Aqueous alkaline abrasive cleaning composition

Abstract

The present invention relates to aqueous alkaline abrasive cleaning compositions comprising a quaternary ammonium compound that are stable over time.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to aqueous alkaline abrasive cleaning compositions. More specifically, the present invention relates to aqueous alkaline abrasive cleaning compositions comprising a disinfectant that are stable over time and methods of achieving the same. BACKGROUND

[0002] Cleaning products are well known and play an important role in daily life. Such products typically contain a cleaning agent and, if disinfection is required, also a disinfectant, for example a quaternary ammonium compound. Commonly used cleaning agents include surfactants, but can also include abrasives, such as calcite particles. Cleaning products comprising abrasive particles are also known as “creams” or “scouring creams”. Such creams are used for cleaning household care hard surfaces, such as floors, kitchen worktops and bathroom tiles, inside and around the household. These creams can also be used for cleaning dishes, such as plates, and are often used for removing stubborn stains, such as tea stains. Creams typically have an alkaline pH to aid cleaning performance.

[0003] For creams, it is desirable that the product maintains a uniform appearance over time. The abrasive particles, for example calcite particles, need to remain suspended so that they are evenly distributed. If over time, for example when stored, the particles settle and form a sediment at the bottom of the container, this is not liked by the consumer. This would require the product to be shaken before use and, in some cases, even shaking does not restore the proper distribution of the particles, resulting in suboptimal cleaning and thus a poor user experience.

[0004] In addition to cleaning, consumers sometimes also prefer disinfection. To meet this requirement, a disinfectant can be added. A known disinfectant for this purpose and product form is hypochlorite. However, some consumers prefer a milder disinfectant, as hypochlorite has the risk of damaging delicate surfaces due to being a strong oxidizing agent. Quaternary ammonium compounds are an example of a milder disinfectant. However, due to their cationic nature, they are not easily incorporated into creams.

[0005] More and more consumers nowadays prefer cleaning products with good environmental properties. That is, they prefer products that are “environmentally friendly” and have less or no impact on the environment when the product is used. Therefore, there is a growing demand for cleaning products that mainly or only contain natural and / or biodegradable ingredients.

[0006] EP1448756B1 discloses an aqueous alkaline solution comprising at least caustic soda and a viscosity stabilizing amount of diutan gum.

[0007] However, it appears that not all viscosity stabilizing systems allow for proper stabilization of aqueous alkaline abrasive cleaning compositions comprising a quaternary ammonium compound.

[0008] Thus, despite the attempts made to date, there remains a need for cleaning compositions having good environmental profile without compromising consumer satisfaction in terms of performance and / or storage stability. SUMMARY

[0009] We have found that the combination of diutan gum and aminocarboxylate chelant allows for stable aqueous alkaline abrasive cleaning compositions.

[0010] Thus, in a first aspect, the present invention relates to an aqueous alkaline abrasive cleaning composition comprising:

[0011] a. 1 to 60 wt.% of abrasive particles;

[0012] b. 0.05 to 0.5 wt.% of diutan gum;

[0013] c. 0.01 to 3 wt.% aminocarboxylate chelant;

[0014] d. 0.05 to 3 wt.% of a quaternary ammonium compound;

[0015] wherein the composition has a pH of 10 to 14, and

[0016] wherein the abrasive particles are suspended.

[0017] The present invention further relates to a method of stabilizing an aqueous alkaline abrasive cleaning composition comprising abrasive particles and a quaternary ammonium compound by including diutan gum and aminocarboxylate chelant in the aqueous composition. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Any feature of one aspect of the present invention can be utilized in any other aspect of the present invention. The word “comprising” is intended to mean “including” but not necessarily “consisting of” or “composed of.” In other words, the listed steps or options need not be exhaustive. In the description of the application, all percentages are by weight, and all measurements are at room temperature, unless otherwise specified. All ranges are inclusive and combinable, unless otherwise stated. Unless otherwise noted, all amounts are expressed in weight percent based on the total weight of the composition and are abbreviated as “wt%”. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the application and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the application otherwise claimed. Room temperature is defined as a temperature of about 20 degrees Celsius.

[0019] Aqueous cleaning composition

[0020] The cleaning composition of the present application is an aqueous cleaning composition, that is to say, the composition comprises water. The amount of water will depend on the desired concentration of the other ingredients, but is at least about 25 wt%, for example at least 40 wt% or at least 60 wt%, but typically no more than 98 wt%. The amount of water is preferably from 25 to 98 wt%, more preferably from 35 to 90 wt%, even more preferably from 45 to 80 wt%, still more preferably from 55 to 75 wt%.

[0021] The composition is liquid, that is to say, it can be poured, and preferably has a viscosity at 25°C of from 10 to 2000 mPa.s at 20 s -1 The composition can have more or less viscosity depending on the desired use characteristics. For example, if the composition is to be used in a trigger spray bottle, a water thin viscosity is required. If dispensed from a squeeze bottle, a more viscous consistency can be required. Preferably, the composition has a viscosity at 25°C of from 120 to 1500 mPa.s at 20 s -1 and more preferably from 300 to 1000 mPa.s at 20 s -1 The desired viscosity can be obtained as appropriate by known methods, for example using viscosity modifiers. Alternatively, the amount of dextrin gum and / or the amount of abrasive particles can be adjusted.

[0022] Abrasive

[0023] The cleaning composition of the present application comprises from 1 to 60 wt% of abrasive particles. The abrasive particles act as a cleaning agent to provide cleaning action in combination with the alkaline pH of the composition. Preferably, the composition comprises from 10 to 50 wt%, more preferably from 15 to 40 wt% of abrasive particles.

[0024] The Mohs scale of mineral hardness is a qualitative ordinal scale of hardness, characterised by scratch resistance, using the ability to scratch a variety of minerals with a fingernail. Lower numbers indicate softer materials, higher numbers indicate harder materials. The abrasive particles should provide sufficient scratching to act as a cleaning agent, but at the same time should not damage the surface to be cleaned by excessive scratching. Preferably, the abrasive particles have a Mohs hardness of from 1 to 5, more preferably from 1 to 4, still more preferably from 2 to 4.

[0025] The abrasive particles preferably have an average particle size of between 2 and 500 microns, more preferably between 5 and 250 microns, still more preferably between 5 and 100 microns.

[0026] Suitable abrasive particles are well known and include synthetic, plant-based and mineral-based particles. Suitable synthetic materials include plastic particles. Suitable plant-based materials include pits, kernels and hard cores that can be ground to obtain the desired particle size. Suitable examples of plant-based abrasive particles include those based on cherry pits, almond and olive pits. Preferably, the abrasive particles are mineral-based, more preferably the abrasive particles are derived from carbonate and / or silicate based minerals. Examples of carbonate based minerals include calcite and dolomite. Calcite is a carbonate mineral and is the most stable polymorph of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) with a Mohs hardness value of 3. Dolomite is an anhydrous carbonate mineral consisting of calcium magnesium carbonate, ideally CaMg(CO3)2. Dolomite has a Mohs hardness value of about 3.5 to 4. Preferably, the abrasive particles are derived from calcite.

[0027] Dittmer's glue

[0028] The cleaning composition of the present application comprises 0.05 to 0.5 wt% of Diltz gum. Diltz gum is a biopolymer, more specifically heteropolysaccharide S-657, which is produced by fermentation of Sphingomonas sp. strain ATCC 53159. Heteropolysaccharide S-657 consists mainly of carbohydrate, about 12% protein and about 7% (calculated as O-acetyl) acyl groups, the carbohydrate portion contains about 19% glucuronic acid, and the molar ratio of the neutral sugars rhamnose and glucose is about 3:2. Details of the structure of Diltz gum can be found in the article "Location of O-acetyl groups in S-657 using reductive-cleavage method" by Diltz et al. Carbohydrate Research 331 (2001) 265-270. Details of the production of Diltz gum can be found in US Patent 5,175,278. Preferably, the composition comprises 0.1 to 0.35 wt% of Diltz gum, more preferably 0.15 to 0.3 wt%. Carbohydrate Research 331(2001) 265-270. Details of the production of Diltz gum can be found in US Patent 5,175,278. Preferably, the composition comprises 0.1 to 0.35 wt% of Diltz gum, more preferably 0.15 to 0.3 wt%.

[0029] Diltz gum is described in EP 1448756 B1 as a viscosity stabilizing gum for aqueous alkaline solutions. It was found that Diltz gum alone could not provide a stable suspension in the cleaning composition of the present application, as it could not keep the abrasive particles in suspension upon storage. A chelating agent was needed to provide a stable suspension upon storage.

[0030] Chelating agent

[0031] The composition of the present application comprises an aminocarboxylate chelating agent.

[0032] Most preferably, the aminocarboxylate chelating agent is selected from the group consisting of 1N carboxylate, 2N carboxylate, 3N carboxylate and mixtures thereof.

[0033] Preferably, the aminocarboxylate salt of the present application is selected from aminopolycarboxylate salts.

[0034] Preferably, the chelating agent is selected from aminocarboxylate salts comprising a -N(MOOCH3)2group and / or a -N-CH2(CH2COOM)(COOM) group, wherein M is hydrogen, a metal (e.g. an alkali metal), ammonium or mixtures thereof, wherein the chelating agent is optionally substituted with one or more -SO3Na groups.

[0035] Preferably, the chelating agent of the present application is selected from salts of:

[0036] - glutamic acid N,N-diacetic acid (GLDA),

[0037] - beta-alanine diacetic acid,

[0038] - ethylenediaminetriacetic acid,

[0039] - methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA),

[0040] - diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid,

[0041] - ethylenediamine-N,N-disuccinic acid,

[0042] - ethylenediaminedi(sulfosuccinic acid) and

[0043] - mixtures thereof.

[0044] The aqueous cleaning composition of the present application comprises 0.01 to 3 wt.% of the aminocarboxylate chelating agent, preferably 0.5 to 2.5 wt.%, more preferably 1 to 2 wt.%.

[0045] Preferably, the aminocarboxylate chelating agent is selected from GLDA, MGDA and combinations thereof.

[0046] MGDA is the common abbreviation for methylglycinediacetic acid trisodium salt and is also known as dicarboxymethyl alanine trisodium. GLDA is the common abbreviation for glutamic acid diacetic acid tetrasodium salt.

[0047] Surprisingly, it was found that the combination of these chelating agents with diutan gum provides a stable suspension upon storage for compositions comprising abrasive particles and quaternary ammonium compounds.

[0048] Preferably, the aminocarboxylate chelating agent comprises MGDA, more preferably, the chelating agent is MGDA.

[0049] Quaternary ammonium compound

[0050] The aqueous cleaning composition of the present invention comprises 0.05 to 3 wt.% of a quaternary ammonium compound as a disinfectant. Preferably, the composition comprises 0.1 to 2 wt.%, more preferably, 0.25 to 1.5 wt.% of the quaternary ammonium compound.

[0051] Any quaternary ammonium compound can be used in the technology described herein. Examples of quaternary ammonium compounds include, for example, alkyl ammonium halides (such as cetyltrimethylammonium bromide), alkyl aryl ammonium halides (such as octadecyl dimethylammonium bromide), and N-alkyl pyridinium halides (such as N-cetyl pyridinium bromide), and the like. One suitable class of quaternary ammonium compounds includes, for example, those containing amine, ether, or ester linkages in the molecule, such as octylphenoxyethoxyethyl dimethylbenzylammonium chloride, N-(lauryl cocoamidoformylmethyl)- pyridinium chloride, and the like. Another effective class of quaternary ammonium compounds includes, for example, those in which the hydrophobic group is characterized by a substituted aromatic nucleus, such as the cases of lauroyloxyphenyltrimethylammonium chloride, cetylaminophenyltrimethylammonium methylsulfate, dodecylphenyltrimethylammonium methylsulfate, dodecylbenzyltrimethylammonium chloride, dodecylbenzyltrimethylammonium chloride, and the like. Preferably, the quaternary ammonium compound used in the practice of the present technology exhibits biocidal activity or is biocidal in nature.

[0052] Particularly useful quaternary ammonium compound biocides include compositions comprising a single quaternary ammonium compound as well as mixtures of two or more different quaternary ammonium compounds. These useful quaternary ammonium compounds are available under the EMPIGEN, BARDAC, BARQUAT, HYAMINE, LONZABAC, and ONYXIDE trademarks, which are more fully described in, for example, McCutcheon's Functional Materials (Vol. 2), North American Edition, 1998, and the corresponding product literature of the identified suppliers below.

[0053] For example, BARDAC 205M is described as containing a liquid of alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (BKC), octyl decyl dimethyl ammonium chloride; didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride and dioctyl dimethyl ammonium chloride in a liquid (50% active) (also available as 80% active (BARDAC 208M)); (generally described in McCutcheon's as a combination of alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride and dialkyl dimethyl ammonium chloride); BARDAC 2050 is described as a combination of octyl decyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride and dioctyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (50% active) (also available as 80% active (BARDAC 2080)); BARDAC 2250 is described as didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (50% active); BARDAC LF (or BARDAC LF-80) is described as being based on dioctyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, (BARQUAT MB-50, MX-50, OJ-50 (each 50% liquid)) and MB-80 or MX-80 (each 80% liquid) are each described as alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride; BARDAC 4250 and BARQUAT 4250Z (each 50% active) or BARQUAT 4280 and BARQUAT 4280Z (each 80% active) are each described as alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride / alkyl dimethyl ethyl benzyl ammonium chloride. Further, HYAMINE 1622, is described as diisobutyl phenoxy ethoxy ethyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (50% solution); HYAMINE 3500 (50% active) is described as alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (also available as 80% active (HYAMINE 3500-80)); and HYMAINE 2389 is described as being based on methyl dodecyl benzyl ammonium chloride and / or methyl dodecyl xylene-bis-trimethyl ammonium chloride.

[0054] (BARDAC, BARQUAT, and HYAMINE are currently available from Lonza, Inc., Fairlawn, N.J.). BTC 50 NF (or BTC 65 NF) is described as alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride (50% active); BTC 99 is described as didecyldimethylammonium chloride (50% active); BTC 776 is described as myrisalkonium chloride (50% active); BTC 818 is described as octyldecyldimethylammonium chloride, didecyldimethylammonium chloride, and dioctyldimethylammonium chloride (50% active) (also available as 80% active (BTC 818-80%)); BTC 824 and BTC 835 are each described as alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride (each 50% active); BTC 885 is described as a combination of BTC 835 and BTC 818 (50% active) (also available as 80% active (BTC 888)); BTC 1010 is described as didecyldimethylammonium chloride (50% active) (also available as 80% active (BTC 1010-80)); BTC 2125 (or BTC 2125M) is described as alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride and alkyldimethylethylbenzylammonium chloride (each 50% active) (also available as 80% active (BTC 2125 80 or BTC 2125M)); BTC 2565 is described as alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride (50% active) (also available as 80% active (BTC 2568)); BTC 8248 (or BTC 8358) is described as alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride (80% active) (also available as 90% active (BTC 8249)); ONYXIDE 3300 is described as n-alkyldimethylbenzylammonium saccharinate (95% active). (BTC and ONYXIDE are currently commercially available from Stepan Company, Northfield, III).

[0055] Benzyl-C12-14-alkyl dimethyl ammonium chloride Benzyl C12-C16-alkyl dimethyl ammonium chloride is also available as EMPIGEN BAC 50 and EMPIGEN BAC 80. It is a solution of benzalkonium chloride in water at about 50% or 80%, respectively, in water. EMPIGEN BAC 50 and EMPIGEN 80 are readily biodegradable, and EMPIGEN is available from Innospec Performance Chemicals.

[0056] Polymeric quaternary ammonium salts based on these monomeric structures are also considered desirable for the present invention. One example is POLYQUAT, described as a 2-butenyl dimethyl ammonium chloride polymer.

[0057] Preferably, the quaternary ammonium compound is benzalkonium chloride.

[0058] pH

[0059] The cleaning composition of the present invention is basic and has a pH of 10 to 14. The basic pH allows for good cleaning performance, particularly in combination with abrasive particles. Preferred compositions have a pH of 11 to 13, more preferably 11 to 12.

[0060] The desired pH can be obtained by methods known in the art, for example by inclusion of a basic ingredient. In the present invention, the chelating agent at least partially contributes to achieving the desired basic pH.

[0061] Surfactant

[0062] The primary cleaning agent in the composition of the present invention is abrasive particles. To further assist the cleaning performance of the composition, a surfactant can be present. Preferably, the cleaning composition of the present invention comprises up to 5 wt% of a non-ionic surfactant having an HLB of 10 to 15. More preferably, the composition comprises 0.5 to 4 wt% of a non-ionic surfactant, even more preferably 1 to 3 wt%.

[0063] Any non-ionic surfactant can be suitably used as long as the surfactant has an HLB of 10 to 15. Preferred non-ionic surfactants are selected from the group consisting of alcohol ethoxylates, alkyl polyglycosides, and combinations thereof.

[0064] Preferably, the non-ionic surfactant is biodegradable, even more preferably the non-ionic surfactant is both natural and biodegradable.

[0065] Alcohol ethoxylates

[0066] Suitable alcohol ethoxylate surfactants include condensation products of higher alcohols (e.g., alkyl alcohols containing from about 8 to 18 carbon atoms in linear or branched configuration) condensed with from about 5 to 30 moles of ethylene oxide, such as lauryl or myristyl alcohol condensed with about 16 moles of ethylene oxide (EO), tridecanol condensed with about 6 moles of EO, myristyl alcohol condensed with about 10 moles of EO per mole of myristyl alcohol, condensation products of EO with a coconut fatty alcohol fraction containing a mixture of fatty alcohols having alkyl chain lengths of from 10 to about 14 carbon atoms, and wherein the condensate contains about 6 moles of EO per mole of total alcohol or about 9 moles of EO per mole of alcohol, and tallow alcohol ethoxylates containing from 6 EO to 11 EO per mole of alcohol. Particularly preferred are lauryl alcohol condensed with 5, 7, and 9 moles of ethylene oxide (lauryl alcohol ethoxylate 5, lauryl alcohol ethoxylate 7, and lauryl alcohol ethoxylate 9). Preferably, the alcohol ethoxylate surfactant is selected from lauryl alcohol ethoxylate 5, lauryl alcohol ethoxylate 7, and lauryl alcohol ethoxylate 9, or mixtures thereof.

[0067] Condensates of 2 to 30 moles of ethylene oxide with mono- and tri-C10-C20alkanoic acid esters of sorbitan having an HLB of 10 to 15 can also be used as nonionic surfactants. These surfactants are well known and are available from Imperial Chemical Industries under the trade name Tween. Suitable surfactants include polyoxyethylene (4) sorbitan monolaurate, polyoxyethylene (4) sorbitan monostearate, polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan trioleate, and polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan tristearate.

[0068] Alkyl polyglycoside surfactants

[0069] Preferably the nonionic surfactant comprises an alkyl polyglycoside surfactant, more preferably the nonionic surfactant is an alkyl polyglycoside surfactant. These surfactant types are derived from natural sources and are also biodegradable.

[0070] As used herein, alkyl polyglycosides are compounds having the formula I: R1O(R2O) b (Z) a wherein R1 is an alkyl group having from about 1 to about 30 carbon atoms; R2 is an alkylene group having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms; Z is a sugar residue having 5 or 6 carbon atoms; b is a number having a value of from 0 to about 12; and a is a number having a value of from 1 to about 6 (degree of polymerization). Due to the method by which they are synthesized, alkyl polyglycosides typically exist as mixtures of alkyl polyglycosides having varying carbon atom weight in the alkyl group and varying degrees of polymerization. Thus, when referring to alkyl polyglycosides, the alkyl group generally refers to a range of alkyl groups having a certain range of carbon atoms (e.g., C4 / 22 refers to a range of alkyl groups having from 4 to 22 carbon atoms), and the degree of polymerization generally refers to the average degree of polymerization of the mixture.

[0071] Preferred alkyl polyglycosides suitable for use in the disclosed cleaning formulations include those having formula I wherein Z is a glucose residue, b is zero, R1 is an alkyl group containing from 4 to 22 carbon atoms, and a has an average value of from about 1 to 2. Preferably R1 is an alkyl group containing from 8 to 16 carbon atoms, and a has an average value of from about 1 to 2. Such alkyl polyglucosides are commercially available, for example, as the GLUCOPON trademarked alkyl polyglucoside compositions from Cognis Corporation.

[0072] Biodegradability

[0073] At least a portion of the ingredients of the cleaning composition are biodegradable based on the total product excluding water and inorganic materials. To be truly biodegradable, a substance or material should break down into carbon dioxide (a plant nutrient) and water. Natural minerals that do not harm the ecosystem are already in their natural mineral state and thus do not require biodegradation.

[0074] Preferably at least 70 wt%, more preferably at least 90 wt%, still more preferably at least 95 wt% of the ingredients are biodegradable. Preferably at least 99 wt% are biodegradable, even more preferably substantially all of the ingredients are biodegradable.

[0075] For the purposes of the present invention, the term "biodegradable" means "inherently and ultimately biodegradable" according to the OECD 302 Guidelines / Tests. Preferably, the term "biodegradable" means "readily and ultimately biodegradable" according to the OECD 301 series or 310 Guidelines / Tests.

[0076] Preferably, at least a portion of the organic ingredients of the cleaning composition are natural based on the total product excluding water. For the purposes of the present invention, natural is defined as the ingredient comprising at least 50 wt% plant-derived (i.e., from a natural source) material; preferably at least 70 wt%, more preferably at least 90 wt%, still more preferably at least 95 wt%. Preferably at least 99 wt% are plant-derived, even more preferably substantially all of the natural ingredients are plant-derived.

[0077] Preferably at least 70 wt%, more preferably at least 90 wt%, still more preferably at least 95 wt% of the organic ingredients are natural. Preferably at least 99 wt% are natural, even more preferably substantially all of the organic ingredients are natural.

[0078] Further ingredients

[0079] The aqueous cleaning composition of the present application can comprise further ingredients, such as a fragrance. Preferably, the composition comprises a biodegradable fragrance.

[0080] It can be desirable to add an antifoam agent as a processing aid to avoid excessive foaming during mixing of the composition in (larger) scale plant set-ups and filling lines.

[0081] The composition can also comprise other surfactants, but preferably the composition is free of anionic surfactants as they can interfere with the biocidal efficacy of the quaternary ammonium compound.

[0082] Stabilization method

[0083] The present application also relates to a method of stabilizing an aqueous alkaline cleaning composition comprising abrasive particles and a quaternary ammonium compound, by including in the aqueous composition a dithioglycol and an aminocarboxylate chelating agent. Preferably, the aminocarboxylate chelating agent is selected from the group consisting of GLDA, MGDA and combinations thereof.

[0084] Stabilization is to be understood as keeping the abrasive particles (e.g. calcite particles) in suspension during storage, so that they are homogeneously distributed.

[0085] Preferably the method stabilizes the composition of the present application.

[0086] Product form

[0087] The composition can be packaged in the form of any commercially available bottle for storing liquids. The bottle containing the liquid can have different sizes and shapes to contain different volumes of liquid; preferably between 0.05 and 2 L. The bottle is preferably provided with a dispenser which enables the consumer to achieve a simpler mode of liquid dispensing. A sprayer or pump dispenser can also be used.

[0088] The application will now be illustrated by the following non-limiting examples.

[0089] Example

[0090] Viscosity

[0091] The viscosity of the liquid composition is determined using a HAAKE VT550 viscometer at 25°C and a shear rate of 20.881 / s using a stainless steel spindle MVII. The product is placed in the cup in a thermostat at 25°C for 1 minute and the viscosity value is recorded after 3 minutes.

[0092] pH

[0093] The pH of the liquid composition is measured at 25°C using a Seven-Multi (Mettler Toledo) pH meter.

[0094] Example 1

[0095] Formulations according to Table 1 were prepared and stored at 37°C. Viscosity and pH were measured immediately after preparation (TO) and after 12 weeks (T12). The results are shown in Table 2.

[0096] Table 1 (wt%, calculated on total product)

[0097]

[0098] Table 2 - Storage results

[0099]

[0100]

[0101] Example 2

[0102] Formulations according to Table 3 were prepared. Formulation A did not contain a chelating agent, formulation B contained sodium hydroxide as basic agent and did not contain a chelating agent. Both formulations were not able to provide a stable product with suspended particles.

[0103] Table 3 (wt%, calculated on total product)

[0104]

[0105] Example 3

[0106] Formulations according to Table 4 were prepared. Viscosity and pH were measured immediately after preparation (TO) and after 24 hours (TOVERNIGHT). The results are shown in Table 5.

[0107] Table 4 (wt%, calculated on total product)

[0108]

[0109] Table 5 - Storage results

[0110] Sample T0 To overnight 6 Viscosity 710 680 pH 11.17 10.80 7 Viscosity 760 670 pH 11.24 10.92 8 Viscosity 730 800 pH 8.83 8.65

Claims

1. An aqueous alkaline abrasive cleaning composition comprising... a. 1 to 60% by weight of abrasive particles; b. 0.05 to 0.5% by weight of Dieter glue; c. 0.01 to 3% by weight of aminocarboxylate chelating agent; d. 0.05 to 3% by weight of quaternary ammonium compounds; The composition said to have a pH of 10 to 14, and The abrasive particles mentioned above are suspended.

2. The composition according to claim 1, wherein the abrasive particles have a Mohs hardness of 1 to 5.

3. The composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the abrasive particles have an average particle size between 2 and 500 micrometers.

4. The composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the abrasive particles are derived from carbonate- and / or silicate-based minerals.

5. The composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the quaternary ammonium compound is selected from dialcyldimethylammonium chloride, dioctyldimethylammonium chloride, alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride, diisobutylphenoxyethoxyethyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride, alkyldimethylbenzylsaccharin ammonium, octyldecyldimethylammonium chloride, alkyldimethylethylbenzylammonium chloride, methyldodecylbenzylammonium chloride, methyldodecylxyl-bis-trimethylammonium chloride, methylbenzylammonium chloride, hexadecylpyridine chloride, cetrimonium bromide, and combinations thereof.

6. The composition according to claim 5, wherein the quaternary ammonium compound is benzalkonium chloride.

7. The composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the chelating agent is selected from GLDA, MGDA and combinations thereof.

8. The composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the chelating agent comprises MGDA.

9. The composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pH is 11 to 13.

10. The composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pH is 11 to 12.

11. The composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the composition has a temperature of 25°C for 20 seconds. -1 Viscosities from 10 to 2000 mPa·s.

12. The composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the composition further comprises up to 5% by weight of a nonionic surfactant having an HLB of 10 to 15.

13. A method for stabilizing an aqueous alkaline cleaning composition comprising abrasive particles and a quaternary ammonium compound, wherein the aqueous composition is comprising a diester and an aminocarboxylate chelating agent.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the chelating agent is selected from GLDA, MGDA, and combinations thereof.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the composition is according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

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