WO2018114451A1

WO2018114451A1 - Redeposition inhibition when washing laundry

Info

Publication number: WO2018114451A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/082332
Authority: WO
Inventors: Arnd Kessler; Slavoljub Barackov; Christian Nitsch
Original assignee: Henkel Ag & Co. Kgaa
Priority date: 2016-12-23
Filing date: 2017-12-12
Publication date: 2018-06-28
Also published as: DE102016015429A1

Abstract

The aim of the invention is to reduce redeposition of soil on and discoloration of fabrics that are washed multiple times, especially at low temperatures. Said aim is achieved essentially by using ethylene glycol or propylene glycol polymers or copolymers thereof during the rinsing cycle in laundering processes carried out in washing machines.

Description

Graying inhibition when washing clothes

The present invention relates to a process for reducing the graying of multi-washed textiles.

The graying of laundry after repeated washing is a well-known phenomenon. White textiles become gray and unsightly by repeated washing. From a consumer point of view, graying is a creeping process that makes textiles useless over time and that seems unable to stop them. The value retention of textiles is of interest, so that one tries to prevent the progression of the graying. The graying of laundry is caused by the deposition and storage of finest dirt particles from the wash liquor. Decisive for the tendency to deposit particles from a wash liquor is the so-called soil-carrying capacity of the liquor. The soil-carrying capacity depends on the soil concentration and the presence of builders and additives for soil dispersion, so-called grayness inhibitors. The volume of water that is available during a wash in the main wash is lower in modern washing machines than in earlier washing machines. On the one hand, the device manufacturers are trying to build more and more economical devices. This is usually accompanied by the reduction in the volume of water that is available in the main wash, because less water must be heated and the energy consumption is lower. On the other hand, legal regulations such as the EU Energy Label mean that economical and efficient machines are preferred. The lower the volume of water, especially the free - not bound to the textile - volume of water, the higher the concentration of dirt in the wash liquor. With increasing dirt concentration, the demands on the detergent increase

Soil carrying ability.

Graying inhibitors have the task of keeping the fabric removed from the fiber during washing of the fiber suspended in the liquor and thus prevent the re-raising of the dirt on the textile. Water-soluble colloids of mostly organic nature are suitable for this purpose, for example glue, gelatine, salts of ether sulfonic acids or cellulose or salts of acidic sulfuric acid esters of cellulose or starch. Also, water-soluble polyamides containing acidic groups are suitable for this purpose. Furthermore, can be soluble Starch preparations and starch products other than those mentioned above, for example degraded starch, aldehyde starches, etc. Polyvinylpyrrolidone is also useful. Cellulose ethers such as carboxymethylcellulose (Na salt), methylcellulose, hydroxyalkylcellulose and mixed ethers such as methylhydroxyethylcellulose, methylhydroxypropylcellulose, methylcarboxymethylcellulose and mixtures thereof are also frequently used in amounts of normally 0.1 to 5% by weight, based on the detergent. In order for such grayness inhibitors to be effective, they must be present during the actual washing process (in the case of a mechanical washing process during the so-called main wash cycle) and are incorporated therein as constituents of detergents.

Surprisingly, it has now been found that the presence of certain polyglycol ethers in the rinsing step of mechanical washing processes has an influence on the graying behavior of laundry.

The invention relates to the use of at least one polymer of ethylene glycol or propylene glycol or a copolymer of these in the rinsing step machine washing process to reduce the graying of textiles after their multiple wash.

The graying-reducing effect of the polymers is not discernible after a single washing, but the application of the polymer in the rinsing step causes the laundry to become less gray during subsequent and subsequent washing than in the absence of the polymer in the rinse step of the first wash. It is noteworthy that the graying-reducing effect already occurs when the polymer is not used in the rinsing step of each washing operation, but only during the first washing process, and yet shows the graying-inhibiting effect of the polymer over at least 10, preferably at least 20, subsequent washing operations in which it does not is used. A further advantage of the polymers mentioned is that their use not only contributes to a lower build-up of dark material on the laundry, which leads to graying, but also to the lower adhesion of dyes washed out of dyed textiles to undyed or differently colored items of laundry. Another object of the invention is therefore the use of at least one polymer of ethylene glycol or propylene glycol or a copolymer of these in the rinse step mechanical washing process to reduce the impression of color change of textiles after their multiple wash.

Further objects of the invention are a method for reducing the graying and / or reducing the impression of color change of textiles after their multiple washings, comprising a) washing soiled textiles in an aqueous wash-containing wash liquor, b) rinsing one or more times Textiles with water and c) at least rinsing with an aqueous aftertreatment liquor and repeating steps a) to c) several times, the aqueous aftertreatment liquor containing at least one polymer of ethylene glycol or propylene glycol or a copolymer of laundry aftertreatment agent containing them when step c) is passed through for the first time. Between the repetitive operations, the carrying cycle of the garment slides, the duration between the repetitive operations depending on the type of textile, the wearer and the degree of soiling and can be chosen freely by the person wearing the textile. Preferably, the steps a) to c) are repeated 1 to 50 times, in particular 5 times to 20 times, without using the polymer essential to the invention, and only in the subsequent washing process, the polymer essential to the invention again in the rinsing step.

Particularly pronounced is the effect of said polymer when washing at low temperatures. In preferred embodiments of inventive uses and methods of the invention, therefore, the multiple wash at wash temperatures below 60 ° C, preferably at wash temperatures below 45 ° C is performed.

According to the invention, it is important that in the rinsing step, preferably in the last rinsing step, if there is more than one, said polymer is present in the aqueous liquor in which the textiles are located. Between washing and rinsing step, the aqueous wash liquor, usually by pumping out of the washing machine out. As a result of the rinsing step, the part of the aqueous liquor still adhering to the textile, which had previously come into contact with the textile in the washing step, is removed from the textile. This is done by rinsing the textiles one or more times with water, wherein an aftertreatment agent, for example a softener, can be added to the aqueous rinse liquor used in the rinsing step or in one of the rinsing steps. Such fabric softeners usually contain cationic compounds that attract the textiles and give them a soft feel. Laundry aftertreatment means according to the invention may consist solely of polymers essential to the invention, in particular if these polymers are liquid at room temperature; they may have polymer essential to the invention in the form of an aqueous solution, and / or they may, if desired, contain other conventional constituents of such agents which do not undesirably interact with a polymer essential to the invention. Preferred laundry aftertreatment agents used in the invention contain from 50% to 95%, in particular from 80% to 95%, by weight of polymer of ethylene glycol or propylene glycol or a copolymer thereof; Also preferred wash aftertreatment agents are water-containing and liquid and contain 1% by weight to 90% by weight, in particular 10% by weight to 50% by weight, of polymer essential to the invention. Preferably, the time during which the aqueous post-treatment liquor containing the polymer essential to the invention remains in contact with the laundering textiles is in the range from 1 minute to 60 minutes, in particular from 5 minutes to 20 minutes. The concentration of inventions Substantially essential polymer in the aqueous aftertreatment liquor is preferably in the range from 0.02 g / l to 1 g / l, in particular from 0.1 g / l to 0.5 g / l.

A polymer essential to the invention or a rinse aid containing it can be introduced into a washing machine with the aid of a customary flushing device provided for dispensing fabric softeners. In a preferred embodiment, however, it is in a connected via a supply line with the water-bearing units of the washing machine reservoir, which may be located inside or outside the machine, before, and is dosed programmatically in Nachspülschritt. Another object of the invention is therefore a washing machine with a tub, a laundry drum for receiving the laundry to be washed, a water supply system and a program control, which is characterized in that the washing machine is a reservoir for a polymer of ethylene glycol or propylene glycol or a copolymer thereof has, from which the said active ingredient can be introduced so programmatically in the Nachspülschritt the washing process that he does not have to come with every wash cycle used. Polymer essential to the invention can be supplied directly to the suds container or, alternatively, be supplied to other locations of the liquid circuit of the machine, for example the circulation pump. In the reservoir, sufficient quantities of polymer essential to the invention may be present for a plurality of applications, preferably 2 to 50 applications. In the reservoir, a Wasschenachbehandlungsmittel containing inventive polymer may be included. Preferably, the polymer essential to the invention is present in the storage container in the form of an aqueous solution containing from 10% by weight to 50% by weight, in particular from 20% by weight to 40% by weight, of the polymer.

According to the invention, a polymer of ethylene glycol or propylene glycol or a copolymer of these is used; preferred propylene glycol is 1,2-propylene glycol. Preferably, polyethylene glycol having a number average molecular weight in the range from 300 g / mol to 35000 gmol, in particular 4000 g / mol to 6000 g / mol, and / or polypropylene glycol having a number average molecular weight in the range from 250 g / mol to 5000 g mol, in particular 1500 g / mol to 2500 g / mol used. In the copolymers, the weight ratio of propylene glycol to ethylene glycol in the copolymers is preferably in the range of 10:90 to 90:10, especially 60:40 to 80:20. In the copolymers, said monomers may be randomized or present as blocks. Preference is given to copolymers in which polyethylene glycol blocks are fused to a central polypropylene glycol block. In these, the molecular weight of the central polypropylene glycol block is preferably in the range of 1000 g / mol to 5000 g / mol, more preferably 1500 g / mol to 2700 g / mol, and the molecular weight of each polyethylene glycol block bonded thereto is in the range of 100 g / mol to 6000 g / mol, in particular from 500 g / mol to 3500 g / mol. Such block copolymers are, for example, under the names Pluronic® PE in Trade available. The content of polymer of ethylene glycol or propylene glycol or copolymer thereof in the laundry after-treatment agent used according to the invention can if desired up to 50 wt .-%, preferably 1 wt .-% to 15 wt .-%, and in particular 2 wt .-% to 10 Wt .-% amount.

It is preferable to use 0.1 g to 10 g, in particular 0.5 g to 2.5 g, of polymer essential to the invention per 1 kg of textile.

The material of the textiles to which the use according to the invention refers or which are used in the process according to the invention is not critical. The effect caused by the invention occurs both in laundry from proteinaceous materials such as silk and wool, from cellulosic materials such as cotton, regenerated cellulose fibers such as modal or lyocel, as well as those of synthetic materials such as polyester and polyamide, and such from blended fabrics of at least two different materials.

All percentages given in connection with the compositions described herein, unless otherwise stated, are by weight, in each case based on the composition in question.

Laundry aftertreatment compositions which contain or are used together with the polymer to be used according to the invention or are used in the process according to the invention are solid or preferably liquid and may for example be present as a single dose (for example packaged in bags of water-soluble or water-dispersible material). Examples of concrete laundry aftertreatment agents are laundry care products such as fabric softeners. Laundry aftertreatment means according to the invention may consist solely of polymers essential to the invention, in particular if they are liquid at room temperature, have polymer essential to the invention in the form of an aqueous solution, or, if desired, contain conventional other constituents of such agents which do not interact undesirably with polymer essential to the invention.

In one embodiment of the invention, the preparations used as aftertreatment agents can be designed as a laundry care product and then contain additional plasticizer components, preferably betaines and / or cationic surfactants. Examples of fabric softening components are quaternary ammonium compounds, cationic polymers and emulsifiers, such as those used in hair care products and also in textile saliva.

Suitable examples are quaternary ammonium compounds of the formulas (I) and (II),

wherein in (I) R and R is an acyclic alkyl radical having 12 to 24 carbon atoms, R ^{2 is} a saturated C ¹ -C ⁴ alkyl or hydroxyalkyl radical, R ^{3 is} either R, R or R ² or is an aromatic radical. X ^" is either a halide, methosulfate, methophosphate or phosphate ion and mixtures of these Examples of cationic compounds of the formula (I) are didecyldimethylammonium chloride, ditallowdimethylammonium chloride or dihexadecylammonium chloride.

Compounds of formula (II) are so-called ester quats. Esterquats are characterized by their good biodegradability and are preferred in the context of the present invention. Here, R ^{4 is} an aliphatic alkyl radical having 12 to 22 carbon atoms with 0, 1, 2 or 3 double bonds; R ⁵ is H, OH or 0 (CO) R ⁷ , R ⁶ is independently of R ^{5 is} H, OH or 0 (CO) R ⁸ , wherein R ⁷ and R ⁸ are each independently an aliphatic alkyl radical having 12 to 22 carbon atoms having 0, 1, 2 or 3 double bonds, m, n and p may each independently have the value 1, 2 or 3 have. X ^" can be either a halide, methosulfate, methophosphate or phosphate ion and mixtures thereof Preferred compounds are those for R ^5, the group 0 (CO) R ⁷ and for R ⁴ and R ^{7 are} alkyl radicals having 16 to 18 carbon atoms Particular preference is given to compounds in which R ⁶ additionally represents OH. Examples of compounds of the formula (III) are methyl N- (2-hydroxyethyl) -N, N-di (tallowacyl oxyethyl) ammonium methosulfate, bis - (palmitoyl) -ethyl-hydroxyethyl-methyl-ammonium methosulfate or methyl-N, N-bis (acyloxyethyl) -N- (2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium methosulfate.

In a preferred embodiment, the agents contain the plasticizer components in amounts of up to 35% by weight, preferably from 0.1 to 25% by weight, more preferably from 0.5 to 15% by weight and in particular from 1 to 10% by weight .-%, in each case based on the total agent.

Solvents that can be used in particular for liquid agents are, in addition to water, preferably those nonaqueous solvents which are water-miscible. These include the lower alcohols, for example, ethanol, propanol, iso-propanol, and the isomeric butanols, glycerol, lower glycols, such as ethylene and propylene glycol, and the ether derivable from said lower alcohols. In a preferred embodiment, the agents contain up to 95 wt .-%, in particular 25 wt .-% to 90 wt .-% water, and up to 50 wt .-%, in particular 0, 1 wt .-% to 15 wt. % non-aqueous solvent. In addition to the aforementioned components, the agents may contain pearlescing agents. Pearlescent agents give the textiles an extra shine. Examples of suitable pearlescing agents are: alkylene glycol esters; fatty acid; partial glycerides; Esters of polybasic, optionally hydroxy-substituted carboxylic acids with fatty alcohols having 6 to 22 carbon atoms; Fatty substances, such as, for example, fatty alcohols, fatty ketones, fatty aldehydes, fatty ethers and fatty carbonates, which in total have at least 24 carbon atoms; Ring opening products of olefin epoxides having 12 to 22 carbon atoms with fatty alcohols having 12 to 22 carbon atoms, fatty acids and / or polyols having 2 to 15 carbon atoms and 2 to 10 hydroxyl groups and mixtures thereof.

Furthermore, liquid agents may additionally contain thickeners. In order to increase consumer acceptance, the use of thickening agents has proved particularly useful in the case of gel-like compositions. Naturally derived polymers which can be used as thickening agents are, for example, agar-agar, carrageenan, tragacanth, gum arabic, alginates, pectins, polyoses, guar flour, locust bean gum, starch, dextrins, gelatin and casein, cellulose derivatives such as Carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl and propyl cellulose, and polymeric polysaccharide thickeners such as xanthan; In addition, fully synthetic polymers such as polyacrylic and polymethacrylic compounds, vinyl polymers, polycarboxylic acids, polyethers, polyimines, polyamides and polyurethanes are also suitable. In a preferred embodiment, the agents used according to the invention comprise thickeners, preferably in amounts of up to 10% by weight, more preferably up to 5% by weight, in particular from 0.1% by weight to 1% by weight, in each case based on the total mean.

Furthermore, the compositions may contain odor absorbers and / or, if desired, additional color transfer inhibitors. In preferred embodiments, the agents are indeed free of additional color transfer inhibitor, but may optionally 0, 1 wt .-% to 2 wt .-%, in particular 0.2 wt .-% to 1 wt .-% dye transfer inhibitor, which then preferably a polymer is vinylpyrrolidone, vinylimidazole, vinylpyridine N-oxide or a copolymer of these. Useful are, for example, polyvinylpyrrolidones having molecular weights of from 15,000 to 50,000 as well as polyvinylpyrrolidones having molecular weights of more than 1,000,000, in particular from 1,500,000 to 4,000,000, N-vinylimidazole / N-vinylpyrrolidone copolymers, polyvinyl oxazolidones, copolymers based on vinyl monomers and carboxamides, polyesters and polyamides containing pyrrolidone groups, grafted polyamidoamines, polyamine N-oxide polymers, polyvinyl alcohols and copolymers based on acrylamidoalkenylsulfonic acids. Among the copolymers are those of vinylpyrrolidone and vinylimidazole in a molar ratio of 5: 1 to 1: 1 with an average weight average molecular weight in the range of 5,000 g / mol to 50,000 g / mol, in particular 10,000 g / mol to 20,000 g / mol prefers. Preferred deodorizing substances are metal salts of an unbranched or branched, unsaturated or saturated, mono- or polyhydroxylated fatty acid having at least 16 carbon atoms and / or a rosin acid with the exception of the alkali metal salts and any desired mixtures thereof. A particularly preferred unbranched or branched, unsaturated or saturated, mono- or polyhydroxylated fatty acid having at least 16 carbon atoms is ricinoleic acid. A particularly preferred rosin acid is abietic acid. Preferred metals are the transition metals and the lanthanides, in particular the transition metals of Groups VIII-a, Ib and IIb of the Periodic Table and lanthanum, cerium and neodymium, more preferably cobalt, nickel, copper and zinc, most preferably zinc. The cobalt, nickel and copper salts and the zinc salts are similarly effective, but for toxicological reasons, the zinc salts are to be preferred. It is advantageous and therefore particularly preferred to use as deodorizing substances one or more metal salts of ricinoleic acid and / or abietic acid, preferably zinc ricinoleate and / or zinc abietate, in particular zinc ricinoleate. Cyclodextrins, as well as mixtures of the abovementioned metal salts with cyclodextrin, preferably in a weight ratio of from 1:10 to 10: 1, particularly preferably from 1: 5 to 5: 1 and in particular from 1, also prove to be suitable further deodorizing substances in the sense of the invention. 3 to 3: 1. The term "cyclodextrin" includes all known cyclodextrins, that is, both unsubstituted cyclodextrins with 6 to 12 glucose units, in particular alpha-, beta- and gamma-cyclodextrins and their mixtures and / or derivatives thereof and / or their mixtures.

Liquid or pasty compositions in the form of common solvents, in particular water, containing solutions are usually prepared by simply mixing the ingredients, which can be added in bulk or as a solution in an automatic mixer.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the agents are present, preferably in liquid form, as a portion in a completely or partially water-soluble coating. Portioning makes it easier for the consumer to dose. In this embodiment, the water content of the aftertreatment agent is preferably less than 15 wt .-% and is in particular in the range of 1 wt .-% to 12 wt .-%.

The funds can be packed, for example, in foil bags. Pouches made of water-soluble film make it unnecessary for the consumer to tear open the packaging. In this way, a convenient dosing of a single, sized for a wash portion by inserting the bag directly into the washing machine or by throwing the bag into a certain amount of water, for example in a bucket, a bowl or hand basin, possible. The film bag surrounding the washing portion dissolves without residue when it reaches a certain temperature. There are numerous processes in the prior art for producing water-soluble detergent portions, which are basically also useful in the context of the present invention. The best known methods are the tubular film processes with horizontal and vertical sealing seams. Also suitable for the production of film bags or dimensionally stable detergent portions is the thermoforming process (thermoforming process). However, the water-soluble envelopes do not necessarily consist of a film material, but can also represent dimensionally stable containers that can be obtained for example by means of an injection molding process.

Furthermore, methods for producing water-soluble capsules of polyvinyl alcohol or gelatin are known, which in principle offer the possibility to provide capsules with a high degree of filling. The methods are based on introducing the water-soluble polymer into a shaping cavity. The filling and sealing of the capsules takes place either synchronously or in successive steps, in which case the filling of the capsules takes place through a small opening in the latter case. The capsules are filled, for example, by a filling wedge, which is arranged above two drums rotating against each other, which have spherical half-shells on their surface. The drums carry polymer belts that cover the ball half-shell cavities. At the positions where the polymer band of one drum coincides with the polymer tape of the opposite drum, a seal takes place. In parallel, the filling material is injected into the forming capsule, wherein the injection pressure of the filling liquid presses the polymer bands in the Kugelhalbschalenkavitäten. A process for the preparation of water-soluble capsules, in which initially the filling and then the sealing takes place, is based on the so-called Bottle-Pack ^® method. In this case, a tubular preform is guided into a two-part cavity. The cavity is closed, the lower tube portion is sealed, then the tube is inflated to form the capsule shape in the cavity, filled and finally sealed.

The shell material used for the preparation of the water-soluble portion is preferably a water-soluble polymeric thermoplastic, more preferably selected from the group (optionally partially acetalized) polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyethylene oxide, gelatin, cellulose and derivatives thereof, starch and derivatives thereof , Blends and composites, inorganic salts and mixtures of the materials mentioned, preferably hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and / or polyvinyl alcohol blends. Polyvinyl alcohols are commercially available, for example under the trade name Mowiol ^® (Clariant). In the present invention, particularly suitable polyvinyl alcohols are, for example, Mowiol ^® 3-83, Mowiol ^® 4-88, Mowiol ^® 5-88, Mowiol ^® 8-88 and Clariant L648. The water-soluble thermoplastic used to prepare the portion may additionally optionally comprise polymers selected from the group comprising acrylic acid-containing polymers, polyacrylamides, oxazoline polymers, polystyrenes, Rolsulfonate, polyurethanes, polyesters, polyethers and / or mixtures of the above polymers. It is preferred if the water-soluble thermoplastic used comprises a polyvinyl alcohol whose degree of hydrolysis makes up 70 to 100 mol%, preferably 80 to 90 mol%, particularly preferably 81 to 89 mol% and in particular 82 to 88 mol%. It is further preferred that the water-soluble thermoplastic used comprises a polyvinyl alcohol whose molecular weight is in the range from 10 000 to 100 000 gmol / preferably from 1 1 .000 to 90 000 gmol / more preferably from 12 000 to 80 000 gmol ^-1 and especially from 13 000 to 70 000 gmol ^{. 1} lies. It is further preferred if the thermoplastics are used in amounts of at least 50% by weight, preferably of at least 70% by weight, more preferably of at least 80% by weight and in particular of at least 90% by weight, based in each case on the weight the water-soluble polymeric thermoplastic.

Examples

A washing machine LG F1494QD was loaded with the test textiles listed in Tables 1 and 2 below and about 5.25 kg of a laundry load according to DIN EN 60456, which, in a modification to the standard, was not layered, but simply stuffed. The cotton was washed at 40 ° C (program run time approx. 180 minutes) using a commercially available gel-form universal detergent (dosage 73 ml, addition in the main wash cycle via the dosing drawer). 5 g of polyethylene glycol 6000 dissolved in 95 g of deionized water were fed via the softener dosing compartment; The timing of the dosage was the responsibility of the machine, but was reliable at the beginning of the final rinse with the water inlet instead. The batch of laundry treated in this way and, for comparison, an untreated, untreated laundry item were washed 10 or 20 times in a cotton washing machine at 40 ° C. in a cotton washing cycle at 40 ° C. (program duration approximately 150 minutes) using the same commercial gel-form universal detergent (dosage 73 ml). 30 g of liquid standardized soil (SBL2004, wfk Testgewebe GmbH) were added at the beginning of each main wash cycle.

The evaluation of the grayness inhibition and the color change was carried out by photometric determination of the Ay and AE value of the treated and untreated textiles. The non-washed original fabric was used as a reference for the AE value. The textiles to be tested were measured from both sides at 5 measuring points each (corner points and center of a square surface). Thus, for each test textile, there were 10 measuring points whose individual values were averaged for a total value for the differences in brightness differences AAy between the inventively treated and untreated textile before and after the washes and at a total value for the color difference ΔΕ between the textiles after and before the washes were. It is for the human observer in color differences of 0.0 to 0.5 no to almost no difference, from 0.5 to 1, 0 a noticeable to the trained eye difference, from 1, 0 to 2.0 an almost imperceptible difference in color , from 2.0 to 4.0 a perceived color difference, from 4.0 to 5.0 given a distinct color difference; a difference above 5.0 is rated as a different color. Table 1: Brightness difference differences

It can be seen that the one-time treatment according to the invention leads to significantly less graying. Table 2: Color differences

It can be seen that the one-time treatment according to the invention leads to a significantly lower discoloration.

Claims

claims

1. Use of at least one polymer of ethylene glycol or propylene glycol or a copolymer thereof in the rinsing step mechanical washing process to reduce the graying of textiles after their multiple wash.

2. Use of at least one polymer of ethylene glycol or propylene glycol or a copolymer of these in the rinsing step mechanical washing process to reduce the impression of color change of textiles after their multiple wash.

3. A method for reducing the graying and / or reducing the impression of the color change of textiles after their multiple wash, comprising a) washing soiled fabrics in an aqueous wash-containing wash liquor, b) one or more rinsing the textiles with water and c ) rinsing with an aqueous aftertreatment liquor at least once and repeating steps a) to c), wherein the aqueous aftertreatment liquor contains at least one polymer of ethylene glycol or propylene glycol or a copolymer of laundry aftertreatment agent containing them when step c) is passed through for the first time.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that the steps a) to c) 1 to 50 times, in particular repeated 5 times to 20 times without using the polymer.

5. Use according to claim 1 or 2 or method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the multiple wash at wash temperatures below 60 ° C, preferably at wash temperatures below 45 ° C is performed.

6. Use or method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the polymer of ethylene glycol or propylene glycol or the copolymer thereof is used as part of a rinse aid, the 50 wt .-% to 95% by weight, in particular 80 wt. -% to 95 wt .-% of the polymer, or which is hydrous and liquid and 1 wt .-% to 90 wt .-%, in particular 10 wt .-% to 50 wt .-%, polymer of ethylene glycol, propylene glycol or copolymer of these.

7. Use or method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the time during which the aqueous aftertreatment liquor remains in contact with the washed textiles, in the range of 1 minute to 60 minutes, in particular from 5 minutes to 20 minutes.

8. Use or method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the concentration of polymer essential to the invention in the aqueous aftertreatment liquor in the range of 0.02 g / l to 1 g / l, in particular from 0, 1 g / l to 0, 5 g / l lies.

9. Washing machine with a tub, a washing drum for receiving the laundry to be washed, a water inlet system and a program control, characterized in that the washing machine has a reservoir for a polymer of ethylene glycol or propylene glycol or the copolymer of these, from which the polymer so programmatically in the rinse step of the washing process can be introduced that it does not have to be used in each wash cycle, wherein the polymer in the reservoir in the form of an aqueous solution containing preferably 10 wt% to 50 wt .-%, in particular 20 wt .-% to 40 wt .-% of the polymer, is present.

10. Use, method or washing machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the polyethylene glycol has a number average molecular weight in the range of 300 g / mol to 35000 gl mol, in particular 4000 g / mol to 6000 g / mol, and / or the polypropylene glycol has a number-average molecular weight in the range from 250 g / mol to 5000 gmol, in particular 1500 g / mol to 2500 g / mol, or in the copolymers the weight ratio of propylene glycol to ethylene glycol in the range from 10:90 to 90:10, especially from 60:40 to 80:20.