Abstract: A washing method characterized in that washing is carried out under conditions that a pH of a washing liquid starts increasing after a water hardness of the washing liquid starts decreasing; a detergent composition characterized by containing particles capable of delayed-exerting an alkalizing effect of a washing liquid, wherein a pH of a washing liquid starts increasing after a water hardness of the washing liquid starts decreasing; and a detergent composition comprising an alkalizing agent coated with an organic material, or organic and inorganic materials, the alkalizing agent occupying an amount of 70% by weight or more of the entire alkalizing agents in the detergent composition.

Abstract: An aqueous hard surface cleaner with improved soil removal is provided and has, as components, the following:(a) either an anionic, nonionic, amphoteric surfactant, and mixtures thereof with optionally, a quaternary ammonium surfactant, the total amount of the surfactants being present in a cleaning effective amount;(b) at least one water-soluble or dispersible organic solvent having a vapor pressure of at least 0.001 mm Hg at 25.degree. C., present in a solubilizing--or dispersion--effective amount;(c) Tetrapotassium ethylenediamine-tetraacetate (potassium EDTA) as a chelating agent, present in an amount effective to enhance soil removal in said cleaner; and(d) the remainder, water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composition for treating synthetic textile material and a method of using it. The composition comprises a smectite clay to scour the textile material, a wetting agent to enhance addition of the clay to other components of the composition, a sequestrant to sequester metal ions that inhibit the performance of the clay, and, when the composition is an aqueous slurry, a viscosity control agent to adjust the viscosity of the composition in order to prevent separating or settling of the clay. The method comprises contacting the textile material with the synthetic textile material treating composition under conditions sufficient to remove the contaminants from the textile material and washing the textile material treating composition off of the textile material, thereby producing a treated textile material from which the contaminants have been removed.

Abstract: A microwave-dried amorphous alkali metal silicate detergent builder is provided characterized by a surface area of at least 20 m.sup.2 /gram and a water content of at least about 13%, by weight. The microwave-dried silicate provides effective complexation with hardness ion in wash water and more rapid solubility than conventional spray-dried silicate powders. The microwave-dried silicate can function as an efficient builder in laundry detergent compositions and over a broad range of laundry detergent applications.

Abstract: A liquid detergent composition with improved color stability comprising an amine oxide, a penta sodium salt of diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid and water.

Abstract: A tablet composition containing 2% to 100% by weight of amorphous crystalline or partly crystalline layer-form sodium silicates corresponding to the formula Na.sub.2 Si.sub.x --O.sub.2x+1.yH.sub.2 O wherein x is a number of 1.9 to 4 and y is a number of 0 to 20, with the proviso that the tablet composition only contains water in a quantity such that the maximum theoretical water-binding capacity of the components of the composition is not exceeded.

Abstract: The invention relates to a granular detergent builder in the form of cogranules of a mixture of sodium bicarbonate and crystalline sheet silicates of the formula NaMSi.sub.x O.sub.2x+1 *yH.sub.2 O, where M is sodium or hydrogen, x is a number from 1.9 to 4, and y is a number from 0 to 20, whereina) the granular detergent builder contains 5 to 50% by weight of crystalline sheet silicate and 50 to 95% by weight of sodium bicarbonate;b) has a pH of .ltoreq.10 in 1% strength solution in distilled water;c) has a calcium-binding capacity of .gtoreq.150 mg Ca/g (30.degree. German hardness) and a magnesium-binding capacity of .gtoreq.4 mg Mg/g (3.degree. German hardness), andd) has an apparent density of .gtoreq.850 g/l.The invention likewise relates to a process for the production of such a granular detergent builder, and to its use in detergents and cleaners.

Abstract: A nonionic surfactant having cyclic 1,3-dioxane and/or 1,3-dioxolane functionality which is irreversibly splittable by lowering the pH of its aqueous solution is useful in various processes requiring the removal of emulsified hydrophobic contaminants or other hydrophobic materials from an aqueous stream. After splitting of the surfactant into its component ketone and polyol, the hydrophobic components phase-separate and can be removed from the aqueous stream by routine means.

Abstract: Free-flowing powder detergent additives particularly useful as agglomerates to be added during the manufacture of detergents suitable for washing colored fabric and which contain certain detergent builders, dye transfer inhibiting polymers and optionally a detersive surfactant. Also disclosed are methods for preparing a premix of specific hygroscopic dye transfer inhibitors for use in a spray-drying powder formation process. The compositions utilized for such premixes include a powder builder such as zeolite and the dye transfer inhibition polymers polyamine N-oxide, and copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole.

Abstract: A solution for cleaning metal surfaces particularly non ferrous alloys such as copper, brass and high strength aluminum alloys. The solution is prepared by mixing Ca(OH).sub.2 and KOH with equivalent sulfuric acid in water then passing the solution through a 10 micron filter. The resulting concentrate can be used full strength or diluted depending on the degree of surface oxidation of the metal to be treated.

Abstract: The method for producing a fine solid builder particle includes the steps of suspending a solid builder in a dispersion medium containing 20 to 100% by weight of a surfactant, and carrying out wet grinding of the solid builder. The builder composition containing the fine solid builder particle is obtainable by the above method. The detergent composition containing the fine solid builder particle is obtainable by the method. The method for producing a detergent composition includes the steps of carrying out wet grinding of a solid builder using a dispersion medium containing a surfactant to give a mixture of a fine solid builder particle and the surfactant, and further adding the mixture to a composition for a detergent.

Abstract: Cogranulates of high bulk density which easily disintegrate in water and comprise aluminosilicates and crystalline sodium silicates having a layered structure. The aluminosilicates contained therein are those of the formulaM.sub.2/n O.Al.sub.2 O.sub.3. XSiO.sub.2. yH.sub.2 Oin which M is an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal, n indicates the valency of the cation, x is.gtoreq.2 and y has a value of between 0 and 8. The sodium silicates have an SiO.sub.2 /Na.sub.2 O ratio of (1.8 to 4.2):1. These cogranulates are prepared by mixing the pulverulent aluminosilicates and sodium silicates with one another and introducing the mixture into a zone in which it is compacted between two rolls rotating in opposite directions to form a compact. After comminution of the compact, the desired particle sizes are finally separated off from the oversize and undersize material. The cogranulates can be used in detergents and cleaning agents.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solid material (primary drying product) containing alkali metal silicate with a modulus (molar ratio of SiO.sub.2 to M.sub.2 O, M=alkali metal) of 0.8 to 4 in homogeneous admixture with other inorganic and/or organic useful materials and/or auxiliaries, which has been dried from a finely sprayed aqueous preparation of mixtures of the alkali metal silicates and the inorganic and/or organic useful materials and/or auxiliaries by means of a hot gas stream. The solid material according to the invention is characterized in that, as a primary drying product in homogeneous admixture with the alkali metal silicate, it contains at least 10% by weight of water-soluble inorganic and/or organic salts, has apparent densities of at least 150 g/l, possesses a microporous absorbent internal structure and has been dried with superheated steam as the hot gas stream.

Abstract: A detergent composition containing surfactants selected from anionic, cationic, nonionic, amphoteric and zwitterionic surfactants and a builder component containing 40% to 80% by weight of amorphous alkali metal silicates and 10% to 40% by weight of alkali metal carbonates in the form of a compound, with the proviso that the alkali metal carbonate content is always greater than the alkali metal silicate content, and at most 25% by weight of water, and wherein the compound does not have a homogeneous surface nor a uniform particle size distribution.

Abstract: A crystalline hydrated layered sodium and potassium silicate/amorphous sodium and potassium silicate composite material with predetermined hardness ion sequestration properties is achieved by controlling the process for forming the material. The process for producing the crystalline hydrated layered sodium and potassium silicate/amorphous is sodium and potassium silicate composite comprises hydrolyzing DB-1 crystalline sodium and potassium silicate glasses as a precursor material to produce the composite material known as DB-2. Hydrolysis of the DB-1 precursor material is achieved by adding typically up to 100.0 milliequivalents per gram of H.sub.3 O.sup.+ ions or up to 50 milliequivalents per gram of OH.sup.- ions. The resulting DB-2 material can sequester CA.sup.2+ ions, Mg.sup.+ ions, or both, depending on the results desired, processing conditions, and starting materials used.

Abstract: Hard-surface scouring cleansers contain surfactant; water soluble abrasive/alkalinity mixture of water soluble carbonate and bicarbonate and optional sulfate salts; preferably bleach; optional buffer and/or minors. Such compositions combine the stain and soil removal properties of a strong active chlorine bleaching agent and bleach-stable surfactant in a abrasive cleanser having desirable surface safety and superior rinsing properties.

Abstract: A nonionic surfactant having cyclic 1,3-dioxane and/or 1,3-dioxolane functionality which is irreversibly splittable by lowering the pH of its aqueous solution is useful in various processes requiring the removal of emulsified hydrophobic contaminants or other hydrophobic materials from an aqueous stream. After splitting of the surfactant into its component aldehyde and polyol, the hydrophobic components phase-separate and can be removed from the aqueous stream by routine means.

Abstract: A crystalline silicate material containing both sodium and potassium cations within the crystalline matrix. Wherein the material is SiO.sub.2 /(xNa.sub.2 O+yK.sub.2 O)=Z where x+y=1, 0.75<x<1.0 (and therefore 0.0<y<0.25), and 1.3.ltoreq.Z.ltoreq.3.22. The material possesses predetermined superior hardness ion sequestration properties determined by the composition and processing of the material. The material can be made by any one of several processes which are also set forth.

Abstract: Hydroxamic acids and hydroxamic acid ethers I and II ##STR1## where Z.sup.1 and Z.sup.2 are --NH --OY, --NR.sup.1 --OY or --OX, where in the case of (I) at least one of Z.sup.1 or Z.sup.2, and in the case of (II) Z.sup.1 is --NH --OY or --NR.sup.1 --OY, andR.sup.1 is C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 -alkyl,X is hydrogen, alkali metal, ammonium or substituted ammonium, andY is hydrogen, alkali metal, ammonium, substituted ammonium or C.sub.1 -C.sub.18 -alkyl, andL is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.100 linker which can also carry oxygen and nitrogen functional groups,with the exception of N,N-bis(carboxymethyl)-2-aminoacetohydroxamic acid.

Abstract: A convenient process for making builder material which has substantially improved performance and is significantly less expensive than previous builders is provided. The builder material has improved performance in that it unexpectedly has a high calcium ion exchange capacity and rate, and is easy to handle, process and disperse in washing solutions. In its broadest aspect, the invention is directed to a process involving converting starting materials (via any means including but not limited to heating and precipitating) to a builder material having at least one crystalline microstructure including a carbonate anion, calcium cation and at least one water-soluble cation. The microstructure should have a sufficient number of anions and cations so as to be "balanced" or "neutral" in charge.

Abstract: The invention provides cleaning compositions containing a builder material which has substantially improved performance and is significantly less expensive than previous builders. The builder material has improved performance in that it unexpectedly has a high calcium ion exchange capacity and rate, and is easy to handle, process and disperse in washing solutions. The cleaning compositions contain a builder material having at least one crystalline microstructure including a carbonate anion, calcium cation and at least one water-soluble cation. The microstructure should have a sufficient number of anions and cations so as to be "balanced" or "neutral" in charge.

Abstract: Amorphous sodium silicate-metal sulfate composite powder having water softening power and having small hygroscopicity, and useful as a detergent builder is provided. This amorphous sodium silicate-metal sulfate composite powder is characterized in that it contains a metal sulfate, for example, sodium sulfate, as solid solution, and when the SiO.sub.2 /Na.sub.2 O molar ratio is expressed by n and the specific surface area thereof is expressed by S (m.sup.2 /g), n and S satisfy the following expressions:1.60.ltoreq.n.ltoreq.2.800.10.ltoreq.S.ltoreq.2.00, provided that it is assumed that the molar number of Na.sub.2 O is the molar number of Na.sub.2 O based on sodium silicate, and does not contain the molar number of Na.sub.2 O based on sodium sulfate in the case where the metal sulfate is sodium sulfate. This powder is prepared by grinding sodium silicate cullet containing the metal sulfate as solid solution.

Abstract: Adding to a laundry detergent a resole condensation polymer prepared by reacting bis(hydroxyphenyl)sulfone with formaldehyde in the presence of a base thereby preventing or suppressing dye-transfer and dye-bleeding during laundering of nylon, rayon, cotton, acetate, or wool fabrics is disclosed.

Abstract: A process for preparing high density detergent compositions is provided. The process comprises the steps of: (a) continuously mixing a detergent surfactant paste and dry starting detergent material into a high speed mixer/densifier to obtain detergent agglomerates, wherein the ratio of the surfactant paste to the dry detergent material is from about 1:10 to about 10:1; (b) mixing the detergent agglomerates in a moderate speed mixer/densifier to further densify and agglomerate the detergent agglomerates; and (c) drying said detergent agglomerates so as to form the high density detergent composition. The dry detergent material may contain a builder material including a crystalline microstructure in which a carbonate anion, a calcium cation and at least one water-soluble cation are contained. The process may include one or more additional processing steps such as adding a coating agent such as the builder material described herein after the moderate speed mixer/densifier to facilitate and control agglomeration.

Abstract: Cleaning compositions comprise a builder material which has substantially improved performance and is significantly less expensive than previous builders. The builder material has improved performance in that it unexpectedly has a high calcium ion exchange capacity and rate, and is easy to handle, process and disperse in washing solutions. The cleaning compositions contain a builder material having at least one crystalline microstructure including a carbonate anion, calcium cation and at least one water-soluble cation, wherein the builder has a particle size diameter within selected ranges for optimal performance. The microstructure should have a sufficient number of anions and cations so as to be "balanced" or "neutral" in charge.

Abstract: A detergent or cleaning composition containing a copolymeric polycarboxylic acid or salt thereof which is a terpolymer of (a) a monoethylenically unsaturated C.sub.3-8 carboxylic acid, (b) a 2-alkyl or aryl allylsulfonic acid, and (c) a carbohydrate. The invention also relates to builder compositions containing the above terpolymer.

Abstract: The tendency of aqueous solutions of urea and other NH-containing compositions to force instability of hardness factors has been found to be detrimental to processes and apparatus employing them. The reliability of these processes and apparatus is improved by the inclusion of hardness-suppressing compositions, which preferably include both a water-soluble polymer and a phosphonate. In particular, agricultural and NO.sub.x -reducing applications are improved, especially for solutions containing urea hydrolysis products and the salts of them.

Abstract: Detergency builder/cobuilder preformulations, for improvedly stable/biodegradable detergent compositions, comprise intimate admixture of at least one polyimide polymer and at least one silicate, advantageously in the form of cogranulates thereof, said at least one polyimide polymer generating at least one biodegradable water-soluble polypeptide species when contacted with an aqueous medium having a non-alkaline pH.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquefying alkaline .alpha.-amylase having the enzymatic properties described below, a production process thereof and a detergent composition containing the same.1) Action:It hydrolyzes .alpha.-1,4-glucosidic linkages in starches, amylose, amylopectin and partial degradation products thereof and from amylose, forms glucose (G1), maltose (G2), maltotriose (G3), maltotetraose (G4), maltopentaose (G5) and maltohexaose (G6). It however does not act on pullulan.2) Isoelectric point:It has an isoelectric point higher than 8.5 when measured by an isoelectric focusing electrophoresis.The amylase according to the present invention has a liquefying activity capable of permitting degrading starches and starchy polysaccharides at high random, and has an optimum pH on the alkaline side. Owing to the high isoelectric point, it can be purified readily. Detergents with the amylase incorporated therein have excellent detergency especially against the soil of smeared food.

Abstract: The synthesized inorganic crystalline ion exchange material has a composition represented by the following general formula in an anhydride form:aX.sub.2 O.bSiO.sub.2.cX'O,wherein X represents Na and K; X' represents Ca, or Ca and Mg; b/a is 1.4 to 2.1; c/a is 0.001 to 0.35; K/Na in X.sub.2 O is 0.09 to 1.11; Mg/Ca in X'O is 0 to 100; and K.sub.2 O/SiO.sub.2 is 0.06 to 0.25. The synthesized inorganic crystalline ion exchange material exhibits main shift peaks at least at 1080.+-.6 cm.sup.-1 in Raman scattering spectra in the range of from 900 to 1200 cm.sup.-1. The inorganic ion exchange material of the present invention is excellent in cationic exchange capacity, cationic exchange speed, and anti-solubility, making it useful to be used for a water softener and an alkalinity adjusting agent in detergents.

Abstract: The invention concerns a solid alkalimetal silicate having a molar ratio SiO.sub.2 :M.sub.2 O from about 1.5 to about 3, in which M is an alkali metal and substantially consists of sodium and optionally potassium. The silicate contains from about 7 to about 20% by weight of sodium carbonate based on the dry material and has a water content from about 14 to about 22% by weight. Further, the invention concerns a method of preparing the silicate above, use of the same and cleaning agent compositions containing such a silicate.

Abstract: Water soluble polymers are prepared from an allyloxybenzenesulfonic acid monomer, a methallyl sulfonic acid monomer, a copolymerizable nonionic monomer, and a copolymerizable olefinically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer. The polymers are used to disperse particulate matter and to inhibit the formation and deposition of mineral scale in aqueous systems and are used in detergent compositions.

Abstract: Particulate compositions are provided incorporating crystalline layered sodium silicates and ionisable material selected from organic acids, organic and inorganic acid salts and mixtures thereof. These particulates can also contain surfactants and other detergent ingredients. Additionally, a method for making these particulates is described as well as a detergent composition incorporating them.

Abstract: A heavy duty, enzyme-containing, aqueous liquid detergent. The detergent includes surfactants, enzymes and an enzyme-stabilizing system. The detergent has a neat liquid pH of 9.5 or greater, a solution pH or 8.5 or greater at 0.2% weight use level and a titratable alkalinity of at least 0.5% weight per gram of product when expressed as % Na.sub.2 O as measured to pH 7.