BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A. Field of the Invention
[0001] This invention relates to aqueous cleaning compositions and, more particularly,
relates to an aqueous cleaning composition having the ability to remove stains, soils,
or combinations thereof from textile fibers.
B. Description of the Prior Art
[0002] Carpets containing synthetic polymer fibers are a popular floor covering for both
residential and commercial applications. Such carpets are relatively inexpensive and
have a combination of desirable qualities, such as durability, comfort, safety, warmth,
and quietness.
[0003] Various types of synthetic polymer fibers are used in making carpets. Two popular
synthetic polymer fibers utilized in carpets are polyamide fibers, such as nylon 6
and nylon 66, and polyester fibers.
[0004] The fibers contained in the carpets are severely and permanently stained or soiled
when contacted, such as by inadvertent spilling, with certain artificial and natural
colorants present in household items, such as tea, coffee beverages made from coffee
beans, and soft drink beverages. Many of these colorants are acid dyes colorants,
which cause the most severe stains. As a result thereof, carpets are sometimes replaced
because of unsightly soiling or staining, even though the carpet has not been worn
out.
[0005] The terms "stain and staining" as used herein with reference to synthetic fibers
means discoloration of the fibers caused by a chemical reaction with a chemical substance.
Acid dyes are representative of a staining material for nylon fibers.
[0006] The terms "soils" as used herein refers to both organic and inorganic matter which
comes in contact with fibers and adhere thereto. Dirt particles, grease, oils, foods,
and cosmetics are representative of materials referred to as soils that work their
way onto and into various textile fibers.
[0007] The term "fiber" as used herein includes fibers of extreme or indefinite length (i.e.
filaments) and fibers of short length (i.e. staple). The term "yarn" as used herein
means a continuous strand of fibers.
[0008] In an attempt to prevent undesirable staining of fibers and, particularly, fibers
contained in carpets, it has been proposed that the fibers be treated with an additive
which coats the fiber and makes the fiber resistant to staining. Examples of such
additives are condensation products made from aromatic sulfonic acids, and formaldehyde.
Although such additives have been somewhat successful in imparting stain resistance,
certain problems remain. For instance, many of the additives reduce staining of fibers,
but do not totally eliminate it. In addition, traffic on carpet wears off the additives,
which leaves the resulting fibers of the carpet with little or no protection against
staining.
[0009] Colored food beverages, such as colored soft drink beverages, tea beverages, and
coffee beverages made from coffee beans, present a serious staining problem to textile
fibers. Coffee stains are particularly unsightly because of their dark brown color.
[0010] Various fluorochemicals have been applied to carpet fibers in order to reduce their
water and oil wettability. The fluorochemical reduces the tendency of soils to adhere
to the fibers, thereby making the removal of soils from the carpet fibers easier than
if the fluorochemicals were omitted, but offers little protection to the carpet fibers
from spills containing acid dye colorants unless the colorants are immediately removed
from the fibers. In addition, traffic on the carpet wears off the fluorochemicals.
[0011] A number of cleaning solutions have been proposed in the past for removing stains
and soils from fibers. For instance, volatile solvent dry-cleaning fluids have been
proposed, but such fluids are less than satisfactory in removing water-soluble stains
or soils. In addition, aqueous compositions containing synthetic detergents have been
proposed for removing stains and soils from fibers, but such compositions have not
been found to be particularly effective.
[0012] One of the problems with these cleaning solutions is that while they may, at times,
loosen and/or dispense the soil, they fail to pick up or retain the soil, which results
in it being redeposited on the fibers. Furthermore, they are not very effective against
difficult stains, such as acid and coffee stains. Still further, since acid and coffee
stains are not water soluble, aqueous detergent compositions are not particularly
effective and many times it is difficult to remove all of the detergent from the fiber
surface, even when rinsed with large amounts of water or steam. As a result thereof,
the carpet fibers become tacky due to a film of detergent. The film attracts and retains
soils, which results in a cleaned carpet that will soil more easily after a cleaning
than prior thereto.
[0013] Finally, many of the aqueous cleaning compositions require large amounts of water.
This causes the fibers in the carpet and, many times, the pad under the carpet, to
become saturated with water, which can result in degradation of the pad and/or carpet.
[0014] The present invention provides a cleaning composition suitable for removing stains
and soils from synthetic polymer fibers which overcomes, or at least mitigates, many
of the above-described problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The present invention is an aqueous cleaning composition and a method for removing
stains, soils, or combinations thereof from fibers made from synthetic polymers utilizing
the aqueous cleaning composition. The cleaning composition has a pH in the range of
from about 7.0 to about 12.0 and comprises an oxidizing agent and a water-soluble
aliphatic alcohol. The method of the invention is carried out by contacting the soiled
and/or stained fiber with the cleaning composition.
[0016] The composition finds particular application in cleaning fibers contained in carpets,
rugs, upholstery, drapes, clothing, and other similar textile products. Still further,
the composition is very effective in removing stains from coffee beverages, even when
the beverages have remained on the fiber for extended periods of time, e.g., 30 minutes
or more. Finally, the use of the composition does not result in appreciably degrading
the fibers.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] Alcohols which are suitable for use in the invention include water-soluble alcohols
containing up to 5 carbon atoms, such as methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol,
n-propyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol,
n-butyl alcohol, isobutyl alcohol,
sec-butyl alcohol,
tert-butyl alcohol,
tert-pentyl alcohol. The preferred alcohol is isopropyl alcohol.
[0018] Oxidizing agents that find particular application in the invention include peroxyhydrates.
The term "peroxyhydrate", as used herein, means hydrogen peroxide or any compound
which, in an aqueous composition, yields hydrogen peroxide. Examples of such compounds
include alkali metal peroxides, such as sodium peroxide and potassium peroxide, sodium
perborate monohydrate and tetrahydrate, sodium persulfate, sodium percarbonate, sodium
peroxydihydrate, various phosphate peroxyhydrates such as sodium or potassium peroxydiphosphate,
potassium carbonate, peroxydihydrate, and organic peroxyhydrates such as urea peroxide.
The preferred oxidizing agent is hydrogen peroxide.
[0019] The amount of oxidizing agent and alcohol utilized in the aqueous cleaning composition
will vary over a wide range with no limitations in this regard. For fibers having
stains from coffee beverages, the amount of oxidizing agent employed is generally
an amount in the range of from about 3 to about 15 percent by weight of aqueous composition
and, preferably, an amount of from about 3 to 12.5 percent by weight of aqueous composition.
The amount of alcohol will generally be an amount in the range of from about 10 to
about 30 percent by weight of aqueous composition and, preferably, an amount of from
about 10 to about 20 weight percent based on the weight of the aqueous composition.
[0020] The precise manner that the aqueous composition functions to remove soils or stains,
particularly coffee stains, is not fully understood and need not be. It is believed
that the aqueous composition oxidizes colored high molecular compounds to colorless
lower molecular weight compounds. In any case, the observable effect is that the utilization
of the aqueous solution containing the peroxyhydrate and alcohol very effectively
removes, or at least substantially reduces, soils and stains, particularly coffee
stains, in the fibers. In addition, the alcohol appears to assist in the stain and
soil removal and promotes drying of the cleaned fiber. The cleaning effect occurs
without any appreciable detrimental effect to the fibers.
[0021] In the practice of the invention, it is necessary that the pH of the aqueous composition
be in the range of from about 7.0 to about 12.0 and, more preferably, in the range
of from about 9.0 to about 10.5. The pH can be adjusted using acidic or alkaline compounds
well known in the art. The preferred compounds, for raising the pH of the composition
are sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, and, most preferably, ammonium hydroxide.
[0022] The preferred aqueous composition has a pH of from about 9.0 to about 10.0 and comprises
hydrogen peroxide present in an amount in the range from about 3 to about 12.5 percent
by weight of aqueous composition and isopropyl alcohol present in an amount in the
range from about 15 to about 20 percent by weight of aqueous composition.
[0023] The most preferred composition comprises about 9 percent by weight hydrogen peroxide,
10 percent by weight isopropyl alcohol, and a pH of about 9.5. Preferably, pH adjustment
of this composition is carried out using ammonium hydroxide.
[0024] Generally, any synthetic fiber may be cleaned utilizing the cleaning composition
of the present invention. Examples of such fibers include those made from synthetic
thermoplastic polymers which are capable of being formed into fibers such as by melt
extrusion including polyolefins, for example, homopolymers of olefins such as low-density
polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, polypropylene, and the like. Copolymers of
olefins with other ethylenically unsaturated monomers such as ethylene-propylene copolymers
and ethylenebutene copolymers and the like find particular application in the present
invention.
[0025] Fibers made from polyamides also find particular application in the present invention.
Examples of such polyamides include homopolyamides and copolyamides which are obtained
by the polymerization of lactam or aminocaprionic acid or a copolymerization product
from mixtures of diamines together with dicarboxylic acids or mixtures of lactams.
[0026] Typical polyamides include nylon 6, nylon 6/6, nylon 6/10, nylon 6/12, nylon 11,
nylon 12, copolymers thereof, or mixtures thereof. Polyamides can be also copolymers
of nylon 6 or nylon 6,6 and a nylon salt obtained by reacting a dicarboxylic acid
component such as terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, adipic acid or sebacic acid
with a diamine such as hexamethylenediamine or 1,4-bisaminomethylcyclohexane.
[0027] Fibers made from polyester also find particular application in the present invention.
The preferred polyesters are the linear terephthalate polyesters, i.e., polyesters
of a glycol containing from 2 to 20 carbon atoms and a dicarboxylic acid component
comprising at least about 75% terephthalic acid. The remainder, if any, of the dicarboxylic
acid component may be any suitable dicarboxylic acid such as sebacic acid, adipic
acid, isophthalic acid, sulfonyl-1,4-4-dibenzoic acid, or 2,8-di benzofurandicarboxylic
acid. Examples of linear terephthalate polyesters which may be employed include poly(ethylene
terephthalate), poly(butylene terephthalate), poly(ethylene terephthalate/5-chloroisophthalate),
poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(butylene terephthalate), poly(ethylene terephthalate/5-chloroisophthalate),
poly(ethylene terephthalate/5-[sodium sulfo]-isophthalate), and poly(cyclohexane-1,4-dimethylene
terephthalate/hexahydroterephthalate).
[0028] Fibers comprising polyacrylonitrile homopolymers and copolymers can also be utilized
in the present invention. The term "polyacrylonitrile" as used herein means a synthetic
polymer composed of at least 85 percent by weight acrylonitrile monomer units (-CH₂-

-). Up to 15 percent of the polymer can be comprised of a vinyl monomer which is copolymerizable
with acrylonitrile such as methyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, vinyl acetate, and
vinyl derivatives containing sulfo or carboxyl groups.
[0029] The aqueous composition can be prepared by mixing together the alcohol, oxidizing
agent, and water in any order. Prior to utilizing the composition, its pH will usually
have to be adjusted.
[0030] The method of cleaning using the cleaning composition comprises applying the aqueous
composition to the fibers to be cleaned and removing the residue of the composition
together with stain, soil, or combinations thereof. The residue may be removed by
rinsing, scrubbing, vacuuming, sweeping, brushing, and the like. The amount of aqueous
composition applied will depend on the severity of the staining or soiling encountered.
For severe staining or soiling, more than one application of the cleaning composition
may be desired. In addition, the cleaning composition should remain on the fibers
for a period of time that insures proper cleaning of the stains, soils, or combinations
thereof. After removing the composition from the fibers, the fibers are preferably
washed with water to thoroughly remove the cleaner.
[0031] A desirable feature of utilizing the composition for cleaning soiled and/or stained
fibers is that efficacious cleaning occurs thereon without leaving a residue. In addition,
the use of the cleaning composition does not impair the color, even dyed colors, of
the fibers.
[0032] The invention is further exemplified by the examples below, which are presented to
illustrate certain specific embodiments of the invention, but are not intended to
be construed so as to be restrictive of the spirit and scope thereof.
EXAMPLE
[0033] An amount of 10 milliliters of a beverage comprising black coffee which had a temperature
of 180°F was poured into the center of each piece of a 6 inch by 6 inch sample of
a commercial carpet. The samples comprised nylon, polyester, or polypropylene. The
samples were then allowed to air dry at ambient temperatures for a period of 48 hours.
After 48 hours, each stain was sprayed with a commercial carpet detergent. The detergent
was allowed to contact the sample for a period of one minute after being lightly agitated
by means of a finger. Thereafter, the detergent was removed from the sample using
a commercial hot water extraction machine having a 4 inch wand attached to a vacuum
hose. Next, the stain was sprayed with 100% white vinegar, which was allowed to stand
for one minute and subsequently removed from the carpet in the same manner as the
detergent. The coffee stains were not appreciably removed from the samples after these
treatments.
[0034] Thereafter, each coffee stain was sprayed with an aqueous cleaning composition comprising
10 percent by weight isopropyl alcohol, 30 percent by weight of an aqueous hydrogen
peroxide composition containing 30 percent by weight hydrogen peroxide (9 percent
by weight hydrogen peroxide), 10% by weight of an ammonium hydroxide for pH adjustment,
and 50 percent by weight of water. The percentages of the alcohol, hydrogen peroxide,
ammonium hydroxide were based on the total weight of the cleaning composition. The
stains were no longer visible after less than one hour. The aqueous coffee stain removing
composition (CAGS) was extracted from the samples, rinsed with an aqueous solution
containing 50% by weight white vinegar and 50% by weight water, and allowed to dry.
Upon visual observation, all traces of the coffee stain were removed from each sample.
[0035] Although certain preferred embodiments of the invention have been herein described
for illustrative purposes, it will be appreciated that various modifications and innovations
of the procedures recited may be effected without departure from the basic principles
which underlie the invention. Changes of this type are therefore deemed to lie within
the spirit and scope of the invention except as may be necessarily limited to the
amended claims of reasonable equivalents thereof.
1. An aqueous cleaning composition having a pH in the range of from about 7.0 to about
12 and comprising:
(a) an effective amount of water-soluble alcohol containing 1 to about 5 carbon atoms;
and
(b) an effective amount of oxidizing agent comprising a peroxyhydrate.
2. The composition recited in Claim 1 wherein said water-soluble alcohol is selected
from the group consisting of methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, n-propyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, n-butyl alcohol, isobutyl alcohol, sec-butyl alcohol, tert-alcohol, tert-pentyl alcohol, and mixtures thereof.
3. The composition recited in Claim 2 wherein said peroxyhydrate is selected from
the group consisting of hydrogen peroxide, sodium peroxide, potassium peroxide, sodium
perborate monohydrate, sodium perborate tetrahydrate, sodium persulfate, sodium percarborate,
sodium peroxydihydrate, sodium peroxydiphosphate, potassium peroxydiphosphate, potassium
carbonate peroxydihydrate, urea peroxide, and mixtures thereof.
4. The composition recited in Claim 3 wherein said pH is from about 9.0 to about 10.5.
5. The composition recited in Claim 4 wherein said alcohol is present in an amount
in the range of from about 10 to about 20 percent by weight of said composition.
6. The composition recited in Claim 5 wherein said peroxyhydrate is present in an
amount in the range of from about 3 to about 12.5 percent by weight of said composition.
7. The composition recited in Claim 6 wherein said peroxyhydrate is hydrogen peroxide.
8. The composition recited in Claim 7 wherein said alcohol is isopropyl alcohol.
9. The composition recited in Claim 8 wherein said pH is adjusted using ammonium hydroxide.
10. The composition recited in Claim 9 wherein said alcohol is present in an amount
of about 10 percent based on the total weight of said composition and said peroxyhydrate
is present in an amount of about 9 percent based on the total weight of said composition.
11. A method of removing stains, soils, or combinations thereof from a synthetic polymer
fiber comprising:
contacting said fiber with an effective amount of an aqueous cleaning composition
having a pH in the range of from about 7.0 to about 12.0 and comprising:
(a) an effective amount of water-soluble alcohol containing 1 to about 5 carbon atoms;
and
(b) an effective amount of oxidizing agent comprising a peroxyhydrate.
12. The method recited in Claim 11 wherein said water-soluble alcohol is selected
from the group consisting of methyl alcohol, ethyl alcohol, n-propyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, n-butyl alcohol, isobutyl alcohol, sec-butyl alcohol, tert-alcohol, tert-pentyl alcohol, and mixtures thereof.
13. The method recited in Claim 12 wherein said peroxyhydrate is selected from the
group consisting of hydrogen peroxide, sodium peroxide, potassium peroxide, sodium
perborate monohydrate, sodium perborate tetrahydrate, sodium persulfate, sodium percarborate,
sodium peroxydihydrate, sodium peroxydiphosphate, potassium peroxydiphosphate, potassium
carbonate peroxydihydrate, urea peroxide, and mixtures thereof.
14. The method recited in Claim 13 wherein said synthetic polymer fibers are selected
from the group consisting of polyamide, polyester, and polyolefin fibers.
15. The method recited in Claim 14 wherein said stains are coffee beverage stains.
16. The method recited in Claim 15 wherein said pH of said composition is in the range
of from about 9.0 to about 10.5.
17. The method recited in Claim 16 wherein said alcohol is present in said composition
in an amount in the range of from about 10 to about 20 percent by weight of said composition
and said peroxyhydrate is present in an amount in the range of from about 3 to about
12.5 percent by weight of said composition.
18. The method recited in Claim 17 wherein said peroxyhydrate is hydrogen peroxide
and said alcohol is isopropyl alcohol.
19. The method recited in Claim 18 wherein said alcohol is present in an amount of
about 10 percent based on the weight of said composition and said peroxyhydrate is
present in an amount of about 9 percent based on the weight of said composition and
said pH of said composition is adjusted using ammonium hydroxide.
20. A method of removing a coffee beverage stain from a nylon 6 fiber comprising contacting
said fiber with an aqueous cleaning composition containing about 9 percent by weight
hydrogen peroxide based on the weight of the composition, about 10 percent by weight
isopropyl alcohol based on the weight of the composition, and about 10 percent by
weight ammonium hydroxide based on the weight of the composition.