Hard surface cleaning composition

Abstract

 A cleaning composition comprising an alkyl ether amine and a surfactant having a pH of between 8.5 and 14 wherein the alkyl ether amine has the following formula, R1-O-R2-NH-R3, wherein R1 is an C1-11 alkyl, R2 is an C1-4 alkyl, and R3 is H, or an C1-4 alkyl, C1-4 alkanol, or C1-4 alkylamine, wherein R1, R2, and R3 alkyl are linear or branched. A method for cleaning a hard surface comprising treating the hard surface with an effective amount of such a cleaning composition. The use of such a cleaning composition against toughened greasy soil and as a surface pre-treatment composition.

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a cleaning composition for hard surfaces that is useful against tough soil especially greasy soil. The cleaning composition comprises specific alkyl ether amines that are very effective against toughened soil on hard surfaces.

Background

[0002] Surfaces in the household, such as in the kitchen and bathroom are cleaned regularly and various cleaning compositions for this are known. Many of these compositions are specifically suited for particular surfaces, e.g. for bathroom, and/or for specific stains and soils on these hard surfaces, e.g. calcium deposits or greasy soil.

[0003] A particular type of stain which is very hard to remove from a hard surface is an aged, dried or baked stain which is frequently the residues of cooking oils and greases. Oil stains and other greases are usually easy to remove when they are not hardened and/or dry, however when they are dried and hardened, e.g. by aging or baking, the stains are particularly difficult to remove.

[0004] WO97/44427 discloses an alkaline aqueous hard surface cleaning composition which exhibits good cleaning efficacy against hardened, dried or baked greasy soil deposits. The composition comprises non-ionic surfactants based on amine oxides, chelating agents, caustic and a glycol ether solvent system comprising one glycol ether or glycol ether acetate solvent having a solubility in water of not more than 20 wt%, and a second glycol ether or glycol ether acetate having a solubility of approximately 100 wt%, wherein the ratio of the former and latter is from 0.5:1 to 1.5:1 and other optional ingredients. The compositions comprise no anionic or cationic surfactants.

[0005] The drawback of these compositions is that they require many ingredients among which are at least two different glycol ether compounds. Furthermore it was found that the addition of anionic or cationic surfactants to these composition decreases the cleaning properties.

[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a cleaning composition that is effective against toughened greasy soil. Another object of the invention is a cleaning composition that requires less effort in the cleaning task. Another object of the invention is the provision of a cleaning composition that has a simple formulation, does not require many ingredients and is easy to formulate. A further object of the invention is the provision of a cleaning composition that does not require a glycol ether system. Yet another object of the invention is the provision of a cleaning composition that may contain anionic and/or cationic surfactants.

[0007] One or more of the above mentioned objects are attained by a cleaning composition comprising an alkyl ether amine and a surfactant having a pH of between 8.5 and 14 wherein the alkyl ether amine has the following formula

         R1-0-R2-NH-R3

wherein R1 is an C1-11 alkyl, R2 is an C1-4 alkyl, and R3 is H, or an C1-4 alkyl, C1-4 alkanol, or C1-4 alkylamine, wherein R1, R2, and R3 alkyl are linear or branched.

[0008] Alkyl ether amines are known in the art. For example US 5,871,590 discloses touchless car wash compositions comprising alkyl ether amines or diamines. Preferred alkyl ether amines are alkyl ether amines wherein the alkyl is longer than 12 carbon atoms. Furthermore the pH is preferably neutral.

Detailed description

[0009] The present invention relates to a cleaning composition comprising an alkyl ether amine having the formula R1-O-R2-NH-R3.

[0010] R1 is a C1-11 alkyl, meaning an alkyl having 1 to 11 carbon atoms, for example methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, or undecyl wherein the alkyl may be linear or branched. Examples of branched alkyls are iso-propyl and iso-butyl. Preferably R1 is a C2-10 alkyl, such as selected from the group comprising ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, and decyl. More preferably R1 is a C4-8 alkyl or selected from the group comprising, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, and octyl. Most preferred R1 is C6, a hexyl. Preferably R1 is linear.

[0011] R2 is an C1-4 alkyl, meaning an alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, for example methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, wherein the alkyl may be linear or branched. Examples of branched alkyls are iso-propyl and iso-butyl. Preferably R2 is a C2-4 alkyl, such as ethyl, propyl, or butyl. Most preferred R2 is propyl. Preferably R2 is linear.

[0012] R3 is H, C1-4 alkyl, C1-4 alkanol, or C1-4 alkylamine. C1-4 alkyl, meaning an alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, for example methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, wherein the alkyl may be linear or branched. Examples of branched alkyls are iso-propyl and iso-butyl. Preferably R3 is linear. Most preferably R3 is a C1 or C2 i.e. methyl or ethyl.

[0013] C1-4 alkanol meaning an alkanol having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, for example methanol, ethanol, propanol, butanol, wherein the alkanol may be linear or branched. Examples of branched alkanol are iso-propanol and iso-butanol. Preferably R3 is a C1-3 alkanol, such as methanol, ethanol or propanol. Preferably, if R3 is a C3 alkanol the alkyl is linear.
C1-4 alkylamine meaning an alkylamine having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, for example methylamine, ethylamine, propylamine, butylamine, wherein the alkylamine may be linear or branched. Examples of branched alkylamines are iso-propylamine and isobutylamine. Preferably R3 is a C1-3 alkylamine, such as methylamine, ethylamine or propylamine. Preferably if R3 is a C3 alkylamine the alkyl is linear.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the alkyl amine R1 is C4-6, R2 is propyl and R3 is H.

[0015] Suitably the alkyl ether amine is present in the cleaning composition of the present invention in an amount of from 0.2 to 20 wt%, more preferably from 0.5 to 10 wt%, most preferably from 1 to 5 wt%.

[0016] Suitable ether amines of the invention are available from Air Products under the trade name Tomamine, e.g. Tomamine PA-10, and from Huntsman under the trade name Surfonamine, e.g. Surfonamine MW781.

[0017] The cleaning composition according to the present invention also comprises a surfactant. The surfactant may be selected from the group consisting of non-ionic, anionic, cationic, amphoteric and zwitterionic surfactant and combinations thereof.

[0018] A suitable class of nonionic surfactants can be broadly described as compounds produced by the condensation of simple alkylene oxides, which are hydrophilic in nature, with an aliphatic or alkyl-aromatic hydrophobic compound having a reactive hydrogen atom. The length of the hydrophilic or polyoxyalkylene chain which is attached to any particular hydrophobic group can be readily adjusted to yield a compound having the desired balance between hydrophilic and hydrophobic elements. This enables the choice of nonionic surfactant with the right HLB.

[0019] Particular examples include:

• the condensation products of aliphatic alcohols having from 8 to 22 carbon atoms in either straight or branched chain configuration with ethylene oxide, such as a coconut alcohol/ethylene oxide condensate having from 2 to 15 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of coconut alcohol;
• condensates of alkylphenols having C6-C15 alkyl groups with 5 to 25 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alkylphenol;
• condensates of long chain aliphatic amines of C8-18 alkyl groups with 2 to 16 moles of ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide;
• condensates of the reaction product of ethylene-diamine and propylene oxide with ethylene oxide, the condensates containing from 40 to 80% of ethyleneoxy groups by weight and having a molecular weight of from 5,000 to 11,000.

[0020] Other classes of suitable nonionic surfactants are:

• alkyl polyglycosides, which are condensation products of long chain aliphatic alcohols of C6-18 alkyl groups and saccharides;
• tertiary amine oxides of structure R1R2R3NO, where R1 is an alkyl group of 8 to 20 carbon atoms and R2 and R3 are each alkyl or hydroxyalkyl groups of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, e.g. dimethyl-dodecylamine oxide;

• tertiary phosphine oxides of structure R1R2R3PO, where R1 is an alkyl group of 8 to 20 carbon atoms and R2 and R3 are each alkyl or hydroxyalkyl groups of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, for instance dimethyl-dodecylphosphine oxide;
• dialkyl sulphoxides of structure R1R2SO where R1 is an alkyl group of from 10 to 18 carbon atoms and R2 is methyl or ethyl, for instance methyl-tetradecyl sulphoxide;
• fatty acid alkylolamides, such as the mono- and diethanolamides or mono- and di-propanolamides, where the fatty acid is C8-18 alkyl;
• alkylene oxide condensates of fatty acid alkylolamides.

[0021] The nonionic surfactant in compositions of the invention may encompass mixtures of different types of nonionic surfactant.

[0022] Examples of suitable commercial nonionic surfactants are Neodols supplied by Shell Chemicals, Lutensols supplied by BASF, Glucopons supplied by Cognis, and Aromoxs supplied by Akzo Nobel.

[0023] Suitable synthetic (non-soap) anionic surfactants are water-soluble salts of organic sulphuric acid mono-esters and sulphonic acids which have in the molecular structure a branched or straight chain alkyl group containing from 6 to 22 carbon atoms in the alkyl part.

[0024] Examples of such anionic surfactants are water-soluble salts of:

• (primary) long chain (e.g. C6-22) alcohol sulphates (referred to as PAS), especially those obtained by sulphating the fatty alcohols produced by reducing the glycerides of tallow or coconut oil;
• alkyl benzene sulphonates, such as those in which the alkyl group contains from 6 to 20 carbon atoms;
• secondary alkanesulphonates;
• olefin sulphonates;
• alkyl sulphosuccinates;
  and mixtures thereof.

[0025] Also suitable as anionic surfactants are the salts of:

• alkylglyceryl ether sulphates, especially of the ethers of fatty alcohols derived from tallow and coconut oil;
• fatty acid monoglyceride sulphates;
• aliphatic alcohol ethylenoxy-ether sulphates containing 1-12 ethyleneoxy groups;
• alkylphenol ethylenoxy-ether sulphates with from 1 to 8 ethyleneoxy units per molecule and in which the alkyl groups contain from 4 to 14 carbon atoms;
• the reaction product of fatty acids esterified with isethionic acid and neutralised with alkali;
  and mixtures thereof.

[0026] The preferred water-soluble synthetic anionic surfactants are the alkali metal (such as sodium and potassium) and alkaline earth metal (such as calcium and magnesium) salts of alkylbenzenesulphonates and mixtures with olefinsulphonates and alkyl sulphates.

[0027] The most preferred anionic surfactants are alkyl-aromatic sulphonates such as alkylbenzenesulphonates containing from 6 to 20 carbon atoms in the alkyl group in a straight or branched chain, particular examples of which are sodium salts of alkylbenzenesulphonates or of alkyl-toluene-, -xylene- or -phenolsulphonates, alkylnaphthalene-sulphonates, ammonium diamylnaphthalene-sulphonate, and sodium dinonyl-naphthalene-sulphonate.

[0028] Examples of suitable commercial anionic surfactants are Marlons and Cosmacols supplied by Sasol, and Genapols and Hostapurs supplied by Clariant.

[0029] The compositions may contain amounts of both anionic and nonionic surfactants. Preferably the surfactants are chosen, bearing in mind the level of electrolyte if present, so as to provide a structured liquid detergent composition, i.e. one which is 'self-thickened'. Thus by choosing the right amounts of anionic and non-ionic surfactant, a thickened liquid cleaning compositions can be made without the need to employ any additional thickening agent and which nevertheless have a long shelf life over a wide temperature range.

[0030] The weight ratio of anionic surfactant to nonionic surfactant in such 'self-thickened' compositions may vary, and will depend on their nature, but is preferably in the range of from 20:1 to 1:10, more preferably from 15:1 to 1:5, and most preferably 10:1 to 1:2.

[0031] It is also possible to utilise cationic, amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants in the compositions according to the invention.

[0032] Examples of suitable cationic surfactants can be found among quaternary ammonium salts having one or two alkyl groups of from 8 to 20 carbon atoms or having one alkyl group of from 8 to 20 carbon atoms and an aryl group, such as a benzyl group. The C8-20 alkyl groups can be linear or branched, but are commonly linear. In such suitable cationic surfactants the valency of the quaternary ammonium group is satisfied by two or three short chain alkyl (e.g. methyl, ethyl) or substituted alkyl (e.g. hydroxyethyl) groups. Cationic surfactants having one C8-20 alkyl group are preferred. Cationic surfactants having one C10-16 alkyl group and no aryl group are most preferred.

[0033] Examples of suitable commercial cationic surfactants are Arquad C-35 supplied by Akzo Nobel and Praepagen HY supplied by Clariant.

[0034] Suitable amphoteric surfactants are derivatives of aliphatic secondary and tertiary amines containing an alkyl group of 8 to 20 carbon atoms and an aliphatic group substituted by an anionic water-solubilising group, for instance sodium 3-dodecylamino-propionate, sodium 3-dodecylaminopropane-sulphonate and sodium N-2-hydroxy-dodecyl-N-methyltaurate.

[0035] Examples of suitable zwitterionic surfactants may be found among derivatives of aliphatic quaternary ammonium, sulphonium and phosphonium compounds having an aliphatic group of from 8 to 18 carbon atoms and an aliphatic group substituted by an anionic water-solubilising group, for instance betaine and betaine derivatives such as alkyl betaine, in particular C12-16 alkyl betaine, 3-(N,N-dimethyl-N-hexadecylammonium)-propane-1-sulphonate betaine, 3-(dodecylmethyl-sulphonium)-propane-1-sulphonate betaine, 3-(cetylmethyl-phosphonium)-propane-1-sulphonate betaine and N,N-dimethyl-N-dodecyl-glycine. Other well known betaines are the alkylamidopropyl betaines e.g. those wherein the alkylamido group is derived from coconut oil fatty acids.

[0036] Examples of suitable commercial zwitterionic surfactants are Mirataine BET C supplied by Rhodia and Empigen BB supplied by Huntsman.

[0037] Further examples of suitable surfactants are compounds commonly used as surface-active agents given in the well-known textbooks: "Surface Active Agents" Vol.1, by Schwartz & Perry, Interscience 1949; "Surface Active Agents" Vol.2 by Schwartz, Perry & Berch, Interscience 1958; the current edition of "McCutcheon's Emulsifiers and Detergents" published by Manufacturing Confectioners Company; "Tenside-Taschenbuch", H. Stache, 2nd Edn., Carl Hauser Verlag, 1981.

[0038] Preferred surfactants are nonionic, cationic, amphoteric and zwitterionic surfactants. Anionic surfactants are least preferred.

[0039] Mixtures of surfactants can beneficially be used in compositions of the invention. Mixtures of nonionic surfactants and of nonionics with other surfactant types are preferred.

[0040] Preferably the surfactant is present in an amount of from 0.1 to 50 wt%, more preferably from 0.5 to 20 wt%, even more preferably from 1 to 15 wt% and most preferably from 2 to 10 wt%.

[0041] The pH of the present invention is preferably in the alkaline range, such as between 8.5 and 14. More preferably the pH is between 9 and 13 and most preferably between 10.5 and 12.

[0042] Compositions of the present invention may also optionally include small amounts of adjuvants and auxiliaries to optimise functional and aesthetic performance. Suitable adjuvants and auxiliaries are well-known to those skilled in the art and can include hydrotropes, chelants, rheology modifiers, fragrances, preservatives, biocides, etc. For example, high molecular weight natural or synthetic polymers may be included in the compositions to thicken compositions and to provide and maintain good contact of cleaning product with soil (cling) on vertical and inclined surfaces. Also, short chain alkanols, such as ethanol and isopropanol may be included to increase homogeneity and stability of compositions.

[0043] The present invention also provides for a method for cleaning a hard surface comprising treating the hard surface with an effective amount of a cleaning composition according to the invention and optionally rinsing the hard surface. Treating a surface with a cleaning composition can encompass various processes - treatment can encompass application of composition to the soil on the surface, following by scrubbing the soil and surface with a suitable implement, such as a cloth, a sponge, a pad, a scourer or a scraper. Alternatively, treatment can encompass application of composition to the soil on the surface, following by allowing the composition to soak into the soil for a suitable time prior to scrubbing the soil and surface.

[0044] Preferably the hard surface is allowed to soak in contact with the cleaning composition prior to an optionally rinsing step. The soaking time should be sufficient for softening and loosening the soil. The soaking time is dependent on the type of soil and the amount of soil, and may be determined by a skilled person. However for guidance, soaking times of 10 seconds to up to 1 hour or longer are suitable. For example for cleaning oven surfaces soaking times for 15-60 minutes are appropriate. For dishwash, soaking times of 10 to 30 minutes are more suitable.

[0045] Suitably the method of the invention is suitable for a hard surface which is selected from a group consisting of a kitchen surface, oven surface, grill surface or a dish surface.

[0046] In a particular embodiment the cleaning composition of the present invention is used against toughened greasy soil. Toughened greasy soil means oily soil or other soil comprising fat that is dried and/or baked or otherwise hardened.

[0047] Particularly useful is the cleaning composition according to the invention in a pre-treatment composition for a surface selected from the group comprising dishware, cookware, oven and grill surfaces.

Examples

EXAMPLE COMPOSITIONS

[0048] The ether amines of the invention can be used in the formulation of various types of cleaning compositions intended to deal with household soils. The ether amines of the invention can be used in the formulation of all purpose cleaners, kitchen cleaners, oven cleaners, grill cleaners, manual dishwash compositions, machine dishwash compositions, dishwash pre-treatment compositions, and in the formulation of any other type of cleaner intended to deal with tough oily soils.

[0049] The following non-limiting examples illustrate the types of compositions within which the ether amines of the invention can be used:

Table 1: All Purpose Cleaners

All Purpose Cleaner	Formula 1	Formula 2	Formula 3
Ingredient	%	%	%
Alcohol ethoxylate nonionic	-	2.1	1.6
Alkyl polyglycoside nonionic	1.2	-	-
Alkylbenzene sulphonate	1.0	-	-
sec-Alkane sulphonate anionic	-	-	3.0
Amine oxide nonionic	0.45	-	-
Quaternary ammonium cationic	-	0.6	-
Soap	-	-	0.5
Ether amine	2.0	1.6	3.2
Sodium carbonate	-	-	0.4
Sodium citrate	0.35	-	-
Sodium hydroxide	0.1	-	0.15
Hydrotrope	-	-	0.8
Polymer thickener	0.04	-	0.10
Soil-release polymer	0.15	-	-
Minors	present	present	present
pH	10.9	10.5	11.6

Table 2: Kitchen Cleaners

Kitchen Cleaner	Formula 1	Formula 2	Formula 3
Ingredient	%	%	%
Alcohol ethoxylate nonionic	4.0	0.4	3.2
Amine oxide nonionic	-	0.4	0.8
Alkyl sulphate anionic	-	0.4	-
Alkyl sulphosuccinate anionic	2.0	-	-
Soap	-	0.15	0.2
Ether amine	1.8	2.5	4.0
Sodium carbonate	0.5	-	0.4
Sodium citrate	-	0.8	0.4
Gum polymer thickener	0.05	-	0.11
Minors	present	present	present
pH	11.2	10.8	11.5

Table 3: Oven & Grill Cleaners

Oven Cleaner	Formula 1	Formula 2
Ingredient	%	%
Alcohol ethoxylate nonionic	0.4	-
Alkylbenzene sulphonate anionic	0.35	-
Alkylpolyglycoside nonionic	-	0.6
Ether amine	3.2	5.0
Sodium carbonate	1.5	-
Sodium hydroxide	1.0	1.5
Sodium silicate	-	0.2
Polymer thickener	0.35	1.8
Minors	present	present
pH	12.8	13.4

Table 4:Manual Dishwash Compositions

Hand Dishwash	Formula 1	Formula 2
Ingredient	%	%
Alcohol ethoxylate sulphate anionic	15.0	8.0
Alkyl benzene sulphonate	-	16.0
Alkyl sulphate anionic	7.5	-
Alcohol ethoxylate nonionic	4.0	-
Ether amine	1.5	0.8
Ethanol	2.0	4.0
Sodium hydrogen citrate	1.2	0.8
Hydrotrope	-	0.9
Minors	present	present
pH	8.8	8.4

Table 5:Machine Dishwash Compositions

Machine Dishwash Liquid	Formula 1	Formula 2
Ingredient	%	%
Alcohol ethoxylate/ propoxylate nonionic	0.5	0.5
Ether amine	6.0	5.0
Sodium silicate	5.0	30.0
Sodium polyphosphate	-	18.0
Sodium/potassium citrate	35.0	-
Polyacrylate	0.6	-
Enzymes	1.0	1.2
Minors	present	present
pH	-	-

Table 6:Dishwash Pre-treatment Compositions

Dish-wash Pre-treatment	Formula 1	Formula 2
Ingredient	%	%
Amine oxide nonionic	1.0	-
Alkylbenzene sulphonate anionic	-	1.3
Alcohol ethoxylate nonionic	-	0.9
Ether amine	6.0	5.0
Isopropanol	3.0	-
Limonene	-	0.9
Sodium carbonate	-	3.3
Sodium hydroxide	0.4	0.2
Synthetic polymer thickener	1.2	0.6
pH	12.8	11.5

[0050] The remainder of the compositions above is water. If needed, the pH is adjusted with hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide.

[0051] It should be understood that these compositions are only illustrative, and do not limit the use of the ether amines of the invention in a wide range of cleaning compositions that can be envisioned by a person skilled in the art.

[0052] It is expected that the ether amines and compositions of the invention will be most beneficial in specialist kitchen cleaners, in oven & grill cleaners and in dishware pre-treatment compositions where toughened greasy soil is a major component of the soil to be cleaned.

PERFORMANCE EXAMPLES

[0053] The following non-limiting examples further illustrate the tough soil cleaning benefits of the present invention.

Method for assessing cleaning of toughened oily soil

[0054] Dehydrated castor oil (DHCO) (John L Seaton & Co, Humberside, UK) is used as a model oily soil for the assessment and comparison of cleaning of compositions.

[0055] The basic steps in the methodology are:

• Pre-cleaning of test piece
• Application of a film of DHCO soil on test piece surface
• Heat treatment of surface to induce oxidative toughening of DHCO soil
• Cleaning of soiled surface under standard scrubbing conditions, using Abrasion Tester apparatus
• Expression of cleaning results (% Soil Removal), based on gravimetric analysis of soiled versus cleaned surface

Test Surface

[0056] Cleaning compositions are evaluated on 10.0 x 10.0 cm pieces of 304 grade brushed stainless steel. Test pieces are previously unused, and are pre-cleaned prior to use.

Pre-cleaning of Stainless Steel Test Surfaces

[0057] Test pieces are soaked for at least 1 hour in ∼17 % by weight potassium hydroxide in 50/50 % by weight aqueous methylated spirits to remove any surface contamination from the metalworking process, which might influence wetting of the surface by the DHCO soil. After soaking, surfaces are thoroughly rinsed in running tap water and allowed to dry naturally in air, stored vertically.

Soiling of Surfaces

[0058] The stainless steel tile is pre-weighed (to 4 decimal places). A 5.0 x 5.0 cm area in the centre of the stainless steel surface is marked out by a square of adhesive masking tape. 0.040 gram (+/-4 mg) of DHCO is applied to the central templated area of the surface and distributed over the 25cm² area of surface using a purpose-made spreader, to produce an even film of oil. The masking tape template is carefully removed and the soiled tile is reweighed.

Oxidative Toughening of DHCO Soil

[0059] To simulate the oxidative toughening that an unsaturated oil might experience on a cooker top, dishware, oven, etc., test surfaces are heated in an oven at 100°C for 60 minutes. Test surfaces are allowed to cool and equilibrate for at least 1 hour. The test surface is reweighed and the weight of aged oil (W _initial) calculated.

Cleaning

[0060] Cleaning by the composition under test is carried out in a Martindale Abrasion Tester apparatus (SDL International) over a fixed number of full lissajous figures (16 cycles), using a 1.5 cm diameter circle of non-woven cleaning cloth ('Ballerina', Unilever) attached to the cleaning head. By each full lissajous figure, the entire surface of the tile is cleaned once. The head has a total mass of 994 gram, applying a cleaning force of about 560 gram/cm² to the soiled test surface.

[0061] The soiled tile is fixed centrally in the Abrasion Tester's sample well and 20.0 gram cleaning composition under test is introduced. Immediately, the cleaning head is secured in place and the Abrasion Tester apparatus run for the required number of lissajous figures. The cleaned tile is removed and rinsed free from cleaning product and any loose soil under a running tap. The surface is allowed to dry, stored vertically, and then reweighed. The weight of any remaining DHCO soil (W _final) is calculated.

Calculation of Results

[0062] Cleaning performance of compositions is expressed as % Soil Removal, derived from the weights of the tiles at the different stages in the method:


where

W _initial = weight of aged DHCO, before cleaning

W _final = weight of residual DHCO, after cleaning

[0063] The outlined method is used in various experiments to demonstrate the superiority of the compositions of the invention.

Ingredients of Compositions Tested

[0064] 

91-8 = Neodol 91-8 nonionic ex Shell Chemicals

G-215 = Glucopon 215 CS nonionic ex Cognis

A-MCD = Aromox MCD-W amine oxide ex Akzo Nobel

LX28 = Empicol LX28 anionic ex Huntsman

C-35 = Arquad C-35 cationic ex Akzo Nobel

Na2CO3 = sodium carbonate

Cit = tri-sodium citrate

MW781 = Surfonamine MW781 ether amine ex Huntsman

PA-10L = Tomamine PA-10L ether amine ex Air Products

PA-1214 = Tomamine PA-1214 ether amine ex Air Products

PA-16 = Tomamine PA-16 ether amine ex Air Products

C4E2 = butyl digol glycol ether

C6E2 = hexyl carbitol glycol ether ex Dow Chemical

1) Compositions with Ether Amines of Varying (R1) Chain Length and comparison with Glycol Ethers

[0065] The benefit of compositions according to the invention with ether amines of different chain lengths is demonstrated, and compared to glycol ether solvents commonly used in cleaning compositions for tough soils.

[0066] The following 8 compositions were examined in the Abrasion Tester apparatus according to the method already described. Scrubbing in the Abrasion Tester was for 3 lissajous figures.

Table 7: Results from composition with varying chain length R1

Ingred.	Comp. Ex. A	Ex 1	Ex 2	Ex 3	Ex 4	Ex 5	Comp. Ex. B	Comp. Ex. C
91-8	5.0%	5.0%	5.0%	5.0%	5.0%	5.0%	5.0%	5.0%
Na2CO3	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0
MW781	-	1.0	-	-	3.0	-	-	-
PA-10L	-	-	1.0	-	-	3.0	-	-
PA-1214	-	-	-	1.0	-	-	-	-
C4E2	-	-	-	-	-	-	1.0	-
C6E2	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1.0

	% Soil Removal
	37.5	61.8	74.4	63.8	89.5	96.3	50.4	56.6

[0067] All compositions were at a fixed pH (11.4). The remainder of the compositions above is water. If needed, the pH is adjusted with hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide.

[0068] Examples 1 to 5 according to the invention show a significant boost in tough oily soil removal compared to a composition without ether amine (comparative Example A). Examples 1 to 3 according to the invention provide superior cleaning to compositions containing an equivalent level of glycol ethers of the art (comparative Examples B & C). Examples 4 & 5 according to the invention demonstrate even better soil removal for higher levels of ether amine. The soil removal results demonstrate that a C6 ether amine (PA-10L) is more effective than a C4 (MW781) or a C8-C10 (PA-1214) ether amine.

[0069] A similar composition to Example 5 with 3.0% of ether amine PA-16 did not produce a homogeneous solution. Tomamine PA-16 is isododecyloxypropylamine which has an alkyl group of C12.

2) Compositions with Ether Amines with Various Surfactant Types

[0070] The benefit of compositions according to the invention with ether amines and different surfactant types is demonstrated.

[0071] The following 10 compositions were examined in the Abrasion Tester apparatus according to the method already described. Scrubbing in the Abrasion Tester was for 3 lissajous figures. Results are shown in table 8.

Table 8: Results with compositions with various surfactant types

Ingred.	Comp. Ex. D	Ex 6	Comp. Ex. E	Ex 7	Ex 8
91-8	5.0%	5.0%	-	-	-
G-215	-	-	5.0	5.0	-
C-35	-	-	-	-	5.0
Na2CO3	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0
PA-10L	-	2.0	-	2.0	2.0

	% Soil Removal
	29.9	73.9	45.5	61.1	59.0

[0072] All of the above compositions were at a fixed pH (11.4). The remainder of the compositions above is water. If needed, the pH is adjusted with hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide.

[0073] The results show the ability of ether amine in compositions of the invention (Examples 6, 7 & 8) to boost soil removal in the presence of alcohol ethoxylate nonionic, alkylpolyglycoside nonionic and alkyl quaternary ammonium cationic surfactants.

Table 9: Results formulation at pH 10

Ingred.	Comp. Ex. F	Ex 9	Comp. Ex. G	Ex 10	Ex 11
G-215	2.5%	2.5%	-	-	-
A-MCD	-	-	2.5	2.5	-
LX28	-	-	-	-	2.5
Cit	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5
MW781	-	0.75	-	0.75	0.75

	% Soil Removal
	42.4	66.2	33.3	50.3	40.0

[0074] All of the above compositions were at a fixed pH (10.0). The remainder of the compositions above is water. If needed, the pH is adjusted with hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide.

[0075] The results show the ability of ether amine in compositions of the invention (Examples 9, 10 & 11) to boost soil removal at lower pH in the presence of alkylpolyglycoside nonionic, amine oxide nonionic and alkyl sulphate anionic surfactants.

3) Soaking Soil before Cleaning

[0076] The benefit of compositions according to the invention when the cleaning process includes soaking of soil in contact with composition prior to scrubbing is demonstrated.

[0077] The following 3 compositions were examined in the Abrasion Tester apparatus according to the method already described, except that the soiled test surface was allowed to soak in test composition in the Tester's sample well prior to starting to scrub. Various soak times were examined. Scrubbing in the Abrasion Tester was for 3 lissajous figures.

Table 10: Test results with soaking

Ingred.	Example 12			Comp. Ex. H			Comp. Ex. I
91-8	5.0%			5.0%			5.0%
Na2CO3	2.0			2.0			2.0
MW781	0.66			-			-
C6E2	-			-			0.95

	Soak Time, minutes
	0	1	3	0	1	5	0	3

	% Soil Removal
	58.5	71.4	78.1	22.7	31.4	55.1	39.0	54.0

[0078] All compositions were at a fixed pH (11.4).
The remainder of the compositions above is water. If needed, the pH is adjusted with hydrochloric acid or sodium hydroxide.

[0079] In the absence of soaking, Example 12 according to the invention shows greater soil removal than comparative Example H containing no ether amine and comparative Example I containing glycol ether. With soaking, Example 12 according to the invention shows better cleaning after 3 minutes soaking than comparative Example H containing no ether amine after 5 minutes soaking. Example 12 according to the invention shows greater soil removal without soaking than comparative Example I containing glycol ether after 3 minutes soaking, even although comparative Example I contains a higher level of glycol ether.

Claims

1. A cleaning composition comprising an alkyl ether amine and a surfactant having a pH of between 8.5 and 14 wherein the alkyl ether amine has the following formula

         R1-0-R2-NH-R3

wherein R1 is an C1-11 alkyl, R2 is an C1-4 alkyl, and R3 is H, or an C1-4 alkyl, C1-4 alkanol, or C1-4 alkylamine, wherein R1, R2, and R3 are linear or branched.

2. Cleaning composition according to claim 1 wherein R2 is preferably an ethyl, propyl or butyl, more preferably a propyl.

3. Cleaning composition according to claim 1 or 2 wherein R1 is preferably a C2-10 alkyl, more preferably C4-8 alkyl and most preferably a C6 alkyl.

4. Cleaning composition according to any of claim 1-3 wherein R2 is linear.

5. Cleaning composition according to any of claim 1-4 wherein R1 is linear.

6. Cleaning composition according to any of claim 1-5 wherein R3 is linear.

7. Cleaning composition according to any of claim 1-6 wherein the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of non-ionic, anionic, cationic, amphoteric and zwitterionic surfactant and combinations thereof.

8. Cleaning composition according to any of claim 1-7 wherein the alkyl ether amine is present in an amount of from 0.2 to 20 wt%, more preferably from 0.5 to 10 wt%.

9. Cleaning composition according to any of claim 1-8 wherein the surfactant is present in an amount of from 0.1 to 50 wt%, more preferably from 0.5 to 20 wt%.

10. Cleaning composition according to any of claim 1-9 wherein the pH is between 9 and 13, preferably between 10.5 and 12.

11. Method for cleaning a hard surface comprising treating the hard surface with an effective amount of a cleaning composition according to any of claims 1-10, optionally rinsing the hard surface.

12. Method according to claim 11 wherein the surface is allowed to soak in contact with the cleaning composition prior to optionally rinsing.

13. Method according to claim 12 wherein the hard surface is selected from a group consisting of a kitchen surface, oven surface, grill surface or a dish surface.

14. Use of a cleaning composition according to any of claims 1-10 against toughened greasy soil.

15. Use of a cleaning composition according to any of claims 1-10 as a pre-treatment composition for a surface selected from the group comprising dishware, cookware, oven and grill surfaces.