Abstract: A method for cleaning a substrate which is or comprises a textile, the method comprising agitating the substrate and a cleaning composition comprising: i. cleaning particles comprising a thermoplastic polyamide and a hydrophilic material at least part of which is located inside the cleaning particle, said cleaning particles having an average particle size of from 1 to 100 mm; and ii. a liquid medium. An apparatus suitable for performing said method comprising a rotatable cleaning chamber and a particle storage tank containing the cleaning particles. Use of the cleaning particles for cleaning a substrate which is or comprises a textile.

Abstract: A method of treating a substrate comprising a first step of agitating a composition comprising solid particles comprising biodegradable polyester having a number-average molecular weight of from 10,000 Daltons to 500,000 Daltons, said solid particles having a size of from 0.1 mm to 100 mm; a liquid medium; and the substrate, and a second step comprising separating the solid particles from the substrate.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a substrate which is or comprises a textile, the method comprising agitating the substrate in the presence of a cleaning composition comprising: i. cleaning particles comprising a thermoplastic polyamide and a particulate inorganic filler having a density of at least 2.5 g/cm3, said cleaning particles having an average particle size of from 1 to 100 mm, wherein the cleaning particles have an average density of at least 1.65 g/cm3 and/or the particulate inorganic filler has a D50 particle size of at least 10 microns and/or a D90 particle size of at least 40 microns; and ii. a liquid medium.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a substrate which is or comprises a textile, the method comprising agitating the substrate and a cleaning composition comprising: i. cleaning particles comprising a thermoplastic polyamide and a hydrophilic material at least part of which is located inside the cleaning particle, said cleaning particles having an average particle size of from 1 to 100 mm; and ii. a liquid medium. An apparatus suitable for performing said method comprising a rotatable cleaning chamber and a particle storage tank containing the cleaning particles. Use of the cleaning particles for cleaning a substrate which is or comprises a textile.

Abstract: The invention provides a formulation and method for the treatment of a substrate, the method comprising the treatment of the substrate with the formulation, the formulation comprising a multiplicity of solid cleaning particles and a multiplicity of dosing particles, wherein the dosing particles comprise at least one host material and at least one releasable material, wherein the host material comprises at least one partially or completely water soluble polymeric material and the at least one releasable material comprises at least one cleaning or post-cleaning agent or other treatment additive for the treatment of the substrate. The method and formulation are advantageously applied to the cleaning of textile fabrics.

Abstract: A method of removing at least a portion of an oxide layer from the surface of a metal substrate comprising exposing the metal substrate to a body of treatment liquor comprising a treatment formulation and a multiplicity of solid particles which comprise or consists of a multiplicity of polymeric particles and wherein said treatment formulation comprises one or more promoters selected from the group consisting of acids, bases and surfactants wherein the method further comprises causing the solid particles and the metal substrate to enter into contacting relative movement.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a substrate which is or comprises a textile, the method comprising agitating the substrate in the presence of a cleaning composition comprising: i. cleaning particles comprising a thermoplastic polyamide and a particulate inorganic filler having a density of at least 2.5 g/cm3, said cleaning particles having an average particle size of from 1 to 100 mm, wherein the cleaning particles have an average density of at least 1.65 g/cm3 and/or the particulate inorganic filler has a D50 particle size of at least 10 microns and/or a D90 particle size of at least 40 microns; and ii. a liquid medium.

Abstract: A method of removing at least a portion of an oxide layer from the surface of a metal substrate comprising exposing the metal substrate to a body of treatment liquor comprising a treatment formulation and a multiplicity of solid particles which comprise or consists of a multiplicity of polymeric particles and wherein said treatment formulation comprises one or more promoters selected from the group consisting of acids, bases and surfactants wherein the method further comprises causing the solid particles and the metal substrate to enter into contacting relative movement.

Abstract: A method of cleaning a metal substrate, the method comprising exposing the metal substrate to a body of cleaning liquor comprising a cleaning formulation and a multiplicity of solid particles wherein the method further comprises causing the solid particles and the metal substrate to enter into contacting relative movement; wherein i) the cleaning formulation comprises at least one acid which has a pKa greater than about ?1.7; and/or ii) the cleaning formulation comprises at least one base which has a pKb greater than about ?1.7; and the length of the particles is from about 0.5 mm to about 6 mm.

Abstract: The invention provides a formulation and method for the treatment of a substrate, the method comprising the treatment of the substrate with the formulation, the formulation comprising a multiplicity of solid cleaning particles and a multiplicity of dosing particles, wherein the dosing particles comprise at least one host material and at least one releasable material, wherein the host material comprises at least one partially or completely water soluble polymeric material and the at least one releasable material comprises at least one cleaning or post-cleaning agent or other treatment additive for the treatment of the substrate. The method and formulation are advantageously applied to the cleaning of textile fabrics.