) water-soluble amine oxides having one alkyl or hydroxyalkyl moiety of 8 to 28 carbon atoms and two moieties selected from alkyl groups and hydroxy alkyl groups of 1 to 3 10 carbon atoms, (

2. ) water-soluble phosphine oxides having one alkyl moiety of 8 to 28 carbon atoms and two moieties selected from alkyl groups and { hydroxy alkyl groups of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, (3) 15 water-soluble sulfoxides having one alkyl or hydroxyalkyl moiety of 8 to 18 carbon atoms and a moiety selected from the group consisting of alkyl and hydroxy alkyl groups of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and (4) mixtures thereof; and 20 (b) an alkaline earth metal salt anionic detergent selected from (1) linear alkyl benzene sulfonates having 9 to 15 carbon atoms in the alkyl group, (2) alkyl sulfates having 8 to 22 carbon atoms, (3) paraffin 25 sulfonates having 8 to 22 carbon atoms, (4) olefin sulfonates having 8 to 22 carbon atoms, (5) alkyl ether sulfates having 8 to 22 carbon atoms in the alkyl group and 1 to 30 ethylene oxide units, (6) alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonates having 8 to - 20 42231 30 22 carbon atoms in the alkyl group and (7) mixtures thereof,in a weight ratio of semi-polar nonionic detergent to anionic detergent of from 1:100 to 1:2. 5 2. A detergent composition according.· to Claim 1 wherein the anionic detergent is a linear alkyl benzene sulfonate having 9 to 15 carbon atoms.

3. A detergent composition according to Claim 1-wherein the anionic detergent is an alkyl sulfate having 8 to 22 carbon atoms 10

4. A detergent composition according to Claim 1 wherein the anionic detergent is a paraffin sulfonate having 8 to 22 carbon atoms. 5_ A detergent composition according to Claim 1 wherein the anionic detergent is an olefin sulfonate having 8 to 22 carbon 15 atoms. 6. A detergent composition according to Claim 1 wherein the anionic detergent is an alkyl ether sulfate derived from an alcohol having 8 to 22 carbon atoms ethoxylated with 1 to 30 moles of ethylene oxide. 20 7. A detergent composition according to Claim 1 wherein the anionic detergent is an alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonate having 8 to 22 carbon atoms in the alkyl group. 8. A detergent composition according to any one of claims

5. 22. A detergent composition according to claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described in the Examples.