DE69620417T2 - Spot cleaning supplies - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to stain pretreatment compositions which are particularly useful in a local stain removal pretreatment stage prior to the subsequent dry cleaning or washing of textiles and garments. The present invention relates particularly to stain pretreatment compositions which are particularly useful in the dry cleaning of textiles and garments in both the commercial and, in particular, the non-commercial, i.e., domestic, sectors.

Various methods, compositions and devices for dry cleaning clothes in the home, i.e. in the domestic setting, have already been proposed in the prior art, for example those as described in US Patent No. 3,432,253, US Patent No. 4,336,024, US Patent No. 5,238,587, EP-A-0 518 901, JP-A-63/260 592 and GB-A-1 598 911. All of these, however, are not without technical disadvantages, including the problem of providing effective cleaning, particularly at the site of a stain on such a garment.

One of the objects of the present invention is therefore to provide an improved stain pretreatment composition which is particularly useful for pretreating stains prior to subsequent washing or dry cleaning, particularly in connection with dry cleaning in the home.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved stain pretreatment composition which has good stain removal efficiency and at the same time has a high water content with low amounts of volatile organic solvents. Such a stain pretreatment composition is particularly suitable for use in dry cleaning in the home since it contains low amounts of volatile solvents.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a household dry cleaning kit comprising said stain pretreatment compositions.

These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by the invention described in more detail below.

In one aspect, the present invention relates to a stain pretreatment composition comprising the following ingredients in weight percent:

0.1 to 10% non-ionic alkoxylated alcohol;

0.1 to 10% non-ionic alkoxylated mono- and dialkanolamide;

0.1 to 3.5% anionic surfactant;

0 to 1% fluorosurfactant;

0.01 to 7% alcohol solvent;

0.01 to 30% glycol ether solvent;

ad 100% water.

The stain pretreatment compositions may also contain one or more optional ingredients, such as colorants, fragrances (natural or synthetic), fragrance adjuvants and/or fragrance solubilizers, viscosity modifiers, thickeners, gelling agents, bleaching and optical brighteners, pH adjusters, pH buffers, water softeners, biocides, preservatives, and other solubilizing agents and other conventional ingredients in minor amounts, generally up to about 5% by weight, but preferably not more than about 2% by weight and even less. The stain pretreatment compositions are useful as stain removal compositions.

The stain pretreatment compositions of the present invention suitable for use as household dry cleaning compositions contain specific amounts of one or more non-ionic surfactants, which are preferably water-soluble non-ionic alkoxylated alcohols and alkoxylated phenols, many of which are well known and available as non-ionic surfactant preparations. These non-ionic surfactants are well known and include one or more alkoxylated phenols such as ethoxylated phenols and ethoxylated and/or propoxylated alcohols prepared by condensing either an alkylphenol or an aliphatic alcohol with a sufficient amount of ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide. These ethoxylated alcohols, propoxylated alcohols and ethoxylated phenols are well known and can be prepared by condensing an alkylphenol, an aliphatic alcohol or mixtures thereof with a sufficient amount of ethylene oxide to produce a compound comprising a polyoxyethylene. The alcohols can be primary, secondary or tertiary alcohols. Preferably, the ethylene oxide units are present in sufficient number to ensure solubility of the compound in an aqueous composition of the invention or in any dilution thereof. The ethoxylated alcohols and phenols are most preferably prepared by condensing about 4 to 16 (more preferably 8 to 13) moles of ethylene oxide with 1 mole of the parent compound (i.e., alkylphenol or aliphatic alcohol). As is well known to those skilled in the art, the number of moles of ethylene oxide that are condensed with 1 mole of parent compound depends on the molecular weight of the hydrophobic portion of the condensation product. The parent compounds that can be combined with the ethylene oxide can include one or more of the following:

(A) an alkylphenol having about 1 to 15, preferably 7 to 10 carbon atoms (saturated or unsaturated) in the alkyl group [e.g. phenol, methylphenol (cresol), ethylphenol, hexylphenol, octylphenol, decylphenol, nonylphenol, dodecylphenol and the like]; and

(B) a primary, secondary or tertiary aliphatic alcohol having about 10 to 20, preferably 11 to 15 carbon atoms (e.g. decyl alcohol, dodecyl alcohol, tridecyl alcohol, hexadecyl alcohol, octadecyl alcohol, etc.).

Illustrative examples of these preferred water-soluble nonionic ethoxylated phenol and/or ethoxylated alcohol surfactants include one or more of those available under the trade names NEODOL, currently commercially available from Shell Oil Company; TERGITOL, currently commercially available from Union Carbide; and POLYTERGENT, currently commercially available from Olin Chemical Co., and IGEPAL, currently commercially available from Rhöne-Poulenc Co. Specific examples of these useful nonionic surfactants include NEODOL 25-3, which is believed to be a C12-C15 primary linear alcohol condensed with 3 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol; NEODOL 25-7, which is believed to be a C₁₂-C₁₅ primary linear alcohol condensed with 7 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol; NEODOL 25-9, which is believed to be a C₁₂-C₅ primary linear alcohol condensed with 9 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol; NEODOL 25-12, which is believed to be a C₁₂-C₁₅ primary linear alcohol condensed with 12 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol; TERGITOL 15-S-7, which is believed to be is a random C₁₁-C₁₅ secondary alcohol condensed with 7 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol; TERGITOL 15-S-9 which is believed to be an alkoxypolyethyleneoxyethanol that can be represented by the formula C₁₁₋₁₅H₂₃₋₁₅O(CH₂CH₂O)xH having a mole/mole degree of ethoxylation of 8.9 on average, POLYTERGENT SL-22 which is believed to be a linear aliphatic alkoxylated alcohol; POLYTERGENT SL-62, which is also believed to be a linear aliphatic alkoxylated alcohol, and mixtures thereof. Exemplary alkoxylated alkylphenols include those currently commercially available under the trade name IGEPAL and which are, as indicated, octyl and nonylphenols. Specific compositions include: IGEPAL CA-210, which is described as an ethoxylated octylphenol having an average of 1.5 ethoxy groups per molecule, and IGEPAL CA-420, which is described as an ethoxylated octylphenol having an average of 3 ethoxy groups per molecule.

Generally, the more water soluble nonionic alkoxylated phenol and/or alkoxylated alcohol surfactant ingredients are a single surfactant or may be a mixture of such surfactants, which are suitably included in the stain pretreatment compositions in an amount in the range of about 0.1 to about 10% by weight based on the total weight of the stain pretreatment composition. Most preferably, the more water soluble nonionic alkoxylated phenol and/or alkoxylated alcohol surfactant is used in an amount in the range of about 0.1 to about 9% by weight, most preferably from 2 to 7% by weight.

As a further essential ingredient, the stain pretreatment compositions of the invention contain specific amounts of one or more water-soluble non-ionic surfactant compositions based on alkoxylated alkanolamides, which in particular comprise both alkoxylated monoalkanolamides and alkoxylated dialkanolamides. Particularly suitable alkoxylated dialkanolamides include C8-C24 alkyl di(C2-C3 alkanolamides) including those which can be represented by the following formula:

R₁-CO-NH-R₂-OH

wherein R1 is a branched or straight-chain C8-C24 alkyl radical, preferably C10-C16 alkyl radical and particularly preferably C12-C14 alkyl radical, and R2 is a C1-C4 alkyl radical, preferably an ethyl radical.

Useful alkoxylated monoalkanolamides and alkoxylated dialkanolamides are currently commercially available and include, for example, one or more of those available under the trade name MONAMID, currently commercially available from Mona Industries, Inc.; ALKAMIDE, currently commercially available from Rhöne-Poulene Co., and NINOL, currently commercially available from Stepan Chemical Co. Of particular note are MONAMID 716, described as lauric acid diethanolamide, MONAMID 150-ADY, described as a mixed fatty acid alkanolamide, MONAMID R31-42, described as lauric acid/myristic acid diethanolamide, ALKAMIDE L7, described as a high purity lauric acid/myristic acid alkanolamide, ALKAMIDE 2124, described as lauric acid diethanolamide, and NINOL 30-LL and NINOL 55-LL, both described as lauric acid diethanolamides.

Generally, the water-soluble alkoxylated alkanolamide component is a single surfactant or a mixture of such surfactants, with the component being present in the stain pretreatment compositions in an amount ranging from about 0.1 to about 10% by weight based on the total weight of the stain Pretreatment composition. Particularly preferably, the more water-soluble non-ionic ethoxylated phenol and/or ethoxylated alcohol surfactants are used in an amount in the range of from 0.1 to about 9% by weight, most preferably from 1 to 7% by weight.

The compositions of the present invention contain an anionic surfactant component. This component is selected from alkyl sulfosuccinates, alkyl ether sulfosuccinates, alkyl amide sulfosuccinates, alkyl sulfosuccinamates, and salt forms thereof. Generally, the alkyl or acyl moiety in these various compounds comprises a carbon chain having from 12 to 20 carbon atoms. Many of these anionic surfactants are well known and available from a variety of sources, for example, the materials currently commercially available under the trade name ALKASURF from Rhöne-Poulenc Co. and those currently commercially available under the trade name MONAWET from Mona Industries. As illustrative examples, these include the following products: ALKASURF SS-MA-80, which is described as sodium dihexyl sulfosuccinate, ALKASURF SS-NO, which is described as tetrasodium N-alkyl sulfosuccinamate, ALKASURF SS-O, which is described as sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate, ALKASURF SS-OA-HE, which is described as disodium oleylamido polyethylene glycol 2-sulfosuccinate, ALKASURF SS-TA, which is described as sodium N-octadecyl sulfocuccinamate, ALKASURF SS-L7DE, which is described as sodium sulfosuccinate ester of lauric acid diethanolamide, ALKASURF SS-L9ME, which is described as sodium sulfosuccinate ester of lauric acid monoethanolamide, ALKASURF SS-L-HE, which is described as sodium diisobutyl sulfosuccinate MONAWET MB-45, which is described as diisobutyl sodium sulfosuccinate, MONAWET mm-80, which is described as dihexyl sodium sulfosuccinate, MONAWET MO-65-150, which is described as dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate, MONAWET MO-70 and MONAWET MO-80, both described as dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate, MONAWET MT, which is described as di-tridecyl sodium sulfosuccinate, MONAWET SNO-35, which is described as tetrasodium salt of N-(1,2-dicarboxyethyl)-N-octadecyl sulfosuccinamate, and MONAWET TD-30, which is described as an ethoxylated fatty alcohol half ester of sulfosuccinic acid.

Generally, this anionic surfactant component is a single surfactant or a mixture of such surfactants and is included in the stain pretreatment compositions of the present invention in an amount in the range of about 0.1 to about 3.5 weight percent based on the total weight of the stain pretreatment composition. More preferably, the anionic surfactant component is used in an amount in the range of about 0.1 to about 3 weight percent, most preferably from 0.1 to 1 weight percent.

The compositions of the invention optionally but suitably contain one or more fluorosurfactant ingredients as are generally known. Non-limiting examples thereof include fluorinated and perfluorinated alkyl carboxylates, fluorinated and perfluorinated alkyl alkoxylates, fluorinated alkyl esters, perfluorinated alkyl sulfonates, fluorinated and perfluorinated alkyl quaternary ammonium iodides, fluorinated alkyl polyoxyethylene alcohols and their salt forms, in particular their ammonium, alkali metal and alkaline earth metal salts.

An example of a useful fluorosurfactant is one currently commercially available under the trade name FLUORAD, which includes, among other materials, various perfluoroalkyl sulfonates, perfluoroalkyl carboxylates and salts thereof, and fluorinated alkyl esters. One such material is FC 170C (from 3M Company, Minneapolis MN), which is described as a fluorinated alkyl polyoxyethylene ethanol.

Other fluorosurfactants that may be used include those currently commercially available under the trade name ZONYL (from E. I. DuPont DeNemours & Co., Wilmington, DE).

The fluorosurfactant ingredient, when present, may consist of one or more fluorosurfactants and is included in the stain pretreatment compositions in an amount in the range of up to about 1% by weight based on the total weight of the stain pretreatment composition. Preferably, the fluorosurfactant ingredient is present in lesser amounts, with amounts of only 1 to 5000 ppm (parts per million) based on the total weight of the stain pretreatment compositions having been found to be beneficial.

The compositions of the invention comprise an alcohol component which is selected to be a water soluble alcohol, suitably a lower alkyl monohydroxy alcohol, including, but not limited to, straight and branched C1-6 alcohols, which are preferred. These alcohols themselves are well known and are widely available commercially. Any water soluble alcohol, particularly the preferred C1-6 alcohols, can be used and incorporated into the stain pretreatment compositions of the invention and are suitably selected to have good water solubility, high effectiveness as a solvent for removing certain stains and, most suitably, to be volatile so that once applied to the soiled garment or fabric, they readily volatilize therefrom.

The alcohol component may consist of one or more water-soluble alcohols and are included in the stain pretreatment compositions in an amount in the range of about 0.01 to about 7% by weight based on the total weight of the composition. The alcohol component is conveniently included in lower proportions, preferably it is present in the compositions of the invention in an amount of about 0.01 to about 7% by weight, most preferably from 2 to 5% by weight.

The stain pretreatment compositions of the present invention also contain a glycol ether solvent component. Preferred as the glycol ether solvent component according to the present invention are glycol ethers having the general structure Ra-O-Rb-OH, where Ra is an alkoxy having 1 to 20 carbon atoms or an aryloxy having at least 6 carbon atoms and Rb is an ether condensate, e.g. a propylene glycol and/or ethylene glycol having 1 to 10 glycol monomer units. Preferred are C3-C20 glycol ethers, especially those having one, but preferably 2 to 5 glycol monomer units. Other examples of particularly preferred solvents include propylene glycol methyl ether, dipropylene glycol methyl ether, tripropylene glycol methyl ether, propylene glycol isobutyl ether, ethylene glycol methyl ether, ethylene glycol ethyl ether, ethylene glycol butyl ether, diethylene glycol phenyl ether, propylene glycol phenol ether, and mixtures thereof. Exemplary glycol ethers that can be used very advantageously as a solvent component are one or more solvents from the group consisting of diethylene glycol methyl ether, ethylene glycol n-butyl ether, diethylene glycol n-butyl ether, ethylene glycol hexyl ether, diethylene glycol hexyl ether, and mixtures thereof. These materials are currently commercially available under the trade names DOWANOL from Dow Chemical Co. (Midland MI); CARBITOL or CELLOSOLVE, both from Union Carbide Corp. (Danbury CT).

The glycol ether solvent component is preferably used in an amount sufficient to sufficiently solubilize the stain pretreatment composition so that it is not excessively viscous or gelatinous, but rather has a flow viscosity similar to that of lower alkyl alcohols or water. Such a viscosity property is particularly beneficial when the stain pretreatment composition is contained in a package or dispenser which contains a dispensing pump or nozzle and also facilitates absorption of the composition between the fibers of a textile material or garment. This viscosity property can be achieved in part by careful selection of one or more glycol ether solvents, paying particular attention to their solubility properties in water as well as their molecular weights. For example, in a formulation within the scope of the present invention, the viscosity can be reduced by adding a larger amount of a lower molecular weight glycol ether solvent. At the same time, the selection of the glycol ether solvents should be made with care to ensure good stain solubilization properties, including those normally associated with higher molecular weight glycol ethers, by suitably ensuring that they are also included in the stain pretreatment compositions. In view of these considerations, the selection of a good glycol ether solvent component can thus be made using experimental evaluation methods familiar to those skilled in the art. Generally, the glycol ether component is a single such solvent or a mixture of such solvents is included in the stain pretreatment compositions in an amount in the range of about 0.01 to about 30 weight percent based on the total weight of the composition. Most preferably, the glycol ether component is used in an amount in the range of about 2 to about 18 weight percent, most preferably from 3 to 12 weight percent. Conveniently, the glycol ether solvent component comprises about equal amounts of two or more different glycol ether solvents having different molecular weights.

As indicated above, the stain pretreatment compositions of the present invention are aqueous in nature. The water may be tap water, preferably distilled water, and most preferably deionized water. When the water is tap water, it is preferably substantially free of any undesirable contaminants such as organic or inorganic materials, particularly mineral salts, present in hard water, which may interfere with the performance of one or more essential ingredients of the present invention, as well as other optional components that may be included therein. The water is added in amounts sufficient to make up 100% by weight of the cleaning composition. Conveniently, the water constitutes at least about 70% by weight, and most conveniently at least about 74% by weight, of the total weight of the stain pretreatment compositions of the present invention.

The compositions of the invention may have an acidic, neutral or alkaline pH, but desirably they have a neutral or alkaline pH, namely about 7.0 and higher. Most desirably the stain pretreatment compositions of the invention have a pH in the range of about 9 to about 11.

The compositions of the invention may contain one or more of the following optional components, the total weight of which does not exceed about 5% by weight of the total weight of the composition, more preferably about 2% by weight and most preferably about 1% by weight of the total weight of the composition of the invention. These optional components may be one or more of the following: colorants, fragrances (either natural or synthetically produced), fragrance adjuvants and/or Fragrance solubilizers, viscosity modifiers, thickeners, gelling agents, bleaching and optical brighteners, pH adjusters, pH buffers, water softeners, biocides, preservatives and other solubilizing agents useful for solubilizing one or more of the ingredients in water. These materials are well known and are preferably selected so that they do not impair the other advantageous features of the compositions of the invention. Such materials are described, for example, in "McCutcheon's Detergents and Emulsifiers", Volume 1, North American Edition, 1991 and in "McCutcheon's Functional Materials", Volume 2, North American Edition, 1991, the contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

According to a particularly preferred aspect, the invention relates to a stain pretreatment composition consisting essentially of the following components per 100% by weight:

2 to 7 wt.% non-ionic alkoxylated phenol or non-ionic alkoxylated alcohol,

1 to 7 wt.% non-ionic water-soluble alkoxylated mono- and dialkanolamide,

0.1 to 1 wt.% anionic surfactant selected from alkyl sulfosuccinates, alkyl ether sulfosuccinates, alkyl amide sulfosuccinates, alkyl sulfosuccinamates,

0 to 1 wt.% fluorosurfactant

2 to 5 wt.% alcohol solvent,

3 to 12 wt.% glycol ether solvent

> 70 wt% water.

The compositions suitably contain an amount of fluorosurfactant such that the fluorosurfactant is present in an amount of > 0 to 1 wt.%, particularly preferably in an amount of about 1 to 5000 ppm.

The compositions of the invention are prepared simply by mixing measured amounts of the individual ingredients to form a homogeneous mixture thereof. This can be done using well-known techniques and conveniently the mixing is carried out in a simple paddle mixer, stirrer or other low shear liquid mixing device to avoid undesirable foaming of the compositions.

With respect to the manner of using the stain pretreatment compositions, it should be noted that the compositions mentioned are not typically used in bulk as a "general cleaner" but rather for the direct treatment of a stain or stained area of a textile material or garment. According to one aspect of the method of the invention, a soiled garment is treated by directly applying an effective amount of the stain pretreatment composition to the site of a stain and optionally to the area surrounding the stain. This can be done in one or more of the following ways. One way is simply to manually dispense an effective amount of the stain pretreatment composition directly from a container or vessel directly to the site of the stain. A number of devices can be used to accomplish this consumer-convenient manual application. For example, the stain pretreatment composition can be contained in a spray bottle with a manually operated pump, in a squeeze bottle, in an aerosol or in another dispensing container. These containers are well known. In this way, the localized application of the stain pre-treatment composition is facilitated and simplified by the required operation of the pump of the spray bottle or by squeezing the squeeze bottle to dispense a quantity of the stain pre-treatment composition or by spraying the cleaning composition from the pressurized aerosol container containing the composition of the invention. A particularly suitable, well-known dispensing device is a container with a liquid permeable applicator tip or end, for example a porous sponge or porous fabric applicator tip. In use, a removable cap covering the applicator tip is removed, the container is inverted to allow the contents of the container to flow out, thereby impregnating the permeable applicator tip, and the tip is then manually brought into contact with the stain to both transfer a predetermined amount of the stain pretreatment composition and simultaneously manually agitate or rub the textile material or garment at the location of the stain and, if appropriate, in the surrounding area. This manually applied movement provides a mechanical action which physically breaks up the stain. This is particularly advantageous for stains which have been left untreated for long periods of time, e.g. for days, weeks and longer periods of time, and which may have hardened. Such manual rubbing, in addition to mechanically loosening the stain, serves to further enhance the penetration of the stain pretreatment composition into and between the soiled fibers. This mechanical action also improves the overall stain removal properties of the stain pretreatment composition. Because of these advantageous properties, containers having a liquid-permeable applicator tip or end are particularly preferred and such containers are well known.

In another preferred method, the soiled garment is treated by applying an effective amount of the stain pretreatment composition directly to the site of a stain and optionally to the area surrounding the stain, and then placing a disposable absorbent sheet (web) or other part of the garment or other garment to achieve manual agitation and "rubbing" of the stain pretreatment composition to insure that it is thoroughly distributed between the stain and the fibers at the site of the stain. Such disposable absorbent sheets (webs) can be made from any fibrous or cellular flexible material that has good absorbent properties for the stain pretreatment composition. Such sheets (webs) can be, for example, nonwoven materials, e.g. B. those having fibers bonded by means of an adhesive in a web with a fibrous structure, and/or those comprising nonwovens in which the fibers are distributed in a random arrangement. These fibers can be naturally produced fibers such as those made of wool, silk, cotton, linen, hemp, sisal, rapeseed, or they can be synthetically produced, such as synthetically spun fibers made of polymers. Examples of such synthetic fibers include fibers made of rayon, cellulose, polyvinyl derivatives, polyolefins, polyesters and polyamides. Of course, mixtures of two or more different fibers can also be used to make these nonwoven materials. Preferably, these films (webs) are sufficiently strong so that they are resistant to tearing or fraying when used manually to rub the treated stain with the stain pretreatment compositions of the invention. These films (sheets), when used, can be of any dimension, but they are preferably films (sheets) with an area of at least 2 cm², but those with larger areas are preferred. Films having larger areas, i.e. those having areas of at least 50 cm² and more, are preferred from the standpoint of ease of use and handling.

In another embodiment of the invention, the stain pretreatment compositions can be used in metered amounts impregnated into a disposable absorbent web as described above. In this way, the stain pretreatment composition can be delivered to the end user along with said film (web) and the user must then apply a mechanical force to the location of the stain on the garment to distribute the stain pretreatment composition contained therein. In this way, a quantity of the stain pretreatment composition can be provided simultaneously with the application of a mechanical force, both of which act on the composition and break up the stain. Another advantage of this method of application is that the absorbent nature of the film (web) also acts as a substrate for receiving the loosened stain and removing it from the garment.

Such impregnated disposable absorbent films (webs) can be easily manufactured and easily packaged using known techniques. For example, the films (webs) can be impregnated with the stain pretreatment composition by dipping, spraying, coating, pressure treating, vacuum filling or any other known method of applying the liquid to the absorbent film (web), and then said films (webs) can be packaged in a liquid-tight packaging container. These liquid-tight packaging containers can be of any type known per se, such as rigid liquid-tight containers and jars, bags or pouches for opening or taking out and the like. Of particular interest are single-opening bags which are torn open by the end user and from which the absorbent film (web) impregnated with the stain pretreatment composition is taken out in a ready-to-use form.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the stains on garments or textile materials are treated with the above-described stain pretreatment compositions in a "pretreatment" step followed by a washing or dry cleaning step. Such a washing step is well known and comprises immersing the garments or textiles in an aqueous wash bath suitably containing an amount of the detergent composition. Such a dry cleaning step may be one as is currently common practice, as is typically carried out in conventional dry cleaning establishments, for example on a commercial scale. An alternative dry cleaning process may be one as carried out by a consumer in the home or domestic environment, for example as described in one or more of the above-mentioned patents, but is preferably one carried out using the dry cleaning compositions which are particularly useful as a household dry cleaning composition. A particularly advantageous liquid cleaning composition which can be used after pretreating a garment or textile material with the stain pretreatment compositions of the invention comprises the following ingredients: 0.01 to 5% by weight (preferably 0.01 to 2.5% by weight) of non-ionic surfactant which is preferably an alkoxylated primary or secondary alcohol and/or an alkoxylated phenol; 0.01 to 2.5% by weight of anionic surfactant selected from alkyl sulfosuccinates, alkyl ether sulfosuccinates, alkyl amide sulfosuccinates, alkyl sulfosuccinamates and their salt forms; 0 to 1% by weight (preferably 0 to 0.1%) of fluorosurfactant ingredient including one or more of those which may be included in the stain pretreatment composition; 0.01 to 7% by weight of organic solvent selected of alcohols and glycol ethers, particularly water-miscible alcohols and ethers, to 100% by weight of water and also up to about 2% by weight (preferably 0 to 1% by weight) of one or more optional ingredients. Suitably, these liquid cleaning compositions are aqueous in nature and comprise about 90% by weight or more of water. Such a liquid cleaning composition is suitably applied to the surface of a garment or textile material, particularly at the site of stains treated using the stain pretreatment compositions of the invention, to provide a further cleaning effect on the treated garment or textile material. They are particularly advantageous when applied to the surface of a garment or textile material which is being treated in a drum in a water vapor permeable or water vapor impermeable bag for a period of time sufficient to generally evenly wet the garment or textile material at the surface with said liquid cleaning composition.

The use of such a washing and dry cleaning step can be particularly advantageously carried out in some cases, since the inventors of the present invention have found that the stain cleaning compositions of the invention can leave small amounts of surface residue or visible rings of off-white residue at the boundary between the dry garment or fabric surface and the peripheral edge of the wetted area of a treated stain. This washing or dry cleaning step removes any such residue that may have formed, but other methods for minimizing the formation of such residue and/or for removing it can also be practiced. For example, the inventors have found that by using a dispenser with an absorbent tip with a brushing action to produce linear passes, the formation of such a peripheral ring is minimized. In this way, the majority of the stain removal composition is delivered to the site of the stain and lesser amounts of the stain remover are delivered to the edges beyond the stain. In this way, a "feather-like" application of the stain removal composition can be made. It should be noted that a circular or swirl application pattern was not applied to a blouse in order to minimize the likelihood of deformation of the textile material.

Alternatively, if such surface residues or visible rings of off-white residue should form on a textile material surface after use of the stain removal composition of the invention, these residues can be removed, for example, by wetting the surface of the residue with water, alcohol or another solvent.

For example, as used in the specification and claims, the terms "garments" and "textile materials" refer to finished articles such as pants, shirts, blouses, scarves, other articles of clothing, robes, capes and the like in the case of the former term, while in the case of the latter term, textile materials which have been manufactured but which have not been made into a garment or finished articles such as articles of clothing or robes are meant. In any event, the present invention is equally applicable and useful without distinction both to textile materials and to garments, which are considered to be interchangeable terms with respect to the cleaning operations and the cleaning compositions of the invention.

As used in this specification and in the claims, the terms "parts by weight" and "percentages by weight" and "% by weight" are interchangeable and represent the percent by weight of a particular ingredient based on a total composition in which the ingredient is contained, but it is assumed that this total composition comprises 100 parts by weight. As immediately preceding, all ingredients of each of the formulations described in the examples below are given in parts by weight and are based on 100 parts by weight of a particular formulation unless otherwise indicated.

Examples

To illustrate the compositions of the invention, various formulations were prepared with the ingredients listed in Table 1 below, where the amounts given each indicate the weight percentage of each ingredient.

Preparation of the formulations was carried out in a conventional manner, generally according to the following protocol. Less than the total or total amount of deionized water was added to a large glass beaker placed on a magnetic stirrer. The temperature of the water, as well as that of the remaining ingredients, was about room temperature (68°F, 20°C). The stirrer was turned on and measured amounts of each of the ingredients were added to the water. Although it is believed that the order of addition of the ingredients is not important, the surfactants were generally added to the stirred water and allowed to disperse well before the remaining ingredients were added. After the last ingredient was added, the contents of the beaker were continued to stir for a period of 5 to 15 minutes to ensure homogeneous mixing and the production of a uniform formulation. Each of the formulations was found to be storage stable for periods of weeks and months. Table 1 Table 2 Table 2

* The composition of Example 21 also contained 0.10 wt.% of a fragrance

A specified list of the individual components and their chemical identity is given in Table 3 below.

Table 3

Component:

PolyTergent SL-62 alkoxylated linear aliphatic alcohol (100% active ingredients by weight)

PolyTergent SL-22 alkoxylated linear aliphatic alcohol (100% active ingredients by weight)

Tergitol 15-S-9 secondary C₁₁-C₁₅ alcohol ethoxylate (100% w/w active ingredients)

Tergitol 15-S-3 secondary C₁₁-C₁₅ alcohol ethoxylate (100% w/w active ingredients)

Neodol 25-9 linear primary C₁₂-C₁₅ alcohol ethoxylate (100 wt.% active ingredients)

Neodol 25-3 linear primary C₁₂-C₁₅ alcohol ethoxylate (100 wt.% active ingredients)

Neodol 91-8 linear primary C₄-C₁₁₁ alcohol ethoxylate (100 wt.% active ingredients)

Neodol 91-2.5 linear primary C�9;-C₁₁₁ alcohol ethoxylate (100 wt.% active ingredients)

Monamid R31-42 Lauric acid/myristic acid diethanolamide (80% active ingredients by weight)

Monamid 150 ADY mixed fatty acid alkanolamide (100% active ingredients)

Monamid 716 Lauric acid diethanolamide (100% active ingredients by weight)

Monawet SNO-35 Tetrasodium salt of N-(1,2-dicarboxyethyl)-N- octadecyl sulfosuccinamate (35% active ingredients by weight)

Dowanol DM Glycol Ether (100% w/w active ingredients)

Hexylcarbitol diethylene glycol monohexyl ether (100% active ingredients)

Fluorad FC 170c fluorinated alkylpolyoxyethyleneethanols (95% active ingredients by weight)

SDA 40.2 Ethanol (95% w/w active ingredients)

Citric acid anhydrous citric acid (100% active ingredients by weight)

Hydrogen peroxide aqueous hydrogen peroxide (35 wt.% active ingredients)

deionized water deionized water

Assessment of stain cleaning properties Cleaning example 1

An evaluation of the cleaning properties of the formulation according to Example 1 (see Table 1) was carried out using the following general protocol:

A clean white rayon blouse was soiled in several separate places with a 0.2 g amount of a liquid make-up (COVER GIRL Ultra Finish Cream Make-up (Soft Beige)). Measured amounts of make-up were applied to each separate place and spread evenly with a spatula to form a test patch. The thus-stained rayon blouse was then left at room temperature for 30 minutes to ensure absorption of the liquid make-up by the fibers of the blouse and to approximate the usual conditions of use of the product by the consumer who would likely use the formulations of the invention on the hardened and/or dried stains on a fabric only after a certain period of time. Thereafter, an absorbent paper towel sheet was placed on a hard, non-absorbent surface and a second paper towel sheet was folded twice to form a pad. The blouse was placed on the paper towel so that the test spot was on top. Then a 3.0 g amount of the formulation according to Example 1 was applied directly to the site of a stain using a dropper and immediately thereafter, the folded paper towel pad was used to manually move the pad back and forth in various directions forty (40) times to mechanically rub the stain on the blouse and to ensure that the formulation was distributed between the rayon fibers. Thereafter, the absorbent paper towel was removed from beneath the stain and both the folded paper towel pad and the absorbent paper towel were examined. It was observed that a significant amount of the liquid makeup had been removed and was now transferred to or absorbed by one or both of the paper towels.

By visual inspection, it was determined that the test stain had been completely removed from the rayon blouse, leaving only a wetted (moist) circular area resulting from the application of the formulation of Example 1. Immediately thereafter, the surface of the rayon blouse was sprayed with a sufficient amount of the particularly advantageous liquid cleaning composition described above, which generally contained the following ingredients: 0.01 to 5% by weight (preferably 0.01 to 2.5% by weight) of nonionic surfactant, which was preferably a primary or secondary alkoxylated alcohol and/or an alkoxylated phenol; 0.01 to 2.5% by weight of anionic surfactant selected from alkyl sulfosuccinates, alkyl ether sulfosuccinates, alkyl amide sulfosuccinates, alkyl sulfosuccinamates and salts thereof; 0 to 1% by weight (preferably 0 to 0.1%) of fluorosurfactant ingredient comprising one or more of those contained in the stain removal composition; 0.01 to 7% by weight of organic solvent selected from alcohols and glycol ethers, in particular water-miscible alcohols and ethers, to 100% by weight of water and also up to about 2% by weight (preferably 0 to 1%) of one or more optional ingredients.

The thus treated rayon blouse was then placed in a water vapor impermeable receiving bag, the opening of which was sealed to retain the blouse within the interior of the bag, and the receiving bag and its contents were placed inside a dryer with horizontally rotating garments and subjected to a fluffing cycle for 5 to 15 minutes without heating. During this step, the rayon blouse rotated freely within the receiving bag, which was observed to curl and expand and in turn rotate freely within the rotating drum of the dryer.

The dryer was then stopped, the receiving bag was removed, and the rayon blouse was removed from the bag. It was generally evenly moistened and hung on a hanger and allowed to dry. After drying, the blouse was closely examined. No yellowing was noted in the fabric and no gray-white rings or "fronts" were observed. These results were rated as "excellent" cleaning results.

Cleaning example 2

In the same manner as described in Cleaning Example I above, a further evaluation was conducted using a 3.0 g sample of the formulation of Example 14 (Table 2), again evaluating the effectiveness of removing the same liquid makeup stain from the rayon blouse. The stain was removed using the general procedure described here and it was found that substantially all of the liquid makeup had been transferred to one or both of the paper towels.

Within 7 minutes of treatment with the stain removal composition of Example 14, the surface of the rayon blouse was sprayed with an amount of the liquid cleaning composition as specified in Example 1 above. The rayon blouse was similarly placed in a receiving bag and then treated as generally described in Example 1.

After drying, the stain removal efficiency of the Example 14 formulation was also evaluated, with "excellent" cleaning results being obtained. Again, no gray-white rings or "fronts" were observed on the periphery of the wetted (damp) circular area formed by the formulation after the blouse was allowed to dry.

Cleaning example 3

Following the general test protocol and again using the liquid cleaning composition as described in Cleaning Example 1, a sample of the formulation of Example 15 (see Table 2) was evaluated for its stain removal efficiency on a rayon blouse containing the same test stains as in Cleaning Example 1.

Upon completion of the stain removal process, it was again observed that a significant amount of the liquid makeup had been absorbed by one or both of the paper towel surfaces and the stain was found to have been completely removed.

Following treatment of the rayon blouse with the liquid cleaning composition and in the manner described in Cleaning Example 1, it was determined that the stain removal results were "excellent" as the formulation of Example 15 had removed virtually all of the liquid makeup stain from the rayon blouse. Also, no gray-white rings or "fronts" were observed at the periphery of the wetted circular area formed by the formulation after the blouse was allowed to dry.

Cleaning example 4

Formulations of the invention were evaluated for cleaning ability by removing a red lipstick stain (MAYBELLINE Royal Garnet) applied to a white rayon blouse. In this evaluation, a clean white rayon blouse was soiled in several places with red lipstick using uniform amounts of the lipstick applied by hand. The blouse thus soiled was left for approximately 10 minutes, which again simulated actual consumer behavior in practical use, assuming that dried stains would be treated with the formulations of the invention.

After the 10 minute period, a clean paper towel sheet was placed on a hard non-absorbent surface and a second paper towel was folded over to form a pad. A portion of the blouse with the stain facing up was placed on the paper towel sheet and a 3 g sample of the formulation of Example 14 (see Table 2) was applied directly to the stain. Immediately thereafter, the paper towel pad was manually moved back and forth 40 times to rub the formulation into the stain and between the fibers of the rayon blouse. Following this cleaning, the paper towels were removed from the stain site and visually inspected. It was noted that all of the red lipstick had been removed and transferred to one or both of the paper towel surfaces and that the white Rayon blouse where the stain used to be was clean and was only damp from the absorbed formula.

The rayon blouse was then treated with the liquid cleaning composition and further processed in the manner described in Cleaning Example 1. After removing the rayon blouse from the receiving bag and after drying the rayon blouse, the efficiency of the stain removal results was rated as "excellent" because the formulation of Example 15 had removed virtually all of the red lipstick stain from the rayon blouse. Also, no gray-white rings or "fronts" were observed on the periphery of the wet circular area formed by the formulation after allowing the blouse to dry.

Cleaning example 5

Following the initial procedure protocol as outlined in Purification Example 4, the same experimental protocol was performed using a 3.0 g sample of the formulation of Example 15.

Similarly, after rubbing the site of the stain with the absorbent paper towel web, the paper towel beneath the stain and the pad were removed. Both were found to have transferred virtually all of the red lipstick, which had been substantially removed from the white rayon blouse, leaving only the wet portion due to the absorbed formulation. The white rayon blouse was not subsequently treated with the liquid cleaning composition as described in Example 4.

After the wet area dried, gray-white rings or "fronts" were observed at the periphery of the wetted (wet) circular area formed by the formulation after the blouse was allowed to dry.

Cleaning example 6

Further evaluations were made to assess the cleaning effect of certain formulations of the invention using the following test protocol. Another clean white rayon blouse was stained in several places by applying 0.02 g amounts of a liquid makeup (COVER GIRL Ultra Finish Creme Makeup (Soft Beige)) several times. The thus-stained blouse was then left undisturbed for 10 to 15 minutes to allow the stains to harden and thus simulate actual consumer use conditions. A clean paper towel was then placed at the site of a stain on a hard non-absorbent surface beneath said stain and a second paper towel was folded over twice to form a paper towel pad. A 3.0 g sample of the formulation of Example 14 (see Table 2) was applied to the stain and immediately after application, the stain was rubbed with the paper towel pad using fifty (50) back and forth strokes to mechanically rub the stain and ensure penetration of the formulation into the stain and between the rayon fibers. Both paper towels were then removed and visually inspected and it was found that substantially all of the liquid makeup had been transferred to them and the stain had been essentially completely removed from the rayon blouse.

Within several minutes after treatment with the stain removal composition of Example 14, the surface of the rayon blouse was coated with a certain amount of the particularly advantageous liquid cleaning composition as described above in the specification and in Example 1 above. The rayon blouse was again placed in a receiving bag and then treated as described in Example 1.

After drying, the stain removal efficiency of the formulation was evaluated according to Example 16 and "excellent" cleaning results were also obtained. Again, no gray-white rings or "fronts" were observed on the periphery of the wet circular area created by the formulation after the blouse was allowed to dry.

Cleaning example 7

Similarly, using the same test protocol as described in Cleaning Example 6 above, a 3.0 g sample of the formulation of Example 16 (see Table 2) was used to treat a stain created by a liquid makeup (COVER GIRL Ultra Finish Creme Makeup (Soft Beige)) on a white rayon blouse. Following the cleaning procedure, both paper towels were visually inspected and it was found that virtually all of the liquid makeup had been removed from the rayon blouse and transferred to one or both of the paper towel surfaces. These cleaning results were rated as "excellent." In addition, no gray-white rings or "fronts" were observed on the periphery of the wet circular area created by the formulation after the blouse was allowed to dry.

Cleaning examples 8 to 11

To evaluate additional formulations of the invention on various fabric substrates, individual fabric samples consisting of rayon, silk, polyester/cotton blend, and wool were test stained using the following test protocol. A 2.0 g amount of liquid makeup (COVER GIRL Ultra Finish Creme Makeup (Soft Beige)) was applied to one area of each fabric sample, and a 5.0 g sample of tomato sauce (RAGU Old World Style Spaghetti Sauce) was applied to another area of each fabric sample. Each fabric sample was allowed to sit undisturbed for 2 hours to allow the makeup and tomato sauce to absorb. Each of the fabric samples was then placed stain side up on a separate absorbent paper towel laid out on a flat, hard surface with the fabric sample resting approximately in the middle of the paper towel. For the liquid makeup test stain on a single fabric swatch, 0.2 g of the formulation of Example 16 (see Table 2) was applied directly to the stain using a pipette. Shortly thereafter, a second paper towel folded twice to form an absorbent pad was used to manually rub the stain 40 back and forth strokes, after which the folded paper towel pad was removed and visually observed. A 2.0 g sample of the formulation of Example 16 was then applied to the tomato sauce stain on the same fabric swatch and, using a second folded paper towel also folded to form an absorbent pad, the formulation was rubbed into the stain 40 back and forth strokes, and again the pad was removed and observed. This test protocol was repeated for each of the fabric swatches until the formulation of Example 16 had been used to remove both stains on each of the four fabric swatches evaluated. For simplicity, the rayon fabric sample is referred to as cleaning example 8, the silk fabric sample is referred to as cleaning example 9, The polyester/cotton blend fabric sample is referred to as Cleaning Example 10 and the wool fabric sample is referred to as Cleaning Example 11.

In each of Cleaning Examples 8 through 11, one or both paper towels were found to have absorbed the individual stains on each of the fabric samples and in each case it was visually determined that the test stains had been substantially removed from the fabric.

Each of these individual cleaning results was rated as "excellent".

Thereafter, each of the fabric samples was sprayed using an amount of the particularly advantageous liquid cleaning composition as described in Example 1 above. The fabric samples were placed in a receiving bag and then treated as described in Example 1.

After the fabric samples were allowed to dry, no gray-white rings or "fronts" were observed at the periphery of the wet circular area created by the formulation.

Cleaning examples 12 to 15

The experimental protocol of Cleaning Examples 8 to 11 above in producing test stained swatches from multiple fabrics was repeated using four new swatches, one of rayon, one of silk, one of a polyester/cotton blend and one of wool. For simplicity, the rayon swatch is referred to as Cleaning Example 12, the silk swatch is referred to as Cleaning Example 13, the polyester/cotton blend swatch is referred to as Cleaning Example 14 and the wool swatch is referred to as Cleaning Example 15. As above, each swatch was stained with liquid makeup and tomato sauce and after standing for 2 hours, the stains were removed in the same manner but using a 2.0 g sample of the formulation of Example 17 (see Table 2).

After rubbing (moving back and forth) the formulation, each of the paper towels was observed and found to have absorbed virtually all of the test stains from the fabric samples and each of the stains on each of the fabric samples was found to be substantially removed. Each of these individual cleaning results was rated "excellent."

Thereafter, each of the fabric samples was sprayed with an amount of the particularly advantageous liquid cleaning composition as described in Example 1 above. The fabric samples were placed in a receiving bag and then treated as described in Example 1.

After the fabric samples were allowed to dry, no gray-white rings or "fronts" were observed at the periphery of the wet circular area created by the formulation.

Cleaning example 16

A formulation according to the invention, namely a formulation according to Example 16 (Table 2) was evaluated in conjunction with the following test protocol.

A clean white rayon blouse was placed on a flat surface and a 3.0 g sample of the formulation of Example 16 was dropped onto the center of one of the sleeves using a dropper to form a circle of wetted rayon. Then, using a paper towel folded twice to create an absorbent pad, the formulation was worked into the sleeve by rubbing it back and forth 40 times to ensure complete penetration of the formulation between the fibers of the blouse. The blouse was then left for a few minutes and then the entire surface of the sleeve is applied a "post-treatment" formulation with the following composition:

Post-treatment formulation

MONAWET SNO-35 0.16 wt.%

SD 40-2 2.0 wt.%

PolyTergent SL-22 0.021% by weight

PolyTergent SL-62 0.1 wt.%

deionized water ad 100 wt.%

This "post-treatment formulation" was applied to the surface of the sleeve, particularly in the area wetted by the formulation of Example 16, using a finger-operated trigger sprayer in sufficient amounts to cause the sleeve to exhibit slight but uniform wetting. The rayon blouse thus treated was then placed in a large white polyethylene bag and the open end was sealed. Immediately thereafter, the bag was placed inside a conventional horizontally rotating clothes dryer and the dryer was operated on a low setting for 30 minutes, after which the dryer was stopped and the contents were removed from the bag.

Upon observation, no ring or gray-white residue was observed on the treated sleeve of the rayon blouse and no yellow tint of the stain was observed.

Cleaning example 17, comparative cleaning examples I and II

The cleaning performance of a formulation of the invention was evaluated in comparison to two commercial formulations. The first commercial formulation was SHOUT, a laundry pretreatment product currently available on the market from SC Johnson & Co., Racine WI, and is referred to as "Comparative Formulation I." The second commercial formulation, SPRAY'N WASH, another laundry pretreatment product currently available on the market from DOW, Midland, MI, is referred to as "Comparative Formulation II." These formulations were evaluated in comparison to the formulation of Example 16 (Table 2) using the following test procedure.

7.6 cm x 12.7 cm (3 x 5 inches) fabric samples each of polyester/cotton blend, rayon, and silk were stained with 0.003 g of red lipstick at opposite locations to form a lipstick stain, and 0.01 g of liquid makeup was stained with another area of the fabric sample to form a liquid makeup test stain. The stains were allowed to penetrate the fabric for 5 minutes before cleaning.

Each of the fabric samples was then placed first on an absorbent paper towel which was itself placed on a hard non-absorbent surface with the stain facing upwards. A small bottle with an applicator made of a brushed tricot fabric on a screw-on applicator was used, allowing the contents of the bottle to flow through and be absorbed by the applicator. Each of the stains was treated in a similar manner, with the bottle turned over so that the material contained within could flow to the applicator and then swiped back and forth approximately 40 times using a slight manual motion. For the "SHOUT" A specific amount of product, which was a gel due to its viscosity, was pipetted onto the stain site and a clean but empty applicator tip was used to rub the stain and the textile material. After each application, the fabric was separated from the underlying absorbent paper towel and visually inspected.

It was found that the formulation of Example 16 was the fastest acting of the three formulations tested, removing the stain quickly and thoroughly compared to the commercially available SHOUT and SPRAY'N WASH compositions. It was also found that after drying, the polyester/cotton fabric samples were left with visible stain fronts for both the SHOUT and SPRAY'N WASH compositions, while the formulation of Example 16 completely removed the stain.

Cleaning examples 18, 19; comparative cleaning examples III, IV

The cleaning efficiency of two stain removal compositions according to the invention, one at acidic pH and the other at alkaline pH, was compared with two different prior art stain removal compositions. The composition of Cleaning Example 18 had a pH of 10.5 in an unmodified stain removal composition according to Example 21. The composition of Cleaning Example 19 was a stain removal formulation according to Example 21 adjusted to pH 5.0 using a small amount of acid.

The first comparative composition, designated "Comparative Cleaning Example III," was an aqueous hydrogen peroxide preparation containing 1 to 5% H2O2, while "Comparative Cleaning Example IV" was a liquid composition derived from a commercial product believed to be a formulation in accordance with U.S. Patent No. 5,238,587. In evaluating this test, individual 12.7 cm x 12.7 cm (5 x 5 inches) fabric samples of wool, rayon, silk, or a blend of polyethylene terephthalate-cotton (PET-cotton) fibers were contaminated with the following amounts: 0.3 g lipstick, 0.2 g of a liquid makeup composition, 0.5 g of spaghetti sauce, 0.5 g of salad dressing, 0.25 g mayonnaise, 0.25 g of mustard, 0.20 g of coffee, a ballpoint pen ink composition, then 10 coats of a cosmetic red tint composition, 0.15 g of olive oil, and 0.20 g of red wine. In each case, these materials were individually applied to the respective fabric samples and allowed to age undisturbed for 24 hours.

The wool and rayon fabric samples were only soiled with lipstick, makeup, dye, ballpoint pen ink, mayonnaise and coffee stains. The blended fiber fabric samples of polyethylene terephthalate cotton (PET cotton) and silk were soiled with each of the above staining compositions.

After the 24 hour period, the individual fabric samples were treated using 3 g of one of the stain removal compositions specified above. Each of these individual formulations was applied using a porous applicator tip attached to a small plastic bottle containing a quantity of the respective stain removal composition. Each of the stain removal compositions tested was readily absorbed and passed through this porous applicator tip, which was used to apply the stain removal composition by rubbing the porous applicator tip in a circular motion 50 times at the location of the stain on each individual fabric sample.

The four individual fabric samples made from a similar substrate and a similar original stain were then placed in horizontal rows. Each of five assessors was then asked to rate these treated fabric samples and the stains using a scale of "best cleaning" with a numerical rating of 1, "good cleaning" with a rating of 2, "moderate cleaning" with a rating of 3, and "poor cleaning" with a rating of 4.

From this evaluation, the numerical average of the scores for a specific cleaning example or comparative cleaning example on a specific substrate was determined and these results are given in Table 4 below. Table 4 - Average Expert Rating Results (24 hour old stains)

As can be seen from these results, the cleaning results of the stain removal compositions of the invention were favorable, but for most stains and textile substrates they were rated by the panelists as better stain removal compositions than the prior art compositions.

Cleaning example 20, comparative cleaning example V

In a similar manner as described above, four different fabric substrate samples, namely, silk, rayon, wool and a polyethylene terephthalate/cotton blend, were each soiled with one of the following staining materials as generally indicated above: 0.03 g of lipstick; 0.20 g of a cosmetic make-up preparation; 0.5 g of spaghetti sauce, 0.20 g of red wine, 0.25 g of mustard or 0.5 g of salad dressing. These stained fabric samples were then allowed to sit for a period of 7 days, during which time these stains dried and hardened.

Each of these stained fabric samples was then treated with one of two stain removal compositions, either one according to Example 21 or one according to the prior art derived from a commercial product believed to correspond to a formulation according to U.S. Patent No. 5,238,587, hereinafter referred to as Comparative Cleaning Example V.

Following the test protocol outlined above, each of the individual fabric samples was treated using 3 g of the stain removal compositions outlined above. Each of these individual formulations was applied using a porous applicator tip inserted into a small plastic bottle containing a quantity of the respective stain removal composition. Each of the stain removal compositions tested was readily absorbed and permeated by the porous applicator tip used to apply the stain removal composition through 50- Rub the porous applicator tip repeatedly in a circular motion at the location of the stain on each individual fabric sample.

The two individual fabric samples, made from a similar textile substrate and with a similar original stain, were then laid out on a flat surface in horizontal rows. Each of five assessors was then asked to rate these treated fabric samples and stains using a scale of "best clean", designated with a rating of 1, and "worst clean", designated with a rating of 2. The results of this rating are shown in Table 5 below. Table 5 - Textile fabric samples with stain removal composition according to Example 21 Table 5 - Textile fabric samples with stain removal composition of comparative cleaning example V

As can be seen from this direct comparison, the stain removal compositions according to the invention were rated as significantly better cleaning agents and superior to the prior art formulations.

This is particularly important since it is well known in the cleaning art that stains which have been aged for a significant period of time, generally longer than at least 24 hours and especially for several days, are both more representative of the particular treatment consumers apply when dry cleaning stained garments and textile materials, and are more difficult to remove due to the aging and hardening of the stains on the garments or textile materials. As is readily apparent from the results presented in Tables IV and V, the stain removal compositions of the present invention are not only excellent as stain removal compositions usable for "fresh" stains, but perhaps more importantly, are excellent stain removal compositions for "aged" stains on a wide variety of textile substrates.

Although the invention has been described above in terms of presently preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is only illustrative and is in no way limited thereto, and that various modifications and changes which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Claims (22)

1. A stain pretreatment composition comprising: 0.1 to 10 wt.% non-ionic alkoxylated alcohol or phenol; 0.1 to 10 wt.% non-ionic alkoxylated mono- and dialkanolamide; 0.1 to 3.5 wt.% anionic surfactant; 0 to 1 wt.% fluorosurfactant; 0.01 to 7 wt.% alcohol solvent; 0.01 to 30 wt.% glycol ether solvent; ad 100 wt.% water. 2. The stain pretreatment composition of claim 1, further comprising: 0 to 5% by weight of one or more optional ingredients selected from colorants, fragrances, fragrance adjuvants, fragrance solubilizers, viscosity modifiers, thickeners, gelling agents, bleaching agents, optical brighteners, pH adjusters, pH buffers, water softeners, biocides, preservatives and other solubilizing agents. 3. A stain pretreatment composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the non-ionic alkoxylated alcohol component is selected from alkoxylated phenols. 4. A stain pretreatment composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the non-ionic alkoxylated alcohol component is selected from alkoxylated primary, secondary or tertiary alcohols. 5. A stain pretreatment composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the non-ionic alkoxylated alcohol or phenol is present in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 9% by weight, preferably from about 2 to about 7% by weight. 6. A stain pretreatment composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the non-ionic alkoxylated mono- and di-alkanolamide component is selected from C8-C24 alkyl di(C2-C3 alkanolamides). 7. A stain pretreatment composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the non-ionic alkoxylated mono- and di-alkanolamide component is selected from those of the formula R₁-CO-NH-R₂-OH where: a branched or straight-chain C₈-C₂₄-alkyl radical, preferably C₁₂-C₁₄-alkyl radical, and R₂ is a C₈-C₄-alkyl radical, preferably an ethyl radical. 8. A stain pretreatment composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the non-ionic alkoxylated mono- and di-alkanolamide ingredient is present in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 9 wt.%, preferably from 1 to 7 wt.%. 9. A stain pretreatment composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the anionic surfactant component is selected from alkyl sulfosuccinates, alkyl ether sulfosuccinates, alkyl amide sulfosuccinates, alkyl sulfosuccinamates or salts thereof. 10. A stain pretreatment composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the anionic surfactant ingredient is present in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 3% by weight, preferably from about 0.1 to about 1% by weight. 11. A stain pretreatment composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fluorosurfactant component is selected from fluorinated and perfluorinated alkyl carboxylates, fluorinated and perfluorinated alkyl alkoxylates, fluorinated alkyl esters, perfluorinated alkyl sulfonates, fluorinated and perfluorinated alkyl quaternary ammonium iodides, fluorinated alkyl polyoxyethylene alcohols, or salts thereof. 12. A stain pretreatment composition according to claim 4, wherein the alcohol solvent component is a straight chain or branched C₁₋₆ alcohol. 13. The stain pretreatment composition of claim 4, wherein the alcohol solvent component is present in an amount of from about 0.01 to about 7% by weight, preferably from 2 to 5% by weight. 14. A stain pretreatment composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the glycol ether solvent component is selected from glycol ethers of the general formula Ra-O-Rb-OH where: Ra is an alkoxy radical having 1 to 20 carbon atoms or an aryloxy radical having at least 6 carbon atoms and Rb is an ether condensate of a propylene glycol and/or ethylene glycol with 1 to 10 glycol monomer units. 15. The stain pretreatment composition of claim 14, wherein the glycol ether solvent component consists of two or more different glycol ethers having different molecular weights. 16. The stain pretreatment composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein the glycol ether solvent component is present in an amount of from about 2 to about 18% by weight, preferably from about 3 to about 12% by weight. 17. A stain pretreatment composition according to claim 1 or 2, which consists essentially of: 2 to 7 wt.% non-ionic alkoxylated phenol or non-ionic alkoxylated alcohol, 1 to 7 wt.% non-ionic water-soluble alkoxylated mono- and dialkanolamide, 0.1 to 1 wt.% anionic surfactant selected from alkyl sulfosuccinates, alkyl ether sulfosuccinates, alkyl amide sulfosuccinates, alkyl sulfosuccinamates or salts thereof, > 0 to 1 wt.% fluorosurfactant, 2 to 5 wt.% alcohol solvent, 3 to 12 wt.% glycol ether solvent > 70 wt% water. 18. A method of treating a stain on a garment or textile fabric comprising the step of: contacting the garment or textile fabric with the stain pretreatment composition of claim 1, 2 or 17. 19. A method of treating a stain on a garment or textile fabric according to claim 19, further comprising the step of: subsequently washing or dry cleaning the garment or textile fabric treated with the stain pretreatment composition. 20. A method according to claim 19, comprising the further steps of: Inserting the textile fabric or garment into the interior of a wrapping bag, Adding a quantity of a household dry cleaning composition to the inside of the wrapping bag, Closing the wrapping bag, Inserting the wrapping bag containing the textile fabric or garment into the interior of a drying device and Operating the drying device to circulate and distribute the household dry cleaning composition over the surface of the textile fabric or garment contained in the enclosure bag. 21. A method according to claim 20, comprising the further step of: providing a dispensing device. 22. A household dry cleaning kit comprising a wrapper bag, a quantity of a stain pretreatment composition according to claim 1, 2 or 17, a quantity of a liquid cleaning composition usable for household dry cleaning, and a dispensing device for dispensing the liquid cleaning composition onto garments or fabrics.