Powdered abrasive cleanser comprising calcium carbonate and borax pentahydrate

A powdered abrasive cleanser that exhibits superior soil removal properties and surface safety is provided. The cleanser includes a surfactant, an optional source of active chlorine, a borax pentahydrate compound that is preferably sodium tetraborate pentahydrate, and optionally an alkaline detergent builder and/or calcium carbonate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The invention relates to powdered abrasive cleansers that exhibit superior 
soil removal properties and that are surface safe. The cleansers include 
an anionic, nonionic and/or amphoteric surfactant, borax pentahydrate, 
that is preferably sodium tetraborate pentahydrate, and optionally calcium 
carbonate, a source of active chlorine, and an alkaline detergent builder. 
2. Brief Statement of the Related Art 
Abrasive cleansers have long been in commercial use. These are typically 
dry powders incorporating silica sand, a source of hypochlorite and a 
nonionic or anionic surfactant. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 3,530,071 
discloses scouring cleansers containing chlorinated trisodium phosphate 
and a small critical amount of borax (sodium tetraborate decahydrate) 
which apparently stabilizes the chlorinated trisodium phosphate in storage 
but does not effect aluminum mark removal. U.S. Pat. No. 3,583,922 
discloses a dry granular bleaching composition having allegedly improved 
effectiveness against food stains. The composition requires a combination 
of sulfamic acid and a source of available chlorine. Finally, U.S. Pat. 
No. 3,607,161 discloses a scouring composition comprising cationic surface 
active compounds and a water-soluble abrasive which may be borax 
pentahydrate. The composition purportedly leaves the surface which has 
been cleaned dry, shiny and free from a gritty residue film. 
Unfortunately, it has been found that the cationic surfactant is a fairly 
ineffective cleaning agent. 
While prior art abrasive cleansers can effectively clean rough surfaces, 
such as concrete, their use is contraindicated on shiny or smooth 
surfaces, such as tiles or composite hard surfaces, such as ceramic, 
FORMICA.RTM. or CORIAN.RTM., which can be dulled with use. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention is based in part on the discovery that employing an 
abrasive blend comprising a specific combination of borax pentahydrate and 
calcium carbonate provides a powdered cleanser that exhibits superior soap 
scum and bathroom soil removal and good surface safety. The present 
invention is also based in part on the discovery that employing borax 
pentahydrate as the predominant, or essentially the sole, abrasive, 
provides a powder cleanser that exhibits exceptional surface safety. 
In one aspect, the invention is directed to a surface safe, dry hard 
surface cleanser that includes: 
a) an effective amount of a surfactant that is selected from the group 
consisting of anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, amphoteric 
surfactants, and mixtures thereof; 
b) an effective amount of a borax compound having the formula M.sub.2 
B.sub.4 O.sub.7 .multidot.5H.sub.2 O, where M is an alkali metal selected 
from the group consisting of lithium, sodium, or potassium; 
c) optionally, an effective amount of an alkaline detergent builder; and 
d) optionally, an effective amount of calcium carbonate, provided that when 
calcium carbonate is present, the mole ratio of calcium carbonate to the 
borax compound ranges from about 20:1 to about 1:1. 
In preferred embodiments, the cleanser includes an effective amount of an 
alkaline detergent builder which functions as a chelating agent for hard 
water. In addition, when fragrances are employed, the alkaline detergent 
builders tend to absorb them and thereby function as a carrier for the 
fragrances. Further, a source of active chlorine is preferably present. In 
preferred embodiments, (1) surfactant is an anionic surfactant selected 
from the group consisting of alkyl benzene sulfonates, sodium lauryl 
sulfate, and mixtures thereof, (2) the source of active chlorine when 
present comprises sodium dichlororo-s-trazinetrione dihydrate, (3) the 
alkaline detergent builder comprises sodium carbonate, and/or (4) the 
borax is sodium tetraborate pentahydrate and the mole ratio of calcium 
carbonate to borax is about 12 to 1. 
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
The invention provides an improved surface safe, powdered abrasive hard 
surface cleanser that includes effective amounts of (1) a surfactant, (2) 
a borax pentahydrate compound having the formula M.sub.2 B.sub.4 O.sub.7 
.multidot.5H.sub.2 O, where M is an alkali metal selected from the group 
consisting of lithium, sodium, or potassium, (3) optionally, a source of 
active chlorine, (4) optionally an alkaline detergent builder, and (5) 
optionally, calcium carbonate, wherein the mole ratio of calcium carbonate 
to the borax pentahydrate ranges from about 20:1 to about 1:1 when calcium 
carbonate is employed. Standard, additional adjuncts in small amounts such 
as pigments, dyes, opacifiers, fragrances, antimicrobial 
(mildewstat/bacteristat), and the like can be included to provide 
desirable attributes of such adjuncts. 
In the specification, effective amounts are generally those amounts listed 
as the ranges or levels of ingredients in the descriptions which follow 
herein. All amounts listed as percentages are based on the weight percent 
of the cleanser composition. 
1. Surfactants 
As mentioned above, the surfactants are nonionic, anionic, amphoteric or 
mixtures thereof. 
a. Anionic Surfactants 
Suitable anionic surfactants selected, for example, from C.sub.6-24 alkyl 
sulfates, C.sub.6-24 alkylbenzene sulfonates, C.sub.6-24 alkylsulfonates, 
C.sub.6-24 secondary alkane sulfonates (paraffin sulfonates), C.sub.6-24 
iseothionates, C.sub.6-24 alkylethersulfates, C.sub.6-24 .alpha.-olefin 
sulfonates, C.sub.6-24 alkyl taurates, C.sub.6-24 alkyl sarcosinates and 
the like. Each of these surfactants is generally available as the alkali 
metal, alkaline earth and ammonium salts thereof. The preferred anionic 
surfactant is, for example, a linear or branched C.sub.6-16 alkylbenzene 
sulfonate, alkane sulfonate, alkyl sulfate, or generally, a sulfated or 
sulfonated C.sub.6-16 surfactant. Preferred are the surfactants Pilot 
L-45, a C.sub.11.5 alkylbenzene sulfonate (which are referred to as 
"LAS"), from Pilot Chemical Co., Biosoft S100 and S130 (non-neutralized 
linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid, which is referred to as "HLAS") and S40 
(neutralized) from Stepan Company. If the anionic surfactant is an acidic 
HLAS, such as BioSoft S100 or S130, it is neutralized in situ with an 
alkaline material such as NaOH, KOH, K.sub.2 CO.sub.3 or Na.sub.2 
CO.sub.3, with more soluble salts being desirable. These acidic 
surfactants possess a higher actives level and can be cost-effective. 
Stepanol WAC is an example of a sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), from Stepan 
Company. 
Preferably, the cleanser employs anionic surfactants, and in one embodiment 
the surfactant consists essentially of an anionic surfactant. Cationic 
surfactants are, preferably, not employed because of their poor soil 
removal properties. In a preferred embodiment, the cleanser includes 
essentially no cationic surfactant. 
b. Nonionic Surfactants 
Suitable nonionic surfactants include, for example, the so-called 
semi-polar nonionic surfactants. These include trialkyl amine oxides, 
alkylamidoalkylenedialkylamine oxide, and sulfoxides. 
The structure of the trialkyl amine oxide is shown below: 
##STR1## 
wherein R is C.sub.6-24 alkyl, and R' and R" are both C.sub.1-4 alkyl, 
although R' and R" do not have to be equal. These amine oxides can also be 
ethoxylated or propoxylated in the R long chain, or hydroxylated in the 
R',R" groups. The preferred amine oxide is lauryl amine oxide, such as 
Barlox 12, from Lonza Chemical Company. 
The structure of the alkylamidoalkylenedialkylamine oxide is shown below: 
##STR2## 
wherein R.sup.1 is C.sub.5-20 alkyl, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are C.sub.1-14 
alkyl, 
##STR3## 
--or--(CH.sub.2).sub.p --OH, although R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 do not have to 
be equal or the same substituent, and n is 1-5, preferably 3, and p is 
1-6, preferably 2-3. Additionally, the surfactant could be ethoxylated 
(1-10 moles of EO/mole) or propoxylated (1-10 moles of PO/mole). The 
preferred alkylamidoalkylenedialkylamine oxide is Barlox C, from Lonza 
Chemical Company. 
Other nonionic surfactants can be chosen from, among others: Alfonic 
surfactants, sold by Conoco, such as Alfonic 1412-60, a C.sub.12-14 
ethoxylated alcohol with 7 moles of EO; Neodol surfactants, sold by Shell 
Chemical Company, such as Neodol 25-7, a C.sub.12-15 ethoxylated alcohol 
with 7 moles of EO, Neodol 45-7, a C,.sub.14-15 ethoxylated alcohol with 7 
moles of EO, Neodol 23-5, a linear C.sub.12-13 alcohol ethoxylate with 5 
moles of EO, HLB of 10.7; Surfonic surfactants, also sold by Huntsman 
Chemical Company, such as Surfonic L12-6, a C.sub.10-12 ethoxylated 
alcohol with 6 moles of EO and L24-7, a C.sub.12-14 ethoxylated alcohol 
with 7 moles of EO; and Tergitol surfactants, both sold by Union Carbide, 
such as Tergitol 25-L-7, a C.sub.12-15 ethoxylated alcohol with 7 moles of 
EO. Macol NP-6, an ethoxylated nonylphenol with 6 moles of EO, and an HLB 
of 10.8, Macol NP-9.5, an ethoxylated nonylphenol with about 11 moles of 
EO and an HLB of 14.2, Macol NP-9.5, an ethoxylated nonylphenol with about 
9.5 moles EO and an HLB of 13.0, both from Mazer Chemical, Inc.; Triton 
N-101, an ethoxylated nonylphenol with 9-10 moles of ethylene oxide per 
mole of alcohol ("EO") having a hydrophile-lipophile balance ("HLB") of 
13.4, Triton N-111, an ethoxylated nonylphenol with an HLB of 13.8, both 
from Rohm & Haas Co.; Igepal CO-530, with an HLB of 10.8, Igepal CO-730, 
with an HLB of 15.0, Igepal CO-720, with an HLB of 14.2, Igepal CO-710, 
with an HLB of 13.6, Igepal CO-660, with an HLB of 13.2, Igepal CO-620, 
with an HLB of 12.6, and Igepal CO-610 with an HLB of 12.2, all 
polyethoxylated nonylphenols from GAF Chemicals Corp.; Alkasurf NP-6, with 
an HLB of 11.0, Alkasurf NP-15, with an HLB of 15, Alkasurf NP-12, with an 
HLB of 13.9, Alkasurf NP-11, with an HLB of 13.8, Alkasurf NP-10, with an 
HLB of 13.5, Alkasurf NP-9, with an HLB of 13.4, and Alkasurf NP-8, with 
an HLB of 12.0, all polyethoxylated nonylphenols from Alkaril Chemicals; 
and Surfonic N-60, with an HLB of 10.9, and Surfonic N-120, with an HLB of 
14. 1, Surfonic N-102, with an HLB of 13.5, Surfonic N-100, with an HLB of 
13.3, Surfonic N-95, with an HLB of 12.9, and Surfonic N-85, with an HLB 
of 12.4, all polyethoxylated nonylphenols from Huntsman. This latter group 
of nonionic surfactants may be classified as either: a) C.sub.10-20 linear 
and branched alkoxylated alcohols, or b) C.sub.10-20 alkoxylated 
alkylphenols. These alkoxylated alcohols include ethioxylated, 
propoxylated, and ethoxylated and propoxylated C.sub.10-20 alcohols, with 
about 1-10 moles of ethylene oxide, or about 1-10 moles of propylene 
oxide, or 1-10 and 1-10 moles of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, 
respectively, per mole of alcohol. Still other preferred surfactants 
include C.sub.10-20 alkylether sulfates, such as the Steol line, namely, 
Steol CS460 and CS230, from Stepan Company. Alkanolamides, such as the 
Ninol series, 96-SL, are also desirable and also made by Stepan Company. 
c. Amphoteric Surfactants 
Amphoteric surfactants, such as an alkyl betaine or a sulfobetaine, can be 
employed particularly in place of the nonionic surfactant. Especially of 
interest are the alkylamidoalkyldialkylbetaines. These have the structure: 
##STR4## 
wherein R.sup.a is C.sub.6-20 alkyl, R.sup.b and R.sup.c are both 
C.sub.1-4 alkyl, although R.sup.b and R.sup.c do not have to be equal, and 
m can be 1-5, preferably 3, and o can be 1-5, preferably 1. These 
alkylbetaines can also be ethoxylated or propoxylated. The preferred 
alkylbetaine is a cocoamidopropyldimethyl betaine called Lonzaine CO, 
available from Lonza Chemical Co. Other vendors are Henkel KGaA, which 
provides Velvetex AB, and Witco Chemical Co., which offers Rewoteric 
AMB-15, both of which products are cocobetaines. 
Other suitable anionic and nonionic surfactants are described in U.S. Pat. 
Nos. 4,788,005, 4,751,016 and 4,129,527 which are incorporated herein. The 
surfactant generally comprises between about 0.25% to about 15%, 
preferably between about 0.5% to about 10%, and more preferably between 
about 1% to about 5% of the cleanser composition. 
2. Optional Source of Active Chlorine 
In some of the preferred embodiments of the invention, a source of active 
chlorine is included. The active chlorine source, when present, is used to 
oxidize stubborn stains and aids in disinfection of contaminated surfaces. 
Suitable compounds which provide a source of available chlorine include, 
for example, sodium dichloro-s-trazinetrione dihydrate, chlorinated 
trisodium orthophosphate, trichlorocyanuric acid, potassium and sodium 
dichlorocyanurate 5,5-dimethyl-1,3-dichlorohydantoin, sodium and potassium 
benzenesulfonchloramines, sodium and potassium 
para-toluenesulfonchloramines, sodium and potassium chloro bromo 
cyanurates, 1-chloro-3-bromo-5,5-dimethyl hydantoin, N-chloro succinimide, 
trichloro- and hexachloro-melamines, calcium and magnesium hypochlorites, 
potassium, lithium, and sodium hypochlorites, and mixtures thereof. The 
preferred source is sodium dichloro-s-trazinetrione dihydrate. 
The amount of source of active chlorine generally comprises between about 
0% to about 5%, preferably between about 0.5% to about 2%, and more 
preferably between about 0.75% to about 1.5% of the cleanser composition. 
3. Borax Compound 
The inventive cleansers must include an abrasive that preferably (1) 
consists essentially of the borax pentahydrate or (2) is a blend of the 
borax pentahydrate and calcium carbonate. In either formulation, the total 
abrasive generally comprises between about 50% to about 92%, preferably 
between about 75% to about 90%, and more preferably between 82.5% to about 
88% of the cleanser composition. The borax pentahydrate abrasive compound 
has the formula M.sub.2 B.sub.4 O.sub.7 .multidot.5H.sub.2 O. The degree 
of hydration of the boron anion is important with respect to achieving 
good soil removal. Borax compounds having a degree of hydration of greater 
than about 5 are not expected to provide superior soil removal. The alkali 
metal M counterion is most preferably sodium, although lithium and 
potassium are both possible. Although the borax pentahydrate is readily 
soluble in water, the amount employed is typically greater than can be 
solubilized in the amount of water typically used in conjunction with 
powdered abrasive cleansers, therefore the borax pentahydrate which 
remains undissolved and suspended, acts as an abrasive for enhanced 
cleaning performance, especially of stubbornly adhering soils on smooth or 
glossy hard surfaces. 
The sodium salt of borax pentahydrate has the formula Na.sub.2 B.sub.4 
O.sub.7 .multidot.5H.sub.2 O and has properties analogous, but not 
identical, to borax decahydrate, more commonly known as "ordinary" borax. 
It is commercially available from North American Chemical Company, as 
V-Bor.RTM., and U.S. Borax Inc. as Neobor.RTM.. The significant difference 
between the two products is that Neobor.RTM. has a larger particle size. 
In general, however, the preferred borax pentahydrate has a particle size 
such that the majority passes through a 20 U.S. Mesh sieve 
(.about.840.mu.), but is retained by a 100 U.S. Mesh Sieve 
(.about.149.mu.). 
Borax pentahydrate also lends a desirable opacity to the inventive 
cleansers, yielding a very white, creamy appearance when water is added 
during cleaning. Most importantly, however, the use of the pentahydrate 
resulted in a superior surface safety performance, while providing 
superior cleaning performance. By "surface safety" is meant the attribute 
of minimal damage to a glossy or shiny hard surface, such as a plastic 
tile panel, as measured by reduction of gloss versus an uncleaned panel. 
The borax pentahydrate generally comprises between about 5% to 100%, 
preferably between about 5% to about 50%, and more preferably between 
about 5% to about 15% of the total abrasive with calcium carbonate forming 
the remaining portion of the total abrasive. The amount of borax 
pentahydrate can vary, but is preferably present in an amount such that at 
least a partially undissolved part acting as an abrasive portion remains 
when water is added to the cleanser just prior to scrubbing. Typically, 
the borax pentahydrate can comprise up to about 90% of the cleanser 
composition. 
4. Alkaline Detergent Builder 
In cleaning a surface, the cleanser composition can be applied directly on 
the surface and water is then added before scrubbing. The alkaline 
detergent builder provides the proper pH when water is added. In addition, 
detergent builder enhances the detergency effect of the anionic surfactant 
and functions as a chelating agent and fragrance carrier. A preferred 
alkaline detergent builder is sodium carbonate and others include, for 
example, of water-soluble inorganic alkaline detergency builder salts such 
as alkali metal carbonates, phosphates, polyphosphates, and silicates. 
Specific examples of such salts are sodium and potassium 
tripolyphosphates, carbonates, pyrophosphates, phosphates, and 
hexametaphosphates. 
Alkaline detergent builder may also include, organic alkaline sequestrant 
builder salts including, for example 1) alkali metal amino 
polycarboxylates (e.g., sodium and potassium ethylene 
diaminetetraacetates, N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-ethylene diamine triacetates, 
nitrilo triacetates, and N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-nitrilo diacetates); (2) 
alkali metal salts of phytic acid; (3) water-soluble salts of 
ethane-1-hydroxy-1,1-diphosphonate; (4) water-soluble salts of methylene 
diphosphonic acid (e.g., trisodium and tripotassium methylene 
diphosphonate; (5) water-soluble salts of substituted methylene 
diphosphonic acids (e.g., trisodium and tripotassium ethylidene, 
isopropylidene, benzylmethylidene, and halomethylidene diphosphonates), 
(6) water-soluble salts of polycarboxylate polymers and copolymers (e.g., 
polymers of itaconic acid, aconitic acid, maleic acid, mesaconic acid, 
fumaric acid, methylene malonic acid, and cinronic acid and copolymers 
with themselves and other compatible monomers such as ethylene). 
Suitable alkaline detergent builders can also, include, for example, (1) 
aminopolyphosphonates, such as those commercially available under the 
trademark Dequest, from Monsanto Company, exemplary of which are Dequest 
2000, 2041, 2060 and 2066 (See also Bossu, U.S. Pat. No. 4,473,507, column 
12, line 63 through column 13, line 22, incorporated herein by reference), 
and (2) polyphosphonates, such as Dequest 2010, also from Monsanto 
Company, and (3) polyaminotetraacetates, such as Hampshire 1,3 PDTA, from 
W. R. Grace, and Chel DTPA 100#F from Ciba-Geigy A.G. Mixtures of the 
foregoing may be suitable. 
The amount of alkaline detergent builder generally comprises between 0% to 
about 25%, preferably between about 2% to about 15%, and more preferably 
between about 5% to about 10% of the cleanser composition. 
5. Calcium Carbonate 
Calcium carbonate functions as an essentially water insoluble abrasive. 
Preferred cleaners include the calcium carbonate. It has been 
demonstrated, that superior soap scum and bathroom soil removal can be 
achieved when the cleanser composition includes the borax pentahydrate, in 
combination with calcium carbonate. In particular, a critical feature of 
the invention is that the mole ratio of the calcium carbonate to borax 
pentahydrate range from about 20:1 to about 1:1, more preferably from 
about 19:1 to about 1: 1, and most preferably about 12:1. 
The calcium carbonate generally comprises between about 0% to about 95%, 
preferably between about 40% to about 85%, and more preferably between 
about 50% to about 75% of the total abrasive. 
6. Miscellaneous Adjuncts 
Small amounts of adjuncts can be added for improving cleaning and/or 
aesthetic qualities of the invention. Aesthetic adjuncts include 
fragrances, such as those available from Givaudan-Rohre, International 
Flavors and Fragrances, Firmenich, Norda, Bush Broke and Allen, Quest and 
others, and opacifying agents, pigments, dyes and colorants which can be 
solubilized or suspended in the formulation. A wide variety of opacifiers, 
pigments, dyes or colorants can be used to impart an aesthetically and 
commercially pleasing appearance. Speckles can also be added. An exemplary 
speckle may be produced according to the copending application Ser. No. 
08/557,672, filed Nov. 8, 1995, entitled "Agglomerated Colorant Speckle 
Exhibiting Reduced Colorant Spotting", by Robert J. Iliff et al., which is 
incorporated herein. The amounts of these aesthetic adjuncts should be in 
the range of 0-2%, more preferably 0-1%. Additionally, it may be 
advantageous to add an antimicrobial compound, i.e., a mildewstat or 
bacteristat. Exemplary compounds include formaldehyde; phenol derivatives; 
Kathon GC, a 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one,Kathon ICP, a 
2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, and a blend thereof, and Kathon 886, a 
5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, all available from Rohm and Haas 
Company; Bronopol, a 2-bromo-2-nitropropane 1,3-diol, from Boot Company 
Ltd.; Proxel CRL, a propyl-p-hydroxybenzoate, from ICI PLC; Nipasol M, an 
o-phenyl-phenol, Na.sup.+ salt, from Nipa Laboratories Ltd.; Dowicide A, a 
1,2-benzoisothiazolin-3-one, and Dowicil 75, both from Dow Chemical Co.; 
and Irgasan DP 200, a 2,4,4'-trichloro-2-hydroxydiphenylether, from 
Ciba-Geigy A.G. See also, Lewis et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,252,694 and U.S. 
Pat. No. 4,105,431, incorporated herein by reference. 
Experimental 
In the following experiments, the surprising performance benefits of the 
inventive cleanser are demonstrated. For these examples, borax 
pentahydrate refers to the sodium form.

EXAMPLE 1 
Preparation of Baseline Formulation 
Table 1 sets forth the baseline formulation used in preparing the inventive 
and some of the comparative cleansers tested. The balance of the 
composition comprised of moisture. Comparative commercially available 
powdered cleansers were used as is. As shown in Table 1, when preparing 
the cleansers sufficient amount of abrasive(s) (component 1) is added to 
the baseline formulation so that the total abrasive constitutes 
approximately 88% of the cleanser. Although the inventive cleansers are 
formulated in dry powdered form, there will be some moisture incorporated 
from the atmosphere. Preferably the amount of water present is less than 
about 5%. 
TABLE 1 
______________________________________ 
Weight % 
Components As-Is As Active 
______________________________________ 
1. Abrasive 88.% 88.% 
2. Lauryl benzene sulfonate.sup.1 
0.63% 0.25% 
3. Sodium lauryl sulfate.sup.2 
0.81% 0.75% 
4. Sodium dichloro-s- 
0.91% 0.90% 
triazinetrione dihydrate.sup.3 
5. Sodium carbonate.sup.4 
8.70% 8.70% 
______________________________________ 
.sup.1 Available as Nacconol LAS (40% active) from Stepan Co. 
.sup.2 Available as Stepanol MEDry SLS (93% active) from Stepan Co. 
.sup.3 Available as ACL 56 (granular) bleach (99% active) from Oxychem 
.sup.4 Available from FMC 
In the following examples, surface safety performance and bathroom soil 
removal performance of the inventive and comparative formulations were 
observed. The following testing protocols were utilized: 
Bathroom Soil Removal Protocol 
In Examples 2-4, soap scum and bathroom soil removal on white ceramic tile 
was measured using, as a testing apparatus, a Minolta proprietary device, 
which measures the integrated areas under a cleaning profile curve, which 
is the cumulative amount of soil removed at each cycle, with a maximum of 
50 cycles. Thus, a maximum score of 5,000 can theoretically be achieved. 
In any case, in this test, the higher the score achieved is more 
preferred. Each cleanser was applied to a sponge as a paste (3:2 product 
to water ratio). 
Surface Safety Test Protocol 
In Example 5, the effect that an abrasive has upon a surface was measured 
by calculating the change in light reflectance occurring after the 
application and use of a product on a new, black acrylic tile. This was 
achieved by using a Minolta 268 Refractometer (set at a 20.degree. 
geometry) to measure the change in gloss after scrubbing by the Gardner 
Wear Tester. Three grams of product was evenly applied every 25 cycles to 
a clean sponge and operated under 1000 grams of weight. The final gloss 
measurement was taken after 100 cycles. In this test, the lower the score 
the less surface damage. 
EXAMPLE 2 
Effect of Abrasive on Soil Removal 
In this test, several abrasive compounds were screened for soil removal 
effectiveness when substituted into the baseline formulation. Both 
water-insoluble and water-soluble abrasives were evaluated. As is evident, 
from the results set forth in Table 2, the formulation containing borax 
pentahydrate (a slightly water-soluble compound) demonstrated superior 
soil removal as compared to formulations containing a water-insoluble or 
water-soluble abrasive. Further, the hydration level of the borax anion 
had a significant impact on soil removal performance, as borax 
pentahydrate produced a better cleanser composition than borax 
decahydrate. 
TABLE 2 
______________________________________ 
Abrasive added to Baseline 
(Area) (Area) 
Formulation Soap Scum Bathroom Soil 
______________________________________ 
Borax Pentahydrate 4,291 3,892 
Borax Decahydrate (sieve 30/70) 
2,901 3,741 
Borax Decahydrate (sieve 40/200) 
2,253 2,923 
Borax Decahydrate (Powder) 
2,620 3,363 
Calcium Carbonate #8 
3,878 3,916 
Calcium Carbonate #10 
3,539 3,809 
Sodium Bicarbonate 3,048 2,503 
Calcium Sulfate 2,289 3,745 
Comet .TM..sup.1 (used as is) 
3,318 3,693 
______________________________________ 
.sup.1 Powder cleanser available from Procter & Gamble. 
EXAMPLE 3 
Effect of Borax Calcium Carbonate Ratio on Soil Removal Performance 
In this test, compositions prepared by adding mixtures of abrasives were 
tested. As is evident from the results set forth in Table 3, formulations 
containing a mixture of borax pentahydrate and calcium carbonate showed 
superior soil removal as compared to formulations containing only calcium 
carbonate or only borax pentahydrate. Additionally, a synergistic effect 
with respect to soil removal performance was observed by combining calcium 
carbonate (water-insoluble abrasive) with borax pentahydrate (slightly 
water-soluble). For soil removal performance a ratio (wt:wt) of about 1:1 
to about 3:1 borax pentahydrate to calcium carbonate is preferred. 
TABLE 3 
______________________________________ 
Abrasives added to Baseline 
Formulation (Area) (Area) 
(Ratio expressed as wt %/wt %) 
Soap Scum Bathroom Soil 
______________________________________ 
100% Calcium Carbonate 
3,136 4,083 
1:3 Borax Penta/Calcium Carbonate 
3,775 4,291 
1:1 Borax Penta/Calcium Carbonate 
4,030 4,338 
3:1 Borax Penta/Calcium Carbonate 
4,031 4,373 
100% Borax Pentahydrate 
3,672 4,023 
Comet .TM. (used as is) 
2,877 3,855 
______________________________________ 
EXAMPLE 4 
Soil Removal of Inventive Cleanser Versus Commercial Cleansers 
In this test, an inventive composition containing about 75.66% calcium 
carbonate and 13.3% borax pentahydrate (as the abrasive blend that is 
added to the baseline formulation) was compared to several leading powder 
cleansers which contain calcium carbonate as the sole abrasive. As shown 
by the results in Table 4, the inventive cleanser was superior. 
TABLE 4 
______________________________________ 
(Area) (Area) 
Products Soap Scum Bathroom Soil 
______________________________________ 
Inventive cleanser 
3,597 4,089 
Comet .TM. 2,999 3,859 
Ajax .TM..sup.1 
2,778 3,747 
Bon Ami .TM..sup.2 
2,903 3,996 
______________________________________ 
.sup.1 Available from Colgate Palmolive 
.sup.2 Available from Fault Starch Bon Ami Co. 
EXAMPLE 5 
Effect of Abrasive on Surface Safety 
For this test, several abrasive compounds were screened for their surface 
safety effectiveness when substituted into the baseline formulation. As is 
apparent from the data in Table 5, cleanser compositions containing borax 
pentahydrate or decahydrate exhibited superior surface safety as compared 
to compositions containing calcium carbonate. In addition, the borax 
containing compositions demonstrated improved rinsability relative to 
conventional abrasive cleansers, as very little residue remained after the 
tiles were wiped with a cloth. 
In another set of experiments, the results of which are not set forth in 
Table 5, it was demonstrated that for cleansing compositions containing a 
borax compound and calcium carbonate blend, the level of surface safety 
decreased as the relative amount of calcium carbonate increased. Thus, 
while the data set forth in Table 3 show that abrasive blends containing 
borax pentahydrate and calcium carbonate produced surprisingly superior 
soil removal capabilities, these same formulations did not demonstrate 
surface safety comparable to those of cleansing compositions wherein the 
abrasive consisted essentially of borax pentahydrate. Therefore, to 
provide improved surface safety over conventional abrasive cleansers, the 
abrasive system should be comprised predominately or essentially of borax 
pentahydrate. Surprisingly, when the abrasive consisted essentially of 
borax pentahydrate, superior soil removal performance relative to 
conventional water-insoluble formulas was achieved, while providing 
superior surface safety. 
TABLE 5 
______________________________________ 
Abrasive added to Baseline 
Surface Safety 
Formulation Change in Glossmeter Units 
______________________________________ 
Borax Pentahydrate 
1.3 
Borax Decahydrate (sieve 
1.9 
30/70) 
Borax Decahydrate (sieve 
3.4 
40/200) 
Borax Decahydrate (Powder) 
0.3 
Calcium Carbonate #8 
40.2 
Calcium Carbonate #10 
34.5 
Sodium Bicarbonate 
2.0 
Calcium Sulfate 7.8 
Comet .TM. (used as is) 
44.3 
______________________________________ 
The foregoing has described the principles, preferred embodiments, and 
modes of operation of the present invention. However, the invention should 
not be construed as limited to the particular embodiments discussed. 
Instead, the above-described embodiments should be regarded as 
illustrative rather than restrictive, and it should be appreciated that 
variations may be made in those embodiments by workers skilled in the art 
without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by 
the following claims.