SK33399A3 - Laundry bleaching processes and compositions - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to the bleaching of fabrics with liquid compositions comprising a peroxygen bleach and a solvent system comprising a hydrophilic solvent and a hydrophobic solvent. These compositions deliver improved stain removal on a variety of stains including bleachable stains, greasy stains, enzymatic stains and mud/clay stains.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A wide variety of cleaning agents are disclosed and described in the prior art. The question associated with conventional laundry detergents used to treat various types of fabrics, including cotton and synthetic fibers, such as polyester, polyamide, etc., is their ineffective effects that do not meet consumer needs, ie the problem of effective effects on all types of stains involving oily stains, enzymatic stains, mud stains, ilus stains and the like.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an overall enhancement / enhancement of the cleaning effects for a variety of stains, while providing excellent bleaching effects.

It has now been found that this aspect of the invention can be accomplished by bleaching a fabric with a liquid composition comprising a peroxygen bleach and a solvent system comprising a hydrophobic solvent, i. a solvent having a hydrophilic index of less than 18, and a hydrophilic solvent, i. j. a solvent having a hydrophilic index greater than 18, wherein the hydrophilic index is defined by the following formula:

molecular weight of the hydrophilic portion of the solvent - x 100 total molecular weight of the solvent

Of course, it has been found that liquid compositions comprising a peroxygen bleach and this solvent system, when used in laundry, promote cleansing performance against a range of stains including grease, mud and ile stains, enzymatic stains, as well as stains to be bleached. An advantage of the present invention is the excellent effects provided in various types of cleaning applications, e.g. a detergent or laundry additive and preferably a pretreatment agent.

A preferred composition of the liquid compositions of the present invention may also include a bleach activator that will react in an aqueous environment with hydrogen peroxide to form the corresponding peracid. This peracid has been found to be more effective at lower temperatures, e.g. at such temperatures at which pretreatments (20 ° C to 25 ° C) are usually carried out, thereby allowing more effective bleaching effects of the compositions of the invention over a wide temperature range.

A further advantage of the individual compositions of the present invention is the delivery of the solvent system of the above description to the liquid bleaching composition of the present invention formulated as an emulsion or microemulsion, thereby reducing the viscosity of said composition, regardless of the viscosity value prior to delivery of said solvent system. . Thus, in one composition, the present invention provides liquid emulsions or microemulsions comprising a peroxygen bleach and a solvent system as described herein, wherein the viscosity can be suitably controlled while maintaining adequate physical stability without the need for any viscosity control agent,

- which would increase the cost of composition and thus increase the volume of the compositions without contributing to the bleaching / cleaning effects of said compositions.

EP-A-126 545 discloses liquid cleaning compositions comprising an abrasive, at least 0.1% benzyl alcohol and optionally surfactants, fillers and the like. Compositions having a cleaning effect on both greasy stains and dirt from loose materials on solid surfaces. No bleaches are invented. No washing application is invented.

EP-A-216 416 discloses liquid laundry detergents (pH 8-12) containing paraffin sulfonate and alkylbenzene sulfonate, 0.5% to 10% mono- or sesqui-terpenes (e.g. d-limonene), 0.5% to 3% % of a polar solvent, an acrylic polymer thickener, an abrasive, and a viscosity enhancing compound. No bleaches are invented. No washing application is invented.

EP-A-137 616 discloses liquid laundry detergents formulated in the form of an emulsion having a pH of 6.5 or higher and containing at least 5% by weight of the composition. solvent. These solvents include terpene and terpenoid solvents (e.g., pinene, d-limonene), as well as other solvents such as benzyl alcohol, n-hexanol, paraffins. Mixtures of orange terpenes and benzyl alcohol are very suitable for

- <removal of certain types of stains, such as those from engine oil. Adding a non-polar solvent such as benzyl alcohol, n-hexanol, mixed fatty alcohols increases stability. Pretreatment of fabrics and treatment during washing with such compositions are invented. No bleaches are invented.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes a method of bleaching a fabric with a liquid composition comprising a peroxygen bleach and a solvent system comprising a hydrophilic solvent having a hydrophilic index of greater than 18 and a hydrophobic solvent having a hydrophilic index of less than 18, wherein the hydrophilic index is defined by:

molecular weight of the hydrophilic portion of the solvent - x 100 total molecular weight of the solvent

Said method comprises the step of applying said composition in its undiluted form to said fabric, preferably only to its soiled parts before rinsing or washing followed by rinsing said fabric. The present invention encompasses a method of bleaching a fabric starting from a liquid bleaching composition comprising a peroxygen bleach and a solvent system comprising a hydrophobic solvent and a hydrophilic solvent as described above.

Of course, the extended invention is based on the discovery of that delivery

I of the proposed solvent system. in a liquid composition comprising a peroxygen bleach, an increase in stain removal performance by said composition is used when used to treat a soiled fabric, particularly in pretreatment, as compared to stain removal effects achieved with the same composition not containing said solvent system or containing only one type of solvent; j. a hydrophilic solvent or hydrophobic solvent as described above, instead of a solvent system comprising both a hydrophilic solvent and a hydrophobic solvent.

The term stain removal effects refers to counteracting stains and removing various stains / dirt, such as oily / oil stains and / or enzymatic stains and / or mud / clay stains, as well as bleachable stains.

The term grease / oil stains, as used herein, refers to greasy stains and stains that may be formed on textiles of origin such as dirty engine oil, mineral oil, make-up, lipstick, spaghetti sauce, mayonnaise and the like. The liquid compositions of the invention have, of course, been found to be very effective against make-up and spaghetti sauce stains.

Examples of the origin of enzymatic stains include grasses, chocolate and blood. Examples of the origin of bleachable stains include tea, coffee, wine and the like.

The stain removal effects of said composition from soiled fabrics, e.g. under pre-treatment conditions, they may be evaluated by the following test method. The composition of the present invention is initially applied undiluted to the soiled portion of the fabric, allowed to act on the fabric for about 1 to 10 minutes, preferably 5 minutes, the pre-treated fabric is subsequently treated with a suitable laundry detergent in conventional and conventional detergents.

washing conditions at a temperature of from 30 ° C to 70 ° C for a time sufficient for said bleached fabric. Conventional soiled fabrics to be treated in this soil removal test may be commercially available e.g. from EMC (Empirical Manufacturing Company), Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, two different substrates: cotton (CW 120) and cotton (PCW 28) soiled with clay, grass, spaghetti sauce, meat sauce, dirty motor oil, make-up, toasted sauces, tea and blood sauces.

The stain removal effects may be evaluated by comparing the soiled fabrics pretreated with the composition in accordance with the present invention with the fabrics pretreated with the comparative composition, e.g. by the same composition not containing said solvent system in accordance with the present invention. An optical classification scale according to the classification table (psu) in the range of 0 to 4 may be used to determine the differences.

The method of bleaching fabrics according to the present invention comprises the steps of applying undiluted or diluted bleaching composition comprising a peroxygen bleach and a solvent system as described above to fabrics and subsequently rinsing said fabrics. When the fabrics are pretreated, the composition according to the preferred composition is applied to the fabrics undiluted and the fabrics are subsequently rinsed or washed and subsequently spun in conventional wash cycles. We have observed that an increase in the stain removal effect is particularly evident with the compositions used at this point when they are directly applied to the soiled portion of the fabrics before the fabrics are washed / spun.

The liquid compositions used in accordance with the present invention comprise, as the first constituent component, a bleach or mixtures thereof. Such peroxygen bleaches include hydrogen peroxide or its water-soluble sources or mixtures thereof. Of course, the presence of a peroxygen bleach, preferably hydrogen peroxide and / or hydroperoxide and / or aliphatic diacyl peroxide, enhances the excellent cleaning and bleaching performance of the compositions of the present invention. zdro; hydrogen peroxide as used herein refers to any one. a compound which forms perhydroxyl ions when said compound comes into contact with water.

Water-soluble hydrogen peroxide sources suitable for use in the invention include percarbonates, per silicates, persulfates such as monopersiran, perborates, peracids such as diperoxydodecanedioic acid (DPDA),

- 5 perfthalic acid, perbenzoic acid, and alkyl perbenzoic acid, alkyl hydroperoxides, peroxides, aliphatic diacyl peroxides and mixtures thereof. Hydrogen peroxide and / or alkyl hydroperoxides and / or aliphatic diacyl peroxides are preferred for use in the compositions of the present invention.

Hydroperoxides suitable for use in the invention include tert-butyl hydroperoxide, cumyl hydroperoxide, 2,4,4-trimethylpentyl-2-hydroperoxide, diisopropylbenzene monohydroperoxide, tert-amyl hydroperoxide and

2,5-dimethyl-2,5-dihydroperoxide. The advantage of these peroxides lies in their safe use on textiles and their color, while providing excellent bleaching effects.

Aliphatic diacyl peroxides suitable for use in the invention include dilauroyl peroxide, didecanoyl peroxide, dimyristoyl peroxide or mixtures thereof. The advantage of such aliphatic diacylperoxides is their safe use on textiles and their color, while providing excellent whitening effects.

The compositions of the present invention typically comprise from about 0.1% to about 20% by weight. % of the total composition, a peroxygen bleach or a mixture thereof, preferably from 1% to 10% by weight, more preferably from 4% to 7% by weight.

The liquid compositions used in accordance with the present invention comprise as a second essential component a solvent system comprising a hydrophobic solvent and a hydrophilic solvent.

¹ I .Pojem solvent, as used herein; refers to any hydrocarbon comprising aliphatic saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbons or aromatic hydrocarbons containing or not containing one or more alcohol groups, one or more ether groups and / or one or more ketone groups.

For the purposes of the invention, the following hydrophilic index (HI) is used to define the hydrophilic or hydrophobic nature of a solvent:

molecular weight of hydrophilic solvent part --- x 100 total molecular weight of solvent

The term hydrophilic portion of said solvent refers to all O, CO OH groups of the solvent.

Herein, the molecular weight of the hydrophilic portion of the solvent refers to the total molecular weight of all hydrophilic portions of the solvent.

Hydrophilic solvents to be used according to the invention have a hydrophilic index of greater than 18, preferably greater than 25, and more preferably greater than 30, hydrophobic solvents for use in the invention have a hydrophilic index of less than 18, preferably less than 17, and more preferably 16 or less.

When these solvents are delivered to a liquid composition comprising a peroxygen bleach, the combination of said solvents increases the overall soil removal effects on many different types of stains, such as greasy stains (e.g., dirty engine oil), enzymatic stains (e.g. blood) and ilu stains. In addition, this solvent system, when delivered to a liquid composition comprising a peroxygen bleach, provides

Furthermore, the bleaching efficiency is increased. It is contemplated that said solvents may be a carrier solvent of the other active ingredients present in said liquid compositions thus contributing to their penetration into the spots. Of course, the hydrophobic solvent may be a carrier solvent for hydrophobic active ingredients such as hydrophobic bleaches (e.g., dilauroyl peroxide), while the hydrophilic solvent may be a carrier solvent for hydrophilic bleaches, such as hydrogen peroxide.

Hydrophobic solvents suitable for use herein include paraffin, terpenes or terpene derivatives, as well as alkoxylated aliphatic or aromatic alcohols, aliphatic or aromatic alcohols, glycols or alkoxylated glycols, and mixtures thereof, all of said solvents having a hydrophilic index of less than 18.

Suitable terrains (hydrophilic index 0) include mono- and bi-cyclic monoterpenes, in particular hydrocarbon-class monoterpenes, including terpinenes, terpinolenes, limonenes and pinenes, and mixtures thereof. Very preferred materials of this type are d-limonene, dipentene, α-pinene and / or βpinene. Pinene is available in the retail network e.g. by SCM Glidco (Jacksonville) under the name Alpha Pinene P & F®.

Terpene derivatives such as alcohols, aldehydes, esters and ketones having a hydrophilic index of less than 18 may also be used for the purposes of the invention. as α and β isomers of terpineols and linalooles.

For the purposes of the invention, all types of paraffins (hydrophilic index 0) can be used, both linear and non-linear, containing from 2 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably from 4 to 40, more preferably from 6 to 8. For the purposes of the invention, octane is preferred. Octane is commercially available e.g. from BASF.

Hydrophobic alkoxylated aliphatic or aromatic alcohols suitable for use in the invention are the alcohols represented by the formula R (A) - OH wherein R is a linear or branched saturated or unsaturated alkyl or aryl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms substituted or unsubstituted by alkyl, preferably having from 2 to 15, and more preferably from 2 to 1C carbon atoms, A is an alkoxy group, preferably butoxy, propoxy and / or ethoxy are: an integer from 1 to 5, preferably 1 and 2. A hydrophobic alkoxylated alcohol suitable for use in of the invention is 1-methoxy-11-dodecanol (HI = 15).

Hydrophobic aliphatic or aromatic alcohols suitable for use in the present invention are alcohols according to the formula R-OH wherein R is a linear or branched saturated or unsaturated alkyl group or an aryl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably from 2 to 15 carbon atoms and most preferably from 2 to 10 carbon atoms substituted or unsubstituted by alkyl. Aliphatic alcohols suitable for use in the invention include linear alcohols such as decanol (HI = 7). Aromatic alcohol suitable for use in the invention is benzyl alcohol (HI = 16).

Hydrophobic glycols suitable for use in the invention are glycols of the formula HO-CR ¹ R ² -OH, wherein R ¹ and R ² independently represent hydrogen or C ₂ -C 10 saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon chain and / or cyclic hydrocarbon chain. Glycol suitable for use in the invention is dodecanglycol (HI 16).

Hydrophobic alkylated glycols suitable for use in the present invention are glycols of the formula R- (AJn-R'-OH, wherein R is hydrogen, OH, a linear saturated or unsaturated alkyl having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably from 2 to 15 carbon atoms and more preferably from 2 to 10 carbon atoms and A is an alkoxy group, preferably ethoxy, methoxy and / or propoxy and n is from 1 to 5, preferably 1 and 2. The alkoxylated glycol suitable for use in the invention is methoxyoctane decanol (HI = 11).

Highly preferred hydrophobic solvents for use in the invention include d-limonene, dipentene, α-pinene, β-pinene, octane, benzyl alcohol, or mixtures thereof.

Hydrophilic solvents suitable for use in the invention include alkoxylated aliphatic or aromatic alcohols, aliphatic or aromatized alcohols, glycols or alkoxylated glycols and mixtures thereof, all of which have a hydrophilic index greater than 18.

Hydrophilic alkoxylated aliphatic or aromatic alcohols suitable for use in the invention include glycols of the formula R (A) _n -OH, wherein R is a linear or branched saturated or unsaturated alkyl group or an aryl group substituted or unsubstituted by alkyl having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably from 2 to 15 carbon atoms and more preferably from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, A is an alkoxy group, preferably butoxy, propoxy and / or ethoxy; and n is an integer from 1 to 5, preferably 1 and 2. Alkoxylated alcohols particularly suitable for use in inventions include methoxypropanol (HI = 37), ethoxypropanol (HI = 32) and / or butoxypropanol (HI = 27).

Hydrophilic aliphatic or aromatic alcohols suitable for use in the invention are the alcohols of formula R-OH, wherein R is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl group or an alkyl or non-alkyl substituted or non-alkyl substituted aryl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably from 2 to 15 carbon atoms and more preferably from 2 to 10 carbon atoms. Aliphatic alcohols very suitable for

8 uses in the invention include linear alcohols such as ethanol (HI-37) and / or propanol (HI = 28).

Hydrophilic glycols suitable for use in the invention are glycols having the formula HO-CR 1 -OH, wherein R ¹ and R ² independently represent hydrogen or a C 1 -C 10 saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon chain and / or a cyclic hydrocarbon chain. Glycol very preferred for use in the invention is propanediol (HI = 45). '

Hydrophilic alkoxylated glycols suitable for use in the invention include glycols of the formula R- (A) n -R 4 OH, wherein R is hydrogen, OH, a linear saturated or unsaturated alkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably from 2 to 15 and is more preferably from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, A is an alkoxy group, preferably ethoxy, methoxy and / or propoxy, and is from 1 to 5, more preferably 1 and 2.

An alkoxylated glycol suitable for use in the invention is diethoxyethanol (HI = 37).

The compositions to be used in the invention usually contain from 0.05% to 10% by weight. of the total composition said hydrophilic solvent or mixtures thereof, preferably from 0.1% to 5% and more preferably from 0.2% to 2% by weight, and from

0.05 to 20 wt. % of the total composition said hydrophilic solvent or mixtures thereof, preferably from 0.5% to 15% by weight; and more preferably from 1% to 10% ** wt. Of course, the highest overall stain removal effects have been achieved against various stains including bleachable stains, greasy stains, mud / il stains and enzymatic stains when said solvents are present in a weight ratio of said hydrophobic solvent to said hydrophilic solvent of from 1:20 to 1. : 1, preferably from 1:14 to 1: 2.

Compositions intended for use in accordance with the present invention must be liquid. The term liquid as used herein includes paste compositions, the liquid compositions of the invention preferably having a viscosity at a rate of 50 rpm and a temperature of 20 ° C from 1 cps to 10,000 cps, preferably from 100 cps to 1000 cps, more preferably from 200 cps to 600 cps.

The compositions to be used in the invention are preferably aqueous. Said aqueous compositions have a true pH of from 1 to 12, preferably from 2 to 6, and more preferably from 3 to 5, while achieving chemical stability, the pH of the compositions may be adjusted, e.g. using organic or inorganic acids or alkalinizing agents.

The compositions used in accordance with the present invention may further comprise optional ingredients such as surfactants which include nonionic, anionic, cationic surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants, and / or amphoteric surfactants, fillers, stabilizers, chelating agents, suspending polyamine dirt polymers, polymeric soil release agents, color fixatives, radical acceptors,

- 9 solvents, optical brighteners, catalysts, suds suppressors, bleach activators, perfumes and dyes.

The liquid bleaching compositions of the present invention comprising a peroxygen bleach and said solvent system must be applied to the bleached fabric; a pretreatment wherein the undiluted composition is applied directly to said fabric, which is subsequently rinsed or washed and subsequently spun, or soaked, wherein the liquid composition is first diluted in a water bath and the fabrics are immersed and soaked in the bath before being rinsed, or a method during washing, wherein the liquid composition is supplied to a laundry composition prepared by dissolving or dispersing a conventional laundry composition. As mentioned above, the composition providing the above methods is in the form of a fluid, as opposed to a solid or gas.

In these methods, in accordance with the present invention, it is also essential that the fabrics be spun after application of said composition before said composition dries completely. In the pretreatment process, water evaporation has been found to contribute to increasing the free radical concentration on the fabric surface and, consequently, to the chain reaction rate. Of course, free radicals are due to the decomposition of peroxide bleach, which can be catalyzed by the presence of metal ions on the fabric surface and / or by the effect of ultraviolet sunlight on the fabric, it was also considered that the autooxidation reaction occurs after evaporation of water. the bleach is allowed to dry on textiles. Said autooxidation reaction allows the formation of peroxy radicals, which may contribute to the decomposition of the cellulose. Thus, if the aforementioned liquid compositions are not allowed to dry even on the fabric during the pretreatment method of soiled fabrics, this contributes to reducing tensile strength losses if the fabrics are pretreated with liquid compositions containing peroxide bleach.

The pretreatment process comprises the steps of applying a guided liquid composition in its undiluted form to said fabrics or at least to contaminated portions thereof (ie direct application of said fluid composition as described above to said fabrics without performing any dilution) and subsequently rinsing or washing with subsequent spinning of said textiles. Undiluted compositions in this method may be allowed to act freely on said fabrics for a time period of from 1 minute to 1 hour, preferably from 1 minute to 30 minutes, prior to rinsing the fabric or washing and subsequent spinning, provided the composition is not allowed to dry on said fabrics. textiles. Further scrubbing or brushing of said fabrics with a washing sponge or brush or by scraping two pieces of textiles together may be appropriate for the individual stains considered.

According to another method, commonly referred to as soaking, the process comprises the steps of diluting said liquid composition in its undiluted form in a water bath to prepare a diluted composition. The dilution level of said liquid composition in the water bath is usually up to 1:85, preferably 1:50 and more preferably about 1:25 (composition: water). The fabrics are then immersed in a water bath containing the liquid composition, the fabrics are finally rinsed or washed and then spun. In this method, the fabrics are preferably immersed in a water bath containing the liquid composition and allowed to soak in this solution for a time period of from 30 minutes to 48 hours, preferably from 1 to 24 hours.

According to another method, which may be considered as part of the soaking, generally referred to as bleaching during laundering, a liquid composition is used as a so-called soap. additional work means.

According to this method, a water bath is prepared by dissolving or dispersing a suitable detergent in water. The liquid composition in its undiluted form is supplied to a water bath and the fabrics are subsequently immersed in a water bath containing the liquid composition. The textiles are finally squeezed.

I ¹

Liquid preparations

The present invention also encompasses a liquid fabric bleaching composition comprising a peroxygen bleach and a solvent system comprising from 0.05% to 20% by weight. % of the total composition a hydrophilic solvent having a hydrophilic index greater than 18 and from 0.05% to 10% by weight of the composition. of the total composition a hydrophobic solvent having a hydrophilic index of less than 18, wherein the hydrophilic index is defined by the equation:

molecular weight of the hydrophilic portion of the solvent - x 100 total molecular weight of the solvent

Said peroxide bleach and solvent system are described above.

The liquid compositions of the present invention preferably further comprise a surfactant or a mixture thereof. Any surfactant known to those skilled in the art may be suitable for the purposes of the invention, including nonionic, anionic, cationic, amphoteric surfactants or surfactants having zwitterions of up to 50% by weight. total resource.

Surfactants make it possible to increase the ability to remove stains. compositions in accordance with the present invention.

Nonionic surfactants are very advantageous for the purposes of the invention for reasons of efficiency.

The liquid compositions according to the invention may contain up to 50% of a nonionic surfactant or a mixture thereof, preferably from 0.3% to 30% by weight. % and more preferably from 0.4% to 25% by weight. Nonionic surfactants suitable for use in the invention include fatty ethoxy alcohols and / or propoxy alcohols, which are available in a commercial network with different chain lengths of fatty alcohols and different degrees of ethoxylation. Of course, the HLB (hydrophilic-lipophilic balance) value of such alkoxylated nonionic surfactants depends essentially on the chain length of the fatty alcohol, the nature of the alkoxylation and the degree of alkoxylation. Surfactant catalogs are available, which list a number of surfactants, including nonionic ones, together with their individual HLB values.

Suitable chemical methods for preparing nonionic surfactants for use in the invention include condensation of the corresponding alcohols with alkene oxides in the desired proportions. Such methods are well known to those skilled in the art and have been described in detail in the art. A wide variety of alkoxylated alcohols suitable for use in the invention is alternatively commercially available from various suppliers.

Nonionic surfactants highly preferred for use in the invention are hydrophobic nonionic surfactants having an HLB (hydrophilic-lipophilic balance) of less than 16, preferably less than 15, more preferably less than 12, and most preferably less than 10. These hydrophobic nonionic surfactants have been found to be very effective against greasy dirt.

Hydrophobic nonionic surfactants suitable for use in the compositions of the present invention are surfactants having an HLB of less than 16 defined by the formula R0- (C ₂ H ₄ O) ((0 ₃ Η {0) _η Η in which R is C 1 - C ;;. alkyl chain or C ₆ -C ₂ alkylbenzene chain, n + m is from 0 to 20 and n is from 0 to 15 and and m is from 0 to 20, preferably n + m is from 1 to 15, and n are from 0.5 to 20 15, more preferably n + m is from 1 to 10 and n is from 0 to 10.

The R chains preferred for use in the invention are C _B -C _{1 R} 2; alkyl chains. Accordingly, suitable hydrophobic nonionic surfactants suitable for use herein are Dobanol R 91-2.5 (HLB = 8.1; R is a mixture of _C? And Cu alkyl chains, n is 2.5, m is 0) ; Lutensol® To3 (HLB = 8; R is a C _1-3 alkyl chain; n is 3 and m is 0); Tergitol® 25L3 (HLB = 7.7; R is a C 1 -C 4 alkyl chain; n is 3 and m is 0); Dobanol R 23-2 (HLB = 6.2; R is a mixture of C _<, and Cu alkyl chains, n is 2 and m is 0); Dobanol R 45-7 (HLB = 11.6; R is a mixture _of C and Cu alkyl chains, n is 7 and m is 0); Dobanol® 23-6.5 (HLB = 11.9; R is a mixture of C, ₂ and C _1-3 alkyl chains; n is 6.5 and m is 0); Dobanol R 25-7 (HLB = 12; R is a mixture of Cl ₂ and Cu alkyl chains, n is 7 and m is

0); Dobanol® 91-5 (HLB-11.6; R is a mixture of C8 and C11 alkyl chains; n is 5 and m is 0); Dobanol® 91-6 (HLB-12.5; R is a mixture of C8 and Cu alkyl chains; n is 6 and m is 0); Dobanol® 91-6 (HLB = 13.7; R is a mixture of C 8 and C _n alkyl chains; n is 8 and m is 0). Dobanol® 91-10 (HLB-14.2; R is a mixture of C8 and C11 alkyl chains; n is 10 and m is 0); or mixtures thereof. Preferred for purposes

^{11 of the} invention are Dobanol (R) 91-2.5 ;, Lutensol (R) TO3; Lutensol® A03; Tergitol® 25L3; Dobanol® 23-3; 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.

Other nonionic surfactants useful herein include polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactants or mixtures thereof in accordance with the formula: R ² -C (O) -N (R *, - Z, wherein R ¹ is hydrogen or C _: C ₄ alkyl, C 'hydrocarbyl, 2-hydroxy ethyl, 2-hydroxy propyl or a mixture thereof, R ^J is C 5 -C 31 hydrocarbyl and Z is polyhydroxyhydrocarbyl having a linear hydrocarbyl chain with at least 3 hydroxyls directly connected to the chain, or alkoxylated derivatives thereof.

R ¹ is preferably a C -C ₄ alkyl, preferably C _t or C ₂ alkyl and most preferably methyl _ I, R is preferably C ₇ straight -Cig alkyl chain or alkenyl chain, most preferably a direct Cu-C ₄ alkyl or alkenyl, or mixtures thereof . Z will preferably be derived from a reducing sugar in a reductive amination reaction; Z is more preferably glycityl. Suitable reducing sugars include glucose, fructose, maltose, lactose, galactose, mannose, and xylose. High dextrose corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, and high maltose corn syrup may be advantageously used as base materials. Z will preferably be selected from the group consisting of -CH ₂ - (CHOH) CH ₂ OH; -CH (CH ₂ OH) - (CHOH) n -CH ₂ OH; _-CH2 - (CHOH) ₂ - (CHOR ') (CHOH) -CH OH; wherein n is an integer from 3 to 5 inclusive, and R 'is hydrogen or a cyclic or aliphatic monosaccharide and its alkoxylated derivatives. Most preferred are glycityls wherein n is 4, particularly _CH2 - (CHOH) _{4 -CH2} OH.

R ¹ , in the formula R ^: -C (O) -N (R ¹ , -Z, may be, for example, N-methyl, N-ethyl, N-propyl, N-isopropyl, N-butyl, Ν-2-hydroxyethyl or Ν-2-hydroxypropyl R ^: -C (O) -N <can be, for example, coconut amide, stearic amide, oleic acid amide, lauric amide, myristic amide, capric acid amide, palmitic acid amide, amide tallow and the like Z may be 1-deoxyglucityl, 2deoxyfructityl, 1-deoxymaltityl, 1-deoxylactityl, 1-deoxygalactityl, 1deoxymanityl, 1-deoxymaltotrityl and the like.

Polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactants suitable for use in the invention may be commercially available under the trade name ΗΟΞ® from Hoechst.

Methods for preparing polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactants are well known in the art. Surfactants can be prepared by reacting an alkylamine with a reducing sugar in a reductive amination reaction to give the corresponding N-alkylpolyhydroxyamine and then reacting the N-alkylpolyhydroxyamine with an aliphatic fatty acid ester or triglyceride in the condensation / amidation step to form the N-alkyl-N- amide product. polyhydroxy fatty acids. Methods for preparing compositions containing polyhydroxy fatty acid amides are invented e.g. in GB patent application 809,060 published February 18, 1959, by Thomas Hedley &amp; No. 2,965,576, issued December 20, 1960, to E.R. Hilson, U.S. Pat. No. 2,703,798 to Anthony M. Schwartz, issued March 8, 1955; No. 1,985,424, issued December 25, 1934, to Piggott and NO 92/06070, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The liquid compositions of the present invention may further comprise other surfactants, such as an anionic surfactant or mixtures thereof in addition to nonionic surfactants. The anionic surfactants are preferred for the purposes of the invention as an optional ingredient because they act as a wetting agent, i. during the wash they moisten stains on fabrics, especially hydrophilic fabrics, and thus help the peroxygen bleach to provide its bleaching effects, thereby contributing to the increased washing effect of the bleachable stains. Further, anionic surfactants make it possible to formulate clear compositions, even though said compositions contain hydrophobic admixtures, such as hydrophobic surfactants. The compositions of the invention may contain from 0.1% to 20% by weight. % of the total composition said anionic surfactant or mixtures thereof, preferably from 0.2% to 15% by weight of the composition; % and more preferably from 0.5% to 13% by weight.

Sulfonate and sulfate surfactants are very suitable for the purposes of the invention. Similar anionic surfactants are well known in the art and have found widespread use in commercially available cleaning agents. These anionic surfactants include the _C8-C22 alkyl benzene sulfonates (LAS), C _B -C ₂₂ alkyl sulfates (AS), unsaturated sulfates such as oleyl sulfate, Cio-Cie alkyl alkoxy sulfates (AES) and C ₀ -C ₁₈ alkyl alkoxy carboxylates. The neutralizing cation of anionic synthetic sulfonates and / or sulfates is the common cation widely used in detergent technology, such as sodium, potassium or alkanolammonium. For the purposes of the invention, alkyl sulfates, especially (coconut alkyl) sulfate having from 6 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain, preferably from 8 to 15 or mixtures thereof, are preferred.

Other anionic surfactants useful in the manufacture of detergent compositions can also be used for the purposes of the invention. These may include salts (including, e.g., sodium, potassium, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts such as mono-, di-, and triethanolamine salts) of soaps, C ₈ -C ₂₂ primary or secondary alkyl sulfonates, C ₈ -C; ₄ olefin sulfonates, sulfonated polycarboxylic acids prepared by sulfonating the pyrolyzed alkali earth metal citrate product, e.g. as set forth in British Patent Specification δ. 1,082,179, C _B -C ₂₄ alkylpolyglycolethersulfates (containing up to 10 moles of ethylene oxide) and alkyl ester sulfonates such as C ₄ -C ₆ methyl ester sulfonates; acylglycerol sulphonates, fatty oleyl glycerol sulphates, alkylphenolethylene oxide ether sulphates, paraffin sulphonates,. alkylphosphates,. isethionates such as the acyl isethionates, N-acyl taurates, alkyl and sulfosuccinates, monoesters of sulfosuccinate (especially saturated and unsaturated C ₂ -C ₈ monoesters) diesters of sulfosuccinate (especially saturated and unsaturated C ₆ -C ₄ diesters), sulfates of alkylpolysaccharides such as the sulfates of alkylpolyglucoside (non-ionic unsulfated compounds described below).

Bitumen acids and hydrogenated bitumen acids are also preferred, such as resin, hydrogenated resin, and bitumen and hydrogenated bitumen acids present or obtained from tall oil. Further examples are given in Surface Active Agents and Detergents (sections I and II from Schwartz, Perry and Bach). A number of such surfactants are also generally described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,929,678, issued Dec. 30, 1975, to Laughlin et al., Col. 23, line 58 through Col. 29, line 23 (incorporated herein by reference).

Other suitable anionic surfactants suitable for use in c. Also included in the invention are acyl sarcosinates or mixtures thereof, in acid or salt form, preferably long chain acyl sarcosinates having the following formula:

.Vr "

CH ₃ O wherein M is hydrogen or a cationic moiety and R is an alkyl group having from 11 to 15 carbon atoms, preferably from 11 to 13 carbon atoms. M preferably represents hydrogen and alkali metal salts, especially sodium and potassium. Said acyl sarcosinate surfactants are derived from natural fatty acids and amino-sarcosinate (N-methylglycine). These are suitable for use in the invention as aqueous solutions of their salts or in their acid form as bulk materials. Said acyl sarcosinates, as derivatives of natural fatty acids, are very fast and completely biodegradable and are very mild to the skin.

Acyl sarcosinates having the long-chain highly advantageous to use model herein accordingly include C _i2 acyl sarcosinate (i.e. an acyl sarcosinate according to the above formula wherein M is hydrogen and R is an alkyl group of I '. Carbon atoms), and C _{for the} acyl sarcosinate (i.e. an acyl sarcosinate according to the above of the formula wherein M is hydrogen and R is an alkyl group having 13 carbon atoms).

Cn acyl sarcosinate is commercially available, e.g. as Hamposyl L-30®, available from Hampshire.

The liquid compositions according to the present invention may further comprise other active agents povrchoco The skilled the art that the amine oxide surfactants according to the formula R'l R'NO ^, wherein R ^1, R ² and R ³ independently represent a C-C _J0 , preferably C _20, preferably C ~ C _ls carbon chain. The amine oxides may be present in an amount of up to 10 wt. % of the total composition, more preferably from 1% to 3% by weight.

The compositions in accordance with the present invention may further comprise other optional ingredients such as fillers, stabilizers, chelating agents, colorant fixing agents, radical acceptors, solvents, optically brightening agents, suds suppressors, bleach activators, perfumes, polyamine soil suspending agents, polymers, dirt-releasing catalysts and dyes.

The compositions of the present invention comprise, as optional but preferred ingredients, bleach activators or mixtures thereof. The term bleach activator, as used herein, refers to a compound that reacts with hydrogen peroxide to form a peracid. The peracid thus formed forms an activated bleach. Highly preferred bleach activators for use in the invention are hydrophobic bleach activators, i. bleach activator, t

which is not substantially and still miscible with water. Also, hydrophobic bleach activators typically have a secondary HLB (hydrophilic-lipophilic balance) of less than 11, more preferably less than 10. The secondary HLB is well known to those skilled in the art and is defined e.g. in Emulsions theory and practice by P. Becher, Reinhold, New York, 1957 or in Emulsion Science by P. Sherman, Academic Press, London, 1969.

Bleach activators suitable for use in the invention include those belonging to the class of esters, amides, imides, or anhydrides. Examples of suitable compounds of this type are disclosed in British Patent GB 1 586 769 and GB 2 143 231, and a method for their preparation in the form of bulk bulk prill (particle name bulk - named according to technology - e.g. new types of laundry detergent) is described in European Published Patent Suitable examples of such compounds suitable for use in the invention include tetraacetylenediamine (TAED), sodium 3,5,5-trimethylhexanoyloxybenzenesulfonate, diperoxylauric acid, as described in, for example, U.S. Pat. in U.S. Pat. 4,818,425 and peroxyadipic acid nonylamide as described, e.g. in U.S. Pat. 4,259,201 and n-nonaoyloxybenzenesulfonate (NOBS). Also preferred are N-acylcaprolactams selected from substituted or unsubstituted benzoylcaprolactam, octanoylcaprolactam, nonaoylcaprolactam, hexanoylcaprolactam, decanoylcaprolactam, undecenoylcaprolactam, acetylcaprolactam, formylcaprolactam, formylcaprolactam, formylcaprolactam, formylcaprolactam. A very interesting group of bleach activators has been disclosed in EP 624 154, where acetyltriethyl citrate (ATC) is mentioned as particularly preferred. Acetyl triethyl citrate has the advantage of being environmentally compatible since it can decompose into citric acid and alcohol. Furthermore, acetyltriethyl citrate has good hydrolytic stability in the product during storage and is an effective bleach activator. In addition, it also imparts good filler properties to the compositions.

The compositions according to the present invention may contain from 0.1% to 20% by weight. % of the total composition said bleach activator or mixture thereof, preferably from 1% to 10% by weight; % and more preferably from 2% to 7% by weight.

The compositions of the invention may be formulated as solutions, emulsions or microemulsions according to the individual optional ingredients present and their individual incorporated levels.

E.g. for reasons of stability, the compositions of the present invention, which generally comprise a bleach activator, as described above, are preferably formulated either as aqueous emulsions of said bleach activator in a water-containing base, a peroxygen bleach, a solvent system and a surfactant emulsifier system or a microemulsion a bleach activator in a water-containing base, a peroxygen bleach, a solvent system, and a hydrophilic surfactant system.

Preferred peroxygen bleach-containing emulsions comprise an emulsifying system of surfactants consisting of at least two different surfactants. The two different surfactants suitable for the purposes of the invention should have different HLB (hydrophilic-lipophilic balance) values so that it is possible to prepare stable emulsions and a difference in the HLB values of the two surfactants preferably at least 1, more preferably at least 2. Of course, a suitable By combining at least two surfactants having different HL5 values in water, emulsions will be prepared which will not form a separate layer when stored at 40 ° C for at least two weeks.

The emulsions according to the invention may further comprise other surfactants to said surfactant emulsifier system, but which should not significantly alter the weighted mean HLB value of the total emulsion.

Very preferred is an emulsion composition according to the present invention wherein the emulsion comprises acetyl triethyl citrate as a bleach activator, a suitable surfactant system should comprise a hydrophobic nonionic surfactant having HLB e.g. 5, such as Dobanol® 23-2 and hydrophilic; a nonionic surfactant having e.g. HLB 15 value, such as for Dobanol® 91-10. Another suitable system of nonionic surfactants. contains e.g. Dobanol® 23-6.5 (HLB approximately 12) and Dobanol® 23 (HLB less than 6) or Dobanol® 45-7 (HLB = 11.6) and Dobanol® (HLB = 8.1).

When formulated as an emulsion, the compositions of the present invention are opaque. The centrifugation test showed that the emulsions did not exhibit any phase separation after 15 minutes at 6000 rpm. In the microscopic test, said emulsions appeared as dispersions of drops in the base material.

¹ I

The compositions of the present invention are formulated as microemulsions according to the composition of the present invention, said bleaching microemulsions according to the present invention comprising a hydrophilic surfactant system comprising at least two different surfactants such as a nonionic surfactant and an anionic surfactant. Suitable hydrophilic surfactants suitable for use in the invention include the hydrophilic surfactants mentioned herein. In a composition in which the microemulsions of the invention comprise a peroxygen bleach and a bleach activator, the key factor for the persistent incorporation of the bleach activator in said microemulsions is that at least one of said surfactants of the hydrophilic surfactant system must have a different HLB value activator. Of course, if all said surfactants have the same HLB value as the activator value, a continuous uniform phase is formed, thus reducing the chemical stability of the bleach / bleach activator system. At least one of the surfactants preferably has an HLB value that is at least 1.0 HLB units, preferably 2.0, than that of the bleach activator.

In the composition of the present invention in which the compositions are formulated as microemulsions, said compositions are macroscopically transparent in the absence of incense and dyes. In the centrifugation test, it was found that the microemulsions of the present invention showed no phase separation after 15 minutes at 600 rpm. In a microscopic test, said microemulsions appear as a dispersion of droplets in the matrix. We observed that the particles had a size which is usually approximately or less than 3 microns in diameter.

The bleaching compositions of the present invention, particularly those formulated in the form of emulsions or microemulsions, are chemically stable. The term chemically stable, as used herein, refers to compositions of the present invention comprising a peroxygen bleach that is not subject to available oxygen loss at 50 ° C for 2 weeks greater than 10%. The concentration of available oxygen can be measured by chemical titration methods known in the art, by a method of measuring permanganate number (manganometry) and by a method of measuring cerium number (cerimetry). Said methods and criteria for selecting a suitable method are described e.g. in Hydrogen Peroxide, H.C. Schumb, C.N. Satterfield and R.L. Hentworth, from Reinhold Publishing Corporation, New York, 1955 a

Organic Peroxides, Daniel Swern, publisher, Wiley Int. Science, 1970. Alternatively, the stability of said compositions can also be evaluated by the inflatable test method.

Accordingly, said bleaching compositions of the present invention can be filled into respective deformable containers / bottles without losing stability of said containers / bottles containing the compositions stored for a longer period of time.

Chelating agents suitable for use in the invention include chelating agents selected from the group consisting of phosphonate chelating agents, aminocarboxylate chelating agents, polyfunctionally substituted chelating agents, and other chelating agents such as glycine, salycilic acid, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, malonic acid, and mixtures thereof. Chelating agents, when used, are usually present in amounts ranging from 0.001% to 5% by weight of the invention. % of the total composition and preferably from 0.05% to 2% by weight. total resource. Phosphonate chelating agents suitable for use in the invention may include ethydronic acid as well as aminophosphite compounds including aminoalkene polyols (alkene phosphite), alkali metal ethene-1-hydroxydiphosphite, nitrilotrimethylene phosphite, ethylenediaminetetramethylene phosphite di-phosphite ethylene phosphite. The phosphorous compounds can be present either in their acid form or in the form of salts of different cations on some or all of their acidic functional parts. Phosphorite chelating agents suitable for use in the invention are diethylenetriamine pentamethylene phosphonates. These phosphonate chelating agents are commercially available from Monsanto under the trade name DEQUEST®.

Aminotri (methylene phosphite) is most suitable for use in the invention, referred to herein as ATMP. Of course, it has been found that the delivery of ATMP, i.e.. j. compounds according to the formula:

CH7-PO3H2

I

N / \

PO3H2-CH2 CH2-PQ3H2 to the liquid compositions of the present invention will appreciably reduce the damage otherwise associated with pretreatment of fabric compositions containing peroxide bleach, especially those which it retains; and metal ions such as copper, iron, chromium and manganese.

Polyfunctional-substituted aromatic chelating agents may also be used in the present compositions. See U.S. Pat. U.S. Patent 3,812,044, issued May 21, 1974, to Connor et al. Preferred compounds of this type having the acid form are dihydroxydisulfobenzenes, such as 1,2-dihydroxy-3,5-disulfobenzene.

A biodegradable chelating agent preferred for use in the invention is ethylenediamine-N, N'-disuccinic acid or its alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium or substituted ammonium salts or mixtures thereof. Ethylenediamine-N, N'-disuccinic acids, especially the (S, S) isomer have been extensively described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,704,233, Nov. 3, 1987, to Hartman and Perkins. Ethylenediamine-N, N * -disuccinic acids are commercially available e.g. under the trademark ssEDDS® from Palmer Research Laboratories. Aminoxycarboxylates suitable for use in the invention include ethylenediaminetetraacetates (ethylenediaminetetraacetates, ethanediamine tetraethylenes) (ethylenediaminetetraacetates) metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts. Aminocarboxylates highly preferred for the purposes of the invention are diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (PDTA), which is e.g. available from BASF under the tradename Trilon FS (R) and methyl glycine diacetic acid (MGDA).

Other chelating agents preferred for use in the invention have the formula:

wherein R _lr R _2, R ₃ and R 'are independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, -Cl, -Br, _-NO2, -C (O) R ' _-SO2 R''; wherein R 'is selected from the group consisting of -H, -OH, alkyl, alkoxy, aryl and aryloxy; R 'is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkoxy, aryl and aryloxy; and R _{5, R,} R, and R _g are independently selected from the group consisting of H and alkyl.

Chelating agents very preferred for use in the present invention include ATMP, diethylenetriaminomethylene phosphonate, ethylene-N, N ¹ -disuccinic acid, diethylenetriaminepentaacetate, glycine, salicylic acid, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, ATMP or a mixture thereof;

Suitable radical acceptors for use herein include the well-known substituted mono- and di-hydroxybenzenes and analogs thereof, alkyl and aryl carboxylates, and mixtures thereof. Such radical acceptors preferred for use in the invention include di-tert-butylhydroxytoluene (BHT), hydroquinone, di-20 tert-butyl hydroquinone, mono-tert-butyl hydroquinone, tert-butylhydroxyanisole, benzoic acid, toluic acid, catechol, tert. butylcatechol, benzylamine, 1,1,3-tris (2-methyl-4-hydroxy-5-tert-butylphenyl) butane, n-propyl gallate or mixtures thereof, (tert-butyl) hydroxytoluene is very preferred. The radical acceptors, when used, are generally used according to the invention in amounts ranging from 0.001% to 2% by weight. % of the total composition, and preferably from 0.001% to 0.5% by weight. *

The presence of chelating agents, in particular ATMP, and / or radical acceptors contributes to the safe use of the compositions of the present invention suitable for pretreating soiled colored fabrics with a longer exposure time before washing said fabrics.

The compositions according to the present invention may further comprise suspending polyamine dirt polymers or mixtures thereof, as an optional additive. Any slurry polyamine soil polymer known to those skilled in the art may also be used for the purposes of the invention. Polyamine polymers, which are very preferred for use in the invention, are polyalkoxylated polyamines. such materials may advantageously be present as molecules having an empirical structure with repeating units:

[N

I

R] form of amine (alkoxy),

R ¹

- (R * N]

I (alkoxy), n 'X' quaternary form in which R is a hydrocarbyl group usually having 2 to 6 carbon atoms; ? can be C 1 -C ₂₀ hydrocarbon; alkoxy groups are ethoxy, propoxy and the like and y is 2 to 30, more preferably 10 to 20; n is an integer having a value of at least 2, more preferably 2 to 20, most preferably 3 to 5; and X * is an anion such as halide or methylsulfan resulting from the quaternization reaction.

The polyamines most preferred for use in the invention are the so-called polyamines. ethoxylated polyethyleneamines, i. a polymerized reaction product of ethylene oxide with ethyleneimine having the general formula:

(BO) - [N - CHa - CH _and -] - n N - (BO), (BO), ( ^EtO 2) wherein n = 2 to 30. For use in the invention, ethoxylated polyethylene amine, especially ethoxylated tetraethylenepentaamine and quaternary ethoxylated hexamethylenediamine is very preferred. .

It has surprisingly been found that said suspending polyamine dirt polymers contribute to the advantages of the present invention, i. when supplied to said solvent system in liquid compositions comprising a peroxygen bleach, these further increase the soil removal effects of said composition, particularly under pretreatment conditions. Of course, these polymers allow to increase the effects of soil removal on various stains including greasy stains, enzymatic stains from ilu / mud stains, as well as on bleachable stains.

The compositions usually contain up to 10 wt. % of the total composition of such a soil suspending polyamine polymer or mixture thereof, preferably from 0.1% to 5% by weight, more preferably from 0.3% to 2% by weight.

The compositions of the invention may further comprise other soil release polymeric agents well known to those skilled in the art. Such soil release agents are characterized by having both hydrophilic portions that hydrolyze the surface of hydrophobic fibers, such as polyester and nylon, as well as hydrophobic portions that adhere to the hydrophobic fibers and remain adhered to during the wash and spin cycle cycles to serve as attachment of hydrophilic segments. This may make it easier to wash the stains that result after treatment with the soil removal agent in later washing procedures.

Polymeric antifouling agents useful in the invention include, in particular, antifouling agents having:

(a) one or more non-ionic hydrophilic constituents consisting essentially of:

(i) polyoxyethylene moieties having a degree of polymerization of at least 2; or (ii) oxypropylene or polyoxypropylene moieties having a degree of polymerization of from 2 to 10, wherein said hydrophilic moiety does not include any oxypropylene unit without being bound to the auxiliary moiety at each end by an ether bond. or (iii) a mixture of oxyalkylene units comprising oxyethylene and from 1 to 30 oxypropylene units, wherein said mixture comprises sufficient oxyethylene units such that the hydrophilicity of the hydrophilic component is large enough to increase the hydrophilicity of conventional polyester synthetic fibers (their surface) upon application of the anti-agent. dirt on such a surface, said hydrophilic components preferably comprise at least 25% oxyethylene units and more preferably, especially for such components having about 20 to 30 oxypropylene units, at least about 50% oxyethylene units; or (b) one or more hydrophobic components consisting of (i) C ₃ oxyalkene terephthalate moieties, wherein if said hydrophobic components also contain oxyethylene terephthalate, the ratio of oxyethylene terephthalate: C ₃ oxyethylene terephthalate units is about 2: 1 or less, (ii) C ₄ -C ₍₆₎ alkylene or oxy (C ₄ -C ₆ alkylene) moieties or mixtures thereof; (iii) poly (vinyl ester) moieties, preferably polyvinyl acetate having a degree of polymerization of at least 2; or (iv) C 1 -C ₄ alkyl ether or C ₄ hydroxyalkyl ether substituents; mixtures wherein said substituents are present in the form of C 1 -C ₄ alkyl ether or C ₄ hydroxyalkylether cellulose derivatives or mixtures thereof, these cellulose derivatives being amphiphilic, having a sufficient level of C 1 -C ₄ alkyl ether and / or C ₄ hydroxyalkyl ether units such that they remain on the surface of conventional polyester synthetic fibers where they retain sufficient levels of hyd of roxyl, as soon as they adhere to the surface of these conventional synthetic fibers, thereby increasing the hydrophilicity of the fiber surface or the combination of (a) and (b).

The polyoxyethylene segments of (a) (i) will typically have a degree of polymerization of from about 1 to about 200, although it can be used and higher levels of, preferably from 3 to about 150, more preferably from 6 to about 100. Suitable oxy (C ₄ (C ₆ alkene) hydrophobic moieties include, but are not limited to, end-capped dirt-preventing polymeric agents such as MO ₃ S (CH ₂ ) _n OCH ₂ CH ₂ O-, wherein M is sodium and n is an integer from 4 to 6, as described in U.S. Patent 4,721,580, issued Jan. 26, 1988 to Gosselink.

Anti-dirt polymeric agents useful in the present invention also include cellulose derivatives such as hydroxyether cellulose polymers, block copolymers of ethylene terephthalate or propylene terephthalate with polyethylene oxide or polypropylene oxide terephthalate, and the like. Such agents are commercially available and include cellulose hydroxyethers such as METHOCEL (Dow). Anti-dirt agents characterized by poly (vinyl ester, hydrophobic moieties) include cloned poly (vinyl ester) copolymers, e.g., C 1 -C 6 vinyl esters, preferably poly (vinyl acetate) cloned into polyalkylene backbones such as polyethylene oxide backbones. , published April 22, 1987, by Kud et al. Commercially available antifouling agents of this type include SOKALAN, e.g., SOKALAN HP-22, available from BASF (Germany).

A preferred type of anti-fouling agent is a copolymer having irregular blocks of ethylene terephthalate and polyethylene oxide (PEO) terephthalate. The molecular weight of the soil release polymer polymer ranges from about 25,000 to about 55,000. No. 3,959,230 to Hays, issued May 25, 1976; U.S. Patent 3,893,929 issued to Basadur

July 8, 1975.

Another preferred polymeric soil release agent with repeating units, which are ethylene terephthalate units, comprises from 10% to 15% by weight. % of ethylene terephthalate units together with 90 to 80 wt. polyoxyethylene terephthalate units, is obtained from polyoxyethylene glycol with an average molecular weight of 300 to 5,000. Examples of such a polymer include commercially available materials such as ZELCON 5126 (from Dupont) and MILEASE T (from ICI). See also U.S. Pat. No. 4,702,857, issued Oct. 27, 1987 to Gosselink.

Another preferred polymeric soil release agent is a sulfonated product of a substantially linear oligomeric ester consisting of an oligomeric ester backbone of terephthaloyl, oxyalkynoxy repeating units, and end portions covalently attached to the backbone. These soil release agents are fully described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,968,451, issued November 6, 1990, to J. J. Schiebel and E. P. Gosselink. Other suitable soil release polymers include terephthalate polyesters of U.S. Pat. No. 4,711,730, issued Nov. 8, 1987, to Gosselink et al., anionic end-capped oligomer esters of U.S. Pat. No. 4,721,580, issued Jan. 26, 1988, to Gosselink; and the block polyester oligomer compounds disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,702,857, issued Oct. 27, 1987, to Gosselink.

Preferred soil release agents also include soil release agents described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,877,896, issued October 31, 1989, to Maldonado et al., which discloses anionic, especially sulfoaroyl, end-capped terephthalate esters.

Another preferred soil release agent is an oligomer consisting of repeating units of terephthaloyl, sulfoisoterephthaloyl, oxyethyleneoxy and oxy-1,2-propylene units. The repeating units form the backbone of the oligomer and are preferably terminated with modified isethionic end caps. A highly preferred soil release agent of this type comprises about 1 sulfoisophthaloyl unit, 5 terephthaloyl units, oxyethyleneoxy and oxy-1,2-propyleneoxy units in a ratio of about 1.7 to about 1.8, and two terminal capping units of 2- (2-hydroxyethoxy) ) sodium ethanesulfonate. Said soil release agent also contains from about 0.5% to about 20% by weight. The oligomer of the crystallization reducing stabilizer is preferably selected from the group consisting of xylene sulfonate, cumene sulfonate, toluene sulfonate and mixtures thereof. See U.S. Pat. No. 5,415,807, issued May 16, 1995, to Gosselink et al.

Soil release agents, when used, will generally comprise from about 0.01% to about 10.0% by weight. % of the cleaning compositions according to the invention, usually from about 0.1% to about 5% by weight, preferably from about 0.2% to about 3.0% by weight.

The compositions of the present invention may also contain one or more materials ¹ useful as color fixatives and agents preventing the transfer of colors from one color surface to another during cleaning. These coloring inhibitory agents generally include polyvinylpyrrolidone polymers, polyamine-N-oxide polymers, copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinyllimidazole, manganese phthalocyanine, peroxidase, and mixtures thereof. These agents, when used, generally comprise from about 0.01% to about 10% by weight. % of the composition, preferably from about 0.01% to about 5% by weight of the composition; % and more preferably from about 0.055 to about 2 wt.

More specifically, the polyamine-N-oxide polymers preferred for use in the invention comprise units having the following structural formula: RA _x -P; wherein P is a polymerized unit to which an N-O group may be attached or the N-O group may form part of a polymerizable unit or the NC group may be attached to both units; A represents one of the following structures: -NC (O) -, -C (O) O-, -S-, -O-, -N =; X is 0 OR 1; and R is an aliphatic, ethoxylated aliphatic, aromatic, heterocyclic or aicyclic group, or any combination thereof, to which the nitrogen of the N-O group can be attached or the N-O group is part of these groups. Preferred polyamine-N-oxides are also such wherein R is a heterocyclic group such as pyridine, pyrrole, imidazole, pyrrolidine, piperidine and mixtures thereof.

The N-O group can be described by the following general structures:

o O (R, K - N - (Ra) / == N - (Ri),

I (R ₃ ) wherein R _1, R ₂ , R 1 are aliphatic, aromatic, heterocyclic or acyclic groups or combinations thereof; x, y and z are 0 or 1; and the nitrogen of the N-O group may be attached or form part of any of the above. groups.

The amine oxide unit of the polyamine N-oxides has a pKa < 10, preferably pKa < -, more preferably pKa < 6.

The amine oxide polymer can have any backbone, as long as it remains, the water solubility property, and the ability to reduce and limit the transfer of colors. Examples of suitable polymer backbones include polyvinyl, polyalkenes, polyesters, polyethers, polyamides, polyimides, polyacrylates, and others.

- 25 mixtures. Polymers are irregular and block copolymers in which one type of monomer is an amine N-oxide and the other type of monomer is an N-oxide. The amine-N-oxide polymers typically have an amine to amine-N-oxide ratio of from 10: 1 to 1: 1 000 000. However, the number of amine oxide groups present in the polyamine oxide polymer may vary according to the appropriate copolymerization or the appropriate degree of N-oxidation. Polyaminoxides can be obtained in almost any of these

The degree of polymerization. The average molecular weight is usually in the range of 500 to 1,000,000; more preferably from 1,000 to 500,000; most preferably from 5,000 to 100,000. This class of preferred materials may be referred to as PVNO. The most preferred polyamine N-oxide useful in the detergent compositions of the present invention is poly (4-vinylpyridine N-oxide) having an average molecular weight of about 50,000 and an amine to amine N-oxide ratio of about 1: 4.

Also suitable for the purposes of the invention are copolymers of N-vynilpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole polymers (referred to as PVPVI class). The PVPVI preferably has an average molecular weight ranging from 5,000 to 1,000,000, more preferably from 5,000 to 200,000, and most preferably from 10,000 to 20,000. (The average molecular weight range is determined by light scattering as described in Barth et al. , Chemical Analysis, vol. 113. Description of the discoveries in Modern Methods of Polymer Characterization, which are incorporated herein by reference, PVPVI copolymers usually have a molar ratio of N-vynilimidazole to N-

vynilpyrolidone from 1: 1 to 0.2: 1, more preferably from 0.8: 1 to 0.3: 1, most preferably from 0.6: 1 to 0.4: 1. These copolymers they can be linear or branched. In the compositions of the present invention is a possible Too to use

polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) having an average molecular weight of from about 5,000 to about 400,000, preferably from about 5,000 to about 200,000, and more preferably from about 5,000 to about 50,000. PVPs are known to those skilled in the art of cleaning compositions; EP-A-262 897 and EP-A-256 696. The PVP-containing compositions may also contain polyethylene glycol (PEG) having an average molecular weight of from about 500 to about 100,000, preferably from about 1,000 to about 10. The ratio of PEG to PVP based on ppm supplied to the aqueous solution is preferably from about 2: 1 to about 50: 1, more preferably from about 3: 1 to about 10: 1.

Foaming activators, such as C ₁₀ -C 10 alkanolamides, can be incorporated into the compositions if their high foaming power is required, usually at levels of up to 10%. The C ₁₀ -C ₁₄ monoethanol and diethanol amides are a common class of such suds activators. The use of these suds activators with an additional high suds surfactant such as the amine oxides, batains and sultains mentioned above is also preferred. If required, they may be:

- 26 soluble magnesium salts supplied, such as MgCl ₂ , MgSO 4, and the like, at levels e.g. from 0.1% to 2% providing additional foaming and increasing effects against greasy stains.

Any optically brighteners, fluorescent whitening agents or other brighteners and whitening agents known in the art may be incorporated into the direct formulations, if they are intended for pre-treatment.

The treatment or washing of the fabric, at levels generally from about 0.05% to about 1.2% by weight. of the detergents mentioned. Optical brighteners for commercial use and usable for purposes of the present invention may be classified into subgroups including, but not limited to, stilbene derivatives, pyrazoline, coumarin, carboxylic acids, methincyanines, dibenzothiophene-5,5-dioxide, azoles. , 5- and

6-membered ring heterocyclic brighteners, this list is merely illustrative and is not limited in scope. Examples of such optically brighteners are disclosed in The Production and Application of Fluorescent Brightening Agents, by M. Zahradnik, published by John Wiley & Sons, New York (1982).

Specific examples of optically brightening agents useful in the present compositions include those disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,790,856, issued December 13, 1988 to Nixon. These optically brighteners include the PHORWITE optically brighteners series from Verona. Other optically brightening agents mentioned in these references include: Tinopal UNPA, Tinopal CBS and Tinopal 5BM; available from Ciba-Ceigy; Artic White CC and Artic White CWD available from Hilton-Davis, Italy; 2- (4-styrylphenyl) -2H-naphthol [1,2d] triazoles; 4,4'-bis- (1,2,3-triazol-2-yl, stilbenes; 4,4'-bis (styryl) bisphenyls; and aminocoumarins. Specific examples of these optically brighteners include 4-methyl-7-diethyl. 1,2-bis (benzimidazol-2-yl) ethylene;

2,5-bis (benzoxazol-2-yl) thiophene; 2-styryl-naphth [1,2-d] oxazole; and 2- (stilben-4-yl, -2H-naphtho- [1,2-d] triazole. See also U.S. Patent 3,646,015, issued February 29, 1972 to Hamilton. Anionic brightening agents are generally preferred for the purposes of the invention.

The compositions of the present invention, if desired, may additionally comprise a catalyst or accelerator further enhancing the bleaching or soil release effects. Any bleach catalyst can be used. For cleaning agents used at a total level of from about 1,000 to about 5,000 ppm in water, the composition will typically provide a concentration of from about 0.1 ppm to about 700 ppm, more preferably from about 1 ppm to about 50 ppm or less of catalyst. in washing solution.

Bleach catalysts may also be used for the purposes of the invention. Conventional bleach catalysts comprise a transition metal complex, e.g. a catalyst in which the metal coordination ligands are completely labile and which under normal alkaline washing conditions do not deposit any significant amount of metal oxides or hydroxides. Such catalysts include the manganese-based catalysts disclosed in U.S. Patent 5,246,621; U.S. Patent 5,244,594; U.S. Patent 5,194,416; U.S. Patent 5,144,606; á EP no. 549,271 Al; 549 272 Al; 544,440 A2; and 544,490 A1; preferred examples of these catalysts include Mn ^IV 2 (μ-Ο) ₃ (TACN) ₂ - (PF ₆ ) ₂ ; Mn ^1IX 2 (μ-Ο, _χ (μ-ΟΑο) ₂ (TACN) ₂ (ClO ₄ ) ₂ ; Mn ^IV 4 (μ-Ο) ₆ (TACN) ₄ - (C1O ₄ , ₄ ; Mn ^JII Mn ^IV 4 - (μ-Ο) _x (μ-OAc) ₂ (TACN) ₂ - (C1O ₄ , ₃ ; Mn ^IV - (TACN, - (OCH ₃ , ₃ (PF _e ,)) and mixtures thereof in which TACN is trimethyl -1,4,7-triazacyclononane or equivalent macrocycle, wherein other metal coordination ligands as well as mononuclear complexes are also possible and mono- metal, as well as di- and poly- metal complexes and complexes of other metals such as iron or ruthenium, Other metal-based bleach catalysts include those disclosed in US Patent 4,430,243 and US Patent 5,114,611. The use of manganese with various complex bleach enhancers is also disclosed in the following US patents: 4,728,455; 284,944; 5,246,612; 5,256,779; 5,280,117; 5,274 147; 5,153,161; a. 5,227,084.

The transition metals may pre-form or complex in place with suitable donor ligands selected according to the function of the selected metal, its oxidation degree and the branching of the ligands. Other complexes which may be included within the scope of the invention are those disclosed in U.S. Pat. application no. 08/210 186, issued March 17, 1994.

According to the intended end use, the compositions of the present invention may be stored in a variety of containers including typical bottles, containers equipped with a roll-on bead, sponge, bead or sprayer, or sprayer.

Although the preferred application of the liquid compositions described herein is washing, these compositions can also be used as laundry detergents or laundry adjuvants, and in particular as pretreatment compositions for solid surfaces cleaning.

The invention is further illustrated by the following illustrative examples.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Example 1

A liquid composition comprising:

substance % wt. Hydrogen peroxide 6% ATC 2% Benzyl alcohol (HI = 16) 2% Pinene (HI-0) 1 « Diethoxyethanol (HI = 37) 4% Dobanol® 23.3 8.6% Dobanol® 45.7 6.4% C12 alkylsulfate 2% Water and minority interests up to 100%

pH = 4, adjusted with sulfuric acid

In the pretreatment, the composition was applied undiluted to the stained part of the fabric and left for 5 minutes at that location. The fabric was then washed with a conventional detergent and spun. This composition has produced excellent soil release effects against various stains including grease stains, enzymatic stains, clay stains, and bleachable stains.

Example 2

A liquid composition comprising:

substance ft wt. Hydrogen peroxide 4 ft ATC 3.5% Benzyl alcohol (HI = 16) 2 ft Methoxypropanol (HI = 37) 5% Limonene (HI = 0) 1 ft Dobanol® 23.3 8,6 ft Dobanol® 45.7 6,4 ft C 1-6 alkylsulfate 2 ft Water and minority interests up to 100 ft

pH = 4, adjusted with sulfuric acid

In the pretreatment, the composition was applied undiluted to the stained part of the fabric and left on it for 5 minutes. The fabric was then washed with a conventional detergent and spun. This composition has produced excellent stain removal effects, including greasy stains, enzymatic stains, ilus stains, and bleachable stains.

Example 3

The following liquid formulation was prepared:

substance % wt. Hydrogen peroxide 6.0% ATC 3.5% Benzyl alcohol (HI = 16) 1% Pinene (HI = 0) 0.5% Propoxypropanol (HI = 28) 5% Dobanol® 45.7 6,0 t Dobanol® 23.3 6.0% C ₂₅ -AE2,5-S 12.0% (ethoxylated alkyl sulphate) Water and minority interests up to 100%

pH = 4, adjusted with sulfuric acid

In the bleaching method during laundering, the composition was supplied to a water bath prepared by dissolving a conventional detergent in water. The fabrics were immersed in a water bath containing a liquid detergent and then spun. This composition can also be used in a pretreatment in which undiluted is applied to the fabric stains and allowed to act for 5 minutes, the fabrics are subsequently washed. Excellent stain removal effects have been achieved, including oily stains, enzymatic stains, clay stains and bleachable stains.

Example 4

The following liquid formulation was prepared:

substance % wt. Tert-butyl hydroperoxide 5% Diethoxyethanol (HI = 37) 8 1 Limonene (HI = 0) 2% Dobanol® 91.10 1,6% Dobanol® 23, 3 1.5% Cxo alkylsiran 1,7% Isofol 12® 0.5% Water and minority interests up to 100%

pH = 4, adjusted with sulfuric acid

This composition can be used in the pretreatment or in the bleaching process during laundering as described in the preceding examples. The composition may also be used in a soaking process in which 100 ml of liquid compositions are diluted in 10 liters of water. The fabrics are then immersed in a water bath containing the composition and allowed to soak in. this • I bathed 24 hours. The fabrics are finally rinsed. Excellent effects have been achieved against a wide variety of stains, including greasy stains, enzymatic stains, illu stains and bleachable stains.

Example 5

The following liquid formulation was prepared:

substance % wt. Tert-butyl hydroperoxide 5% Diethoxyethanol (HI = 37) 8% Pinene (HI = 0) 2% Dobanol® 91.10 1,6% Dobanol® 23.3 1.5% C 10 alkylsulfan 1,7% Isofol 12® 0.5% Water and minority interests up to 100%

pH = 4, adjusted with sulfuric acid

This composition can be used in the pretreatment or in the bleaching process during laundering as described in the preceding examples. The composition may also be used in a soaking process in which 100 ml of liquid compositions are diluted in 10 liters of water. The fabrics are then immersed in a water bath containing the composition and allowed to soak in the bath for 24 hours. Excellent performance has been achieved against a variety of different stains, including greasy stains, enzymatic stains, clay stains, and bleachable stains.

Example 6

The following liquid formulation was prepared:

substance % wt. Hydrogen peroxide 7% Diethoxyethanol (HI = 37) 1% Limonene (HI = 0) 0.2% Dobanol® 91.10 1,6% Dobanol® 23.3 1.5 « C ₁₀ alkylsulfan 1,7% Isofol 12® 0.5% Water and minority interests up to 100%

pH = 4, adjusted with sulfuric acid

The composition may be used in a pretreatment or bleaching method during a wash as described in Examples 1 and 2. The composition may also be used in a soaking process wherein 100 ml of the liquid compositions are diluted in 10 liters of water. The fabrics are then immersed in a water bath containing the composition and allowed to soak in the bath for 24 hours. The fabrics are finally rinsed. These compositions provide excellent effects against a variety of stains, including greasy stains, enzymatic stains, clay stains, and bleachable stains.

Example 7

A liquid cleaning composition was prepared comprising:

substance % wt. cumene hydroperoxide 10% Diethoxyethanol (HI> 37) 4.0% Benzyl alcohol (HI = 16) 1.5% Dobanol® 23.3 8.6% Dobanol® 45.7 6.4% C 1-6 alkylsulfan 2% Water and minority interests up to 100%

pH = 6, adjusted with sulfuric acid

The composition was used in the pretreatment as described in the previous examples. Excellent effects have been achieved against a variety of different stains, including fatty stains, enzymatic stains, clay stains and bleachable stains.

Example 8

A liquid cleaning composition was prepared comprising:

substance % wt. 2,5-dimetylhexán- 5% 2,5-dihydro- Propoxypropanol (HI = 28) 8% Pinene (HI = 0) 1.0% Dobanol® 23, 3 8.6% Dobanol® 45.7 6.4% C ₂₅ -2.5-EO-S 2% Water and minority interests up to 100%

pH = 5, adjusted with sulfuric acid

The composition was used in the pretreatment as described in the previous examples. Excellent effects have been achieved against a variety of stains, including greasy stains, enzymatic stains, clay stains and bleachable stains.

33 Example 9

The following liquid formulation was prepared:

substance % wt. Dllauroylperoxid 2,0 « Methoxypropanol (HI «= 37) 4.0% Benzyl alcohol (HI = 16) 1.0% Dobanol® 23.3 8.6% Dobanol® 45.7 6.4% Cu-alkyl sulfate 1.0% Water and minority interests up to 100%

pH = 5, adjusted with sulfuric acid

The composition was used in the pretreatment as described in the previous examples. With this composition, excellent soil removal effects are achieved against a variety of stains, including greasy stains, enzymatic stains, clay stains, and bleachable stains.

Example 10

The following liquid formulation was prepared:

substance % wt. dilauroyl 0.5% Hydrogen peroxide 4.0% ATC 2.0% Methoxypropanol (HI = 37) 5.0% Benzyl alcohol (HI = 16) 2.0% Limonene (HI = 0) 0.5% Dobanol® 23.3 8.6% Dobanol® 45.7 6.4% C ₂₅ -2.5-EO-S 2% Water and minority interests up to 100%

pH = 5, adjusted with sulfuric acid

ATC in the preceding examples is acetyltriethyl citrate.

The composition was used in the pretreatment as described in the previous examples. With this composition, excellent dirt removal effects are achieved against a variety of stains, including greasy stains, enzymatic stains, clay stains, and bleachable stains.

Example 11

The following liquid formulation was prepared:

substance % wt. Dide kanoyl peroxide 0.5% Hydrogen peroxide 7.0% Ethoxypropanol (HI = 32) 1.0% Limonene (HI = 0) 0.2% Dobanol® 91.10 1.5% • Cio-alkyl sulfate 1,7 t « Water and minority interests up to 100%

pH = 4, adjusted with sulfuric acid

The composition was used in the pretreatment or in the bleaching process during laundering as described in the previous examples. With this composition, excellent dirt removal effects are achieved against a variety of stains, including greasy stains, enzymatic stains, clay stains, and bleachable stains.

Claims (13)

PATENT CLAIMS A method of bleaching a fabric with a liquid composition comprising a peroxygen bleach and a solvent system comprising a hydrophilic solvent having a hydrophilic index of greater than 18, and a hydrophobic solvent having a hydrophilic iqdex of less than 18, wherein the hydrophilic index is defined by: the molecular weight of the hydrophilic solvent portion - x 100 total molecular weight of the solvent, said method comprising the steps of applying said composition in its undiluted form to said fabric, preferably only to the contaminated portion thereof and subsequently wiping or washing with subsequent wicking of said fabric. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that said undiluted composition is allowed to act on said fabric for from 1 minute to 1 hour, preferably from 1 minute to 30 minutes. A method of bleaching a fabric comprising the steps of diluting a liquid composition in its undiluted form in a water bath, said composition comprising a peroxygen bleach and a solvent system comprising a hydrophilic solvent having a hydrophilic index greater than 18 and a hydrophobic solvent having a hydrophilic index less than 18, relationship: molecular weight of the hydrophilic solvent portion x 100 total molecular weight of the solvent by immersing said fabrics in said water bath containing said liquid composition and subsequently wiping or washing with subsequent wiping. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that the fabrics are allowed to soak in an aqueous solution containing said liquid composition for a period of from 30 minutes to 48 minutes, preferably from 1 hour to 24 hours. The process according to claim 3 or 4, wherein said aqueous bath is prepared by dissolving or dispersing a conventional laundry detergent in water. 36 6. A liquid composition suitable for bleaching a fabric, comprising a peroxygen bleach and a solvent system comprising from 0.05% to 20% by weight. % of the total composition a hydrophilic solvent having a hydrophilic index greater than 18 and from 0.05% to 10% by weight of the composition. of the total composition a hydrophobic solvent having a hydrophilic index of less than 18, wherein the hydrophilic index is defined by: the molecular weight of the hydrophilic portion of the solvent - x 100 the total molecular weight of the solvent; • The method according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 5 or * the composition according to claim 6, characterized in that said undiluted composition comprises from 0.01% to 20% by weight. % of the total composition, a peroxygen bleach or a mixture thereof, preferably from 1% to 10% by weight, more preferably from 4% to 7% by weight. Method or composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said peroxygen bleach is selected from the group consisting of percarbonates, perborates, perborates, peracids, alkyl hydroperoxides, peroxides, aliphatic diacyl peroxides and mixtures thereof, and preferably represents hydrogen peroxide, tert-butyl hydroperoxide. , cumyl hydroperoxide, 2,5-dimethylhexane-2,5-dihydroperoxide, 2,4,4-trimethylphenyl-2-hydroperoxide, diisopropylbenzene monohydroperoxide, tert-amyl hydroperoxide, didecanoyl peroxide, dilauroyl peroxide, and / or dimyristoyl peroxide. The method or composition of any preceding claim, wherein said hydrophilic solvent is an alkoxylated aliphatic or aromatic alcohol having a hydrophilic index greater than 18, an aliphatic or aromatic alcohol having a t hydrophilic index greater than 18, a glycol or an alkoxylated glycol having a hydrophilic index greater than 18 or mixtures thereof, and preferably represents ethanol, propanol, methoxypropanol, ethoxypropanol, propoxypropanol, butoxypropanol, propanediol, ethoxyethanol, and mixtures thereof. A method or composition according to any preceding claim wherein said hydrophobic solvent is paraffin, terpene or terpene derivatives having a hydrophilic index of less than 18, an alkoxylated aliphatic or aromatic alcohol having a hydrophilic index of less than 18, an aliphatic or aromatic alcohol having a hydrophilic index of less than ¹ 18, glykbl or alkoxylated glycol having a hydrophilic index of less than 18, or mixtures thereof, and preferably is d-limonene, dipentene, a-pinene, β-pinene, octane, benzyl alcohol, or mixtures thereof. The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein said composition comprises from 0.1% to 5% by weight of the composition. of the total composition a hydrophobic solvent or a mixture thereof, preferably from 0.2% to 2% by weight; and from 0.5% to 15% by weight. of the total composition a hydrophilic solvent or a mixture thereof, preferably from 1% to 10% by weight; The method or composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition further comprises a nonionic surfactant or mixtures thereof at a level of up to 50% by weight, preferably from 0.3% to 30% by weight, and more preferably from 0%. 4 to 25 wt. and said nonionic surfactant is a hydrophobic nonionic surfactant having an HLB of less than 16 or mixtures thereof, more preferably it is an alkoxylated nonionic surfactant of the formula RO- (C ₂ H ₄ O) _n (C ₃ H ₆ O) wherein R is a C ₆ -C ₂₂ alkyl chain or a C ₆ -C ₂ alkylbenzene chain and n + m is from 0 to 20, n is from 0 to 15 and m is from 0 to 20, preferably n + m is from 1 to 15 and are from 0.5 to 15, more preferably n + m is from 1 to 10 and are from 0 to 10 or mixtures thereof. Method or composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said composition has a pH in the range of from 1 to 12, preferably from 2 to 6 and more preferably from 3 to 5.