DE69904415T2 - CARPET CLEANING AGENT AND METHOD FOR CARPET CLEANING - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of cleaning a carpet with a liquid composition having a residuality index of less than 40% after vacuum cleaning, said method comprising the steps of: applying the composition onto the carpet in the form of a spray of droplets having a particle size distribution with a mean diameter D(v,0.9) of less than 1500 microns, the amount of composition applied onto the carpet being from 1 ml to 120 ml per square meter of carpet, leaving said composition to dry onto the carpet and finally removing it by vacuum cleaning said carpet. The present invention further relates to a composition for the cleaning of a carpet having a residuality index of less than 40% after vacuum cleaning, packaged in a container adapted to deliver the composition onto the carpet in the form of a spray of droplets having a particle size distribution with a mean diameter D(v,0.9) of less than 1500 microns. The present invention provides excellent cleaning performance on the carpet in a faster and easier way. Indeed, no rinsing is required and no manual action (other than application of the composition) by the user while the composition is in a wet state.

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to a simple and rapid method for cleaning carpets and requires only limited wetting, no rinsing and no manual work by the user (except for application) when the composition is in the wet state to provide excellent cleaning performance. The present invention provides liquid carpet cleaning compositions packaged in a container adapted for application of the composition to the carpet in the form of spraying droplets having a particle size distribution with a mean diameter D(v, 0.9) of less than 750 µm. The invention provides the ability to remove various types of stains/dirt from carpets and dry them as non-stick residues.

Background of the invention

Carpets made from synthetic or natural fibers or blends of them are generally used as floor coverings in residential and commercial areas. Various types of fiber can be used to make carpets, such as polyamide fiber, polyester fiber and also wool, cotton or, as in the case of rugs, even silk.

Carpets, whether made of natural or synthetic fibres, will sooner or later become dirty and stained when they come into contact with the many household items. Food, grease, oils, drinks, especially coffee, tea and soft drinks, and especially acidic dyes, can leave unsightly and often dark stains on carpets. In addition, fibres can become damaged due to dirt particles, clay and dust, i.e. Particulate dirt, in particular, which comes into contact with the fibers of the carpet and sticks to them. This latter type of dirt often appears as spread-out layers of dirt rather than stains, and tends to accumulate in what are known as "high-traffic areas," such as doorways, as a result of intensive use of the carpets.

There are a number of carpet cleaning compositions described in the area of removing stains and dirt from carpet fibers. These carpet cleaning compositions can be divided into two main groups: shampoos and stain removers. Shampoos are usually applied to the entire carpet using a typical extraction device. One problem with such shampoos is that although they occasionally loosen and/or disperse the dirt, they do not absorb or retain it. As a result, it is deposited back onto the carpet fibers. They are also not very effective on difficult stains such as acid and/or coffee stains. Furthermore, water-based shampoos are not particularly effective because acid and coffee stains are not water-soluble. It is very often difficult to remove all of the shampoo from the fiber surfaces, even when rinsed with large amounts of water or steam. As a result, the carpet fibers become sticky due to a shampoo/cleaner film. The film attracts dirt and causes it to stick. As a result, the cleaned carpet becomes more easily dirty than it was before it was cleaned. In addition, such shampoos require large amounts of water to rinse out. This water causes the fibers of the carpet, and often the underlay beneath the fibers, to become saturated with water, which can cause deterioration of the underlay and/or the carpet. In addition, moisture trapped in the underlay can encourage the growth of germs, which can cause health and/or odor problems. Finally, there is another problem associated with the use of shampoos that require large amounts of water or steam to clean carpets. is that it requires a long drying time, usually several hours or even a whole day.

The spot cleaners are usually applied to the stains in the carpet that need to be cleaned. However, one of the problems associated with such a cleaning composition is that the user must brush, wipe, wash, scrub or perform other manual work when the composition is in the wet state in order to achieve effective results. The use of such cleaning aids such as a cloth, scrubbing cloth or sponge and the like to remove soil/stains limits its use to certain areas of the carpet. In addition, the use of such a cleaning aid usually requires rinsing with water until no more soil appears on it. Spot cleaners bring the soil to the surface of the carpet, but they usually fail to prevent the spread soil from settling back on the cleaned carpet fibers if the soil is not removed by the cleaning aid. For example, it has been found that if coffee stain residues that are degradable or water-soluble are left after cleaning, they concentrate on the surface of the cleaned carpet when they dry, leaving the carpet with an insufficiently cleaned appearance. An additional problem with stain removers is that they leave blotchy films on carpets, as is the case with shampoos, if they are not completely rinsed out.

The present invention seeks to provide a method of cleaning a carpet which can be used to clean both specific areas of the carpet and the entire carpet, and which overcomes the disadvantages of the previously mentioned methods. The present invention aims to provide a method of carpet cleaning which provides excellent overall performance in cleaning a wide variety of stains, including particle stains, grease stains, bleachable stains and/or enzymatic stains, in a simpler and faster manner. In addition, It is an object of the invention to provide a method of cleaning carpets which does not require any manual work on the part of the user (other than application) when the composition is in a wet state. It is a further object of the invention to provide a carpet cleaning method which does not require rinsing of the cleaning composition applied. It is a further object of the invention to provide a method of cleaning carpets which requires only a limited drying time after the composition has been applied to the carpet.

It has now been found that the above objectives can be achieved by a carpet cleaning process that uses a liquid composition that leaves a residue level of less than 40% after vacuuming. This process requires the following steps:

- Applying the composition to the carpet in the form of spraying droplets having a particle size distribution with a mean diameter D(v, 0.9) of less than 750 µm. The amount of composition applied to the carpet is 1 ml to 120 ml per square meter of carpet.

- Allow said composition to dry on the carpet and then remove it by vacuuming the carpet.

The present invention also provides a liquid composition for cleaning carpets, packaged in a container adapted for applying the composition to the surface of the carpet in the form of a spray of droplets, having a particle size distribution with a mean diameter D(v, 0.9) of less than 750 µm. Said composition has a residue content of less than 40% after vacuuming.

An advantage of cleaning carpets according to the present invention is that it is both simple and quick, while at the same time providing excellent overall cleaning performance. Another advantage is that the carpet cleaning method according to this invention provides excellent cleaning performance when used both to clean the entire carpet or to clean specific spots on the carpet with a smaller amount of the composition applied to the carpet for cleaning. This is evident from the particularly short drying time. In addition, this method does not leave any sticky residue on the carpets.

It is advantageous in that excellent cleaning performance is achieved on a variety of stains and soil types, including bleachable stains, enzymatic stains as well as particle stains and/or grease stains, especially in so-called "high traffic areas".

A further advantage of the present invention is that the process for cleaning carpets and the liquid compositions, which are packaged in a container adapted for applying the composition to the carpet in the form of spraying droplets, having a particle size distribution with a mean diameter D(v, 0.9) of less than 750 µm, can be applied to all types of carpets, in particular to sensitive natural fibers. They can also be safely applied to all types of dyed carpets, in particular to sensitive natural dyes. The invention is also suitable for cleaning upholstered furniture and protective covers for car seats.

An additional advantage of the carpet cleaning method and compositions of the present invention is that they can be applied directly to the carpet without damaging the carpet. In addition, the cleaning action of the invention begins as soon as the carpet cleaning composition is applied to the surface in the form of a spray of droplets.

background information

The following documents represent the known state of the art that exists with regard to carpet cleaning compositions.

EP-A-629 694 discloses the use of stable aqueous compositions which are a source of active oxygen and have a pH of 1 to 6 for cleaning carpets. EP-A-751 213 discloses a carpet cleaning composition which includes salicylic acid and a compound selected from the group consisting of amine oxides, soil-releasing polycarboxylate or polyamine polymers, hydroxypyrinide N-oxides, chelators and mixtures thereof.

Summary of the invention

The present invention comprises a method for cleaning carpets with a liquid composition having a residue level of less than 40% after vacuuming. Said method comprises the following steps:

- Applying the composition to the carpet in the form of spraying droplets having a particle size distribution with a mean diameter D(v, 0.9) of less than 750 µm. The amount of composition applied to the carpet is 1 ml to 120 ml per square meter of carpet.

- Allow said composition to dry on the carpet and then remove it by vacuuming the carpet.

The present invention further includes a composition for cleaning a carpet which has a residue level of less than 40% after vacuuming. It is packaged in a container adapted for applying the composition to the carpet in the form of spraying droplets, wherein a particle size distribution with a mean diameter D(v, 0.9) of less than 750 µm is present. The preferred compositions for cleaning a carpet contain at least one polymer which is not sticky residue dries. Most preferred compositions further comprise a surfactant and/or a volatile organic compound.

All quantities, percentages and ratios are, unless otherwise stated, given by weight of the total composition in its pure form.

Detailed description of the invention The carpet cleaning process

An essential function of the method of carpet cleaning according to the present invention is the application of the composition to the carpet in the form of a spraying of droplets having a particle size distribution with a mean average D(v, 0.9) of less than 750 µm. The amount of the composition applied to the carpet is from 1 ml to 120 ml per square meter of carpet.

It has now been found that by applying the composition to the carpet in the form of a spray of droplets, having a particle size distribution with a mean average D(v, 0.9) of less than 750 µm, preferably less than 500 µm and most preferably from 350 µm to 10 µm, a homogeneous layer of the composition is provided on the surface of the carpet, which means excellent cleaning performance, while a smaller amount of composition is required. By applying the composition to the carpet in the form of a droplet spray (as defined above), in fact, a higher coverage can be achieved with the same amount of composition, compared to applying the same composition but in the form of a droplet spray with larger droplets. In addition, the above Furthermore, the application to the carpet only results in limited moistening of the surface and thus faster drying of the composition. In other words, the housewife does not have to wait as long between the step of applying the composition to the carpet and removing the composition by vacuuming the carpet.

"Mean average D(v, 0.9) of less than 750 µm for a droplet size distribution" means that 90% of the dispersed droplet spray (expressed in volume units) has a droplet diameter of less than 750 µm. For example, a D(v, 0.9) of less than 750 µm indicates that 90% of the overall spray volume is dispersed with droplets with a diameter of less than 750 µm.

The particle size distribution of a droplet spray can be determined by following the procedure described below:

A suitable test setup is the Malvern Mastersizer S LongBed® with a 1000 mm glass and a maximum particle size range of 3475 µm. The Malvern Mastersizer S LongBed® provides an opening of 21 cm (between glasses) to accommodate the spray flow. In all readings taken on the Malvern®, the glass surface must remain free of spray contamination. In the current set-up procedure, the distance from the nozzle to the laser was set at 8 cm to minimize glass contamination. At a distance of 8 cm, the spray was directed to the laser beam to place the laser center at the laser nozzle. For each composition sprayed, at least three readings must be taken to determine the particle size distribution of the droplet spray. The atomizer used in the test according to the invention was an electric atomizer. With the battery-powered system, the test remained consistent at full charge by keeping the spray head on 3.9 volts DC from an external power source to ensure consistent spray force. A reference sprayer used here is a sprayer that is manually activated Manual trigger systems must be tested for repeatability with three different people, each with different ability to operate the trigger: small female, female with firm finger pressure, and medium-sized male.

Any container capable of containing a droplet spray as defined above is suitable for use here. Several modifications can be made to the conventional single orifice spray head to ensure that a spray of such droplets is formed. Suitable containers used here (also called spray dispensers) all have at least one or a plurality of orifices, also called "distribution orifices", through which the composition is distributed; said orifices are arranged to ensure the functions mentioned above.

Typically, the composition rate of the container is from 5 ml/minute to 750 ml/minute, preferably from 20 ml/minute to 400 ml/minute, even better from 150 ml/minute to 250 ml/minute.

These spray dispensers can be manually or electrically operated. Typical spray dispensers are operated by a pump or by a trigger. In such a container with a spray dispenser, the composition contained in the container is directed through the spray dispenser head by means of energy transmitted to a pumping mechanism by the user when said user activates said pumping mechanism, or transmitted to an electric pump. It is preferred to use a container wherein the device for delivering the composition comprises an electric pump and a spray arm which is either extended or extendible and has at least one distribution opening, so that during operation the composition is pumped by an electric pump from the container, through the spray arm to the distribution opening from which it is distributed. Preferably the spray arm corresponds to the container. by means of a flexible link. The spray arm may have one nozzle or several nozzles located along the spray arm. The spray arm facilitates control of where the composition is sprayed. The electric pump may be, for example, a gear pump, impeller pump, piston pump, screw pump, hose pump, diaphragm pump or any other miniature pump. In an ideal embodiment of the electric pump for use herein, the pump is a gear pump with a typical speed of between 600 and 1200 revolutions/minute. The electric pump is driven by devices such as an electric motor, which typically produces a torque of between 1 and 20 mN.m. The electric motor in turn must be supplied with a power source. The power source may be either mains electricity (optionally via a transformer), or it may be a disposable battery or a rechargeable battery. The spray arm may be extended in a fixed manner. However, storage of such a spray arm may prove difficult; the spray arm is preferably extendible by means of either a telescopic or foldable configuration.

A necessary feature of the carpet cleaning method of the present invention is the application of the composition from 1 ml to 120 ml per square meter of carpet, preferably from 10 ml to 80 ml, more preferably from 20 ml to 60 ml, and most preferably from 30 ml to 50 ml. By combining this feature with the particle size distribution of the composition during application to the carpet, optimal coverage of the carpet surface can indeed be achieved, resulting in faster drying while providing excellent cleaning performance.

Previously used spray dispensers, typically used for cleaning concentrated carpet stains, have a particle size distribution with a mean diameter D(v, 0.9) of 1800 µm or even more, typically 400 ml of the composition per square meter (e.g. BSC Johnson Shout, TM), i.e. a droplet spray with larger droplets and a significantly greater amount of composition per square meter of carpet than the spray dispensers used in accordance with the invention. A significant advantage of the method of carpet cleaning is the reduced composition dose for excellent overall cleaning performance. In an ideal embodiment of the invention, typical spray dispenser opening angles are 15 to 90 degrees to apply the composition over a surface area of 50-200 cm². This feature also helps to achieve increased coverage of any amount of the composition on the carpet. Previously used spray dispensers for carpet cleaning often apply the composition in a relatively narrow nozzle.

A necessary feature of the carpet cleaning process is that, after application, the composition is allowed to remain on the carpet to dry before being vacuumed from said carpet. Preferably, the step of allowing the composition to dry on the carpet (drying) may be either an "active drying step" or a "passive drying step." "Active drying step" as used herein means performing an additional action to facilitate evaporation of the volatile components of the liquid composition, preferably by heating the carpet and the liquid composition applied thereto; the heating is preferably accomplished by the application of hot air, infrared radiation, and the like. "Passive drying step" as used herein means evaporating the volatile components of the liquid composition without performing any other action.

"Dry" here means the stage at which at least 40%, preferably 60%, of the original amount of composition applied to the carpet is lost due to evaporation.

Typically, the composition will be better absorbed in less than 2 hours, preferably less than 70 minutes, after application to the carpet. less than 50 minutes and preferably between 15 and 25 minutes.

An advantage of the invention is that the cleaning process of the compositions begins as soon as the compositions are applied to the carpet. Consequently, the cleaning process of the invention does not require any manual work (except for application) during the wet state. After drying, the composition is removed from the carpet by vacuuming. This can be done using commercially available vacuum cleaners, for example the standard Hoover® 1300 W vacuum cleaner.

In an ideal embodiment, additional steps, such as the application of an additional cleaning composition, a fragrance and the like, may preferably be performed before, between and/or after any of the three steps of the carpet cleaning method described above.

The area cleaned by spraying the compositions according to the invention can be of any size. A whole section or, better still, the whole carpet can be sprayed with the carpet cleaning composition according to the invention.

Another necessary characteristic of the carpet cleaning method of the invention is that the composition used has a residue level of less than 40% after vacuuming.

Typically, the compositions according to the invention have a residue level of less than 25%, more preferably less than 15% and most preferably less than 10%.

The residue content after suction is defined as follows:

Here:

Ws is the initial weight of a carpet sample (before treatment);

Wt represents the weight of the same carpet sample immediately after the carpet cleaning composition has been applied thereto; Wt may be influenced by the composition, the application rate (g m⁻² s⁻¹) and/or the application time (seconds);

Wfv represents the final weight of the same carpet sample after vacuuming with a Hoover® 13000 W, a standard machine for carpets.

Ws, Wt and Wfv can be expressed in any weight unit, provided that the same unit is used for the three parameters.

A suitable test method to determine the residue level is the following:

A 10 x 10 cm square carpet sample is weighed before and after vacuuming with a Hoover® 13000 W for 10 seconds. To avoid interference with the weight lost from the carpet itself (e.g. fibre) during vacuuming to determine the residue percentage, it is necessary to repeat the vacuuming several times and weigh the carpet sample afterwards, unless the weight loss due to vacuuming is less than 5% of the composition dosage (ie, for a 100 cm² sample and a dosage of 50 g/m², the loss due to vacuuming must be less than 0.025 g). The actual weight for the carpet sample according to the previous procedure is Ws. The composition is then sprayed onto the carpet at a rate of 50 g/m² and the sample is then weighed to determine Wt. Then the composition is left to dry for 60 minutes and vacuumed with a Hoover® 1300 W for 10 seconds. Letting the composition dry on the carpet is of course done at "normal temperature" and "normal humidity conditions". "Normal humidity conditions" here means from 15ºC to 25ºC, preferably from 20ºC to 25ºC. "Normal humidity conditions" here means from 40% RH (relative humidity in %) to 80% RH, preferably from 50% RH to 65% RH. The sample is then weighed again to determine the Wfv.

It has now been found that compositions containing the residue level as defined herein provide excellent overall cleaning performance while reducing or even eliminating the formation of sticky residues on the carpet surface.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the compositions, which may have a residue level of less than 40% after suction, typically comprise at least one polymer that dries to non-stick residues.

Polymers

The polymers according to the invention comprise a polymer or a mixture thereof.

Typically, the compositions have from 0.01% to 50% by weight of the total composition of a polymer or mixture thereof, most preferably from 0.01% to 2%, more preferably from 0.3 to 10%, and most preferably from 0.5 to 3%.

Suitable polymers for the application have the ability to dry to a non-stick residue. Said polymers are any soil-removing polycarboxylate polymer as well as polyamine polymer and mixtures thereof.

Any soil-releasing polycarboxylate polymer known to those in the art may be used in accordance with the invention, such as homo- or co-polymeric polycarboxylic acids or their salts, including polyacrylates and copolymers of maleic anhydride and/or acrylic acid and the like. Such soil-releasing polycarboxylate polymers may be prepared by polymerizing or copolymerizing suitable unsaturated monomers, which are preferably in the acid state. Unsaturated monomeric acids which are polymerized to form suitable polymeric polycarboxylates are acrylic acid, fumaric acid, itaconic acid, aconitic acid, mesaconic acid, citraconic acid and methylenemalonic acid. The presence of polymeric polycarboxylates of monomeric segments containing non-carboxylate radicals such as vinyl methyl ether, styrene, ethylene, etc. is suitable, provided that such segments do not represent more than about 40% by weight.

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

Acrylic/maleic based copolymers may also be used as the preferred soil-releasing polycarboxylic polymer. Such materials include water-soluble salts of copolymers of acrylic acid and maleic acid. The average molecular weight of such copolymers in the acid state is best in the range of about 2,000 to 1,000,000, more best from about 5,000 to 75,000, and most best from about 7,000 to 65,000.

The ratio of acrylate to maleate segments in such copolymers will generally be in the range of about 30:1 to about 1:1, more preferably about 10:1 to 2:1. Water-soluble salts of such acrylic acid/maleic acid copolymers may include, for example, alkali metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts. Soluble acrylate/maleate copolymers of this type are known materials described in European Patent Application No. 66915, published on December 15, 1982. Particularly suitable is a copolymer of maleic/acrylic acid having an average molecular weight of about 70,000. Such copolymers are commercially available from BASF under the trade name SOKALAN CP5.

Any soil-releasing polyamine polymer known to those in the art can also be used here. Alkoxylated polyamines are particularly suitable for use. Such materials can be represented as molecules of the empirical structures with repeating units:

and

where R is a hydrocarbyl group of usually 2 to 6 carbon atoms. R¹ is a C₁ to C₂₀ hydrocarbon. The Alkoxy groups are ethoxy and/or propoxy, and y is from 2 to 30, preferably from 10 to 20. n is an integer of at least 2, preferably from 2 to 20, and even more preferably from 3 to 5. X- is an anion such as halide or methyl sulfate resulting from the quartering reaction.

The polyamines most suitable for use here are the so-called ethoxylated polyethyleneamines, ie the polymerized reaction product of ethylene oxide with ethylene amine, which has the general formula:

y = 2-30, preferably 15 and n 1-30, preferably 4. Most suitable for use here is an ethoxylated polyethylene amine, especially a tetraethylene pentamine, and quartered ethoxylated hexamethylene diamine.

The presence of such a polymer in the carpet cleaning composition allows said composition to form non-sticky residues. In fact, during drying, the polymer forms non-sticky residues that capture dirt and prevent it from redepositing on the cleaned carpet fibers.

In other words, the presence of the polymer in the compositions contributes to the overall cleaning performance while reducing or even preventing the formation of sticky residues on the carpet surface during drying. In fact, it has been observed that by the compositions of the invention containing such a polymer, more than 90%, preferably more than 95% of the residues left on the carpet fibers are solid and non-sticky. This results in a carpet cleaning process in which the Residues that remain on the carpet are easier to remove than residues that are sticky and thus difficult to remove by vacuuming the carpet. By almost completely removing the residues, the invention also reduces or even prevents new deposits of dirt on the carpet.

The carpet cleaning compositions according to the invention provide excellent general cleaning performance on various types of soil, including diffuse soil (e.g. particulate and/or grease stains) which usually accumulate in high traffic areas; however, good cleaning performance is also provided on other types of stains or soil, i.e., for example, bleachable stains (e.g. coffee, beverage or food stains) and/or enzymatic stains such as blood.

"Particle stains" as used herein means any type of particle soiling or stains that may be found on any carpet, such as clay, dirt, dust, wet dirt, cement and the like.

"Grease/oil stains" here means any dirt or stains of a greasy/oily nature that can be found on any carpet, e.g. make-up, lipstick, dirty motor oil and mineral oil, greasy foods such as mayonnaise and spaghetti sauce.

"Bleachable stains" here means any soil or stain that contains ingredients that react to bleach and can be found on any carpet, such as coffee or tea.

"Enzymatic stains" here means any soiling or stains of an enzymatic nature that can be found on any carpet, e.g. grass.

The cleaning performance of any composition on a soiled carpet can be tested using the following test procedure.

First, a liquid composition according to the present invention is sprayed onto the soiled area of the carpet. It is allowed to act for approximately one to ten minutes, five minutes is best. The carpet is then vacuumed. Typical soiled carpets used in this test are actual carpets from "high traffic areas". Cleaning performance is evaluated by visual grading.

In the embodiment where peroxygen bleach, such as hydrogen peroxide, is present in the compositions, the presence of the polymer enhances the disinfecting properties of such a composition.

Surfactants

The preferred compositions according to the present invention also consist of a surfactant or a mixture thereof.

The compositions typically consist of up to 50% by weight of the total composition of a surfactant or a mixture thereof, preferably from 0.5% to 25%, more preferably from 1% to 10%, and most preferably from 1.5% to 5%.

Compositions suitable for use may dry to non-stick residues. Such surfactants may be selected from those well known in the art. These include anionic, non-ionic, zwitterionic, amphoteric and cationic surfactants and mixtures thereof.

Particularly suitable surfactants for this purpose are the anionic surfactants. These anionic surfactants are preferred because they further contribute to the excellent cleaning performance of the compositions of the present invention with regard to various types of stains. In addition, they do not stick to the carpet, thereby reducing re-soiling.

Suitable anionic surfactants that can be used include sulfonate and sulfate surfactants. Such surfactants are well known in the art and have been widely used in commercial cleaners. These anionic surfactants include the C8-C22 alkyl benzene sulfonates (LAS), the C4-C22 alkyl sulfates (AS), unsaturated sulfates such as oleyl sulfate, the C10-C18 alkyl alkoxy sulfates (AES) and the C10-C18 alkyl alkoxy carboxylates. The neutralizing cation for the anionic synthetic sulfonates and/or sulfates is present as a conventional cation widely used in cleaning technology, such as sodium, potassium or alkanolammonium. Alkyl sulfates are preferred, especially coconut alkyl sulfate with 6 to 8 carbon atoms, preferably 8 to 15, in the alkyl chain or mixtures thereof.

Other anionic surfactants suitable for cleaning purposes may also be used herein. These may include salts (including, for example, sodium, potassium, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts such as mono-, di- and triethanolamine salts) of soaps, C₈-C₂₂ primary or secondary alkane sulphonates, C₈-C₂₄ olefin sulphonates, sulphonated polycarboxylic acids prepared by sulphonation of the pyrolyzed product of alkali earth metal citrates, for example as described in British Patent Specification No. 1,082,179, C₈-C₂₄ alkyl polyglycol ether sulphates (containing up to 10 moles of ethylene oxide), alkyl ester sulphonates such as C₁₄₋₁₆ Methyl ester sulfonates, acylglycerol sulfonates, fatty oleylglycerol sulfates, alkylphenol ethylene oxide ether sulfates, paraffin sulfonates, alkyl phosphates, isethionates such as the acyl isethionates, N-acyl taurates, alkyl succinamates and sulfosuccinates, monoesters of sulfosuccinate (particularly saturated and unsaturated C₁₂-C₁₈ monoesters), diesters of sulfosuccinate (particularly saturated and unsaturated C₆-C₁₄ diesters) and sulfates of alkylpolysaccharides such as sulfates of alkylpolyglucoside (the non-ionic, non-sulfonated compounds are described below). Resin acids and hydrogenated resin acids are also suitable, such as rosin, hydrogenated rosin, and resin acids and hydrogenated resin acids present in or derived from tall oil. Further examples are given in the book "Surface Active Agents and Detergents" (Volumes 1 and 2, Schwanz, Perry and Berch). A variety of such surfactants are also generally described in U.S. Patent 3,929,678, published December 30, 1975, Laughlin et al., at column 23, line 58, to column 29, line 23.

Other suitable anionic surfactants used herein include acyl sarcosinate or mixtures thereof, in the acid and/or salt form, preferably long chain acyl sarcosinates having the following formula:

where M is hydrogenated or a cationic moiety, and R is an alkyl group consisting of 11 to 15, preferably 11 to 13 carbon atoms. M is preferably hydrogenated and alkali metal salts, in particular sodium and potassium. Said acyl sarcosine surfactants are derived from natural fatty acids and the amino acid sacrosin (N-methyl glycine). They are suitable for use as aqueous solutions of their salt or in their acid form as a powder. Since they are derived from natural fatty acids, these acyl sarcosinates are quickly and completely biodegradable and well tolerated by the skin.

Accordingly, the most preferred long chain acyl sarcosinates used herein include C12 acyl sarcosinate (ie, an acyl sarcosinate according to the above formula wherein M is hydrogenated and R is an alkyl group of 11 carbon atoms) and C14 acyl sarcosinate (ie, an acyl sarcosinate according to the above formula wherein M is hydrogenated and R is an alkyl group of 13 carbon atoms). C12 acyl sarcosinate is commercially available, for example as Hamposyl L-30®, supplied by Hampshire. C14 Acylsarcosinate is also commercially available, for example as Hamposyl M-30®, supplier Hampshire.

Particularly preferred anionic surfactants for use are the alkyl sulfate surfactants according to the formula R₁SO₄M, where R₁ represents a hydrocarbon group selected from the group consisting of straight or branched alkyl radicals having 4 to 22 carbon atoms and alkylphenyl radicals having 6 to 15 carbon atoms in the alkyl group. R₁ is a straight or branched alkyl radical having 6 to 18, preferably 6 to 12 and even more preferably 6 to 10 carbon atoms. M is H or a cation, e.g. B. 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 and dimethylpiperidinium cations and quaternary ammonium cations derived from alkylamines such as ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine and mixtures thereof, and the like).

Other particularly suitable surfactants used here include amine oxide surfactants according to the formula R1R2R3NO, where R1, R2 and R3 are each independently a saturated substituted or unsubstituted, linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 30, preferably 1 to 20, carbon atoms.

Preferably, amine oxide surfactants to be used in accordance with the present invention are amine oxide surfactants according to the formula R₁R₂R₃NO, where R1 is a saturated, linear or branched alkyl group having 1 or 30, preferably 6 to 20, and more preferably up to 16 carbon atoms. R2 and R3 are independently substituted or unsubstituted, linear or branched alkyl groups having 1 to 4, and most preferably 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and more preferably methyl groups. The amine oxide surfactants used herein are preferably neat cut amine oxide surfactants, i.e. a pure, single amine oxide surfactant, e.g. C₈ N,N-dimethylamine oxide, and not mixtures of amine oxide surfactants with chains of different lengths.

Amine oxide surfactants that are suitable for use here are, for example, pure cut C8 amine oxide, pure cut C10 amine oxide, pure cut C14 amine oxide, a natural mixture of C8-C10 amine oxides and a natural mixture of C12-C16 amine oxides. Such amine oxide surfactants are commercially available from Hoechst or Stephan.

Nonionic surfactants suitable for use herein include all ethoxylated C6-C24 fatty alcohol nonionic surfactants, alkyl propoxylates and mixtures thereof, fatty acids C6-C24 alkanolamides, C6-C20 polyethyl glycol ethers, polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 1,000 to 80,000 and glucoseamides, alkyl pyrrolidones and betaines.

Cationic surfactants suitable for use herein include quaternary ammonium compounds according to the formula R₁R₂R₃R₄N⁺, wherein R₁, R₂ and R₃ are methyl groups and R₄ is a C₁₂₋₁₅ alkyl group, or wherein R₁ is an ethyl or hydroxyethyl group, R₂ and R₃ are methyl groups and R₄ is a C₁₂₋₁₅ alkyl group.

Zwitterionic surfactants are also suitable as optional ingredients. Suitable zwitterionic surfactants include derivatives of aliphatic quaternary ammonium, phosphorium and sulfonium compounds which may have a straight or branched chain with respect to the aliphatic portion and wherein one of the aliphatic substituents contains about 8 to 24 carbon atoms and another substituent contains at least one anionic water-soluble group. Particularly preferred zwitterionic materials are the ethoxylated ammonium sulfonates and sulfates described in U.S. Patent 3,925,262, Laughlin et al., issued December 9, 1975, and Patent 3,929,678, Laughlin et al., issued December 30, 1975.

In a preferred embodiment, the compositions of the invention also have a surfactant over the polymer. The surfactant allows the polymer to form a non-stick residue that traps the soil.

In a preferred embodiment herein, the polymer and surfactant are present in the compositions according to the present invention in a weight ratio of polymer to surfactant of 1:40 to 20:1, most preferably 1:20 to 10:1, most preferably 1:10 to 5:1, and most preferably 1:6 to 1:1. The total amount of surfactant together with the polymer is 1% to 20%, preferably 2% to 10%, and most preferably 3% to 6% by weight of the total composition. An advantage of the present invention is that excellent cleaning performance is provided with a reduced total amount of cleaning agent, i.e. surfactant and/or polymer.

The pH of the liquid compositions according to this invention can be from 1 to 14. In a preferred embodiment, the recommended pH is between 1 to 8, preferably between 1 and 7, even more preferably between 2 and 6.5 and most preferably between 4 and 6.5. It has been surprisingly found that the cleaning performance is further improved at these preferred pH values. Accordingly, the compositions here may comprise an acid or a base to adjust the pH accordingly. The acids that can be used for these purposes can be organic or inorganic acids. Inorganic acids such as sulphuric acid are preferred. The bases that can be used here can be organic or inorganic bases. Inorganic bases such as caustic soda are preferred.

Optional ingredients

The compositions may also contain a variety of additional compounds such as volatile organic compounds, peroxygen bleaches, stabilizers, chelators, adjuvant systems, perfumes, dyes, anti-lye agents, enzymes, photobleaching agents, bleach activators and other minor ingredients.

Volatile organic compounds

The preferred compositions according to the present invention typically consist of a volatile organic compound (VOC) or a mixture thereof. Typically, the compositions comprise up to 90% by weight of the total composition of a volatile organic compound or a mixture thereof, preferably from 1% to 50%, more preferably from 1.5% to 20%, and most preferably from 2% to 8%.

Suitable organic compounds for use include aliphatic and/or aromatic alcohol, glycol ethers and/or derivatives thereof, polyol and mixtures thereof.

Aromatic alcohols suitable for use follow the formula R₁-OH, wherein R₁ is an alkyl-substituted or non-alkyl-substituted aryl group having 1 to 20, preferably 2 to 15, and even more preferably 2 to 10 carbon atoms. A suitable aromatic alcohol for this purpose is benzyl alcohol.

Aliphatic alcohols suitable for use herein follow the formula R2-OH, where R2 is a linear or branched saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon chain having 1 to 20, preferably 1 to 10, and even more preferably 2 to 6 carbon atoms. Particularly preferred are aliphatic alcohols having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, or preferably 4 carbon atoms, or mixtures thereof. Suitable aliphatic alcohols used herein include linear alcohols such as 2-octanol, decanol, isopropyl alcohol, propyl alcohol, ethanol and/or methanol. Isopropyl alcohol is particularly preferred.

Isopropanol is commercially available from Merck/BDH Italia under its chemical name.

Suitable glycol ethers and/or derivatives thereof used herein include monoglycol ethers and/or derivatives thereof, polyglycol ethers and/or derivatives thereof, and mixtures.

Suitable monoglycol ethers and derivatives thereof used herein include n-butoxypropanol (n-BP), water-soluble CELLOSOLVE® solvent, or mixtures thereof. Preferred Cellosolve® solvents include propoxyethyl acetate salt (i.e., Propyl Cellosolve Acetate Salt®), ethanol-2-butoxy phosphate 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 used herein include butoxypropoxypropanol (n-BPP), butyl triglycol ether (BTGE), butyl diglycol ether (BDGE), water-soluble CARBITOL® solvents or mixtures thereof.

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

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

Suitable polyol solvents used herein are those polyols having at least two hydroxyl groups (-OH), e.g. diols. Diols suitable for use herein include 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol, 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol, methyl-2,4,pentanediol or mixtures thereof.

In a preferred embodiment, the volatile organic compounds are present as they further contribute to the excellent cleaning performance of the present invention. Furthermore, in the embodiment where peroxygen bleach, such as hydrogen peroxide, is present in the compositions, the addition of a volatile organic compound improves the cleaning properties of such a composition.

Peroxygen bleach

The compositions of the present invention may comprise a peroxygen bleach or mixtures thereof as a particularly preferred optional ingredient:

A preferred peroxygen bleach used herein is the hydrogen peroxide or sources. As used herein, a hydrogen peroxide source refers to any compound that produces perhydroxyl ions when said compound is in contact with water. The presence of a peroxygen bleach, preferably hydrogen peroxide, contributes to the excellent cleaning performance of the compositions of the present invention. Furthermore, it provides good bleaching and cleaning properties for the compositions.

Suitable water-soluble sources of hydrogen peroxide for use herein include percarbonates, persilicates, persulfates such as monosulfates, perborates, preformed peroxyacids, alkyl hydroperoxides, peroxides, aliphatic diacyl peroxides and mixtures thereof. Hydrogen peroxide is preferably used in the compositions according to the present invention.

Suitable preformed peroxydic acids for use in the carpet cleaning compositions of the present invention include diperoxydodecanoic acid DPDA, Magnesium perphthalic acid, perlauric acid, perbenzoic acid, diperoxyazelaic acid and mixtures thereof.

Suitable hydroperoxides for use here are tert-butyl hydroperoxide, cumyl hydroperoxide, 2,4,4-trimethylpentyl-2-hydroperoxide, di-isopropylbenzene monohydroperoxide, tert-amyl hydroperoxide, 2,5-dimethyl-hexane-2,5-dihydroperoxide or mixtures thereof.

Suitable aliphatic diacyl peroxides for use here are dilauryl peroxide, didecanoyl peroxide, dimyristoyl peroxide and mixtures thereof.

Typically, the compositions may comprise from 0.01% to 20% by weight of the total composition of a peroxygen bleach or a mixture thereof. Preferably, 0.5% to 10% or, more preferably, 1% to 7%.

The applicant's also pending European patent application EP-A-988362 describes carpet cleaning compositions containing peroxygen bleach.

Stabilizers

The compositions may also comprise hydroxypyridine N-oxide or derivatives thereof according to the following formula:

where X is nitrogen, Y is one of the following oxygen groups, -CHO, -OH, -(CH2)n-COOH, where n is an integer between 0 and 20, preferably between 0 to 10 and even better zero, and where Y is preferably oxygen. Accordingly, particularly preferred hydroxypyridine N-oxides or derivatives thereof for use are 2-hydroxypyridine N-oxide.

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

Typically, the compositions herein will consist of up to 2% by weight of the total composition of a hydroxypyrdine N-oxide or derivatives or mixtures thereof. Most preferably, 0.001% to 1% and most preferably 0.001 to 0.5%.

The compositions herein may also have a chelator or mixtures thereof. Suitable chelators are those well known to those in the art. Suitable chelators include, for example, phosphonate chelators, polyfunctionally substituted aromatic chelators, aminocarboxylate chelators, and other chelators such as ethylenediamine N,N'-disuccinic acid and mixtures thereof. Typically, the compositions will consist of up to 4% by weight of the total composition of a chelator or mixtures thereof. Most preferably, 0.001% to 1%, and even more preferably, 0.001% to 0.5%.

Suitable phosphate chelators used herein include etidronic acid, alkali metal ethane 1-hydroxy diphosphonates, and aminophosphonate compounds including aminoalkylene poly(alkylene phosphonate), alkali metal ethane 1-hydroxy diphosphonates, nitrilotrimethylphosphonates, ethylenediaminetetramethylenephosphonates, and diethylenetriaminepentaphosphonates. The phosphonate compounds may be present either in their acid form or as salts of various cations at some or all of their acid functionalities. Preferred phosphonate chelators used herein are Diethylenetriaminepentamethylenephosphonates (DETPMP). Such phosphonate chelators are commercially available from Monsanto under the trade name DEQUEST®.

Polyfunctionally substituted aromatic chelators are also useful in the compositions herein. See U.S. Patent 3,812,044, issued May 21, 1974 to Connor et al. Preferred compounds of this type in acid form are dihydroxydisulfobenzenes, such as 1,2-dihydroxy-3,5-disulfobenzene.

A preferred biodegradable chelator for this purpose is ethylenediamine N,N'-disuccinic acid or alkali metal or alkaline earth, ammonium or substituted ammonium salts thereof or mixtures thereof. Ethylenediamine N,N'-disuccinic acids, particularly the (S,S) isomer, have been described in detail in US Patent 4,704,233, November 3, 1987, issued to Hartman and Perkins. Ethylenediamine N,N'-disuccinic acids are, for example, commercially available under the name ssEDDS® from Palmer Research Laboratories.

Suitable aminocarboxylate chelators for use herein include ethylenediaminetetraacetates, diethylenetriaminepentaacetates, diethylenetriaminepentaacetate (DTPA), N-hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetates, nitrilotriacetates, ethylenediaminetetrapropionates, triethylenetetraaminehexaacetates, ethanol diglycols, propylenediaminetetraacetic acid (PDTA) and methylglycoldiacetic acid (MGDA), both in their acid form or in their alkali metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium salt forms. A particularly suitable aminocarboxylate for use herein is diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA).

Other chelators suitable for use include salicylic acid or derivatives thereof or mixtures thereof according to the following formula:

Here, X is carbon, Y is one of the following groups -CHO, -OH, -(CH2)n-COOH, and preferably -(CH2)n-COOH, where n is an integer from 0 to 20, most preferably from 0 to 10, and most preferably 0. Salicylic acid and derivatives thereof can be used herein in either their acid or salt state, for example sodium salts.

Salicylic acid is particularly preferred here and can be purchased from Rhone Poulenc.

The compositions according to the invention may further contain propyl gallate up to 1% by weight of the total composition, preferably from 0.01% to 0.1%, even more preferably from 0.01% to 0.06%. It has now been found that the inclusion of propyl gallate in the liquid compositions containing peroxygen bleaching agents contributes to excellent chemical stability for said compositions.

Bleach activators

Compositions according to the invention may further contain a bleach activator or a mixture thereof as another optional ingredient. "Bleach activator" here means a preparation which reacts with hydrogen peroxide to form a peracid. The peracid thus formed represents the activated bleach. Suitable bleach activators used for this purpose Bleach activators include those belonging to the class of esters, amides, imides, or anhydrides. Examples of suitable preparations of this type for use are shown in British Patent GB 1 586 769 and GB 2 143 231; a method for their formation into a spray form is described in European published patent application EP-A-62 523. Suitable examples of such preparations for use herein are tetracetylethylenediamine (TAED), sodium 3,5,5, trimethylhexanonyloxybenzenesulfonate, diperoxydodecanoic acid, for example as described in US 4 818 425 and nonylamide of peroxyadipic acid, for example as described in US 4 259 201 and n-nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonates (NOBS). Also suitable are N-acyl caprolactam selected from the group consisting of substituted and unsubstituted benzene caprolactam, otanoyl caprolactam, nonanoyl caprolactam, hexanoyl caprolactam, decanoyl caprolactam, nondecenoyl caprolactam, formyl caprolactam, acetyl caprolactam, propanoyl caprolactam, butanoyl caprolactam, pentanoyl caprolactam or mixtures thereof. A particular family of bleach activators of interest has been presented in EP 624 154 and particularly preferred in this family is acetyl triethyl citrate (ATC). Acetyl triethyl citrate has the advantage of being environmentally friendly as it eventually degrades to citric acid and alcohol. In addition, acetyl triethyl citrate has a high hydrolytic stability in the composition during storage and is an efficient bleach activator.

The compositions according to the invention can contain up to 30% of the weight of the total composition of said bleach activator, or mixtures thereof, preferably 1% to 20%, even better 2% to 10%.

Tools

The compositions according to the invention may further comprise an adjuvant system. Any adjuvant system known in the art is suitable for use here. Suitable adjuvant systems for use here are derivatives of succinic acid of the formula R-CH(COOH)CH₂(COOH) wherein R is C₁₀₋₂₀alkyl or alkenyl, most preferably C₁₂₋₁₆ or wherein R is substituted with hydroxyl, sulfosulfoxy-I or sulfone substituents. Specific examples are lauryl succinate, myristyl succinate, palmitylsuccinate, 2-dodecenyl succinate, 2-tetradecenyl succinate. Succinate excipients are preferably used in the form of their water-soluble salts, including sodium, potassium, ammonium and alkanolammonium salts.

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

Other suitable excipients for use here are fatty acid excipients including saturated and unsaturated C₁₀₋₁₈ fatty acids and the corresponding soaps. Preferred saturated types have from 12 to 16 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain. The preferred unsaturated fatty acid is oleic acid.

The compositions for this purpose can comprise 0% to 10%, preferably 1% to 7% of the weight of the total composition of an aid system.

The compositions

The invention also provides a liquid composition having a residue content of less than 40% after vacuuming before and during packaging in a container suitable for applying the composition to the carpet surface in the form of a droplet spray having a particle size distribution with a mean diameter D(v, 0.9) of less than 750 µm.

Preferred compositions for this purpose, which may have a residue level of less than 40% after vacuuming (as defined above in the carpet cleaning process), typically comprise a polymer that dries to a non-sticky residue. Highly preferred compositions further comprise a volatile organic compound and/or a surfactant. Suitable surfactants and/or polymers and volatile organic compounds and grades thereof are those mentioned above in the carpet cleaning process. Other optional ingredients may be present in these compositions as described for the carpet cleaning process above. In another embodiment, the preferred compositions further comprise a peroxygen bleach or a mixture thereof. Such compositions, which are particularly suitable for sanitizing and disinfecting carpets, are particularly preferred and eliminate micro-insects from carpet and seat covers. The presence of a polymer that can dry as a non-stick residue increases the disinfection performance of the peroxygen bleach.

Suitable spray dispensers capable of distributing the composition onto the carpet surface in the form of a droplet spray having a particle size distribution with a mean diameter D(v, 0.9) of less than 750 µm are as described above. An electric spray dispenser is preferred.

Typically, the amount of composition applied to the surfaces is 1 ml to 120 ml per square meter of carpet, preferably 10 ml to 80 ml, even better 20 ml to 60 ml and most preferably 30 ml to 50 ml.

The invention enables easier and faster carpet cleaning by spraying a composition having a particle size distribution with a mean diameter of less than 750, even better less than 500 and best of all 50 to 10 um, while providing excellent cleaning performance.

According to the invention, the compositions can be used for removing stains and dirt from carpet or seat upholstery as well as for eliminating odors.

Examples

The following examples illustrate the invention. The compositions were achieved by combining the ingredients listed in the percentage indicated (weight % unless otherwise specified).

AMCP is acrylic/malum-based copolymers (Sokalan CP5®) Chelate* is a phosphate chelator available under the trade name DEQUEST®.

Na CnAS is either C8 sodium alkyl sulfate or C7-C9 sodium alkyl sulfate. PA is an ethoxylated tetraethylenepentamine; the average molecular weight is 70,000.

The compositions listed above are in a container suitable to have a droplet spray with a particle size distribution with a mean diameter D(v, 0.9) of 200 to 400 µm when measured with the mentioned Malvern Mastersizer S longBed®.

According to the invention, the compositions in the examples given above have a residue level of less than 40% after vacuuming and provide excellent general cleaning performance on carpets, i.e. they have excellent cleaning performance in removing particulate soiling, grease/oil stains, and/or enzymatic stains as well as other types of soiling such as bleachable stains such as coffee, tea and the like, both when cleaning the entire carpet or individual carpet stains.

In a suitable method for cleaning the entire carpet with any composition listed above, the composition is sprayed onto the carpet from a container mentioned above in the form of a droplet spray having a particle size distribution with a mean diameter D(V ,0.9) of 200 to 400 µm. The amount of composition sprayed onto the carpet is approximately 40 ml per square meter of carpet. The composition is allowed to dry on the carpet. Typical drying times for the compositions of Examples I-XII are between 15 and 25 minutes. During drying, the composition forms non-stick residues which capture the carpet soil. These residues are removed by vacuuming; this is done for example with a Hoover 1300 W without additional work by the user

Claims (17)

1. A method for cleaning a carpet with a liquid composition consisting of a soil-removing polycarboxylate and/or polyamine polymer, which comprises the following steps: - applying the composition to the carpet by spraying droplets, whereby a particle size distribution is present such that 90% of the distributed droplet spray (expressed in volume units) has a droplet diameter [mean diameter D(v, 0.9)] of less than 750 µm, the amount of composition applied to the carpet is 1 ml to 120 ml per square metre of carpet, - allowing the composition to dry on the carpet and finally removing it by vacuuming the carpet, said composition having a residue content of less than 40% after vacuuming, said residue content after vacuuming (TVRi) being determined as follows: Where Ws is the initial weight of a carpet sample (before any treatment); Wt represents the weight of the same carpet sample immediately after the carpet cleaning composition has been applied to it; Wfv represents the final weight of the same carpet sample after vacuuming; and the residue percentage after vacuuming is measured as specified in the part of the description entitled "The procedure for cleaning carpets". 2. A carpet cleaning composition consisting of a soil-removing polycarboxylate and/or polyamine polymer and having a residue fraction of less than 40% after vacuuming, packaged in a container adapted for application of the composition to the carpet in the form of a spray of droplets, having a particle size distribution such that 90% of the distributed droplet spray (expressed in volume units) has a droplet diameter [mean diameter D(v, 0.9)] of less than 750 µm, the residue fraction after vacuuming (TVRi) is determined as follows: Where Ws is the initial weight of a carpet sample (before any treatment); Wt represents the weight of the same carpet sample immediately after the carpet cleaning composition has been applied to it; Wfv represents the final weight of the same carpet sample after vacuuming; and the residue percentage after vacuuming is measured as specified in the part of the description entitled "The procedure for cleaning carpets". 3. A method or composition for cleaning a carpet according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition is applied to the carpet in the form of spraying droplets. Having a particle size distribution with a mean diameter D(v, 0.9) or less than 500 and most preferably from 350 to 10 µm. 4. A method or composition for cleaning a carpet according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition is applied in amounts of 10 ml to 80 ml, preferably 20 ml to 60 ml or most preferably 30 ml to 50 ml, per square meter of carpet. 5. A method or composition for cleaning a carpet according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition has a residue level of less than 30%, preferably less than 15% and most preferably less than 10%, after vacuuming. 6. A method or composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the composition consists of soil-releasing polycarboxylate or polyamine polymer or a mixture thereof, in a level of from 0.01% to 50%, more preferably from 0.1% to 20%, even more preferably from 0.3% to 10% or most preferably from 0.5% to 3% by weight of the total composition. 7. A method or composition according to claim 6, wherein the soil-releasing polymer is an alkoxylate polyamine or a mixture thereof represented as molecules of the empirical structures having repeating units: and This includes: R is a hydrocarbyl group of usually 2 to 6 carbon atoms; R¹ is a C₁ to C₂₀ hydrocarbon; the alkoxy groups are ethoxy and/or propoxy, and y is 2 to 30, preferably from 10 to 20. n is an integer of at least 2, preferably from 2 to 20 and most preferably from 3 to 5, and X⁻ is an anion such as halide or methyl sulfate resulting from the quartering reaction and most preferably is an ethoxyl polyethylene amine or a mixture thereof, according to the general formula: when y = 2-30, preferably 15, and n 1-30 is preferably 4. 8. A process or composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition consists of a surfactant or a mixture thereof, preferably in a proportion of 50% by weight of the total composition, more preferably from 1% to 10%, and most preferably from 1.5% to 5%. 9. A method or composition according to claim 8, wherein the surfactant is an anionic, nonionic, cationic, zwitterionic and/or amphoteric surfactant, preferably an anionic surfactant, more preferably a C4-C22 alkyl sulfate and most preferably a C6-C10 alkyl sulfate. 10. A method or composition according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the composition of said polymer and surfactant has a weight ratio of polymer to surfactant of 1:40 to 20:1, preferably from 1:20 to 10:1, more preferably from 1:10 to 5:1 and most preferably from 1:6 to 1:1. 11. A process or composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition consists of a volatile organic compound, preferably glycol ether and/or a derivative thereof, more preferably butoxypropanol, propoxyethyl acetate, ethanol-2-butoxyphosphate, 2-(hexyloxy)ethanol, 2-ethoxyethanol, 2-butoxyethanol, n-butoxypropoxypropanol, butyl triglycol ether, butyl diglycol ether, 2-(2-alkoxyethoxy)ethanol, 2-(2-alkoxyethoxy)propanol, 2-(2-alkoxyethoxy)butanol or mixtures thereof, and/or a polyol, more preferably a diol, most preferably 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol, 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol, methyl-2,4 Pentanediol or a mixture thereof, and/or an aromatic alcohol according to the formula R₁-OH, where R₁ is an alkyl-substituted or non-alkyl-substituted aryl group of 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and/or a fatty alcohol according to the formula R₂-OH, where R₂ is a linear or branched saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon chain of 1 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably from 2 to 10 and better from 2 to 4, or mixture thereof, and the organic compound is most preferably isopropanol. 12. A process or composition according to claim 11, wherein the volatile organic compound is present at a level of up to 90% by weight of the total composition, preferably from 1.5% to 20% and more preferably from 2% to 8%. 13. A method or composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition consists of a peroxygen bleaching agent or a mixture thereof. 14. A method or composition according to claim 13, wherein the peroxygen bleaching agent is selected from the group consisting of percarbonate, persilicate, perborate, preformed peroxyacid, alkyl hydroperoxide, peroxide, aliphatic diacyl peroxide and mixtures thereof, and preferably is a hydrogen peroxide. 15. A process or composition according to any one of claims 13 or 14, wherein the composition consists of from 0.01% to 20% by weight of the total composition of peroxygen bleach or mixtures thereof, preferably from 0.5% to 10% and more preferably from 1% to 7%. 16. A method or composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition is an aqueous liquid composition having a pH of 1 to 14, preferably between pH 1 and 7, more preferably between pH 2 and 6.5, and most preferably between pH 5 and 6.5. 17. A method or composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the composition is packaged in a container from which the composition is applied by means of an electrically operated pump and a spray arm which is either extended or extendible and which has at least one dispensing opening, such that in use the composition is pumped by means of the electrically operated pump through the spray arm from the container to the dispensing opening through which it is dispensed.