Detergent composition

Liquid, caustic-free, pre-spotting compositions that remove baked-on food residues from hard surfaces at ambient temperatures are provided which comprise: PA1 a. from about 1 to 40%, preferably 4 to 20%, of a surfactant selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants and mixtures thereof; PA1 b. from about 1 to 10% of a builder selected from the group consisting of polyphosphates, pyrophosphates, citrates, carbonates, and mixtures thereof; PA1 c. from about 0.2% to 2% of an amine selected from the group consisting of monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine and mixtures thereof; PA1 d. water; and PA1 e. further comprising from about 3 to 50% of a solvent, which solvent is selected from the groups consisting of: PA2 i) sulfolane, propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate, diethylene glycol dimethyl ether, ethylene glycol dimethyl ether, diethylene glycol diethyl ether, and mixtures thereof; PA2 ii) diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, and N-methyl 2-pyrrolidone and mixtures thereof; and PA2 iii) a mixture of two solvents, the first such solvent comprising 5-17% of an acetate selected from the group consisting of ethyl acetate and n-propyl acetate, and the second such solvent comprising 15-34% of a solvent selected from the group consisting of acetone, N-methyl 2-pyrrolidone and methyl ethyl ketone, wherein the ratio of the first solvent to the second solvent may range from 1:4 to 1:2. Additionally, such formulations may include: PA1 f. from about 3 to 22% of imidazole; and PA1 g. up to about 6% of a foam booster, a foam stabilizer, a viscosity adjusting agent, and mixtures thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to compositions in the form of liquids, sprays, 
gels, and pastes, which remove dried-on and cooked-on food and other 
difficult-to-remove soils from kitchen utensils, flatware, dishes, 
glassware, cookware, bakeware, cooking surfaces, and surrounding areas in 
a convenient, easy, timely, and mild manner. 
Of the difficult-to-remove soils, the most severe is the baked and/or 
burned-on (especially when reheated and/or allowed to build up over time). 
Soil categories include grease, meat (including skin), dairy, fruit pie 
filling, carbohydrate, and starch. Soiled substrate categories include 
aluminum, iron, stainless steel, enamel, Corningware, Pyrex, and other 
glass cookware. 
Current light duty liquid detergents are dramatically deficient in these 
areas. The consumer has to soak soiled items for long periods of time in 
these solutions, and then use harsh cleaning methods (scouring with steel 
wool or scouring cleanser) to remove the remaining soil. 
To speed up the process and increase efficacy of cleaning these soils, the 
consumer will resort to heat, scraping, and harsh chemicals (e.g. caustic 
oven cleaners). 
Deficiencies in these cleaning methods include time consumption for soaking 
and scouring, physical effort required for scouring and scraping, 
irritation to hands from harsh cleaning chemicals and methods, damage to 
objects from harsh chemicals and methods, unpleasant fumes and odors, and 
danger from heated solutions. Though non-caustic cleaners are listed in 
the literature, none are directed to the cleaning compositions of the 
present invention. 
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
The liquid pre-spotting compositions of the present invention consist of 
five major components. The first three (the ternary system) include 
surfactants (nonionic, anionic and their combinations), builder salts, and 
an amine. The fourth component is water, and the fifth is a solvent system 
by which the efficacy of the ternary system is enhanced. Such solvent 
system utilizes specific individual organic solvents or certain binary 
solvent systems comprising mixtures of at least two organic solvents. 
These compositions may be formulated as clear, single-phase liquids, 
sprays, gels, or pastes and dispensed from bottles, pump sprays, aerosol 
cans, squeeze bottles, or paste dispensers. It has been found that 
applying the caustic-free compositions of the present invention to soiled 
surfaces removes the above mentioned soils at ambient temperature in a 
relatively short period of time (from 10 to 30 minutes) without need for 
heat, long soaking times, scouring, or harsh chemicals. 
Formulations according to the present invention comprise: 
a. from about 1 to 40%, and preferably 4 to 20%, of a surfactant selected 
from the group consisting of anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants and 
mixtures thereof; 
b. up to about 10% of a builder selected from the group consisting of 
polyphosphates, pyrophosphates, citrates, and carbonates; 
c. up to about 2% of an amine selected from the group consisting of 
monoethanolamine, diethanolamine and triethanolamine; 
d. water; and 
e. further comprising from about 3 to 50% of a solvent, which solvent is 
selected from the groups consisting of: 
i) sulfolane, propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, dipropylene glycol 
monomethyl ether acetate, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate, 
diethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate, diethylene glycol dimethyl 
ether, ethylene glycol dimethyl ether, diethylene glycol diethyl ether, 
and mixtures thereof; 
ii) diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, and 
N-methyl 2-pyrrolidone; and 
iii) a mixture of two solvents, the first such solvent comprising 5-17% of 
an acetate selected from the group consisting of ethyl acetate and 
n-propyl acetate, and the second such solvent comprising 15-34% of a 
solvent selected from the group consisting of acetone, N-methyl 
2-pyrrolidone and methyl ethyl ketone, wherein the ratio of the first 
solvent to the second solvent may range from 1:4 to 1:2. 
Additionally, such formulations may include: 
f. up to about 22% imidazole; and 
g. up to about 6% of a foam booster, a foam stabilizer, and a viscosity 
adjusting agent. 
It has now been found that the problem of removing cooked-on and dried-on 
food residues from utensils, dishes, etc., can be resolved by applying 
thereto for a relatively short time (10-30 minutes) the prespotting 
composition of the present invention. 
In accordance with the invention, the removal of cooked-on soils is thus 
effected by: contacting such soiled dishes, bakeware, or utensils with an 
effective amount of the above-idenified pre-spotting compositions; 
allowing an effective amount of time (at least about 10 minutes) for the 
composition to soak through the soil; and then rinsing the affected soiled 
surfaces to remove the pre-spotting composition and the loosened soil. 
KEY TO INGREDIENTS HEREIN 
AEOS--Alcohol ethoxylate sulfate 
Butoxydiglycol (CTFA name)--Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether--Butyl 
Carbitol--Union Carbide. 
Butoxyethanol (CTFA name)--Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether--Butyl 
Cellosolve--Union Carbide. 
C.sub.14 TAB--Myristyl trimethyl ammonium bromide 
Cocamide DEA (CTFA name)--Coconut diethanolamide--Monoamid 150 ADD --Mona 
Cocoamidopropyl Betaine--Surco Coco Betaine--Oxyx 
DEA--Diethanolamine 
EDTA--Ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid, sodium salt 
Lauric/Myristic Diethanolamide--The fatty acid of the amide is a mixture of 
lauric and myristic acids, usually in a proportion of 1:3 to 3:1 and 
preferably about 1:1. Thus, such material is really a mixture of two 
different diethanolamides but is generally named for convenience as 
lauric/myristic diethanolamide or LMDEA. 
LDBS--Sodium linear dodecyl benzene sulfonate (55% A.I.) 
MEA--Monoethanolamine 
NMP--N-methyl 2-pyrrolidone 
Pareth 25-9 (CTFA name)--Polyethylene glycol ether mixture of synthetic 
C.sub.12-15 fatty alcohols with any average of 9 moles of ethylene 
oxide--Neodol 25-9 (Shell) 
Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate (CTFA name)--Hamposyl L-30--W. R. Grace (30% 
A.I) 
Sodium Pareth-25 Sulfate (CTFA name)--Sodium salt of a sulfated 
polyethylene glycol ether of a mixture of synthetic C.sub.12-15 fatty 
alcohols--Neodol 25-3S (Shell) 
Sulfolane--Tetramethyl sulfone; tetrahydrothiophene-1,1-dioxide 
TEA--Triethanolamine 
TKPP--Tetrapotassium pyrophosphate

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
The pre-spotting compositions of this invention are essentially comprised 
of the following components: surfactant, builder, alkanolamine, solvent 
system, and water. In addition to the above ingredients, the compositions 
of this invention may contain other substances generally present in 
detergent compositions. For example, the composition may be thickened if 
desired by the addition of known viscosity increasing, thixotropic, or 
viscoelastic agents. Foam stabilizing agents may also be incorporated, and 
other ingredients which may normally be present include preservatives, 
humectants, foam boosters, anti-foaming agents, dispersants, pH modifiers, 
colorants, and perfumes. There may also be present, if desired, imidazole. 
According to a first embodiment of the invention, the surfactant, which is 
present in the amount of 1-10% of the composition, is selected from the 
group consisting of nonionic surfactants, anionic surfactants, and their 
combinations. Preferably, the surfactant is present in the amount of 1-5%. 
The nonionic surfactant, preferably, is comprised of one or a mixture of 
primary alcohol ethoxylates or secondary alcohol ethoxylates or alkyl 
phenol ethoxylates. The primary alcohol ethoxylates are represented by the 
general formula: 
EQU R--O--(CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --O).sub.n --H 
wherein R is an alkyl radical having from 9 to 16 carbon atoms and the 
number of ethoxylate groups, n, is from 5 to 12. Commercially available 
nonionic surfactants of this type are sold by Shell Chemical Company under 
the tradename Neodol and by Union Carbide Corporation under the tradename 
Tergitol. 
The secondary alcohol ethoxylates are represented by the general formula: 
##STR1## 
Wherein x+y is from 6 to 15 and the number of ethoxylate groups, n, is from 
5 to 12. Commercially available surfactants of this type are sold by Union 
Carbide Corporation under the tradename Tergitol S series surfactants, 
with Tergitol 15-S-9 (T 15-S-9) being preferred for use herein. 
The alkyl phenyl ethoxylates are represented by the general formula: 
EQU R--(phenyl)--O--(CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --O).sub.n --H 
where the number of ethoxylate groups, n, is from 8 to 15, and R is an 
alkyl radical having 8 or 9 carbon atoms. Commercially available nonionic 
surfactants of this type are sold by Rohm and Haas Company under the 
tradenames Triton N and Triton X series. 
The anionic surfactant is preferably comprised of paraffin sulfonates, 
sodium alkyl sulfates, and alkyl benzene sulfonates, such as sodium linear 
tridecyl or dodecyl benzene sulfonate, sodium and/or ammonium alcohol 
3-ethoxy sulfate (AEOS), sodium lauroyl, cocoyl or myristoyl sarcosinate 
or a combination thereof. 
The surfactant in the ternary system can be anionic, nonionic, or a 
combination thereof, as shown below: 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
Soil egg milk-egg 
milk-egg 
milk-egg 
Test Liquid Substrate 
glass glass 
Al SS 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
T 15-S-9/TKPP/TEA SR = 88% 
100% 100% 97% 
(1%/1%/0.2%) 
Pareth 25-9/TKPP/TEA 
70% 90% 90% 94% 
(1%/1%/0.2%) 
LDBS/AEOS/TKPP/TEA 100% 100% 94% 100% 
(0.575%/0.425%/1%/0.2%) 
COMMERCIAL (LDLD) #1 
30% 15% 18% 19% 
COMMERCIAL (LDLD) #2 
47% 20% 18% 22% 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
It has been found, however, that cationic surfactants adversely effect the 
soil removal efficiency of the ternary system, as shown below: 
______________________________________ 
Milk-Egg/Glass 
Egg/Glass 
______________________________________ 
T 15-S-9/TKPP/TEA 78% 100% 
(1/1/0.2) 
T 15-S-9/TKPP/TEA/C.sub.14 TAB 
5% 15% 
(1/1/0.2/0.5) 
______________________________________ 
The composition also contains up to 10% of a builder salt or electrolyte, 
which is comprised of phosphates, such as tetrapotassium pyrophosphate, 
sodium tripolyphosphate; carbonates, such as sodium carbonate, sodium 
sesquicarbonate and sodium bicarbonate; citrates, such as sodium citrate; 
and sodium ethylene diamine tetra acetate. The preferred amount of the 
builder in the composition is 1%. 
Up to about 2% of an amine is also present. This amine comprises an 
alkanolamine, namely monoethanolamine, diethanolamine or triethanolamine. 
About 0.2% of the alkanolamine in the composition is preferred. 
The solvent comprises about 15-50% of the composition, the solvent being 
binary in nature. The first solvent comprises about 5-17% of an acetate 
selected from the group consisting of ethyl acetate and n-propyl acetate. 
The second solvent comprises about 15-34% of acetate, N-methyl, 
2-pyrrolidone and methyl ethyl ketone. 
The ratio of the first solvent to the second solvent may range from 1:4 to 
1:2. 
Water completes the balance of the composition, the pH of which is about 9. 
The pre-spotting compositions of the first embodiment of the present 
invention will now be illustrated by the following examples, wherein all 
parts and percentages are by weight and all temperatures in degrees 
Celsius unless otherwise indicated. 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
Composition #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
Tergitol 15-S-9 
1% 1% 1% 1% 
Sodium Linear Dodecyl 
-- -- -- -- 0.575% 
0.575% 
Benzene Sulfonate 
Ammonium Alcohol 3EO 
-- -- -- -- 0.425% 
0.425% 
Ethoxysulfate 
Tetrapotassium 
1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 
Pyrophosphate 
Triethanolamine 
0.2% 
0.2% 
0.2% 
-- 0.2% 
-- 
Ethyl Acetate -- 16.7% 
7.5% 
7.5% 
7.5% 
7.5% 
Acetone -- 33.3% 
22.5% 
22.5% 
22.5% 
22.5% 
Water and minor 
BALANCE 
ingredients 
pH 9 9 9 9 9 9 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
The foregoing formulations at use concentration were then applied to soiled 
substrates which were prepared and tested as follows: 
Soil/Substrate Preparation 
Three types of substrates were used in the experiments: 
1. Precleaned glass microslides (25.times.75 mm) [products of 
Sargent-Welch]. 
2. Stainless steel planchets (2" diameter) [products of Interox Co]. 
3. Aluminum coupons (25.times.75 mm) were made by a machine shop. 
Model food soils included milk, milk-egg mixture, egg, flour-egg mixture 
and Crisco shortening. They were applied uniformly onto the substrates. 
The baking conditions for various soils are shown in Table I. 
TABLE I 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
Soil Milk-Egg 
Crisco-Shortening 
Crisco Shortening 
Baking Condition 
Substrate 
Glass 
Aluminum Stainless Steel 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
Temperature (degree Celsius) 
195 195 190 
Time 30 min 
1 hr 50 min 
1 hr 45 min 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
Soiled substrates were then soaked in the test formulations and 3% (by 
weight) commercial LDLD's at 45 degrees Celsius for various length of time 
depending on the soil-substrate. The results are shown in Table II. 
Soaking and Soil Removing 
Soiled substrates were soaked in the test detergent solutions for various 
amounts of time at either ambient temperature or 45 degrees Celsius 
depending on the soil/substrate combinations. The loosened soils were 
removed by either handwiping with a wet sponge or machine wiping with a 
sponge attached to a Gardener Abrasion Tester. 
Soil removal efficiency (SR) is determined by the percentage of soils 
removed: 
##EQU1## 
Due to variations of experimental conditions, SR indicates only relative 
preformance among the test solutions carried out in the same experiment, 
not an absolute value. 
TABLE II 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
% SOIL REMOVAL 
soil milk-egg 
Crisco-shortening 
Crisco shortening 
Product substrate 
glass 
Aluminum Stainless Steel 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
Example #1 73% 7% 0% 
Example #2 90% 85% 95% 
Example #3 89% 56% 92% 
Example #4 92% 83% 88% 
Example #5 65% 87% 92% 
Example #6 79% 42% 91% 
Commercial LDLD #1 
21% 4% 0% 
Commercial LDLD #2 
22% 7% 2% 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
As is evident from the foregoing examples, the solvent-containing 
detergents (Example A, #2-#6) are more efficacious than a solvent-free 
ternary component system (Example A, #1). The improvement is particularly 
dramatic for the baked-on grease removal. Two factors--the total solvent 
content and ethyl acetate: acetone ratio--are critical for determining the 
soil removal efficiency. Higher ethyl acetate: acetone ratio and higher 
total solvent concentration are strongly preferred. 
These compositions may be prepared as follows: 
The builder salt (i.e. potassium pyrophosphate) and the alkanolamine (i.e. 
triethanolamine) are dissolved in the softened water with moderate 
stirring. The surfactant(s) and solvents are then added with slow stirring 
until dissolved. The pH of the solution is adjusted to 9 with sulfuric 
acid. Perfume, if used, is added last. 
While the foregoing compositions give positive results, the low flash 
points of several of the solvents (ethyl acetate--30 degrees Fahrenheit 
and acetone--0 degrees Fahrenheit) make it preferable to utilize solvents 
of higher boiling points. This leads to the second embodiment of the 
present invention. 
Solvents of higher flash point that have been found to provide pre-spotting 
action to remove cooked-on food residues from utensils and bakeware with 
the other ingredients of this invention include: sulfolane, propylene 
glycol monoethyl ether acetate and diethylene glycol dimethyl ether. Their 
flash points are 350 degrees Fahrenheit, 116 degrees Fahrenheit, and 153 
degrees Fahrenheit respectively. Moreover, propylene glycol monomethyl 
ether acetate can be replaced by dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether 
acetate, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate or diethylene glycol 
monoethyl ether acetate: and diethylene glycol dimethyl ether can be 
replaced by ethylene glycol dimethyl ether or diethylene glycol diethyl 
ether. 
Compositions according to this embodiment of the invention comprise 
surfactant (1-5%), builder (1%), alkanolamine (up to 0.2%), water, and the 
solvents identified above--either singly or in a combination of two, so 
long as the total solvent content is between 15-50% of the composition, 
the pH of which is about 9. 
The pre-spotting compositions of the second embodiment of the present 
invention will now be illustrated by the following examples, wherein all 
parts and percentages are by weight and all temperatures are in degrees 
Celsius unless otherwise indicated. 
TABLE III 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
Soil Milk-egg 
Egg Crisco Shortening 
Crisco Shortening 
Baking Condition 
Substrate 
glass 
glass 
stainless steel 
Aluminum 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
Temperature 190 190 190 190 
Time 20 min 
30 min 
11/2 hours 
11/2 hours 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
Cleaning Test 
The soaking and cleaning procedures are similar to those described above, 
e.g., glass slides, aluminum coupons and stainless steel planchets were 
employed as substrates. Three types of soils--Milk-egg, egg, and Crisco 
shortening--were uniformly applied onto the substrates. The baking 
conditions for various solids are shown in Table III. 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
COMPOSITION #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
Sodium Linear Dodecyl 
0.57% 
0.57% 
0.57% 
0.57% 
0.57% 
0.57% 
Benzene Sulfonate 
Ammonium Alcohol 3EO 
0.42% 
0.42% 
0.42% 
0.42% 
0.42% 
0.42% 
Ethoxysulfate 
Tetrapotassium 
1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 
Pyrophosphate 
Triethanolamine 
0.2% 
0.2% 
0.2% 
0.2% 
0.2% 
0.2% 
Sulfolane -- 15% -- -- 15% 15% 
Propylene glycol 
-- -- 15% -- 15% -- 
monomethyl ether acetate 
Diethylene glycol 
-- -- -- 15% -- 15% 
dimethyl ether 
Water and Minor 
BALANCE 
ingredients 
pH 9 9 9 9 9 9 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
Soiled substrates were then soaked in the test formulations as is and 
commercial LDLD's were diluted to 3% concentration at 45 degrees Celsius 
for an hour. The results are shown in Table IV. 
TABLE IV 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
% SOIL REMOVAL 
Soil Milk-egg 
Egg Crisco Shortening 
Crisco Shortening 
Test liquid 
Substrate 
Glass 
Glass 
Stainless Steel 
Aluminum 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
Example #1 86% 28% 7% 11% 
Example #2 79% 90% 50% 30% 
Example #3 28% 50% 92% 85% 
Example #4 95% 30% 37% 51% 
Example #5 41% 74% 97% 35% 
Example #6 81% 81% 91% 66% 
Commercial LDLD 
29% 15% 0% 7% 
#1 
Commercial LDLD 
17% 15% 2% 10% 
#2 
__________________________________________________________________________ 
The superiority of the compositions of this invention (Examples #2-#6) over 
the non-solvent composition (Example #1) and the commercial LDLD's is thus 
clearly demonstrated. These systems are more efficacious than their 
respective non-solvent containing counterpart. The improvement is 
particularly noticeable for baked-on grease removal. 
The compositions of the third embodiment of this invention comprise water, 
solvent, the ternary system, and imidazole. 
As reported in the literature (U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,819,529; 4,477,288; and 
4,537,638) imidazole was found to remove certain organic matter. However, 
in U.S. Pat. No. 3,819,529 an alkyl or aryl (up to C.sub.6) substituted 
imidazole-containing composition was found effective as a paint stripping 
composition. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,477,288, imidazole and alkyl or aryl 
substituted imidazoles were found useful in removing soil on ovens, baking 
pans, and barbecue racks, and finishes, coatings, paint and the like, when 
combined with a glycol phenyl ether. However, to be effective, the 
composition is applied in dry form and then heated to a temperature at 
which the composition is rendered liquid or the organic matter containing 
surface is first heated to a temperature above the melting point of the 
composition and then the composition is applied thereto, or when applied 
at room temperature to a soiled substrate and allowed to remain on. In 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,537,638, a composition that removes organic matter is also 
disclosed which includes an imidazole or an alkyl or aryl substituted 
imidazole, which, when applied to baked-on food residues, required 
applying the composition to the soiled surface and then heating same or 
applying the composition to a pre-heated soiled surface or applying the 
composition and leaving it on the soiled surface for 16 hours. 
It has been found that when imidazole is combined with the ternary system 
of the present invention, and an organic solvent, a synergistic effect 
occurs, i.e., the soil removal of the combination is greater than either 
system alone. Such enhancement is particularly noticeable for baked-on 
grease. These compositions are effective at a pH of 10. Imidazole can be 
present in the amount of 3-22%. The effect of varying the concentration of 
imidazole is shown below: 
EXAMPLE C 
______________________________________ 
Compositions #1 #2 #3 #4 
______________________________________ 
Imidazole 1.0% 2.0% 3.0% 4.0% 
LDBS 4.0% 4.0% 4.0% 4.0% 
TKPP 6.0% 6.0% 6.0% 6.0% 
TEA 0.75% 0.75% 0.75% 0.75% 
LMDEA 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 2.0% 
AEOS 3.0% 3.0% 3.0% 3.0% 
Butoxyethanol 
4.0% 4.0% 4.0% 4.0% 
DI Water 79.25% 78.25% 77.25% 76.25% 
pH 10 
______________________________________ 
TABLE V 
______________________________________ 
% SOIL REMOVAL 
soil Crisco 
Test Liquid substrate 
Aluminum 
______________________________________ 
Example #1 23% 
Example #2 35% 
Example #3 43% 
Example #4 53% 
tap water 2% 
Commercial LDLD 18% 
______________________________________ 
The compositions of the third embodiment of this invention can be 
summarized as follows: 
A. 3% to 22% imidazole; 
B. 3% to 20% solvent, which can be Butyl Cellosolve, Butyl Carbitol, or 
N-methyl 2-pyrrolidone. 
C. 0.5% to 2% of either triethanolamine, monoethanolamine, or 
diethanolamine. 
D. 2% to 7% of tetrapotassium pyrophosphate or other builder such as sodium 
or potassium carbonate, sodium sesquicarbonate, sodium citrate sodium 
tripolyphosphate, or sodium bicarbonate. 
E. 3% to 20% of a surfactant, such as sodium linear tridecyl or dodecyl 
benzene sulfonate, sodium alcohol 3-ethoxy sulfate, sodium lauroyl, 
cocoyl, or myristoyl sarcosinate, or a combination thereof. 
F. up to 6% foam booster, a foam stabilizer, and a viscosity adjusting 
agent such as cocomonoethanolamide, lauryl/myristyl monoethanolamide, coco 
betaine, lauryl/myristyl diethanolamide, sodium polyacrylate or 
polyacrylic acid. 
G. water. 
The final solution is adjusted with sulfuric acid to a pH of 10.00. 
Representative compositions of the third embodiment of this invention are 
as follows: 
EXAMPLE D 
______________________________________ 
Composition #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 
______________________________________ 
Sodium Lauroyl 
-- -- 16.7% 10% -- 16.7% 
Sarcosinate 
Cocoamidopropyl 
6% 6% -- -- -- -- 
Betaine 
Cocoamide DEA 
-- -- -- 6% -- -- 
Imidazole 5% 5% 5% -- 5% 5% 
TKPP 6% 6% 6% 6% 2% 6% 
Butoxydiglycol 
4% -- -- -- -- -- 
Butoxyethanol 
-- -- -- 4% 4% 4% 
N-Methyl -- 4% 4% -- -- -- 
2-Pyrrolidone 
TEA 1% 1% 1.2% 1% 1% 1.2% 
Sodium Pareth-25 
-- -- -- -- 3% -- 
Sulfate 
LDBS 4% 4% -- -- 4% -- 
Sodium EDTA -- -- -- -- 1% -- 
Water (deionized) 
74% 74% 67.1% 73% 80% 67.1% 
pH 10 10 10 10 10 10 
______________________________________ 
The test compositions were evaluated on three soils. 
1. Egg yolk was brushed onto 2" diameter aluminum planchets and dried for 
two hours at 80 degrees Celsius. 
2. A solution of 10% mild cheddar cheese was dissolved in warm milk. The 
solution was baked onto 2" diameter Pyrex Petri dishes at 175 degrees 
Celsius for 25 min. 
3. Crisco was baked onto 2" diameter aluminum planchets for 3 hours at 175 
degrees Celsius. 
The test liquid was applied neat to the soiled area for 30 min. at room 
temperature. The test soils were then inverted and rinsed in standing 
water with vigorous agitation for 10 seconds. Percent soil removal was 
determined by averaging the visual estimates of soil removal from three 
replicates. The results are shown in Table VI. 
TABLE VI 
______________________________________ 
% SOIL REMOVAL 
soil egg/yolk cheese/milk 
Crisco 
Test Liquid 
substrate 
aluminum pyrex aluminum 
______________________________________ 
Example #2 88% 76% 75% 
Commercial 17% 0% 12% 
LDLD 
tap water 27% 3% 2% 
Example #1 78% 70% 60% 
Example #4 93% 43% 28% 
Commercial 35% 1% 20% 
LDLD 
tap water 7% 0% 10% 
Example #5 97% 80% 13% 
Commercial 30% 0% 22% 
LDLD 
tap water 8% 2% 0% 
Example #3 96% 91% 47% 
Example #6 95% 95% 20% 
Commercial 30% 0% 22% 
LDLD 
tap water 8% 0% 17% 
______________________________________ 
The compositions of this embodiment of the invention at a pH of 10.00 were 
found to be equivalent in performance to commercial products of higher pH 
and superior when those commercial products were adjusted to a pH of 
10.00. Moreover, these compositions are the fastest acting of the three 
embodiments disclosed herein, effective about ten (10) minutes after 
application to the soiled surface. 
As previously indicated, the compositions of the present invention are 
preferably formulated as clear, single phase liquids. However, it is 
within the ambit of this invention to formulate these compositions as 
gels, pastes, and aerosols, and they may be dispensed from both pump 
sprayers and aerosol cans or brushed on. Preparation of compositions 
suitable to be dispensed by aerosol or pump spray is within the ordinary 
skill in the art. 
When it is desired to use a thickening, thixotropic, or pseudo-plastic 
agent with the compositions of the invention, for example when the organic 
matter to be removed is on a non-horizontal surface and it is desirable to 
maintain contact between these compositions and the soiled surface, any 
such agent, or mixture of two or more thereof, which is compatible with 
the ingredients of these formulations may be used. Useful organic 
thickening agents include starch, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, 
hydroxyethyl cellulose, methocel, and water-soluble polymers such as 
carboxy vinyl polymer (Carbopols--B.F. Goodrich Chemical Company), sodium 
polyacrylate, and polyacrylic acid. Thixotropic agents include inorganic 
colloidal materials [clays] including Veegum (magnesium aluminum 
silicate--R. T. Vanderbilt). Pseudo-plastic or viscoelastic materials 
include the organic gums such as xanthan gum (Keltrol--Kelco Company), 
guar gum, and locust bean gum. When used, the thickening agent will 
typically vary between 0.1 to 6% by weight of the composition. Generally, 
it is desired to maintain the viscosity of these formulations between 100 
and 1000 cps. If the viscosity is too low, the compositions do not adhere 
well to the soiled surfaces. If too high, it has been found that the 
efficacy of these compositions is diminished. 
Suitable foam boosters and foam stabilizers include cocomonoethanolamide, 
lauryl/myristyl monoethanolamide, cocobetaine, and lauryl/myristyl 
diethanolamide. 
These compositions may be prepared in the manner previously described for 
preparing the compositions of the first embodiment of the invention. 
A preferred composition according to the third embodiment of the invention 
can be prepared by mixing: 
4% Linear dodecyl benzene sulfonate 
3% Sodium C.sub.12-15 Alcohol 3-Ethoxy Sulfate 
4% Butyl Cellosolve 
0.75% Triethanolamine 
6% Tetrapotassium pyrophosphate 
5% Imidazole 
1% Lauric/myristic diethanolamide 
0.05% Xanthan gum 
1.0% Glycerin 
1.0% Colloidal magnesium aluminum silicate [Veegum PRO] 
73.8% Water 
0.4% Perfume 
pH adjusted to 10.0 
The clay (colloidal magnesium aluminum silicate) is added with high shear 
to the softened water and stirred for 30 minutes. The xanthan gum is 
dispersed in the glycerin. This mixture is then added with high shear to 
the batch and stirred for 30 minutes. The imidazole, potassium 
pyrophosphate, and triethanolamine are added with moderate stirring until 
dissolved. The lauric/myristic diethanolamide is dissolved in the alcohol 
ethoxysulfate. This solution, sodium linear dodecyl benzene sulfonate, and 
butyl cellosolve are added to the batch with slow stirring until 
dissolved. The pH of the batch is adjusted to 10.0 with sulfuric acid. The 
batch is completed with the addition of the perfume. 
The foregoing detailed description of the invention is given by way of 
illustration only. Thus, variations may be made therein without departing 
from the scope and spirit of the invention.