MX2008006723A - Detergent composition containing branched alcohol alkoxylate and compatibilizing surfactant, and method for using - Google Patents

Abstract

A detergent composition is provided according to the invention. The detergent composition includes a branched alcohol alkoxylate having the formula wherein R1is a C2-C20alkyl, R2is H or a C1-C4alkyl, n is 2-20, and m is 1-40, and a compatibililizing surfactant. The compatibilizing surfactant can be selected so that an aqueous composition containing 5 wt.%of the branched alcohol alkoxylate and at least 2.5 wt.%of the compatibilizing surfactant provides a clear aqueous composition. A clear aqueous composition refers to an aqueous composition that is free of haze visible to the naked eye. In general, a clear aqueous composition resembles a composition containing only water. A method for using the detergent composition is provided.

Description

COMPOSITION DETERGENT CONTAINING ALCOXYLATE OF BRANCHED ALCOHOL AND SURGICAL AGENT OF COMPATIBILIZATION AND METHOD OF USE FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a detergent composition and to a method for using a detergent composition. The detergent composition contains a branched alcohol alkoxylate and a compatibilizing surfactant. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Guerbet non-ionic surfactants are known for years. Several techniques are available to produce Guerbet non-ionic surfactants. For example, see U.S. Patent No. 6,906,230 to Maas et al., U.S. Patent No. 6,737,553 to Mass et al., And U.S. Patent No. 5,977,048 to Welch et al. Aqueous compositions containing Guerbet nonionic surfactants have a tendency to deposit on surfaces and form a greasy film. This trend has the limited use of Guerbet non-ionic surfactants as detergents. The liquid detergent compositions they contain have been described. non-ionic surfactants Guerbet. For example, see EP 0 709 450.

REF .: 190394 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A detergent composition according to the invention is provided. The detergent composition includes a branched alcohol alkoxylate having the formula: wherein R1 is a C2-C2o alkyl / R2 is H or a C1-C4 alkyl, n is 2-20, and m is 1-40, and a compatibilizing surfactant. The compatibilizing surfactant can be selected such that an aqueous composition containing 5% by weight of the branched alcohol alkoxylate and at least 2.5% by weight of the compatibilizing surfactant provides a clear aqueous composition. A clear aqueous composition refers to a composition that is free from haze that is visible to the naked eye. In general, a clear aqueous composition is a composition that has similar clarity to a composition containing water. A method for using the detergent composition according to the invention is provided. The method includes a step of diluting a concentrate of the detergent composition with water to provide a use composition, and applying the use composition to a soiled surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The detergent composition can be used in a wide variety of cleaning and disinfecting formulations, including laundry detergents, fabric softeners, cloth soaking, dryer sheets, bleaches, hard surface cleaners, glass cleaners, solvents floor, smoke-based coatings, hand soaps, skin lotions, disinfectants / germicides, dish detergents, carpet cleaners, and vehicle cleaners. The detergent composition can be provided as a concentrate or as a composition of use. In general, a concentrate refers to a composition that is intended to be diluted with water to provide a composition of use. A composition of use refers to a composition that can be applied to articles or surfaces to provide detergent activity. In general, a composition of use may have a solids content of less than about 90% by weight. The solids phase content refers to the weight percentage of water-free components. The composition of use can be applied to several dirty surfaces. Exemplary dirty surfaces include fabrics and hard surfaces. Exemplary hard surfaces include surroundings of toilet bowls, toilets, showers and other plumbing fixtures, bathrooms and hard kitchen surfaces (eg, countertops), glass windows, and floor surfaces. The detergent composition includes a branched alcohol alkoxylate and a compatibilizing surfactant. The detergent composition may include additional components such as a source of alkalinity, chelating / sequestering agents and threshold agents, wetting agents, foam modifiers, corrosion inhibitors, anti-redeposition agents, pH modifiers, viscosity modifiers, antimicrobials, bleaches, bleach activators, soil penetrants, emulsifiers, smoke-killing agents , organic solvents, solidification aids, processing aids, and dyes, pigments, and fragrances. Alcohol Alkoxylated Branched The alkoxylated branched alcohol has the following formula: wherein wherein R1 is a C2-C20 alkyl, R2 is H or a C1-C4 alkyl, n is 2-20, and m is 1-40. The branched alcohol alkoxylates can be considered a type of nonionic surfactant. Branched alcohol alkoxylates include those nonionic surfactants that can be prepared in accordance with US Patent No. 6,906,320 to Maas et al., US Patent No. 6,737,553 to Mass et al., And US Patent No. 5,977,048 to Wlch et al. . The description of these patents is incorporated herein by reference. Branched alcohol alkoxylates include those available under the name Lutensol XP30, Lutensol XP-50, and Lutensol XP-80 available from BASF Corporation. In general, Lutensol XP-30 can be considered to have 3 repeating ethoxy groups, Lutensol XP-50 can be considered to have 5 repeating ethoxy groups, and Lutensol XP-80 can be considered to have 8 repeating ethoxy groups. Branched alcohol alkoxylates can be classified as relatively insoluble in water or relatively soluble in water. In general, a water-insoluble branched alcohol alkoxylate can be considered an alkoxylate which, when provided as a composition containing 5% in water of the branched alcohol alkoxylate and 95% by weight of water, has a tendency to deposit on a surface and form a greasy film. Lutensol XP-30 and Lutensol XP-50 from BASF Corporation can be considered water-insoluble branched alcohol alkoxylates. A branched alcohol alkoxylate which does not have a tendency to deposit on a surface and form a fatty film when provided as a composition containing 5% by weight of the branched alcohol alkoxylate and 95% by weight of water can be considered an alcohol alkoxylate branched soluble in water. Lutensol XP-80 from BASF Corporation can be considered a water-soluble branched alcohol alkoxylate. The detergent composition having a sufficient amount of the branched alcohol alkoxylate can be provided to impart desired detergent properties when the composition is provided as a use composition. As a concentrate, the detergent composition can contain about 2% by weight to about 50% by weight of the branched alcohol alkoxylate, about 3% by weight to about 40% by weight of the branched alcohol alkoxylate, and about 5% by weight up to about 30% by weight of the branched alcohol alkoxylate. Compatibilization Surfactant The detergent composition contains a compatibilizing surfactant to help maintain the branched alcohol alkoxylate in solution. In general, the compatibilizing surfactant can be selected such that an aqueous composition containing 5% by weight of the branched alcohol alkoxylate and at least 2.5% by weight of the compatibilizing surfactant provides a clear aqueous composition. A clear aqueous composition refers to a composition that is substantially mist free. By substantially mist free it is understood that one could not perceive the composition as hazy by simply observing a 100 gram sample of the aqueous composition. In general, a clear composition can be considered to have a similar absence of mist compared to a composition containing 100% water. Compatibilizing surfactants include anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, atmospheric surfactants, or mixtures thereof. Exemplary anionic surfactants that can be used include sulfonates, sulfates, carboxylates, phosphates, taurates, or mixtures thereof. Cationic surfactants that can be used include quaternary ammonium compounds, amine salts, phosphonium compounds, or mixtures thereof. Nonionic surfactants that may be used include alcohol alkoxylates; alkoxylated alkyl phenol; copolymers or at least two of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, and butylene oxide; ethylene oxide / propylene oxide copolymer; polyglycosides; fatty amides; fatty esters; fatty amines; sorbitan derivatives; or mixtures thereof.

Exemplary amphoteric surfactants which may be used include botains, sulfobetaines, sultaines, amide oxides, amino acid derivatives, phosphobetaines, amphoacetates, ampropropionates, imidazoline derivatives, etc., and mixtures thereof. An exemplary compatibilizing surfactant that may be used includes linear alcohol alkoxylates. Exemplary linear alcohol alkoxylates include those having C5-C20 alkyl group and 3 to 20 repeating alkoxy groups such as repeating ethoxy groups. An exemplary linear alcohol ethoxylate having C5-C2o alkyl group and 3 to 20 repeating ethoxy groups can be referred to as a linear alcohol ethoxylate C5-C20 E03-2o • The amount of the compatibilizing surfactant can be provided in an amount sufficient to helping to maintain the branched alcohol alkoxylate in the resulting detergent composition to reduce the tendency of the branched alcohol alkoxylate to deposit on a surface and form a greasy film. Minimally, an amount of the compatibilizing surfactant can be used to help maintain the branched alcohol alkoxylate in the detergent composition. Additional amounts of the compatibilizing surfactant beyond the amount necessary to reduce deposition by the branched alcohol alkoxylate can be used. In addition, it is expected that the maximum amount of the compatibilizing surfactant can be selected to avoid causing the composition too costly. For example, the concentrate can include about 1% by weight to about 20% by weight of the compatibilizing surfactant, about 2% by weight to about 15% by weight of the compatibilizing surfactant, and about 5% by weight to about 12% by weight. % by weight of the compatibilizing surfactant. In addition, a preferred compatibilizing surfactant includes linear alcohol alkoxylated surfactants. The concentrate may include about 1% by weight to about 20% by weight of the linear alcohol alkoxylate, about 2% by weight to about 15% by weight of the linear alcohol alkoxylate, and about 5% by weight to about 12% by weight of the linear alcohol alkoxylate. The amount of the compatibilizing surfactant can be selected such that the weight ratio of the compatibilizing surfactant to the branched alcohol alkoxylate is at least 0.5: 1. The weight ratio of the compatibilizing surfactant to the branched alcohol alkoxylate may be greater than about 2: 1.

Source of alkalinity The detergent composition can include a source of alkalinity. Exemplary alkalinity sources include alkali metal hydroxides and alkaline earth metal hydroxides. Alkali metal hydroxides include, for example, sodium or potassium hydroxide. Alkali metal metal hydroxides include, for example, magnesium hydroxide. An alkaline or alkaline earth metal hydroxide may be added to the composition in the form of solid beads, dissolved in an aqueous solution, or a combination thereof. Alkali and alkaline earth metal hydroxides are commercially available as a solid in the form of compressed beads having a mixture of particle sizes in the range of about 12-100 mesh US, or an aqueous solution, such as, for example, a solution of 50% by weight and 73% by weight. It is preferred that the alkaline or alkaline earth metal hydroxide be added in the form of an aqueous solution, preferably a 50% by weight hydroxide solution, to reduce the amount of heat generated in the composition due to hydration of the solid alkaline material. The detergent composition may include a different alkaline source of an alkali metal hydroxide. Examples of other alkaline sources include a metal silicate such as sodium or potassium silicate or metasilicate, a metal carbonate such as potassium or sodium carbonate, bicarbonate or sesquicarbonate, and the like; a metal borate such as potassium or sodium borate, and the like; ethanolamines and amines; and other similar alkaline sources. Alkalinity agents are commonly available in aqueous form or powder, any of which is useful in the formulation of the present cleaning compositions. The detergent composition can be provided without a source of alkalinity. When the detergent concentrate includes a source of alkalinity, it may be included in an amount of about 4% by weight to about 70% by weight, about 5% by weight to about 60% by weight, and about 10% by weight to about 50% by weight. % in weigh. Chelating / Sequestering Agents and Threshold Agents The composition may include a chelating / sequestering agent. In general, a chelating agent is a molecule capable of coordinating (i.e., binding) the metal ions commonly found in natural water to prevent metal ions from interfering with the action of the detergent ingredients of a detergent composition. Chelating / sequestering agents that may be used include an aminocarboxylic acid, a fused phosphate, a phosphonate, a polyacrylate, and an organic hydroxycarboxylic acid. Threshold agents can be used to reduce the interference of detersive ingredients by metal ions. Useful aminocarboxylic acids include, for example, n-hydroxyethyliminodiacetic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), N-hydroxyethyl-ethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA), diethylenetriaminepetacetic acid (DTPA), and the like. Examples of useful phosphates condensed in the present composition include, for example, sodium potassium orthophosphate, sodium potassium pyrophosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate, and the like. Useful hydroxycarboxylic acids that can be used include, for example, citric acid, citric acid salts, hydroxyacetic acid, hydroxyacetic acid salts, and succinic acid, and succinic acid salts. The composition may include a phosphonate such as aminotris (mutilen phosphonic acid), hydroxyethylidene diphosphonic acid, ethylenediaminetetra (methylene phosphonic acid), diethylenetriaminepenta (methylene phosphonic acid), and the like. It is preferred to use a neutralized or alkaline phosphonate, or combine the phosphonate with an alkaline source before being added to the mixture such that there is little or no heat generated by a neutralization reaction when the phosphonate is added. Exemplary builders and chelants that may be used include organic and inorganic chelating agents. Inorganic chelating agents include, for example, alkali metal phosphates (eg, phosphate, pyrophosphate, tripolyphosphate), alkali metal aluminosilicates, zeolites, and mixtures thereof. Organic chelating agents include, for example, small molecule and polymeric chelating agents. Polymeric chelating agents include ionomer compositions such as polyacrylic acid compounds and / or copolymers of anhydride acid (maleic anhydride / olefin, etc.). Caratic agents of small organic molecule include amino carboxylates such as salts of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and hydroxyethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, nitrile triacetic acid, ethylenediaminetetrapropionates, triethylenetetraminehexacetates, and the respective salts of alkali metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium thereof. Phosphonates can also be used as chelating agents and include tetra (methylenephosphonate) ethylenediamine, nitrilotismethylenephosphonate, diethylenetrimainapeta (methylenephosphonate), hydroxyethylidene diphosphonate, and 1,2-tricarboxylic acid 2-phosphonobutane. The phosphonates commonly contain alkyl or alkylene groups with less than 8 carbon atoms. Preferred chelating agents include the phosphonates amino-caboxylates, phosphates, and amino-caboxylates. Some chelators such as phosphonates are also effective threshold inhibitors, preventing the crystallization / precipitation of calcium salts 1 of the interaction of the detergent with hard water. The detergent composition can be provided without a chelating agent, sequestering agent, builder or threshold agent. When the concentrate of the detergent composition includes any of these components, these may be included in an amount of from about 0.4 wt% to about 10 wt%, about 0.5 wt% to about 8 wt%, and about 1% by weight. weight up to about 4% by weight. Wetting agent The detergent composition may include a wetting agent. A wetting and filler agent includes lauryl polyglucose. The detergent composition can be provided without a wetting agent. When the concentrate of the detergent composition includes a wetting agent, it may be included in an amount from about 0.4 wt.% To about 6 wt.%, Approximately 0. 5% by weight to about 5% by weight, or about 1% by weight to about 3% by weight. Water Water can be added to the concentrate of the detergent composition to form the composition of use of the detergent composition. In general, the use composition refers to the composition that contacts a surface or article to provide detersive activity. It may be advantageous to distribute a detergent composition in the form of a concentrate, and then dilute the concentrate with water to provide a composition for use at the site of use. The concentrate may be provided without water or may be provided in a form containing water. The concentrate can be provided as a powder, a solid, a gel, or a liquid. When the concentrate is provided in the form of a powder, the concentrate can contain about 0 to about 10% by weight of water, about 0.1% by weight to about 10% by weight of water, or about 0.2% by weight to about 5% by weight. % by weight of water. When the concentrate is provided in the form of a solid, the concentrate may contain about 0 to about 50% water, about 5% by weight to about 30% water, or about 10 to about 25% by weight of water. When the concentrate is provided as a liquid, the concentrate may contain about 20% by weight to about 90% by weight of water or about 25% by weight to about 80% in water. In general, the concentrate may contain water in an amount less than 90% by weight of water. Over 90% by weight of water, the detergent composition tends to be observed more similarly to a composition of use. It should be understood, however, that the weight percent solids in the use composition can be adjusted to provide a desired level of detersive activity. In certain circumstances, it may be desirable to provide a use composition having a solids content that is less than about 5% by weight, less than about 3% by weight, less than about 1% by weight, less than about 0.5% by weight, weight, or less than about 0.1% by weight. Defoaming Agents and Foam Impellants Examples of defoaming agents suitable for use in the present compositions include silicon compounds such as silica dispersed in polydimethisiloxane, fatty amides, hydrocarbon waxes, fatty acids, fatty esters, fatty alcohols, fatty acid soap, ethoxylates , mineral oils, polyethylene glycol esters, alkyl phosphate esters such as monostearyl phosphate, and the like. A discussion of defoaming agents can be found in U.S. Patent No. 3,048,548 to Martin et al., U.S. Patent No. 3,334,147 to Brunelle et al, and U.S. Patent No. 3,442,242 to Rué et al. , the descriptions of both references are incorporated herein by reference. Exemplary foam boosters that can be used include amphoteric surfactants, anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, and mixtures thereof. Additional foam boosters include glycol ethers and polymers. Exemplary foam suppressors include silicones and their derivatives, water insoluble compounds, or nonionic surfactants used at temperatures above their opacity point. Anti-redeposition agents The detergent composition may also include an anti-redeposition agent capable of facilitating continuous suspension of dirt in a cleaning solution and avoiding removing dirt from being redeposited on the substrate being cleaned. Examples of suitable anti-redeposition agents include fatty acid amides, fluorocarbon surfactants, complex phosphate esters, polymers or copolymers derived from acid anhydrides such as maleic styrene, and copolymer hydride, polymers and copolymers derived from polyacrylates, and derivatives cellulosics such as hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, caboxymethyl cellulose, and the like. Dyes / Odorants Various dyes, odorants including perfumes, and other aesthetic enhancers may also be included in the composition. Dyes may be included to alter the appearance of the composition, such as, for example, Direct Blue 86 (Miles), Fastusol Blue (Mobay Chemical Crop.), Acid Orange 7 (American Cyanamid), Basic Violet 10 (Sandoz), Acid Yellow 23 ( GAF), Acid Yellow 17 (Sigma Chemical Co.), Fluorescein (Capitol Color and Chemical), Rhodamine (D & amp; amp;; C Red No. 19) Sap Green (Keystone Analine and Chemical), Methanol Yellow (Keystone Analine and Chemical), Acid Blue 9 (Milton Davis), Sandolan Blue / Acid Blue 182 (Sandoz), Hisol Fast Red (Capitol Color and Chemical), Acid Green 25 (Ciba-Geigy), and the like. Fragrances or perfumes that may be included in the compositions include, for example, terpenoids such as citronellol, aldehydes such as amyl cinnamaldehyde, a jasmine such as C1S-jasmine or jasmal, vanilla, and the like. Hardening Agents The concentrate of the detergent composition can be provided as a solid. The solidification of the composition can be achieved by using a curing agent. Exemplary hardening agents include urea, polyethylene glycol, hydrates of inorganic compounds, and sodium hydroxide. Various inorganics can be used which impart solidifying properties to the present composition and can be processed into pressed tablets to transport the alkaline agent. Such inorganic agents include calcium carbonate, sodium sulfate, sodium bisulfate, alkali metal phosphates, anhydrous sodium acetate and other known hydratable compounds.

Additional Components Several additional components may be included in the detergent compositions including corrosion inhibitors, pH modifiers, viscosity modifiers, antimicrobials, bleaches, soil penetrants, emulsifiers, smoke-killing agents, organic solvents, and processing aids. It should be understood that each of these components can be excluded from the detergent composition, if desired. Corrosion inhibitors that can be used include amines, triazoles, phosphates, nitrates, metal carboxylates, silicates and a wide variety of additional material known to a person skilled in the art. The pH modifiers that can be used include organic and inorganic acids, bases or buffering agents. Non-limiting examples of the acids include citric acid, gluconic acid, hydroxyacetic acid, acetic acid, atypical acid, sulfamic acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, bicarbonates, hydrogen phosphates, bisulfate, hydrochloric acid, polyacrylic acid, etc. Non-limiting examples of the bases include alkali metal hydroxides, ammonium hydroxide, amines, alkanolamines, ether amines, ethylenediamine and its derivatives, polymeric amines, carbonates, silicates, etc. Viscosity modifiers can be used to increase or decrease the viscosity of a formulation. Exemplary viscosity modifiers include inorganic salts (sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, etc.), polymers (polyacrylates, cellulose derivatives, etc.), gums (guar and guar derivatives, xanthan, etc.), inorganic salts (calcium chloride, etc.) and organic solvents (alcohols, glycol ether, etc.). An exemplary glycol ether includes diethylene glycol monobutyl ether. The detergent composition may include a viscosity modifier in an amount of about 1% by weight to about 20% by weight or about 5% by weight to about 15% by weight. Antimicrobials that can be used include cationic compounds, phenol derivatives, fatty acids, peroxygen compounds, active halogen compounds, preservatives, etc. Bleaching agents that can be used include both active oxygen and halogen compounds. These can optionally be activated using a variety of systems known in the art (transition metals, esters, etc.). Dirt penetrants that can be used include those compounds which improve the permeation of water on land. These vary widely with the type of earth: amines, EO-PO copolymers, solvents, etc. Emulsifiers that can be used include surfactants or oils. Fuminogenic agents that can be used include polyacrylates, polyurethanes, carnauba wax, mountain wax, polyethylene, polypropylene glycol, etc. Organic solvents that may be used include terpenes, glycol ethers and their derivatives, mineral spirits, branched paraffins, etc. Processing aids can be used to improve the manufacturing process of a formulation. These include water, alkali metal carbonates, alkali metal halides, etc. Exemplary ranges for components of a detergent concentrate are provided in the components being 100% active. It is understood that the components are frequently available in the form containing water. For purposes of the intervals in Tala 1, the intervals are based on the absence of water from the component. 2 Table 1 - Exemplary Intervals of Concentrate Components at 100% active The detergent composition concentrate can be provided with or without a source of alkalinity such as caustic. An exemplary detergent concentrate containing caustic is shown in Table 2. An exemplary detergent concentrate that does not contain a source of alkalinity is shown in Table 3. A source of alkalinity such as caustic may be combined with the detergent concentrate shown in FIG. Table 3. For example, it is sometimes convenient in laundry operations to combine a stream of surfactant with an alkalinity current source such that the surfactant and the source of alkalinity are combined in the laundry machine. Table 2 - Exemplary Liquid Concentrate Containing Caustic.

Table 3 - Exemplifying Liquid Concentrate for Alkalinity Combination The levels of use of the alkoxylated mixture of primary alcohol / compatibilizing surfactant in a formulation should be such that a benefit is provided (cleaning, wetting, de-moistening, leveling, softening, biocide, foaming, defoaming, coating, protection, etc.). The compositions can be distributed individually or multipurpose packed in a variety of physical forms: liquid, gel, paste, solid, powder, agglomerate, foam, aerosol. In addition, these can be prepared as a concentrate for dilution at the point of use or manufactured as a ready-to-use product. Optionally, the compositions may be contained within water-soluble packaging. The following examples and data further illustrate the practice of the invention, should not be taken as limiting the invention and contain the best mode. The following examples and data show the effectiveness of the invention in promoting adequate capacity to remove the sludge. EXAMPLE 1 Solubilization of l-hydroxy-2-propyl-heptane Ethoxylated l-hydroxy-2-propyl-heptane Ethoxylated (Lutensol XP-50 from BASF Corporation) is a branched alcohol ethoxylate difficult to incorporate into a hard surface cleaner.

Various surfactants were used to solubilize the ethoxylated branched alcohol under ambient conditions (room temperature, 1 atmosphere). The resulting mixtures were graded on a scale of 1 to 5 (1-mud not visible, 2-mud barely visible, 3-mud moderate, 4-mud strong, 5-mud severe) for its ability to remove dirty engine oil from an aluminum coupon. Approximately half a gram of dirty engine was placed on an aluminum coupon and immersed in a detergent solution for 5 minutes. The coupon was then carefully removed and photographed immediately to show oil remaining. Several compositions were more effective than the compositions containing ethoxylated nonyl phenol (NPE 9.5) as a surfactant. Several compositions were more effective at removing dirty motor oil than two commercial products (Simple Green Automotive Cleaner from Simple Green and Panther from Ecolab Inc.). The results in this example are reported in Table 4. In addition, Lutensol XP-50 is an ethoxylated Guerbet from BASF Corporation and contains 5 ethoxy groups. Lutensol XP-80 is an ethoxylated Guerbet from BASF Corporation that contains 8 ethoxy groups. Lutensol XP-50 can be considered to be generally insoluble in water, and Lutensol XP-80 can be considered generally water soluble.

Table 4 EXAMPLE 2 Ethoxylated 1-hydroxy-2-propyl-heptane / Laureth-myristeth-9 EO in a laundry detergent A laundry detergent composition containing branched alcohol ethoxylates (Lutensol XP-50) and linear fatty alcohol surfactant containing C12-14 alkyl and 9 ethoxy groups (Surfonic L24-9) were purchased with a detergent composition containing ethoxylated nonyl phenol (NPE-9.5) to clean dirty cotton cloth sample pieces with makeup and tallow powder using a tergotometer (US Testing company). The cleaning was quantified as the final reflectance of the fabric samples after a 10 minute wash at 48.89 2C (120 SC) and 1 g of detergent / 1 rio of wash water and then the% sludge removed was calculated. The compositions are reported in Table 5, and the results are reported in Table 6. The data below illustrates that the compositions according to the invention can be used to satisfactorily obtain cleaning results at a reduced use level compared to surfactants. traditional water soluble such as nonylphenol ethoxylate. Table 5 - Compositions A and B Table 6 - Results It is noted that in relation to this date the best method known by the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims (11)

1. CLAIMS Having described the invention as above, the content of the following claims is claimed as property: 1. A detergent composition, characterized in that it comprises: (a) an alcohol alkoxylate having the formula wherein R1 is a C2-C20 alkyl R2 is H or a C1-C4 alkyl, n is 2 -20, and m is 1-40; and (b) a compatibilizing surfactant, (c) a source of alkalinity, preferably an alkali metal hydroxide or a alkali metal hydroxide alkali, in an amount of 4% by weight to 70% by weight; wherein the compatibilizing surfactant is selected such that an aqueous composition containing 5% by weight of the branched alcohol alkoxylate and at least 2.5% by weight of the compatibilizing surfactant provides a clear aqueous composition.
2. 2. A detergent composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the branched alcohol alkoxylate comprises an alkoxylated branched alochol insoluble in water.
3. 3. A detergent composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the compatibilizing surfactant comprises at least one of a linear alcohol alkoxylate or a copolymer of propylene oxide / ethylene oxide.
4. 4. A detergent composition according to claim 3, characterized in that the linear alcohol alkoxylate contains an alkyl group having 5 to 20 carbon atoms, and 2 to 20 repeating ethoxy groups.
5. 5. A detergent composition according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises about 2% by weight up to about 50% by weight of the branched alcohol alkoxylate.
6. 6. A detergent composition according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises about 1% by weight up to about 20% by weight of the compatibilizing surfactant.
7. 7. A detergent composition according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises about 1% by weight up to about 20% by weight of the linear alcohol alkoxylate.
8. 8. A detergent composition according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises from about 0.5% by weight to about 10% by weight of a chelating / sequestering agent or a threshold agent.
9. 9. A detergent composition according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises about 0.5% by weight up to about 6% by weight of wetting agent.
10. 10. A detergent composition according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises about 0.1% by weight to about 90% water. A method for using a detergent composition, characterized in that it comprises: (a) diluting a concentrate of the detergent composition with water to provide a detergent composition use composition, the concentrate of the detergent composition is in accordance with any of claims 1 to 10, and (b) applying the composition of use to a muddy substrate.