DE20010121U1 - Kit for treating a carpet with a composition containing a non-irritating surfactant - Google Patents

Description

CaseCM2136B

Kit for treating a carpet with a composition containing a non-irritating surfactant

Pierre Antoine DRESCO Gabriella (NMN) GRIPPAUDO Carlo (NMN) RICCI Luca (NMN) SARCINELLI

Technical application area

The present invention relates to a kit for treating a carpet using a liquid composition. In particular, the present invention relates to a kit for treating a carpet comprising applying a liquid composition to said carpet using an electric spray device, whereby said composition offers the advantage of not irritating mucous membranes.

Background of the invention

Carpets made from synthetic or natural fibers and blends thereof are commonly used for residential and commercial floor coverings. Different types of fibers can be used in the manufacture of carpets,

for example polyamide fibres, polyester fibres as well as wool, cotton or even silk in the case of bridges.

Regardless of whether carpets are made of natural or synthetic fibres, they are all prone to soiling and staining when they come into contact with many household items. Food, fats, oils, and especially drinks such as coffee, tea and soft drinks, especially those containing acidic dyes, can cause unsightly, often dark, stains on carpets. In addition, the fibres can become soiled by dirt particles, clay, dust, i.e. generally particulate dirt that comes into contact with the carpet fibres and adheres to them. This latter type of dirt often appears in the form of a diffuse layer of dirt rather than in the form of stains and it accumulates particularly in the so-called "high-traffic areas", for example near doors, as a result of intensive use of the carpets in these areas.

Liquid compositions for treating carpets are already known from the prior art, as described for example in WO 95/04127. In order to improve the cleaning effect of said liquid compositions, surfactants are added to the carpet cleaning agents, as described for example in EP-A-0 794 244.

Liquid compositions for treating carpets can be applied to a carpet in a variety of ways, for example using manually operated spray devices, for example hand-operated trigger spray devices, pressurized aerosol spray dispensers, for example pressurized aerosol cans, electrically operated spray devices and the like. However, it is difficult to treat large areas, for example carpets, with manually operated spray devices or with pressurized aerosol spray dispensers (spray cans). The large surface area to be treated requires the application of a large amount

of the liquid composition. Pressurized aerosol spray dispensers only deliver a limited amount of product and have a negative impact on the environment. Manually operated sprayers require repeated manual operation of the device to apply the composition to the large surface area. This is tedious for the consumer and results in uneven distribution of the liquid composition on the treated surface. Therefore, electrically operated sprayers are the preferred form for applying liquid carpet treatment compositions. Electrically operated sprayers for use in carpet treatment are already known from the prior art, for example described in the pending patent application PCT/US99/07347.

However, liquid carpet treatment compositions containing a surfactant and applied to a carpet using an electrically operated spray device may cause irritation of the mucous membranes in the user of said spray device or in others standing nearby when the composition is sprayed onto the carpet. During application of the liquid composition, the electrically operated spray device forms a spray of fine droplets of said composition. This fine droplet spray comprises droplets small enough to form an aerosol or a droplet mist. This aerosol is at least partially suspended in the air for a limited period of time and thus can be inhaled by the user or those standing nearby. When the inhaled composition contains a surfactant, it has been found that these compositions can cause irritation of the mucous membranes, for example in the nose, mouth, throat or eyes.

The aim of the present invention is therefore to provide a kit for treating a carpet, which comprises applying a liquid composition to the carpet using an electrical

Spray device so that the user or those nearby are not affected by irritation of the mucous membranes.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a kit for treating a carpet which provides an excellent overall cleaning effect on various types of stains, e.g. particulate stains, grease stains, bleachable stains and/or enzymatic stains.

It has now been found that the above-mentioned objects can be achieved with a kit according to the invention for treating a carpet.

An advantage of the carpet treatment kit according to the invention is that said kit provides the consumer with a safe, easy and quick way to clean a carpet, which at the same time also provides an excellent overall cleaning effect.

The carpet cleaning kit according to the invention particularly advantageously provides an excellent cleaning effect when used both for cleaning entire carpets and for cleaning localized carpet stains.

An excellent cleaning effect is advantageously achieved on different types of stains and soiling, such as enzymatic stains as well as particulate stains and/or grease stains, especially in heavily soiled so-called "high-traffic areas".

Another advantage of the present invention is that the carpet treatment kit is applicable to all types of carpets, especially for sensitive natural fibers. The present invention can be conveniently

can also be used to clean hard-wearing textiles and fabrics, such as upholstery, bridges, curtains.

Yet another advantage of the carpet treatment kit and the compositions according to the invention is that they can be applied directly to the carpet without causing any damage. In particular, the compositions used in the kit according to the invention are safe for all known carpet dyes, even for the particularly sensitive natural dyes that are well known. 10

Technical background

Certain surfactants are known to have the advantage of being low in irritation to the skin, eyes and/or mucous membranes. For example, EP-A-0 396 340, JP-A-07197079 and GB 2 236 321 describe compositions containing sulfosuccinate surfactants which have the advantage of being low in irritation to the skin, eyes and/or mucous membranes. However, spray applications are not described therein.

DE-OS-21 16 147 describes a sprayable carpet cleaning shampoo which contains a specific sulfosuccinamate surfactant, a sodium lauryl sulfate and a specific sulfosuccinate surfactant. In addition, said carpet cleaning shampoo offers the advantage that it does not irritate the mucous membrane due to the presence of the surfactant system. However, carpet cleaning compositions which are applied to the carpet using an electric spray device are not described therein.

Summary of the invention

The present invention relates to a kit for treating a carpet, comprising

(a) a liquid carpet treatment composition containing an anionic surfactant classified as non-irritating to mucous membranes as determined by a solution containing 5% active surfactant using the Draize test method, and

(b) an electric spray device for applying said liquid composition to said carpet, whereby said composition offers the advantage of not irritating mucous membranes when sprayed onto said carpet.

In a preferred embodiment, said composition further contains a peroxy bleach.

Detailed description of the invention Method for treating a carpet

The kit of the invention is used in a method of treating a carpet which comprises applying a liquid composition to said carpet using an electric spray device, said composition containing a non-irritating anionic surfactant as described herein.

In a preferred embodiment, said method comprises the steps of applying said composition to the surface of the carpet and allowing said composition to substantially dry on the carpet. Most preferably, said method of treating a carpet further comprises the step of removing said composition, and most preferably, said method of treating a carpet further comprises the step of removing said composition in combination with soil particles.

In another embodiment, said method comprises the steps of applying said composition to portions, preferably heavily soiled portions, of the carpet, mechanically rubbing (agitating) the composition with a device into the soiled portions of the carpet surface, and allowing said composition to substantially dry on the carpet. More preferably, the method of treating a carpet further comprises the step of removing said composition, most preferably, the method of treating a carpet further comprises the step of removing said composition in combination with soil particles. A variety of devices may be used to effect the mechanical rubbing (agitating), such as brushes, paper towels, the human finger, and the like. Said mechanical rubbing enables the liquid composition to penetrate better into the carpet fibers and thereby improves the chemical cleaning action of said composition. In addition, this contact loosens the soil particles forming the stain.

In the method described above, the composition is applied to the carpet using an electrically operated spray device. Said spray device is preferably a container having at least one opening through which the composition is dispensed (distributed) to form a droplet spray.

These electrically operated spray devices may comprise a means for dispensing the composition by means of a pump (a "pump spray dispenser"). Said electrically operated spray devices are particularly preferred when a large area is to be treated and/or when a large amount of product is to be applied to a heavily soiled area ("stain") of the carpet, as they facilitate the use (application) of the composition by the consumer. Said electrically operated

operated spray devices ensure even coverage of the area to be treated.

A preferred electrically operated spray device according to the invention is a container in which the means for dispensing the composition comprises an electrically driven pump and a spray arm. Said spray arm is either long or extendible and has at least one opening so that in operation the composition is pumped by said electrically driven pump from the container through the spray arm to the opening from which it is dispensed. Preferably the spray arm is connected to the container by means of a flexible connecting means. The spray arm may have at least one opening arranged along its length. The spray arm facilitates control of where the composition is sprayed, thereby increasing the accuracy with which the composition is applied. The electrically driven pump may be, for example, a gear pump, an impeller pump, a piston pump, a screw pump, a peristaltic pump, a diaphragm pump or any other miniature pump. In a particularly preferred embodiment the electrically driven pump used in the invention is a gear pump with a typical speed of between 6000 and 12,000 rpm. The electrically driven pump is driven by a device that typically generates a torque of between 1 and 20 mN.m, for example an electric motor. The electric motor must in turn be connected to a power source. The power source can be either mains electricity (possibly via a transformer) or a disposable or rechargeable battery. The spray arm can be rigid and long. However, such a spray arm is difficult to store and therefore the spray arm is preferably extendible, either by means of a telescopic or a folding configuration.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the composition is in the form of a spray of droplets having a particle size distribution of

a mean diameter D(v,0,9) of less than 1500 pm, preferably less than 1000 pm, particularly preferably less than 750 pm, very particularly preferably less than 500 pm and most preferably from 350 to 10 pm applied to the carpet.
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The expression "mean diameter D(v,0,9) of less than 1500 pm" used here for the droplet size distribution means that 90% of the delivered droplet spray (expressed in terms of volume unit) has a droplet diameter of less than 1500 pm. For example, a "D(v,0,9) of less than 1500 pm" indicates that 90% of the total sprayed volume is distributed in the form of droplets whose diameter is less than 1500 pm.

The particle size distribution of a droplet spray can be determined using the procedure described in more detail below:

A suitable test device is the Malvern Mastersizer S Long Bed® with a 1000 mm lens and a maximum particle size range of 3475 pm. The Malvern Mastersizer S Long Bed® has a 21 cm aperture (between its lenses) for receiving the spray stream. In all readings on the Malvern®, the lens surface must be free of spray contamination. In the set-up procedure of the invention, the distance between the nozzle and the laser was set at 8 cm to minimize lens contamination. At a distance of 8 cm, the spray was directed at the laser beam to locate the laser center on the spray cone. For each composition sprayed, at least three readings must be taken to determine the particle size distribution of the droplet spray. The electrically powered spray device to be used in the test according to the invention is preferably a battery powered system. When such a battery powered system is used, a "full charge test" is carried out. Under a "VoIIIa-

The term "current test" here means that the current is kept constant by connecting the battery-operated spray dispenser to a 3.9 volt direct current (vdc) from an external power source, thereby maintaining a constant spray force.
5

Any container capable of delivering a spray of droplets as defined herein is suitable for use in accordance with the invention. Several modifications may be made to a conventional single orifice spray head to ensure that a spray of droplets as required herein is formed.

The amount of the carpet treating compositions of the invention applied will depend on the severity of the stain or soiling. In the case of stubborn stains, more than one application may be necessary to ensure complete removal of the stain.

The area to be treated by applying the compositions of the invention may be of any size. In fact, parts of the carpets, a complete section and/or the entire carpet may be treated with the composition of the invention for treating a carpet.

In a preferred embodiment, the composition applied to the carpet is allowed to substantially dry. Typically, the composition is allowed to dry on the carpet for less than 2 hours, preferably less than 1 hour, more preferably less than 40 minutes, most preferably 1 to 30 minutes, and most preferably 1 to 20 minutes.
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Preferably, the step of allowing the composition to dry on the carpet (the drying step) may be either an "active drying step"

or a "passive drying step". An "active drying step" is understood here to mean the performance of an additional operation to facilitate the evaporation of the volatile components of the liquid composition described here, preferably by heating the carpet and/or the liquid composition applied thereto, preferably by heating by supplying hot air, infrared radiation and the like. A "passive drying step" is understood here to mean the evaporation of the volatile components of the liquid composition described here without performing an additional operation.

By "substantially dry" is meant the stage at which at least 40%, preferably at least 60%, of the initial amount of composition distributed on the carpet has been lost by evaporation.

The step of allowing the composition to dry on the carpet is of course carried out under "normal temperature" and under "normal humidity conditions". By "normal temperature conditions" we mean 15 to 25 ⁰ C, preferably 20 to 25 ⁰ C. By "normal humidity conditions" we mean 40 to 80% RH (relative humidity), preferably 50 to 65% RH.

Namely, said composition may be allowed to dry substantially until said composition has combined with the soil to form substantially dry residues. Preferably, said composition, more preferably said substantially dry residues, are then removed from the carpet. Most preferably, said substantially dry residues are removed mechanically, for example by brushing, by beating and/or by vacuum cleaning. The latter may be carried out using a commercially available vacuum cleaner such as a standard Hoover® 1300W vacuum device.

According to the invention, the compositions described here can be used to remove stains and dirt as well as odors from carpets or durable textiles and fabrics, for example upholstery. In addition, the compositions according to the invention can be used to sanitize, disinfect and/or eradicate micro-insects in carpets or durable textiles and fabrics, for example upholstery, rugs, curtains.

composition

The compositions of the invention are formulated as liquid compositions. Preferred compositions of the invention are aqueous compositions and therefore they particularly preferably comprise water in an amount of from 60 to 98%, even more preferably from 80 to 97% and most preferably from 85 to 97%, based on the weight of the total composition.

The pH of the liquid compositions according to the invention can generally be 1 to 14. In a preferred embodiment, the recommended pH range is 1 to 10, preferably 2 to 8, particularly preferably 3 to 7 and most preferably 3.5 to 6.5. It has been surprisingly found that the cleaning effect is further improved at these preferred pH ranges. These preferred pH ranges also contribute to the stability of hydrogen peroxide when present. The compositions according to the invention can therefore also contain an acid or a base to adjust the appropriate pH.

Acids preferably used according to the invention are organic or inorganic acids or mixtures thereof. Preferred organic acids are acetic acid or citric acid or a mixture thereof. Preferred inorganic

Organic acids are sulfuric acid or phosphoric acid or a mixture thereof. A particularly preferred acid for use in the invention is an inorganic acid and most preferred is sulfuric acid.
5

The typical levels of these acids, when present, are from 0.01 to 1.0%, preferably from 0.05 to 0.8%, and most preferably from 0.1 to 0.5%, by weight of the total composition.

The bases to be used according to the invention can be organic or inorganic bases. Bases suitable for use according to the invention are the alkali bases such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and/or lithium hydroxide and/or the alkali metal oxides such as sodium and/or potassium oxide or mixtures thereof. A preferred base is an alkali base, particularly preferred is sodium hydroxide and/or potassium hydroxide.

Other suitable bases include ammonia, ammonium carbonate and bicarbonate. Typical levels of these bases, when present, are from 0.01 to 1.0%, preferably from 0.05 to 0.8%, and most preferably from 0.1 to 0.5% by weight based on the weight of the total composition.

Non-irritating anionic surfactant

As an essential ingredient, the composition according to the invention comprises a non-irritating anionic surfactant which is classified as non-irritating to mucous membranes, determined in the form of a solution containing 5% active surfactant using the Draize test method.

As a rule, the compositions according to the invention may contain up to 50%, preferably 0.1 to 20%, more preferably 0.5 to 10% and most preferably 1 to 5% of said non-irritating anionic surfactant, based on the weight of the total composition.

Preferably, said non-irritating anionic surfactant is a non-irritating anionic surfactant which is rated as non-irritating to mucous membranes as determined from a solution containing 10% active surfactant using the Draize test method. More preferably, said non-irritating anionic surfactant is a non-irritating anionic surfactant which is rated as non-irritating to mucous membranes as determined from a solution containing 20% active surfactant using the Draize test method.

The Draize test method (J. H. Draize, "Appraisal of the Safety of Chemicals in Foods, Drugs and Cosmetics", Assoc. Food Drug Officials, U.S., Topeka, Kansas, 1959) is used to test ingredients (e.g. surfactants) in food, drugs and/or cosmetic products for their properties that irritate skin, eyes, mucous membranes, etc.

A typical test procedure using the Draize test method involves the use of 6 to 9 rabbits. Rabbits are used non-traditionally because of their body size and their ready availability. A predetermined amount (e.g., 0.1 ml) and concentration (e.g., a solution containing 5% active surfactant, preferably a solution containing 10% active surfactant, more preferably a solution containing 20% active surfactant) of the test substance is instilled, applied, or sprayed into the lower eyelid of one eye of each rabbit, with the untreated eye serving as a control. The resulting eye damage is visually assessed by an expert who assesses the degree of irritation (e.g., as evidenced by red coloration) at intervals of 1, 24, 48, 72, and 168 hours after exposure, and who subjectively establishes an irritation score for the test substance. The assessment is made on the basis of red coloration of the cornea and inflammation of the iris and conjunctiva. The level of overall irritation is determined using a numerical scale from 0 to 110, with 110 being the highest level of irritation. A rating between 0 and 10 is required to define a chemical substance as "non-irritating", i.e. the

Substance (for example, the surfactant) is "rated" as non-irritating to mucous membranes. A rating between 11 and 25 defines a chemical substance as a weak (mild) irritant. A rating between 26 and 56 defines the chemical substance as a moderate irritant. A rating between 57 and 110 defines the chemical substance as a strong (severe) irritant.

It has now been found that the benefit of non-irritating properties is achieved when a non-irritating anionic surfactant as described herein is used in a composition which is applied to a carpet using an electric sprayer. The said benefit of non-irritating properties is manifested as a reduction or even absence of irritation to the mucous membranes of the user of an electric sprayer or of persons standing close to him.

By "reduced mucous membrane irritation" is meant that the irritation to the mucous membranes of the user of an electric spray device spraying a non-irritating anionic surfactant as described herein, or those standing in the vicinity thereof, is reduced as compared to the mucous membrane irritation that may occur when an anionic surfactant is used in the sprayed composition that is not rated as non-irritating to mucous membranes, as determined with a 5% active surfactant solution using the Draize test method.

Suitable non-irritating anionic surfactants as described in the invention are selected from the group consisting of sarcosinate surfactants, sulfosuccinate surfactants, alkylsulfonate surfactants, alkylsulfate surfactants, sulfosuccinamate surfactants, sulfosuccinamide surfactants, carboxylate surfactants and mixtures thereof. Preferably, said non-irritating anionic surfactants are selected from the group consisting of sarcosinate surfactants, sulfosuccinate surfactants, alkylsulfonate surfactants, alkylsulfate surfactants, carboxylate surfactants and mixtures thereof. Particularly preferred

Preferably, the non-irritating anionic surfactants mentioned are selected from the group consisting of sarcosinate surfactants, sulfosuccinate surfactants, alkylsulfonate surfactants, alkyl sulfate surfactants and mixtures thereof. Most preferably, the non-irritating anionic surfactants mentioned are selected from the group consisting of sulfosuccinate surfactants, alkyl sulfate surfactants, alkylsulfonate surfactants and mixtures thereof. Most preferably, the non-irritating anionic surfactants mentioned are selected from the group consisting of sulfosuccinate surfactants, alkyl sulfate surfactants and mixtures thereof. Particularly preferred non-irritating anionic surfactants as used according to the invention are sulfosuccinate surfactants.

Sulfosuccinate surfactants have been found not only to be non-irritating or less irritating to mucous membranes than other surfactants, but they have also been found to reduce the irritation caused by other surfactants when used in combination with them (see "Surfactant Science Series, Anionic Surfactants, Organic Chemistry", Volume 56, p. 341, Marcel Dekker, Inc. NY and Basel).

Suitable sulfosuccinate surfactants are those of the formula

where:

Ri is hydrogen or a hydrocarbon group selected from the group consisting of straight (unbranched) or branched alkyl radicals having 6 to 20, preferably 8 to 18, particularly preferably 10 to 16 carbon atoms, and alkylphenyl radicals having 6 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl group;

'R ₂ is a hydrocarbon group selected from the group consisting of straight (unbranched) or branched alkyl radicals having 6 to 20,

preferably 8 to 18, particularly preferably 10 to 16 carbon atoms and alkylphenyl radicals having 6 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl group; and

M is hydrogen or a cationic radical, for example an alkali metal cation (e.g. sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, magnesium and the like) or ammonium or substituted ammonium (e.g. methyl, dimethyl and trimethylammonium cations) and quaternary ammonium cations (such as tetramethylammonium and dimethylpiperidinium cations) and quaternary ammonium cations derived from alkylamines such as ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine and mixtures thereof, and the like.

Such sulfosuccinate surfactants are commercially available under the trade names Aerosol® from Cytec, Anionyx® from Stepan, Arylene® from Hart, Setacin® from Zschimmer & Schwarz, Mackanate® from Mclntyre and Monawet® from Mona Industries.

Suitable alkyl sulfonate surfactants for use according to the invention include water-soluble salts or acids of the formula RSO3M, wherein R is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C ₆ -C ₂ O alkyl group, preferably C s -C 18 alkyl group and particularly preferably C ₁₀ -C 16 alkyl group and M is H or a cation, for example an alkali metal cation (such as sodium, potassium, lithium) or ammonium or substituted ammonium (such as methyl, dimethyl and trimethylammonium cations) and quaternary ammonium cations (such as tetramethylammonium and dimethylpiperidinium cations) and quaternary ammonium cations derived from alkylamines such as ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, and mixtures thereof, and the like.

An example of a C ₁₄ -C ₆ alkyl sulfonate is Hostapur® SAS, available from Hoechst.

Suitable alkyl sulfate surfactants for use according to the invention are those of the formula R1SO4M, wherein R ₁ is a hydrocarbon group selected from the group consisting of straight (unbranched) or branched alkyl radicals having 6 to 20, preferably 8 to 18, particularly preferably 10 to 16 carbon atoms and alkylphenyl radicals having 6 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl group; M is H or a cation, for example an alkali metal cation (such as sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, magnesium and the like) or ammonium or substituted ammonium (such as methyl, dimethyl and trimethylammonium cations) and quaternary ammonium cations (such as tetramethylammonium and dimethylpiperidinium cations) and quaternary ammonium cations derived from alkylamines such as ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine and mixtures thereof, and the like.

A "linear alkyl sulfate or sulfonate" is understood here to mean a non-substituted alkyl sulfate or sulfonate in which the alkyl chain comprises 6 to 20, preferably 8 to 18 and particularly preferably 10 to 16 carbon atoms and in which this alkyl chain is sulfated or sulfonated at one end.

A "branched sulfonate or sulfate" is understood here to mean an alkyl chain having a total of 6 to 20, preferably 8 to 18 and particularly preferably 10 to 16 carbon atoms, wherein the main alkyl chain is substituted by at least one other alkyl chain and the alkyl chain is sulfated or sulfonated at one end.

Particularly preferred branched alkyl sulfates for use in the present invention are those having 10 to 14 carbon atoms such as Isalchem 123 AS®. Isalchem 123 AS® is commercially available from Enichem as a C12-13 surfactant which is 94% branched. This material can be described as CH3-(CH2)m-CH(CH2OSO ₃ Na)-(CH2)n-CH3, where n+m=8-9. Also preferred alkyl sulfates are the alkyl sulfates in which the alkyl chain comprises a total of carbon atoms, ie sodium 2-butyloctyl sulfate. This alkyl sulfate is commercially available from Condea under the trade name Isofol®

12S. A particularly suitable linear alkyl sulfonate includes C ₁₂ -C ₁₆ paraffin sulfonate such as Hostapur® SAS, commercially available from Hoechst.

Sulfosuccinamate surfactants suitable for use according to the invention are those of the formula

2M ^T

wherein R ₁ and R ₂ each independently represent a hydrocarbon group selected from the group consisting of straight (unbranched) or branched alkyl radicals having 6 to 20, preferably 8 to 18, particularly preferably 10 to 16 carbon atoms and alkylphenyl radicals having 6 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl group. M represents H or a cation, for example an alkali metal cation (such as sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, magnesium and the like) or ammonium or substituted ammonium (such as methyl, dimethyl and trimethylammonium cations) and quaternary ammonium cations (such as tetramethylammonium and dimethylpiperidinium cations) and quaternary ammonium cations derived from alkylamines such as ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine and mixtures thereof, and the like.

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Sulfosuccinamide surfactants suitable for use according to the invention are those of the formula

■i\

wherein R ₁ and R ₂ each independently represent a hydrocarbon group selected from the group consisting of straight (unbranched) or branched alkyl radicals having 6 to 20, preferably 8 to 18, particularly preferably 10 to 16 carbon atoms and alkylphenyl radicals containing 6 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl group. M represents H or a cation, e.g. an alkali metal cation (such as sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, magnesium and the like) or ammonium or substituted ammonium (e.g. methyl, dimethyl and trimethylammonium cations) and quaternary ammonium cations (such as tetramethylammonium and dimethylpiperidinium cations) and quaternary ammonium cations derived from alkylamines such as ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine and mixtures thereof, and the like.

Alkyl carboxylate surfactants suitable for use in accordance with the invention are those of the formula RCO ₂ M, wherein R is a hydrocarbon group selected from the group consisting of straight (unbranched) or branched alkyl radicals having 6 to 20, preferably 8 to 18, particularly preferably 10 to 16 carbon atoms and alkylphenyl radicals containing 6 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain. M is H or a cation, for example an alkali metal cation (such as sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, magnesium and the like) or ammonium or substituted ammonium (such as methyl, dimethyl and trimethylammonium cations) and quaternary ammonium cations (such as tetramethylammonium and dimethylpiperidinium cations) and quaternary ammonium cations derived from alkylamines such as ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine and mixtures thereof, and the like.

Sarcosinate surfactants suitable for use according to the invention include acyl sarcosinates or mixtures thereof in their acid and/or salt form, preferably long-chain acyl sarcosinates of the following formula

O
30

CH ₃ Ö

where M is hydrogen or a cationic radical and R is an alkyl group with 11 to 15, preferably 11 to 13 carbon atoms. M preferably represents hydrogen and alkali metal salts, in particular sodium and potassium. The acyl sarcosinate surfactants mentioned are derived from natural fatty acids and the amino acid sarcosine (N-methylglycine). They are suitable for use in the form of an aqueous solution of their salt or in their acid form as a powder. Since they are derivatives of natural fatty acids, the acyl sarcosinates mentioned are quickly and completely biodegradable and they are well tolerated by the skin.

Particularly preferred long-chain acyl sarcosinates for use according to the invention therefore include C 12 acyl sarcosinate, i.e. an acyl sarcosinate having the formula given above, in which M is hydrogen and R is an alkyl group having 11 carbon atoms, sodium N-lauroyl sarcosinate, i.e. an acyl sarcosinate having the formula given above, in which M is sodium and R is an alkyl group having 11 carbon atoms, and C-14 acyl sarcosinate, i.e. an acyl sarcosinate having the formula given above, in which M is hydrogen and R is an alkyl group having 13 carbon atoms. Sodium N-lauroyl sarcosinate is commercially available, for example as Hamposyl L30®, from Hampshire, or as Crodasinic LS30® from Croda. Cu-acyl sarcosinate is commercially available, for example as Hamposyl M30® from Hampshire or as Crodasinic MS30® from Croda.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, said non-irritating anionic surfactant is a mixture of a sulfosuccinate surfactant and a second non-irritating anionic surfactant. The non-irritating anionic surfactant is particularly preferably a mixture of a sulfosuccinate surfactant and a sulfonate surfactant. Such a mixture of a sulfosuccinate surfactant and a sulfonate surfactant is commercially available under the trade name Zoharpon® from Zohar.

The compositions used in the carpet treatment kit according to the invention provide an excellent cleaning effect on various types of dirt, such as diffuse dirt (e.g. particulate and/or greasy dirt) which tends to accumulate in the so-called "frequently trafficked areas", but they also have a good cleaning effect on other types of stains or soiling, i.e. enzymatic stains such as blood.

The term "high traffic areas" here refers to areas where the carpets are used intensively in areas such as near doors.

The term "particulate stains" refers to any soiling or stains of a particulate nature that may be found on a carpet, such as clay, dirt, dust, mud, concrete, etc.

The term "greasy/oily stains" here refers to soiling or stains of a greasy/oily nature such as those found on a carpet, such as makeup, lipstick, dirty motor oil and mineral oil, greasy foods such as mayonnaise and spaghetti sauce.

The term "enzymatic stains" refers to any dirt or stains of an enzymatic nature that can be found on a carpet, such as grass.

The cleaning effect of a given composition on a soiled carpet can be evaluated by the following test procedure: a liquid composition according to the invention is first applied to the stained portion of the carpet, preferably sprayed on, allowed to act for 1 to 60 minutes, preferably 30 minutes, then the carpet is cleaned using commercially available vacuum cleaners such as

eg a standard Hoover® 1300W vacuum. The soils used in this test can be particulate stains, greasy/oily stains or enzymatic stains as described above. The cleaning effectiveness can be assessed visually using a panel that indicates the cleaning effectiveness in rating units.

Optional Ingredients Peroxv Bleach

As an optional but highly preferred ingredient, the compositions of the invention may contain a peroxy bleach.

Suitable peroxy bleaches for use in the present invention are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen peroxide; water-soluble sources of hydrogen peroxide; organic or inorganic peracids; hydroperoxides; diacyl peroxides and mixtures thereof.

As used herein, the term hydrogen peroxide source refers to any compound capable of forming perhydroxyl ions when said compound comes into contact with water. Suitable water-soluble sources of hydrogen peroxide for use in the present invention are selected from the group consisting of percarbonates, perborates and persilicates and mixtures thereof.

Suitable diacyl peroxides for use according to the invention are selected from the group consisting of aliphatic, aromatic and aliphatic-aromatic diacyl peroxides and mixtures thereof.

Suitable aliphatic diacyl peroxides for use according to the invention are diiauroyl peroxide, didecanoyl peroxide, dimyristoyl peroxide or mixtures thereof. A suitable aromatic diacyl peroxide for use according to the invention

For example, benzoyl peroxide is used. A suitable aliphatic-aromatic diacyl peroxide for use according to the invention is, for example, lauroyl benzoyl peroxide. These diacyl peroxides have the advantage that they are particularly safe for carpets and carpet dyes, while at the same time providing an excellent bleaching effect.

Suitable organic or inorganic peracids for use according to the invention are selected from the group consisting of persulfates such as monopersulfate; peroxyacids such as diperoxydodecanedioic acid (DPDA); magnesium perphthalic acid; perlauric acid; perbenzoic and alkylperbenzoic acid and mixtures thereof.

Suitable hydroperoxides for use in the present invention are selected from the group consisting of tert-butyl hydroperoxide, cumyl hydroperoxide, 2,4,4-trimethylpentyl-2-hydroperoxide, diisopropylbenzene monohydroperoxide, tert-amyl hydroperoxide and 2,5-dimethylhexane-2,5-dihydroperoxide and mixtures thereof. These hydroperoxides have the advantage of being particularly safe for carpets and carpet dyes while providing excellent bleaching action.

Peroxy bleaching agents preferred according to the invention are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen peroxide; water-soluble sources of hydroperoxide; organic or inorganic peracids; hydroperoxides; and diacyl peroxides and mixtures thereof. Peroxy bleaching agents particularly preferred according to the invention are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen peroxide, water-soluble sources of hydrogen peroxide and diacyl peroxides and mixtures thereof. Peroxy bleaching agents very particularly preferred according to the invention are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen peroxide, water-soluble sources of hydrogen peroxide, aliphatic diacyl peroxides, aromatic diacyl peroxides and aliphatic-aromatic diacyl peroxides and mixtures thereof. The peroxy bleaching agents according to the invention

The most preferred peroxy bleaches are hydrogen peroxide, water-soluble sources of hydrogen, or mixtures thereof.

As a rule, the liquid compositions according to the invention contain 0.01 to 20, preferably 0.5 to 10 and particularly preferably 1 to 7% by weight of a peroxy bleaching agent or a mixture thereof, based on the weight of the total composition.

The presence of a peroxy bleach in preferred compositions used in the carpet treatment kit of the invention contributes to the excellent cleaning and sanitizing effect of the compositions of the invention on various types of soils, for example point stains such as bleachable stains (e.g. coffee, beverages, food). 15

As used herein, the term "bleachable stains" means any soil or stain that contains ingredients sensitive to bleach, such as those found on a carpet, such as coffee or tea. 20

Agents to prevent re-soiling (dirt-repellent agents)

The compositions described herein may contain, as a particularly preferred optional ingredient, an anti-resoiling agent (soil-resistant agent). Suitable anti-resoiling agents (soil-resistant agents) include soil-resistant polymers.

Suitable poly(vinyl methyl ether/maleic acid) copolymers are those of the general formula

'( COOH

_OCH3COOH

wherein η (the degree of polymerization) is an integer from 50 to 1600, preferably from 100 to 800, particularly preferably from 200 to 400.

Suitable poly(vinyl methyl ether/maleic acid) copolymers for use according to the invention therefore have an average molecular weight of from 1,000 to 10,000, preferably from 10,000 to 1,000,000, more preferably from 10,000 to 500,000 and most preferably from 50,000 to 100,000.

Suitable poly(vinyl methyl ether/maleic acid) copolymers are commercially available, for example, from ISP Corporation, New York, NY, and Montreal, Canada, under the product names Gantrez AN Copolymer® (AN-119 copolymer, average molecular weight 20,000; AN-139 copolymer, average molecular weight 41,000; AN-149 copolymer, average molecular weight 50,000; AN-169 copolymer, average molecular weight 67,000; AN-179 copolymer, average molecular weight 80,000), Gantrez S® (Gantrez S97®, average molecular weight 70,000) and Gantrez ES® (ES-225, ES-335, ES-425, ES-435), Gantrez V® (V-215, V-225, V-425).

The poly(vinyl methyl ether/maleic acid) copolymers are preferably either crosslinked or non-crosslinked, i.e. linear. The poly(vinyl methyl ether/maleic acid) copolymers are particularly preferably non-crosslinked.

Suitable soil-repellent polymers include soil-suspending polyamine polymers. Any soil-suspending polyamine polymer known to those skilled in the art may also be used in accordance with the invention. Particularly suitable polyamine polymers for use in accordance with the invention are alkoxylated polyamines.

These materials can be conveniently represented as molecules with the empirical structures with repeating units:

_[N R] η Amine form

(Alkoxy)y

and

R] &eegr; nX" quatemized form

(Alkoxy)y

where:

R is a hydrocarbyl group having usually 2 to 6 carbon atoms; Ri is a Ci-Cao hydrocarbon group;
the alkoxy groups ethoxy, propoxy and the like;

y is a number from 2 to 30, most preferably from 7 to 20;

η is an integer of at least 2, preferably from 2 to 40, most preferably from 2 to 5; and

X' is an anion such as halide or methyl sulfate resulting from the quaternization reaction.

The most preferred polyamines for use according to the invention are the so-called ethoxylated polyethyleneamines, i.e. the polymerized reaction product of ethylene oxide with ethyleneimine of the general formula:

(EtO)y [N CH ₂ CH ₂ ] ? N(EtO) _y

(EtO) _y (EtO) _y

where y is a number from 2 to 50, preferably from 5 to 30, and η is a number from 1 to 40, preferably from 2 to 40. Particularly preferred for

the use according to the invention is an ethoxylated polyethyleneamine, in particular an ethoxylated polyethyleneamine wherein η = 2 and y = 20, and an ethoxylated polyethyleneamine wherein wherein η = 40 and y = 7.

Suitable ethoxylated polyethyleneamines are commercially available from Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd. under the product names ESP-0620A® (an ethoxylated polyethyleneamine where η = 2 and y = 20) or from BASF under the product names ES-8165 and from BASF under the product names LUTENSIT K-187/50® (an ethoxylated polyethyleneamine where η = 40 and y = 7).

Suitable soil-repellent polymers also include polyamine N-oxide polymers. Suitable polyamine N-oxide polymers for use in the invention are those of the following formula RA _x -P which contain at least one N-oxide group (NO group), wherein P is a polymerizable unit to which an NO group may be attached and/or the NO group may be part of the polymerizable unit, and wherein A is one of the following structures:

O O O

Il Il Il I

-NC--CO--C--N- -O- -S-;

wherein χ is 0 or 1 and R is an aliphatic, ethoxylated aliphatic, aromatic, heterocyclic or alicyclic group or any combination thereof in which the N-O group may be bonded to R or the nitrogen atom of the N-O group forms part of R.

An "N-O group" is understood to mean one of the following general structures:

oO

&igr;&igr; ■

(Ri)x- N-(R ₂ V =N-(Ri) _x (R ₃ )z

wherein R-i, R2, R3 are aliphatic, aromatic, heterocyclic or acyclic groups or combinations thereof; x, y and ζ are 0 or 1; and the nitrogen atom of the N-O group may be bonded to or form part of any of the above groups.

Any polymerizable P unit may be used so long as the amine oxide polymer formed is water soluble and imparts beneficial carpet cleaning and/or carpet soil release properties to the carpet treatment composition. Preferred polymerizable P units are vinyl, alkylenes, esters, ethers, amides, imides, acrylates and mixtures thereof. A particularly preferred polymerizable P unit is vinyl.

Preferred polyamine N-oxide polymers are those in which R is a heterocyclic group such as pyridine, pyrrole, imidazole or a derivative thereof to which the nitrogen atom of the N-O group may be attached or in which the N-O group may be part of these groups. The most preferred polyamine N-oxide polymers are those in which R is a pyridine.

The polyamine N-oxide polymer can be obtained in almost any degree of polymerization. Typically, the average molecular weight is within the range of 1,000 to 100,000, more preferably 5,000 to 100,000, most preferably 5,000 to 25,000.

Suitable polyamine N-oxide polymers are polyvinylpyridine N-oxide polymers wherein the polymerizable unit P is vinyl; x=0 and R is pyridine of which the nitrogen atom of the N-O group is a part.

Suitable polyvinylpyridine N-oxide polymers are commercially available from Hoechst under the trade name Hoe S 4268® and from Reilly Industries Inc. under the trade name PVNO.

In addition, suitable soil-resistant polymers include N-vinyl polymers. Suitable N-vinyl polymers include polyvinylpyrrolidone polymers, copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole, copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and acrylic acid, and mixtures thereof.

Suitable copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole polymers (hereinafter referred to as "PVPVI" class) are those of the formula

H
—C-CH ₂ -

C-CH ₂ -N

^L N

in which &eegr; is between 50 and 500, preferably between 80 and 200 and m is between 50 and 500, preferably between 80 and 200.

Preferably, the PVPVI has an average molecular weight in the range of 1,000 to 100,000, more preferably 5,000 to 100,000, and most preferably 5,000 to 20,000 (the average molecular weight range is determined by light scattering as described by Bart et al. in "Chemical Analysis", Volume 113, "Modern Methods of Polymer Characterization", the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference).

The PVPVI copolymers typically have a molar ratio of N-vinylimidazole to N-vinylpyrrolidone of 1:1 to 0.2:1, more preferably 0.8:1 to 0.3:1, most preferably 0.6:1 to 0.4:1. These copolymers can be either linear or branched.

Suitable copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole are commercially available from BASF under the trade name Sokalan® PG55.

A suitable polyvinylpyrrolidone ("PVP") for use in the present invention are homopolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone having the following repeating monomer:

C-CH ₂ -

N
H ₂ C' ^N C=0

H ₂ C—CH ₂

The vinylpyrrolidone homopolymers preferred for use according to the invention have an average molecular weight of from 1,000 to 100,000, preferably from 5,000 to 100,000 and particularly preferably from 5,000 to 20,000.

Suitable vinylpyrrolidone homopolymers are commercially available from BASF under the trade names Luviskol® K15 (viscosity molecular weight 10,000), Luviskol® K25 (viscosity molecular weight 24,000), Luviskol® K30 (viscosity molecular weight 40,000) and other vinylpyrrolidone homopolymers are known to the person skilled in the detergent field (see, for example, EP-A-262 897 and EP-A-256 696).

Suitable copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and acrylic acid (referred to herein as "PV/AA" class) are those of the formula

wherein η is between 50 and 1000, preferably between 100 and 200, and m is between 150 and 3000, preferably between 300 and 600.

The PV/AA preferably have an average molecular weight in the range of 1,000 to 100,000, more preferably 5,000 to 100,000, and most preferably 5,000 to 25,000. 15

Suitable copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and acrylic acid are commercially available from BASF under the trade name Sokalan® PG310.

Preferred N-vinyl polymers are polyvinylpyrrolidone polymers, copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole, copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and acrylic acid, and mixtures thereof, with polyvinylpyrrolidone polymers being particularly preferred.

Suitable dirt-repellent polymers also include dirt-suspending polycarboxylate polymers. According to the invention, any dirt-suspending polycarboxylate polymer known to the person skilled in the art can be used, for example homo- or copolymer polycarboxylic acids or their salts, including polyacrylates and copolymers of maleic anhydride and/or acrylic acid and the like. These dirt-suspending polycarboxylate polymers can namely be prepared by polymerizing or copolymerizing suitable unsaturated monomers, preferably in their acid form. Unsaturated monomers

Acids which can be polymerized to form suitable polymeric polycarboxylates include acrylic acid, maleic acid (or maleic anhydride), fumaric acid, itaconic acid, aconitic acid, mesaconic acid, citraconic acid and methylenemalonic acid. The presence of monomeric segments containing no carboxylate residue, such as vinyl methyl ether, styrene, ethylene and the like, in the polymeric polycarboxylates is desirable provided that these segments do not constitute more than 40% by weight.

Particularly suitable polymeric polycarboxylates for use in the present invention may be derived from acrylic acid. These acrylic acid-based polymers useful in the present invention are the water-soluble salts of polymerized acrylic acid. The average molecular weight of these polymers in the acid form is preferably in the range of from 2,000 to 10,000, more preferably from 4,000 to 7,000, and most preferably from 4,000 to 5,000. Water-soluble salts of these acrylic acid polymers may include, for example, the alkali metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts. Soluble polymers of this type are known materials. The use of polyacrylates of this type in detergent compositions is already described, for example, in U.S. Patent 3,308,067 (Diehl, published March 7, 1967).

Acrylic acid/maleic acid based copolymers may also be used as preferred soil suspending polycarboxylic acid polymers. These materials include the water soluble salts of the copolymers of acrylic acid and maleic acid. The average molecular weight of these copolymers in the acid form is preferably in the range of 2,000 to 100,000, more preferably 5,000 to 75,000, most preferably 7,000 to 65,000. The ratio of acrylate to maleate segments in these copolymers is generally in the range of 30:1 to 1:1, more preferably 10:1 to 2:1. Water soluble salts of these acrylic acid/maleic acid copolymers may include, for example, the alkali metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts. Soluble acrylate/maleate copolymers

Polymers of this type are known materials which are described in European Patent Application No. 66915, published on December 15, 1982. Particularly preferred is a maleic acid/acrylic acid copolymer having an average molecular weight of 70,000. These copolymers are commercially available from BASF under the trade name SOKA-LAN® CP5.

Other suitable soil-resistant polymers include soil-resistant polymers that have:

(a) one or more non-ionic hydrophilic components consisting essentially of (i) polyoxyethylene segments having a degree of polymerization of at least 2 or (ii) oxypropylene or polyoxypropylene segments having a degree of polymerization of from 2 to 10, said hydrophilic segment not comprising an oxypropylene unit which is not bonded to adjacent residues by ether bonds at each end or (iii) a mixture of oxyalkylene units comprising oxyethylene and from 1 to about 30 oxypropylene units, said mixture containing a sufficient amount of oxyethylene units such that the hydrophilic component has a hydrophilicity high enough to increase the hydrophilicity of conventional polyester synthetic fiber surfaces upon deposition of the soil-repellent agent on that surface, said hydrophilic segments preferably comprising at least about 25% oxyethylene units and particularly preferably, especially for those components having about 20 to 30 oxypropylene units, at least about 50% oxyethylene units; or

(b) one or more hydrophobic components comprising (i) C3-oxyalkylene terephthalate segments, in which, when said hydrophobic components also contain oxyethylene terephthalate, the ratio of oxyethylene terephthalate to C3-oxyalkylene terephthalate units is about 2:1 or less, (ii) C ₄ -C ₆ -alkylene or oxy-C^Ce-alkylene segments or mixtures thereof, (iii) poly(vinyl ester) segments, preferably polyvinyl acetate having a degree of polymerization of at least 2 or (iv) CrC ₄ -

Alkyl ether or C-hydroxyalkyl ether substituents or mixtures thereof, wherein said substituents are in the form of C 1 -C ₄ alkyl ether or C ₄ hydroxyalkyl ether cellulose derivatives or mixtures thereof and said cellulose derivatives are amphiphilic such that they have a sufficient content of C 1 -C ₄ alkyl ether and/or C ₄ hydroxyalkyl ether units for deposition on conventional polyester synthetic fiber surfaces and retain a sufficient content of hydroxyls once they adhere to such a conventional synthetic fiber surface to increase the hydrophilicity of the fiber surface, or a combination of (a) and (b).

Typically, the polyoxyethylene segments of (a)(i) have a degree of polymerization of from about 1 to about 200, although higher values may be employed, preferably from 3 to about 150, more preferably from 6 to about 100. Conveniently, the hydrophobic oxy-C ₄ -C ₆ alkylene segments are end-capped by polymeric soil-resisting agents such as, but not limited to, MO3S(CH2) _n OCH2CH2O-, where M is sodium and η is an integer from 4 to 6, as described in U.S. Patent 4,721,580 (Gosselink, issued January 26, 1988).

Soil-resistant polymers useful in the present invention also include cellulose derivatives such as hydroxyether cellulose polymers, copolymeric blocks of ethylene terephthalate or propylene terephthalate with polyethylene oxide or polypropylene oxide terephthalate, and the like. These soil-resistant polymers are commercially available and include hydroxyethers of cellulose such as METHOCEL® (from Dow). The soil-resistant cellulose polymers useful in the present invention also include those selected from the group consisting of C 1 -C ₄ alkyl and C ₄ hydroxyalkyl cellulose (see U.S. Patent 4,000,093 (Nicol et al., published on

28 December 1976).

Antisoil polymers characterized by hydrophobic poly(vinyl ester) segments include graft copolymers of poly(vinyl ester), such as CrC ₆ vinyl ester, preferably poly(vinyl acetate), grafted onto polyalkylene oxide backbones, for example polyethylene oxide backbones (see European Patent Application O 219 048 (Kud et al., published April 22, 1987)). Commercially available antisoil polymers of this type include the SOKALAN® type materials, e.g. SOKALAN HP-22®, available from BASF.

One type of preferred antisoiling polymer is a random block copolymer of ethylene terephthalate and polyethylene oxide (PEO) terephthalate. The molecular weight of these antisoiling polymers is in the range of about 25,000 to about 55,000 (see U.S. Patent 3,959,230 (Hays, issued May 25, 1976) and U.S. Patent 3,893,929 (Basadur, issued July 8, 1975).

Another preferred soil-resistant polymer is a polyester having repeat units of ethylene terephthalate units containing from 10 to 15 weight percent ethylene terephthalate units together with from 90 to 80 weight percent polyoxyethylene terephthalate units derived from a polyoxyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of from 300 to 5,000. Examples of this polymer include the commercially available materials ZELCON 5126® (from Dupont) and MILEASE T® (from ICI) (see also U.S. Patent 4,702,857 (Gosselink, published October 27, 1987)).

Preferred antisoiling polymers also include the antisoiling agents of U.S. Patent 4,877,896 (Maldonado et al., published October 31, 1989), which describes terephthalate esters having anionic, particularly sulfoaroyl, end groups.

·

Another preferred soil release agent is an oligomer having repeating units of terephthaloyl units, sulfoisotherephthaloyl units, oxyethyleneoxy and oxy-1,2-propylene units. The repeating units form the backbone of the oligomer and are preferably terminated by modified isethionate end caps. A particularly preferred soil release agent of this type comprises about one sulfoisophthaloyl unit, five terephthaloyl units, oxyethyleneoxy and oxy-1,2-propyleneoxy units in a ratio of about 1.7 to about 1.8 and two end cap units of sodium 2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethanesulfonate. Said antisoiling agent also comprises from about 0.5 to about 20 weight percent, based on the weight of the oligomer, of a crystallinity inhibiting stabilizer, preferably selected from the group consisting of xylene sulfonate, cumene sulfonate, toluene sulfonate, and mixtures thereof (see U.S. Patent No. 5,415,807 (Gosselink et al., issued May 16, 1995)).

The liquid compositions may contain from 0.01 to 10, preferably from 0.01 to 5 and particularly preferably from 0.05 to 2% by weight, based on the weight of the total composition, of a further soil-repellent agent.

A preferred soil-resistant agent is a soil-resistant polymer. A particularly preferred soil-resistant agent is a poly(vinyl methyl ether/maleic acid) copolymer, a soil-suspending polyamine polymer, a polyvinylpyridine N-oxide polymer, or a mixture thereof. A particularly preferred soil-resistant agent is a poly(vinyl methyl ether/maleic acid) copolymer, an alkoxylated polyamine polymer, a polyvinylpyridine N-oxide polymer, or a mixture thereof. The most preferred soil-resistant agents useful in the compositions of the present invention are selected from the group consisting of a poly(vinyl methyl ether/maleic acid) copolymer; an ethoxylated polyethylene amine as defined above;

a formula wherein η = 2 and y = 20; an ethoxylated polyethyleneamine of the formula given above wherein η = 40 and y = 7; a polyvinylpyridine N-oxide polymer, and mixtures thereof.

Volatile organic compounds

As an optional but particularly preferred ingredient, the compositions of the invention may contain a volatile organic compound (VOC) or a mixture thereof.

Typically, the compositions may contain up to 90, preferably 0.1 to 20, more preferably 0.5 to 10 and most preferably 1 to 5 wt.%, based on the weight of the composition, of a volatile organic compound or a mixture thereof.

Suitable volatile organic compounds for use according to the invention are selected from the group consisting of an aliphatic and/or aromatic alcohol; glycol ether and/or a derivative thereof; a polyol and a mixture thereof.

Suitable aromatic alcohols for use according to the invention are those of the formula Ri-OH, in which Ri is an alkyl-substituted or non-alkyl-substituted aryl group having 1 to 20, preferably 2 to 15 and particularly preferably 2 to 10 carbon atoms. A suitable aromatic alcohol for use according to the invention is benzyl alcohol.

Suitable aliphatic alcohols for use according to the invention are those of the formula R2-OH, in which R2 is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon chain having 1 to 20, preferably 1 to 10 and particularly preferably 2 to 6 carbon atoms. Particularly preferred according to the invention are aliphatic alcohols having 2 to 4 carbon atoms and most preferably those having 4 carbon atoms or mixtures

of these. Suitable aliphatic alcohols for use according to the invention include linear alcohols such as 2-octanol, decanol, isopropyl alcohol, propyl alcohol, ethanol and/or methanol. Particularly preferred according to the invention are ethanol, isopropyl alcohol or a mixture thereof. 5

Ethanol is commercially available from the company Eridania Italia under its chemical name. Isopropanol is commercially available from the company Merck/BDH Italia under its chemical name.

Suitable glycol ethers and/or derivatives thereof that can be used in the invention include monoglycol ethers and/or derivatives thereof, polyglycol ethers and/or derivatives thereof, and mixtures thereof.

Suitable monoglycol ethers and derivatives thereof for use in the present invention include n-butoxypropanol (η-BP), water-soluble CELLO-SOLVE® solvents, or mixtures thereof. Preferred Cellosolve® solvents include propoxyethyl acetate salt (i.e., propyl cellosolve acetate salt®), ethanol 2-butoxyphosphate salt (i.e., butyl cellosolve phosphate salt®), 2-(hexyloxy)ethanol (i.e., 2-hexyl cellosolve®), 2-ethoxyethanol (i.e., 2-ethyl cellosolve®), 2-butoxyethanol (i.e., 2-butyl cellosolve®), or mixtures thereof.

Suitable polyglycol ethers and derivatives thereof for use in the present invention include n-butoxypropoxypropanol (n-BPP), butyl triglycol ether (BTGE), butyl diglycol ether (BDGE), water-soluble CARBITOL® solvents, or mixtures thereof.

Preferred water-soluble CARBITOL® solvents are compounds of the 2-(2-alkoxyethoxy)ethanol class, the 2-(2-alkoxyethoxy)propanol class and/or the 2-(2-alkoxyethoxy)butanol class, wherein the alkoxy group is derived from ethyl, propyl or butyl. A preferred water-soluble carbitol is 2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethanol, also known as Butylcarbitol®.

Preferred glycol ethers and/or derivatives thereof are 2-ethoxyethanol, 2-butoxyethanol, n-butoxypropoxypropanol, Butylcarbitol® or mixtures thereof.

Suitable polyol solvents for use in the present invention are the polyols having at least 2 hydroxyl groups (-OH), such as diols. Suitable diols for use in the present invention include 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol, 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol, methyl-2,4-pentanediol, or a mixture thereof.

The volatile organic compounds, when present, contribute to the excellent overall cleaning properties of the invention. In addition, their inclusion in the compositions of the invention also improves the sanitizing properties of the compositions.

Surfactants

Preferred compositions according to the invention typically contain an additional surfactant or a mixture thereof on top of the non-irritating anionic surfactant described above.

As a rule, the compositions according to the invention can contain up to 50, preferably 0.1 to 20, particularly preferably 0.5 to 10 and most preferably 1 to 5% by weight, based on the weight of the total composition, of an additional surfactant.

Suitable additional surfactants may be selected from those well known in the art, which include anionic surfactants on top of the non-irritating anionic surfactant, such as

described above, non-ionic surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants and cationic surfactants and mixtures thereof.

Suitable nonionic surfactants include amine oxide surfactants. Suitable amine oxide surfactants are those of the formula R1R2R3NO, wherein each of R1, _R2 and _R3 is independently a saturated substituted or unsubstituted, linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 30, preferably 1 to 20 carbons, and mixtures thereof.

Particularly preferred amine oxide surfactants for use according to the invention are amine oxide surfactants of the following formula R-1R2R3NO, in which Ri is a saturated linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 30, preferably 6 to 20, particularly preferably 6 to 16 carbon atoms and in which R ₂ and R3 independently of one another are substituted or unsubstituted, linear or branched alkyl groups having 1 to 4, preferably 1 to 3 carbon atoms, with methyl groups being particularly preferred. Preferred amine oxide surfactants for use according to the invention are fractionally pure amine oxide surfactants, ie a pure single amine oxide surfactant, for example Ce-NN-dimethylamine oxide, as opposed to mixtures of amine oxide surfactants with different chain lengths.

Suitable amine oxide surfactants for use according to the invention are, for example, fractionally pure C ₈ amine oxide, fractionally pure C 10 amine oxide, fractionally pure C 14 amine oxide, a natural mixture of C 8 -C ₁₀ amine oxides and a natural mixture of C 12 -C 18 amine oxides. These amine oxide surfactants are commercially available from Hoechst or Stephan.

Suitable nonionic surfactants for use in the invention also include a nonionic ethoxylated C ₆ -C ₂ 4 fatty alcohol surfactant, alkyl propoxylates and mixtures thereof, fatty acid C 1 -C 4 alkanolamides, C 1 -C 4 -polyethylene glycol ethers, polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 1000 to 80,000 and glucosamides, alkyl pyrrolidones.

Suitable cationic surfactants for use according to the invention include quaternary ammonium compounds of the formula RiR ₂ RaFUN ⁺ , wherein Ri, R ₂ and R ₃ are methyl groups and R 4 is a C _1-2 -C ₁₅ alkyl group or wherein Ri is an ethyl or hydroxyethyl group, R ₂ and R ₃ are methyl groups and R ₄ is a C _1-2 -C 15 alkyl group.

Suitable zwitterionic surfactants are zwitterionic betaine surfactants. Suitable zwitterionic betaine surfactants for use in accordance with the invention contain both a cationic hydrophilic group, i.e. a quaternary ammonium group, and an anionic hydrophilic group on the same molecule over a relatively wide pH range. Typical anionic hydrophilic groups are carboxylates and sulfonates, although other groups such as sulfates, phosphonates and the like may also be used. A general formula for the zwitterionic betaine surfactant for use in accordance with the invention is as follows:

RrN ⁺ -(R ₂ )(R ₃ )R ₄ X"

where:

Ri is a hydrophobic group;

R ₂ is hydrogen, a C _r C ₆ alkyl, -hydroxyalkyl or other substituted Ci-C ₆ alkyl group;

R ₃ is a Ci-Ce-alkyl, -hydroxyalkyl or other substituted Ci-C ₆ -alkyl group, which may also be combined with R ₂ to form

Ring structures with the N or a Ci-C6 sulfonate group; R ₄ is a radical which connects the cationic nitrogen atom with the hydrophilic group and which is usually an alkylene, hydroxyalkylene or polyalkoxy group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms; and

X is the hydrophilic group, which is a carboxylate or sulfonate group.

Preferred hydrophobic groups Ri are aliphatic or aromatic, saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon chains containing linking groups, e.g. amido groups, ester groups. A particularly preferred group Ri is an alkyl group having 1 to 24, preferably 8 to 18 and particularly preferably 10 to 16 carbon atoms. These simple alkyl groups are preferred for reasons of cost and stability. The hydrophobic group Ri can also be an amido radical of the formula R _a -(C(O)-NH-(C(Rb)2)m, in which R ₃ is an aliphatic or aromatic, saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon chain, preferably an alkyl group with 8 to 20, preferably up to 18, particularly preferably up to 16 carbon atoms, R _b is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and hydroxy groups and m is 1 to 4, preferably 2 to 3, particularly preferably 3, where no more than one hydroxy group is present in a (C(Rt>)2) radical. R2 is preferably hydrogen or a C1-C3-alkyl group and particularly preferably methyl. R ₃ is preferably a C1-C4-sulfonate group or a C1-C3-alkyl group and particularly preferably methyl. R ₄ is preferably (CH ₂ )n, in which η is a integer from 1 to 10, preferably from 1 to 6, particularly preferably from 1 to 3.

Some general examples of betaine/sulfobetaine are described in U.S. Patents 2,082,275, 2,702,279 and 2,255,082, which are incorporated herein by reference.

Examples of particularly suitable alkyldimethylbetaines include coconut dimethylbetaine, lauryldimethylbetaine, decyldimethylbetaine, 2-(N-decyl-N,N-dimethyl-ammonio)acetate, 2-(N-coconut-N,N-dimethylammonio)acetate, myristyldimethylbetaine, palmityldimethylbetaine, cetyldimethylbetaine, stearyldimethylbetaine. For example, coconut dimethylbetaine is commercially available from Seppic under the trade name Amonyl 265®. Laurylbetaine is in

Commercially available from Albright & Wilson under the trade name Empigen BB/L®.

Examples of amidobetaines include cocoamidoethylbetaine, cocoamidopropylbetaine or C10- _C14 fatty acyl amidopropylene(hydropropylene)sulfobetaine. For example, C10-C14 fatty acyl amidopropylene(hydropropylene)sulfobetaine is commercially available from the Sherex Company under the trade name "Varion CAS®-Sulfobetaine". Another example of betaine is lauryl imminodipropionate, commercially available from the Rhone-Poulenc Company under the trade name Mirataine H2C-HA®.

A preferred additional surfactant for use according to the invention is a zwitterionic surfactant, a non-ionic surfactant or a cationic surfactant or a mixture thereof, a particularly preferred surfactant is a zwitterionic betaine surfactant.

Other optional components

The compositions of the invention may also contain conventional carpet cleaning components. Preferably, the compositions of the invention may contain a number of additional compounds selected from the group consisting of stabilizers, chelating agents, builder systems, free radical scavengers, perfumes, dyes, foam suppressors, enzymes, photobleaching agents, bleach activators and other minor ingredients and mixtures thereof.

In a preferred embodiment, the compositions according to the invention may further contain a number of additional compounds selected from the group consisting of stabilizers, chelating agents, builder systems, radical scavengers, perfumes,

ill

Dyes, foam suppressors, enzymes, photobleaching agents, bleach activators and other minor ingredients and mixtures thereof.

Stabilizers
5

The compositions of the invention may further contain a stabilizing agent selected from the group consisting of hydroxypyridine N-oxides or derivatives thereof and mixtures thereof.

Suitable hydroxypyridine N-oxides or derivatives thereof are those of the following formula:

wherein X is nitrogen, Y is one of the following groups oxygen, -CHO-, -OH-, -(CH ₂ ) n -C00H, wherein η is an integer from 0 to 20, preferably from 0 to 10 and particularly preferably the number 0, and wherein Y is preferably oxygen. A particularly preferred hydroxypyridine N-oxide or derivative thereof for use according to the invention is therefore 2-hydroxypyridine N-oxide.

Hydroxypyridine N-oxides or derivatives thereof are commercially available from Sigma.

As a rule, the compositions according to the invention contain up to 2%, preferably 0.001 to 1, in particular 0.001 to 0.5% by weight, based on the weight of the total composition, of a hydroxypyridine N-oxide or a derivative thereof or mixtures thereof.

Chelating agents

·

• a

The compositions of the invention may also contain a chelating agent.

Suitable chelating agents are those generally known to those skilled in the art. Particularly suitable chelating agents include, for example, phosphonate chelating agents, polyfunctionally substituted aromatic chelating agents, aminocarboxylate chelating agents, other chelating agents such as ethylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinic acid and mixtures thereof.

Typically, the compositions contain up to 4, preferably 0.001 to 1, and particularly preferably 0.001 to 0.5% by weight of a chelating agent, based on the weight of the total composition.

Suitable phosphonate chelators for use in the present invention may include ethinic acid, alkali metal ethane-1-hydroxydiphosphonates, and aminophosphonate compounds, e.g., aminoalkylenepoly(alkylenephosphonate), alkali metal ethane-1-hydroxydiphosphonates, nitrilotrimethylenephosphonates, ethylenediaminetetramethylenephosphonates, and diethylenetriaminepentamethylenephosphonates. The phosphonate compounds may be in either their acid form or as salts with different cations on some or all of their acid functionalities. Preferred phosphonate chelators for use in the present invention are diethylenetriaminepentamethylenephosphonates (DETPMP). These phosphonate chelators are commercially available from Monsanto under the trade name DEQUEST®.

Polyfunctionally substituted aromatic chelating agents may also be useful in the compositions of the invention (see U.S. Patent 3,812,044 (Connor et al., issued May 21, 1974). Preferred compounds of this type in the acid form are dihydroxydisulfobenzenes such as 1,2-dihydroxy-3,5-disulfobenzene.

A preferred biodegradable chelating agent for use in the present invention is ethylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinic acid or its alkali metal or alkaline earth metal, ammonium or substituted ammonium salts or mixtures thereof. Ethylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinic acids, particularly the (S,S) isomer, are described in detail in U.S. Patent 4,704,233 (Hartman and Perkins, published November 3, 1987). Ethylenediamine-N,N-disuccinic acid is, for example, commercially available from Palmer Research Laboratories under the trade name ssEDDS®.

Suitable aminocarboxylate chelating agents for use in accordance with the invention include ethylenediamine tetraacetates, diethylenetriamine pentaacetates, diethylenetriamine pentaacetate (DTPA), N-hydroxyethylethylenediamine triacetates, nitrilotriacetates, ethylenediamine tetrapropionates, triethylenetetramine hexaacetates, ethanol diglycines, propylenediaminetetraacetic acid (PDTA) and methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA), both in their acid form and in the form of their alkali metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts. A particularly suitable aminocarboxylate for use in accordance with the invention is diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA).

20

Other suitable chelating agents for use in the invention include salicylic acid or derivatives thereof or mixtures thereof of the following formula

25

wherein X is carbon, Y is one of the following groups -CHO, -OH, -(CH ₂ ) n -COOH, preferably -(CH ₂ ) _n -COOH, and wherein η is an integer from 0 to 20, preferably from 0 to 10 and particularly preferably the number 0. Salicylic acid and derivatives thereof can be used either in their

Acid form or in the form of their salts, for example in the form of their sodium salts.

Salicylic acid is particularly preferred according to the invention and is commercially available from Rhone Poulenc.

Bleach activators

In an embodiment of the present invention in which the compositions according to the invention contain a peroxy bleach, preferably hydrogen peroxide, said compositions may further contain a bleach activator as an optional ingredient.

A "bleach activator" is a compound that reacts with hydrogen peroxide to form a peracid. The peracid formed in this way represents the activated bleaching agent.

Suitable bleach activators for use in accordance with the invention include those belonging to the class of esters, amides, imides or anhydrides. Examples of suitable compounds of this type are described in British Patents GB 1 586 769 and GB 2 143 231 and a process for their preparation in the form of prills is described in published European Patent Application EP-A-62 523. Suitable examples of these compounds for use in accordance with the invention are tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED), sodium S.S.S-trimethylhexanoyloxybenzenesulfonate, diperoxydodecanoic acid, for example as described in US Patent 4 818 425, and the nonylamide of peroxyadipic acid, for example as described in US Patent 4 259 201, and n-nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate (NOBS). Also suitable are N-acylcaprolactams selected from the group consisting of substituted or unsubstituted benzoylcaprolactam, octanoylcaprolactam, nonanoylcaprolactam, hexanoylcaprolactam, decanoylcaprolactam, undecenoylcaprolactam, formylcaprolactam, acetylcaprolactam,

• · ♦ ·

Propanoylcaprolactam, butanoylcaprolactam, pentanoylcaprolactam or mixtures thereof. A special family of interesting bleach activators is described in EP 624 154 and particularly preferred in this family is acetyltriethylcitrate (ATC). Acetyltriethylcitrate has the advantage of being environmentally friendly as it is eventually degraded to citric acid and alcohol. In addition, acetyltriethylcitrate has good hydrolytic stability in the composition during storage and is an effective bleach activator.

The compositions according to the invention may contain up to 30, preferably 1 to 20 and particularly preferably 2 to 10% by weight of a bleach activator, based on the weight of the total composition.

Builders (structure substances)

The compositions according to the invention can also contain a builder system. Any conventional builder system as known per se is suitable for use according to the invention. Suitable builders for use according to the invention include succinic acid derivatives of the formula R-CH(COOH)Ch ₂ (COOH), wherein R is C 10-20 alkyl or alkenyl, preferably C 12-16 alkyl or alkenyl, or wherein R can be substituted by hydroxyl, sulfo, sulfoxyl or sulfone substituents. Specific examples include lauryl succinate, myristyl succinate, palmitylsuccinate, 2-dodecenyl succinate, 2-tetradecenyl succinate. Succinate builders are preferably used in the form of their water-soluble salts, for example their sodium, potassium, ammonium and alkanolammonium salts.

Other suitable builders are oxodisuccinates and mixtures of tartrate monosuccinic acid and tartrate disuccinic acid, as described, for example, in US Patent 4,663,071.

'UU

Other suitable builders for use according to the invention are fatty acid builders, e.g. saturated or unsaturated C10-18 fatty acids and the corresponding soaps. Preferred saturated species have 12 to 16 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain. The preferred unsaturated fatty acid is oleic acid.

The compositions according to the invention contain up to 10, preferably 1 to 7 wt.% of a builder system, based on the weight of the total composition.
10

Radical scavengers

The compositions according to the invention can contain a radical scavenger as a further optional ingredient. Suitable radical scavengers for use according to the invention include the generally known substituted mono- and dihydroxybenzenes and derivatives thereof, alkyl and aryl carboxylates and mixtures thereof. Preferred radical scavengers for use in the invention include di-tert-butyl-hydroxytoluene (BHT), p-hydroxy-toluene, hydroquinone (HQ), di-tert-butyl-hydroquinone (DTBHQ), mono-tert-butyl-hydroquinone (MTBHQ), tert-butylhydroxyanisole (BHA), p-hydroxyanisole, benzoic acid, 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 2,5-dihydroxyterephthalic acid, toluic acid, catechol, t-butylcatechol, 4-allylcatechol, 4-acetylcatechol, 2-methoxyphenol, 2-ethoxyphenol, 2-methoxy-4-(2-propenyl)phenol, 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde, 2,3-dihydroxybenzaldehyde, benzylamine, 1,1,3-tris(2-methyl-4-hydroxy-5-t-butylphenyl)butane, tert-butyl-hydroxyaniline, p-hydroxyaniline and n-propyl gallate. Particularly preferred for use according to the invention is di-tert-butylhydroxytoluene, which is commercially available, for example, from SHELL under the trade name IONOL CP® and/or tert-butylhydroxyanisole and/or propyl gallate. These radical scavengers further contribute to the stability of the compositions according to the invention.

As a rule, the compositions according to the invention contain up to 5, preferably 0.002 to 1.5, particularly preferably 0.002 to 0.5 wt.% of radical scavenger, based on the weight of the total composition.

Examples

The following examples are intended to further illustrate the present invention. The compositions are prepared by combining the ingredients listed in the proportions indicated (% by weight unless otherwise indicated). The following examples are intended to be exemplary compositions used in a kit according to the invention, but are not necessarily intended to limit or otherwise define the scope of the present invention.

Composition
Tongues (wt.%) I The III IV V 0 Vl Hydrogen peroxide 4.0 4.0 — 6.0 4, 0 4.0 PVNO 0.5 0.4 0.2 0.5 1, 2.0 PVPVI — — -- 0.5 — — PV/AA — — 0.3 — — 1 ~ PVP — — — — 0, 0 — Ethanol 3.0 2.0 1.0 3.0 3, 3.0 PnB ~ 1.0 0.5 — — — P.A. — 0.1 0.2 0.1 — 5 0.1 Dioctyl sodium
sulfosuccinate 1.0 — 0.3 ~ 2, 5.0 Diantrium lauryl-
sulfosuccinate 2.5 0.7 ~ 0.5 — Disodium laureth-
sulfosuccinate 1.0 3.0

52

Disodium Lauramide- 0.5

MEA sulfosuccinate

Sodium lauryl sulfate – 0.5

BHT 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.01 - 0.01

AMCP 0.5 --

Chelating agents* 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3

NaCnAS 3.0 0.5 -

Salicylic acid 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 - 0.5

Propyl gallate - 1.0 --

NaOH 0.16 0.16 0.16 0.16 0.06 0.26

Water and utilities

Components Rest Rest Rest Rest Rest Rest

up to pH 6 6 6 6 3.5 8

PVP = polyvinylpyrrolidone

PVNO = poly(4-vinylpyridine-N-oxide) (MW 20,000), commercially available from Reilly.
PV/AA = N-vinylpyrrolidone/acrylic acid copolymer, commercially available under the trade name Sokalan® PG 310.

PVPVI = N-vinylpyrrolidone/N-vinylimidazole copolymer, commercially available under the trade name Sokalan® PG55.

Sarcosinate = sodium N-lauroylsarcosinate, commercially available from Croda under the trade name Crodasinic® LS 30.

Dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate is commercially available from Cytec under the trade name Aerosol OT®.

Disodium lauryl sulfosuccinate is commercially available from Witco under the trade name Rewopol SBF 12®. Disodium lauramido MEA sulfosuccinate is commercially available from Witco under the trade name Rewopol SBC212P®.

PnB = Propylene glycol n-butyl ether, commercially available from Arco under the trade name Arcosolv® PNB.

BHT = butylated hydroxytoluene.

AMCP = acrylic acid/maleic acid based copolymer, commercially available under the trade name Sokalan CP5®.

Chelating agent* = a phosphonate chelating agent available under the trade name DEQUEST®
Na CnAS = sodium alkyl sulfate.

PA = ethoxylated tetraethylenepentamine, average molecular weight 12 000.

The compositions exemplified above are preferably packaged in an electrically operated spray device.

The compositions in the examples given above have the advantage that, when used in a kit according to the invention, they do not irritate mucous membranes.

Claims (19)

1. Carpet treatment kit, which includes (a) a liquid composition for treating a carpet containing an anionic surfactant classified as non-irritating to mucous membranes, determined by the Draize test method using a solution containing 5% active surfactant; and b) an electric spray device for applying said liquid composition to said carpet, whereby said composition has the advantage of not irritating mucous membranes when sprayed onto the carpet. 2. A kit according to claim 1, wherein said non-irritating anionic surfactant is classified as non-irritating to mucous membranes as determined using the Draize test method with a solution containing 10% active surfactant. 3. A kit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said composition contains up to 50% by weight of said non-irritating anionic surfactant based on the weight of the total composition. 4. A kit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said anionic surfactant which is rated as non-irritating to mucous membranes is selected from the group consisting of sarcosinate surfactants, sulfosuccinate surfactants, alkyl sulfonate surfactants, alkyl sulfate surfactants, sulfosuccinamate surfactants, sulfusuccinamide surfactants, carboxylate surfactants and mixtures thereof. 5. A kit according to any preceding claim, wherein said anionic surfactant which is classified as non-irritating to mucous membranes is a mixture of a sulfosuccinate surfactant and a second anionic surfactant. 6. A kit according to any preceding claim, wherein said composition further contains a peroxy bleach. 7. A kit according to claim 6, wherein said composition contains from 0.01 to 20% by weight of said peroxy bleach, based on the weight of the total composition. 8. A kit according to claim 6 or 7, wherein said peroxy bleaching agent is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen peroxide; water-soluble sources of hydrogen peroxide; organic or inorganic peracids; hydroperoxides; and diacyl peroxides, and mixtures thereof. 9. A kit according to any preceding claim, wherein said composition further comprises an anti-soiling agent. 10. The kit of claim 9, wherein said soil-resistant agent is a poly(vinyl methyl ether/maleic acid) copolymer, a soil-suspending polyamine polymer, a polyvinylpyridine N-oxide polymer, or a mixture thereof. 11. A kit according to any preceding claim, wherein said composition further contains a volatile organic compound. 12. The kit of claim 11, wherein said volatile organic compound is selected from the group consisting of an aliphatic and/or aromatic alcohol; glycol ethers and/or a derivative thereof; a polyol, and a mixture thereof. 13. A kit according to any preceding claim, wherein said composition further contains an additional surfactant on top of the non-irritating anionic surfactant. 14. A kit according to any preceding claim, wherein said composition further comprises a number of additional compounds selected from the group consisting of stabilizers, chelating agents, builder systems, radical scavengers, perfumes, dyes, foam suppressors, enzymes, photobleaching agents, bleach activators and other minor ingredients and mixtures thereof. 15. A kit according to any preceding claim, wherein said spray device is a container having at least one opening through which the composition exits to form a droplet spray. 16. A kit according to any preceding claim, wherein said spray device comprises means for dispensing the liquid composition by means of a pump, preferably an electrically operated pump, and a spray arm. 17. A kit according to claim 16, wherein said spray arm is either long or extendable and has at least one opening. 18. A kit according to claim 16 or 17, wherein said spray arm is connected to the container by means of a flexible connecting device. 19. A kit according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the electrically driven pump is a gear pump with a typical speed between 6000 and 12000 rpm.