Abstract: A cleaning composition comprising at least 80 percent by water at least 1 percent by weight of an amphiphile, and at least 0.005 percent by weight of hydrocarbon exhibits good cleaning performance and a visual indication of activity. The composition is on or adjacent to a phase boundary of its phase diagram and exhibits self-induced surface motility of the Marangoni type.

Abstract: A cleaning composition comprises a water-in-oil emulsion which upon breakdown of the emulsion undergoes a physical change which is accompanied by an increase in the temperature of the composition.

Abstract: A method of deactivating an allergen involves dispersing into an airspace an allergen deactivant, the deactivant being provided in the form of an oil-in-water emulsion comprising at least 8 wt % deactivant. Preferably the deactivant is dispersed into the airspace as a vapour. Preferably the dispersal is aided by heat applied to the emulsion.

Abstract: A method and related packaged product for forming a surface treatment liquid involves contacting two solids to form a liquid, particularly an ionic liquid under ambient conditions at the locus of use.

Abstract: A method of cleaning household articles entails contacting cleaning water with a container containing a substantially water-insoluble modifying agent able to bind calcium ions. The container is permeable to water and to calcium ions but retains the modifying agent. The container may be a bag, for example of textile or paper.

Abstract: A dilutable cleaning composition comprises a pH-elevating component and a pH-lowering component, the composition being such that when it is mixed with water the pH-elevating component dissolves or disperses in the water thereby elevating the pH of the water to at least 8.5 and subsequently the pH-lowering component dissolves or disperses in the water, thereby lowering the pH of the water from at least 8.5 to not more than 4. When the water is at the raised pH, the cleaning composition is effective in removing proteinaceous or fatty soiling, and when the composition is at the lowered pH, the composition is effective at removing alkaline waste materials such as limescale. The cleaning composition is particularly suitable for use as a lavatory or hard surface cleaner.

Abstract: A method for forming an active material containing coating on a substrate, which method comprises the steps of: i) introducing one or more gaseous or atomised liquid and/or solid coating-forming materials which undergo chemical bond forming reactions within a plasma environment and one or more active materials which substantially do not undergo chemical bond forming reactions within a plasma environment, into an atmospheric or low pressure non-thermal equilibrium plasma discharge and/or an excited gas stream resulting therefrom, and ii) exposing the substrate to the resulting mixture of atomised coating-forming and at least one active material which are deposited onto the substrate surface to form a coating; wherein the substrate is not a wipe, cloth or sponge for household care or depilatory care or a water solute household cleaning unit dose product.

Abstract: An aqueous cleaning composition for the removal of mould and mildew is provided. The composition includes a water soluble source of chlorine, a surfactant, chitosan and water and has improved anti-fungal activity.

Abstract: A method is provided for deactivating a Der-p and/or Der-f allergen which comprises volatilizing into a space to be treated a deactivating amount of a volatile oil selected from cajeput oil (tea tree oil) or an oil comprising one or more terpene hydrocarbons.

Abstract: An aerosol delivery system comprises a container defining a chamber for a product to be delivered, an outlet from the chamber through which product may in operation be delivered, a valve for controlling passage of product through the outlet and a pump for pressurising product to be delivered, wherein the pump comprises an expandable material which, in operation, may be expanded to provide the pressure for pressurising product to be delivered, the expandable material being an osmotically effective agent and/or a swellable hydrogel and being disposed on one side of a semi-permeable membrane through which, in operation, fluid may be absorbed by the expandable material to expand it and thereby generate an osmotic pressure.

Abstract: Cleaning compositions including a photocatalytic material and a sensitiser employ a photocatalytic material and a sensitiser at a locus, for example on a surface. The residue combats soils and/or undesired microorganisms at the locus. The photocatalytic material is peroxo modified titania, preferably in its anatase form, or peroxo modified titanic acid, or a mixture thereof. The compositions are preferably alkaline.

Abstract: Cleaning compositions including a photocatalytic material and a sensitiser employ a photocatalytic material and a sensitiser at a locus, for example on a surface. The residue combats soils and/or undesired microorganisms at the locus. The addition of a monohydric or polyhydric alcohol, preferably having humectant properties, gives benefits in terms of smear avoidance on application and soil removal thereafter.

Abstract: Cleaning compositions including a photocatalytic material and a sensitiser employ a photocatalytic material and a sensitiser at a locus, for example on a surface. The residue combats soils and/or undesired microorganisms at the locus. The photocatalytic material is peroxo modified titania, preferably in its anatase form, or peroxo modified titanic acid, or a mixture thereof. The compositions are preferably alkaline.

Abstract: Der-f and/or Der-p dust mite allergens are deactivated by an amount of one or more of the following deactivants: i) cedarwood oil, ii) hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride, iii) aluminium chlorohydrate, iv) 1-propoxy-propanol-2, v) polyquaternium-10 vi) silica gel, vii) propylene glycol alginate, viii) ammonium sulphate, ix) hinokitiol, x) L-ascorbic acid, xi) immobilised tannic acid, xii) chlorohexidine, xiii) maleic anhydride, xiv) hinoki oil, xv) a composite of AgCl and TiO2, xvi) diazolidinyl urea, xvii) 6-isopropyl-m-cresol, xviii) a compound of formula I xix) the compound of formula II xx) a polymeric dialdehyde containing two or more of a recurring unit of the formula III where n=2 to 200, xxi) urea, xxii) cyclodextrin, xxiii) hydrogenated hop oil, xxiv) polyvinylpyrrolidone, xxv) N-methylpyrrolidone, xxvi) the sodium salt of anthraquinone, xxvii) potassium thioglycolate, and xxviii) glutaraldehyde.

Abstract: An aerosol delivery system comprises a container defining a chamber for a product to be delivered, an outlet from the chamber through which product may in operation be delivered, a valve for controlling passage of product through the outlet and a pump for pressurising product to be delivered, wherein the pump comprises an expandable material which, in operation, may be expanded to provide the pressure for pressurising product to be delivered, the expandable material being an osmotically effective agent and/or a swellable hydrogel and being disposed on one side of a semi-permeable membrane through which, in operation, fluid may be absorbed by the expandable material to expand it and thereby generate an osmotic pressure.

Abstract: A method for controlling and removing dust and other fine particles in a material comprising i) electrostatically charging carrier particles in powder form to give the carrier particles a minimum charge to mass ratio of +/−1×10−4 C/kg, ii) delivering the electrostatical charged carrier particles to the material, whereby the dust and other fine particles in the material agglomerate with the charged carrier particles and iii) removing the resultant agglomerates from the material (for example by vacuuming or brushing).

Abstract: The invention relates to a product having an anionic metal ion indicator dye bound to it, and use of such products in the detection of metal ions, in particular calcium ions, in a liquid.

Abstract: A cleaning composition contains the components for a pH step reaction, held apart or in stasis in needed, until they are delivered to the locus to be cleaned. The composition may include standard cleaning agents such as surfactants. The composition undergoes a change in pH at the locus, promoting effective cleaning.

Abstract: A cleaning method employs a textile article immersed in or retaining water. The textile article has calcium-binding moieties to soften the wash water and improve cleaning.

Abstract: The deleterious effects of metal ions in water, for example water hardness and formation of deposits, may be combated by application of an algin, for example alginic acid or a salt of alginic acid, such as sodium alginate or potassium alginate. Such a compound may bring about water purification and/or softening and prevent formation of deposits. Furthermore, such a compound may promote the removal of existing deposits, for example scale.