FULLY DILUTED HARD SURFACE CLEANERS CONTAINING SMALL AMOUNTS OF CERTAIN ACIDS

Abstract: Fully diluted hard surface cleaners are disclosed which are particularly effective on cleaning soap scum and hard water stains. The cleaners contain small amounts of particular acids and have a pH of less than 5.0. The cleaners also contain a particular amine oxide, or a different surfactant in conjunction with a solvent.

Description: FULLY DILUTED HARD SURFACE CLEANERS CONTAINING SMALL AMOUNTS OF CERTAIN ACIDS This invention relates to hard surface cleaners, particularly cleaners for soap scum and hard water stains. Bathroom cleaners targeted at removing soap scum from hard surfaces such as bathroom tiles and countertops are well known in the art. Both alkaline and acidic varieties are known. Among the former are such commercial cleaners as Lysol Basin, Tub and Tile Cleaner. Because soap scum has proven to be difficult to clean, the commercial alkaline cleaners aimed at soap scum removal tend to contain high levels of chelating agent and solvent (typically >4% of each). The chelant of choice has been the tetrasodium salt of ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid. These compositions are ineffective at removing hard water stains which are commonly found in the bathroom. Commercial acidic cleaners likewise have contained substantial quantities of raw materials. Typically, these cleaners contain a combination of surfactants, from about 5-10 weight percent of a mixture of dicarboxylic acids such as adipic, glutaric or succinic acid, or of a polycarboxylic acid such as citric acid, or of a strong acid surfactant (such as sulfonic acid surfactants). In addition, these cleaners may contain at least 5 weight percent of an organic solvent. These acidic cleaners are effective on soap scum, but are disadvantageous in that they have significant raw material costs due to high levels of surfactant, solvent and acid. In addition, some of these products contain high levels of solids, and thus have the disadvantage of leaving streaks and residuals when they are used or cause surface damage when they have a pH below 1.0. It would therefore be desirable to provide a cleaner which is effective on soap scum and hard water stains, but which uses Iower amounts of expensive ingredients and does not significantly streak or leave significant residue when it is used. In one aspect, this invention is a cleaning composition comprising (a) water, in which is dissolved (b) up to 3 weight percent of one or more carboxylic acids having a stability constant of less than 3.5 at 25°C for calcium ion at a concentration in water of 0.1 ionic strength. The composition further contains (c)(1) from about 0.3 to 10% by weight, based on the weight of the composition, of a detersive surfactant and, when component (c)(1) does not include an 1 2 1 2 amine oxide of the form RR R N→O wherein R is C6-C12 alk y' and R and R are independently C1-4 alkyl or C1.4 hydroxyalkyl, said composition further contains (c)(2) an organic solvent of a type and of an amount that, at the relative proportions present in the cleaning composition, the water, surfactant and the solvent together form a clear mixture. The cleaning composition has a pH of less than 5.0, is substantially devoid of a phosphorous- containing moiety, is substantially devoid of a chelating agent and is substantially devoid of an acid which has a Iower first pKa than the lowest first pKa of the component (b) acid(s) present in the cleaning composition. It has been found that the selection of a particular surfactant or surfactant/solvent package, in combination with the presence of particular acids, provides for a fully diluted cleaner which is particulariy effective for removing soap scum and hard water stains. This result is achieved even when the cleaner contains relatively low levels of active ingredients, and low levels of acid, surfactant and solvent in particular, and even in the absence of common components of soap scum cleaners, such as chelating agents and abrasives. In a second aspect, this invention is a cleaning composition comprising water, from about 0.3 to 10 weight percent, based on the weight of the entire composition, of an amine 1 1 2 oxide of the form RR R N→O wherein R is Cβ-C-|2 alkyl and R and R are independently C-j-4 alkyl or C1.4 hydroxyalkyl, and from about 2 to about 10 weight percent of a chelating agent, based on the weight of the entire composition. The composition of this invention contains at least one carboxylic acid having a stability constant of less than 3.5 at 25°C for calcium ion at a concentration in water of 0J ionic strength, inorganic acids and mixtures thereof. The stability constant of the carboxylic acids are as reported in Critical Stability Constants, Vols. 1-4, 1977, incorporated herein by reference. The acid (or mixture of such acids) is present in an amount not to exceed 3.0 percent of the weight of the composition, but in an amount sufficient to provide the composition with a pH of less than 5.0. Preferably, the acid(s) are present in an amount sufficient to provide the composition with a pH of from about 1, more preferably about 2, to about 5, more preferably about 4. The carboxylic acid may be a mono- or polycarboxylic acid, provided that it has the required stability constant. The carboxylic acid may contain substituent groups other than carboxyl groups, such as hydroxyl and amino groups. The hydroxyl or amino groups, when present, may be attached to the carbon atoms α to the carboxylic acid moity, or to another carbon atom. Examples of monocarboxylic acids include formic, acetic acid, propionic acid and the like. Examples of polycarboxylic acids include adipic, glutaric, succinic and like acids. Examples of acids containing hydroxy and/or amino substituents include glycolic, lactic, glutamic, aspartic and like acids. The cleaning composition of this invention inciudes water as the major component, by weight, of the composition. The source of the water is not particularly important. Tap water, distilled water, deionized water and the like are all suitable provided that any impurities in the water do not adversely interfere with the function of the other components in the cleaning composition. The water preferably constitutes at least about 85, more preferably at least about 90 weight percent of the composition, and preferably up to about 98 weight percent, more preferably up to about 96 weight percent. In addition to the acid and the water, the cleaning composition contains at least one detersive surfactant. For the purposes of this invention, a surfactant is considered to be a "detersive" one if it or another surfactant of substantially the same chemical structure is indicated as being useful in detergents or cleaners in McCutcheon's Volume 1 : Emulsifiers & Detergents 1995 North American Edition (McCutcheon's Division, MC Publishing Co. Glen Rock NJ), or performs equivalently to one or more of such surfactants. Among the detersive surfactants that are useful in this invention, those which are of particular interest are amine 1 2 1 oxides of the form RR R N→O, wherein R is C6-C12 alkyl and R and R are independently C-|- alkyl or C1-4 hydroxyalkyl. The amine oxide surfactants of this type have the surprising advantage that they can be used in this composition without need for a separate solvent (component (c)(2)). These amine oxides assist the cleaning composition in penetrating soap scum, thereby facilitating its removal. Among these amine oxides, the preferred ones are CQ. 12 lk l dialkyl amine oxides and the most preferred ones are Cβ-12 alkyl dimethyl amine oxides. If the surfactant does not include one of the aforementioned amine oxides, then it also contains a solvent as described below, in this latter case, a large number of surfactants are suitable, including anionic, nonionic, cationic and zwitterionic surfactants. Mixtures of two or more such surfactants can be used as long as the surfactants are compatible with each other and the other ingredients in the composition. Useful nonionic surfactants, which must be used in conjunction with a solvent when the aforementioned amine oxide is not present, include amine oxide surfactants containing an alkyl group of greater than 12 carbon atoms, alkylphenol ethoxylates, linear and branched alcohol ethoxylates, carboxylic acid esters, alkanolamides, alkylpolyglycosides, ethylene oxide/propylene oxide copolymers, and the like. Preferred among these are linear and secondary alcohol ethoxylates, octyl- and nonyl-phenol ethoxylates, alkanol amides and alkylpolyglycosides. Useful zwitterionic surfactants, which must be used in conjunction with a solvent when the aforementioned amine oxide is not present, include alkyl aminopropionic acids, alkyl iminopropionic acids, imidiazoline carboxylates, alkylbetaines, sulfobetaines, and sultaines, of which the last three are preferred. Useful cationic surfactants, which must be used in conjunction with a solvent when the aforementioned amine oxide is not present, include, for example, primary amine salts, diamine salts, quaternary ammonium salts, and ethoxylated amines. Useful anionic surfactants, which must be used in conjunction with a solvent when the aforementioned amine oxide is not present, include carboxylic acid salts, alkyl benzene sulfonates, secondary n-alkane sulfonates, alpha-olefin sulfonates, dialkyl diphenylene oxide sulfonates, sulfosuccinate esters, isoethionates, linear alcohol sulfates (alkyl sulfates), and linear alcohol ethoxy sulfates. Preferred among these are the alkali metal or ammonium salts of lauryl sulfate, dodecylbenzene sulfonates, alcohol ether sulfates, and isethionates. At least about 0.3 weight percent surfactant, based on the weight of the entire composition, is needed in order for the cleaning composition to be effective for cleaning soap scum. On the other hand, greater than about 10% by weight of surfactant tends not to be cost- effective. Beyond these broad ranges, it is also necessary, when the surfactant does not include an amine oxide as described before, that the amount and type of the surfactant be such that it forms a clear stable mixture with the water and the solvent, when present, at the relative proportions thereof which are present in the cleaning composition. The ability of the water, surfactant and solvent to form such a clear stable mixture can be tested by combining the three components, in the same relative quantities but in the absence of the other components, and observing it visually. If the mixture is clear and does not separate into distinct phases, as determined by the naked eye, the mixture is clear and stable for the purposes of this invention. Preferably, at least about 0.35, more preferably at least about 0.5 weight percent surfactant is present and preferably no more than about 5, more preferably no more than about 3, most preferably no more than about 2.5 weight percent surfactant is present when the cleaner is in the form of a low viscosity fluid. When a higher viscosity gel is desired, it is preferred to have at least about 2.0 weight percent surfactant, more preferred to have at least about 2.5 weight percent, most preferred at least about 2.75 weight percent, and preferably up to about 6 percent surfactant, more preferably up to about 4.5 percent. The foregoing amounts apply to the amine oxide surfactants described before as well as to the other surfactants. 1 2 When the surfactant does not include an amine oxide of the form RR R N→O, wherein 1 2 R is Cε-12 alkyl and R and R are independently C1-4 alkyl or C1-4 hydroxyalkyl, the cleaning composition further contains an organic solvent. The organic solvent is not a detersive surfactant as described before. As mentioned before, the solvent type and its amount must be such that it forms, together with the surfactant and the water, a clear stable mixture. Such a solvent may be present when the amine oxide surfactant is used, but in that instance its use is optional. Suitable solvents include terpenes, aliphatic hydrocarbons and alpha-olefins. However, the solvent preferably contains at least one oxygen atom, preferably an alcoholic or ether oxygen. Among these oxygen-containing solvents are aliphatic alcohols of up to 8 carbon atoms, particularly tertiary alcohols of up to 8 carbon atoms; aromatic-substituted alcohols; alkylene glycols of up to 6 carbon atoms; polyalkylene glycols having up to 6 carbon atoms per alkylene group; mono- or dialkyl ethers of alkylene glycols or polyalkylene glycols having up to 6 carbon atoms per glycol group and up to 6 carbons atoms in each alkyl group; mono- or diesters of alkylene glycols or polyalkylene glycols having up to 6 carbon atoms per glycol group and up to 6 carbon atoms in each ester group; and the like. Specific examples of preferred solvents include t-butanol, t-pentyl alcohol, 2,3-dimethyl-2-butanol, benzyl alcohol, 2-phenyl ethanol ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, propylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, dipropylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, propylene glycol mono-n-propyl ether, dipropylene glycol mono-n-propyl ether diethylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, ethylene glycol mono-n- butyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, triethylene glycol, propylene glycol monoacetate, dipropylene glycol monoacetate, and the like. The solvent preferably constitutes no more than about 6 weight percent of the composition, more preferably no more than about 4 weight percent, most preferably no more than about 3 weight percent. In addition to the foregoing components, the cleaning composition of this invention may contain one or more optional ingredients such as abrasives, buffers, fragrances, colorants, disinfectants, and the like. With respect to some of these, however, it is preferred that they either be absent or present only in limited quantities. In general, it is preferred that the cleaning composition be of low viscosity (less than 100 cps preferably less than 30 cps, more preferably less than 20 cps), although in some cases, particularly when an anionic surfactant is present, a gelled or viscous cleaner can be made. A clear (except for opacifying agents) stable cleaning composition is preferred, as is one which leaves essentially no residue when used to clean hard surfaces. For example, abrasives can be used in this invention, but their inclusion is generally unnecessary and sometimes causes problems such as streaking, increased viscosity, and heterogeneity. As a result, the cleaning composition of this invention can be prepared essentially free of an abrasive. When an abrasive is present, then materials such as calcium carbonate cannot be used because they react with the acid. The cleaning composition is substantially devoid of a chelating agent or an acid having a stability constant of 3.5 or greater at 25 C C for calcium ion at a concentration of OJ ionic strength. The cleaning composition is also substantially devoid of a protonic acid which has a Iower first pKa than the lowest first pKa of the component (b) acid(s) present in the cleaning composition. Thus, if the cleaning composition contains an acid which does not correspond to the requirements of component (b), that additional acid must be less strong than the strongest component (b) acid which is present. In comparing acid strength, the pKa of the first ionization (H X A X' + H 2 0→H 3 0 + + H X-1 A X ) of the acids are compared. Preferably, the cleaning composition is substantially devoid of any protonic acid not corresponding to the requirements of component (b). The cleaning composition of this invention is substantially devoid of phosphorous- containing moieties such as phosphoric acid. Suitable disinfectants include, for example, chlorhexidine, glutaraldehyde, formaldehyde, betaines, phenols and quaternary ammonium compounds such as Variquat 50 MC , commercially available from Sherex; BTC 2125M, commercially available from Stephan; and Barquat 4280Z, commercially available from Lonza. In most cases, the cleaning composition can be prepared by adding its components to each other in any order. The cleaning composition of this invention is particularly suitable as a fully diluted hard surface cleaner. As such, it can be used without further dilution by applying it at full strength to a soiled hard surface, and wiping or scrubbing to remove the soil. The cleaning composition is especially useful for cleaning kitchen or bathroom surfaces which are soiled with soap scum and hard water stains. Although this invention is not limited to any theory, it is believed that soap scum is removed by a two-step, ion exchange process. Firstly, the calcium of the soap scum is exchanged by a hydronium ion, forming a substantially water insoluble fatty acid which is emulsified by the detersive surfactant. Secondly, the free calcium is partitioned in the aqueous phase by association with the conjugate base of the acid, which prevents regeneration of the soap scum. The following examples are provided to illustrate the invention, but are not intended to limit the scope thereof. All parts and percentages are by weight uniess otherwise indicated. All weights are reported as 100% active weights; any water included with the components is reported together with the added water. EXAMPLE 1 An acidic cleaner is prepared by blending 1.5 parts by weight formic acid, 1.5 parts by weight decyldimethylamine oxide and 97 parts by weight water. The resulting cleaner is tested according to the general method described after Example 5, with results as reported in Table 1 which follows these Examples. Similar results are obtained when a small quantity of the water is replaced by a fragrance and/or a colorant. EXAMPLE 2 An acidic cleaner is prepared by blending 2.5 parts acetic acid, 2.5 parts of diethylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, 1 part of dodecyldimethylamine oxide and 94 parts water. The resulting cleaner is tested according to the general method described after Example 5, with results as reported in Table 1 which follows these Examples. Similar results are obtained when a small quantity of the water is replaced by a fragrance and/or a colorant. Example 3 An acidic cleaner is prepared by blending 2.8 parts glycolic acid, 2.2 parts of decyldimethylamine, and 95 parts water. The resulting cleaner is tested according to the general method described after Example 5, with results as reported in Table 1 which follows these Examples. Similar results are obtained when a small quantity of the water is replaced by a fragrance and/or a colorant. Example 4 An acidic cleaner is prepared by blending 2.8 parts succinic acid, 2.2 parts octyldimethylamine oxide and 95 parts water. The resulting cleaner is tested according to the general method described after Example 5, with results as reported in Table 1 which follows these Examples. Similar results are obtained when a small quantity of the water is replaced by a fragrance and/or a colorant. Example 5 An acidic cleaner is prepared by blending 0.6 part glutamic acid, 1 part 2-phenyl ethanol, 1.5 parts decyldimethylamine oxide and 96.9 parts water. The resulting cleaner is tested according to the general method described after this Example, with results as reported in Table 1 which follows these Examples. Similar results are obtained when a small quantity of the water is replaced by a fragrance and/or a colorant. Evaluation of Cleaner Examples 1-5 and a Commercial Cleaner Cleaning efficiency is assessed using a modified method as follows. An artificial soap scum is prepared by dissolving sodium salts of oleic acid and stearic acid in hot water and then adding the resulting solution to an excess of an aqueous solution of calcium chloride while homogenizing. A precipitate forms, which is filtered, washed with hot water and dried to a constant weight under vacuum. The solid precipitate is dispersed in chloroform and 5.0 g of Sudan Red III dye are added per Kg of precipitate. The dyed dispersion contains 2.1 weight percent calcium salts. It is sprayed onto standard 4.5 inch by 5 inch white enameled steel tiles with an airbrush so that approximately 50 mg of calcium fatty acid salts are loaded onto each tile. The weight of artificial soap scum on each tile is recorded. The tiles are rank ordered by soap scum mass such that averaged strokes to clean (STC) scores can be calculated from members of a tile series having nearly the same average mass of artificial soap scum. The relative humidity is monitored so as to test all of the cleaners under the same conditions (approximately 30-50% relative humidity) because humidity affects the hardness of the soil. A Gardner Linear Scrubber is used to evaluate the cleaners, with the head being modified to accept two 1.75 inch X 3.25 inch X 1.0 inch Estraceli sponges (Armaly Company). The sponges are mounted side by side with a space of 0.25 inch between them. The sled cover has a 0.25 inch diameter hole drilled at the top center of each sponge carrier and each sponge has a coincident 0.25 inch diameter hole drilled through its center. The holes allow for reproducible loading of the cleaner and ensure that the cleaning composition is in contact with the sponge/tile interface. The space between the sponges and a drain groove between the cleaning lanes prevents cross contamination of the compositions. Prior to testing, the sponges are washed, rinsed and wrung through a ringer to remove excess water. The cleaning efficacy of cleaner examples 1-5 is compared with that of a commercial product, Lysol® Basin Tub and Tile Cleaner (Comparative Sample A). Using the modified Gardner Linear Scrubber, two different cleaners are compared on a single tile by counting the STC required to remove all the dyed artificial soap scum, as determined through visual observation of the tiles. The smaller the number of STC needed to clean the soil, the more efficacious the cleaner. Each cleaner is tested from 2 to 5 times, with the results averaged and as reported in Table 1 below. Cleaning Composition Strokes to Clean* Example 1 5 Example 2 12 Example 3 4 Example 4 4 Example 5 7 Lysol Basin, Tub and Tile 1 10 'Average of from 2-5 determinations for each composition. 1 Lysol is a trademark of L and F products. This cleaner contains approximately 4 weight percent tetrasodium EDTA and 6 weight percent of diethylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether. Example 6 An acidic cleaner is prepared by blending 2 parts glycolic acid, 1 part decyldimethylamine oxide, 2 parts propylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, 0.25 parts of a tertiary ammonium disinfectant, 1 part of a fragrance and 94.65 parts water. This cleaner is especially effective on both soap scum and hard water stains. Example 7 An acidic cleaning composition is prepared by blending 1 part sodium lauryl sulfate, 2.5 parts lactic acid, 5 parts of ethyleneglycol mono-n-butyl ether and 91.5 parts water. When evaluated according to the method described above, this cleaner performs similarly to cleaner examples 1, 3, and 4. Example 8 An acidic cleaning composition is prepared by blending 1 part of nonylphenyl ethoxylate sold as Tergitol® NP-10, 3 parts glycolic acid, 6 parts by weight of diethylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether and 90 parts water. When evaluated according to the method described above, this cleaner performs similarly to cleaner examples 1, 3, and 4. In the second aspect of the invention, the cleaner contains from 0.3 to about 10 weight percent of an amine oxide of the form RR R 2 N→0 wherein R is C6-C12 alkyl and R 1 and R 2 are independently C1.4 alkyl or C1-4 hydroxyalkyl in conjunction with from about 2 to about 10 weight percent of a chelating agent, based on the weight of the entire composition. Suitable chelating agents include citric acid, ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid, and the like. The chelating agents are normally used in the form of their alkali metal salts. Preferably, the amine oxide surfactant is present in an amount from about 1 to about 5, more preferably from about 1 to about 2.5 weight percent. Preferably, the chelating agent is used in an amount from about 2 to 8, more preferably 3 to 7 weight percent. In this second aspect, the cleaner requires no ingredients other than the water, amine oxide and chelating agent; except for minors such as fragrances and colorants, it preferably contains no additional components. However, the cleaner of the second aspect may contain ingredients as described above, such as disinfectants, abrasives, solvents, buffers, and the like. It is preferred that the cleaner of the second aspect contain these materials in small quantities, so that the cleaner contains at least 85% by weight water, preferably at least about 90% by weight water. An example of the cleaner of the second aspect is prepared by blending 5 parts tetrasodium EDTA, 1.5 parts of decyldimethylamine oxide and 93.5 parts water. When evaluated in the test method described following Examples 1-5, this cleaner required 9.5 strokes to clean the test tiles.

Claims: WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A cleaning composition comprising (a) water, in which is dissolved (b) up to 3 weight percent of at least one carboxylic acid having a stability constant of less than 3.5 at 25°C for calcium ion at a concentration in water of OJ ionic strength, inorganic acids and mixtures thereof, wherein the acid has a stability constant of less than 3.5 at 25°C for calcium ion at a concentration in water of OJ ionic strength; said composition further containing (c)(1) from about 0.3 to 10% by weight, based on the weight of the composition, of a detersive surfactant, 1 2 and, when component (c)(1) does not include an amine oxide of the form RR R N→O 1 2 wherein R is Cς-Ci2 alkyl and R and R are independently C1-4 alkyl or C1-4 hydroxyalkyl, said composition further containing (c)(2) an organic solvent of a type and of an amount that, at the relative proportions present in the cleaning composition, the water, surfactant and the solvent together form a clear mixture; wherein the cleaning composition has a pH of less than 5.0, is substantially devoid of a phosphorous-containing moiety, is substantially devoid of a chelating agent and is substantially devoid of an acid which has a Iower first pKa than the lowest first pKa of the component (b) acid(s) present in the cleaning composition. 2. The cleaning composition of claim 1, wherein component (c)(1) includes an amine 1 2 1 2 oxide of the form RR R N→O wherein R is C6-C12 alkyl and R and R are independently C1-4 alkyl or C1-4 hydroxyalkyl. 3. The cleaning composition of claim 2 wherein component (c)(2) is present. 4. The cleaning composition of claim 3 wherein component (c) (2) is an aliphatic alcohol having up to 8 carbon atoms, an aromatic-substituted alcohol, or a mono- or dialkyl ether of an alkylene glycol or polyalkylene glycol having up to 6 carbons per alkylene group and up to 6 carbons in each alkyl group. 5. The cleaning composition of claim 4 wherein the carboxylic acid is formic, acetic, propionic, adipic, glutaric or succinic acid or a mixture thereof. 6. The cleaning composition of claim 4 wherein the carboxylic acid contains at least one hydroxyl and/or amino group. 7. The cleaning composition of claim 6 wherein the carboxylic acid is glycolic, lactic, glutamic or aspartic acid, or a mixture thereof. 8. The cleaning composition of claim 7 further containing a disinfectant. 9. The composition of claim 4 which has a pH from about 1.0 to about 4.0. 10. The cleaning composition of claim 3 which further contains at least one other anionic or nonionic surfactant. 11. The cleaning composition of claim 2 wherein component (c)(2) is absent. 12. The cleaning composition of claim 11 wherein the carboxylic acid is formic, acetic, propionic, adipic, glutaric or succinic acid or a mixture thereof. 13. The cleaning composition of claim 11 wherein the carboxylic acid contains at least one hydroxyl and/or amino group. 14. The cleaning composition of claim 13 wherein the carboxylic acid is glycolic, lactic, glutamic or aspartic acid, or a mixture thereof. 15. The composition of claim 11 which has a pH from about 1.0 to about 4.0. 16. The cleaning composition of claim 11 which further contains at least one other anionic or nonionic surfactant. 17. The cleaning composition of claim 2 further comprising a disinfectant. 18. The cleaning composition of claim 1, wherein component (c)(1) does not include 1 1 2 an amine oxide of the form RR R N→O wherein R is C6-C12 alkyl and R and R are independently C1-4 alkyl or C1.4 hydroxyalkyl. 19. The cleaning composition of claim 18 wherein component (c) (2) is an aliphatic alcohol having up to 8 carbon atoms, an aromatic-substituted alcohol, or a mono- or dialkyl ether of an alkylene glycol or polyalkylene glycol having up to 6 carbons per alkylene group and up to 6 carbons in each alkyl group. 20. The cleaning composition of claim 19 wherein the carboxylic acid is formic, acetic, propionic, adipic, glutaric or succinic acid or a mixture thereof. 21. The cleaning composition of claim 19 wherein the carboxylic acid contains at least one hydroxyl and/or amino group. 22. The cleaning composition of claim 21 wherein the carboxylic acid is glycolic, lactic, glutamic or aspartic acid, or a mixture thereof. 23. The composition of claim 19 which has a pH from about 1.0 to about 4.0. 24. The cleaning composition of claim 19 which further contains at least one other anionic or nonionic surfactant. 25. A cleaning composition comprising water, from about 2-10 weight percent, based 1 2 on the weight of the composition, of an amine oxide of the form RR R N→O wherein R is CQ- 1 2 C-|2 alkyl and R and R are independently C1-4 alkyl or C1-4 hydroxyalkyl, and from about 2 to about 10 weight percent of a chelating agent, based on the weight of the composition.

Inventors: GARDNER JOHN M, HAIGH DANIEL H, STRANDBURG GARY M, WAGERS KEVIN J, GARDNER, JOHN, M., HAIGH, DANIEL, H., STRANDBURG, GARY, M., WAGERS, KEVIN, J.
Applicants: DOWBRANDS INC, DOWBRANDS INC.
Application year: 1996
Main classification: C11D3
IPC codes: C11D1, C11D3