Abstract: A water composition that is fortified with at least one mineral and has a pH between about 2.5 and 9.5. The water composition has a redox potential that satisfies the following equation: 0?RP?(A?B*pH) wherein RP is the redox potential in millivolts of the mineral-containing water composition, pH is the pH of the mineral-containing water composition, A is 400 and B is 20. The mineral is preferably selected from calcium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, iodine, magnesium, and mixtures of these. Moreover, the mineral-fortified water composition is preferably substantially free of flavor or sweetener compounds. Even more preferably, the water composition has no metallic taste or after-taste, a Hunter colorimetric “b” reading of less than 5.0, and an NTU turbidity value of less than 5.0.

Abstract: A hand-held container for predissolving a predetermined amount of detergent with a predetermined amount of solvent comprises a housing, a resilient side wall, and a dispensing passage. The dispensing passage has a flow restriction portion and an applicator at the distal end. The container is intended for use with fluids with a viscosity of less than about 500 cP. When so used, and aligned to a dispensing orientation, fluid flows out of the dispensing passage at a rate from about 0 ml/min to about 300 ml/min, unless manual pressure is exerted on the resilient side wall.

Abstract: Sheets capable of developing a positive electostatic charge are used for a variety of surface cleaning operations. Polyester fabric, non-woven and chemically bonded with an acrylic latex is used to dust surfaces, to clean clothes, furniture and carpets. A light solvent such as isopropanol can be used with the sheets to loosen gummy soils. In one mode, the sheets are used in a hot air clothes dryer to remove soils and detritus from garments. Processes for cleaning a variety of fabric and hard surfaces are conducted using the sheets.

Abstract: Phase stable liquid compositions comprise water, butoxy propoxy propanol and alkyl sulfate or alkyl ethoxy sulfate surfactants. The compositions are used to clean fabrics.

Abstract: Concentrated heavy duty liquid laundry detergent compositions containing an anionic surfactant component, polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactant and a water-soluble salt of toluene sulfonic acid, and containing no more than about 50% water. The concentration of all surfactants in the detergent compositions is greater than about 10% by weight of the composition. The anionic surfactant component comprises between about 50% and 100% alkyl polyethoxylate sulfates. The compositions are substantially clear and isotropic when prepared and remain stable after extended periods of time and under extreme conditions. Toluene sulfonate salts, although known hydrotropes, provides improved phase stability to the compositions unlike other standard hydrotropes and solvents.

Abstract: Enzymes are used in a dry cleaning composition and process. Cleaning compositions comprising lipase, protease and/or amylase enzymes are applied to soiled fabrics in the presence of an organic solvent such as butoxy propoxy propanol to clean the fabrics. In a preferred mode, an enzyme-containing dry cleaning composition is releasably contained in a sheet substrate. The sheet is tumbled with soiled fabrics in a conventional home clothes dryer to clean soiled garments.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses a stain receiver article and its use in a fabric cleaning process. The invention also encompasses a kit, comprising: (a) an aqueous fabric cleaning/refreshment composition which is, optionally, releasably contained on a carrier substrate; a re-usable, preferably vapor-venting, containment bag; a stain receiver article according to this invention; optionally, but preferably, a fabric cleaning device, as disclosed herein; optionally, a re-usable holding tray; and optionally, a non-aqueous cleaning composition. The invention also encompasses the stain receiver article, itself.

Abstract: Disclosed are light-duty liquid or gel dishwashing detergent compositions that are especially useful for the manual washing of heavily soiled dishware. Such compositions are in the form of oil-in-water or bicontinuous microemulsions. They essentially contain an alkyl ether sulfate-based anionic surfactant, a polyhydroxy fatty acid amide-based nonionic surfactant component, a suds booster which is preferably an amine oxide, an aqueous liquid carrier, a liquid hydrocarbon such as isoparaffin and an glycol ether microemulsion-forming solvent.

Abstract: Disclosed are nonaqueous, bleach-containing liquid laundry detergent compositions which are in the form of a suspension of particulate material, including peroxygen bleaching agent and an alkyl sulfate anionic surfactant, dispersed in a liquid phase containing an alcohol ethoxylate nonionic surfactant and a nonaqueous, low-polarity organic solvent. Such compositions provide especially desirable cleaning and bleaching of fabrics laundered therewith and also exhibit especially desirable chemical and phase stability.

Abstract: Stains are removed from fabrics safely and effectively using a spot removal composition which contains peroxide.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for predissolving a detergent composition having the steps of providing a hand-held container; and combining a detergent composition and a solvent in the container to form a concentrated detergent solution. The concentrated detergent solution preferably has a surface tension value of from about 10 to about 50 dyne/cm.

Abstract: A process for removing a stain from a localized stained area on a fabric. The process comprises the following steps: (a) placing the stained area of the fabric over and in contact with an absorbent stain receiver; (b) applying a fluid cleaning composition, which comprises at least about 95%, by weight water, to the stain from a container having a dispenser spout with a distal tip; and (c) rubbing or pressing the cleaning composition into the stain using the distal tip of the spout. This process causes the stain to be transferred into the stain receiver before the fabric is used or subjected to conventional laundering or dry-cleaning processes.

Abstract: A cleaning composition is releasably contained in a controlled-release pad or sheet, preferably enveloped within an apertured, formed-film cover sheet to provide a spot removal article. The article is pressed against localized stained areas on fabric surfaces to release the cleaning composition in a controlled manner. The article and fabric are then placed in a bag and agitated in a hot air clothes dryer to dry clean the entire fabric.

Abstract: Disclosed are non-aqueous, particulate-containing liquid laundry detergent compositions which are in the form of a suspension of particulate material, preferably including peroxygen bleaching agent and an organic detergent builder, dispersed in a liquid phase structured with a surfactant and elasticized with finely divided particulate material such as silica or titanium dioxide. Such compositions provide especially desirable cleaning and bleaching of fabrics laundered therewith and also exhibit especially desirable pourability and chemical and phase stability.

Abstract: Disclosed are detergent compositions and methods which are suitable for washing colored fabrics in aqueous washing solution with little or no transfer of dye between fabrics. The compositions utilized comprise certain nil-LAS detersive surfactants, detergent builder and certain selected polymeric dye transfer inhibiting agents. The detersive surfactants used must comprise alkyl ether sulfates and certain types of nonionic surfactants (polyhydroxy fatty acid amides and/or alcohol ethoxylates). The polymeric dye transfer inhibiting agents are polyamine N-oxides such as poly(4-vinylpyridine-N-oxide), i.e., PVNO and/or copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole, i.e., PVPVI.

Abstract: Articles especially adapted for in-home dry cleaning comprise a carrier sheet which is impregnated with a cleaning composition. The articles are designed to be folded for packaging, and to be unfolded during use. The articles are provided with holes which help maintain them in the unfolded configuration, especially during use in a hot-air clothes dryer.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses, in a process which comprises the steps of laundering or otherwise moistening fabrics using an aqueous medium, thereby securing damp fabrics and, thereafter, subjecting said damp fabrics to a drying process in a mechanical apparatus, the improvement which comprises: conducting said drying process by placing said damp fabrics in a vapor venting containment bag and drying said fabrics, thereafter removing said fabrics from said bag, whereby fabric shrinkage and wrinkling are minimized. The process herein is especially useful when the fabrics are cotton.