Method of laundrying a fabric

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of washing a fabric. The fabric to be washed is subjected to a first acidic soaking step followed by an alkaline washing step.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for washing fabrics. The method comprises a first acidic soaking step followed by an alkaline washing step. The method provides good cleaning performance as well as good care performance, such as a good tensile strength loss profile. Background Art

[0002] Detergent manufacturers develop laundry detergent products to clean fabrics. In addition to good cleaning performance, consumers also demand good fabric care performance from these products. It is particularly desirable to maintain the integrity of the washed fabric, which is known as tensile strength loss. Detergent manufacturers typically develop separate products for use as part of the washing process, such as laundry detergent compositions or fabric enhancer compositions.

[0003] The present invention addresses the need to provide a washing process which provides both good cleaning performance and good fabric care properties, such as a good tensile strength loss profile.

[0004] The present invention provides a very specific method in which an acid soak is performed at a very controlled dose, volume and pH, followed by an alkaline wash at a very controlled dose, volume and pH. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present invention provides a method for washing fabrics, wherein the method comprises the following steps:

[0006] (a) contacting 10 g to 100 g of an acidic solid laundry detergent composition with 1.0 L to 10.0 L of water,

[0007] to form an acidic aqueous washing bath having a pH in the range of 2.0 to 3.0,

[0008] wherein the acidic solid laundry detergent composition has 10 wt % to 70 wt % of an acidic component and 1.0 wt % to 20 wt % of a detersive surfactant;

[0009] (b) contacting the soiled fabric with an acidic aqueous cleaning bath and soaking the soiled fabric in the acidic aqueous cleaning bath for a period of 1 hour to 24 hours;

[0010] (c) removing the soaked fabric from the acidic aqueous washing bath;

[0011] (d) contacting 10 g to 200 g of an alkaline solid laundry detergent composition with 1.0 L to 70 L of water to form an alkaline aqueous wash bath having a pH in the range of 8.0 to 12.0;

[0012] wherein the alkaline solid laundry detergent composition comprises 3.0 wt % to 50 wt % of an alkaline component and 1.0 wt % to 30 wt % of a detersive surfactant;

[0013] (e) contacting the soaked fabric from step (c) with an alkaline aqueous washing bath and washing the soaked fabric in the alkaline aqueous washing bath for 10 minutes to 4 hours;

[0014] (f) removing the washed fabric from the alkaline aqueous washing bath;

[0015] (g) rinsing the washed fabric from step (f) with water. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Methods of washing fabrics

[0017] The method of washing fabrics comprises the following steps:

[0018] (a) contacting 10 g to 100 g of an acidic solid laundry detergent composition with 1.0 L to 10.0 L of water to form an acidic aqueous wash bath having a pH in the range of 2.0 to 3.0,

[0019] wherein the acidic solid laundry detergent composition comprises 10 wt % to 70 wt % of an acidic component and 1.0 wt % to 20 wt % of a detersive surfactant;

[0020] (b) contacting the soiled fabric with an acidic aqueous cleaning bath and soaking the soiled fabric in the acidic aqueous cleaning bath for a period of 1 hour to 24 hours;

[0021] (c) removing the soaked fabric from the acidic aqueous washing bath;

[0022] (d) contacting 10 g to 200 g of an alkaline solid laundry detergent composition with 1.0 L to 70 L of water to form an alkaline aqueous wash bath having a pH in the range of 8.0 to 12.0;

[0023] wherein the alkaline solid laundry detergent composition comprises 3.0 wt % to 50 wt % of an alkaline component and 1.0 wt % to 30 wt % of a detersive surfactant;

[0024] (e) contacting the soaked fabric from step (c) with an alkaline aqueous washing bath and washing the soaked fabric in the alkaline aqueous washing bath for 10 minutes to 4 hours;

[0025] (f) removing the washed fabric from the alkaline aqueous washing bath;

[0026] (g) rinsing the washed fabric from step (f) with water.

[0027] Preferably, the ratio of the concentration (in ppm) of (i) surfactant present in the acidic aqueous washing bath to the concentration (in ppm) of (ii) surfactant present in the alkaline aqueous washing bath is from greater than 2:1 to 20:1.

[0028] Step (a) Forming an Acidic Aqueous Washing Bath

[0029] Step (a) 10 to 100 g of an acidic solid laundry detergent composition is contacted with 1.0 to 10.0 L of water to form an acidic aqueous washing bath having a pH in the range of 2.0 to 3.0. The acidic solid laundry detergent composition has 10 to 70 wt% of an acidic component and 1.0 to 20 wt% of a detersive surfactant.

[0030] Step (b) Acid Soaking Step

[0031] Step (b) brings the soiled fabric into contact with an acidic aqueous cleaning bath and soaks the soiled fabric in the acidic aqueous cleaning bath for 1 hour to 24 hours.

[0032] Preferably, the acid soaking step (b) is carried out under less than 10% mechanical agitation.

[0033] Preferably, during step (b) the soiled fabric is soaked in the acidic aqueous washing bath for a period of from 1 hour to 4 hours.

[0034] Step (c) taking out the soaked fabric

[0035] Step (c) removes the soaked fabric from the acidic aqueous wash bath.

[0036] Step (d) forming an alkaline aqueous washing bath

[0037] Step (d) 10 to 200 g of an alkaline solid laundry detergent composition is contacted with 1.0 to 70 L of water to form an alkaline aqueous washing bath having a pH in the range of 8.0 to 12.0. The alkaline solid laundry detergent composition comprises 3.0 to 50 wt % of an alkaline component and 1.0 to 30 wt % of a detersive surfactant.

[0038] Step (e) Alkaline washing step

[0039] Step (e) brings the soaked fabric from step (c) into contact with an alkaline aqueous washing bath, and washes the soaked fabric in the alkaline aqueous washing bath for 10 minutes to 4 hours.

[0040] Preferably, the alkaline washing step (b) is carried out under mechanical agitation of 10% or more.

[0041] Step (f) taking out the washed fabric

[0042] Step (f) removes the washed fabric from the alkaline aqueous washing bath.

[0043] Step (g) rinsing the washed fabric

[0044] Step (g) rinses the washed fabric from step (f) with water.

[0045] Acidic solid laundry detergent composition

[0046] The acidic solid laundry detergent composition comprises 10 to 70 wt % of an acidic component and 1.0 to 20 wt % of a detersive surfactant;

[0047] The acidic solid laundry detergent composition preferably comprises 30 to 70 wt% of an acidic component and 3.0 to 10 wt% of a detersive surfactant.

[0048] Alkaline solid laundry detergent composition

[0049] The alkaline solid laundry detergent composition preferably comprises 3.0 wt% to 30 wt% of an alkaline component and 5.0 wt% to 20 wt% of a detersive surfactant.

[0050] Acidic components

[0051] Any suitable acidic component may be used.

[0052] Suitable acidic components are polycarboxylic acids.

[0053] The preferred acidic component is citric acid.

[0054] Alkaline components

[0055] Any suitable alkaline component may be used.

[0056] Preferred alkaline components are sodium carbonate and / or sodium silicate.

[0057] Detergent surfactant

[0058] Any suitable detersive surfactant may be used.

[0059] Suitable detersive surfactants are selected from the group consisting of alkyl benzene sulfonates, alkyl sulfates, alkoxylated alkyl sulfates, alkoxylated alcohols, and any combination thereof.

[0060] Alkaline solid laundry detergent composition: Typically, the laundry detergent composition is a fully formulated laundry detergent composition rather than a portion thereof such as a spray-dried, extruded or agglomerated particle forming only part of the laundry detergent composition. Typically, the solid composition comprises a plurality of chemically distinct particles, such as spray-dried base detergent particles and / or agglomerated base detergent particles and / or extruded base detergent particles; one or more, typically two or more, or five or more, or even ten or more particles are combined, the particles being selected from: surfactant particles, including surfactant agglomerates, surfactant extrudates, surfactant needles, surfactant faces, surfactant flakes; phosphate particles; zeolite particles; silicate particles, especially sodium silicate particles; carbonate particles, especially sodium carbonate particles; polymer particles, such as carboxylate polymer particles, cellulose polymer particles, starch particles, polyester particles, polyamine particles, terephthalic acid polymer particles, polyethylene glycol particles; aesthetic particles, such as colored strips, needles, lamellar particles and ring particles; enzyme particles, such as protease particles, amylase particles, lipase particles, cellulase particles, mannanase particles, pectate lyase particles, xyloglucanase particles, bleaching enzyme particles and any of these enzymes; a co-granule, preferably the enzyme granules comprise sodium sulfate; bleaching agent granules, such as percarbonate granules, especially coated percarbonate granules, such as percarbonate coated with carbonate, sulfate, silicate, borosilicate, or any combination thereof, perborate granules, bleach activator granules such as tetraacetylethylenediamine granules and / or alkyloxybenzenesulfonate granules, bleach catalyst granules such as transition metal catalyst granules, and / or isoquinolinium bleach catalyst granules, preformed peracid granules, especially coated preformed peracid granules particles; filler particles, such as sulfate particles and chloride particles; clay particles, such as montmorillonite particles and clay and silicone particles; flocculant particles, such as polyethylene oxide particles; wax particles, such as wax agglomerates; silicone particles, brightener particles; dye transfer inhibitor particles; dye fixative particles; perfume particles, such as perfume microcapsules and starch-encapsulated perfume accord particles, and pro-perfume particles, such as Schiff base reaction product particles; hueing dye particles; chelant particles, such as chelant agglomerates; and any combination thereof.

[0061] Suitable laundry detergent compositions comprise detergent ingredients selected from the group consisting of detersive surfactants, such as anionic detersive surfactants, nonionic detersive surfactants, cationic detersive surfactants, zwitterionic detersive surfactants and amphoteric detersive surfactants; polymers, such as carboxylate polymers, soil release polymers, anti-redeposition polymers, cellulosic polymers and care polymers; bleaches, such as hydrogen peroxide sources, bleach activators, bleach catalysts and preformed peracids; photobleaches, such as sulfonated zinc phthalocyanine and / or sulfonated aluminum phthalocyanine; enzymes, such as proteases, amylases, cellulases, lipases; zeolite builders; phosphate builders; auxiliary builders, such as citric acid and citrates; carbonates, such as sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate; sulfates, such as sodium sulfate; silicates, such as sodium silicate; chloride salts, such as sodium chloride; brighteners; chelating agents; hueing agents; dye transfer inhibitors; dye fixatives; perfumes; silicones; fabric softeners, such as clays; flocculants, such as polyethylene oxides; suds suppressors; and any combination thereof.

[0062] Suitable laundry detergent compositions may have a low buffering capacity. Such laundry detergent compositions typically have a reserve alkalinity to pH 9.5 of less than 5.0 g NaOH / 100 g. These low buffered laundry detergent compositions typically contain low levels of carbonates.

[0063] Detersive surfactants: Suitable detersive surfactants include anionic detersive surfactants, nonionic detersive surfactants, cationic detersive surfactants, zwitterionic detersive surfactants and amphoteric detersive surfactants. Suitable detersive surfactants may be linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted, and may be derived from petrochemical materials or biomaterials.

[0064] Anionic detersive surfactants: Suitable anionic detersive surfactants include sulfonate detersive surfactants and sulfate detersive surfactants.

[0065] Suitable sulfonate detersive surfactants include methyl sulfonate, alpha olefin sulfonate, alkyl benzene sulfonate, especially alkyl benzene sulfonate, preferably C 10-13 Alkylbenzene sulfonates. Suitable alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS) are available, preferably by sulfonating commercially available linear alkylbenzenes (LABs); suitable LABs include lower 2-phenyl LABs, other suitable LABs include higher 2-phenyl LABs, such as those sold under the trade name Those supplied by Sasol.

[0066] Suitable sulfate detersive surfactants include alkyl sulfates, preferably C 8-18 Alkyl sulfates, or mainly C 12 Alkyl sulfate.

[0067] Preferred sulfate detersive surfactants are alkyl alkoxylated sulfates, preferably alkyl ethoxylated sulfates, preferably C 8-18 Alkyl alkoxylated sulfate, preferably C 8-18 Alkyl ethoxylated sulfates, preferably alkyl alkoxylated sulfates, have an average degree of alkoxylation of 0.5 to 20, preferably 0.5 to 10, preferably alkyl alkoxylated sulfates are C 8-18 Alkyl ethoxylated sulfates having an average degree of ethoxylation of from 0.5 to 10, preferably from 0.5 to 5, more preferably from 0.5 to 3, and most preferably from 0.5 to 1.5.

[0068] The alkyl sulfates, alkyl alkoxylated sulfates, and alkyl benzene sulfonates may be linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted, and may be derived from petrochemical or biomaterials.

[0069] Other suitable anionic detersive surfactants include the alkyl ether carboxylates.

[0070] Suitable anionic detersive surfactants may be in the form of salts, and suitable counterions include sodium, calcium, magnesium, amino alcohols, and any combination thereof. The preferred counterion is sodium.

[0071] Nonionic detersive surfactant: Suitable nonionic detersive surfactant is selected from the group consisting of: C 8 -C 18 Alkyl ethoxylates, such as those available from Shell Nonionic surfactant; C 6 -C 12 Alkylphenol alkoxylates, wherein the alkoxylate units are preferably ethyleneoxy units, propyleneoxy units, or mixtures thereof; C 12 -C 18 Alcohol and C 6 -C 12 Condensates of alkylphenols with ethylene oxide / propylene oxide block polymers, such as those available from BASF Alkyl polysaccharides, preferably alkyl polyglycosides; methyl ester ethoxylates; polyhydroxy fatty acid amides; ether-terminated poly(alkoxylated) alcohol surfactants; and mixtures thereof.

[0072] Suitable nonionic detersive surfactants are alkyl polyglucosides and / or alkyl alkoxylated alcohols.

[0073] Suitable nonionic detersive surfactants include alkyl alkoxylated alcohols, preferably C 8-18 Alkyl alkoxylated alcohol, preferably C 8-18The alkyl ethoxylated alcohol, preferably the alkyl alkoxylated alcohol, has an average degree of alkoxylation of 1 to 50, preferably 1 to 30, or 1 to 20, or 1 to 10, preferably the alkyl alkoxylated alcohol is C 8-18 Alkyl ethoxylated alcohols having an average degree of ethoxylation of 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 7, more preferably 1 to 5, and most preferably 3 to 7. The alkyl alkoxylated alcohols may be linear or branched, and substituted or unsubstituted.

[0074] Suitable nonionic detersive surfactants include those based on secondary alcohols.

[0075] Cationic detersive surfactants: Suitable cationic detersive surfactants include alkyl pyridinium compounds, alkyl quaternary ammonium compounds, alkyl quaternary phosphonium compounds, alkyl ternary sulfonium compounds, and mixtures thereof.

[0076] Preferred cationic detersive surfactants are quaternary ammonium compounds having the general formula:

[0077] (R)(R 1 )(R 2 )(R 3 )N + X -

[0078] Wherein R is a linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted C 6-18 The alkyl or alkenyl moiety, R 1 and R 2 independently selected from a methyl or ethyl moiety, R 3 is a hydroxyl, hydroxymethyl or hydroxyethyl moiety, and X is an anion providing electroneutrality, and preferred anions include: a halide, preferably a chloride; a sulfate; and a sulfonate.

[0079] Zwitterionic detersive surfactants: Suitable zwitterionic detersive surfactants include amine oxides and / or betaines.

[0080] Polymers: Suitable polymers include carboxylate polymers, soil release polymers, anti-redeposition polymers, cellulosic polymers, conditioning polymers, and any combination thereof.

[0081] Carboxylate polymer: The composition may comprise a carboxylate polymer such as a maleate / acrylate random copolymer or a polyacrylate homopolymer. Suitable carboxylate polymers include: polyacrylate homopolymers having a molecular weight of 4,000 to 9,000 Da; maleate / acrylate random copolymers having a molecular weight of 50,000 to 100,000 Da, or 60,000 to 80,000 Da.

[0082] Another suitable carboxylate polymer is a copolymer comprising: (i) 50 wt% to less than 98 wt% of structural units derived from one or more monomers containing carboxyl groups; (ii) 1 wt% to less than 49 wt% of structural units derived from one or more monomers containing sulfonate moieties; and (iii) 1 wt% to 49 wt% of structural units derived from one or more types of monomers selected from monomers containing ether bonds represented by formula (I) and (II):

[0083] Formula (I):

[0084]

[0085] Wherein in formula (I), R 0 Represents a hydrogen atom or CH 3 Group, R represents CH 2 Group, CH 2 CH 2 a radical or a single bond, X represents a number from 0 to 5, provided that when R is a single bond, X represents a number from 1 to 5, and R 1 A hydrogen atom or C 1 To C 20 Organic groups;

[0086] Formula (II)

[0087]

[0088] In formula (II), R 0 Represents a hydrogen atom or CH 3 Group, R represents CH 2 Group, CH 2 CH 2 a radical or a single bond, X represents a number from 0 to 5, and R 1 A hydrogen atom or C 1 To C 20 Organic group.

[0089] It may be preferred that the polymer has a weight average molecular weight of at least 50 kDa or even at least 70 kDa.

[0090] Soil release polymer: The composition may comprise a soil release polymer. Suitable soil release polymers have a structure as defined by one of the following structures (I), (II) or (III):

[0091] (I)-[(OCHR 1 -CHR 2 ) a -O-OC-Ar-CO-] d

[0092] (II)-[(OCHR 3 -CHR 4 ) b -O-OC-sAr-CO-] e

[0093] (III)-[(OCHR 5 -CHR 6 ) c -OR 7 ] f

[0094] in:

[0095] a, b and c are 1 to 200;

[0096] d, e and f are 1 to 50;

[0097] Ar is 1,4-substituted phenylene;

[0098] sAr is SO at position 5 3 Me substituted 1,3-substituted phenylene;

[0099] Me is Li, K, Mg / 2, Ca / 2, Al / 3, ammonium, monoalkylammonium, dialkylammonium, trialkylammonium or tetraalkylammonium, wherein the alkyl group is C 1 -C 18 Alkyl or C 2 -C 10 Hydroxyalkyl or mixtures thereof;

[0100] R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , R 5 and R 6 Independently selected from H or C 1 -C 18 n-alkyl or C 1 -C 18 Isoalkyl; and

[0101] R 7 C is a straight chain or branched chain 1 -C 18 Alkyl, or linear or branched C 2 -C 30 alkenyl, or a cycloalkyl group having 5 to 9 carbon atoms, or C 8 -C 30 Aryl group, or C 6 -C 30 Arylalkyl group.

[0102] Suitable soil release polymers are available from Clariant as A series of polymers are sold, e.g. SRN240 and SRA300. Other suitable soil release polymers are available from Solvay as A series of polymers are sold, e.g. SF2 and Crystal.

[0103] Anti-redeposition polymers: Suitable anti-redeposition polymers include polyethylene glycol polymers and / or polyethylene imine polymers.

[0104] Suitable polyethylene glycol polymers include random graft copolymers comprising: (i) a hydrophilic backbone comprising polyethylene glycol; and (ii) one or more hydrophobic side chains selected from the group consisting of: 4 -C 25 Alkyl groups, polypropylene, polybutylene, saturated C 1 -C 6 Vinyl esters of monocarboxylic acids, acrylic acid or methacrylic acid 1 -C 6 Alkyl esters, and mixtures thereof. Suitable polyethylene glycol polymers have a polyethylene glycol backbone having randomly grafted polyvinyl acetate side chains. The average molecular weight of the polyethylene glycol backbone may be in the range of 2,000Da to 20,000Da, or 4,000Da to 8,000Da. The molecular weight ratio of the polyethylene glycol backbone to the polyvinyl acetate side chains may be in the range of 1:1 to 1:5, or 1:1.2 to 1:2. The average number of grafting sites per ethylene oxide unit may be less than 0.02, or less than 0.016, the average number of grafting sites per ethylene oxide unit may be in the range of 0.010 to 0.018, or the average number of grafting sites per ethylene oxide unit may be less than 0.010, or in the range of 0.004 to 0.008.

[0105] Suitable polyethylene glycol polymers are described in WO08 / 007320.

[0106] A suitable polyethylene glycol polymer is Sokalan HP22.

[0107] Cellulosic polymer: Suitable cellulosic polymers are selected from alkyl cellulose, alkyl alkoxyalkyl cellulose, carboxyalkyl cellulose, alkyl carboxyalkyl cellulose, sulfonate alkyl cellulose, more preferably selected from carboxymethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, methyl carboxymethyl cellulose and mixtures thereof.

[0108] Suitable carboxymethyl celluloses have a degree of carboxymethyl substitution of 0.5 to 0.9 and a molecular weight of 100,000 Da to 300,000 Da.

[0109] Suitable carboxymethyl celluloses have a degree of substitution greater than 0.65 and a degree of blockiness greater than 0.45, for example as described in WO 09 / 154933.

[0110] Care polymers: Suitable care polymers include cationically modified or hydrophobically modified cellulosic polymers. Such modified cellulosic polymers can provide anti-abrasion benefits and dye lock benefits to fabrics during the wash cycle. Suitable cellulosic polymers include cationically modified hydroxyethyl cellulose.

[0111] Other suitable care polymers include dye lock polymers, for example condensation oligomers produced by condensation of imidazole and epichlorohydrin, preferably in a 1:4:1 ratio. Suitable commercially available dye lock polymers are FDI (Cognis).

[0112] Other suitable care polymers include amino-silicones, which can provide fabric feel benefits and fabric formation retention benefits.

[0113] Bleaching agents: Suitable bleaching agents include a hydrogen peroxide source, a bleach activator, a bleach catalyst, a preformed peracid, and any combination thereof. Particularly suitable bleaching agents include a hydrogen peroxide source in combination with a bleach activator and / or a bleach catalyst.

[0114] Hydrogen Peroxide Source: Suitable hydrogen peroxide sources include sodium perborate and / or sodium percarbonate.

[0115] Bleach Activators: Suitable bleach activators include tetraacetylethylenediamine and / or alkylphenol sulfonates.

[0116] Bleach catalyst: The composition may contain a bleach catalyst. Suitable bleach catalysts include oxaziridinium bleach catalysts, transition metal bleach catalysts, especially manganese and iron bleach catalysts. Suitable bleach catalysts have a structure that conforms to the following general formula:

[0117] Where R 13 Selected from the group consisting of 2-ethylhexyl, 2-propylheptyl, 2-butyloctyl, 2-pentylnonyl, 2-hexyldecyl, n-dodecyl, n-tetradecyl, n-hexadecyl, n-octadecyl, isononyl, isodecyl, isotridecyl and isopentadecyl.

[0118] Preformed Peracids: Suitable preformed peracids include phthalimido-peroxycaproic acid.

[0119] Enzymes: Suitable enzymes include lipases, proteases, cellulases, amylases, and any combination thereof.

[0120] Proteases: Suitable proteases include metalloproteases and serine proteases. Examples of suitable neutral or alkaline proteases include: subtilisin (EC 3.4.21.62); trypsin-type or chymotrypsin-type proteases; and metalloproteases. Suitable proteases include chemically or genetically modified mutants of the aforementioned suitable proteases.

[0121] Suitable commercially available proteases include those sold under the trade names Liquanase Savinase and Those sold by Novozymes A / S (Denmark); under the trade name Prefer A series of proteases, including P280, P281, P2018-C, P2081-WE, P2082-EE and P2083-A / J, Purafect Purafect and Purafect Those sold by DuPont; under the trade name and Those sold by Solvay Enzymes; those purchased from Henkel / Kemira, namely BLAP (sequence shown in Figure 29 of US 5,352,604, with the following mutations: S99D+S101R+S103A+V104I+G159S, hereinafter referred to as BLAP); BLAP R (BLAP with S3T+V4I+V199M+V205I+L217D), BLAP X (BLAP with S3T+V4I+V205I) and BLAPF49 (BLAP with S3T+V4I+A194P+V199M+V205I+L217D), all from Henkel / Kemira; and KAP (alkalophilic Bacillus subtilisin with mutations A230V+S256G+S259N) from Kao.

[0122] Suitable proteases are described in WO11 / 140316 and WO11 / 072117.

[0123] Amylase: Suitable amylases are derived from AA560 alpha amylase endogenous to Bacillus sp. DSM 12649, preferably with the following mutations: R118K, D183*, G184*, N195F, R320K and / or R458K. Suitable commercially available amylases include Plus, Natalase, Ultra, SZ, (both from Novozymes) and AA, Preferenz Series of amylase, and Ox Am, HT Plus (both from Du Pont).

[0124] Suitable amylases are described in WO06 / 002643.

[0125] Cellulase: Suitable cellulases include those derived from bacteria or fungi. Chemically modified or protein engineered mutants are also suitable. Suitable cellulases include cellulases from Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Humicola, Fusarium, Thielavia, Acremonium, such as fungal cellulases produced by Humicola insolens, Myceliophthora thermophila, and Fusarium oxysporum.

[0126] Commercially available cellulases include and Premium, and (Novozymes A / S), Series enzymes (Du Pont), and Series enzymes (AB Enzymes). Suitable commercially available cellulases include Premium, Classic. Suitable proteases are described in WO07 / 144857 and WO10 / 056652.

[0127] Lipase: Suitable lipases include those of bacterial, fungal or synthetic origin, and variants thereof. Chemically modified or protein engineered mutants are also suitable. Examples of suitable lipases include lipases from Humicola (synonym Thermomyces), such as from H. lanuginosa (T. lanuginosus).

[0128] The lipase may be a "first cycle lipase", e.g., such as those described in WO06 / 090335 and WO13 / 116261. In one aspect, the lipase is a first wash lipase, preferably a variant of the wild-type lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosus comprising a T231R and / or N233R mutation. Preferred lipases include those sold under the trade name and Those sold by Novozymes (Bagsvaerd, Denmark).

[0129] Other suitable lipases include: Liprl 139, e.g., as described in WO2013 / 171241; and TfuLip2, e.g., as described in WO2011 / 084412 and WO2013 / 033318.

[0130] Other enzymes: Other suitable enzymes are bleaching enzymes such as peroxidases / oxidases, including those of plant, bacterial or fungal origin, and variants thereof. Commercially available peroxidases include (Novozymes A / S). Other suitable enzymes include choline oxidase and perhydrolase, such as used in Gentle Power Bleach TM Those in .

[0131] Other suitable enzymes include those sold under the trade name (from Novozymes A / S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark) and Pectate lyase sold under the trade name (Novozymes A / S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark) and Mannanase sold by Du Pont.

[0132] Zeolite builder: The composition may contain a zeolite builder. The composition may contain from 0% to 5% by weight of a zeolite builder, or 3% by weight of a zeolite builder. The composition may even be substantially free of zeolite builder; substantially free means "no intentionally added". Typical zeolite builders include zeolite A, zeolite P and zeolite MAP.

[0133] Phosphate builder: The composition may contain a phosphate builder. The composition may contain from 0% to 5% by weight of a phosphate builder, or to 3% by weight of a phosphate builder. The composition may even be substantially free of phosphate builders; substantially free means "no intentionally added". A typical phosphate builder is sodium tripolyphosphate.

[0134] Carbonate: The composition may comprise carbonate. The composition may comprise 0 wt% to 10 wt% carbonate, or 0 wt% to 5 wt% carbonate. The composition may even be substantially free of carbonate; substantially free means "no intentionally added". Suitable carbonates include sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate.

[0135] Silicate: The composition may include a silicate. The composition may include 0 wt% to 10 wt% silicate, or 0 wt% to 5 wt% silicate. A preferred silicate is sodium silicate, particularly preferred having a Na of 1.0 to 2.8, preferably 1.6 to 2.0. 2 O:SiO 2 ratio of sodium silicate.

[0136] Sulphate: A suitable sulphate is sodium sulphate.

[0137] Brighteners: Suitable fluorescent brighteners include: distyrylbiphenyl compounds, such as CBS-X, diaminostilbene disulfonic acid compounds, e.g. DMS pure Xtra and HRH, and pyrazoline compounds, e.g. SN and coumarin compounds, e.g. SWN.

[0138] Preferred brighteners are: sodium 2(4-phenylvinyl-3-sulfophenyl)-2H-naphtho[1,2-d]triazole, disodium 4,4'-bis{[(4-phenylamino-6-(N-methyl-N-2-hydroxyethyl)amino1,3,5-triazine-2-yl)];amino}stilbene-2-2'disulfonate, disodium 4,4'-bis{[(4-phenylamino-6-morpholino-1,3,5-triazine-2-yl)]amino}stilbene-2-2'disulfonate and disodium 4,4'-bis(2-sulfonostyryl)biphenyl. A suitable fluorescent brightener is CI. Fluorescent brightener 260, which can be used in the form of its β or α crystalline form or a mixture of these crystalline forms.

[0139] Chelating agent: The composition may also include a chelating agent selected from the group consisting of diethylenetriamine pentaacetate, diethylenetriamine penta(methylphosphonic acid), ethylenediamine-N'N'-disuccinic acid, ethylenediamine tetraacetate, ethylenediamine tetra(methylenephosphonic acid) and hydroxyethane di(methylenephosphonic acid). Preferred chelating agents are ethylenediamine-N'N'-disuccinic acid (EDDS) and / or hydroxyethane diphosphonic acid (HEDP). The composition preferably includes ethylenediamine-N'N'-disuccinic acid or a salt thereof. Preferably, ethylenediamine-N'N'-disuccinic acid is in the form of the S,S enantiomer. Preferably, the composition includes 4,5-dihydroxy-isobenzene disulfonic acid disodium salt. Preferred chelating agents may also act as calcium carbonate crystal growth inhibitors, such as: 1-hydroxyethane diphosphonic acid (HEDP) and its salts; N,N-dicarboxymethyl-2-aminopentane-1,5-dioic acid and its salts; 2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid and its salts; and combinations thereof.

[0140] Hueing agents: Suitable hueing agents include small molecule dyes, typically belonging to the following Color Index (CI) classifications: acid dyes, direct dyes, basic dyes, reactive dyes (including their hydrolyzed forms), or solvent dyes or disperse dyes, such as dyes classified as blue, violet, red, green or black, and providing the desired hue, alone or in combination. Preferred such hues include acid violet 50, direct violet 9, 66 and 99, solvent violet 13, and any combination thereof.

[0141] Many hueing agents that may be suitable for use in the present invention are known and described in the art, such as the hueing agents described in WO2014 / 089386.

[0142] Suitable hueing agents include phthalocyanine and azo dye conjugates such as described in WO2009 / 069077.

[0143] Suitable toners can be alkoxylated. Such alkoxylated compounds can be prepared by organic synthesis, which can produce a mixture of molecules with different degrees of alkoxylation. Such mixtures can be used directly to provide toners, or can undergo purification steps to increase the ratio of the target molecule. Suitable toners include alkoxylated disazo dyes, such as those described in WO2012 / 054835, and / or alkoxylated thiophene azo dyes, such as those described in WO2008 / 087497 and WO2012 / 166768.

[0144] Toner can be incorporated in the detergent composition as a part for reaction mixture, and this reaction mixture is the result of organic synthesis dye molecules by one or more optional purification steps.This type of reaction mixture generally comprises dye molecules themselves, and can also comprise the by product of unreacted starting material and / or organic synthesis pathway in addition.Suitable toner can be incorporated in the hueing dye particles, such as described in WO 2009 / 069077.

[0145] Dye transfer inhibitors: Suitable dye transfer inhibitors include polyamine N-oxide polymers, copolymers of N-vinyl pyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyvinyl oxazolidones, polyvinyl imidazoles and mixtures thereof. Preferred are poly(vinyl pyrrolidone), poly(vinyl pyridine betaine), poly(vinyl pyridine N-oxide), poly(vinyl pyrrolidone-vinylimidazole) and mixtures thereof. Suitable commercially available dye transfer inhibitors include PVP-K15 and K30 (Ashland), HP165, HP50, HP53, HP59, HP56K, HP56, HP66 (BASF), S-400, S403E and S-100 (Ashland).

[0146] Fragrances: Suitable fragrances include fragrance materials selected from the following groups: (a) fragrance materials having a ClogP of less than 3.0 and a boiling point of less than 250°C (Quadrant 1 fragrance materials); (b) fragrance materials having a ClogP of less than 3.0 and a boiling point of 250°C or greater (Quadrant 2 fragrance materials); (c) fragrance materials having a ClogP of 3.0 or greater and a boiling point of less than 250°C (Quadrant 3 fragrance materials); (d) fragrance materials having a ClogP of 3.0 or greater and a boiling point of 250°C or greater (Quadrant 4 fragrance materials); and (e) mixtures thereof.

[0147] For spices, it is preferably in the form of spices delivery technology. Such delivery technology also stabilizes and enhances the release of deposition and spices materials from washed fabrics. Such spices delivery technology can also be used to further increase the persistence of releasing spices from washed fabrics. Suitable spices delivery technology includes: spices microcapsules, former spices, polymer-assisted delivery, molecule-assisted delivery, fiber-assisted delivery, amine-assisted delivery, cyclodextrin, starch-encapsulated accords, zeolites and other inorganic carriers, and any mixtures thereof. Suitable spices microcapsules are described in WO2009 / 101593.

[0148] Silicones: Suitable silicones include polydimethylsiloxanes and amino-silicones. Suitable silicones are described in WO05075616.

[0149] Methods for preparing solid compositions: Generally, the particles of the composition can be prepared by any suitable method, such as spray drying, agglomeration, extrusion, and any combination thereof.

[0150] Typically, a suitable spray drying process comprises the steps of forming an aqueous slurry mixture, transferring it to a pressure nozzle by at least one pump, preferably two pumps. Atomizing the aqueous slurry mixture into a spray drying tower and drying the aqueous slurry mixture to form spray-dried particles. Preferably, the spray drying tower is a countercurrent spray drying tower, although a cocurrent spray drying tower may also be suitable.

[0151] Typically, the spray-dried powder is subjected to cooling, such as air stripping. Typically, the spray-dried powder is subjected to particle size classification, such as sieving, to obtain a desired particle size distribution. Preferably, the spray-dried powder has a particle size distribution such that the weight average particle size is in the range of 300 microns to 500 microns, and less than 10% by weight of the spray-dried particles have a particle size greater than 2360 microns.

[0152] It may be preferred to heat the aqueous slurry mixture to raise the temperature prior to atomization into a spray drying tower, such as described in WO2009 / 158162.

[0153] For anionic surfactants, such as linear alkylbenzene sulfonates it may be preferred to introduce into the spray drying process after the step of forming the aqueous slurry mixture: for example, after pumping, the acid precursor is introduced into the aqueous slurry mixture, such as described in WO 09 / 158449.

[0154] It may be preferred for a gas such as air to be introduced into the spray drying process after the step of forming the aqueous slurry, such as described in WO2013 / 181205.

[0155] It may be preferred for any inorganic ingredients, such as sodium sulphate and sodium carbonate, if present in the aqueous slurry mixture, to be micronised to a small particle size, such as described in WO2012 / 134969.

[0156] Typically, suitable agglomeration processes include the step of contacting a detersive ingredient, such as a detersive surfactant, e.g. linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) and / or an alkyl alkoxylated sulfate, with an inorganic material, such as sodium carbonate and / or silica in a mixer. The agglomeration process may also be an in-situ neutralization agglomeration process, wherein an acid precursor of a detersive surfactant, such as LAS, is contacted with an alkaline material, such as carbonate and / or sodium hydroxide in a mixer, and wherein the acid precursor of the detersive surfactant is neutralized by the alkaline material during the agglomeration process to form a detersive surfactant.

[0157] Other suitable detergent ingredients that may be agglomerated include polymers, chelating agents, bleach activators, silicones, and any combination thereof.

[0158] Agglomeration process can be high, medium or low shear agglomeration process, wherein high shear, medium shear or low shear mixer is used accordingly. Agglomeration process can be multi-step agglomeration process, wherein two or more mixers are used, such as high shear mixer combined with medium or low shear mixer. Agglomeration process can be continuous process or batch process.

[0159] It may be preferred for the agglomerates to be subjected to a drying step, for example to a fluidized bed drying step. It may also be preferred for the agglomerates to be subjected to a cooling step, for example to a fluidized bed cooling step.

[0160] Typically, the agglomerates are subjected to particle size classification, such as fluidized bed elution and / or sieving, to obtain a desired particle size distribution. Preferably, the agglomerates have a particle size distribution such that the weight average particle size is in the range of 300 microns to 800 microns, and less than 10% by weight of the agglomerates have a particle size of less than 150 microns, and less than 10% by weight of the agglomerates have a particle size greater than 1200 microns.

[0161] It may be preferred for fine and oversized agglomerates to be recycled back into the agglomeration process. Typically, oversized particles are subjected to a comminution step, such as grinding, and recycled back to a suitable location in the agglomeration process, such as a mixer. Typically, fines are recycled back to a suitable location in the agglomeration process, such as a mixer.

[0162] For ingredients, such as polymers and / or nonionic detersive surfactants and / or perfumes it may be preferred to spray onto base detergent particles, such as spray dried base detergent particles and / or agglomerated base detergent particles. Typically, the spraying step is carried out in a tumble drum mixer.

[0163] Method for washing fabrics: The method for washing fabrics comprises contacting a solid composition with water to form a wash liquor, and the step of washing fabrics in the wash liquor. Typically, the wash liquor has a temperature of from 0°C to 90°C, or to 60°C, or to 40°C, or to 30°C, or to 20°C. Before, after, or while contacting the solid composition with water, the fabric may be contacted with water. Typically, the wash liquor is formed by contacting a laundry detergent with water in such an amount that the concentration of the laundry detergent composition in the wash liquor is 0.2g / L to 20g / L, or 0.5g / L to 10g / L, or to 5.0g / L. The method for washing fabrics can be carried out in a front-loading automatic washing machine, a top-loading automatic washing machine, including a high-efficiency automatic washing machine, or a suitable hand-washing container. Typically, the wash liquor contains 90 liters or less, or 60 liters or less, or 15 liters or less, or 10 liters or less of water. Typically, 200 g or less, alternatively 150 g or less, alternatively 100 g or less, alternatively 50 g or less of the laundry detergent composition is contacted with water to form the wash liquor.

[0164] Example

[0165] Two laundry detergent compositions (Compositions 1 and 2) were prepared and tested as detailed below.

[0166] Test Method

[0167] I. Preparation of Test Compositions

[0168] Testing was performed using the following detergent compositions: Material addition is shown as active material level in the finished product (FP).

[0169]

[0170]

[0171] II. Testing Procedure

[0172]

[0173] Preparation of fabrics for fabric strength analysis

[0174] Determination of the effect of formulation on fabric strength was accomplished using the following procedure.

[0175] All tested products are made of standard Hohenstein Krefeld fabric 900N strength. Standard cotton is cut into 40cm pieces. At the end of the test, each of these pieces will generate 11 replicas for TSL testing. One 40cm piece of fabric is used for each test group.

[0176] At the beginning of the test, the Krefeld fabric pieces were subjected to soaking conditions with the appropriate product before being added to the 2Kg ballast in the washing machine drum for the wash step. Each fabric strip was soaked, washed and dried 20 times in the above conditions. Detergent was added to the soaking and washing steps as described above.

[0177] After washing and drying, a standard cotton sheet (multiple washes of cotton sheet) needs to be prepared and the fabric strips are then placed in deionized water for 1 hour before measurement. A set of 11 replicates are soaked together in a 1 liter beaker, taking care not to wrinkle the strips.

[0178] Fabric strength analysis

[0179] Check that the tension gauge clamps are 20 cm (± 1 mm) apart.

[0180] Remove excess water from each strip by squeezing it by hand. Immediately install the test fabric.

[0181] Clamp the fabric between the upper and lower clamps and activate the test.

[0182] The breaking point value, ie the amount of load required to break the fabric, was recorded.

[0183] Repeat for all 11 copies of the fabric and all fabric samples.

[0184] All products from one test cycle should be tested simultaneously.

[0185] The results below show the measured fabric strength for all replicates of each product, measured as the force (N) required to break a 900NKrefeld fabric, and the average force (N) required to break a 900NKrefeld fabric for each product was calculated as:

[0186] Average force (N): sum of replica forces (N) / number of replicas (11).

[0187] 20-cycle test design :

[0188]

[0189] 20 cycles results :

[0190]

[0191]

[0192] This example demonstrates the efficacy of a Composition 2 soak followed by a Composition 1 wash, providing greater fabric strength after 20 repeated cycles compared to a Composition 1 soak followed by a Composition 1 wash.

[0193] The dimensions and values ​​disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values ​​cited. Instead, unless otherwise indicated, each such dimension is intended to represent the stated value and a functionally equivalent range around that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm".

Claims

1. A method for washing fabrics, wherein the method comprises the following steps: (a) contacting 10 g to 100 g of an acidic solid laundry detergent composition with 1.0 L to 10.0 L of water to form an acidic aqueous wash bath having a pH in the range of 2.0 to 3.0, wherein the acidic solid laundry detergent composition comprises 10 wt % to 70 wt % of an acidic component and 1.0 wt % to 20 wt % of a detersive surfactant; (b) contacting a soiled fabric with the acidic aqueous cleaning bath and soaking the soiled fabric in the acidic aqueous cleaning bath for 1 hour to 24 hours; (c) removing the soaked fabric from the acidic aqueous washing bath; (d) contacting 10 g to 200 g of an alkaline solid laundry detergent composition with 1.0 L to 70 L of water to form an alkaline aqueous wash bath having a pH in the range of 8.0 to 12.0; wherein the alkaline solid laundry detergent composition comprises 3.0 wt % to 50 wt % of an alkaline component and 1.0 wt % to 30 wt % of a detersive surfactant; (e) contacting the soaked fabric from step (c) with the alkaline aqueous washing bath and washing the soaked fabric in the alkaline aqueous washing bath for 10 minutes to 4 hours; (f) removing the washed fabric from the alkaline aqueous washing bath; (g) rinsing the washed fabric from step (f) with water.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the acid soaking step (b) is carried out under less than 10% mechanical agitation.

3. A process according to any preceding claim, wherein the alkaline washing step (e) is carried out under mechanical agitation of 10% or more.

4. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein during step (b) the soiled fabric is soaked in the acidic aqueous washing bath for a period of from 1 hour to 4 hours.

5. A method according to any preceding claim wherein the acidic solid laundry detergent composition has from 30 wt% to 70 wt% acidic component and from 3.0 wt% to 10 wt% detersive surfactant.

6. A method according to any preceding claim wherein the alkaline solid laundry detergent composition has from 3.0 wt% to 30 wt% alkaline component and from 5.0 wt% to 20 wt% detersive surfactant.

7. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the ratio of the concentration in ppm of (i) surfactant present in the acidic aqueous washing bath to the concentration in ppm of (ii) surfactant present in the alkaline aqueous washing bath is in the range of greater than 2:1 to 20:

1.

8. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the acidic component is a polycarboxylic acid.

9. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the acidic component is citric acid.

10. A process according to any preceding claim, wherein the alkaline component is sodium carbonate and / or sodium silicate.

11. The method according to any preceding claim, wherein the detersive surfactant is selected from the group consisting of alkyl benzene sulfonates, alkyl sulfates, alkoxylated alkyl sulfates, alkoxylated alcohols, and any combination thereof.

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