MXPA00009852A - Disinfecting compositions and processes for disinfecting surfaces - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a liquid disinfecting composition comprising an effective amount to a disinfecting material and a poly(alkylen glycol) alkyl ether having the following formula:R1-O-(CH2-CHR2O)n-R3, wherein R1 and R2 each independently are hydrogen or a substitued or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched hydrocarbon chain having from 1 to 30 carbon atoms or a hydroxy bearing linear or branched hydrocarbon chain having from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, R3 is a substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched hydrocarbon chain having from 1 to 30 carbon atoms or a hydroxy bearing linear or branched hydrocarbon chain having from 7-30 carbon atoms, and n is greater than 2, or a mixture thereof. The present invention also encompasses a process of disinfecting a hard-surface with such a composition.

Description

SANITIZING COMPOSITIONS AND PROCEDURES FOR DISINFECTING SURFACES TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to disinfectant compositions which can be used to disinfect various surfaces, including inanimate surfaces such as hard surfaces such as walls, tiles, floors, table tops, glass, bathroom surfaces, kitchen surfaces. Advantageously, the present compositions also provide excellent cleaning performance and excellent gloss.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The antimicrobial compositions include materials that have the ability to disinfect. It is generally recognized that a disinfectant material greatly reduces or even eliminates microorganisms that exist on a surface. Although disinfectant compositions based on known disinfectant materials such as bleach, quaternary ammonium compound, essential oil or the like, provide suitable immediate disinfecting properties, they do not maintain the disinfecting activity of the compositions for prolonged periods after application to hard surfaces. , to disinfect. Likewise, consumers look for disinfectant compositions which, apart from the disinfection properties, also provide excellent cleaning performance, especially on greasy soils without at the same time leaving veins / films visible on the surface after drying. Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide not only effective disinfection performance of any treated surface, with maximum efficiency, but also a widely extended disinfection action after application. Another objective of the present invention is to provide compositions that provide, apart from immediate and long-lasting disinfection properties, also excellent cleaning performance, while also improving the gloss on the treated surface. It has now been found that this can be achieved by formulating a liquid composition comprising an effective amount of disinfectant material and an alkyl alkylene glycol ether as defined herein. In a preferred embodiment, the disinfectant material is a peroxygen bleach and / or an antimicrobial essential oil and / or an active ingredient thereof. In this way, compositions are provided that find adequate acceptance among consumers who seek disinfectant compositions based on safer and more natural compounds.

Advantageously, an immediate and effective disinfection performance is provided, as well as long-term disinfection performance using a low total level of disinfectant materials. In fact, the present invention is based on the discovery of adding a single ingredient, ie the poly (alkylene glycol) alkyl ether as defined herein, to a composition comprising a disinfectant material, not only is an excellent immediate disinfection performance but also improved long-term disinfection performance, apart from excellent cleaning properties, especially on oily stains, and excellent gloss properties. Advantageously, the present invention allows the formulation of cost-effective compositions. An advantage of the present compositions is that they can be used to provide immediate and effective long-term disinfection on any surface, even at high dilution levels, i.e. at dilution levels of up to 1: 100 (composition: water). Another advantage of the present invention is that an immediate and long-lasting disinfection is provided over a wide range of pure bacterial strains, including Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. The combination of peroxygen bleach and an antimicrobial essential oil or active thereof as the disinfectant material according to the present invention, is particularly effective in Gram negative bacterial strains.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention encompasses a liquid disinfectant composition comprising an effective amount of a disinfecting material and an alkylene glycol alkyl ether as defined herein below. In a preferred embodiment, the disinfectant material is a peroxygen bleach and / or an antimicrobial essential oil and / or an active ingredient thereof. The present invention further encompasses a method for disinfecting a hard surface, wherein a liquid composition according to the present invention is applied to said surface. The present invention also encompasses a liquid disinfectant composition as defined herein, packaged in a spray dispenser, as well as a cloth impregnated with a liquid disinfectant composition as defined herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The compositions The disinfectant material An essential ingredient of the present invention is an effective amount of a disinfectant material or a mixture thereof.

By "disinfectant material" is meant herein any known ingredient that has the ability to reduce or even eliminate killing microorganisms that exist on a surface. By "an effective amount of a disinfectant material", it is intended herein to mean an amount sufficient to allow the disinfectant material to carry out its action, that is, to reduce the number of microorganisms that exist on a certain surface. Depending on the disinfectant material used, the amount used may be different. Typically, the compositions of the present invention comprise from about 0.001% to 40% by weight of the total composition of a disinfectant material, preferably from 0.05% to 10% and most preferably from 0.1% to 5%. Suitable disinfectant materials are those known to those skilled in the art for the purpose of disinfecting and may include bleach such as peroxygen bleach and / or chlorine bleach, antimicrobial essential oil or active thereof, quaternary ammonium compound, phenolic compound, aldehydes such as glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde, glyoxal, parabens such as ethylparaben, propylparabenol, methylparaben, organic acids and peroxyacids, alcohols and mixtures thereof. Disinfectant materials that are preferred to be used herein include peroxygen bleach, or an antimicrobial essential oil or an active ingredient thereof, or a mixture of a peroxygen bleach and said antimicrobial essential oil or an active ingredient thereof. A disinfectant material that is preferred to be used herein is a peroxygen bleach or a mixture thereof. The preferred peroxygen bleach is hydrogen peroxide, or a water soluble source thereof, or mixtures thereof. It is more preferred to use in the present hydrogen peroxide. The presence of the peroxygen bleach, especially hydrogen peroxide, in the compositions according to the present invention contributes to the disinfecting properties of said compositions. In fact, said peroxygenated bleach can attack the vital function of the microorganism cells, for example, it can inhibit the assembly of ribosome units within the cytoplasm of the microorganism cells. Likewise, peroxygen bleach, such as hydrogen peroxide, is an oxidant that generates hydroxyl free radicals that attack proteins and nucleic acids. Moreover, the presence of peroxygen bleach, especially hydrogen peroxide, provides adequate stain removal benefits when used in any hard surface application. As used herein, a source of hydrogen peroxide refers to any compound that produces hydrogen peroxide when said compound is in contact with water. Water-soluble sources of hydrogen peroxide for use herein include percarbonates, persilicates, persulfates, perborates, peroxyacids such as diperoxydodecanoic acid (DPDA), magnesium perphthalic acid and mixtures thereof. In addition, other classes of peroxides may be used as an alternative to hydrogen peroxide and sources thereof or in combination with hydrogen peroxide and sources thereof. Suitable classes include dialkyl peroxides, diacyl peroxides, preformed percarboxylic acids, organic and inorganic peroxides and / or hydroperoxides. Typically, the peroxygen bleach or a mixture thereof is present in the compositions according to the present invention at a level of up to 20% by weight of the total composition, preferably from 0.1% to 15% and most preferably from 0.5% to 10%. %. Another disinfectant material that is particularly preferred to be used herein is an antimicrobial essential oil or an active ingredient thereof, or a mixture thereof. The antimicrobial essential oils suitable for use herein are those essential oils that exhibit antimicrobial activity. By "active essential oils" is meant here any ingredient of essential oils that exhibits antimicrobial activity. It is speculated that said antimicrobial essential oils and actives thereof act as protein denaturing agents. Such antimicrobial essential oils include, but are not limited to, those obtained from thyme, lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus), citrus fruits, lemons, oranges, anise, cloves, anise seed, pine, cinnamon, geranium, roses, mint, lavender , citronella, eucalyptus, mint, camphor, sandalwood, rosmarin, vervain, ratanias, cedar and mixtures thereof. Preferred essential oil actives to be used herein are thyme oil, clove oil, cinnamon oil, geranium oil, eucalyptus oil, peppermint oil, citronella oil, peppermint oil or mixtures thereof. The active ingredients of essential oils that will be used herein include, but are not limited to, thymol (present for example in thyme), eugenol (present for example in cinnamon and clove), menthol (present for example in the mint), geraniol (present for example in geranium, rose and citronella), verbenone (present for example in vervain), eucalyptol and pinocarvone (present in eucalyptus), cedrol (present for example in cedar), anethole (present for example in anise), carvacrol, hinoquitiol, berberine, ferulic acid, cinnamic acid, methylsalicylic acid, methyl salicylate, terpineol, limonene, ratania and mixtures thereof. The active ingredients of essential oils which are preferred to be used here are thymol, eugenol, verbenone, eucalyptol, terpineol, cinnamic acid, methylsalicylic acid, limonene, geraniol or mixtures thereof. Thymol may be commercially available for example from Aldrich - Manheimer, Inc., and eugenol may be commercially available for example from Sigma Systems - Bioindustries (SBI) - Manheimer Inc.

Typically, the antimicrobial or active essential oil thereof or mixture thereof is present in the composition at a level of up to 20% by weight of the total composition, preferably at a level of at least 0.003% to 10%, most preferably of 0.006% to 10%, more preferably from 0.01% to 8% and even more preferably from 0.03% to 3%. A highly preferred embodiment of the compositions herein combines said antimicrobial essential oil or an active ingredient thereof, or a mixture thereof, with a peroxygen bleach. The quaternary ammonium compounds suitable for use herein are quaternary ammonium compounds containing alkyl groups or substituted alkyl groups, aqluilamide or carboxylic acid groups, ether groups, unsaturated alkyl groups and cyclic quaternary ammonium compounds, which may be chlorides, dichlorides, bromides, methylsulphates, chlorophenates, cyclohexyl sulfamates or salts of the other acids. Among the possible cyclic quaternary ammonium compounds are the following: - alkylpyridinium chlorides and / or sulphates, the alkyl group preferably being an acetyl, dodecyl or hexadecyl group; - alkyl isoquinolyl chlorides and / or bromides, the alkyl group preferably being a dodecyl group. Particularly suitable quaternary ammonium compounds for use herein include alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride, octyldecyldimethylammonium chloride, dioctyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, didecyldimethylammonium chloride, alkyldimethylammonium saccharinate, cetylpyridinium, and mixtures thereof.

Suitable phenolic compounds for use herein include o-phenylphenol, o-benzyl (p-chlorophenol), 4-teramylphenol and mixtures thereof. Other disinfectant materials suitable for use herein include chlorine bleach such as hypochlorite. An effective disinfection performance is obtained with the compositions according to the present invention in a variety of microorganisms including Gram-negative bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Salmonella, as well as in Gram-positive bacteria such as Enterococcus hirae, Staphylococcus aureus present on infected surfaces, even if they are used under highly diluted conditions, for example, at a dilution level of up to 1: 100 (composition: water). The disinfectant properties of a composition according to the present invention can be measured by the bactericidal activity of said composition. A suitable test method for evaluating the bactericidal activity of a composition on infected surfaces is described in European standard prEN 1040, CENT / TC 126 N 78, dated November 1995 and issued by the European Committee for Standardization, Brussels. The European standard prEN 1040, CEN / TC 216 N 78 specifies a test method and requirements for the minimum bactericidal activity of a disinfectant composition. The test is carried out if the bacterial colony formation units (cfu) are reduced from 107 cfu (initial level) to 102 cfu (final level after contact with the disinfectant product), that is, a reduction of 105 cfu is necessary. the viability The compositions according to the present invention pass this test, even if they are used under highly diluted conditions. Other suitable methods are the AOAC dilution-use method, the AOAC germicidal spraying method, the AOAC rags method (EU) and AFNOR T72-190 (Europe).

The alkyl ether of poly (alkylene glycol) Another essential ingredient of the present invention is an alkyl ether of poly (alkylene glycol) as defined hereafter, or a mixture thereof. Typically, the composition of the present invention comprises from 0.001% to 10% by weight of the total composition of said poly (alkylene glycol) alkyl ether or a mixture thereof, preferably from 0.005% to 2%, most preferably 0.01% by weight. 1%, more preferably from 0. 05% to 0.5% and even more preferably from 0.08% to 0.4%. Alkylene ethers of poly (alkylene glycol) suitable for use herein are according to the following formula: wherein Ri and R2 are each independently hydrogen or a substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched hydrocarbon chain having from 1 to 30 carbon atoms or a straight or branched hydrocarbon chain bearing a hydroxy group having from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, R3 is a substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched hydrocarbon chain having from 1 to 30 carbon atoms or a straight or branched hydrocarbon chain carrying a hydroxy group of 1 to 30 carbon atoms, n is a number greater than 2, or a mixture thereof. Preferably, Ri and R2 are each independently hydrogen, or a substituted or unsubstituted, straight or branched alkyl or alkenyl group, having from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to 16 carbon atoms, most preferably from 1 to 8 and more preferably 1 to 4, or a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group bearing hydroxy having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, most preferably 1 to 16, more preferably 1 to 4 and even more preferably Ri and R2 are methyl or hydrogen. Preferably, R3 is an alkyl group or substituted or unsubstituted, linear or branched alkenyl group having from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to 16 carbon atoms, most preferably from 1 to 8 and more preferably from 1 to 4, or a substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched aryl group having up to 30 carbon atoms, preferably 3 to 16 and more preferably 4 to 8 carbon atoms, or a linear or alkyl or alkenyl group or branched hydroxy bearing having from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, most preferably from 1 to 16, more preferably from 1 to 8 and even more preferably R3 is butyl.

Preferably n is a number of at least 3, preferably from 3 to 2300, most preferably from 3 to 100, more preferably from 3 to 20 and even more preferably from 3 to 10. Alkyl ethers of poly (alkylene glycol) suitable for used herein preferably have an average molecular weight of from 164 to 100,000, more preferably from 180 to 10,000 and most preferably from 200 to 1,000. Alkyl ethers of poly (alkylene glycol) suitable for use herein include monobutyl ether poly (propylene glycol), poly (ethylene glycol-co-propylene glycol) monobutyl ether, poly (ethylene glycol) dimethyl ether, poly (ethylene glycol-co-propylene glycol) dimethyl ether, poly (ethylene glycol) stearate or mixtures thereof . The monobutyl ether of poly (propylene glycol) (average molecular weight 340) is commercially available from Aldrich or from Union Carbide as Ucon-ib 65®. The present invention is based on the discovery that the addition of the poly (alkylene glycol) alkyl ether as defined herein, in a liquid composition comprising a disinfectant material provides excellent immediate disinfection performance and improves the long disinfection performance duration of said composition. In this way, an advantage of the present invention is to obtain an effective and effective long-term disinfection performance with a low total level of disinfectant materials.

In fact, it is speculated that the presence of poly (alkylene glycol) alkyl ether in the disinfectant compositions of the present invention promotes the formation of a hydrophilic layer that remains behind after drying and after having applied the compositions on a hard surface. The formation of said layer on the surface of the hard surface treated with the disinfectant compositions herein allows a more uniform distribution of the disinfectant material. This results in better availability of disinfectant material for immediate and long-lasting disinfection performance. In other words, the compositions of the present invention allow to reduce or even eliminate the contamination of microorganisms with the passage of time, typically up to 24 hours after the surface has been treated with said composition. It has also been found that an immediate and long-lasting disinfectant performance is obtained when the poly (alkyleneethylene glycol) alkyl ether, as defined herein, is added in the composition apart from a peroxygen bleach, preferably hydrogen peroxide, together with an antimicrobial essential oil or an active ingredient thereof, such as the disinfectant material. Advantageously, the benefits of immediate and long-lasting disinfection are obtained with the compositions of the present invention even when used under highly diluted conditions, i.e., dilution levels of up to 1: 100 (composition: water).

The long-term disinfection properties of the compositions herein can be measured by the bactericidal activity of said compositions. A suitable test method for evaluating the long-term bactericidal activity of a composition can be as follows: first, the surfaces (eg, glass) that will be tested are respectively treated with a composition according to the present invention or with a composition reference, for example, a negative control composed of pure water (for example by spraying the composition directly on the surface or by first spraying the composition on a sponge used to clean the surface or when the composition herein is in the form of a rag by rubbing the surface with the same). After a variable time frame (for example, 24 hours) each surface is inoculated respectively with bacteria (105"7 cfu / slides) grown for example in TSB (Tryptone Soy Broth) and are typically left for a few seconds to 2 hours before evaluating the remaining live bacteria, then live bacteria (if any) are recovered from the surface (by resuspending the bacteria in the neutralization broth and placing them on agar) and incubated at the appropriate temperature, for example, 37 ° C to allow them to grow typically at night Finally, an evaluation of the residual antibacterial efficacy of the composition is made side by side with the cultures and / or dilutions thereof (eg, 10"2 or 10" 1) which are the result of the surfaces treated with the compositions according to the present invention and the reference composition.

The addition of the poly (alkylene glycol) alkyl ether as defined herein in the liquid disinfectant compositions of the present invention provides an improved cleaning performance, especially on greasy soils, when used to treat hard surfaces. In addition, the hydrophilic layer left behind when treating a hard surface with a composition of the present invention comprising the disinfectant material and the polyalkylene glycol alkyl ether as defined herein, has the ability to attract and retain water vapor. environmental atmospheric water, thus reducing the adhesion of dirt on the surface once treated and / or facilitating the removal of dirt deposits subsequently on it, that is, less work is required (for example, less carving and / or rubbing and / or less chemical action) to remove the dirt in the next disinfection / cleaning operation. The hydrophilic layer left behind when treating a hard surface with a composition of the present invention leaves the water that comes in contact with the surface that has been treated first with the composition herein (e.g., water that is used to rinse the surface). which has been treated in this way) dispersed evenly over the surface ("rolling effect") instead of forming small drops. In this way the formation of watermarks after drying is reduced or even eliminated. The result of this is an improved surface gloss. A reduced film and grain formation is also observed due to the presence of the poly (alkylene glycol) alkyl ether as defined in the present disinfection compositions of the present invention. This also results in an improved surface gloss. In addition, the hydrophilic layer formed in this way thanks to the presence of the poly (alkylene glycol) alkyl ether has the ability to remain on the surface even during several rinse cycles (for example, when water comes into contact on the surface later on). , for example in a sink during the daily dishwashing operation), thus providing long-lasting protection against the formation of watermarks, consequently, long-lasting glossy surfaces. Typically, the liquid compositions of the present invention have a pH as such of not more than 12.0, most preferably from 1 to 10, and more preferably from 2 to 9. The pH of the compositions can be adjusted using organic or inorganic acids, or agents alkalizing.

Optional ingredients Surfactants The compositions according to the present invention may further comprise a surfactant or mixtures thereof. Suitable surfactants for use herein may be any surfactant known to those skilled in the art, including anionic, nonionic, cationic, amphoteric and / or zwitterionic surfactants. The surfactants contribute to the cleaning performance of a composition of the present invention.

Particularly suitable anionic surfactants for use herein include the water soluble salts or acids of the formula ROSO3M, wherein R is preferably a C6-C24 hydrocarbyl, preferably an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl having an alkyl component of C? -C2o, most preferably an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl of C? 2-C? 8, and M is H or a cation, e.g., an alkali metal cation (e.g., sodium, potassium and lithium) or cations of ammonium or substituted ammonium (e.g., methyl-, dimethyl- and trimethylammonium cations and quaternary ammonium cations such as tetramethylammonium and dimethylpiperidinium cations, and quaternary ammonium cations derived from alkylamines, such as ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine and mixtures thereof, and the like). Other anionic surfactants suitable for use herein include alkyldiphenylethersulfonates and alkylcarboxylates. Other anionic surfactants may include salts (including, for example, sodium, potassium, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts such as mono-, di- and triethanolamine salts) of soap, linear C9-C2o alkylbenzenesulfonates, primary or secondary alkanesulfonates C8-C22, C8-C2 olefinsulfonates, sulfonated polycarboxylic acids prepared by the sulfonation of the pyrolyzed product of alkaline earth metal citrates, e.g., as described in the description of British Patent No. 1, 082,179, alkyl polyglycol ether sulfates of C8-C24 (containing up to 10 moles of ethylene oxide); alkyl ether sulfonates such as Cu-iß methyl ester sulfonates; acyl glycerol sulfonates, fatty olyl glycerol sulfates, alkyl phenol ethylene oxide ether sulfates, paraffin sulphonates, alkyl phosphates, isethionates such as acyl isethionates, N-acyltaurates, alkylsuccinamates and sulfosuccinates, sulfosuccinate monoesters (especially saturated and unsaturated C? 2-C? 8 monoesters), diesters of sulfosuccinate (especially saturated and unsaturated C-C diesters), acyl sarcosinates, alkylpolysaccharide sulfates such as alkylpolyglucoside sulfates (the non-sulphonated nonionic compounds described below), branched primary alkyl sulphates, alkylpolyethoxycarboxylates such as those of the formula RO ( CH2CH2O) kCH2COO-M + wherein R is an alkyl of k is an integer from 0 to 10 and M is a soluble salt forming cation. Also suitable are rosin acids and hydrogenated rosin acids, such as rosin, hydrogenated rosin, and rosin acids and hydrogenated rosin acids present in, or derived from tallow oil. Additional examples are given in "Surface Active Agents and Detergents" (Vols. I and II by Schwartz, Perry and Berch). A variety of such surfactants are also generally described in the US patent. No. 3,929,678, issued December 30, 1975 to Laughlin et al., In column 23, line 58 to column 29, line 23 (incorporated herein by reference). The anionic surfactants which are preferred to be used in the compositions herein are alkylbenzene sulphonates, alkyl sulfates alkoxylated alkylsulfates, paraffinsulfonates and mixtures thereof.

Suitable amphoteric surfactants for use herein include amine oxides having the following formula R 1 R 2 R 3 NO, wherein each of R i, R 2 and R 3 is independently a straight or branched saturated hydrocarbon chain of 1 to 30 carbon atoms. Amine oxides suitable for use in accordance with the present invention are amine oxides having the following formula R 1 R 2 R 3 NO, wherein R1 is a hydrocarbon chain of 1 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably 6 to 20, most preferably 6 to 14 and more preferably 8 to 10, and wherein R2 and R3 are independently linear or branched hydrocarbon chains, substituted or unsubstituted from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to 3 carbon atoms and most preferably are methyl groups. R1 can be a straight or branched saturated hydrocarbon chain. The amine oxides which are preferred to be used herein are, for example, the amine oxides of C8-Ci6 naturally mixed as well as the commercially available C 12-Ci6 amine oxides Hoechst. The zwitterionic surfactants suitable for use herein contain both cationic and anionic hydrophilic groups on the same molecule at a relatively broad pH scale. The typical cationic group is a quaternary ammonium group, although other positively charged groups such as phosphonium, imidazolinium and sulfonium can also be used. Typical anionic hydrophilic groups are the carboxylates and sulfonates, although other groups such as sulfates, phosphonates and the like can be used. A generic formula for some zwitterionic surfactants to be used herein is where Ri is a hydrophobic group; R2 and R3 are each C1-C4 alkyl, hydrixyalkyl or other substituted alkyl group which may also be linked to form ring structures with N; R4 is a moiety joining the cationic nitrogen atom to the hydrophilic group and is typically an alkylene, hydroxyalkylene or polyalkoxy group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms: and X is the hydrophilic group which is preferably a carboxylate or sulfonate group. Preferred hydrophobic groups are alkyl groups containing from 1 to 24, preferably less than 18, most preferably less than 16 carbon atoms. The hydrophobic group may contain unsaturation and / or substituents and / or linking groups such as aryl groups, amido groups, ester groups and the like. In general, simple alkyl groups are preferred for reasons of cost and stability. Highly preferred zwitterionic surfactants include the betaine and sulfobetaine surfactants, derivatives thereof, or mixtures thereof. Said betaine or sulfobetaine surfactants are preferred because they aid disinfection by increasing the permeability of the bacterial cell wall, thereby preventing other active ingredients from entering the cell. In addition, thanks to the mild action profile of said betaine or sulfobetaine surfactants, they are particularly suitable for cleaning delicate surfaces, eg, delicate clothing or surfaces in contact with food and / or babies. The betaine and sulphobetaine surfactants are also extremely gentle to the skin and / or surfaces that will be treated. The betaine and sulfobetaine surfactants suitable for use herein are betaine / sulfobetaine and betaine detergents in which the molecule contains both basic and acid groups that form an inner salt that gives the molecule both cationic and anionic hydrophilic groups on the a wide range of pH values. Some common examples of these detergents are described in the US patents.

Nos. 2,082,275, 2,702,279 and 2,255,082, incorporated herein by reference. The betaine and sulphobetaine surfactants which are preferred herein have the formula: R2 I Rl- N + - (CH2) n-Y-R3 wherein Ri is a hydrocarbon chain containing from 1 to 24 carbon atoms, preferably from 8 to 18, most preferably 12 to 14, wherein R2 and R3 are hydrocarbon chains containing from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, preferably 1 carbon atom, wherein n is an integer from 1 to 10, preferably from 1 to 6, most preferably is 1; Y is selected from the group consisting of carboxyl and sulfonyl radicals, and wherein the sum of the hydrocarbon chains R-i, R2 and R3 is from 14 to 24 carbon atoms, or mixtures thereof. Examples of particularly suitable betaine surfactants include C? 2-C? 8 alkyldimethylbetaine, such as cocobetaine and C? 0-C? 6 alkyldimethylbetaine, such as laurylbetaine. Cocobetaine is commercially available from Seppic under the trade name Amonyl 265®. Laurylbetaine is commercially available from Albright & Wilson under the trade name Empigen BB / L®. Other specific zwitterionic surfactants have the generic formulas: R1-C (O) -N (R2) - (C (R3) 2) nN (R2) 2 (+) - (C (R3) 2) n-SO3 (- )? RC (0) -N (R2) - (C (R3) 2) nN (R2) 2 (+ HC (R3) 2) «- COOO wherein each Ri is a hydrocarbon, e.g., an alkyl group which contains from 8 to 20, preferably up to 18, most preferably up to 16 carbon atoms; each R2 is a hydrogen (when attached to the amide nitrogen), short chain alkyl or substituted alkyl containing from one to 4 carbon atoms, preferably groups selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl, ethyl or hydroxy propyl -substituted and mixtures thereof, preferably methyl; each R3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and hydroxyl groups and each n is a number from 1 to 4, preferably from 2 to 3, most preferably 3, with no more than one hydroxyl group in any portion (C (R3) 2 ). The Ri groups can be branched and / or unsaturated. The R2 groups can also be connected to form ring structures. A surfactant of this type is an acylamidopropylene (hydroxypropylene) sulfobetaine C? 0-Cu fat which is available from Sherex Company under the trade name "Varion CAS sulfobetaine" ®. Suitable nonionic surfactants for use herein are the ethoxylated and / or propoxylated fatty alcohols which are commercially available with a variety of fatty alcohol chain lengths and a variety of degrees of ethoxylation. In fact, the HLB values of said alkoxylated nonionic surfactants depend essentially on the chain length of the fatty alcohol, on the nature of the alkoxylation and on the degree of the alkoxylation. Surfactants catalogs are available that list a number of surfactants, including nonionics, together with their respective HLB values. Particularly suitable for use herein as nonionic surfactants are the non-ionic hydrophobic surfactants having an HLB (hydrophilic-lipophilic balance) of less than 16, preferably less than 15, most preferably less than 12, and more preferably less than 10. These hydrophobic nonionic surfactants have been shown to provide adequate fat cutting properties. The hydrophobic nonionic surfactants which are preferred to be used in the compositions according to the present invention are the surfactants having an HLB of less than 16 and which are in accordance with the formula RO- (C2H4?) N (C3H6O) mH , wherein R is an alkyl chain of Ce to C or an alkylbenzene chain of C6 to C28, and where n + m is from 0 to 20 and n is from 0 to 15 and m is from 0 to 20, preferably n + m is from 1 to 15 and, n and m are from 0.5 to 15, most preferably n + m is from 1 to 10 and, n and m are from 0 to 10. The R chains that are preferred to be used herein are the C8 to C22 alkyl chains. Accordingly, the hydrophobic nonionic surfactants suitable for use herein are Dobanol® 91-2.5 (HLB = 8: 1; R is a mixture of alkyl chains of Cg and Cu, n is 2.5 and m is 0), or Lutensol® TO3 (HLB = 8, R is an alkyl chain of C13, n is 3 and m is 0), or Lutensol® AO3 ( HLB = 8; R is a mixture of C-? 3 and C15 alkyl chains, n is 3 and m is 0), or Tergitol® 25L3 (HLB = 7.7; R is on the scale of an alkyl chain length of d2 to C15, n is 3 and m is 0), or Dobanol® 23-3 (HLB = 8: 1, R is a mixture of alkyl chains of C? 2 and C? 3) n is 3 and m is 0), or Dobanol® 23-2 (HLB = 6: 2, R is a mixture of C12 and C13 alkyl chains, n is 2 and m is 0), or Dobanol® 45-7 (HLB = 11: 6, R is a mixture of alkyl chains of C14 and C15, n is 7 and m is 0), Dobanol® 23-6.5 (HBL = 11.9, R is a mixture of C-? 2 and C13 alkyl chains, n is 6.5 and m is 0), or Dobanol® 25 -7 (HLB = 12, R is a mixture of alkyl chains of C-? 2 and C? 5? N is 7 and m is 0), or Dobanol® 91-5 (HLB = 11.6; R is a mixture of alkyl chains of C9 and Cu, n is 5 and m is 0), or Dobanol® 91-6 (HLB = 12.5, R is a mixture of Cg and Cu alkyl chains, n is 6 and m is 0), or Dobanol® 91-8 (HLB = 13.7; R is a mixture of alkyl chains of Cg and Cu, n is 8 and m is 0), or Dobanol® 91-10 (HLB = 14.2, R is a mixture of alkyl chains of Cg to C1 -i, n is 10 and m is 0) or mixtures thereof. Preferred herein are Dobanol® 91-2.5, or Lutensol® TO3, or Lutensol® AO3, or Tergitol® 25L3, or Dobanol® 23-3, or Dobanol® 23-2, or mixtures thereof. These Dobanol® surfactants are commercially available from SHELL. These Lutensol® surfactants are commercially available from BASF and these Tergitol® surfactants are commercially available from UNION CARBIDE. Typically, the surfactant or mixtures thereof is present in the compositions of the present invention at a level of from 0.01% to 50% by weight of the total composition, preferably from 0.01% to 30% and most preferably from 0.05% to 20% .

Chelating agent The compositions herein may further comprise a chelating agent as a preferred optional ingredient. Suitable chelating agents can be any of those known to those skilled in the art, such as those selected from the group consisting of phosphonate chelating agents, aminocarboxylate chelating agents or other carboxylate chelating agents, or polyfunctionally substituted aromatic chelating agents or mixtures thereof. Such phosphonate chelating agents may include etidronic acid (1-hydroxyethylidenebiphosphonic acid or HEDP) alkali metal ethan-1-dihydroxydiphosphonates, as well as aminophosphonate compounds, including aminoalkylenepoly (alkylenephosphonate), alkali metal ethan-1-hydroxydiphosphonates, nitrilotrimethylenephosphonates, ethylenediaminetetramethylenephosphonates and diethylenetriaminepentamethylenephosphonates. The phosphonate compounds may be present either in their acid form or as different cation salts in some or all of their acid functionalities. The phosphonate chelating agents that are preferred for use herein are the diethylenetriaminepentamethylene phosphonates. Said phosphonate chelators are commercially available from Monsanto under the trade name DEQUEST®. Polyfunctionally substituted aromatic chelating agents may also be useful in the compositions herein. See the patent of E.U.A. No. 3,812,044 issued May 21, 1974 to Connor et al. Compounds of this type that are preferred in acid form are dihydroxydisulfobenzenes such as 1,2-dihydroxy-3,5-disulfobenzene. A biodegradable chelating agent that is preferred to be used herein is ethylenediamine-N, N'-disuccinic acid, or the alkali metal, alkaline earth, ammonium or substituted ammonium salts thereof or mixtures thereof. Ethylenediamine-N, N'-dissuccinic acids, especially the (S, S) isomer, have been described extensively in the US patent. 4,704,233, November 3, 1987 to Hartman and Perkins. Ethylenediamine-N, N'-disuccinic acid, for example, is commercially available under the tradename ssEDDS® from Palmer Research Laboratories.

Suitable and currently useful aminocarboxylate chelating agents include ethylenediaminetetraacetates, diethylenetriamine pentaacetates, diethylenetriaminepentoacetate (DTPA), N-hydroxyethylenediylenediaminetriacetates, nitrilotriacetates, ethylenediaminetetrapropionates, triethylenetetramine hexaacetates, ethanoldiglicines, propylenediaminetetraacetic acid (PDTA), and methyl glycine diacetic acid (MGDA). , both in their acid form, or in their alkali metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium salt forms. Particularly suitable for use herein are diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), propylene diamine tetraacetic acid (PDTA) which is commercially available, for example, from BASF under the tradename Trilon FS® and methyl glycine diacetic acid (MGDA). Additional carboxylate chelating agents for use herein include malonic acid, salicylic acid, glycine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid or mixtures thereof. Such chelating agents, especially phosphonate chelating agents such as diethylenetriaminepentamethylenephosphonates, are particularly preferred in the compositions according to the present invention, since they have been shown to contribute more to the disinfecting properties of the compositions herein. Typically, the compositions according to the present invention comprise up to 5% by weight of the total composition, of a chelating agent or mixtures thereof, preferably from 0.002% to 3% by weight and most preferably from 0.002% to 1.5%.

Radical scavengers The compositions herein may further comprise a radical scavenger as a preferred optional ingredient. Suitable radical scavengers for use herein include the well-known substituted mono- and dihydroxybenzenes and derivatives thereof, alkyl- and aryl carboxylates and mixtures thereof. The radical scavengers which are preferred to be used herein include di-tert-butylhydroxytoluene (BHT), p-hydroxytoluene, hydroquinone (HQ), di-tert-butylhydroquinone (DTBHQ), mono-tert-butylhydroquinone (MTBHQ), ter- butyl-hydroxyanisole (BHA), p-hydroxyanisole, benzoic acid, 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 2,5-dihydroxyterephthalic acid, toluic acid, catechol, t-butylcatechol, 4-allyl catechol, 4-acetylcatechol, 2-methoxyphenol , 2-ethoxyphenol, 2-methoxy-4- (2-propenyl) phenol, 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde, 2,3-dihydroxybenzaldehyde, benzylamine, 1, 1, 3, -tris (2-methyl-4-hydroxy-5) -t-butylphenyl) -butane, tert-butyl-hydroxyaniline, p-hydroxyaniline, as well as n-propyl-gallate. It is highly preferred to use in the present di-tert-butylhydroxytoluene, which is commercially available from SHELL under the tradename IONOL CP®. Typically, the compositions according to the present invention comprise up to 5% by weight of the total composition of a radical scavenger or mixtures thereof, preferably from 0.01% to 1.5% by weight and more preferably from 0.01% to 1%.

Solvent The compositions herein may comprise as an optional ingredient a solvent or mixtures thereof. When used, the solvents will advantageously give an improved cleaning performance to the compositions herein. Suitable solvents for incorporation into the compositions according to the present invention include propylene glycol derivatives such as n-butoxypropanol or n-butoxypropoxypropanol, water soluble CARBITOL® solvents or water soluble CELLOSOLVE® solvents. Water-soluble CARBITOL® solvents are compounds of the 2- (2-alkoxyethoxy) ethanol class wherein the alkoxy group is derived from ethyl, propyl or butyl. A water-soluble carbitol which is preferred is 2- (2-butoxyethoxy) ethanol, also known as butylcarbitol. Water-soluble CELLOSOLVE® solvents are compounds of the 2-alkoxyethoxyethanol class, with 2-butoxyethoxyethanol being preferred. Other suitable solvents are benzyl alcohol, methanol, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol and diols such as 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol and 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol and mixtures thereof. The solvents that are preferred to be used herein are n-butoxypropoxypropanol, butylcarbitol® and mixtures thereof. A solvent that is most preferred to use here is butylcarbitol®.

Solvents may typically be present in the compositions of the invention at a level of up to 15% by weight, preferably 1% to 7% by weight of the composition.

PH Regulators In the embodiment of the present invention in which the compositions are formulated on the alkaline pH scale, typically from 7 to 12, the compositions according to the present invention may further comprise a pH regulator or a mixture thereof. , that is, a system consisting of a compound or a combination of compounds, whose pH changes only slightly when a strong acid or base is added. Suitable pH regulators for use in the present in neutral to basic condition include pH buffer of borate, phosphonate, silicate and mixtures thereof. Borate pH regulators suitable for use herein are alkali metal salts of borates and alkylborates and mixtures thereof. Borate pH regulators suitable for use herein are alkali metal salts of borate, metaborate, tetraborate, octoborate, pentaborate, dodecaboron, boron trifluoride and / or alkyl borate containing from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 a 4. Preferred alkylborates include methylborate, ethylborate and propylborate. Particularly preferred herein are the alkali metal salts of metaborate (e.g., sodium metaborate), tetraborate (e.g., sodium tetraborate decahydrate) or mixtures thereof. Boron salts such as sodium metaborate and sodium tetraborate are commercially available from Bórax and Societa Chimica Larderello under the trade name sodium metaborate® and Bórax®. In the embodiment of the present invention in which the compositions are formulated on the acidic pH scale (ie, less than 7), preferably 2 to 6, most preferably 2 to 4, the compositions according to the present invention they may further comprise a pH regulator or a mixture thereof, that is, a system consisting of a compound or a combination of compounds, whose pH changes only slightly when a strong acid or base is added. Suitable pH regulators for use herein in the acidic condition include organic acids and mixtures thereof. Organic acids suitable for use herein include monocarboxylic acids, dicarboxylic acids and tricarboxylic acids or mixtures thereof. The organic acids which are preferred to be used herein include acetic acid, citric acid, malonic acid, maleic acid, malic acid, lactic acid, glutaric acid, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, methylsuccinic acid, succinic acid or mixtures thereof. Particularly preferred herein are citric acid and succinic acid or mixtures thereof. Citric acid is commercially available as an aqueous solution of Jungbunzlauer under the trade name Citric acid®.

Typically, the compositions according to the present invention may comprise hats 15% by weight of the total composition of a pH regulator or mixtures thereof, preferably from 0.01% to 10%, most preferably from 0.01% to 5% and more preferably from 0.1% to 3%. The compositions herein may further comprise a variety of other optional ingredients such as builders, stabilizers, bleach activators, soil suspending agents, dye transfer agents, brighteners, perfumes, anti-dusting agents, enzymes, dispersants, inhibitors for the transfer of dyes, pigments, perfumes and dyes.

Packaging Form of the Disinfectant Compositions The compositions herein can be packaged in a variety of suitable detergent packages known to those skilled in the art. The disinfectant compositions herein in liquid form can be desirably packaged in manually operated spray dispensing containers. Accordingly, the present invention also encompasses liquid compositions of the invention packaged in a suitable spray dispenser, preferably in a trigger spray dispenser or in a pump spray dispenser. For example, such spray dispensers allow uniformly applying liquid disinfectant compositions of the present invention to a relatively large area of a surface to be disinfected, thus contributing to the disinfecting properties of said compositions. Said spray-type dispensers are particularly suitable for disinfecting vertical surfaces. Spray-type dispensers suitable for use in accordance with the present invention include manually operated trigger-type foam dispensers sold for example by Specialty Packaging Products, Inc. or Continental Sprayers, Inc. These types of dispensers are described, for example, in EU-4,701, 311 to Dunning and others, and EU-4, 646,973 and EU-4,538,745 both to Focarracci. It is particularly preferred here to use the ® ® spray type dispensers such as T 8500 or T 8900 commercially available from Continental Spray International or T 8100 commercially available from Canyon, Northern Ireland. In said dispenser, the liquid composition is divided into small liquid and fine droplets that result in a spray that is directed onto the surface to be treated. In fact, in said aspersion-type dispenser, the composition contained in the body of said dispenser is directed through the head of the spray-type dispenser by means of an energy communicated with a pumping mechanism by the user while said user activates said mechanism of spraying. pumping. Most particularly, in said head of the spray-type dispenser, the composition is forced against an obstacle, eg, a grid or a cone or the like, thus providing shocks to help atomize the liquid composition, ie to aid the formation of small drops of liquid. The compositions of the present invention can also be applied in the form of rags. By "rags" is meant here disposable towels impregnated with a liquid composition according to the present invention. Preferably, said rags are packed in a plastic box. Accordingly, the present invention also encompasses rags, for example, disposable towels, which incorporate a composition as described hereinabove. Preferably, said rags are impregnated / moistened with a liquid disinfectant composition as described herein. The advantage of this embodiment is a faster use of a disinfectant composition by the user, even outside the home, that is, there is no need to for example pour the liquid compositions according to the present invention on the surfaces to be disinfected and dry with a cloth. In other words, rags allow surfaces to be disinfected in one step.

DISINFECTION PROCEDURES OF A HARD SURFACE The present invention encompasses a method of disinfecting a hard surface with a composition as defined herein, said process comprising the step of applying said composition on said surface. The hard surfaces to be treated with the compositions herein are those typically found in houses, such as kitchens, bathrooms, for example, tiles, walls, floors, chrome, glass, smooth vinyl, any plastic, laminated wood, tabletops. , sinks, dishes, sanitary articles such as sinks, showers, shower curtains, toilets and the like. Hard surfaces also include household appliances including, but not limited to, refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, automatic dryers, ovens, microwave ovens, dishwashers, and so on. In said process, a disinfectant composition such as that described herein has to be brought into contact with the hard surfaces. In this manner, the present invention also encompasses a method for disinfecting a hard surface with a disinfectant composition as described herein, wherein said method comprises the step of applying said composition to said hard surface, preferably only infected portions thereof. and optionally rinsing said hard surface. In the hard surface disinfection process according to the present invention, the disinfectant compositions as described herein are in liquid form and can be applied to the surface to be disinfected in its concentrated form or in its diluted form, typically to a dilution level of up to 100 times its weight of water, preferably 80 to 40 times its weight of water, and most preferably 60 to 10 times.

In the preferred embodiment of the process of the present invention wherein said liquid composition is applied to a hard surface that will be disinfected in its diluted form, it is not necessary to rinse the surface after the composition has been applied, in fact they do not substantially remain visible residues on said surface. The present invention will be further illustrated by means of the following examples.

EXAMPLES The following compositions were made by mixing the ingredients listed in the proportions listed (percentages by weight unless otherwise specified).

Compositions III IV VI Vil (% by weight) Hydrogen peroxide 1.2 1.0 1.5 1.0 1.5 1.5 1.0 Thymol 0.045 0.02 0.1 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.02 Geraniol 0.03 Poly (propylene glycol) monobutyl ether 0.25 0.25 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.25 C10 Alkylsulfate 7.0 Alcohol benzyl 0.8 0.8 0.8 - Amine oxide ** 0.55 0.40 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.4 Butylcarbitol 0.55 0.55 - 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.55 Butoxipropanol 0.55 0.55 - 1.2 1.2 1.2 - Propylene glycol butyl ether - - - 0.55 Ethanol 9.4 9.4 2.5 1.0 1.0 1.0 9.4 Citric acid 1.5 0.75 1.5 0.5 - 0.7 0.75 Salicylic acid 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 Butylated hydroxytoluene 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 0.01 AAgguuaa y v ccoommpp .. mmeennoorreess Up to 100% The poly (propylene glycol) * monobutyl ether used herein has an average molecular weight of 340. The amine oxide ** is C12-14 alkyldimethylamine oxide.

Compositions VIII IX X XI XII XIII (% by weight) Hydrogen peroxide 1.2 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.5 1.5 Thymol 0.045 0.02 0.05 0.01 0.02 0.02 Monobutyl ether of poly (ethylene glycol-co-propylene glycol) * 0.25 0.25 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 C8-C10 alkyl sulfate 7.0 Benzyl alcohol 0.8 0.8 0.8 Amine oxide ** 0.55 0.40 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 Butylcarbitol 0.55 0.55 - 0.3 0.3 0.3 Butoxipropanol 0.55 0.55 - 1.2 1.2 1.2 Ethanol 9.4 9.4 2.5 1.0 1.0 1.0 Citric acid 1.5 0.75 1.5 0.5 - 0.7 Water and comp. minor Up to 100% The monobutyl ether of poly (ethylene glycol-co-propylene glycol) *** used herein has an average molecular weight of 970.

Compositions XIV XV XVI XVII XVIII XIX (% by weight) Hydrogen peroxide 1.2 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.5 1.5 Thymol 0.045 0.02 0.05 0.01 0.02 0.02 Poly (ethylene glycol) methyl ether **** 0.25 0.25 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 C8-C10 alkyl sulfate 7.0 Benzyl alcohol 0.8 0.8 0.8 Amine oxide ** 0.55 0.40 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 Butylcarbitol 0.55 0.55 - 0.3 0.3 0.3 Butoxipropanol 0.55 0.55 - 1.2 1.2 1.2 Ethanol 9.4 9.4 2.5 1.0 1.0 1.0 Citric acid 1.5 0.75 1.5 0.5 - 0.7 Water and comp. minor Up to 100% - The poly (ethylene glycol) **** methyl ether used herein has an average molecular weight of 750.

Compositions XX XXI XXII XXIII XXIV XXV (% by weight) Hydrogen peroxide 1.2 - 1.0 - 4 4 Timol - 0.02 0.05 0.01 0.02 Geraniol - 0.01 0.05 0.02 - - Monobutyl ether of poly (ethylene glycol-co-propylene glycol) * 0.25 0.25 0.5 - 0.5 Monobutyl ether of poly (propylene glycol) * 0.25 - - 0.5 0.5 Alkyl sulfate of C8-C10 7.0 Citric acid 1.5 0.75 1.5 0.5 - 0.7 Water and comp. Minor Up to 100% The compositions exemplified above are in accordance with the present invention. They provide excellent immediate and long-lasting disinfection when used concentrated or diluted, for example, at dilution levels of 1: 25, on a hard surface, while also providing excellent cleaning performance, especially on oily stains, and excellent gloss properties to the treated surface.

Claims (15)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A liquid disinfectant composition comprising an effective amount of a disinfectant material and a poly (alkylene glycol) alkyl ether having the following formula: RrO- (CH2-CHR2On-R3 wherein Ri and R2 are each independently hydrogen or a chain substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched hydrocarbon having from 1 to 30 carbon atoms or a straight or branched hydrocarbon chain bearing a hydroxy group having from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, R3 is a chain substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched hydrocarbon having 1 to 30 carbon atoms or a straight or branched hydrocarbon chain bearing a hydroxy group of 1 to 30 carbon atoms, n is a number greater than 2 or a mixture thereof

2. A composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that in the alkyl ether of poly (alkylene glycol) -Ri and R2 are each independently hydrogen, or a substituted or unsubstituted, straight or branched alkyl or alkenyl group, having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 16 carbon atoms, most preferably 1 to 8 and more preferably 1 to 4 , or a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group carrying hydroxy having from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, most preferably from 1 to 16, more preferably from 1 to 4 and even more preferably Ri and R2 are methyl or hydrogen; -R3 is a substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 16 carbon atoms, most preferably 1 to 8 and more preferably 1 to 4, or a substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched aryl group having up to 30 carbon atoms, preferably 3 to 16 and more preferably 4 to 8 carbon atoms, or a linear alkyl or alkenyl group or branched carrying hydroxy having from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, most preferably from 1 to 16, more preferably from 1 to 8 and even more preferably R3 is butyl; -n is at least 3, preferably from 3 to 2300, most preferably from 3 to 100, more preferably from 3 to 20 and even more preferably from 3 to 10.

3. A composition according to any of the preceding claims , further characterized in that the poly (alkylene glycol) alkyl ether or a mixture thereof is present at a level from 0.001% to 10% by weight of the total composition, preferably from 0.005% to 2%, most preferably from 0.01% to 1%. %, more preferably from 0.05% to 0.5% and even more preferably from 0.08% to 0.4%.

4. A composition according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that said disinfecting material is a peroxygen bleach, an antimicrobial essential oil or an active thereof, a quaternary ammonium compound, paraeno, an aldehyde, a phenolic compound, an alcohol, an organic acid and / or a chlorine bleach.

5. A composition according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that said disinfecting material is a peroxygen bleach, preferably hydrogen peroxide or a water-soluble source thereof selected from the group consisting of percarbonates, persilicates, persulfates, perborates, peroxyacids, dialkyl peroxides, diacyl peroxides, preformed percarboxylic acids, organic and inorganic peroxides and organic and inorganic hydroperoxides and mixtures thereof, and more preferably is hydrogen peroxide.

6. A composition according to claims 4 or 5, further characterized in that said composition comprises up to 20% by weight of the total composition of said peroxygen bleach or mixtures thereof, preferably from 0.1% to 15% and more preferably 0.5 % to 10%.

7. A composition according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that said disinfectant material is an antimicrobial essential oil preferably selected from the group consisting of thyme oil, lemon grass oil (Cymbopogon citratus), citrus oil, lemon oil, orange oil, ajowan oil, oil of anise, clove oil, anise seed oil, cinnamon oil, geranium oil, rose oil, lavender oil, citronella oil, eucalyptus oil, peppermint oil, peppermint oil, camphor oil, oil of sandalwood, cedar oil, rosmarin oil, pine oil, vervain oil, turf oil, lemon grass oil, oil of rotations and mixtures thereof, or an essential oil active preferably selected from the group which consists of thymol, eugenol, menthol, carvacrol, verbenone, eucalyptol, cedrol, anethole, pinocarvone, geraniol, hinoquitiol, berberine, ferulic acid, cinnamic acid, metilsalicylic acid, methyl alicylate, terpineol, limonene and mixtures thereof, or a mixture thereof and most preferably thyme oil, ajowan oil, citronella oil, clove oil, cinnamon oil, geranium oil, eucalyptus oil , peppermint oil, peppermint oil, thymol, eugenol, verbenone, eucalyptol, terpineol, cinnamic acid, methylsalicylic acid, limonene, geraniol or a mixture thereof.

8. A composition according to claim 4 to 7, further characterized in that said antimicrobial essential oil, or an active thereof or a mixture thereof is present in said composition at a level of up to 20% by weight of the total composition , preferably from 0.003% to 10%, most preferably from 0.01% to 8% and more preferably from 0.03% to 3%.

9. A composition according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that said composition further comprises a surfactant to a level of 50% by weight of the total composition, typically selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants, surfactants nonionics, cationic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants and mixtures thereof.

10. A composition according to claim 9, further characterized in that said surfactant is an amphoteric surfactant, preferably an amine oxide and / or a zwitterionic surfactant, preferably a betaine or sulfobetaine surfactant, and / or an anionic surfactant, preferably C8-C16 alkylsulfonate, C7-C16 alkyl sulfate and / or C7-C16 alkoxylated alkylsulfate. 1.

A composition according to any of the preceding claims, which further comprises at least one ingredient selected from the group consisting of chelators, solvents, pH regulators, detergency builders, stabilizers, bleach activators, suspending agents. dirt, dye transfer agents, brighteners, perfumes, anti-dusting agents, enzymes, dispersants, dye transfer inhibitors, pigments, perfumes, radical sweepers, dyes and mixtures thereof.

12. A composition according to any of the preceding claims, which is an aqueous composition having a pH of no more than 12, most preferably 1 to 10 and more preferably 2 to 9.

13. - A composition according to any of the preceding claims, which is packed in a spray dispenser.

14. A rag incorporating a composition according to any of claims 1 to 12.

15. A method for disinfecting a hard surface with a composition according to any of claims 1 to 12 above, said process comprises the step of applying said composition in its concentrated or diluted liquid form typically at a dilution level of up to 100 times its weight of water, preferably 80 to 2 times and most preferably 60 to 10 times, before optionally rinsing said hard surface.