AN IMPROVED DETERGENT COMPOUND
Year: 1871

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Leetch, of Broadley Terrace, Blandford
Square, in the County of Middlesex, for the Invention of " AN
IMPROVED DETERGENT COMPOUND."
Sealed the 5th March 1872, and dated the 30th November 1871.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Leetch at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
30th November 1871.
I, JAMES LEETCH, of Broadley Terrace, Blandford Square, in the
County of Middlesex, do hereby declare the nature of the said Invention
for "AN IMPROVED DETERGENT COMPOUND," to be as follows:-
My said Invention relates to a detergent compound or solution, or
fluid soap, which is designed to be used as a substitute for ordinary soap
or with the same for cleansing the skin, and cleaning and scouring
textile fabrics, wood, paint, metal, and other materials. My improved
compound moreover may be used either with fresh or salt water.

page_text: The said compound or solution consists of the following ingredients,
viz., the substance known as soluble glass (which is composed of soda,
potash, and sand) sugar and chalk. These ingredients are combined as
follows: I take one-third part of a gallon of soluble glass, and add to
the same about a gallon of water, in which has been dissolved about six
ounces of sugar, or a proportionate quantity of other saccharine matter.
To the above mixture I add two ounces of common chalk. For toilet
purposes I add about one-half pound more sugar, and use a little French
chalk or steatite with the common chalk.
These materials are thoroughly mixed and refined in suitable vessels,
and the compound thus obtained will be then ready for use for the
purposes above specified.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said James Leetch in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 29th May 1872.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JAMES
LEETCH, of Broadley Terrace, Blandford Square, in the County of
Middlesex, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Thirtieth day of November, in the
year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-one, in the
thirty-fifth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and succes-
sors, give and grant unto me, the said James Leetch, Her special
licence that I, the said James Leetch, my executors, administrators,
and assigns, or such others as I, the said James Leetch, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term
therein expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and
vend, within the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the
Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for "AN IMPROVED
DETERGENT COMPOUND," upon the condition (amongst others) that I, the
said James Leetch, my executors or administrators, by an instrument in
writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals, should

page_text: pounds of common brown sugar, or an equivalent quantity of other
suitable saccharine matter. These ingredients should be mixed when the
liquid is boiling, and should be kept constantly stirred until all the
ingredients are thoroughly amalgamated. The compound should now be
allowed to cool down and settle in the vats or other vessels, in which the
amalgamation has been effected for the space of about twenty-four hours
or longer, as may be necessary, and then it may be drained off into other
vats or vessels. The compound will then be of a transparent amber
colour, and entirely free from all smell. I sometimes add to the com-
pound a small quantity of alum to increase its whitening effect.
When used as a detergent for textile manufactures, it is found to be
perfectly harmless to the fabric, and may therefore be freely applied to
the strongest canvas, the most delicate lace, or to dyed cottons, muslins,
and similar articles. It removes all stains, such as blood, oils, wine,
beer, and all kinds of dirt, without affecting the colours, but when used
for scarlet cloth I add to the compound a small quantity of sulphate of
tin. The fluid soap thoroughly cleans paint on walls, wood or iron, also
plain wood, such as floors and stairs, and as a detergent agent is
invaluable in hospitals, barracks, prisons, and other public institutions.
As herein-before stated it is also equally effective when used for
cleaning purposes in sea water either cold or hot. Therefore it will
obviate the necessity of using fresh water for washing in the navy, or on
board passenger or other ships. It softens and whitens the hands and
prevents their being chapped; it also removes infection that may be
retained in cloths and other articles or materials. It is perfectly effective
without any solid soap, and is intended to be used alone as a substitute
therefor; but should habit or prejudice induce some people to cling to
the old methods of washing, ordinary soap may be used with the
compound.
My improved detergent or fluid soap is cheaper than the solid soaps in
general use; it saves a great amount of labour and hard rubbing. It
renders unnecessary all the compounds known as washing powders, and
it gives off no offensive smell or unpleasant or iniurious vapour while

page_text: practising the same, I wish it understood that I claim a detergent
compound consisting of soluble glass, sugar, or other saccharine matter,
and chalk dissolved in water with or without the other ingredients
herein set forth.
In witness thereof, I, the said James Leetch, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-fifth day of April, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-two.
Witness,
GEORGE HASELTINE,
8, Southampton Buildings,
London.
JAMES LEETCH. (L.S.)