Abstract: Detergent compositions, preferably tablets, comprise an improved solubility aid wherein the solubility aid contains an organic molecule, which has a first polar group and a second polar group separated from each other by less than 5 aliphatic carbon atoms. The use of the solubility aid provides detergent tablets which are both strong and durable to resist breakage during storage and transportation, but which also disintegrate rapidly upon contact with an aqueous wash solution so that the components of the tablet can provide detersive benefits during the wash process.

Abstract: A rinse-added fabric treatment composition having a rinse aid increases the rinse capacity of an aqueous rinse bath solution for removing laundry residue from laundered fabrics. When properly diluted in water, the rinse-added fabric treatment composition provides a rinse bath solution having a rinsing capacity of greater than 1. In addition, a rinse-added fabric treatment composition reduces the surfactant residue on a fabric, and includes from about 0.05% to about 10% of a residue reduction agent, a suds suppresser, and the balance adjunct ingredients. The residue reduction agent is selected from a cationic residue reduction agent, a zwitterionic residue reduction agent, and a combination thereof. Moreover, methods for reducing surfactant residue on fabric and a method for reducing the amount of water used in a rinsing step of a laundry process are included. A kit for improving the rinsing capacity of water includes a rinse-added fabric treatment composition and an instruction set.

Abstract: A rinse-added fabric treatment composition for reducing detergent residue and/or for improving the color and/or clarity of the rinse solution contains an agent for removing residual detergent surfactants from laundered fabrics and an appearance-enhancing selected from a peroxygen bleach, bluing agent and mixtures of the same. An antifoaming or suds suppressing material is optional but highly preferred for reducing the formation of suds during the rinsing of the laundered fabrics. Moreover, methods and uses of the compositions for improving the color and/or clarity of the rinse solution are included. A fabric treatment product for reducing detergent residue and/or for improving the color and/or clarity of the rinse solution includes a rinse added fabric treatment composition, a container for the composition and set of instructions concerning the use of the composition to improving the color and/or clarity of the rinse solution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fabric care compositions, methods, and articles of manufacture for treating fabrics, comprising an effective amount of fabric care polysaccharides with globular structure. Optionally, the composition can contain other ingredients to improve performance and formulatability. The compositions can be applied to fabric by spraying, soaking, dipping, and can also be used for pre-wash treatment, adding to the wash cycle, adding to the rinse cycle, and/or adding to the drying cycle. Preferably the compositions are applied from spray containers which preferably are in association with instructions for use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a stable, aqueous odor-absorbing composition, preferably for use on inanimate surfaces. The composition comprises from about 0.1% to about 20%, by weight of the composition, of solubilized, water-soluble, uncomplexed cyclodextrin and an effective amount of at least one ingredient to improve the performance of the composition selected from the group consisting of: (1) cyclodextrin compatible surfactant; (2) cyclodextrin compatible antimicrobial active; and (3) mixtures thereof. Hydrophilic perfume improves acceptance. Optionally, the composition can contain low molecular weight polyols; metallic salts to help control odor; 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, preferably non-manually operated sprayers.

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: A self-propelled robot is disclosed for movement over a surface to be treated. The robot has a power supply and a pair of wheels driven by motors for moving the robot over the surface. A mechanism is provided for controllably depositing a fluent material on to the surface. Navigation sensors provide signals for enabling the robot to navigate over the surface and one or more detectors detect the presence of the material on the surface and provide signals indicative of its presence. A control system receives the signals from the sensors and detectors and controls the motors and the depositing mechanism in dependence upon the signals received from the sensors and detectors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved bag-type containers for use in a non-immersion fabric care process for dry clean only fabrics. The outer shell of the bags are made from fabric such that the bags resist melting at higher temperatures than conventional non-fabric plastic bags and/or the bags are more pliable and/or supple than conventional non-fabric plastic bags and/or the bags retain more of their pliability and/or suppleness than conventional non-fabric plastic bags after being subjected to heat and/or the bags produce less noise during use than the conventional non-fabric plastic bags and/or the bags retain their shape and/or resist wrinkling during use better than the conventional non-fabric plastic bags. The bags of this invention are used in fabric care or “refreshment” processes are conducted in a hot air environment, preferably dryers, in the presence of a cleaning/refreshment composition.

Abstract: A method of deodorizing and/or reducing malodor in carpet comprises the step of contacting the carpet with a deodorizing composition comprising an effective amount of odor control agent. In a preferred embodiment, the deodorizing composition is a concentrated composition and the method comprises diluting the concentrated deodorizing composition to form a diluted deodorizing composition and using the diluted deodorizing composition in combination with a carpet extractor to deodorize the carpet. An article of manufacture for deodorizing carpet comprises a container, a deodorizing composition in the container, and a set of instructions in association with the container to communicate the benefits of the present methods and the uses of the present compositions.

Abstract: There is provided a method for preventing or reducing the fading of color on fabric by means of a divalent salt. Compositions which provide care to the color of fabrics and comprising a dye fixing agent and the divalent salt are also herein provided.