MXPA99001384A - Fabric cleaning formulations - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention relates to aqueous cleaning formulations useful in the cleaning of textile fabrics such as carpets and upholstery. The cleaning formulations comprise a) detergent, b) fluorochemical soil-resist agent, c) stain-resist agent, and d) a stable aqueous dispersion of inorganic particulate matter selected from the group consisting of clay, colloidal silica, colloidal alumina, titanium dioxide, and mixtures thereof.

Description

TITLE FORMULATIONS FOR THE CLEANING OF TISSUES Field of the Invention This invention relates to fabric cleaning compositions of the adaptable type for use in shampooing and cleaning of textile fabrics such as carpets or rugs and more particularly to fabric cleaning compositions that inhibit re-fouling and re-staining after of the Clean.

Background of the Invention The formulations for cleaning fabrics have been previously developed and used in the cleaning of textile fabrics, including upholstery, leather and hair fabrics of the type normally found in rugs and travel blankets. Many of the above fabric cleaning formulations involve the use of detergent materials in aqueous or solvent media, in which dirt and grime are removed by the action of normal detergent. Others involve formulations that are applied dry or REF: 29285 wet to the surface of the fabric. The particles of dirt and grime, in effect, are detached or released by the action of mild detergents. The released particles are then adsorbed onto particles of filler material and then cleaned by suctioning the fabric. A disadvantage of many of the previous cleaning formulations is the tendency of the shampooed area to become soiled or re-stained soon after cleaning. In many cases, the residue of the prior art fabric cleaning formulations appears to attract dirt and stains to the cleaned textile fabric. Others have attempted to solve this re-fouling problem by modifying fabric cleaning compositions with additives to prevent re-fouling such as various types of fluorochemical agents. See, for example, U.S. Patent Nos. 0,043,964; 4,279,796; 5,338,475; 5,395,555. Still others have modified the compositions for cleaning fabrics with stain resistant agents, such as styrene maleic anhydride, methyl / methacrylate, methacrylic acid and the like. See, for example, U.S. Patent Nos. 3,716,488; 3,723,323; 3,779,929; 3,835,071; 4,203,859; 4,566,980; 4,678,595; 4,908,149. Still others have modified compositions for cleaning fabrics with inorganic particles such as clays, silicas and alumina for progress in re-fouling. See, for example, U.S. Patent Nos. 3,716,488; 3,736,259; 4,035,148; 4,090,974; 4,566,980; 4,581,385; 4,873,000. While all of these modifications progress in re-fouling or regrinding against the unmodified tissue cleaning formulation, there is still some degree of re-toning or re-staining. Others have tried to solve this problem by combining soil resistant agents and stain resistant agents in a single fabric cleaning formulation. See, for example, U.S. Patent Nos. 3,901,727; 4,043,923; 5,073,442; 5,212,272; 5,439,610 and the Japanese patent Kokai 56-129281. Re-toning and re-polishing are further improved, but there is still room for improvement. In addition, it would be advantageous if once the textile fabrics were cleaned that they resisted re-fouling and re-polishing better than they had resisted soiling or staining before cleaning.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a composition for textile fabric cleaning, improved, which gives the fabric resistance to dirt and stains, improved after cleaning.

Brief Description of the Invention This invention provides aqueous formulations for cleaning comprising 4 to 270 grams (0 1.3 to 270 grams on a 100% active ingredient basis) of detergent per 3,785 liters (one gallon) of cleaning formulation, 0.04 to 133 grams ( or 0.009 to 60 grams on an active ingredient basis of 100%) of dirt-resistant agent, fluorochemical for 3,785 liters (one gallon) of formulation for cleaning, 0.7 to 536 grams (or 0.2 to 134 grams on a 100% active ingredient basis) of a stain resistant agent per 3,785 liters (one gallon) of formulation for cleaning and 0.04 to 133 grams (or 0.01 to 53 grams on an active ingredient basis of 100%) of particulate, inorganic material selected from the group consisting of clays, colloidal silica, colloidal alumina, titanium dioxide and mixtures thereof. The detergent may contain an anionic, cationic, amphoteric or non-ionic surfactant. Preferred detergents include a mixture of sodium tripolyphosphate and sodium sesquicarbonate; or a mixture of sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium hexadecyl sulfate and sodium tetradecylsulfate. The stain resistant agent can be selected from the group consisting of polymers of maleic anhydride hydrolyzed with aliphatic alpha olefins, aromatic olefins or vinyl ethers, methacrylic acid homopolymers and methacrylic acid copolymers. In a preferred formulation, the detergent is a mixture of sodium tripolyphosphate and sodium sesquicarbonate and the particulate, inorganic material is colloidal silica. In another preferred formulation, the detergent is a mixture of sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium hexadecyl sulfate and sodium tetradecylsulfate, and the particulate, inorganic material is colloidal silica. This invention also includes cleaning concentrates suitable for making an aqueous formulation for cleaning comprising (a) a surfactant, (b) a soil-resistant agent, fluorochemical, (c) a stain-resistant agent, and (d) particulate, inorganic material selected from the group consisting of clays, colloidal silica, colloidal alumina, titanium dioxide and mixtures thereof, whereby the concentrate is capable of being diluted in an appropriate amount of water to produce an aqueous formulation for cleaning that has a concentration of 4 to 270 grams (or 1.3 to 270 grams on an active ingredient basis of 100%) of detergent per 3,785 liters (one gallon) of formulation for cleaning, 0.04 to 133 grams (or 0.009 a 60 grams on an active ingredient basis of 100%) of dirt-resistant agent, fluorochemical for 3,785 liters (one gallon) of formulation for cleaning, 0.7 to 536 grams (or 0.2 to 134 grams on a base of active ingredient of 100%) of a stain-resistant agent per 3,785 liters (one gallon) of formulation for cleaning and 0.04 to 133 grams (or 0.01 to 53 grams on a 100% active ingredient basis) of particulate material, inorganic selected from the group consisting of clays, colloidal silica, colloidal alumina, titanium dioxide and mixtures thereof. The detergent may contain an anionic, cationic, amphoteric or non-ionic surfactant. Preferred detergents include a mixture of sodium tripolyphosphate and sodium sesquicarbonate; or a mixture of sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium hexadecyl sulfate and sodium tetradecylsulfate. The stain resistant agent in the concentrate can be a compound selected from the group consisting of polymers of maleic anhydride hydrolyzed with aliphatic alpha olefins, aromatic olefins or vinyl ethers, methacrylic acid homopolymers and methacrylic acid copolymers. In a preferred cleaning concentrate, the detergent is a mixture of sodium tripolyphosphate and sodium sesquicarbonate and the particulate, inorganic material is colloidal silica. In another preferred concentrate, the detergent is a mixture of sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium hexadecyl sulfate and sodium tetradecylsulfate, and the particulate, inorganic material is colloidal silica. This invention also includes methods for cleaning textile fabrics comprising fibers that have dirt on the surfaces of the fibers. The steps involved in such methods comprise contacting the fibers with an aqueous formulation for cleaning comprising a detergent, a soil-resistant agent, fluorochemical, a stain-resistant agent and a particulate, inorganic material selected from the group consisting of of clays, colloidal silica, colloidal alumina, titanium dioxide and mixtures thereof in a concentration of: (a) 0.07 to 5% (or 0.02 to 5% on an active ingredient basis of 100%) of detergent based on fiber weight, (b) 0.0008 to 10% (or 0.0002 to 4.5% on an active ingredient basis of 100%) of dirt resistant, fluorochemical based on fiber weight, (c) 0.01 to 15 % (or 0.0025 to 3.75% on an active ingredient basis of 100%) of stain resistant agent based on fiber weight and (d) 0.0008 to 10% (or 0.0003 to 4.0% on an active ingredient basis) of 100%) of particulate material, inorganic based on the weight of the fiber in such a way that at least some of the dirt on the surfaces of the fiber is released, followed by the removal of at least some of the dirt released. The aqueous formulations for cleaning described above with the specified detergents, dirt resistant agents, fluorochemicals, stain resistant agents and particulate, inorganic material can be used in such cleaning methods. In a preferred hot water extraction method, the tissue fibers are contacted with the aqueous formulation for cleaning by spraying the formulation having a temperature in the range of room temperature to 71 ° C (160 ° F). on the fibers. In other methods, the cleaning formulation can be applied with a sponge or applied with a device such as a damp pad or brush. The textile fabric to be cleaned can be selected from a variety of woven materials such as upholstery or carpets, particularly nylon carpets.

Detailed description of the invention The textile fabric cleaning compositions of this invention contain a) detergent, b) dirt resistant, fluorochemical, c) stain resistant agent and d) an aqueous, stable dispersion of inorganic particulate material selected from the group consisting of clay, colloidal silica, colloidal alumina, titanium dioxide, and mixtures thereof. By "detergent", it is meant compositions that reduce the tension of the water surface; specifically, a surfactant agent which concentrates on the oil-water contact surfaces, exerts an emulsifying action and thus aids in the removal of dirt. Preferably, the detergent contains one or more surfactants (which may be hydrocarbon or fluorocarbon) to provide greater cleaning force. These surfactants include anionic, cationic, amphoteric or non-ionic surfactants or a mixture thereof. Such compounds as alkyl sulfonates, phosphates, glycols and the like are typically used. Aqueous solutions of sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium tripolyphosphate / sodium sesquicarbonate are preferred detergents. A particularly preferred detergent is a mixture of about 90-95% by weight of sodium tripolyphosphate and about 5-10% by weight of sodium sesquicarbonate. Such a mixture is available from Stanley Steemer as Stanley Steemer Carpet Cleaner SS-76, hereinafter referred to as "SS-76". An aqueous solution comprising a mixture of sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium hexadecyl and sodium tetradecylsulfate (available from Witco as DuPanol WAQE) is also an effective detergent. The detergents of this invention may also contain detergent formers such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). By "dirt resistant, fluorochemical" is meant compositions which resist or repel dirt, oil or other substances not normally proposed to be present in a substrate such as a textile material. Dirt-resistant, fluorochemical agents can include polymers or compounds having pendant or final groups of perfluoroalkyl, fluorosurfactant or fluorointermediate portions. Examples of some suitable fluorochemical, dirt resistant agents include Zonyl 7950 and Zonyl 5180 (available from DuPont). By "stain resistant agent" is meant chemicals that give partial or total resistance to staining. Spotting is defined as discoloration due to a material that adds color (such as food or liquid) that exhibits resistance to removal by normal cleaning methods. Stain resistant agents can include compounds such as co- or terpolymers of maleic anhydride, hydrolysates with aliphatic alpha olefins, aromatic olefins or vinyl ethers and homo- or copolymers of methacrylic acid. Preferably, the stain resistant agent is Zelan 338 which is available from DuPont. By "particulate, inorganic material" is meant compounds selected from the group consisting of clays, colloidal silica, colloidal alumina, titanium dioxide and combinations thereof. Colloidal silica such as Ludox HS-40 (available from DuPont) is especially preferred.

The relative amounts of detergent, soil-resistant agent, fluorochemical, stain-resistant agent and aqueous, stable dispersion of the particulate, inorganic material in the cleaning formulations of this invention vary depending on the chemicals used. In general, the formulation comprises: a) 0.07 to 5% based on the weight of the fiber (% owf, for its acronym in English) of detergent, b) 0.0008 to 10% owf of agent resistant to dirt, chemical, c ) 0.01 to 15% owf of stain resistant agent; and d) 0.0008 to 10% owf of particulate material, inorganic The above ranges for the chemical components of the formulation are based on the components as supplied. With the components as supplied, the active ingredient in the components may be less than 100%. In a 100% active ingredient base, the formulation for cleaning comprises 0.02 to 5.0% by weight of fiber (% owf) of detergent, 0.0002 to 4.5% owf of dirt-resistant agent, fluorochemical, 0.0025 to 3.75% owf of agent resistant to stains, and 0.0003 to 3.0% owf of particulate, inorganic material. Alternatively, the concentration of the components in the aqueous cleaning formulations of this invention can be expressed in terms of grams per 3,785 liters (one gallon) of formulation for cleaning. Particularly, the formulation comprises 4 to 270 grams (or 1.3 to 270 grams on an active ingredient basis of 100%) of detergent per 3,785 liters (one gallon) of formulation for cleaning, 0.04 to 133 grams (or 0.009 to 60 grams). on an active ingredient basis of 100%) of dirt-resistant, fluorochemical agent per 3,785 liters (one gallon) of formulation for cleaning, 0.07 to 536 grams (or 0.2 to 134 grams on an active ingredient basis of 100% ) of stain-resistant agent per 3,785 liters (one gallon) of formulation for cleaning, and 0.04 to 133 grams (or 0.01 to 53 grams on a 100% active ingredient base) of particulate, inorganic material selected from the group that consists of clays, colloidal silica, colloidal alumina, titanium dioxide and. mixtures thereof. The aqueous cleaning formulations of this invention may also contain other chemical agents known in the art such as fragrances, water softeners, pH buffers and brighteners. As described above, the aqueous cleaning formulations of this invention relate to formulations as they apply to textile fabrics such as carpets. It is recognized that suitable cleaning concentrates can also be made to make the aqueous formulations for cleaning of this invention by dilution with water. These concentrates for cleaning would then be provided to the carpet cleaner or other end user. This invention also encompasses such concentrates for cleaning. The concentrate for cleaning comprises: (a) a detergent, (b) a soil-resistant agent, fluorochemical, (c) a stain-resistant agent, and (d) particulate, inorganic material selected from the group consisting of clays , colloidal silica, colloidal alumina, titanium dioxide and mixtures thereof, whereby the concentrate is capable of being diluted in an appropriate amount of water to produce a formulation, aqueous for cleaning having a concentration of 4 to 270 grams (or 1.3 to 270 grams on an active ingredient basis of 100%) detergent per 3,785 liters (one gallon) of formulation for cleaning, 0.04 to 133 grams (or 0.009 to 60 grams on an active ingredient basis of 100% ) of dirt-resistant, fluorochemical agent per 3,785 liters (one gallon) of formulation for cleaning, 0.7 to 536 grams (or 0.2 to 134 grams on a 100% active ingredient basis) of a stain-resistant agent 3,785 liters (one gallon) of formulation for cleaning and 0.04 to 133 grams (or 0.01 to 53 grams on an active ingredient basis of 100%) of particulate, inorganic material. The cleaning formulations of this invention effectively remove dirt and many stains from textile fabrics and leave the fabric with increased resistance to re-fouling and re-staining. In general, the method for cleaning involves contacting a textile fabric made of fibers with dirt on the surfaces of the fibers, such as upholstery or dirty carpets, with the aqueous formulation for cleaning in such a way that at least some of the The dirt on the surfaces of the fibers is removed. A dispersion containing some of the dirt released can be formed in the formulation. The dirt released is removed by a suitable means such as cleaned by suction or treatment with pads. The preferred method for cleaning textile fabrics with the cleaning formulations of this invention is by extraction with hot water. This method involves spraying the selected cleaning formulation having a temperature in the ambient temperature range to 71 ° C (160 ° F) on the fibers of the textile fabric. Alternatively, other cleaning methods may be used including, but not limited to, water extraction, sponge cleaning, rotational cap, and spot cleaning. In some methods, the formulation for cleaning is applied by a moistened device such as a pad or brush. The best results occur when all the dirt and stains released are removed when cleaning by suction or other means before the application of the formulations for cleaning. The following examples further illustrate the invention, but should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.Test Methods Stain Performance After Carpet Cleaning Carpets were cleaned with the cleaning formulations described in the following examples and allowed to dry completely. Each carpet was then stained with Kool-Aid cherry flavor for one hour, rinsed with tap water and dried. The carpets were then evaluated for stain resistance using the AATCC scale staining method 175, where l = severely stained and 10 = no stains.

Dirt Performance After Carpet Cleaning The carpet samples were cleaned with the cleaning formulations as described in the following examples and allowed to dry completely. Unless otherwise indicated in the examples, each carpet was then subjected to the accelerated fouling procedure described above, and the Delta E is measured. The Delta E is measured using a Meter Chroma Minolta CR-210. The standard (objective) used to make each Delta E measurement was a new unused "as-is" sample from the carpet that was tested. The color readings were taken in five different areas in the carpet sample and the average Delta E was reported. In the measurement of the Delta E, the standard value (target) of the new carpet sample "as-is" not used first is measured, and this value is stored in the memory of the Chroma Meter. The value of the soiled carpet is then measured by the Chroma Meter, and the Delta E is calculated from it. The Delta E color difference represents the total color difference. A lower Delta E value means the re-suspended resisted by the carpet better than a carpet with a higher Delta E value.

Accelerated Soiling Procedure - A drum crusher (on rollers) is used to drum or roll synthetic dirt over the carpet. The synthetic dirt is prepared as described in AATCC Test Method 123-1995, Section 8. Synthetic dirt contains 38% dark moss peat, 17% Portland cement, 17% kaolin clay, 17% silica 200 mesh, 1.75% carbon black (lamp or black oven), 0.50% red iron oxide and 8.75% mineral oil (medicinal grade). All percentages are percent by weight based on the total weight of the dirt.

Preparation of dirty coated beads - Place 30 grams of synthetic dirt and 1 liter of clean nylon resin beads (Surlyn * ionomer resin beads of 0.3175 - 0.4762 cm (1/8"- 3/16") in diameter) an empty basket or receptacle, clean. Close the lid of the basket or receptacle. Seal with tube tape and rotate the basket on the rollers for 5 minutes. Remove the coated beads with dirt from the basket.

Preparation of carpet samples to insert into the drum - The total sample size was 20.32 x 63.5 cm (8"x 25") for these tests. A test article and a control article were analyzed at the same time. The carpet hair of all the samples should stay in the same direction. Cut the 20.32 cm (8") side of the carpets in the direction of the machine (with the rows of the bunches) .To soil the carpet samples, place a strong adhesive tape on the back side of the pieces. of carpet to keep them together Place the carpet samples in the empty drum crusher, clean with the bunches facing the center of the drum.The carpet is held in place in the drum crusher with rigid wires. resin beads coated with dirt and 250 ce of ball bearings (0.7937 cm (5/16")) diameter in the drum crusher Close the lid of the drum crusher and seal with the pipe tape Run the drum on the rollers for 2 1/2 minutes at 105 rpm Stop the rollers and reverse the direction of the drum crusher, running the drum on the rollers for an additional 2 1/2 minutes 105 rpm. Remove the carpet samples. Suction the carpet evenly to remove excess dirt. Discard the coated beads with dirt.

EXAMPLES Although all of the following examples illute the use of the compositions for cleaning textile fabrics of this invention in carpet cleaning, it will be readily recognized by one skilled in the art that the cleaning formulations of this invention have utility in cleaning other textile fabrics such as upholstery. In all the examples, the cleaning was by extraction with hot water. The cleaning formulations shown in Table I were prepared and used in the examples. All weights of the chemical components (detergent, soil-resistant agent, stain-resistant agent, and colloidal metal complex) shown in Table I are in grams per liter of the formulation. Water was used as the solvent.

TABLE 1 (Grams / Liter of Aqueous Formulation for Cleaning) Example 1 The carpet used in this example was a beige, never used, new, commercially available loop carpet (5,329 kg / square meter (26 oz / yd square)) that has a 6.6 nylon face fiber. The carpet had no treatment with fluorochemicals or stain resistant agents before being cleaned. The carpets were cleaned with the control cleaning formulations and cleaning formulations of this invention.

After cleaning, the carpets were stained and their ability to resist stains was measured according to the test method. The results are shown in Table II.

TABLE II Formulation Evaluation of the spots Control A 2 Control B 7 Sample 1 7 The evaluation of carpet stains cleaned with the formulations of this invention (Sample 1) is at least as good as the evaluation of carpets cleaned with the prior art fabric cleaning formulation containing fluorochemical and resistant to the spots, but without colloidal metal complex (Control B). Both formulations provide much better stain resistance than Control A (detergent without fluorochemical or stain resistant additives). A second set of carpets were cleaned with the control and cleaning formulations of this invention and then the carpets were subjected to an accelerated fouling test as described in the above test methods. The results are shown in Table III.

TABLE III Dirt Performance ? E of the Carpet Treated with Control Samples and Test Formulation against the New Carpet Formulation: Control A Control B Sample 1 19.1 15.2 16.4 7.3 Carpets cleaned with the formulation of this invention (Sample 1) significantly fouled less (delta E smaller) than carpets cleaned with Control A.

Example 2 The effect of carpet conction (which includes pretreatments with agents resistant to stains and dirt). The ability of the cleaning formulations of this invention to prevent re-fouling was determined in this example. Three different carpets were used: "Carpet A" was a commercial carpet of light beige level loops that has 6.6 nylon face fiber and was treated by the mill with a dirt, fluorochemical, topical agent. "Carpet B" was a commercial carpet of short, yellow hair that has fiber of face 6,6 of nylon and was treated with an agent resistant to dirt, fluorochemical, topical by the mill. The "C carpet" was a commercial carpet of light beige-colored loops having face fiber stained with nylon 6,6 solution and not treated by the mill with a fluorochemical, dirt-resistant agent. The results of the accelerated fouling test were shown in Table IV.

TABLE IV Performance in fouling ? E of the Carpet Treated with the Control Samples and the Test Formulation against the New Carpet Carpet A Formulation: Control A Sample 2 Sample 3 Sample 4 12.1 6.4 11.3 6.7 11.5 6.6 Carpet B Formulation: Control A Sample 2 Sample 3 Sample 4 30.7 18.1 35.3 19.9 32.1 18.0 Carpet C Formulation: Control A Sample 2 Sample 3 Sample 4 13.9 5.9 12.5 5.9 11.7 6.6 The carpets cleaned with the cleaning formulations of this invention (Samples 2-4) were significantly less re-denuded than the carpets cleaned with the control formulation. The improvement in re-fouling using the formulations of this invention was evident regardless of whether the carpet had originally been treated with a fluorochemical agent prior to cleaning.

Example 3 The need to have a dirt resistant, fluorochemical agent in the cleaning formulations of this invention was demonstrated in this example. The commercial carpet of yellow level loops (5.329 kg / square meter (26 oz./yd. Square)) having a nylon 6.6 face fiber which had not been treated with the stain resistant, fluorochemical by the mill was used in this example. The carpet was subjected to the accelerated fouling process and the dirt performance test method described above. The results are contained in Table V.

TABLE V Performance in fouling ? E of the Carpet Treated with the Control Samples and the Test Formulation against the New Carpet Formulation: Control A Sample 1 Control C 54.4 12.1 52.9 28.2 Control C contained a stain resistant agent and a colloidal metal complex, but not the fluorochemical, dirt resistant agent. Its ability to prevent re-fouling was significantly poor (delta E = 28.2) than a formulation of this invention (Sample 1) that contained dirt-resistant, fluorochemical, stain resistant agent and colloidal metal complex (delta E = 12.1 ).

Example 4 The effect of changing the type of detergent (mixture of sodium lauryl sulfate against sodium tripolyphosphate / sodium sesquicarbonate) in the re-staining or re-densification was investigated in this example. New pieces of the same carpet used in Example 3 were used in this example. The results of the spotting test are contained in Table VI and the re-skimming test are contained in Table VII.

TABLE VI Performance in Staining After Cleaning Formulation Evaluation of Spotting Control A 1 Control D 1 Sample 5 9 TABLE VII Performance in Soiling After Cleaning ? E of the Carpet Treated with Control Samples and Test Formulation against the New Carpet Formulation: Control A Control D Sample 5 53.7 14.5 52.2 13.4 The cleaning formulations of this invention also yields only in the stain test and the soiling test regardless of whether the detergent is sodium tripolyphosphate / sodium sesquicarbonate or a mixture of sodium lauryl sulfate.

Example 5 This example measured the effect of the cleaning formulations of this invention on the re-fouling of 6 nylon carpets. The carpet used was a commercial-grade, gray-style loop rug that has nylon 6-sided fibers. The face fiber had been treated with an agent resistant to dirt, fluorochemical by the mill. Rather than using the accelerated fouling procedure described in the test method, the carpet was first subjected to traffic in a crowded corridor of an office building by traffic of 260,000 feet of human. The carpet was then cleaned with a formulation for control cleaning and a cleaning formulation of this invention and then exposed to an additional 91,000 feet human traffic. The yield on re-fouling is shown in Table VIII.

TABLE VIII Performance in Fouling after Cleaning ? E of the Carpet Treated with Control Samples and Test Formulation against the New Carpet Formulation: Control A Sample 1 13.0 8.0 In this way, the cleaning formulations of this invention work on nylon 6 carpets as well as nylon 6,6 carpets to prevent re-fouling.

Example 6 The useful level, minimum of ingredients was determined in this example. The carpet used in this example was a new level, never used, new commercial yellow loop carpet (5.329 kg / square meter (26 oz / sq.m.) that has a nylon 6.6 face fiber. No treatment with fluorochemical or stain-resistant agent before being cleaned.The carpets were cleaned with the control cleaning formulation and the cleaning formulations of this invention.After cleaning, the carpets were stained and their ability to Resistant stains were measured according to the test method.The evaluation of carpeting staves 442-2, 430-6, 430-5, 430-4, 430-3, 430-2, 404-6, 404 -5, 404-4, 404-3 and 404-2 were better than the control.These carpets were also subjected to an accelerated fouling test as described in the above methods.The carpets cleaned with the formulations of this invention were soiled significantly less (delta E smaller) that the carpets cleaned with the control. The data of the remanchado and reensuciado are contained in TABLE IX.

TABLE IX DELTA E OF 1 HR WITH (Grams / Liter of Formulation KOOL-AID ENSUCIAMIENTO IN THE DRUM ZONYL LUDOX ZELAN CONT ARTICLE ARTICLE SS-76 7950 HS-40 338 SS-76 OF STAINED TEST Control A 404-2 35.2 35.2 140.8 54.4 12.1 4.5 404-3 17.6 17.6 70.4 56.2 13.9 4 404-4 8.8 8.8 35.2 55.9 17.5 4 404-5 4.4 4.4 17.6 58.5 21.5 3.5 404-6 2.2 2.2 8.8 54.1 22.2 3.5 430-2 1.7 1.7 6.6 48.3 20.3 2.5 430-3 0.8 0.8 3.3 49.5 32.5 2.5 430-4 0.4 0.4 1.7 50.7 38.8 2.5 430-5 0.2 0.2 0.8 50.4 44.4 2 430-6 0.1 0.1 0.4 51.0 47.7 2 442-2 0.05 0.05 0.2 58.4 49.3 1.5 442-3 0.025 0.025 0.1 57.2 54.4 1 442-4 0.013 0.013 0.05 59.0 56.3 1 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.

Having described the invention as above, the content of the following claims is claimed as property.

Claims (26)

1. An aqueous formulation for cleaning, characterized in that it comprises: (a) 4 to 270 grams of a detergent per 3,785 liters (one gallon) of formulation for cleaning, (b) 0.04 to 133 grams of a soil-resistant, fluorochemical agent for 3,785 liters (one gallon) of formulation for cleaning, (c) 0.7 to 536 grams of a stain-resistant agent per 3,785 liters (one gallon) of formulation for cleaning, and (d) 0.04 to 133 grams of material particulate, inorganic selected from the group consisting of clays, colloidal silica, colloidal alumina, titanium dioxide and mixtures thereof by 3,785 liters (one gallon) of formulation for cleaning.

2. An aqueous formulation for cleaning, characterized in that it comprises: (a) 1.3 to 270 grams of a detergent per 3,785 liters (one gallon) of formulation for cleaning, (b) 0.009 to 60 grams of a soil-resistant agent, fluorochemical for 3,785 liters (one gallon) of formulation for cleaning, (c) 0.2 to 134 grams of a stain-resistant agent per 3,785 liters (one gallon) of formulation for cleaning, and (d) 0.01 to 53 grams of particulate, inorganic material selected from the group consisting of clays, colloidal silica, colloidal alumina, titanium dioxide and mixtures thereof by 3,785 liters (one gallon) of formulation for cleaning.

3. The aqueous formulation for cleaning according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the detergent comprises an anionic, cationic, amphoteric or non-ionic surfactant.

4. The aqueous formulation for cleaning according to claim 3, characterized in that the detergent is selected from the group consisting of a mixture of sodium tripolyphosphate and sodium sesquicarbonate; and a mixture of sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium hexadecyl sulfate, and sodium tetradecyl sulfate.

5. The aqueous formulation for cleaning according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fouling resistant agent is a compound selected from the group consisting of copolymers of maleic anhydride hydrolyzed with aliphatic alpha olefins, aromatic olefins or vinyl esters, acid homopolymers methacrylic, and methacrylic acid copolymers.

6. The aqueous formulation for cleaning according to claim 4, characterized in that the detergent is a mixture of sodium tripolyphosphate and sodium sesquicarbonate and the particulate, inorganic material is colloidal silica.

7. The aqueous formulation for cleaning according to claim 4, characterized in that the detergent is a mixture of sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium hexadecyl sulfate and sodium tetradecyl sulfate, and the particulate, inorganic material is colloidal silica.

8. A concentrate for cleaning suitable for making an aqueous formulation for cleaning, characterized in that it comprises: (a) a detergent, (b) a soil-resistant agent, fluorochemical, (c) a stain-resistant agent and (d) a particulate, inorganic material selected from the group consisting of clays, colloidal silica, colloidal alumina, titanium dioxide and mixtures thereof, whereby the concentrate is capable of being diluted with an appropriate amount of water to produce an aqueous formulation for cleaning that has a concentration of 4 to 270 grams of a detergent per 3,785 liters (one gallon) of formulation for cleaning, 0.04 to 133 grams of a dirt-resistant, fluorochemical agent per 3,785 liters (per gallon) of formulation for cleaning, 0.7 to 536 grams of a stain resistant agent per 3,785 liters (per gallon) of formulation for cleaning, and 0.04 to 133 grams of particulate, inorganic material per 3. 785 liters (one gallon) of formulation for cleaning.

9. A concentrate for cleaning suitable for making an aqueous formulation for cleaning, characterized in that it comprises: (a) a detergent, (b) a fouling resistant agent, fluorochemical, (c) a stain resistant agent, and (d) a particulate, inorganic material selected from the group consisting of clays, colloidal silica, colloidal alumina, titanium dioxide and mixtures of the same, whereby the concentrate is capable of being diluted with an appropriate amount of water to produce an aqueous formulation for cleaning having a concentration of 1.3 to 270 grams of detergent per 3,785 liters (one gallon) of formulation for the cleaning, 0.009 to 60 grams of a dirt-resistant agent, fluorochemical for 3,785 liters (one gallon) of formulation for cleaning, 0.2 to 134 grams of a stain-resistant agent per 3,785 liters (one gallon) of formulation for cleaning, and 0.01 to 53 grams of a particulate, inorganic material per 3,785 liters (one gallon) of formulation for cleaning.

10. The concentrate for cleaning according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that it comprises an anionic, cationic, amphoteric or nonionic surfactant.

11. The concentrate for cleaning according to claim 10, characterized in that the detergent is selected from the group consisting of a mixture of sodium tripolyphosphate and sodium sesquicarbonate; and a mixture of sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium hexadecyl sulfate and sodium tetradecyl sulfate.

11. The concentrate for cleaning according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the stain resistant agent is a compound selected from the group consisting of copolymers of maleic anhydride hydrolyzed with aliphatic alpha olefins, aromatic olefins or vinyl ethers, acid homopolymers methacrylic and methacrylic acid copolymers.

13. The concentrate for cleaning according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the detergent is a mixture of sodium tripolyphosphate and sodium sesquicarbonate, and the particulate, inorganic material is colloidal silica.

14. The concentrate for cleaning according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the detergent is a mixture of sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium hexadecyl sulfate and sodium tetradecyl sulfate, and the particulate, inorganic material is colloidal silica.

15. A method for cleaning textile fabrics comprising fibers that have dirt on the surface of the fibers, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: (a) contacting the fibers with a formulation for cleaning comprising a detergent, a resistant agent to dirt, fluorochemical, a stain resistant and particulate, inorganic material selected from the group consisting of clays, colloidal silica, colloidal alumina, titanium dioxide and mixtures thereof in a concentration of: (i) 0.07 to 5 % detergent based on fiber weight, (ii) 0.0008 to 10% dirt resistant agent, fluorochemical based on fiber weight, (iii) 0.01 to 15% stain resistant agent based on fiber weight, and (iv) 0.0008 to 10% particulate, inorganic material based on the weight of the fiber in such a way that at least some of the dirt is released, and (b) removing at least some of the dirt liberated

16. A method for cleaning textile fabrics comprising fibers that have dirt on the surface of the fibers, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: (a) contacting the fibers with an aqueous formulation for cleaning comprising a detergent, an agent resistant to dirt, fluorochemical, a stain resistant agent and a particulate, inorganic material selected from the group consisting of clays, colloidal silica, colloidal alumina, titanium dioxide and mixtures thereof in a concentration of: (i) 0.02 to 5% of detergent based on the weight of the fiber, (ii) 0.0002 to 4.5% of the agent resistant to dirt, fluorochemical based on the weight of the fiber, (iii) 0.0025 to 3.75% of the agent resistant to stains based on weight of fiber, and (iv) 0.0003 to 4.0% particulate, inorganic material based on the weight of the fiber in such a way that at least some of the dirt is released, and (b) removing at least some of the dirt released .

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the detergent in the cleaning formulation comprises an anionic, cationic, amphoteric or nonionic surfactant.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that the detergent is selected from the group consisting of a mixture of sodium tripolyphosphate and sodium sesquicarbonate; and a mixture of sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium hexadecyl sulfate and sodium tetradecyl sulfate.

19. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the stain resistant agent in the cleaning formulation is a compound selected from the group consisting of copolymers of maleic anhydride hydrolyzed with aliphatic alpha olefins, aromatic olefins, or vinyl ethers , methacrylic acid homopolymers and methacrylic acid copolymers.

20. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the detergent in the formulation for cleaning is a mixture of sodium tripolyphosphate and sodium sesquicarbonate and the particulate, inorganic material is colloidal silica.

21. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the detergent in the formulation for cleaning is a mixture of sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium hexadecyl sulfate and sodium tetradecyl sulfate, and the particulate, inorganic material is colloidal silica.

22. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the fibers are brought into contact with the aqueous formulation for cleaning by spraying the formulation that tempts a temperature in the range of room temperature to 71 ° C (160 ° F) on the fibers.

23. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the fibers are brought into contact with an aqueous formulation for cleaning by applying the formulation on the fibers with a sponge.

24. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the fibers are contacted with an aqueous formulation for cleaning by contacting the fibers with a device containing the formulation.

25. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the textile fabric is a carpet.

26. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that the carpet is a nylon carpet.