[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid aqueous stain remover for use on textiles,
its use for the removal of oily or greasy stains on textiles and a method of removing
oily or greasy stains on textiles.
[0002] Greasy or oily stains are difficult to remove from fabrics in an ordinary laundry
washing process, especially when cold wash conditions are applied, eg. washing the
fabrics at 20°C. There are laundry pre-treatment products available, such as sprays
or pads, which can help to attain the desired result but sometimes fail to remove
the soils to the consumer's satisfaction. Washing the fabrics at higher temperatures
is sometimes not possible because of the delicate nature of the textile, or it is
not desired for ecological reasons. There remains, therefore, a need to provide improved
removal of greasy or oily stains from fabric which is then washed in cold water at
20°C.
[0003] It was surprisingly found that an alkaline liquid aqueous stain remover comprising
1-hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP) and a combination of an amine oxide and
a fatty alcohol alkoxylate surfactant provided significantly improved oily stain removal
in cold water washing even with lower surfactant concentrations than employed in market
formulations.
[0004] In a first aspect the invention therefore relates to a liquid aqueous stain remover
for use on textiles comprising at least one amine oxide and at least one fatty alcohol
ethoxylate, characterized in that it additionally comprises 1-hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonic
acid (HEDP) and has a pH value of 9,5 to 10,5.
[0005] In a second aspect the invention relates to the use of a liquid stain remover according
to the present invention for the removal of oily or greasy stains from textiles.
[0006] In a third aspect the invention also encompasses a product consisting of a liquid
aqueous stain remover according to the present invention and a spray dispenser.
[0007] In yet another aspect the invention is directed towards a method of removing oily
or greasy stains from items of clothing or other textiles comprising the following
steps:
- a) Bringing the stained fabric in contact with a liquid aqueous stain remover according
to the invention, preferably by spraying the stain remover onto the fabric,
- b) Waiting for 2 to 10 minutes, preferably for 5 minutes,
- c) Washing the fabric, preferably in a washing machine and preferably at 20°C.
[0008] "At least one", as used herein, relates to one or more, i.e. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,
8, 9, or more. If used in combination with a compound or component, the term does
not relate to the absolute number of molecules but rather to the number of different
types of said compound or component.
[0009] "Consists essentially of", as used herein, means that the respective composition
comprises at least 50 wt.-%, preferably at least 70 wt.-%, more preferably at least
80 wt.-% of the given components. The residual amount may be made up by non-specified
further ingredients. It may be preferred that these further ingredients do not comprise
active ingredients.
[0010] If not indicated otherwise, all percentages are by weight relative to the total weight
of the composition. "About" or "approx.", as used herein in relation to a numerical
value, means said value ± 10 %, preferably ± 5 %. If a numerical value is given without
any decimal place, such as "99 %", this refers to "99.0 %", if not indicated otherwise.
[0011] These and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention become apparent
to the skilled person in the following detailed description and claims. Each feature
from one aspect of the invention can be used in any other aspect of the invention.
Furthermore, the examples contained herein are intended to describe and illustrate
the invention, but do not restrict it. In particular, the invention is not limited
to these examples.
[0012] The liquid aqueous stain remover described herein comprises at least one amine oxide.
In principle, all amine oxides established for these purposes in the prior art, therefore
compounds having the formula R
1R
2R
3NO, where each R
1, R
2, and R
3 independently of the others is an optionally substituted C
1-C
30 hydrocarbon chain, can be used in this regard. Amine oxides, used especially preferably,
are those in which R
1 is C
12-C
18 alkyl and R
2 and R
3 are each independently C
1-C
4 alkyl, particularly C
12-C
18 alkyl dimethylamine oxides. Exemplary representatives of suitable amine oxides are
N-coco alkyl-N,N-dimethylamine oxide, N-tallow alkyl-N,N-dihydroxyethylamine oxide,
myristyl-/cetyldimethylamine oxide, or lauryldimethylamine oxide, of which lauryldimethylamine
oxide is preferred.
[0013] In preferred embodiments, the at least one amine oxide is present in the liquid aqueous
stain remover in an amount of 0.1% by weight to 5% by weight, preferably 0.5% by weight
to 4% by weight, more preferably 0.8% by weight to 2% by weight, for example 1% by
weight, given as the amount of active substance and based on the total weight of the
composition.
[0014] Furthermore, the liquid aqueous stain remover comprises at least one fatty alcohol
ethoxylate, available from the reaction of fatty alcohols with ethylene oxide (EO).
Preferred fatty alcohol ethoxylates are nonionic surfactants of the formula
R-O-(EO)
m-H,
in which
- R
- stands for a linear, unsubstituted alkyl group,
- EO
- stands for an ethylene oxide (EO) group,
- m
- stands for integers from 1 to 50.
[0015] Preferred R groups are derived from C
8-20 fatty alcohols, more preferably from C
10-16 fatty alcohols, especially from C
12-14 fatty alcohols, for example, from coconut fatty alcohol, tallow fatty alcohol, lauryl,
myristyl, cetyl, or stearyl alcohol.
[0016] EO stands for an ethylene oxide group, preferably for an ethylene oxide group. The
subscript m stands for an integer from 1 to 50, preferably from 2 to 20, more preferably
from 4 to 15, and especially from 6 to 10.
[0017] It is preferred that the at least one fatty alcohol ethoxylate is a C
8-20, preferably C
10-16, more preferably C
12-14 fatty alcohol ethoxylated with 2-20 moles of EO, preferably 4-15 EO, more preferably
6-10 EO. Most preferably, the at least one fatty alcohol ethoxylate is lauryl alcohol
ethoxylate with 7 EO (laureth-7).
[0018] In preferred embodiments, the at least one fatty alcohol ethoxylate is present in
the liquid aqueous stain remover in an amount of 0.5 % by weight to 8% by weight,
preferably 1% by weight to 6% by weight, more preferably 2% by weight to 4% by weight,
for example 3% by weight, given as the amount of active substance and based on the
total weight of the composition.
[0019] The liquid aqueous stain remover additionally comprises 1-hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonic
acid (HEDP). It was found that this chelating agent leads to an improved oily stain
removal performance compared to other commonly used complexing agents such as ethylenediamine
tetraacetic acid (EDTA), N,N-bis(carboxymethyl)-L-glutamate (GLDA) or methylglycin
diacetate (MGDA).
[0020] An alkaline pH also leads to improved oily stain removal. However, a highly alkaline
formula might cause fabric damage. A pH of 9 or less, on the other hand, leads to
less than satisfactory results regarding oily stain removal performance. The liquid
aqueous stain remover described herein therefore has a pH value of from 9.5 to 10.5.
[0021] This pH value is achieved through the addition of one or more alkaline pH adjusting
agents. Suitable pH adjusting agents include alkali metal, alkaline earth metal or
ammonium salts, such as hydroxides or carbonates, as well as amines. A preferred pH
adjusting material is monoethanol amine (MEA). In a preferred embodiment the liquid
aqueous stain remover therefore contains monoethanol amine as a pH regulator. Preferably
the liquid aqueous stain remover contains MEA in an amount of at least 1 wt.-%, relative
to the total weight of the composition.
[0022] In addition, the detergent can contain further ingredients that further improve the
application and/or aesthetic properties of the detergent. Within the scope of the
present invention, the detergent contains preferably in addition one or more substances
from the group comprising other surfactants, builders, nonaqueous solvents, electrolytes,
pH adjusting agents, fragrances, antiredeposition agents, antimicrobial substances,
germicides, fungicides, antioxidants, preservatives, corrosion inhibitors and bitter
agents.
[0023] The liquid aqueous stain remover may comprise additional surfactants, selected from
the group consisting of non-ionic surfactants, anionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants
and cationic surfactants.
[0024] All nonionic surfactants known to one skilled in the art can be used as nonionic
surfactants. Suitable nonionic surfactants are, for example, alkyl glycosides of the
general formula RO(G)
x in which R denotes a primary straight-chain or methyl-branched, especially methyl-branched
in the 2-position, aliphatic residue having 8 to 22, by preference 12 to 18 carbon
atoms, and G is the symbol denoting a glycose unit having 5 or 6 carbon atoms, by
preference glucose. The degree of oligomerization x, which indicates the distribution
of monoglycosides and oligoglycosides, is any number between 1 and 10; by preference,
x is 1.2 to 1.4.
[0025] Further nonionic surfactants which can be used in the liquid aqueous stain remover
include alkoxylated alcohols, in particular primary alcohols having by preference
8 to 18 carbon atoms and an average of 1 to 15 mols of propylene oxide or of a mixture
of propylene oxide (PO) and ethylene oxide (EO). Block copolymers consisting of alternating
blocks of polyoxyalkylenes, especially of polyoxyethylene and polyoxypropylene blocks,
can also be used, as can alkoxylated fatty acid alkyl esters.
[0026] Anionic surfactants that can be used in the liquid aqueous stain remover are, for
example, those of the sulfonate and sulfate types. Surfactants of the sulfonate type
are, by preference, C
9-13 alkylbenzenesulfonates, olefinsulfonates, i.e. mixtures of alkene- and hydroxyalkanesulfonates,
and disulfonates, for example such as those obtained from C
12-18 monoolefins having an end-located or internal double bond, by sulfonation with gaseous
sulfur trioxide and subsequent alkaline or acid hydrolysis of the sulfonation products.
Also suitable are alkanesulfonates that are obtained from C
12-18 alkanes, for example by sulfochlorination or sulfoxidation with subsequent hydrolysis
and neutralization. The esters of α-sulfo fatty acids (estersulfonates), e.g. the
α-sulfonated methyl esters of hydrogenated coconut, palm kernel, or tallow fatty acids,
are likewise suitable.
[0027] Further suitable anionic surfactants are sulfonated fatty acid glycerol esters. "Fatty
acid glycerol esters" are to be understood as the mono-, di- and triesters, and mixtures
thereof, that are obtained during the production by esterification of a monoglycerol
with 1 to 3 mol fatty acid, or upon transesterification of triglycerides with 0.3
to 2 mol glycerol. Preferred sulfonated fatty acid glycerol esters are the sulfonation
products of saturated fatty acids having 6 to 22 carbon atoms, for example hexanoic
acid, octanoic acid, decanoic acid, myristic acid, lauric acid, palmitic acid, stearic
acid, or behenic acid.
[0028] Preferred alk(en)yl sulfates are the alkali, and in particular sodium, salts of the
sulfuric acid semi-esters of the C
12-C
18 fatty alcohols, for example from coconut fatty alcohol, tallow fatty alcohol, lauryl,
myristyl, cetyl, or stearyl alcohol, or of the C
10-C
20 oxo alcohols, and those semi-esters of secondary alcohols of those chain lengths.
[0029] The sulfuric acid monoesters of straight-chain or branched C
7-21 alcohols ethoxylated with 1 to 6 mol ethylene oxide, such as 2-methyl-branched C
9-11 alcohols having an average of 3.5 mol ethylene oxide (EO) or C
12-18 fatty alcohols having 1 to 4 EO, are also suitable.
[0030] Additional suitable anionic surfactants are also the salts of alkylsulfosuccinic
acid, which are also referred to as sulfosuccinates or as sulfosuccinic acid esters
and represent the monoesters and/or diesters of sulfosuccinic acid with alcohols,
by preference fatty alcohols and in particular ethoxylated fatty alcohols. Preferred
sulfosuccinates contain C
8 to C
18 fatty alcohol residues or mixtures thereof.
[0031] Soaps, especially the sodium or potassium salts of C
12 to C
18 fatty acids, are further suitable anionic surfactants.
[0032] Betaines or alkylamidoalkylamines are, for example, suitable as amphoteric surfactants.
Suitable betaines are the alkyl betaines, alkylamidobetaines, imidazolinium betaines,
sulfobetaines (
INCI sultaines), and the phosphobetaines, and preferably conform to the formula (R
A)(R
B)(R
C)N
+CH
2COO
- in which R
A denotes an alkyl residue, if applicable interrupted by heteroatoms or heteroatom
groups, having 8 to 25, by preference 10 to 21 carbon atoms, and R
B and R
C denote similar or different alkyl residues having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, in particular
C
10 to C
18 alkyldimethylcarboxymethyl betaines and C
11 to C
17 alkylamidopropyldimethylcarboxymethyl betaines, or to the formula R
I-[CO-X-(CH
2)
n]
x-N
+(R
II)(R
III)-(CH
2)
m-[CH(OH)-CH
2]
y-Y
- in which
- RI
- is a saturated or unsaturated C6-22 alkyl residue, preferably C8-18 alkyl residue, in particular a saturated C10-16 alkyl residue, for example a saturated C12-14 alkyl residue,
- X
- is NH, NRIV having the C1-4 alkyl residue RIV, O, or S,
- n
- is a number from 1 to 10, by preference 2 to 5, in particular 3,
- x
- is 0 or 1, by preference 1,
- RII, RIII
- are, independently of one another, a C1-4 alkyl residue, optionally hydroxy-substituted, for example a hydroxyethyl residue,
but in particular a methyl residue,
- m
- is a number from 1 to 4, in particular 1, 2, or 3,
- y
- is 0 or 1, and
- Y
- is COO, SO3, OPO(ORV)O or P(O)ORV)O, RV being a hydrogen atom H or a C1-4 alkyl residue.
[0033] The alkylamidoalkylamines are amphoteric surfactants of the formula R
VI-CO-NR
VII-(CH
2)
i-N(R
VIII)-(CH
2CH
2O)
j-(CH
2)
k-[CH(OH)]
l-CH
2-Z-OM in which
- RVI
- is a saturated or unsaturated C6-22 alkyl residue, preferably a C8-18 alkyl residue, in particular a saturated C10-16 alkyl residue, for example a saturated C12-14 alkyl residue,
- RVII
- is a hydrogen atom H or a C1-4 alkyl residue, preferably H,
- i
- is a number from 1 to 10, preferably 2 to 5, in particular 2 or 3,
- RVIII
- is a hydrogen atom H or CH2COOM (see below for M),
- j
- is a number from 1 to 4, preferably 1 or 2, in particular 1,
- k
- is a number from 0 to 4, preferably 0 or 1,
- l
- is 0 or 1, such that k = 1 when l = 1,
- Z
- is CO, SO2, OPO(OR12), or P(O)(OR12), where R12 is a C1-4 alkyl residue or M (see below), and
- M
- is a hydrogen, an alkali metal, an alkaline-earth metal, or a protonated alkanolamine,
e.g. a protonated mono-, di-, or triethanolamine.
[0034] Cationic surfactants that may be employed in the liquid aqueous stain remover are
preferably selected from esterquats and/or quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) of
the general formula (R
I)(R
II)(R
III)(R
IV)N
+ X
-, in which R
I to R
IV are identical or different C
1-22 alkyl groups, C
7-28 aryl groups or heterocyclic groups, wherein two or, in the case of an aromatic incorporation
as in pyridine, even three groups form a heterocycle together with the nitrogen atom,
for example a pyridinium or imidazolinium compound, and X
- denotes halide ions, sulfate ions, hydroxide ions or similar anions. QACs can be
prepared by reacting tertiary amines with alkylating agents, such as methyl chloride,
benzyl chloride, dimethyl sulfate, dodecyl bromide, but also ethylene oxide. The alkylation
of tertiary amines having one long alkyl group and two methyl groups is particularly
easy, and the quaternization of tertiary amines having two long groups and one methyl
group can also be carried out with the aid of methyl chloride under mild conditions.
Amines which have three long alkyl groups or hydroxy-substituted alkyl groups lack
reactivity and are, for example, quaternized with dimethyl sulfate. Suitable QACs
are, for example, benzalkonium chloride (N-alkyl N,N-dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride),
benzalkone B (m,p-dichloro benzyl dimethyl-C12-alkyl ammonium chloride, benzoxonium
chloride (benzyl-dodecyl-bis-(2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium chloride), cetrimonium bromide
(N-hexadecyl-N,N-trimethyl ammonium bromide), benzetonium chloride (N,N-dimethyl-N[2-[2-[p-(1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenoxy]ethoxy]ethyl]benzyl
ammonium chloride), dialkyldimethylammonium chlorides, such as di-n-decyldimethylammonium
chloride, didecyldimethylammonium bromide, dioctyldimethylammonium chloride, 1-cetylpyridinium
chloride, and thiazoline iodide, as well as mixtures thereof. Preferred QACs are the
benzalkonium chlorides having C8-22 alkyl residues, in particular C12-C14 alkylbenzyldimethylammonium
chloride. Preferred esterquats are methyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N,N-di(tallow-acyl-oxyethyl)ammonium
methosulfate, bis(palmitoyl)ethyl hydroxyethyl methylammonium methosulfate or methyl-N,N-bis(acyloxyethyl)-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium
methosulfate. Commercially available examples are methyl hydroxyalkyl dialkoyloxyalkylammonium
methosulfates commercially available from Stepan under the trademark Stepantex® or
the products from BASF SE known by the trade name Dehyquart® or the products from
Evonik Industries AG known by the trade name Rewoquat®.
[0035] In a preferred embodiment, however, the liquid aqueous stain remover is free of additional
surfactants.
[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the total amount of surfactant is between 1% by weight
and 10% by weight, preferably between 2% by weight and 8% by weight, more preferably
between 3% by weight and 5% by weight, given as the amount of active substance and
based on the total weight of the composition.
[0037] The liquid aqueous stain remover may also comprise one or more builders. Included
among the builders are, in particular, carbonates, organic cobuilders, and silicates.
Preferred among the carbonates are alkali metal carbonates, especially sodium carbonate.
Organic cobuilders that may be mentioned in particular are polycarboxylates/polycarboxylic
acids, polymeric carboxylates, aspartic acid, polyacetals and dextrins. In a preferred
embodiment, however, the liquid aqueous stain remover is free of builders.
[0038] The liquid aqueous stain remover may also comprise one or more nonaqueous solvents.
These organic solvents derive, for example, from the groups of the monoalcohols, diols,
triols or polyols, the ethers, esters, and/or amides. Organic solvents that are water-soluble
are particularly preferred in this context, "water-soluble" solvents for purposes
of the present application being solvents that are completely miscible with water,
i.e. with no miscibility gap, at room temperature.
[0039] Further ingredients that may be included in the liquid aqueous stain remover comprise
electrolytes, fragrances, antiredeposition agents, thickeners, antimicrobial substances,
germicides, fungicides, antioxidants, preservatives, corrosion inhibitors and bitter
agents.
[0040] The liquid aqueous stain remover is of particular use in the removal of oily or greasy
stains from textiles. It may also be used as a pre-wash stain remover. It can be preferable
to spray the liquid aqueous stain remover directly onto the soiled fabric, especially
when it is used as a pre-wash stain remover, so that the liquid aqueous stain remover
is advantageously provided in the form of a product comprising the stain remover and
a spray dispenser.
[0041] A particular embodiment therefore is a product consisting of the liquid aqueous stain
remover and a spray dispenser. The spray dispenser may be of any type that can typically
be used for detergent compositions, including, for example, trigger bottles or aerosol
cans.
[0042] A preferred way of using the liquid aqueous stain remover to remove oily or greasy
stains from textiles is by bringing the stained fabric into contact with the stain
remover, allowing it to stand for a short time, eg. 2 to 10 minutes, preferably 5
minutes, and then washing the fabric. The liquid aqueous stain remover is advantageously
sprayed onto the fabric, but other ways of dispensing it such as pouring it onto the
stain from a bottle or pouring it onto a sponge, brush or similar implement and contacting
the implement with the stained fabric, either dabbing the stain remover on or rubbing
it in, are also possible. The washing process preferably takes place in a washing
machine, preferably at cold temperatures, in particular at 20°C.
[0043] A particular embodiment therefore is a method of removing oily or greasy stains from
items of clothing or other textiles comprising the following steps:
- a) Bringing the stained fabric in contact with a liquid aqueous stain remover according
to any one of claims 1 to 9, preferably by spraying the stain remover onto the fabric,
- b) Waiting for 2 to 10 minutes, preferably for 5 minutes,
- c) Washing the fabric, preferably in a washing machine and preferably at 20°C.
[0044] The method may also comprise additional steps, such as dabbing or rubbing the stain
remover into the stained fabric.
[0045] A liquid aqueous stain remover having the following composition was prepared:
Water |
92.15 |
HEDP (60%) |
0.5 |
Monoethanolamine |
1.0 |
Amine oxide (30%) |
3.0 |
Laureth-7 |
3.0 |
Acticide |
0.1 |
Perfume |
0.25 |
(All amounts given in wt.-% of the raw material; where less than 100%, the percentage
of active material in the raw material is also given.)
[0046] This composition showed an improved performance over several greasy or oily stains
while maintaining the colour of the fabrics. Further tests also showed that no fabric
damage could be observed after 10 application/wash cycles despite the alkalinity of
the formula.
1. Liquid aqueous stain remover for use on textiles comprising at least one amine oxide
and at least one fatty alcohol ethoxylate, characterized in that it additionally comprises 1-hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP) and has a
pH value of 9.5 to 10.5.
2. Liquid aqueous stain remover according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one fatty alcohol ethoxylate is a C8-20, preferably C10-16, more preferably
C12-14 fatty alcohol ethoxylated with 2-20 moles of EO, preferably 4-15 EO, more preferably
6-10 EO.
3. Liquid aqueous stain remover according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fatty alcohol ethoxylate is lauryl alcohol ethoxylate with 7 EO (laureth-7).
4. Liquid aqueous stain remover according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one amine oxide is present in the liquid aqueous stain remover in an
amount of 0.1% by weight to 5% by weight, preferably 0.5% by weight to 4% by weight,
more preferably 0.8% by weight to 2% by weight, for example 1% by weight, given as
the amount of active substance and based on the total weight of the composition.
5. Liquid aqueous stain remover according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one fatty alcohol ethoxylate is present in the liquid aqueous stain
remover in an amount of 0.5 % by weight to 8% by weight, preferably 1% by weight to
6% by weight, more preferably 2% by weight to 4% by weight, for example 3% by weight,
given as the amount of active substance and based on the total weight of the composition.
6. Liquid aqueous stain remover according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the total amount of surfactant is between 1% by weight and 10% by weight, preferably
between 2% by weight and 8% by weight, more preferably between 3% by weight and 5%
by weight, given as the amount of active substance and based on the total weight of
the composition.
7. Liquid aqueous stain remover according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it contains monoethanol amine as a pH regulator.
8. Liquid aqueous stain remover according to claim 7, characterized in that it contains monoethanol amine in an amount of at least 1 wt.-%, relative to the total
weight of the composition.
9. Liquid aqueous stain remover according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises ingredients selected from the group comprising other surfactants,
builders, nonaqueous solvents, electrolytes, pH adjusting agents, fragrances, thickening
agents, antiredeposition agents, antimicrobial substances, germicides, fungicides,
antioxidants, preservatives, corrosion inhibitors and bitter agents.
10. Use of a liquid aqueous stain remover according to any one of the preceding claims
for the removal of oily or greasy stains from textiles.
11. Use according to claim 10, characterized in that the liquid aqueous stain remover is used in cold wash conditions, preferably at 20°C.
12. Product consisting of a liquid aqueous stain remover for use on textiles according
to any one of claims 1 to 9 and a spray dispenser.
13. Use of the liquid aqueous stain remover according to any one of claims 1 to 9 as a
pre-wash stain remover, preferably in the form of a product according to claim 12.
14. Method of removing oily or greasy stains from items of clothing or other textiles
comprising the following steps:
d) Bringing the stained fabric in contact with a liquid aqueous stain remover according
to any one of claims 1 to 9, preferably by spraying the stain remover onto the fabric,
e) Waiting for 2 to 10 minutes, preferably for 5 minutes,
f) Washing the fabric, preferably in a washing machine and preferably at 20°C.