Abstract: A film-forming composition for use in preparing water-soluble films that are rapidly dissolving under cold water conditions, the composition comprising a water soluble polymer material such as polyvinyl alcohol and a principal solvent, typically diol(s) or derivative of a diol. Films made from the film-forming compositions may be used to encapsulate a variety of compositions for subsequent release into an aqueous medium. Encapsulated compositions can include various laundry detergents and additives, fabric care compositions such as fabric softening compositions and dishwashing detergents among others. When used to encapsulate compositions, the solvent system used in the film-forming composition will have at least one common solvent material as the solvent system used in the encapsulated composition to improve film dissolution and to prevent problems associated with solvent migration.

Abstract: The present invention provides preferred, preferably liquid, hard surface cleaning compositions, compositions with cleaning liquid composition on a substrate, compositions used with absorbent pads and implements and devices for making the process of cleaning hard surfaces and/or maintaining their appearance and hygiene easier and more effective.

Abstract: The present invention relates to stable, aqueous fabric softening compositions, fabric softening methods and articles of manufacture that use such fabric softening compositions comprising preferred polyalkyleneoxy polysiloxanes selected from the group consisting of polyethyleneoxy polysiloxane, polyethyleneoxy/polypropyleneoxy polysiloxanes, and mixtures thereof. The composition is preferably applied as small particle size droplets, especially from spray containers. The present invention also relates to a method of identifying, selecting, and/or designing the preferred polyethyleneoxy polysiloxanes and/or polyethyleneoxy/polypropyleneoxy polysiloxanes that provide superior fabric softening performance in general, and especially for use in the fabric softening composition of the present invention.

Abstract: Provided is a method of laundering fabrics in an automatic washing machine having a drum, wherein the automatic washing machine is operated so as to cause it to run through at least one wash cycle and at least one rinse cycle, which method comprises: during the at least one wash cycle forming in the drum an aqueous washing liquor containing a detersive surfactant component and a detergent builder component, the aqueous wash liquor having pH above about 7; contacting fabrics to be laundered with the aqueous wash liquor in the drum; during the rinse cycle, forming in the drum an aqueous rinse liquor and contacting the fabrics with the rinse liquor; and adding to the rinse liquor sufficient acid source to bring the pH of the rinse liquor into the range of from about 4 to about 7.

Abstract: The present invention relates to cleaning sheets that resist folding, especially refolding upon themselves even after an initial fold has been formed in the sheet.

Abstract: Concentrated perfume compositions are useful for incorporating perfume into fabric care compositions.

Abstract: A composition for treating fabrics, comprising: a) a fabric shrinkage reducing composition selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, all isomers of propanediol, butanediol, pentanediol, hexanediol and mixtures thereof; b) a liquid cleaning/refreshment composition. The fabric shrinkage reducing composition and the liquid cleaning/refreshment composition are releasably absorbed in a substrate in a weight ratio of from about 1:2 to about 1:5. The fabric shrinkage reducing composition helps to reduce shrinkage of the fabrics treated in an in-home, non-immersion cleaning and refreshing process which is conducted in a clothes dryer, or the like apparatus. Also provided are non-immersion cleaning/refreshment processes using this composition, a kit containing the necessary items to conduct the processes of this invention and a sheet for releasably absorbing the compositions of this invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stable, aqueous wrinkle controlling and, optionally, odor-absorbing, composition, preferably for use on fabric. The composition preferably comprises fabric lubricant, shape retention polymer, lithium salts, and/or plasticizers for wrinkle control and, optionally, from about 0.1% to about 20%, by weight of the composition, of solubilized, water-soluble, uncomplexed cyclodextrin. Optionally, the composition can contain low molecular weight polyols; metallic salts to help control odor; nonionic surfactants to improve performance and formulatability, a humectant, etc. The composition is essentially free of any material that would soil or stain fabric. The composition is preferably applied as small particle size droplets, especially from spray containers which preferably are in association with instructions for use, especially when the composition comprises only water and perfume.