Abstract: A method to prevent deposits on a ceramic surface comprising: (1) pretreating the surface by applying an aqueous solution containing from about 200 ppm to about 1000 ppm by weight of an amphoteric fluorosurfactant, and (2) periodically applying an aqueous maintenance solution comprising from about 1 ppm to about 200 ppm of at least one of an amphoteric or cationic fluorosurfactant or a mixture thereof, from about 5 ppm to about 100 ppm of a sequestering acid, and from about 2.5 ppm to about 200 ppm of a quaternary ammonium biocide compound, wherein all concentrations are by weight of aqueous solution is disclosed.

Abstract: A method to prevent deposits on a ceramic surface comprising: (1) pretreating the surface by applying an aqueous solution containing from about 200 ppm to about 1000 ppm by weight of an amphoteric fluorosurfactant, and (2) periodically applying an aqueous maintenance solution comprising from about 1 ppm to about 200 ppm of at least one of an amphoteric or cationic fluorosurfactant or a mixture thereof, from about 5 ppm to about 100 ppm of a sequestering acid, and from about 2.5 ppm to about 200 ppm of a quaternary ammonium biocide compound, wherein all concentrations are by weight of aqueous solution is disclosed.

Abstract: A composition is disclosed comprising a dissolvable solid containing an active oxygen compound and precursors for chlorine dioxide characterized in that when said solid weighs a total of about 5 grams it dissolves in about 3.8 liters of water at 25° C. in less than 30 minutes, thereby generating an antimicrobial solution containing at least 10 ppm chlorine dioxide.

Abstract: A composition and a process for using the composition to treat water for clarifying, sanitizing, or disinfecting water wherein the composition comprises an active oxygen compound and one or more precursors for generating chlorine dioxide (ClO2), and the process comprises contacting water with a solid composition comprising an active oxygen compound and precursors for generating ClO2 and is characterized in that, upon the contacting, at least 10 grams of the composition can be dissolved in about 3.8 liters of water at 25° C. in less than about 60 minutes, thereby generating a solution containing at least about 40 ppm ClO2, is disclosed.

Abstract: A method of cleaning carpet to kill fungi and bacteria so as to achieve a total bioburden reduction of at least 0.3 log, comprising contacting a cleaning composition containing chlorine dioxide or its precursors with the carpet is disclosed.

Abstract: Compositions comprising homopolymers or copolymers containing repeat units derived from &agr;-methylenelact(ones)(ams) such as &agr;-methylenebutyrolactones and an inorganic filler such as alumina trihydrate are described. The decorative sheets and articles made from these compositions may have one or more of higher thermal resistance, higher hardness, higher scratch and mar resistance, faster polymerization rates, antimicrobial properties, lower coefficient of thermal expansion and, owing to a higher refractive index, a higher transparency.