Abstract: The invention relates to catalytically bleaching substrates, especially laundry fabrics, with a bleaching catalyst in the presence of an unsaturated surfactant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of treating a fabric with a neat bleaching composition comprising a peroxygen bleach and a high molecular weight polymer. Such bleaching composition provides bleaching benefits and enhanced fabric safety. The present invention also relates to a method of reducing the evaporation of a bleaching composition's solvent.

Abstract: Particulate detergent components comprising a bleaching agent and detergent compositions containing them are described. The invention relates to the problem of localised build-up of bleaching components and provides bleaching granules comprising no more than 50 wt. % of a particulate bleach component selected from bleach activators, pre-formed peracids, bleach catalysts and mttres thereof, in addition to further detergent ingredients. The geometric mean particle diameter of the particulate bleach component is below 500 &mgr;m. A method for making a bleach granule comprises in a mixing step, mixing the particulate bleach component with builders and/or surfactants and optionally other detergent ingredients and/or fillers in a high, moderate or low shear mixer to produce the bleach granules. Preferably, the bleach granules are produced in a moderate to low shear mixer.

Abstract: A method of increasing specific gravity of a liquid or gel type detergent product having a pH less than about 10.0, while at the same time imparting transparency or translucency to said liquid or gel type detergent product, comprises the steps of: (a) providing a liquid or gel type detergent composition having no greater than 20% by weight of (i) potassium tripolyphosphate and (ii) mixed sodium and potassium tripolyphosphate; (b) maintaining a potassium:sodium weight ratio greater than at least about 0.5:1; and (c) adding one or more of potassium salts, ammonium salts and mixtures thereof, in an amount of at least 5% by weight of the detergent product.

Abstract: A laundry composition, preferably to be used in addition to a laundry detergent, comprises an acidic peroxidic liquid, and particles suspended in the liquid. The particles comprise a protective coating around a core which includes at least one active ingredient selected from a chelating agent, a dye-transfer inhibitor, an anti-fading agent, an anti-bacterial agent, a fabric softener, a transition metal compound and an optical brightener. The particles are stable in the acidic peroxidic liquid but dissolve or disperse under alkaline washing conditions. Surprisingly incorporation of active ingredient(s) into particles appears to give better washing results than the dissolution of such active ingredients in such a liquid.

Abstract: A sorbent material is provided comprising a porous substrate, such as a nonwoven web, having a wetting chemistry distributed substantially throughout the substrate. The wetting chemistry can comprise (a) an aliphatic alcohol ethoxylate; (b) one or more of an alkyl sulfosuccinate, an alkyl sulfate and a sulfated fatty acid ester and, optionally, (c) a fatty acid ester ethoxylate. Various formulations are provided having low metal ion concentrations, anti-static properties and/or good absorption characteristics for a broad spectrum of liquids.

Abstract: A detergent composition which is liquid at application temperature includes a hydrophobic surfactant system in combination with an aqueous component which is maintained in solution without gellation by an effective amount of N-methyl pyrrolidone. The N-methyl pyrrolidone allows the aqueous component preferably an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide to mix with the surfactant blend without causing the surfactant blend to gel. The N-methyl pyrrolidone can also be used to achieve similar results with other aqueous detergent components.

Abstract: A hydrophobic bleaching agent comprising a peroxyacid having a carbon chain of at least 9 carbon atoms is used for the reduction of the activity of micro-organisms that have a cell wall containing high levels of peptidoglycan. Such micro-organisms include yeast and gram positive bacteria.

Abstract: The invention relates to a detergent composition comprising a bleach-sensitive component and a hydrogen peroxide source, wherein the hydrogen peroxide source is present in a particulate component having an average particle size, by weight, of from 700 microns to 1100 microns, preferably from 750 microns to 1000 microns, whereby at least 80% by weight of the particulate component comprising the hydrogen peroxide source has a particle size of between 70% to 130% of the average particle size. The compositions preferably comprise a bleach activator of a specified average particle size.

Abstract: The invention relates to catalytically bleaching substrates, especially laundry fabrics, with a bleaching catalyst in the presence of an unsaturated organic compound and an activity moderator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid bleaching composition comprising a peroxycarboxylic acid having at least one aromatic group and a co-agent selected from organic acids, homo or copolymers of acidic monomers and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A water soluble container having disposed therein a powdered cleaning composition containing at least one nonionic surfactant, a perfume and an anionic surfactant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bleaching compositions comprising a bleach, a borate or boric acid or a mixture thereof and less than 5% by weight of the total composition of a metal oxide selected from the group consisting of Sn, Ti, Zn, Al, Bi, Ga, Ge, Sb and Mg or a mixture thereof. These bleaching compositions exhibit excellent fabric yellowing-prevention performance and/or fabric safety.

Abstract: The present invention relates to bleaching compositions comprising a hypohalite bleach, a borate or boric acid or mixture thereof, and a tertiary alcohol and/or a polyalcohol. These bleaching compositions exhibit excellent fabric yellowing-prevention performance and/or fabric safety.

Abstract: A liquid protectant composition which cleans, protects, preserves, and enhances the appearance of rubber, synthetic plastic, and vinyl surfaces includes a cleaning agent, silicone, a thickener, a neutralizing agent, an ultra-violet light absorber, and water. The composition also preferably includes a fragrance and a fragrance stabilizer. When the fragrance and fragrance stabilizer are present in the formulation, the composition preferably has a viscosity ranging from about 7.5 Pa*sec (7,500 cPs) to about 18 Pa*sec (18,000 cPs) which allows the composition to be applied easily to a variety of surfaces.

Abstract: A process of treating fabrics comprises the steps of forming an aqueous bath comprising water, dissolving or dispersing a conventional laundry detergent therein, adding a liquid composition comprising a peroxygen bleach, a builder and a modified polycarboxylate co-builder and subsequently contacting said fabrics with said aqueous bath. Furthermore, the use of a builder and a modified polycarboxylate co-builder in a laundry additive comprising a peroxygen bleach to treat fabrics, whereby stain removal and/or bleaching benefits are provided, is also claimed.

Abstract: A method of providing a solid oxidizer to a tank of water, while also providing a way to indicate when it is time to add more oxidizer. The preferred method includes providing the solid oxidizer in the form of an oxidizer shell with a coloring agent disposed therein. The coloring agent is substantially color stable when stored in the oxidizer shell, and the oxidizer shell is formed and shaped to enclose the coloring agent in a manner in which the coloring agent is prevented from dispersing into the water until the oxidizer shell is substantially dissolved.

Abstract: Coated sodium percarbonate particles are provided which contain a sodium percarbonate core, and a coating layer substantially free from sulate, borate and magnesium compounds, having at least 30 and at most 75% w/w of an alkali metal carbonate and at least 25 and at most 70% w/w of an alkali metal silicate. The alkali metal carbonate and silicate being uniformly dispersed in the coating layer. Also provided is a process for the preparation of the coated sodium percarbonate particles and their use in detergent compositions.

Abstract: The invention relates to catalytically bleaching substrates, especially laundry fabrics, with atmospheric oxygen or air in the presence of an air bleaching facilitator.

Abstract: A method for treating a fabric having a discrete stained area, wherein the fabric has a first side and a second side, the method comprises the steps of: (a) applying a spot cleaning composition to the discrete stained area of the fabric; (b) contacting the first side of the fabric adjacent the stained area with an absorbent stain receiving article; (c) subjecting the second side of the fabric adjacent the stained a to a heat source; (d) optionally, concurrently or consecutively with Step (a), contacting the fabric adjacent the stained area with a treatment member; and (e) optionally, applying an aqueous rinsing solution to the fabric adjacent the stained area. The spot cleaning composition comprises a bleach, a solvent, a surfactant and water. Also provided are spot removal kits that include instructions for performing the present spot removal methods, and a process for cleaning and refreshing fabrics that can optionally be performed before or after the present spot removal methods.