Water soluble magnesium compounds as cleaning agents and methods of using them

Abstract

The present invention relates to compositions and methods employing a water soluble magnesium compound. In certain embodiments, the composition includes water and water soluble magnesium compound, but lacks other materials commonly used in cleaning compositions. The methods and compositions can provide magnesium ion at predefined ratios to calcium ion in water, such as magnesium ion in a molar amount equal to or in excess over a molar amount of calcium ion. A water soluble magnesium salt including an anion of a water soluble calcium salt is more effective than a magnesium salt with an anion of a water insoluble calcium salt. These compositions can be used for reducing lime scale or precipitate formation from hard water, removing soap scum, or the like.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 927,575 filed on May 4, 2007 and entitled “Compositions Containing Magnesium Salt and Methods of Using”, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.[0002]This application is also related to: U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled “Cleaning Compositions with Water Insoluble Conversion Agents and Methods of Making and Using Them” (Attorney Docket No. 2454USU1); U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled, “In Situ Generation of Nanoparticles Under Alkaline Conditions” (Attorney Docket No. 2437USU1); U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled “Water Treatment System and Downstream Cleaning Methods” (Attorney Docket No. 2428USU1); U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled “Cleaning Compositions Containing Water Soluble Magnesium Compounds and Methods of Using Them” (Attorney Docket No. 2488USU1); U.S. patent applicatio...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]The present invention departs from generally held beliefs that complicated formulae are necessary to overcome the deleterious and undesirable effects associated with hard water. When cleaning or rinsing hard surfaces, the use of hard water often results in hard water spotting, filming, staining, or soap scum left on the surface. Hard water spotting, staining, filming, and scale are particularly apparent when washing dishes in an automatic warewashing machine, cleaning basins or countertops or other hard surfaces in a kitchen or bathroom, or when washing vehicles. The present invention includes simpler compositions that overcome the stated undesirable effects of hard water. The present invention comprises methods and compositions employing a water soluble magnesium salt to counter the undesirable effects of calcium ion in hard water. In fact, one embodiment of the present methods and compositions employ nothing more than water soluble magnesium salt and hard water to this end. The present compositions and methods can reduce or prevent the formation of lime scale along with other deleterious effects associated with the use of hard water for cleaning hard surfaces. The present invention may be used to prepare presoaks or prewashes, cleaning agents, or rinse agents. The present invention relates to compositions and methods employing a water soluble magnesium compound. In certain embodiments, the composition includes water and water soluble magnesium compound, but lacks other materials commonly used in cleaning compositions. The methods and compositions can provide magnesium ion at predefined ratios to calcium ion in water, such as magnesium ion in a molar amount equal to or in excess over a molar amount of calcium ion. The water soluble magnesium salt has an associated anion that can exchange with the carbonate associated with the calcium ion. It is preferred that the calcium anion product has the highest possible solubility, but is not required. These compositions can be used for reducing lime scale or precipitate formation from hard water, removing soap scum, or the like.

[0008]In another embodiment, the present invention includes a method of cleaning an object. This method can also reduce hard water spotting, scaling, or deposits. The method can include contacting the object with an aqueous composition including water and a water soluble magnesium salt; and recovering the object with an acceptable amount of hard water spotting, scaling, or deposits. In this method, the aqueous composition during contacting can include magnesium ion in a molar amount equal to or in excess over a molar amount of calcium ion. In this method, it is preferred that the water soluble magnesium salt can include an anion that forms a water soluble salt with calcium.

[0010]In yet another embodiment, the present invention includes a method of preventing or reducing the deposit of soap scum on an object. This method can include contacting the object with an aqueous composition of water and a water soluble magnesium salt. In this method, the aqueous composition during contacting can include magnesium ion in a molar amount equal to or in excess over a molar amount of calcium ion. In this method, it is preferred that the water soluble magnesium salt can include an anion that, together with calcium ion, forms a water soluble calcium salt.

Problems solved by technology

When cleaning or rinsing hard surfaces, the use of hard water often results in hard water spotting, filming, staining, or soap scum left on the surface.

In certain embodiments, the composition includes water and water soluble magnesium compound, but lacks other materials commonly used in cleaning compositions.

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