Abstract: Detergents and cleaners having improved performance against protein-containing soils, containing a protease of the subtilisin type, in which—in at least one of positions 3, 4, 99, 188, 193, 199 and 211 (BLAP counting)—the amino acid present in that position in the wild-type protease is replaced by another amino acid, and coated particulate alkali metal percarbonate.

Abstract: There is provided a bleaching enzyme capable of generating a bleaching chemical and having a high binding affinity for non-colored compounds present in stains on fabrics, said non-colored compounds having a molecular weight of at least 100, preferably of at least 1,000 and more preferably of at least 5,000. Furthermore, there is provided an enzymatic bleaching composition comprising said bleaching enzyme and a surfactant and a process for bleaching stains present of fabrics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for pretreating soiled fabrics with a liquid composition comprising a peroxygen bleach and a soil dispersing agent selected from the group consisting of an ethoxylated monoamine, an ethoxylated diamine, and ethoxylated polyamine, an ethoxylated amine polymer and mixtures thereof. This invention also discloses liquid compositions suitable for pretreating fabrics, comprising a peroxygen bleach, a surfactant, and a soil dispersing agent selected from the group consisting of an ethoxylated monoamine, an ethoxylated diamine, an ethoxylated polyamine, an ethoxylated amine polymer and mixtures thereof, said composition being formulated either as an emulsion or a microemulsion.

Abstract: Sodium percarbonate exhibits a tendency to decompose in built compositions and particularly detergent compositions built with zeolites. The tendency can be ameliorated by selecting sodium percarbonate which intrinsically has a mean particle size of from 500 to 1000 microns and not more than 20% by weight of below 350 microns and has a moisture pick-up when measured in a test at 80% relative humidity and 32° C. after 24 hours of not greater than 30 g/1000 g sample. A suitable sodium percarbonate can be made most conveniently by crystallisation from a bulk saturated solution of sodium percarbonate in a crystalliser/classifier that does not employ a conventional chloride salting-out agent.

Abstract: A bleaching composition is provided comprising

Abstract: An automatic dishwashing detergent composition is described which contains an effective amount of a defined water soluble cationic or amphoteric polymer and a phosphate or nonphosphate builder. The polymers are soluble or dispersible to at least 0.01% by weight in distilled water at 25° C. A method of using the polymers to prevent fading or corrosion of dishware is also described.

Abstract: Laundry or cleaning products comprising one or more enzymes exhibiting endoglucanase activity specific for xyloglucan, and methods for laundering fabrics and cleaning dishes and tableware with aqueous solutions containing an effective amount of one or more enzymes exhibiting endoglucanase activity specific for xyloglucan.

Abstract: The present invention relates to detergent compositions, including laundry, fabric care, dishwashing, and hard surface cleaner compositions, comprising an oxygenase directed to body soils, which provide effective and efficient cleaning of everyday body stains and/or soils and provide sanitisation of the treated surfaces. Furthermore, the detergent compositions of the present invention provide substantive fabric realistic items cleaning and whitening performance when formulated as a laundry detergent composition.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for increasing the brightness retention of a laundered fabric after numerous washing cycles by adding to an aqueous wash liquor a quantity of a commercial laundry detergent which delivers at least 0.1 g of an optical brightener into said wash liquor, said optical brightener exhibiting instability in the presence of hypochlorite; and prior to, concurrent with, or after the commercial laundry detergent, adding a bleaching composition in an amount of at least about 0.5 g/L. The bleaching composition contains about 2.5-10% alkali metal hypochlorite; about 0.05-5% of a bleach stable surfactant bearing at least one nitrogen atom; a bleach stable anionic surfactant or a hydrotrope, wherein the ratio of (ii) to (iii) is between about 10:1 to about 1:10; and an effective amount of a source of alkalinity.

Abstract: This invention relates to organosilyl peroxide compounds which are stable in aqueous systems and are used for bleaching and cleaning applications. More particularly, this invention is concerned with the stability of bis(organosilyl)peroxides when formulated in aqueous and non-aqueous delivery systems. The liquid detergents containing the organosilyl peroxide compounds of this invention exhibit excellent bleaching performance and stain removal properties on fabrics at typical low wash temperatures.

Abstract: A laundry detergent composition is provided for enhanced whitening and stain removal of washed laundry comprising: a) from about 1% to about 50%, by weight, of a surfactant or surfactant mixture selected from the group consisting of anionic and nonionic surfactants; b) a protease enzyme in an amount sufficient to provide from at least about 0.030 to about 3.0 Kilo Novo Protease Units (KNPU) of activity of protease enzyme per gram of detergent composition; c) a cellulase enzyme of the endoglucanase type in an amount sufficient to provide from about 0.5 to about 100 CMC units per gram of detergent composition; and d) from about 0.5% to about 10% by weight, of an acrylic acid-based polymer and copolymer.

Abstract: The storage stability of bleach-activating acetonitrile derivatives in solid detergent compositions was to be improved. This was essentially achieved by the use of compounded compounds corresponding to formula R1R2R3NxCH2CN X−, in which R1, R2 and R3 independently of one another represent an alkyl, alkenyl or aryl group containing 1 to 18 carbon atoms, in addition to which the groups R2 and R3 may even be part of a heterocycle including the N atom and optionally other hetero atoms, and X is a charge-equalizing anion. “Compounds” of this type are produced by drying in vacuo, for which purpose a suspension of the acetonitrile derivative and a solid carrier material is introduced into a mixer and the resulting mixture is dried with superheated vapor. Dishwashing detergents, more particularly machine dishwashing detergents, contain about 1% by weight to 10% by weight of this bleach boosting compound.

Abstract: There is provided an aqueous composition for cleaning fabrics and carpets and inhibiting the resoiling of fabric and carpets. The composition includes a peroxygen compound, a surfactant system, and a polymeric or copolymeric soil resist. The resulting compositions are particularly stable and non-turbid.

Abstract: Soaking compositions are disclosed which comprise oxygen bleach, a sorbitan ester in combination with an alkyl sulphonate surfactant. Said compositions are diluted in water to form soaking liquors. The invention is particularly effective in removing particulate soils like silt and clay from fabrics as well as enzymatic stains and bleachable stains.

Abstract: Compositions particularly suitable for the cleaning of carpets comprise: a peroxygen bleach; an alcohol having the formula R—OH wherein R is linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon chain of 1 to 4 carbon atoms and a second solvent selected from the group consisting of a hydrophilic solvent comprising one or more ether groups and having a solubility in water higher than 10 ml per 100 ml at 25° C.; a polyol hydrophilic solvent having a solubility in water higher than 10 ml per 100 ml at 25° C.; a hydrophobic solvent having a solubility in water lower than 10 ml per 100 ml at 25° C.; and mixtures thereof; at a weight ratio of said alcohol to said second solvent of 1:10 to 1:1.1. The compositions are particularly suitable for the cleaning of carpets, resulting in improved overall stain removal performance, especially on particulate stains, greasy/oily stains, bleachable stains, and/or enzymatic stains.

Abstract: The use of alkaline bacillus proteases in commercial laundry methods and compositions containing these proteases for commercial laundering are described.

Abstract: The bleaching detergent composition in a form of granules or powders containing an organic peracid precursor which produces an organic peracid upon reaction with hydrogen peroxide in water, the organic peracid having an alkyl group with 7 to 19 carbon atoms, and a hydrogen peroxide releasing material, wherein the bleaching detergent composition comprises the following components a) to c): a) one or more surfactants; b) one or more crystalline alkali metal silicates; and c) one or more agents for capturing metal ions other than the crystalline alkali metal silicates b), wherein a total amount of the above a), b), and c) components in the bleaching detergent composition occupies from 70 to 99% by weight, and wherein the weight ratio of component b) to component a) is b/a=90/10 to 45/55, and the weight ratio of component b) to component c) is b/c=7/93 to 75/25, and wherein the weight ratio of the organic peracid precursor to nonionic surfactants used as component a) is from 10/90 to 70/30.

Abstract: Bleach compositions comprising a percarbonate bleach and an amino tricarboxylic acid exhibit a reduced tendency to deposit calcium carbonate insolubles on substrates being bleached. Laundry compositions comprising percarbonate bleach and methyl glycine diacetic acid are provided.

Abstract: A process for making a detergent composition comprises the steps of: (i) mixing together at least two non-surfactant additives to form a premix; (ii) spraying all of the nonionic surfactant on to the premix to form a first intermediate particle; (iii) subsequently mixing the first intermediate particle with a second intermediate particle, wherein the second intermediate particle comprises anionic surfactant.

Abstract: A bleach and oxidation catalyst is provided comprising a catalytically ace iron, manganese or copper complex including a specified pentadentate nitrogen-containing ligand. The metal complex can activate hydrogen peroxide or peroxyacids and provides favourable stain removal properties. In addition, a considerably improved stability of these metal complex compounds in alkaline aqueous environment has been obtained, in particular at the peroxy compound concentrations generally present in the fabric washing liquor.

Abstract: Detergent compositions and fabric laundering and treating methods utilize certain polyamide-polyamines as fabric treatment agents that can impart fabric appearance benefits to fabric laundered or treated in washing or soaking solutions which contain such agents. Such polyamide-polyamine fabric treatment agents include adipic acid-diethylenetriamine-epichlorohydrin adducts.

Abstract: The invention relates to coated bleach activator granules of ammonium nitriles, which have been obtained by coating ammonium nitrile base granules with a water-soluble coating substance. The base granules are preferably thermally conditioned during or after the coating with the coating substance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to laundry detergent compositions which comprise an alkoxylated polyalkyleneimine soil dispersant having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R is C.sub.2 -C.sub.6 linear alkylene, C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 branched alkylene, and mixtures thereof; B is a continuation by branching; E is an alkyleneoxy unit having the formula:--(R.sup.1 O).sub.m (R.sup.2 O).sub.n R.sup.3wherein R.sup.1 is 1,2-propylene, 1,2-butylene, and mixtures thereof; R.sup.2 is ethylene; R.sup.3 is hydrogen, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, and mixtures thereof; m is from about 1 to about 10; n is from about 10 to about 40; w, x, and y are each independently from about 4 to about 200; provided at least one --(R.sup.1 O) unit is attached to the backbone prior to attachment of an --(R.sup.2 O) unit and further provided m+n is at least 12, said dispersants are compatible with bleach. The disclosed alkoxylated polyalkyleneimines are also suitable for use as soil dispersant in bleach-containing laundry pre-soaks and bleaching agents.

Abstract: A process for decolorizing a cellulose textile bearing oxidized vat dye comprising contacting the cellulose textile with an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide containing an amount of a hydrogen peroxide catalyst sufficient to oxidize vat dye in the fabric until the dye is decolorized by oxidation. Then the cellulose textile is separated from the aqueous solution. The hydrogen peroxide catalyst can be a water-soluble lower alkyl quaternary amine salt such as a dihydroxypropyltrimethylammonium halide, chlorohydroxypropyltrimethylammonium halide or epoxypropyltrimethylammonium halide, or it can be a transition metal ion such as a cupric or stannous metal ion present in an amount of from 0.1 to 2 ppm. The process is suitable for decolorizing denim bearing vat dyes such as indigo, and is particularly suitable for decolorizing denim scrap.

Abstract: A rapid bleaching process for cellulosic materials such as cotton and cotton blends. The bleaching liquor includes a mixture of hydrogen peroxide, potassium hydroxide and a stabilizer combined with controlled time and temperature to produce a rapid bleach in about 10 minutes or less. The resulting textile goods are soft, absorbent, mote-free with a Hunter Scale Whiteness Value of greater than about 110 and less than about 0.65% extractable solids.

Abstract: A cleaning composition for carpets, rugs, and the like is provided. The dispensable cleaner includes: a) an effective amount of an organic solvent having a Hansen solubility parameter of less than about 10; b) an effective amount of an emulsifying or dispersing agent; c) an effective amount of a source of hydrogen peroxide; and d) the balance being water. Emulsifying or dispersing agents that are surfactants having an HLB of less than about 10 are particularly suited for removing oily soil from absorbent or adsorbent surfaces. Optional components include sequestering agents, fragrances, builders and soil retardants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to stable liquid aqueous cleaning compositions having a pH above 8, and comprising a zwitterionic surfactant, a peroxygen bleach, a radical scavenger, a chelating agent, a pH buffer, an antimicrobial essential oil, and a solvent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the disinfection of surfaces with a disinfecting composition comprising from 0.1% to 15% by weight of the total composition of hydrogen peroxide, and an antimicrobial essential oil or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the bleaching of fabrics with liquid compositions comprising a peroxygen bleach and a solvent system comprising a hydrophilic solvent and a hydrophobic solvent. These compositions deliver improved stain removal on a variety of stains including bleachable stains, greasy stains, enzymatic stains and mud/clay stains.

Abstract: Soaking compositions are disclosed which comprise oxygen bleach and a sorbitan ester in combination with a highly alkoxylated nonionic surfactant. The granular compositions are combined with water to form soaking liquors. The invention is particularly effective in removing particulate soils such as silt and clay from fabrics as well as enzymatic stains and/or bleachable stains.

Abstract: A process for making a coated bleach component which may be incorporated into a detergent composition comprising hydrogen peroxide solution. The process includes the steps of dispersing the bleach component in a continuous liquid phase to form discrete islands of dispersed phase and subsequently forming a polymeric coating at the interface between the dispersed phase and the continuous phase. The coating formed is resistant to hydrogen peroxide solution and is removable when the liquid continuous phase is diluted with aqueous wash liquor. In this way particulate material which reacts with hydrogen peroxide can be incorporated into an aqueous detergent liquid which contains dissolved hydrogen peroxide, whilst maintaining stability.

Abstract: The present invention provides new stilbene compounds which are useful as fluorescent whitening agents (FWAs), imparting high whiteness levels to textile fibre material treated with them, and which also impart a high sun protection factor (SPF) to textile fibre material treated with them. The present invention also concerns a method of imparting a high whiteness level and a high sun protection factor to textile fibre material, especially cotton, polyamide and wool, comprising treating the textile material with the new compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to detergent compositions comprising a cellulase termination composition and cellulase in order to prevent potential tensile strength loss related to the hydrolytic activity of cellulase on cellulose substrates while maintaining the desired benefits from the use of cellulase.

Abstract: The invention relates to particles comprising a peroxy compound with capability of releasing hydrogen peroxide or peroxy acids in aqueous solutions and an amino acid of the formula (HOOC) .sub.2 N--C.sub.n H.sub.m COO--R in which R is H,CH.sub.2 OH, or CH.sub.3, n is 1, 2 or 3 and m is 0-2n; or a salt thereof. The invention also relates to use of the particles and a composition comprising such particles.

Abstract: The invention herein provides bleaching compositions comprising a protease enzyme which is a carbonyl hydrolase variant having an amino acid sequence not found in nature, which is derived by replacement of a plurality of amino acid residues of a precursor carbonyl hydrolase with different amino acids, wherein said plurality of amino acid residues replaced in the precursor enzyme correspond to position +76 in combination with one or more of the following residues: +99, +101, +103, +104, +107, +123, +27, +105, +109, +126, +128, +135, +156, +166, +195, +197, +204, +206, +210, +216, +217, +218, +222, +260, +265, and/or +274, where the numbered positions corresponds to naturally-occurring subtilisin from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens or to equivalent amino acid residues in other carbonyl hydrolases or subtilisins (such as Bacillus lentus subtilisin) and a bleaching agent.

Abstract: Iminodisuccinic acids of the formula ##STR1## the substituents of which have the meaning given in the description, are bleaching regulators in H.sub.2 O.sub.2 bleaching of textile-forming natural plant fibers or silk, wool and their mixtures with synthetics.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for preparing a novel sodium percarbonate product useful in pH-regulated washing and cleaning systems. The disclosed sodium percarbonate product substantially is a mixed sodium percarbonate/sodium bicarbonate compound obtained by reacting, for example, sodium bicarbonate with an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use, in a composition, of a combination of a chelating agent, a surfactant, and an essential oil or an active thereof, to provide disinfecting properties to said composition.

Abstract: Aqueous cleaning compositions comprising a peroxygen bleach, a hydrophobic surfactant, an anionic surfactant and a 2-alkyl alkanol. The compositions have especially good performance in bleaching hydrophilic stains and the removal of greasy soils.

Abstract: A bleaching composition comprising a peroxygen bleaching compound and preferably a bleach activator. When nitrone scavengers are used in such composition, dye and/or fabric damage caused by radical generations of the peroxygen bleach (e.g., through thermal or transmit ion metal catalyzed degradation) can be minimized.

Abstract: Stable, aqueous compositions having a pH of from 0 to 0.9 are disclosed, which comprise a persulfate salt, or mixtures of such salts, and a free radical scavenger, or mixtures thereof. Preferred compositions are emulsions of nonionic surfactants comprising the persulfate salt and a free radical scavenger.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of improving the stability of a bleach and lipophile composition comprising an inorganic persalt bleaching agent and a lipophile selected from the group consisting of flavorants, perfumes, coolants, antimicrobial agents, and mixtures thereof, by inclusion of an aminoalkylsilicone, having an aminoalkylsiloxane content of from about 0.1% to 2% on a repeating unit basis.

Abstract: Stains are removed from fabrics by means of metallo-hydroperoxides during an otherwise conventional laundering process. Hydroperoxides based on silicon, tin and antimony are used to effect stain removal without reducing the tensile strength of said fabrics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to detergent compositions comprising: a) a hydrophobic bleaching system selected from i) hydrogen peroxide or a source thereof in amount of from 0.1% to 60% by weight and combined with a hydrophobic peroxyacid bleach precursor in amount of from 0.1% to 60% by weight, ii) a preformed hydrophobic peroxyacid in amount of from 0.1% to 60% by weight, and iii) mixtures of i) and ii), wherein a hydrophobic peroxyacid bleach precursor is defined as a compound which produces under perhydrolysis a hydrophobic peroxyacid whose parent carboxylic acid has a critical micelle concentration less than 0.5 moles/liter measured in aqueous solution at 25.degree. C. and pH 7, and wherein a hydrophobic preformed peroxyacid is defined as a compound whose parent carboxylic acid has a critical micelle concentration less than 0.5 moles/liter measured in aqueous solution at 25.degree. C. and pH 7; b) up to 5% by weight of a perfume composition; and c) at least 0.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new compounds which are useful as ultraviolet absorbing agents (UVAs) and as fluorescent whitening agents (FWAs), and to a method of improving the sun protection factor (SPF) of textile fiber material, especially cotton, polyamide and wool, treated with the new compounds and with certain known compounds.

Abstract: Disinfecting compositions comprising a peroxygen bleach, glutaraldehyde, an antimicrobial essential oil and an amphoteric surfactant, preferably useful in combination with an amine oxide surfactant. The compositions are especially for cleaning and disinfecting hard surfaces.

Abstract: A method of cleaning carpets with a composition comprising a surfactant selected from amine oxides and acyl sarcosinates. The compositions are advantageous in that they do not leave a dulling film if not removed from the carpet after drying. Preferably, the compositions also contain a source of active oxygen for stain removal.

Abstract: Glycine-N,N-diacetic acid derivatives and their alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts are used as complexing agents for alkaline earth metal and heavy metal ions with the exception of .alpha.-alanine-N,N-diacetic acid as textile detergent builders in powder detergent formulations and as calcium sequestrants in oral hygiene products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a liquid composition comprising a peroxygen bleach and a radical scavenger or mixtures thereof, for pretreating soiled fabrics before said fabrics are washed, for reducing the loss of tensile strength in said fabrics and/or for reducing the color damage of said fabrics. The present invention further encompasses a liquid composition suitable for pretreating soiled fabrics, said composition comprising a peroxygen bleach and a radical scavenging system.

Abstract: Imidoperoxycarboxylic acids, processes for their preparation and their useImidopercarboxylic acids or salts thereof of the formula ##STR1## in which A denotes a group of the formula ##STR2## n denotes the number 0, 1 or 2, R.sup.1 denotes hydrogen, chlorine, bromine, C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 -alkyl, C.sub.2 -C.sub.20 -alkenyl, aryl, or alkylaryl,R.sup.2 denotes hydrogen, chlorine, bromine or a group of the formula --SO.sub.3 M, --CO.sub.2 M, CO.sub.3 M or OSO.sub.3 M,M denotes hydrogen, an alkali metal or ammonium ion or the equivalent of an alkaline earth metal ion andX denotes C.sub.3 -C.sub.19 -alkylene or arylene, preferably phenylene.These compounds are suitable as stable peroxide compounds in bleaching, oxidizing and cleaning agents.