Abstract: A cleaning preparation for cleaning hard surfaces including at least one alkoxylated fatty alcohol corresponding to general formula (I): R—O—(CnH2nO)m—H ??(I) in which R is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, alkyl or alkenyl group containing at least 19 carbon atoms, m represents a value of 20 or more, and n represents 2 or 3 is provided. A surfactant mixture including at least one compound corresponding to the above general formula (I), and at least one additional compound is also provided. A liquid rinse agent including water; a solubilizer; and at least one alkoxylated fatty alcohol corresponding to the above general formula (I), where the at least one alkoxylated fatty alcohol corresponding to general formula (I) is present in quantities of from about 0.1 to about 25% by weight of the rinse agent is also provided.

Abstract: Compositions comprising glycerol hydroxyalkyl and/or hydroxyalkenyl ethers, which correspond to the general formula: in which R1, R2 and R3, independently, represent a hydrogen atom or a saturated or unsaturated, branched or unbranched hydroxyalkyl or hydroxyalkenyl group, or mixtures thereof, each group containing 10 to 22 carbon atoms, and the use of these, particularly, glycerol hydroxyalkyl mono- and di-ethers in detergents and as rinse agents for automatic dish detergents, particularly for multifunctional dish detergents.

Abstract: Surfactant granules, of which the grain size distribution as determined by RRSB graph to DIN 66145 possess the following parameters: dm is in the range from 0.5 to 1.5 mm; d63.3 is in the range from 0.5 to 1.5 mm; and n is in the range from 1 to 10, show advantageous performance properties, for example in the production of detergents, for example, automatic dish and laundry detergents.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to mixtures of at least two structurally different surface-active compounds, one surface-active compound a) being selected from an hydroxyl mixed ether compound of formula (I): R1O[CH2CH2O]xCH2CH(OM)R2??(I) in which R1 is a linear or branched alkyl and/or alkenyl group containing 4 to 22 carbon atoms or an R2—CH(OH)CH2 group, where R2 is a linear or branched alkyl and/or alkenyl group containing 8 to 16 carbon atoms, x is a number from 40 to 80 and M is a hydrogen atom or a saturated alkyl group containing 1 to 18 carbon atoms. The second surface-active compound b) is preferably selected from a structurally different hydroxy mixed ether compound of formula (II): R3O[CH2CH2O]y[CH2CHCH3O]zCH2CH(OH)R4??(II) These mixtures are capable of improving the drying of hard surfaces after washing and, at the same time, also positively influence clear-rinse performance.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of polyolalkyl ethers in detergents and as rinse agents for automatic dish detergents, particularly for multifunctional dish detergents. Preferred polyolalkyl ethers correspond to general formula (I): in which R1, R2, R3 and R4 independently of one another represent OR5, CH2—OR5, OH, CH3, C2H5 or H, the substituents R5 independently of one another representing a hydrogen atom or a saturated, unsaturated, branched or unbranched hydroxyalkyl or hydroxyalkenyl group containing 10 to 22 carbon atoms.