Stain remover for textured walls and ceilings

The present invention is a powdered stain remover formulation which when mixed with water exhibits bleaching and stain discoloration properties together with the required detergency, and also exhibits mildewcide and bacteriocidal properties. The formulation includes calcium hypochlorite; a surfactant to promote detergency by emulsification, such as sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate and a polyacrylic acid salt, such as sodium polyacrylate, to further promote cleaning by chelation. The stain remover formulation is applied to the stained surface by spraying, rolling or brushing. In this manner, water stains, tobacco, soot, mold, mildew and other stains are readily removed from the desired surface, such as sprayed textured walls and ceilings, tiles, masonry, fiberglass and plastic furniture. Importantly, this is done so without any further need to rub or wipe the surface

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention generally relates to the preparation of a formulation 
useful in the removal of stains on walls, ceilings, vinyl and brick and, 
more particularly, to such a formulation which is useful in the removal of 
water stains, tobacco, soot and other stains on sprayed textured ceiling 
and walls. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The removal of discoloration stains, such as water stains, mold, mildew, 
tobacco and soot, from walls, ceilings, shower curtains, tiles and like 
surfaces, is a particularly annoying problem. The removal of such stains 
on sprayed textured ceilings and walls is even more troublesome. A variety 
of detergent compositions are available for removing the stains, but 
require extensive rubbing or wiping which usually destroys the texture or 
finish, particularly for textured ceilings and walls. Liquid bleach 
products are also available to remove those stains, but unless great care 
is exercised, they also destroy the finish or texture of the surface. 
Although an option, repainting or replacing the stained surface is 
possible, but is typically cost prohibitive. 
The present invention relates to a formulation which has been found to be 
particularly successful when used for removal of such stains wherein the 
labor required for removal is significantly reduced. Indeed, by simply 
spraying, brushing or rolling the formulation on the desired surface, the 
stains are removed without the need for further rubbing or wiping. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention is a powdered stain remover formulation which when 
mixed with water exhibits both bleaching and detergency properties. The 
formulation includes calcium hypochlorite; a halogen oxidizer stable 
surfactant to promote detergency by emulsification, such as sodium 
dodecylbenzene sulfonate, and a water soluble anionic polymer, such as 
sodium polyacrylate, to further promote detergency by chelation. The 
formulation may also include other cleaning additives that function to 
still further promote detergency. 
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a novel stain 
remover formulation for removing water stains, tobacco, soot, mold, and 
mildew and other stains from textured ceilings, walls, tiles, masonry, 
grout, fiberglass and plastic patio furniture. 
Another object of the invention is to provide a novel stain remover 
formulation which may simply be sprayed, brushed or rolled onto the 
desired surface without further need to rub or wipe the surface. 
Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel method for 
removing stains from sprayed textured ceilings and walls, and like 
surfaces. 
DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
The stain remover formulation of the present invention is a powdered 
mixture containing: calcium hypochlorite as an oxidizer; a halogen 
oxidizer stable surfactant; a water soluble anionic polymer; and various 
additives to further promote detergency. The powdered mixture is prepared 
in a separate vessel to yield a homogenous powdered composition. When 
ready for use, the powdered mixture is mixed with water to yield an 
aqueous solution. 
The amount of the ingredients are chosen to give the desired level of 
bleaching, detergency and stability in the final aqueous solution. The 
amounts may be varied within generally wide limits. However, the amount of 
calcium hypochlorite will usually not exceed about 5% by weight of the 
final aqueous solution for general household use, and preferably will be 
in the range of about 3-8 weight percent, the surfactant in the range of 
about 0.1-10 weight percent and the water soluble anionic polymer in the 
range of about 0.1-10 weight percent. 
In the final working aqueous solution, which is preferably sprayed onto the 
desired surface, the formulation is mixed with water at a concentration 
range of about 3-8 weight percent. That is, the stain remover formulation 
is primarily intended for use in an aqueous solution containing about 3-8% 
of the powdered formulation and the balance water. 
As indicated, the stain remover formulation is applied to the stained 
surface by spraying, rolling or brushing. In this manner, water stains, 
tobacco, soot, mold, mildew and other stains are readily removed from the 
targeted surfaces, such as textured walls and ceilings, tiles, masonry, 
plastic and fiberglass and plastic patio furniture. Importantly, this is 
done without any further need to rub or wipe the surface. 
In accordance with the present invention, the preferred oxidizer is calcium 
hypochlorite at a concentration of between about 5% and 99% in the 
powdered formulation. For most applications, however, the concentration is 
between about 60-80% weight. Calcium hypochlorite is widely commercially 
available. As an oxidizer, calcium hypochlorite interacts with the color 
producing organic compounds found in most common stains and more 
specifically, the chromophoric groups that possess "mobile" electrons. In 
the presence of light, these "mobile" electrons absorb energy and re-emit 
a portion of that energy in the form of light. Discoloration results from 
the different wavelengths of the re-emitted light. Advantageously, calcium 
hypochlorite attacks the chromophoric groups and removes "mobile" 
electrons so that the organic compounds can no longer emit light at 
wavelengths perceivable as color. Its high active chlorine content and 
rapid solubility further adds to its bleaching and discoloration 
detergency properties. 
In certain applications, calcium hydroxide at concentrations less than 
about 4% may also be used to promote detergency by solubilizing rust 
stains. Moreover, calcium hydroxide exacerbates the reactivity of the free 
chlorine in calcium hypochlorite to enhance the overall stain removal 
property of the formulation. 
Surfactants suitable for use in accordance with present invention are 
halogen oxidizer stable surfactants, which do not readily react with, but 
dissolve in calcium hypochlorite solution. Such surfactants function to 
disperse the ingredients and wet the surface being treated. The following 
surfactants may be added to the formulation: alkyl aryl sulfonate salts, 
alkyl sulfonate salts, alkyl sulfate salts, alkyl carboxylate salts, and 
alkyl diphenyloxide disulfonate salts. The preferred surfactant agent, 
however, is sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, which is commercially 
available under the trade name Calsoft F-90 from Pilot Chemical. 
The above surfactants form miscelle agents which promote detergency through 
a process called "emulsification," particularly for stains which typically 
do not dissolve in water, such stains either being oil based or having an 
affinity for oil. So-called "miscelle agents" contain molecules having an 
affinity for water as well as molecules having an affinity for oil. In 
emulsification, the stain is surrounded by the miscelle agent, with those 
molecules having an affinity for oil oriented toward the stain. Those 
molecules having an affinity for water, however, are oriented toward the 
water. And, it is through this emulsification of the stain that the stain 
removal properties are primarily enhanced. Additionally, such surface 
active agents lower the surface tension of the stained surface to further 
enhance the stain removal properties. 
If desired, fillers may be added, such as sodium sulfate or neutral salts, 
being contained in the powdered formulation up to about 40 weight percents 
or in the range of 5 to 40 percent weight. The following inert fillers may 
be added to the formulation: alkali metal chlorides; alkali metal 
sulfates; alkali metal carbonates; alkaline earth metal sulfates and 
alkaline earth metal carbonates. 
In order to further promote detergency, the formulation of the present 
invention includes water soluble anionic polymers, including salts of 
polyacrylic acid, salts of polyacrylamides; salts of polymaleic acid; 
salts of polymaelic/acrylic acid copolymers; or salts of polyalkyacrylic 
acid. Preferably, a polyacrylic acid salt, such as sodium polyacrylate is 
used, which is available under the trade name Sokalan Pa25 from BASF 
Corporation. A polyacrylic acid salt specifically promotes detergency 
through chelation of transition metal and divalent metal ions, typically 
found in rust stains. More particularly, polyacrylic acid salts chemically 
react with metal cations so as to form temporary chemical bonds with the 
metal ions. By combining with the metal ions, the chelate prevents the 
metal ions from reacting with other materials and forming residues not 
readily removable with water. 
Minor amounts up to about 1 weight percent of the powdered formulation, of 
disinfectant may also be included in the formulation to kill mold, mildew 
and act as a bactericide. 
The ingredients of the powdered stain remover formulation may be present in 
the range set forth in Table 1 below. 
TABLE 1 
______________________________________ 
Ingredient Range in % by Weight 
______________________________________ 
Calcium Hypochlorite 
5-99% 
Halogen Oxidizer Stable 
0.1-10% 
Surfactant 
Water Soluble Anionic 
0.1-10% 
Polymer 
Inert ingredients 5-40% 
______________________________________ 
In order to provide a basis for the disclosure of the various aspects of 
the present invention, the following specific composition of the powdered 
formulation is provided:

EXAMPLE 
______________________________________ 
Ingredient % by Weight 
______________________________________ 
Calcium Hypochlorite 63.7% 
Calcium Hydroxide 3.9% 
Sodium Dodecylbenzene 1% 
Sulfonate 
Sodium Sulfate 0.02% 
Sodium Polyacrylate 1% 
Other Inert Constituents 
30.38% 
______________________________________ 
The calcium hypochlorite may be used within a percent weight range of up to 
99% in the powdered formulation, but is preferably in the range of 60-80%. 
With the working stain remover solution being the formulation in the above 
example, it is preferably mixed in water so as to represent about 3-4% 
weight of the final aqueous working solution. 
Formulations were prepared containing the ingredients as set forth above in 
the example. The calcium hypochlorite concentration of the powder was 
determined by titration to measure the rate at which the oxidizer 
disappeared so as to extrapolate the number of days when half of the 
calcium hypochlorite was used up, that is the so-called "half-life." Such 
measurements indicated a half-life of approximately 30 days for the above 
formulation at room temperature. 
To treat either textured surfaces, stones, tiles and like surfaces, the 
ratio of the amount of the above example to water is about 10-30 grams of 
the powdered formulation to 22 fluid ounces of water, with 20 grams 
preferable. To apply the stain remover formulation solution, it is 
convenient to use a bottle sprayer that has been filled with the correct 
proportion of water and powdered stain remover formulation. The powdered 
stain remover formulation is first emptied into the spray bottle and then 
mixed with water to yield a fairly homogenous solution. The solution is 
then sprayed, brushed or rolled over the stained surface, with no need to 
scrub or rub. In most instances, the stain disappears within about five to 
ten minutes after application. If necessary, a second treatment may be 
applied for stubborn stains. 
The stain remover formulation of the present invention is effective in 
removing water stains, tobacco, soot, mold, and mildew, which may be 
present on a variety of surfaces, such as textured surfaces, stone, brick, 
tile, vinyl and plastics. The solution may be applied with a large variety 
of applicators, including rollers, brushes, sponges, paint sprayers and 
the like.