WO2004104147A1

WO2004104147A1 - Aqueous cleaning compositions

Info

Publication number: WO2004104147A1
Application number: PCT/GB2004/002188
Authority: WO
Inventors: Francesca Rosiello; Dora Zamuner
Original assignee: Reckitt Benckiser UK Ltd; Reckitt Benckiser NV
Current assignee: Reckitt Benckiser UK Ltd; Reckitt Benckiser NV
Priority date: 2003-05-22
Filing date: 2004-05-21
Publication date: 2004-12-02
Anticipated expiration: 2005-11-22
Also published as: GB0311783D0; GB2401875A

Abstract

A laundry detergent composition comprising: an ethoxylated aliphatic phosphono compound of formula (I) (HO)(3-m)OP(R-(CH2-CH2-O)n-R1)m or (HO)(3-m)OP(O-(CH2-CH2-O)n-R1)m or (HO)(3-m)OP(O-R1-(CH2-CH2-O)n-H)m wherein each n is independently an integer from 1 to 10; each R is independently a 1-14C alkylene or alkenylene chain; and R1 is 1-14C alkyl or alkenyl chain, provided that the total number of carbons in R and R1 does not exceed 20, preferably less than 16; at least one additional detersive surfactant; up to 25% by weight of one or more minor ingredients selected from; enzyme, optical brightener, preservative, fragrance and dye; and water.

Description

Aqueous Cleaning Compositions

The present invention relates to an aqueous liquid fabric detergent that contains a new thickening system, and the use of such compositions in cleaning fabric.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a base composition which is stable and to which ingredients typically found in fabric detergents can be added without any major negative impacts on the compatability of the ingredients. In particular the composition is stable to light, in particular UV light. Preferably the product should also be physically stable, as well as chemically stable. Ideally the product is viscose and has a viscosity of greater than 100 cps, preferably greater than 300, 400 or 500 (as measured in a Brookfield viscometer at 20°C, spindle no.2 and 15 rpm). In addition, preferably, the base composition and the final product is transparent.

We have also found that the cleaning performance of liquid detergent products, either as a stain pre-treater or as a heavy or light duty laundry detergent, is excellent when compared with benchmark commercially available products.

We present as a feature of the invention a (laundry detergent) composition comprising:

an ethoxylated aliphatic phosphono compound of formula (I)

(HO)₍₃-_m)OP(R-(CH₂-CH₂-O)_n-R¹ )_m or (HO)₍₃-_m)OP(O-(CH₂-CH₂-O)_n-R¹ )_m or (HO)₍₃-_m)OP(O-R¹-(CH₂-CH₂-O)_n-H)_m

wherein each n is independently an integer from 1 to 10; each R is independently a 1-14C alkylene or alkenylene chain; and R¹ is 1-14C alkyl or alkenyl chain, provided that the total number of carbons in R and R¹ does not exceed 20, preferably less than 16; at least one additional detersive surfactant;

up to 25%wt of one or more minor ingredients selected from; enzyme, optical brightener, preservative, fragrance and dye; and

water.

We have found that the compound of formula (I) provides the composition with very good aesthetic properties - preferably it can form a transparent gel - and helps stabilise the formula even at high temperatures (around 40°C for up to 6 months).

Preferably the compound of formula (I) is present in an amount of up to 20% wt, ideally up to 15% wt or 10% wt. Preferred minimum amounts are 1% wt, 5% wt or 3% wt.

Preferably a bleaching agent and/or a building agent is added to the composition, as described below.

Examples of preferred additional detersive surfactants considered in this invention are either anionic or non-ionic surfactants and mixtures thereof. Preferred levels of additional detersive surfactants, either individually and/or in combination, are from 1 to 50%wt, ideally from 10 to 40%wt and preferably 20 to 35%wt. Alternative amounts are from 1 to 20%wt, 2 to 18%wt or 4 to 15%wt.

Non-ionic Surfactant

The non-ionic surfacatant is present in an amount of at least 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 4%, 8%, or 12% wt. Preferred maximum amounts, individually or combined if a mixture of nn-ionic surfactant is present, is less than 35%, 25%, 20% or 15%wt.

The non-ionic surfactant is preferably a linear surfactant having a formula

RO(CH2CH2O)nH wherein R is a saturated or unsaturated (preferably saturated) hydrocarbon chain ranging from C12 to C16 and n represents the number of repeating units and is a number of from about 1 to about 12. Examples of other non-ionic surfactants include higher aliphatic primary alcohols containing 12 to 16 carbon atoms which are condensed with about three to thirteen moles of ethylene oxide.

Other examples of non-ionic surfactants include primary alcohol ethoxylates

Other examples of non-ionic surfactants suitable for use in the present invention include ethylene oxide condensate products of secondary aliphatic alcohols containing 11 to 18 carbon atoms in a straight or branched chain configuration condensed with 5 to 30 moles of ethylene oxide. Examples of commercially available non-ionic detergents of the foregoing type are Cl 1-15 secondary alkanol condensed with either 9 moles of ethylene oxide (such as Tergitol 15-S-9) or 12 moles of ethylene oxide (such as Tergitol 15-S-12) marketed by Union Carbide, a subsidiary of Dow Chemical.

Octylphenoxy polyethoxyethanol type non-ionic surfactants, for example, Triton X- 100, as well as amine oxides can also be used as a non-ionic surfactant in the present invention.

A further preferred class of non-ionic surfactants are the C10-20alkanol amides, the amide being formed from a mono or di C2-4alkanolamine.

Anionic Surfactant

A preferred surfactant is an anionic surfactant. The anionic sulphates are preferably present at a level of at least 2%, 4%, 8% wt of the composition. More preferably these anionic surfactant is present at a level of from 2 or 10% to 40%, more preferably from 5 or 15% or even 18% to 30% wt of the composition. Preferred amounts of surfactant, are from 5 or 16% to 40%, or more preferably 8 or 18% to 25% wt of the composition. Such anionic surfactants are frequently provided in a salt form, such as alkali metal salts, ammonium salts, amine salts, amino alcohol salts or magnesium salts. Contemplated as useful are one or more sulfate or sulfonate compounds including: alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, alkylamidoether sulfates, alkyl benzene sulfates, alkyl benzene sulfonates, alkylaryl polyether sulfates, monoglyceride sulfates, alkylsulfonates, alkylamide sulfonates, alkylarylsulfonates, olefinsulfonates, paraffin sulfonates, alkyl sulfosuccinates, alkyl ether sulfosuccinates, alkylamide sulfosuccinates, alkyl sulfosuccinamate, alkyl sulfoacetates, alkyl carboxylates, alkyl phosphates, alkyl ether phosphates, acyl sarconsinates, acyl isethionates, and N-acyl taurates. Generally, the alkyl or acyl radical in these various compounds comprise a carbon chain containing 12 to 20 carbon atoms.

Preferred surfactants are also alkyl naphthalene sulfonate anionic surfactants of the formula: R

wherein R is a straight chain or branched alkyl chain having from about 1 to about 25 carbon atoms, saturated or unsaturated, and the longest linear portion of the alkyl chain is 15 carbon atoms or less on the average, M is a cation which makes the compound water soluble especially an alkali metal such as sodium or magnesium, ammonium or substituted ammomum cation.

Particularly preferred are alkyl sulfate anionic surfactants of the formula (II)

(II) f

R- O (CH₂CH₂0)- S O M

wherein R is a straight chain or branched alkyl chain having from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms, saturated or unsaturated, and the longest linear portion of the alkyl chain is no more than 15 carbon atoms, M is a cation, preferably one which makes the compound water-soluble especially an alkali metal such as sodium or magnesium, ammonium or substituted ammomum cation, and x is from 0 to about 4, preferably x is 2 or 3, ideally x is 2. When x is 0 then most preferred are the non-ethoxylated C12-15 primary and secondary alkyl sulfates, especially sodium lauryl sulfate. It is preferred that the anionic surfactants herein are present in the form of sodium salts.

In a preferred feature of the invention we have found that transparent viscose compositions of the invention are ideally formed from the combination of compounds of formula (I), (II) and a C10-20alkanol amide, the amide is preferably a C 10-20 alkanolamide of a mono or di C2-4 alkanolamine, ideally in an amount of up to 20% wt, ideally up to 15% wt or 10% wt. Suitable minimum amounts are from 1% wt, 2% wt or 3% wt.

We present as a further feature of the invention an aqueous liquid laundry detergent composition comprising

a compound of formula (I); a compound of formula (II); a C10-20alkanol amide, the amide is preferably a C 10-20 alkanolamide of a mono or di C2-4alkanolamine; and water.

The compound of formula (II) is present in the composition in an amount of up to 20% wt, ideally up to 18% wt or 10% wt. Suitable minimum amounts are from 1% wt, 2% wt or 3%

We present as a further feature of the invention a method of cleaning fabric which method comprises applying a composition as described herein to the fabric.

Bleaching Agent

An optional ingredient is bleaching agent which comprises a source of active oxygen and, optionally, a bleach activator. Preferred levels of bleaching agent, including bleach activator, if present, are up to 50%, 40%, 30% or 20% wt. A preferred source of active oxygen according to the present invention is hydrogen peroxide or sources thereof. As used herein a hydrogen peroxide source refers to any water-soluble sources of hydrogen peroxide. Suitable water-soluble sources of hydrogen peroxide for use herein include percarbonates, organic or inorganic peroxides and perborates.

Hydrogen peroxide or sources thereof provide from 0.1% to 15%, preferably from 0.5% to 10%, most preferably from 1% to 5% wt of the total composition of active oxygen.

As used herein active oxygen concentration refers to the percentage concentration of elemental oxygen, with an oxidation number zero, that being reduced to water would be stoichiometrically equivalent to a given percentage concentration of a given peroxide compound, when the peroxide functionality of the peroxide compound is completely reduced to oxides. The active oxygen sources according to the present invention increase the ability of the compositions to remove oxidisable stains, to destroy malodourous molecules and to kill germs.

The concentration of available oxygen can be determined by methods known in the art, such as the iodimetric method, the permanganometric method and the cerimetric method. Said methods and the criteria for the choice of the appropriate method are described for example in "Hydrogen Peroxide", W. C. Schumo, C. N. Satterfield and R. L. Wentworth, Reinhold Publishing Corporation, New York, 1955 and "Organic Peroxides", Daniel Swera, Editor Wiley Int. Science, 1970.

Suitable organic and inorganic peroxides for use in the compositions according to the present invention include diacyl and dialkyl peroxides such as dibenzoyl peroxide, dilauroyl peroxide, dicumyl peroxide, persulphuric acid and mixtures thereof.

Suitable preformed peroxyacids for use in the compositions according to the present invention include diperoxydodecandioic acid DPDA, magnesium perphthalatic acid, perlauric acid, perbenzoic acid, diperoxyazelaic acid and mixtures thereof. The compositions according to the present invention comprise from 0% to 15%, preferably from 0.005% to 10% wt of the total composition of said preformed peroxyacids. Builder Agent

The compositions in accord with the present invention preferably contain a builder agent, typically present in detergent compositions at a level of from 1% to 60% wt, preferably from 3% to 40% wt, most preferably from 5% to 25% wt of the composition.

The compositions according to the present invention may further comprise a builder system. Any conventional builder system is suitable for use herein including aluminosilicate materials, silicates, polycarboxylates, alkyl-or alkenylsuccinic acid and fatty acids, materials such as ethylenediamine tetraacetate, diethylene triamine pentamethyleneacetate, metal ion sequestrants such as aminopolyphosphonates, particularly ethylenediamine tetramethylene phosphonic acid and diethylene triamine pentamethylenephosphonic acid. However, water-soluble builders are preferred, such as polycarboxylates, alky-or alkenylsuccinic acid and fatty acids.

The carboxylate or polycarboxylate builder can be momomeric or oligomeric in type although monomeric polycarboxylates are generally preferred for reasons of cost and performance. The parent acids of the monomeric or oligomeric polycarboxylate chelating agents or mixtures thereof with their salts, e.g. citric acid or citrate/citric acid mixtures are also contemplated as useful builder components.

The monomeric carboxylic acids and salts thereof include the highly preferred fatty acid or salts, as described above.

Also highly preferred are citric acid and/or sodium citrate builders. Preferably present at a level of 1% to 20%, more preferably from 3% to 15%, more preferably from 5% to 12% by weight of the composition.

Borate or boric acid builders, as well as builders containing borate-forming materials that can produce borate under detergent storage or wash conditions are useful water-soluble builders. The detergent compositions of the invention may comprise phosphate-containing builder material. Preferably present at a level of from 2% to 40%, more preferably from 3% to 30%, more preferably from 5% to 20%. Suitable examples of water-soluble phosphate builders are the alkali metal tripolyphosphates, sodium, potassium and ammonium pyrophosphate, sodium and potassium and ammonium pyrophosphate, sodium and potassium orthophosphate, sodium polymeta/phosphate in which the degree of polymerization ranges from about 6 to 21, and salts of phytic acid.

The compositions in accord with the present invention may contain a partially soluble or insoluble builder compound, typically present in detergent compositions at a level of from 0.5%) to 60% by weight, preferably from 5% to 50% by weight, most preferably from 8% to 40% weight of the composition.

Preferred are aluminosilicates and/or crystalline layered silicates such as SKS-6, available from Clariant.

The compositions of the invention preferably contain as an optional component a heavy metal ion sequestrant. By heavy metal ion sequestrant it is meant herein components which act to sequester (chelate) heavy metal ions. These components may also have calcium and magnesium chelation capacity, but preferentially they show selectivity to binding heavy metal ions such as iron, manganese and copper.

Enzyme

The composition herein preferably comprises an enzyme or enzymes. Preferred additional enzymatic materials include the commercially available lipases, cutinases, amylases, neutral and alkaline proteases, esterases, cellulases, pectinases, lactases and peroxidases conventionally incorporated into detergent compositions. Suitable enzymes are discussed in US3,519,570 and 3,533,139. Preferred commercially available protease enzymes include those sold under the tradenames Alcalase, Savinase, Primase, Durazym, and Esperase by Novo Industries A/S (Denmark), those sold under the tradename Maxatase, Maxacal and Maxapem by Gist- Brocades, those sold by Genencor International, and those sold under the tradename Opticlean and Optimase by Solvay Enzymes. Protease enzyme may be incorporated into the compositions in accordance with the invention at a level of from 0.0001% to 4% active enzyme by weight of the composition.

Preferred amylases include, for example, [alpha] -amylases obtained from a special strain of B licheniformis, described in more detail in GB-1, 269,839 (Novo). Preferred commercially available amylases include for example, those sold under the tradename Rapidase by Gist-Brocades, and those sold under the tradename Termamyl and BAN by Novo Industries A/S. Amylase enzyme may be incorporated into the composition in accordance with the invention at a level of from 0.0001% to 2% active enzyme by weight of the composition.

Lipolytic enzyme may be present at levels of active lipolytic enzyme of from 0.0001% to 10%) by weight of the particle, preferably 0.001% to 3% by weight of the composition, most preferably from 0.001% to 0.5% by weight of the compositions. The lipase may be fungal or bacterial in origin being obtained, for example, from a lipase producing strain of Humicola sp., Thermomyces sp. or Pseudomonas sp. including Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes or Pseudomas fluorescens. Lipase from chemically or genetically modified mutants of these strains are also useful herein. A preferred lipase is derived from Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes, which is described in Granted European Patent, EP-B-0218272. Another preferred lipase herein is obtained by cloning the gene from Humicola lanuginosa and expressing the gene in Aspergillus oryza, as host, as described in European Patent Application, EP-A-0258 068, which is commercially available from Novo Industri A/S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark, under the trade name Lipolase. This lipase is also described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,810,414, Huge- Jensen et al, issued Mar. 7, 1989. Optical Brightener

The compositions herein also optionally contain from about 0.005% to 5% by weight of certain types of hydrophilic optical brighteners.

Preferred brighteners include 4,4^,,-bis[(4-anilino-6-(N-2-bis-hydroxyethyl)-s-triazine-2- yl)amino]-2,2'-stilbenedisulfonic acid and disodium salt, commercially marketed under the tradename Tinopal-UNPA-GX by Ciba-Geigy Corporation; 4,4'-bis[(4-anilino-6-(N- 2-hydroxyethyl-N-methylamino)-s-triazine-2-yl)amino]2,2^,-stilbenedisulfonic acid disodium salt, commercially marketed under the tradename Tinopal 5BM-GX by Ciba- Geigy Corporation; 4,4'-bis[(4-anilino-6-morphilino-s-triazine-2-yl)amino]2,2'- stilbenedisulfonic acid, sodium salt, commercially marketed under the tradename Tinopal-DMS-X and Tinopal AMS-GX by Ciba Geigy Corporation.

Fragrance

Preferably, the composition herein comprises (by weight) from 0.01 % to 10%, preferably from 0.1 % to 2% perfume. The perfume for use herein may be a spray-on perfume, an encapsulated perfume or a combination thereof. A typical perfume for use herein is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. US99/15666.

Stabilising Agent

In a preferred option hydrogen peroxide is present in the composition. Suitable stabilising agents include chelating agents, radical scavengers, antioxidants and mixtures of any thereof may be added to stabilise the hydrogen peroxide.

1. Chelating Agent

The compositions of the present invention may comprise a chelating agent or a mixture thereof as a preferred optional ingredient. Suitable chelating agents may be any of those known to those skilled in the art such as the ones selected from the group comprising phosphonate chelating agents, amino carboxylate chelating agents, other carboxylate chelating agents, polyfunctionally-substituted aromatic chelating agents, ethylenediamine N,N'-disuccinic acids, or mixtures thereof. The chelating agents inactivate the metal ions present on the surface of the fabrics and/or in the cleaning compositions (neat or diluted) that otherwise would contribute to the radical decomposition of any peroxygen bleach.

Suitable phosphonate chelating agents to be used herein may include alkali metal ethane 1-hydroxy diphosphonates (HEDP) also known as ethydronic acid, alkylene poly (alkylene phosphonate), as well as amino phosphonate compounds, including amino aminotri(methylene phosphonic acid) (ATMP), nitrilo trimethylene phosphonates (NTP), ethylene diamine tetra methylene phosphonates, and diethylene triamine penta methylene phosphonates (DTPMP). The phosphonate compounds may be present either in their acid form or as salts of different cations on some or all of their acid functionalities. Preferred phosphonate chelating agents to be used herein are diethylene triamine penta methylene phosphonate (DTPMP) and ethane 1-hydroxy diphosphonate (HEDP or ethydronic acid). Such phosphonate chelating agents are commercially available from Monsanto under the trade name DEQUEST®.

Polyfunctionally-substituted aromatic chelating agents may also be useful in the compositions herein. See U.S. Pat. No. 3,812,044, issued May 21, 1974, to Connor et al. Preferred compounds of this type in acid form are dihydroxydisulfobenzenes such as 1,2- dihydroxy -3,5- disulfobenzene.

A preferred biodegradable chelating agent for use herein is ethylene diamine N,N'- disuccinic acid, or alkali metal, or alkaline earth, ammonium or substitutes ammonium salts thereof 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 is, for instance, commercially available under the tradename ssEDDS® from Palmer Research Laboratories.

Suitable amino carboxylates to be used herein include ethylene diamine tetra acetates, diethylene triamine pentaacetates, diethylene triamine pentaacetate (DTPA),N- hydroxyethylethylenediamine triacetates, nitrilotri- acetates, ethylenediamine tetrapropionates, triethylenetetraaminehexa- acetates, ethanol-diglycines, propylene diamine tetracetic acid (PDTA) and methyl glycine di-acetic acid (MGDA), both in their acid form, or in their alkali metal, ammomum, and substituted ammonium salt forms. Particularly suitable amino carboxylates to be used herein are diethylene triamine penta acetic acid, propylene diamine tetracetic acid (PDTA) which is, for instance, commercially available from BASF under the trade name Trilon FS® and methyl glycine di-acetic acid (MGDA).

Further carboxylate chelating agents to be used herein include salicylic acid, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glycine, malonic acid or mixtures thereof.

Particularly preferred chelating agents to be used herein are amino aminotri(methylene phosphonic acid), di-ethylene-triamino-pentaacetic acid, diethylene triamine penta methylene phosphonate, 1-hydroxy ethane diphosphonate, ethylenediamine N,N'- disuccinic acid, and mixtures thereof.

Typically, the compositions according to the present invention comprise up to 5%wt of the total composition of a chelating agent, or mixtures thereof, preferably from 0.005 to 10%wt, preferably from 0.01 to 5%wt, preferably 0.25 to 7.5%wt or 0.3 to 2.0%wt.

2. Radical Scavenger

The compositions of the present invention may comprise a radical scavenger or a mixture thereof. Suitable radical scavengers for use herein include the well-known substituted mono and dihydroxy benzenes and their analogs, alkyl and aryl carboxylates and mixtures thereof. Preferred such radical scavengers for use herein include di-tert-butyl hydroxy toluene (BHT), hydroquinone, di-tert-butyl hydroquinone, mono- tert-butyl hydroquinone, tert-butyl-hydroxy anysole, benzoic acid, toluic acid, catechol, t-butyl catechol, benzylamine, l,l,3-tris(2-methyl-4- hydroxy-5-t-butylphenyl) butane, n-propyl- gallate or mixtures thereof and highly preferred is di-tert-butyl hydroxy toluene. Such radical scavengers like N-propyl-gallate may be commercially available from Nipa Laboratories under the trade name Nipanox SI®. Radical scavengers when used, are typically present herein in amounts ranging from up to 10%w/v of the total composition and preferably from 0.001 to 0.5%w/v.

3. Antioxidant The compositions according to the present invention may further comprise an antioxidant or mixtures thereof. Typically, the compositions herein comprise up to 10% by weight of the total composition of an antioxidant or mixtures thereof, preferably from 0.002 to 5%w/v, more preferably from 0.005 to 2%w/v, and most preferably from 0.01 to l%w/v.

Suitable antioxidants to be used herein include organic acids like citric acid, ascorbic acid, tartaric acid, adipic acid and sorbic acid, or amines like lecithin, or aminoacids like glutamine, methionine and cysteine, or esters like ascorbil paimitate, ascorbil stearate and triethylcitrate, or mixtures thereof. Preferred antioxidants for use herein are citric acid, ascorbic acid, ascorbil paimitate, lecithin or mixtures thereof.

Such stabilising agent(s) may be present typically in an amount of 0 to 8 %wt, ideally 0.5 to 6 %wt.

Other components

The overall composition of the dispenser or each of the first and/or second aqueous compositions may further contain up to 25, 20, 15, 10, 5 or l%wt of at least one component selected from enzyme, optical brightener, preservative, fragrance and dye.

Additional components include; inorganic salt, solvent, dye transfer inhibitors, water- soluble polymers, neutralizing agents, buffering agents, phase regulants, hydrotropes, enzyme stabilizing agents, opacifiers, and photo-bleaches.

Water

Water may be present in the overall composition of the dispenser in an amount of at least 50%wt, more preferably at least 60%wt of the composition or 0 to up to 95%wt, preferably, 30 to 90%wt or 50 to 87%wt, more preferably, 55 to 80%wt or 65 to 80%wt, for example. Suitable inorganic salts include metal oxides and halides, such as calcium chloride, for example.

Suitable buffers include borate buffers, for example.

Preferably the composition in the form of a stain pretreating composition which is applied onto a fabric item prior to it being washed. The composition is packaged in suitable packaging to facilitate application of the composition to the fabric. The packaging could comprise, a squeezy bottle, a roller ball applicator or a spray device. An item of packaging containing the composition may constitute a further aspect of the invention, especially where the packaging item is transparent, given the light stability of the product. Preferably the packaging item is transparent. A feature of the invention is that transparent packaging items do not need to have included a UV filter.

A further feature of the invention is a method of treating stains on fabric which method comprises applying a composition as described herein to the stained fabric.

The invention is illustrated by the following examples

Claims

1. A composition comprising:

an ethoxylated aliphatic phosphono compound of formula (I)

(HO)₍₃-_m)OP(R-(CH₂-CH₂-O)_n-R¹ )_ra or

(HO)₍₃-_m)OP(O-(CH₂-CH₂-O)_n-R¹ )_m or

(HO)₍₃-_m)OP(O-R¹-(CH₂-CH₂-O)_n-H )_m

wherein each n is independently an integer from 1 to 10; each R is independently a 1-14C alkylene or alkenylene chain; and R¹ is 1-14C alkyl or alkenyl chain, provided that the total number of carbons in R and R¹ does not exceed 20, preferably less than 16;

at least one additional detersive surfactant;

up to 25%o by weight of one or more minor ingredients selected from; enzyme, optical brightener, preservative, fragrance and dye; and

water.

2. A composition comprising

3. A composition as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the composition additionally comprises 0.1% to 15% by weight of the total composition of active oxygen.

4. A composition as claimed in either any claim from 1 to 3, wherein additional detersive surfactants are present which comprises a mixture of at least one anionic and at least one nonionic surfactant.

5. A composition as claimed in either any claim from 1 to 4, wherein up to 15% by weight of one or more minor ingredients selected from; enzyme, optical brightener, preservative, fragrance and dye

6. A transparent packaging item containing a composition as claimed in any claim from 1 to 4.

7. A method of cleaning fabric which method comprises applying a composition as claimed in any claim from 1 to 4 to the fabric.