Abstract: Fatty branched polyalkoxylates, particularly of the formula: R1O(AO)mR2 (I) where R1 is C8 to C30 aliphatic hydrocarbyl or acyl; AO is predominantly branched alkyleneoxy, particularly propyleneoxy; m is from 2 to 50; and R2 is H or a is C1 to C4 aliphatic hydrocarbyl or acyl, are used as fabric conditioners in CO2 based dry cleaning systems. The cleaning medium may include detergent surfactant and/or non surfactant cleaning additive or may be free from such additives in which case the treatment can be provided in a rinse cycle in a cleaning process.

Abstract: Fatty branched polyalkoxylates, particularly of the formula: R1O(AO)mR2 (I) where R1 is C8 to C30 aliphatic hydrocarbyl or acyl; AO is predominantly branched alkyleneoxy, particularly propyleneoxy; m is from 2 to 50; and R2 is H or a is C1 to C4 aliphatic hydrocarbyl or acyl, are used as fabric conditioners in CO2 based dry cleaning systems. The cleaning medium may include detergent surfactant and/or non surfactant cleaning additive or may be free from such additives in which case the treatment can be provided in a rinse cycle in a cleaning process.

Abstract: Detergent or micelle free cleaning media based on detergent free and/or micelle free liquid CO2 and including from 0.01 to 5% by weight of the formulation of a cleaning additive which is at least one multi-ester having a molecular weight of not more than 750 can be used in dry cleaning of textiles. Desirable cleaning additives are of the formula (1): R1(XR2)n where X, R1, R2, and n have defined meanings, particularly to be esters of multi-carboxylic acids and mono-hydroxy alcohols or esters of mono-carboxylic acids and multi-hydroxy alcohols.

Abstract: Cleaning media based on liquid CO2 and including from 0.01 to 5% by weight of the formulation of a cleaning additive which is at least one C6 to C24 hydrocarbyl ester of a multi-carboxylic acid can be used in dry cleaning of textiles. Desirable cleaning additives are of the formula (I): R1(CO2R2)n where R1 is the residue of a C1 to C10 hydrocarbyl group from which n hydrogen atoms have been removed, R2 is a C6 to C24 hydrocarbyl, particularly alkyl or alkenyl, group; and n is from 2 to 5; particularly C12 to C18 adipate esters.

Abstract: Substrates are cleaned by contacting the substrate with a cleaning composition, particularly an aqueous composition, including at least one compound of the formula (I): (R2)p—Ph—(CH2)m—COO—(AO)n—R1 (I) where R1, AO, n, M, Ph, R2 and p have defined meanings, particularly to give alkyl benzoates. Such compounds provide useful solvency to the cleaning formulations while having a relatively benign environmental profile.

Abstract: Substrates are cleaned by contacting the substrate with a cleaning composition, particularly an aqueous composition, including at least one compound of the formula (I): (R2)p—Ph—(CH2)m—COO—(AO)n—R1 (I) where R1, AO, n, M, Ph, R2 and p have defined meanings, particularly to give alkyl benzoates. Such compounds provide useful solvency to the cleaning formulations while having a relatively benign environmental profile.

Abstract: Surfactants of the general formula (I): Y.A.sup.1.OC.(HR)C.C(HR.sup.1).CO.A.(C.sub.m H.sub.2m O).sub.n.R.sup.2 or (II): Y.A.sup.1.OC.(HR)C.C(HR.sup.1).CO.A.(C.sub.m H.sub.2m O).sub.n.C.sub.p H.sub.2p.A.CO.(HR.sup.1)C.C(HR)CO.A.sup.1.Y; where R, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, A, A.sup.1, n, m, Y and p have defined meanings are effective in single phase aqueous surfactant compositions with high electrolyte loading, especially of or including alkali, particularly for hard surface cleaning applications. These surfactants do not need hydrotropes to give stable single phase compositions even with high electrolyte loadings and are resistant to hydrolytic degradation e.g. by strong alkali in such compositions.