Environmentally friendly laundry method and kit

Abstract

A method of washing laundry, the method comprising washing laundry in an aqueous medium with two separate compositions: a laundry detergent composition comprising from about 1% to about 80% of an alkoxylated ester surfactant and a rinse aid composition comprising from about 0.001% to about 100% of a carboxylic ester hydrolase enzyme, to result in the substantial reduction of foaming. Laundry kits based on the two compositions are also described.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to laundry methods and laundry kits based on laundry detergent compositions comprising alkoxylated carboxylic acid ester surfactants and laundry rinse aid compositions comprising certain hydrolases. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Environmentally friendly cleaning products, including laundry products, are becoming increasingly in demand. Many restrictions on formulations are imposed by environmental laws, by universal need to conserve water, by higher prices for non-renewable chemical sources, and by increasing consumer awareness and preference for environmentally friendly products. [0003] One trend in laundry cleaning is to conserve water usage. In some areas of the world, water supply is so limited that cleaning clothes with minimum rinse water or even without rinsing altogether is highly desirable. Also, front-loading washing machines which have smaller drums and thus use less water than traditional washing machines, ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] (b) a rinse aid composition comprising from about 0.001% to about 100% of a c

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, while the main wash cycle is accomplished with less water, multiple rinses are generally required to remove surfactants used to clean the laundry in the main wash.

Part of the problem is consumer perception: surfactant

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