EP0205088A2 - Washing process for delicate textiles - Google Patents

Abstract

Fabrics of wool and silk are gently washed with a liquid detergent which is free of inorganic builder salts and optical brighteners, has a pH value of from about 6 and about 8, and contains the following constituents: (a) from about 5 to about 15% by weight of the alkylglycolether sulfate sodium salt of primary C12-C18 alcohols containing on average from 1 to 3 ethylene glycol ether groups; (b) from about 15 to about 22% by weight of sodium alkylbenzene sulfonate having a linear C10-C14 alkyl chain; (c) from about 0.5 to about 5% by weight of fatty acid monoethanolamide of C12-C18 fatty acids, of which the content of saturated C12-C14 faty acids amounts to at least about 50 mole percent; (d) from about 0.05 to about 0.5% by weight of an emulsified silicone defoaming agent; (e) from about 0 to about 5% by weight of non-surface-active detergent additives; and (f) the remainder being water; wherein the total quantity of components (a)+(b) amounts to between about 20 and about 30% by weight, and the ratio by weight of components (a)+(b) to component (c) is between about 3:1 and about 25:1.

Description

Detergents, which should also be suitable for the gentle cleaning of highly sensitive textiles made of wool or silk, are known per se. They generally react neutral to weakly alkaline and, in addition to synthetic anionic surfactants such as alkyl i benzene sulfonate, fatty alcohol sulfate or alkyl glycol ether sulfate, often also contain nonionic or cationic compounds. The nonionic surfactants are said to increase cleaning ability, while the cationic compounds are said to improve the softness and feel of the washed fabrics. However, it has been found that detergents which contain only alkylbenzenesulfonate as a synthetic anionic surfactant can impair the fiber structure of sensitive washable types of wool, in particular merino and angora wool, when used repeatedly, e.g. Wash fatty alcohol sulfates insufficiently at the necessary low washing temperatures. In these cases, non-ionic surfactants have also proven to be less favorable, since sensitive wool textiles washed with them feel comparatively hard and brittle. These effects can increase considerably when used in washing machines. The addition of softening cationic surfactants, as recommended for such purposes, can only partially compensate for the loss of grip and, in the presence of anionic surfactants, leads to a decrease in washing power.

Additions to builder salts, such as weakly alkaline pyrophosphates or free alkanolamine, have already been recommended to increase the washing power, but their use is particularly beneficial sensitive woolen fabrics or knitted fabrics also lead to a loss of quality. Fatty acid mono- and diethanolamides are also known additives for mild detergents. However, their high foam activity causes the washing liquid to foam over many times when used in washing machines, in particular in washing machines with a horizontally mounted drum. This is especially true in the presence of foam-active anionic surfactants.

Furthermore, a high-quality wool detergent is required so that the textile colors do not bleed out when it is used. Only wool detergents that meet certain minimum requirements compared to 12 selected textile dyes are considered harmless and may carry the wool seal of the IWS (International Wool Secretariat based in London and Düsseldorf). It was therefore necessary to develop a means that met these increased requirements.

• (a) 5 bis 15 Gew.-% Alkylglykolethersulfat-Natriumsalz aus primären C₁₂-C₁₈-Alkoholen mit durchschnittlich 1 bis 3 Ethylenglykolethergruppen,
• (b) 15 bis 22 Gew.-% Natrium-alkylbenzolsulfonat mit linearer, 10 bis 14 C-Atome aufweisender Alkylkette,
• (c) 0,5 bis 5 Gew.-% Fettsäuremonoethanolamid aus C₁₂-C₁₈-Fettsäuren, deren Anteil an gesättigten C12-C14-Fettsäuren wenigstens 50 Mol-% beträgt,
• (d) 0,05 bis 0,5 Gew.-% an emulgiertem Silikonentschäumer,
• (e) 0 bis 5 Gew.-% an nichtoberflächenaktiven Waschmittelzusätzen,
• (f) Rest Wasser,

wobei die Gesamtmenge der Komponenten (a) + (b) 20 bis 30 Gew.-% und das Gewichtsverhältnis der Komponenten (a) + (b) zu Komponente (c) 3 : ₁ bis 25 : 1 beträgt, als Waschmittel für Textilien aus Wolle und Seide.The invention is suitable for avoiding the disadvantages described above. The invention relates to the use of a liquid composition of the composition which is free of inorganic skeletal salts and optical brighteners and has a pH of 6 to 8

• (a) 5 to 15% by weight of alkyl glycol ether sulfate sodium salt from primary C ₁₂ -C ₁₈ alcohols with an average of 1 to 3 ethylene glycol ether groups,
• (b) 15 to 22% by weight of sodium alkylbenzenesulfonate with a linear alkyl chain having 10 to 14 carbon atoms,
• (c) 0.5 to 5% by weight of fatty acid monoethanolamide from C ₁₂ -C ₁₈ fatty acids, the proportion of saturated C12-C14 fatty acids of which is at least 50 mol%,
• (d) 0.05 to 0.5% by weight of emulsified silicone defoamer,
• (e) 0 to 5% by weight of non-surface active detergent additives,
• (f) balance water,

the total amount of components (a) + (b) being 20 to 30% by weight and the weight ratio of components (a) + (b) to component (c) being 3: ₁ to 25: 1, as detergents for textiles Wool and silk.

Component (a) is derived from fatty alcohols or fatty alcohol mixtures of natural or synthetic origin, which can be linear or optionally methyl-branched in the 2-position (oxo radical). Suitable fatty alcohols are primarily lauryl, myristyl, cetyl and stearyl alcohol and mixtures thereof. The statistical average is expediently C ₁₂ -C _{14 '.} The statistical average of ethylene glycol ether groups is 1 to 3, preferably 2, ie, as is customary in industrial alkoxylation, even small amounts of non-ethoxylated alcohols or ethoxylates with more can are present as 3 glycol ether groups. The sulfuric acid half-esters produced by sulfation from these alkyl (poly) glycol ethers are in the form of the sodium salt. The proportion of the agents in this surfactant component is preferably 7 to 13% by weight and in particular 8 to 12% by weight.

Sodium alkylbenzenesulfonate with linear alkyl chains containing 10 to 14 carbon atoms is used as component (b). Sodium dodedylbenzenesulfonate is preferably used. The proportion of the component is 15 to 22% by weight, preferably 16 to 20% by weight. The total amount of components (a) + (b) should be 20 to 30% by weight.

Component (c) is derived from fatty acids of natural or synthetic origin, preferably from natural fatty acid mixtures, such as coconut fatty acids (after the fraction having less than 12 carbon atoms has been separated off). Suitable mixtures can e.g. Contain lauric, myristic, palmitic, stearic and oleic acid, however the proportion of saturated C12-C14 fatty acids should be at least 50 mol% and preferably at least 60 mol%. The fatty acid monoethanolamides, which are produced by reaction with monoethanolamine, should not contain any free ethanolamine and should react essentially neutrally. It is therefore advisable to neutralize any alkaline constituents that are still present, preferably with organic acids such as acetic acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid or citric acid, so that the pH of the composition is preferably 6.5 to 7.5. The proportion of component (c) is preferably 1 to 3% by weight and in particular 1.2 to 2.5% by weight,

The total amount of components (a) + (b) should be 20 to 30% by weight, preferably 23 to 28% by weight, and the weight ratio of components (a) + (b) to component (c) should preferably be 4: 1 up to 10: 1.

Component (d) consists of an organopolysiloxane which is present in a mixture with 1 to 10% by weight, based on component (d), of a finely divided, preferably silanized silica and an emulsifier with which a homogeneous distribution of the organopolysiloxane in water or the water-containing mixture of components (a), (b) and (c). Dimethylpolysiloxanes which are present in a mixture with silanized silica and nonionic emulsifiers are particularly useful. Suitable emulsifiers are e.g. Polyglycol ethers which are substituted by longer-chain alcohols, alkylphenols, fatty acids and fatty acid amides. High molecular weight unsubstituted polyglycol ethers as well as block polymers of polyethylene glycol and polypropylene glycol and mixtures of the aforementioned emulsifiers are also suitable. In general, the mixtures of dimethylpolysiloxane, silica and emulsifier are commercially available as ready-made products.

Other optional ingredients (e) are non-surfactant or non-alkaline detergent additives, such as colors and fragrances, preservatives, e.g. Formalin, complexing agent for traces of heavy metals, e.g. Ethylene diaminotetraacetate, low molecular weight carboxylic or polycarboxylic acids for adjusting the pH and means for adjusting the viscosity of the aqueous concentrate, such as lower alcohols, glycerol or glycol ethers and neutral salts, such as sodium chloride. The proportion of these components is less than 1% by weight, usually less than 0.5% by weight. Their total amount should not exceed 5% by weight.

The detergents used are in the form of aqueous, storage-stable concentrates. In this form, they can be dosed particularly easily or distributed homogeneously in the washing solution. You can can be used both for manual washing and for washing in the washing machine, machine washing being preferred, especially since the design of the agent is especially coordinated for this purpose. The agents are suitable for washing highly sensitive textiles, in particular knitted fabrics made of wool and silk, including sensitive angora wool. These textiles do not become hard when achieving a very good cleaning result, but keep their natural fluffiness and their light and loose feel not only when hand washing, but also when washing in washing machines (washing machines) in the so-called wool washing program.

• (a) 5 bis 15 Gew.-% Alkylglykolethersulfat-Natriumsalz aus primären C₁₂-C₁₈-Alkoholen mit durchschnittlich ₁ bis 3 Ethylenglykolethergruppen,
• (b) 15 bis 22 Gew.-% Natrium-alkylbenzolsulfonat mit linearer, 10 bis 14 C-Atome aufweisender Alkylkette,
• (c) ₀,5 bis 5 Gew.-% Fettsäuremonoethanolamid aus C₁₂-C₁₈-Fettsäuren, deren Anteil an gesättigten C₁₂-C₁₄-Fettsäuren wenigstens 50 Mol-% beträgt,
• (d) 0,05 bis 0,5 Gew.-% an emulgiertem Silikonentschäumer,
• (e) 0 bis 5 Gew.-% an nichtoberflächenaktiven Waschmittelzusätzen,
• (f) Rest Wasser

wobei die Gesamtmenge der Komponenten (a) + (b) 20 bis 30 Gew.-% und das Gewichtsverhältnis der Komponenten (a) + (b) zu Komponente (c) 3 : 1 bis 25 : 1 beträgt.The invention thus also relates to a method for gentle washing of wool textiles in drum washing machines with little mechanical processing of the laundry in a temperature range from 20 ° C to 40 ° C and a liquor ratio (kg of laundry per liter of washing solution) from 1:20 to 1:40 which is characterized in that 2 to 6 g / l of a liquid detergent having a pH of 6.5 to 7.5 and having the following composition are used:

• (a) 5 to 15% by weight of alkyl glycol ether sulfate sodium salt from primary C ₁₂ -C ₁₈ alcohols with an average of ₁ to 3 ethylene glycol ether groups,
• (b) 15 to 22% by weight of sodium alkylbenzenesulfonate with a linear alkyl chain having 10 to 14 carbon atoms,
• (c) _0.5 to 5% by weight of fatty acid monoethanolamide from C ₁₂ -C ₁₈ fatty acids, the proportion of saturated C ₁₂ -C ₁₄ fatty acids of which is at least 50 mol%,
• (d) 0.05 to 0.5% by weight of emulsified silicone defoamer,
• (e) 0 to 5% by weight of non-surface active detergent additives,
• (f) balance water

wherein the total amount of components (a) + (b) 20 to 30 wt .-% and the weight ratio of components (a) + (b) to component (c) is 3: 1 to 25: 1.

The mechanical processing of the textile goods in the washing machine should be comparatively low when the fleet is high, which is generally guaranteed in washing machines with special wool washing programs. The washing temperature is preferably 25 to 35 ° G and the liquor ratio is preferably 1:25 to 1:50. Foam problems, i.e. Foaming of the washing solution or strong after-foaming after rinsing with water do not occur.

Example example 1

A solution of 10 kg sodium alkylglycol ether sulfate (2 ethylene glycol ether groups, cocoalkyl residues, chain length 55% C ₁₂ , ²² % ^C _{14 '11} % C ₁₆ and ₁₂ % C ₁₈ ) and 16 kg sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate in 66.1 kg water was made up to 85 ° C warmed. After adding 1.5 kg of coconut fatty acid monoethanolamide, 3 kg of triethylene glycol and 1 kg of glycol distearate (opacifying agent with a pearlescent effect) and homogenizing, after cooling the solution to 30 ° C., 1.4 kg of a 20% by weight aqueous silicone defoamer emulsion were added (Polymekon WM 20 from Goldschmidt , Essen, Federal Republic of Germany), which corresponds to the addition of 280 g of pure anhydrous silicone defoamer. In the same way, 2.8 kg of defoamer emulsion DB 110 A from DOW-CORNING, USA (active substance content 10% by weight) can also be used. After adding 100 g of 30% formalin solution (preservative) and 800 g of perfume oil, the solution was adjusted to a pH of 7 with 100 g of citric acid. The water content of the finished liquid detergent totaled 67.3% by weight. The solution was stable in storage and cold.

Example 2

• 10,0 % Na-Cocosalkyl-diglykolethersulfat,
• 2,0 % Cocosfettsäuremonoethanolamid,
• 18,0 % Na-dodecylbenzolsulfonat,
• 1,5 % Entschäumeremulsion (DB 110 A),
• 3,0 % Triethylenglykol,
• 0,1 % EDTA-Na,
• 0,5 % Glycerinmonostearat,
• 0,1 % Formalin-Lösung,
• 0,1 % Citronensäure,
• Rest Wasser;
• pH-Wert 7.

A stable aqueous solution of the following components was prepared (in% by weight) in the manner described in Example 1:

• 10.0% Na cocoalkyl diglycol ether sulfate,
• 2.0% coconut fatty acid monoethanolamide,
• 18.0% Na dodecylbenzenesulfonate,
• 1.5% defoamer emulsion (DB 110 A),
• 3.0% triethylene glycol,
• 0.1% EDTA-Na,
• 0.5% glycerol monostearate,
• 0.1% formalin solution,
• 0.1% citric acid,
• Rest of water;
• pH 7.

The products were tested on pullovers made of 50% angora wool and 50% lambswool under the following conditions:

The washing treatment in the washing machine was carried out in a washing machine of the trade with a horizontal drum using the wool washing program. Foaming was moderate, i.e. the space above the liquid level was about half filled with foam. Foaming during rinsing was very low in the first rinse cycle and did not occur in the second and third rinse cycle.

• Note 1: sehr weich, keine Verfilzung;
• Note 2: weich, leichte Verfilzung;
• Note 3: mäßig weich, deutliche Verfilzung.

The following grades were awarded for the softness and degree of matting after 5 washes:

• Grade 1: very soft, no matting;
• Grade 2: soft, slight matting;
• Grade 3: moderately soft, clear matting.

• Note 1: sehr gut;
• Note 2: gut;
• Note 3: befriedigend.

For the cleaning result tested on standardized test soiling, based on the same surfactant application concentration, 3 ratings were also given:

• Grade 1: very good;
• Grade 2: good;
• Grade 3: satisfactory.

The test for wool seal quality was carried out according to the test method published by the International Wool Secretariat (test method _- No. 240). The sign "+" means quality of the wool seal. For comparison, 4 wool detergents from the trade were used.

Agent I contained 19% nonionic surfactant (fatty alcohol polyglycol ether) and 4% dimethylditalgalkylammonium chloride.

Agent II contained 23.5% nonionic surfactant (fatty alcohol polyglycol ether) and 2.5% quaternary ammonium salt (plasticizer).

Agent III contained 15% alkylbenzenesulfonate and 7% nonionic surfactant (fatty alcohol polyglycol ether).

Agent IV contained 12.5% alkylbenzenesulfonate, 7.5% fatty alcohol diglycol ether sulfate, 1% fatty acid diethanolamide and 1% ampholytic surfactant in addition to small amounts of sodium pyrophosphate.

The results are summarized in the following table:

Claims (4)

1. Use of a liquid composition of the composition free from inorganic skeletal salts and optical brighteners and having a pH of 6 to 8: (a) 5 to 15% by weight of alkyl glycol ether sulfate sodium salt from primary C ₁₂ -C ₁₈ alcohols with an average of 1 to 3 ethylene glycol ether groups, (b) 15 to 22% by weight of sodium alkylbenzenesulfonate with linear alkyl chain having 10 to 14 carbon atoms, _{(C) 0 5} wt .-% fatty acid monoethanolamide 5 bis consisting of C ₁₂ -C ₁₈ - fatty acids, the proportion of ₁₂ -C ₁₄ fatty acids amounts to at least 50 mole% saturated C, (d) 0.05 to 0.5% by weight of emulsified silicone defoamer, (e) 0 to 5% by weight of non-surface active detergent additives, (f) balance water,
the total amount of components (a) + (b) being 20 to 30% by weight and the weight ratio of components (a) + (b) to component (c) being 3: 1 to 25: 1, as detergents for textiles Wool and silk. 2. Use of an agent according to claim 1, wherein the proportion of component (a) 7 to 13 wt .-% and component (b) is 16 to 20 wt .-%. 3. Use of an agent according to claim 1, wherein the weight ratio of components (a) + (b) to (c) is 10: 1 to 20: 1. 4. Process for the gentle washing of wool textiles in drum washing machines with little mechanical processing of the laundry in a temperature range from 20 ° C to 40 ° C and a liquor ratio (kg of laundry per liter of washing solution) from 1:20 to 1:40, characterized in that 2 to 6 g / l of a liquid detergent having a pH of 6.5 to 7.5 and having the following composition are used: (a) 5 to 15% by weight of alkyl glycol ether sulfate sodium salt from primary C ₁₂ -C ₁₈ alcohols with an average of 1 to 3 ethylene glycol ether groups, (b) 15 to 22% by weight of sodium alkylbenzenesulfonate with a linear alkyl chain having 10 to 14 carbon atoms, _{(C) 0 5} wt .-% fatty acid monoethanolamide 5 bis of C ₁₂ -C ₁₈ fatty acids, the proportion of saturated C _12-14 fatty acids, ^C is at least 50 mol%, (d) 0.05 to 0.5% by weight of emulsified silicone defoamer, (e) 0 to 5% by weight of non-surface active detergent additives, (f) balance water,
wherein the total amount of components (a) + (b) 20 to 30 wt .-% and the weight ratio of components (a) + (b) to component (c) is 3: 1 to 25: 1.