Abstract: Detergent compositions particularly useful in hard-surface cleaning comprise an alkanol ethoxylate component which consists essentially of a mixture of compounds of the formula R--O--CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O--.sub.x H, wherein R is an alkyl group of from 8 to 18 carbon atoms, said alkyl group having a linear carbon chain in at least about 50 percent of the ethoxylate molecules; wherein the --O--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --O--.sub.x H ether substituent is, in at least 40 percent of the molecules of the mixture, bound to R at a carbon atom which is neither a terminal carbon atom nor a carbon atom adjacent to a terminal carbon atom; and wherein x has an average value for all ethoxylate molecules of the mixture which is in the range from about 3 to 9; said ethoxylate component being further characterized as having a hydrophile-lipophile balance that is between about 10.4 and 12.

Abstract: A process for the activation of peroxide-based bleaches comprises conjointly incorporating into an aqueous medium a peroxide-based bleach, sufficient buffering agent to maintain the aqueous medium under alkaline conditions, cyanamide or a metal cyanamide as a peroxide activator, and magnesium, which acts in conjunction with cyanamide or metal cyanamide to further activate the peroxide-based bleach. Stable concentrated liquid or solid peroxide-based bleach compositions containing cyanamide or a metal cyanamide activator and a magnesium compound are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for the activation of peroxide-based bleaches comprises conjointly incorporating into an aqueous medium a peroxide-based bleach, sufficient buffering agent to maintain the aqueous medium under alkaline conditions and certain metal cyanamides (e.g., calcium cyanamide, disodium cyanamide and sodium acid cyanamide), which have been found to be highly effective peroxide activators when employed under alkaline conditions. Stable concentrated liquid and solid metal cyanamide-activated bleaching compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for metering a small, measured amount of liquid chemicals, actuated by the effect of a cycling fluid level upon an air pump chamber connected to a chamber containing soluble, solid chemicals.