Storage stabilizers for aqueous household care formulations

Abstract

The present invention relates to the use of a storage stabilizer for stabilizing an aqueous household care formulation during storage wherein the storage stabilizer comprises at least two different sources of water-soluble or water-dispersible ions, the at least two different sources of water-soluble or water-dispersible ions are selected from a source of water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ions, a source of water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ions, a source of water-soluble or water-dispersible magnesium ions, and at least a source of water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ions, wherein the water-soluble or water-dispersible source of alkali metal ions is selected from alkali metal carbonates and / or alkali metal bicarbonate, and wherein the water-dispersible source of magnesium ions is selected from magnesium carbonate or magnesite (MgCO3) and / or hydromagnesite (Mg5 (CO3) 4 (OH) 2 # 4H2O).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to the use of a storage stabilizer for stabilizing aqueous household care formulations during storage, wherein the storage stabilizer comprises at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources, the at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources being selected from a water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source, a water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source, a water-dispersible magnesium ion source, and at least a water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source, wherein the water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source is selected from an alkali metal carbonate and / or an alkali metal bicarbonate, and wherein the water-dispersible magnesium ion source is selected from magnesium carbonate or magnesite (MgCO3) and / or hydromagnesite (Mg5( CO3 )4(OH)2.4H2O). The invention furthermore relates to a storage stabilizer for stabilizing aqueous home care formulations on storage, aqueous home care formulations comprising the storage stabilizer according to the invention, and a method for stabilizing aqueous home care formulations on storage. Background Art

[0002] In practice, aqueous household care preparations (e.g., liquid soaps and liquid cleaning compositions such as laundry detergents and hand washing preparations, cream cleansers or warewashing products) are present in almost every household as well as in many industries, in medical practices, laundry facilities, cafeterias, restaurants, etc. In fact, many people come into contact with such aqueous household care preparations on a daily basis.

[0003] Typical aqueous formulations of aqueous household care preparations are known, for example, from WO2021239453 relating to liquid laundry compositions; CN112625809 relating to dishwasher body detergent liquid compositions and methods for their preparation; JP2021066679 relating to liquid bath salt compositions for bubble baths; or US2020407666 relating to organic liquid and foaming soap compositions and dispensers for use as hand, body and pet washing.

[0004] The above aqueous home care preparations are usually stored in bottles, tetra paks, etc. before transportation. TM, containers, large packages or cans. In addition, the above-mentioned aqueous home care formulations are also usually stored after being transported to retailers or end consumers. However, during storage, there may be changes in the formulation properties, such as changes in pH. Other changes that may occur are changes in viscosity, discoloration or reductions in other quality parameters, which have a negative impact on the commercial value of the above-mentioned aqueous home care formulations. In addition, during storage, microbial growth may occur in such aqueous home care formulations, which means that these aqueous home care formulations are subject to contamination caused by microorganisms (such as fungi, yeasts, molds, protozoa and / or aerobic and anaerobic bacteria). Such contamination caused by microorganisms is risky to humans, animals and / or crops depending on the species.

[0005] Therefore, manufacturers of such aqueous home care formulations usually take measures to stabilize the suspension, dispersion or slurry on storage by using storage stabilizers such as pH stabilizers and / or antimicrobial agents or biocides. Such antimicrobial agents or biocides (e.g., phenols, halogenated phenols, halogen-containing compounds, halogen-releasing compounds, isothiazolinones, aldehyde-containing compounds, aldehyde-releasing compounds, guanidines, sulfones, thiocyanates, pyrithione, antibiotics such as beta-lactam antibiotics, quaternary ammonium salts, peroxides, perchlorates, amides, amines, heavy metals, biocidal enzymes, biocidal polypeptides, azoles, carbamates, glyphosate, sulfonamides and mixtures thereof) to maintain aqueous home care formulations against microorganisms are well known in the art.

[0006] One of the most common substances used for preservation and stabilization belongs to the chemical group of isothiazolinones, such as methylisothiazolinone (MIT, MI), chloromethylisothiazolinone (CMIT, CMI, MCI), benzisothiazolinone (BIT), octylisothiazolinone (OIT, OI), dichlorooctylisothiazolinone (DCOIT, DCOI) or butylbenzisothiazolinone (BBIT). For example, CN107582441 relates to a liquid handwash containing methylisothiazolinone, and EP3606345 discloses a stable biocide composition that can be used as a cleaning product containing 2.5% to 15% by weight of isothiazolinone.

[0007] US2021 / 269630A1 relates to a method for preparing a stable polymer containing vinylimidazole. In this document, an aqueous mixture containing water, a polymer (P) containing 1-vinylimidazole and a quaternary ammonium salt (QA) is described. The quaternary ammonium salt is used as a biocide for stabilizing the polymer containing 1-vinylimidazole.

[0008] However, such known storage stabilizers are generally risky to the environment and human or animal health in terms of the amount used, and may therefore be considered as substances harmful to humans / animals and the environment. Therefore, the use of such storage stabilizers in aqueous household care formulations is subject to increasing restrictions. For example, in addition to its required function (i.e., controlling or killing microorganisms), isothiazolinones also have undesirable effects such as high sensitization potential and high aquatic toxicity. Recently, it has also been suspected that isothiazolinones may cause dermatitis. Since its undesirable effects generally outweigh its benefits, many countries are considering partial or complete bans on the substance due to the known dangers in the use of such biocides.

[0009] Replacing such antimicrobial or biocide that keeps aqueous household care formulations resistant to microorganisms by other substances such as potassium sorbate does not generally reduce or inhibit microbial growth in liquid detergents due to the high pH value. Sometimes, such antimicrobial or biocide is replaced by adding zinc ions, as described in, for example, US2020 / 163340. However, due to regulatory requirements, zinc ions must be avoided in such compositions in some technical fields. In addition, it is known that US10624348 uses different alkali metal ions for the preparation of preservative products.

[0010] Therefore, there is still a need in the art for storage stabilizers that preserve aqueous household care formulations but avoid or at least reduce the use of conventional antimicrobial agents such as phenols, halogenated phenols, halogen-containing compounds, halogen-releasing compounds, isothiazolinones, aldehyde-containing compounds, aldehyde-releasing compounds, guanidines, sulfones, thiocyanates, 2-thiopyrithione, antibiotics such as beta-lactam antibiotics, quaternary ammonium salts, peroxides, perchlorates, amides, amines, heavy metals, biocidal enzymes, biocidal polypeptides, azoles, carbamates, glyphosate, sulfonamides and mixtures thereof.

[0011] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a storage stabilizer for stabilizing aqueous household care formulations during storage. In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a storage stabilizer that prevents or reduces the growth of microorganisms in aqueous household care formulations. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a storage stabilizer that avoids or at least reduces the use of conventional antimicrobial agents or biocides (e.g., phenols, halogenated phenols, halogen-containing compounds, halogen-releasing compounds, isothiazolinones, aldehyde-containing compounds, aldehyde-releasing compounds, guanidines, sulfones, thiocyanates, 2-thiopyrithione, antibiotics such as β-lactam antibiotics, quaternary ammonium salts, peroxides, perchlorates, amides, amines, biocidal enzymes, biocidal polypeptides, azoles, carbamates, glyphosate, sulfonamides and mixtures thereof). In addition, it is another object of the present invention that the storage stabilizer is easy to handle and transport, inexpensive, and non-toxic to humans, animals and / or the environment. Summary of the invention

[0012] These and other objects of the present invention are solved by a storage stabilizer for use in aqueous home care formulations, aqueous home care formulations comprising a storage stabilizer, methods and uses as described herein and defined in the claims.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the present invention relates to the use of a storage stabilizer for stabilizing aqueous household care formulations during storage, wherein the storage stabilizer comprises at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources, the at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources are selected from a water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source, a water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source, a water-dispersible magnesium ion source, and at least a water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source, wherein the water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source is selected from alkali metal carbonates and / or alkali metal bicarbonates, and wherein the water-dispersible magnesium ion source is selected from magnesium carbonate or magnesite (MgCO3) and / or hydromagnesite (Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O).

[0014] The inventors have surprisingly found that the storage stabilizer of the present invention can be used to stabilize aqueous home care formulations during storage. More precisely, the storage stabilizer stabilizes the aqueous home care formulation against microorganisms for a determined amount of time. Furthermore, no additional antimicrobial and / or biocide is required in addition to the storage stabilizer to prevent or reduce microbial growth. Furthermore, the storage stabilizer of the present invention is easy to handle and transport, inexpensive, and non-toxic to humans, animals and / or the environment.

[0015] A second aspect of the present invention relates to a storage stabilizer for stabilizing aqueous household care formulations during storage, comprising at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources, the at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources being selected from a water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source, a water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source, a water-dispersible magnesium ion source, and at least a water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source, wherein the water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source is selected from alkali metal carbonates and / or alkali metal bicarbonates, and wherein the water-dispersible magnesium ion source is selected from magnesium carbonate or magnesite (MgCO3) and / or hydromagnesite (Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O).

[0016] Another aspect relates to an aqueous home care formulation comprising the storage stabilizer according to the invention, wherein the aqueous home care formulation is preferably a detergent formulation, preferably a detergent formulation for laundry cleaning of clothes, fabrics, dishes and hard surfaces; a pre-wash formulation; a rinse formulation; a bleaching formulation; a laundry fabric softener formulation; a cleaning formulation; and mixtures thereof.

[0017] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for stabilizing an aqueous home care formulation on storage, said method comprising the steps of: a) providing an aqueous home care formulation, preferably a washing formulation, preferably a washing formulation for laundry cleaning of clothes, fabrics, dishes and hard surfaces; a pre-wash formulation; a rinse formulation; a bleach formulation; a laundry fabric softener formulation; a cleaning formulation; and mixtures thereof, b) providing a storage stabilizer according to the present invention, and c) contacting and mixing the aqueous home care formulation of step a) with the storage stabilizer of step b) in any order to obtain a stable aqueous home care formulation.

[0018] Preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source is at least one bismuth compound, preferably at least one bismuth compound is selected from bismuth carbonate, bismuth basic carbonate, bismuth oxide, bismuth hydroxide, bismuth chloride, bismuth iodide, bismuth phosphate, bismuth citrate, bismuth acetate, bismuth lactate, bismuth basic salicylate, polymeric compounds of bismuth and mixtures thereof, and the polymeric compound of bismuth is preferably selected from bismuth compounds of acrylic acid homopolymers, acrylic acid copolymers such as copolymers of acrylic acid and maleic acid and / or acrylamide, polyphosphates and mixtures thereof.

[0020] According to another embodiment of the present invention, at least one water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source is at least one lithium salt, preferably at least one lithium salt is selected from lithium carbonate, lithium chloride, lithium hydroxide, lithium phosphate, lithium citrate, lithium maleate, lithium acetate and lithium lactate; polymer salts of lithium; and mixtures thereof, the polymer salts of lithium are preferably selected from acrylic acid homopolymers, acrylic acid copolymers such as copolymers of acrylic acid and maleic acid and / or acrylamide, polyphosphates and lithium salts of mixtures thereof, and the polymer salts of lithium are more preferably Li2Na2 polyphosphate, lithium sodium hexametaphosphate or lithium polyacrylate.

[0021] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the at least one dispersible magnesium ion source is a) hydromagnesite, preferably natural or synthetic hydromagnesite, more preferably synthetic hydromagnesite, and most preferably precipitated hydromagnesite, and / or b) wherein the water-dispersible magnesium ion source is in the form of particles having: i) a volume median particle size (d ) of ≥ 150 nm, preferably 150 nm to 50 μm, more preferably 0.2 μm to 25 μm, even more preferably 0.5 μm to 20 μm, and most preferably 1 μm to 5 μm, as determined by laser diffraction; 50 ), and / or ii) a top cut particle size (d ) determined by volume equal to or less than 30 μm, preferably from 2 μm to 30 μm, more preferably from 5 μm to 20 μm, and most preferably from 8 μm to 18 μm, as determined by laser diffraction 98), or c) wherein the water-dispersible magnesium ion source is in the form of granules having: i) a volume median particle size d of 5 μm to 300 μm, preferably 8 μm to 200 μm, and most preferably 10 μm to 150 μm as determined by laser diffraction 50 , and ii) a volume particle size d of 15 μm to 500 μm, preferably 20 μm to 400 μm, and most preferably 30 μm to 250 μm as determined by laser diffraction 90 , and iii) a volume particle size d of 1 μm to 100 μm, preferably 2 μm to 70 μm, and most preferably 4 μm to 50 μm, as determined by laser diffraction 10 .

[0022] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the alkali metal carbonate is selected from sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, lithium carbonate and mixtures thereof, preferably sodium carbonate and / or lithium carbonate, and most preferably sodium carbonate, and / or at least one alkali metal bicarbonate is selected from sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, lithium bicarbonate and mixtures thereof, preferably sodium bicarbonate and / or sodium bicarbonate, and most preferably sodium bicarbonate.

[0023] According to another embodiment of the present invention, each of the water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources is present in the composition in an amount of 1000 ppm to 50000 ppm, preferably in an amount of 2500 ppm to 20000 ppm, even more preferably in an amount of 3000 ppm to 10000 ppm, and most preferably in an amount of 2500 ppm to 5000 ppm, based on the total weight of the aqueous home care formulation.

[0024] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the weight ratio of at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources is from 100:1 to 1:100, preferably from 10:1 to 1:10, and most preferably from 5:1 to 1:5.

[0025] According to another embodiment of the invention, the storage stabilizer comprises further additives selected from the group consisting of dispersants, viscosity agents, thickeners, rheology additives and defoamers.

[0026] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources are a water-dispersible magnesium ion source and at least a water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source, wherein the water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source is selected from alkali metal carbonates and / or alkali metal bicarbonates, and wherein the water-dispersible magnesium ion source is selected from magnesium carbonate or magnesite (MgCO3) and / or hydromagnesite (Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O).

[0027] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources are a water-dispersible magnesium ion source and at least a water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source, wherein the water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source is selected from alkali metal carbonates and / or alkali metal bicarbonates, and is preferably sodium carbonate, and wherein the water-dispersible magnesium ion source is selected from magnesium carbonate or magnesite (MgCO3) and / or hydromagnesite (Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O), preferably hydromagnesite Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O, even more preferably synthetic hydromagnesite, and most preferably precipitated hydromagnesite.

[0028] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources are a water-dispersible bismuth ion source and at least a water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source, wherein the water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source is selected from alkali metal carbonates and / or alkali metal bicarbonates.

[0029] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources are a water-dispersible bismuth ion source and at least a water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source, wherein the water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source is selected from alkali metal carbonates and / or alkali metal bicarbonates, and is preferably sodium carbonate, and wherein the water-dispersible bismuth ion source is at least one bismuth compound, preferably at least one bismuth compound is selected from bismuth carbonate, bismuth subcarbonate, bismuth oxide, bismuth hydroxide, bismuth chloride, bismuth iodide, bismuth phosphate, bismuth citrate, bismuth acetate, bismuth lactate, bismuth subsalicylate, polymeric compounds of bismuth and mixtures thereof, and most preferably the bismuth compound is bismuth oxide.

[0030] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the microorganism is selected from the group comprising at least one bacterial strain, at least one fungal strain such as mold or yeast, algae and mixtures thereof.

[0031] According to another embodiment of the invention, the storage stabilizer stabilizes the aqueous home care formulation against microorganisms during storage for at least 15 days, wherein the microorganisms are selected from the group comprising at least one bacterial strain, at least one fungal strain such as mold or yeast, algae and mixtures thereof.

[0032] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the storage stabilizer according to the invention is present in an amount such that the aqueous household care formulation is kept against microorganisms for at least 15 days, preferably for at least 20 days, more preferably for at least 30 days, even more preferably for at least 60 days, and most preferably for at least 90 days.

[0033] It should be understood that for the purposes of the present invention, the following terms have the following meanings:

[0034] In the meaning of the present invention, a storage stabilizer is an agent that stabilizes an aqueous composition on storage. "Stable on storage" means that the aqueous composition is stabilized against microorganisms and optionally against pH changes for a determined amount of time. More precisely, stable on storage means that an aqueous composition stored statically at 25° C. does prevent or reduce the growth and / or reproduction of microorganisms for at least 15 days, and optionally does not exhibit a pH value change of more than + / -1 for at least 15 days.

[0035] According to the present invention, the expression "preventing microbial growth" means that no significant growth of microorganisms (e.g. at least one bacterial strain, at least one fungal strain such as mold or yeast, algae and mixtures thereof) is observed in the aqueous home care formulation when the storage stabilizer is present. This preferably does not result in an increase in the cfu value of the treated aqueous home care formulation compared to the home care formulation immediately before treatment, more preferably the value is reduced to less than 100 cfu / 1 ml or 1 g of the aqueous home care formulation using the bacterial count method described in the Examples section herein. It should be understood that the final aqueous home care formulation (i.e. comprising the storage stabilizer) is diluted 10 times and then 100 μl of the diluted composition is plated to assess microbial growth.

[0036] According to the present invention, the expression "reducing microbial growth" means that the growth of microorganisms (e.g. at least one bacterial strain, at least one fungal strain such as mold or yeast, algae and mixtures thereof) in the aqueous formulation is slower when a storage stabilizer is present. This preferably results in a lower cfu value in the treated aqueous home care formulation compared to the home care formulation without storage stabilizer before treatment, more preferably less than 100 cfu / 1 ml or 1 g of the aqueous home care formulation using the bacterial count method described in the Examples section herein. It should be understood that the final aqueous home care formulation (i.e. comprising storage stabilizer) is diluted 10 times and then 100 μl of the diluted composition is plated to assess microbial growth.

[0037] In the meaning of the present invention, the term "microorganism" or "germ" refers to an organism of microscopic size, and in particular refers to bacteria, fungi such as molds or yeasts, algae and mixtures thereof.

[0038] For the purposes of this application, "water-insoluble" or "water-dispersible" materials are defined as those materials that, when mixed with 100 ml of deionized water at 20° C. and filtered to recover a liquid filtrate, provide less than or equal to 0.1 g of recovered solid material after evaporation of 100 g of the liquid filtrate at 95° C. to 100° C. "Water-soluble" materials are defined as materials that produce greater than 0.1 g of recovered solid material after evaporation of 100 g of the liquid filtrate at 95° C. to 100° C. In order to assess whether a material is an insoluble material or a soluble material within the meaning of the present invention, the sample amount is greater than 0.1 g, preferably 0.5 g or more.

[0039] For the purposes of the present invention, the term "viscosity" or "Brookfield viscosity" refers to Brookfield viscosity. For this purpose, Brookfield viscosity is measured by a Brookfield DV-II+Pro viscometer using an appropriate spindle of the Brookfield RV spindle set at 25°C ± 1°C at 100 rpm and is stated in mPa·s. Based on his technical knowledge, the skilled person will select a spindle from the Brookfield RV spindle set that is suitable for the viscosity range to be measured. For example, for a viscosity range of 200 mPa·s to 800 mPa·s, spindle No. 3 can be used; for a viscosity range of 400 mPa·s to 1600 mPa·s, spindle No. 4 can be used; for a viscosity range of 800 mPa·s to 3200 mPa·s, spindle No. 5 can be used, for a viscosity range of 1000 mPa·s to 2000000 mPa·s, spindle No. 6 can be used, and for a viscosity range of 4000 mPa·s to 8000000 mPa·s, spindle No. 7 can be used.

[0040] Throughout this document, the "particle size" of magnesium ion particles or granules is defined by its volume-based particle size distribution d x (volume). Among them, the value d x (volume) represents the diameter at which x volume % of the particles have a diameter smaller than d x (volume). This means, for example, that d 20 The value of d is the particle size that is smaller than 20% by volume of all particles. 50 The (volume) value is the volume median particle size, i.e., the particle size below which 50% by volume of all particles are smaller, and d 98 The (volume) value (called volume-based top cut) is the particle size below which 98% by volume of all particles are smaller than. 50 (or d 50 (volume)) and volume-determined top cut particle size d 98 (or d98 (Volume) was evaluated using a Malvern Mastersizer 3000 laser diffraction system equipped with a Hydro LV system (Malvern Instruments Plc., UK). 50 (volume) or d 98 The (volume) value represents the diameter value such that 50 volume % or 98 volume % of the particles have a diameter less than this value, respectively. The powder was suspended in a 0.1 wt % Na4O7P2 solution. 10 mL of 0.1 wt % Na4O7P2 was added to a Hydro LV tank and the sample slurry was then introduced until a 10% to 20% blur was reached. The measurements were performed for 10 seconds each with red and blue light. For the analysis of the raw data, a model for non-spherical particle size using Mie theory was used and it was assumed that the particle refractive index was 1.57 and the density was 2.70 g / cm 3 , and an absorption index of 0.005. This method and instrument are known to the skilled person and are commonly used to determine the particle size distribution of fillers and pigments.

[0041] Throughout this document, the term "specific surface area" (in m 2 Surface area (in m2 / g) (which is used to define magnesium ion particles or granules, such as hydromagnesite or other materials) refers to the specific surface area as determined by using the BET method (using nitrogen as the absorption gas). Throughout this document, the specific surface area (in m2 / g) is used to define magnesium ion particles or granules, such as hydromagnesite or other materials. 2 The total surface area of ​​the filler material (in m 2 The specific surface area (in g) was obtained by multiplying the specific surface area and mass (in g) of the corresponding sample.

[0042] For the purposes of the present invention, the "solids content" of a liquid composition is a measure of the amount of material remaining after all solvent or water has been evaporated. If necessary, the "solids content" of a suspension in the meaning of the present invention, given in % by weight, can be determined using a moisture analyzer HR73 from Mettler-Toledo (T = 120 ° C., automatic switch off 3, standard drying), with a sample amount of 5 g to 20 g.

[0043] A "suspension" or "slurry" within the meaning of the present invention comprises undissolved solids and water and optionally further additives and generally contains a large amount of solids and is therefore more viscous and may have a higher density than the liquid from which it is formed.

[0044] In the meaning of the present invention, "aqueous composition" and "aqueous home care formulation" refer to compositions and home care formulations that contain water. More precisely, the term "aqueous" composition / home care formulation refers to a system in which the liquid phase comprises water, preferably consists of water. However, the term does not exclude that the liquid phase of the aqueous composition / home care formulation comprises a small amount of at least one water-miscible organic solvent, which is preferably selected from the group comprising methanol, ethanol, acetone, acetonitrile, tetrahydrofuran and mixtures thereof. If the aqueous composition / home care formulation comprises at least one water-miscible organic solvent, the liquid phase of the aqueous composition / home care formulation comprises at least one water-miscible organic solvent in an amount of 0.1% to 40.0% by weight, preferably 0.1% to 30.0% by weight, more preferably 0.1% to 20.0% by weight, and most preferably 0.1% to 10.0% by weight, based on the total weight of the liquid phase of the aqueous composition / home care formulation. For example, the liquid phase of the aqueous composition / home care formulation consists of water.

[0045] "Home care preparations" within the meaning of the present invention are preparations for cleaning and washing in the home care sector, and are preferably detergent preparations, preferably detergent preparations for the cleaning of laundry, fabrics, dishes and hard surfaces; prewash preparations; rinse preparations; bleaching preparations; laundry fabric softener preparations; cleaning preparations; and mixtures thereof.

[0046] In the meaning of the present invention, a "salt" is a chemical compound composed of an ionic combination of cations (positively charged ions) and anions (negatively charged ions) such that the product is electrically neutral (has no net charge).

[0047] Where the term "comprising" is used in the present description and claims, it does not exclude other elements. For the purposes of the present invention, the term "consisting of" is considered to be a preferred embodiment of the term "comprising". If a group is defined hereinafter as comprising at least a certain number of embodiments, this is also to be understood as disclosing a group that preferably consists only of these embodiments.

[0048] Terms such as "obtainable" or "definable" and "obtained" or "definable" are used interchangeably. This means, for example, that unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the term "obtained" is not intended to indicate that, for example, an embodiment must be obtained by, for example, the sequence of steps following the term "obtained", although such a restrictive understanding is always included as a preferred embodiment by the term "obtained" or "definable".

[0049] Whenever the terms "including" or "having" are used, these terms are meant to be equivalent to "comprising" as defined above. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] According to the present invention, a storage stabilizer is used to stabilize an aqueous household care formulation during storage, wherein the storage stabilizer comprises at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources, the at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources are selected from a water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source, a water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source, a water-dispersible magnesium ion source, and at least a water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source, wherein the water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source is selected from alkali metal carbonates and / or alkali metal bicarbonates, and wherein the water-dispersible magnesium ion source is selected from magnesium carbonate or magnesite (MgCO3) and / or hydromagnesite (Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O).

[0051] In the following preferred embodiments, the storage stabilizer of the present invention for stabilizing aqueous home care formulations during storage will be described in more detail. It should be understood that these embodiments and details also apply to the aqueous home care formulations of the present invention and their use, as well as to the method of the present invention for stabilizing the aqueous home care formulations.

[0052] Storage stabilizers for making aqueous household care formulations storage-stable

[0053] According to the present invention, a storage stabilizer is used to stabilize aqueous household care formulations during storage. The storage stabilizer used in the present invention to stabilize aqueous household care formulations during storage comprises at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources, the at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources are selected from a water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source, a water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source, a water-dispersible magnesium ion source, and at least a water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source, wherein the water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source is selected from alkali metal carbonates and / or alkali metal bicarbonates, and wherein the water-dispersible magnesium ion source is selected from magnesium carbonate or magnesite (MgCO3) and / or hydromagnesite (Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O).

[0054] Therefore, one requirement of the storage stabilizer of the present invention used in the present invention is that it contains at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources, and the at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources are selected from a water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source, a water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source, a water-dispersible magnesium ion source, and at least a water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source.

[0055] In the meaning of the present invention, "at least two different" means that two or more, for example three or all four, water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources are present in the storage stabilizer of the present invention. In the meaning of the present invention, "different" means that if the storage stabilizer for stabilizing aqueous household care formulations during storage comprises at least one water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source as one water-soluble or water-dispersible ion source, the second water-soluble or water-dispersible ion source is selected from a water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source, a water-dispersible magnesium ion source, and at least a water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source. Alternatively, if the storage stabilizer for stabilizing aqueous household care formulations during storage comprises at least one water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source as one water-soluble or water-dispersible ion source, the second water-soluble or water-dispersible ion source is selected from a water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source, a water-dispersible magnesium ion source, and at least a water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source.

[0056] Alternatively, if the storage stabilizer for stabilizing the aqueous home care formulation on storage comprises at least one water-dispersible magnesium ion source as one water-soluble or water-dispersible ion source, the second water-soluble or water-dispersible ion source is selected from a water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source, a water-dispersible lithium ion source, and at least a water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source.

[0057] Finally, if the storage stabilizer for stabilizing the aqueous home care formulation upon storage comprises at least one water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source as one water-soluble or water-dispersible ion source, the second water-soluble or water-dispersible ion source is selected from a water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source, a water-dispersible lithium ion source, and at least a water-soluble or water-dispersible magnesium ion source.

[0058] In the meaning of the present invention, the term water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source means that the source comprises, preferably consists of, one or more water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion sources.

[0059] In one embodiment of the present invention, the water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source comprises one water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source, preferably consists of one water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source. Alternatively, the water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source comprises two or more water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion sources, preferably consists of two or more water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion sources. For example, the water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source comprises two or three water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion sources, preferably consists of two or three water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion sources. Preferably, the water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source comprises two or more water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion sources, preferably consists of two or more water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion sources.

[0060] It is to be understood that the at least one water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source of the storage stabilizer may be any material comprising, preferably consisting of, bismuth ions as cations.

[0061] At least one bismuth ion source is water-soluble or water-dispersible. In the meaning of the present invention, the term "water-insoluble" or "water-dispersible" or "dispersible in water" refers to a system in which only a portion of the bismuth ion source forms a solution with water, i.e., only a portion of the particles of at least one bismuth ion source is dissolved in the solvent. More precisely, when at least one bismuth ion source is mixed with 100 ml of deionized water at 20° C. and filtered to recover a liquid filtrate, the liquid filtrate provides less than or equal to 0.1 g of recovered solid material after evaporation of 100 g of the liquid filtrate at 95° C. to 100° C. In the meaning of the present invention, the term "water-soluble" or "soluble in water" refers to a system in which the bismuth ion source forms a solution with water, i.e., the particles of at least one bismuth ion source are dissolved in the solvent. More precisely, when at least one bismuth ion source is mixed with 100 ml of deionized water at 20° C. and filtered to recover a liquid filtrate, the liquid filtrate provides more than 0.1 g of recovered solid material after evaporation of 100 g of said liquid filtrate at 95° C. to 100° C. In order to assess whether the bismuth ion source is an insoluble material or a soluble material within the meaning of the present invention, the sample amount is greater than 0.1 g, preferably 0.5 g or more.

[0062] In the meaning of the present invention, the term "source" of bismuth ions refers to a compound comprising, preferably consisting of, bismuth ions (ie bismuth cations).

[0063] In one embodiment of the present invention, the water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source is provided in the form of at least one bismuth compound. Preferably, the counter group of the at least one bismuth compound is selected from the group consisting of carbonate, oxide, chloride, hydroxide, iodide, phosphate, citrate, acetate, lactate, salicylate and mixtures thereof. In particular, the at least one bismuth compound is selected from bismuth carbonate, bismuth subcarbonate, bismuth oxide, bismuth hydroxide, bismuth chloride, bismuth iodide, bismuth phosphate, bismuth citrate, bismuth acetate, bismuth lactate, bismuth subsalicylate, polymeric compounds of bismuth and mixtures thereof.

[0064] According to a preferred embodiment, the water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source is preferably bismuth carbonate, bismuth oxide or bismuth hydroxide. Preferably, the water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source is bismuth oxide.

[0065] Additionally or alternatively, a water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source exists as a polymeric compound of bismuth (e.g., an acrylic acid homopolymer or an acrylic acid copolymer). The polymeric salt of bismuth is preferably a bismuth polyacrylate. The polymeric compound of bismuth can be partially or completely neutralized using a neutralizing agent comprising bismuth and optionally other alkali metal and / or alkaline earth metal ions. Particularly suitable are polyacrylates and / or polymethacrylates having a neutralized average molecular weight of not more than 50,000.

[0066] Such sources of bismuth ions are known to the skilled person and are commercially available.

[0067] In the meaning of the present invention, the term water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source means that the source comprises, preferably consists of, one or more water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion sources.

[0068] In one embodiment of the present invention, the water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source comprises one water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source, preferably consisting of one water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source. Alternatively, the water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source comprises two or more water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion sources, preferably consisting of two or more water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion sources. For example, the water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source comprises two or three water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion sources, preferably consisting of two or three water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion sources. Preferably, the water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source comprises two or more water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion sources, preferably consisting of two or more water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion sources.

[0069] It is to be understood that the at least one water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source of the present storage stabilizer may be any material comprising, preferably consisting of, lithium ions as cations.

[0070] According to a preferred embodiment, at least one lithium ion source is water-soluble or water-dispersible.

[0071] At least one lithium ion source is water-soluble or water-dispersible. In the meaning of the present invention, the term "water-insoluble" or "water-dispersible" or "dispersible in water" refers to a system in which only a portion of the lithium ion source forms a solution with water, i.e., only a portion of the particles of at least one lithium ion source is dissolved in the solvent. More precisely, when at least one lithium ion source is mixed with 100 ml of deionized water at 20° C. and filtered to recover a liquid filtrate, the liquid filtrate provides less than or equal to 0.1 g of recovered solid material after evaporating 100 g of the liquid filtrate at 95° C. to 100° C. In the meaning of the present invention, the term "water-soluble" or "soluble in water" refers to a system in which the lithium ion source forms a solution with water, i.e., the particles of at least one lithium ion source are dissolved in the solvent. More precisely, when at least one lithium ion source is mixed with 100 ml of deionized water at 20° C. and filtered to recover a liquid filtrate, the liquid filtrate provides more than 0.1 g of recovered solid material after evaporation of 100 g of said liquid filtrate at 95° C. to 100° C. In order to assess whether the lithium ion source is an insoluble material or a soluble material within the meaning of the present invention, the sample amount is greater than 0.1 g, preferably 0.5 g or more.

[0072] In the meaning of the present invention, the term "source" of lithium ions refers to a compound comprising, preferably consisting of, lithium ions (ie lithium cations).

[0073] In one embodiment of the present invention, the water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source is preferably provided in the form of at least one lithium salt. Preferably, the anionic group of the at least one lithium salt is selected from the group consisting of carbonate, chloride, hydroxide, phosphate, citrate, maleate, acetate, lactate and mixtures thereof. In particular, the at least one lithium salt is selected from lithium carbonate, lithium chloride, lithium hydroxide, lithium phosphate, lithium citrate, lithium maleate, lithium acetate and lithium lactate, polymer salts of lithium and mixtures thereof.

[0074] According to a preferred embodiment, the at least one water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source is preferably lithium carbonate.

[0075] Additionally or alternatively, the water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source is present as a polymer salt of lithium (e.g., acrylic acid homopolymers, acrylic acid copolymers, such as copolymers of acrylic acid and maleic acid and / or acrylamide, polyphosphates, and mixtures thereof, which have multiple acid sites that can be partially or completely neutralized with lithium ions). The polymer salt of lithium is preferably selected from Li2Na2 polyphosphate, sodium lithium hexametaphosphate, or lithium polyacrylate.

[0076] The polymer salt of lithium is preferably partially or completely neutralized using a neutralizing agent comprising lithium and optionally other alkali metal and / or alkaline earth metal ions, preferably neutralized to a degree of 5.0% to 100.0%, preferably neutralized to a degree of 25.0% to 100.0%, and most preferably neutralized to a degree of 75.0% to 100.0%. In one embodiment, the acid sites of the polymer salt of lithium are neutralized using a neutralizing agent comprising only lithium. Particularly suitable are neutralized polyacrylates and / or polymethacrylates having an average molecular weight of no more than 50,000, preferably an average molecular weight in the range of 1,000 to 25,000, and more preferably in the range of 3,000 to 12,000.

[0077] Such lithium ion sources are known to the skilled person and are commercially available.

[0078] In addition, one requirement of the present invention is that the storage stabilizer contains at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources, and the at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources are selected from water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion sources, water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion sources, water-dispersible magnesium ion sources, and at least water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion sources. In the case where one water-soluble or water-dispersible ion source is a water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source, the second water-soluble or water-dispersible ion source is preferably selected from a water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source or a water-soluble or water-dispersible magnesium ion source. In the case where the second water-soluble or water-dispersible ion source is at least a water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source, it is not composed of lithium carbonate and / or lithium bicarbonate, but is composed of at least one alkali metal carbonate and / or alkali metal bicarbonate different from lithium carbonate and / or lithium bicarbonate, or contains at least one alkali metal carbonate and / or alkali metal bicarbonate different from lithium carbonate and / or lithium bicarbonate. However, lithium carbonate and / or lithium bicarbonate may also be present in the stabilizer in addition to a water-soluble or water-dispersible source of alkali metal ions other than lithium carbonate and / or lithium bicarbonate.

[0079] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the storage stabilizer is used to stabilize the aqueous household care formulation during storage, wherein the storage stabilizer comprises at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources, the at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources are selected from a water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source, a water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source, a water-dispersible magnesium ion source, and at least a water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source,

[0080] wherein the water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source is selected from alkali metal carbonates and / or alkali metal bicarbonates, and

[0081] The water-dispersible magnesium ion source is selected from magnesium carbonate or magnesite (MgCO3) and / or hydromagnesite (Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O),

[0082] Provided that if the first water-soluble or water-dispersible ion source is a water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source, then the second water-soluble or water-dispersible ion source is selected from a water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source or a water-soluble or water-dispersible magnesium ion source.

[0083] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the storage stabilizer is used to stabilize the aqueous household care formulation during storage, wherein the storage stabilizer comprises at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources, the at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources are selected from a water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source, a water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source, a water-dispersible magnesium ion source, and at least a water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source,

[0084] wherein the water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source is selected from alkali metal carbonates and / or alkali metal bicarbonates, and

[0085] The water-dispersible magnesium ion source is hydromagnesite (Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O).

[0086] Provided that if the first water-soluble or water-dispersible ion source is a water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source, then the second water-soluble or water-dispersible ion source is selected from a water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source or a water-soluble or water-dispersible magnesium ion source.

[0087] In the meaning of the present invention, the term water-dispersible magnesium ion source means that the source comprises, preferably consists of, one or more water-dispersible magnesium ion sources.

[0088] In one embodiment of the invention, the water-dispersible magnesium ion source comprises one water-dispersible magnesium ion source, preferably consists of one water-dispersible magnesium ion source. Alternatively, the water-dispersible magnesium ion source comprises two or more water-dispersible magnesium ion sources, preferably consists of two or more water-dispersible magnesium ion sources. For example, the water-dispersible magnesium ion source comprises two or three water-dispersible magnesium ion sources, preferably consists of two or three water-dispersible magnesium ion sources. Preferably, the water-dispersible magnesium ion source comprises two or more water-dispersible magnesium ion sources, preferably consists of two or more water-dispersible magnesium ion sources.

[0089] The magnesium ion source is water-dispersible. In the meaning of the present invention, the term "water-insoluble" or "water-dispersible" or "dispersible in water" refers to a system in which only a portion of the magnesium ion source forms a solution with water, i.e., only a portion of the particles of at least one magnesium ion source is dissolved in the solvent. More precisely, when at least one magnesium ion source is mixed with 100 ml of deionized water at 20° C. and filtered to recover a liquid filtrate, the liquid filtrate provides less than or equal to 0.1 g of recovered solid material after evaporation of 100 g of said liquid filtrate at 95° C. to 100° C.

[0090] A requirement of the present invention is that the water dispersible magnesium ion source is selected from magnesium carbonate or magnesite (MgCO3) and / or hydromagnesite (Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O).

[0091] The water dispersible magnesium ion source may be a naturally occurring or synthetic water dispersible magnesium ion source.

[0092] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the water-dispersible magnesium ion source is a naturally occurring water-dispersible magnesium ion source, i.e., naturally occurring magnesium carbonate or magnesite (MgCO3) and / or hydromagnesite (Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O). According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the water-dispersible magnesium ion source is hydromagnesite (Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O)

[0093] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the naturally occurring water-dispersible source of magnesium ions may be obtained by dry grinding.According to another embodiment of the present invention, the naturally occurring water-dispersible source of magnesium ions may be obtained by wet grinding and optionally subsequent drying.

[0094] Typically, the grinding step can be carried out with any conventional grinding apparatus, for example under conditions such that the comminution is mainly caused by impact with the second object, i.e., in one or more of the following: a ball mill, a rod mill, a vibrating mill, a roller crusher, a centrifugal impact mill, a vertical bead mill, a grinder, a pin mill, a hammer mill, a pulverizer, a pulverizer, a de-clumper, a knife cutter, or other such equipment known to the skilled person. In the case where the water-dispersible magnesium ion source is obtained by wet grinding, the grinding step can be carried out under conditions such that autogenous grinding occurs and / or by horizontal ball milling and / or other such methods known to the skilled person. The thus obtained wet-processed ground water-dispersible magnesium ion source can be washed and dehydrated by known methods (e.g., by flocculation, filtration or forced evaporation) before drying. The subsequent drying step can be carried out in a single step (e.g., spray drying), or in at least two steps. It is also common to subject such a mineral material to a beneficiation step (e.g., a flotation, bleaching or magnetic separation step) to remove impurities.

[0095] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the water-dispersible magnesium ion source is a synthetic water-dispersible magnesium ion source, namely synthetic magnesium carbonate or magnesite (MgCO3) and / or hydromagnesite (Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O).

[0096] In the meaning of the present invention, synthetic water-dispersible magnesium ion sources can be obtained by methods known in the art. For example, US1361324, US935418, GB548197 and GB544907 generally describe the formation of an aqueous solution of magnesium bicarbonate (usually described as "Mg(HCO3)2"), which is then converted by the action of an alkali (e.g., magnesium hydroxide) to form hydromagnesite. Other methods described in the art suggest the preparation of a composition comprising both hydromagnesite and magnesium hydroxide, wherein the magnesium hydroxide is mixed with water to form a suspension, which is further contacted with carbon dioxide and an alkaline aqueous solution to form a corresponding mixture; see, for example, US5979461. EP0526121 describes a calcium-magnesium carbonate composite material consisting of calcium carbonate and basic magnesium carbonate and a method for preparing the same. In addition, GB594262 relates to a method and apparatus for treating magnesium oxide-containing materials (e.g., magnesium carbonate and calcium carbonate materials) by controlled carbonation, which allows the separation of magnesium carbonate and calcium carbonate by mechanical means to obtain the corresponding carbonates in discrete and separated forms, and obtains special uses in separated products. US2007194276 describes a method for reductive bleaching of mineral slurries, which comprises adding an effective amount of formamidine sulfinic acid (FAS) and an effective amount of borohydride to the mineral slurry to reductively bleach the mineral slurry.

[0097] In one embodiment, the water-dispersible magnesium ion source is magnesium carbonate or magnesite (MgCO3), preferably naturally occurring magnesium carbonate or magnesite (MgCO3). Naturally occurring magnesium carbonate or magnesite (MgCO3) is known to the skilled person and is commercially available.

[0098] According to another embodiment, the water-dispersible magnesium ion source is hydromagnesite (Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O), preferably natural or synthetic hydromagnesite, more preferably synthetic hydromagnesite, and most preferably precipitated hydromagnesite (PHM). Hydromagnesite (Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O) such as precipitated hydromagnesite is known to the skilled person and is commercially available. In addition, the preparation of precipitated hydromagnesite is known to the skilled person, for example from WO2011054831.

[0099] According to another embodiment, the water-dispersible magnesium ion source is a mixture of magnesium carbonate or magnesite (MgCO3), preferably naturally occurring magnesium carbonate or magnesite (MgCO3) and hydromagnesite (Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O), preferably synthetic hydromagnesite (Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O).

[0100] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the water-dispersible magnesium ion source is in the form of particles having a volume median particle size (d ) of ≥ 150 nm, preferably 150 nm to 50 μm, more preferably 0.2 μm to 25 μm, even more preferably 0.5 μm to 20 μm, and most preferably 1 μm to 5 μm as determined by laser diffraction. 50 ).

[0101] Additionally or alternatively, the water-dispersible magnesium ion source is in the form of particles having a top cut particle size (d ) determined by volume of equal to or less than 30 μm, preferably from 2 μm to 30 μm, more preferably from 5 μm to 20 μm, and most preferably from 8 μm to 18 μm as determined by laser diffraction. 98 ).

[0102] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the water-dispersible magnesium ion source is in the form of particles having a volume median particle size (d ) of ≥ 150 nm, preferably 150 nm to 50 μm, more preferably 0.2 μm to 25 μm, even more preferably 0.5 μm to 20 μm, and most preferably 1 μm to 5 μm as determined by laser diffraction. 50 ); and a top cut particle size (d determined by volume of equal to or less than 30 μm, preferably 2 μm to 30 μm, more preferably 5 μm to 20 μm, and most preferably 8 μm to 18 μm, as determined by laser diffraction 98 ).

[0103] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the water-dispersible magnesium ion source is in the form of particles having a volume median particle size (d ) of ≥ 150 nm, preferably 150 nm to 50 μm, more preferably 0.2 μm to 25 μm, even more preferably 0.5 μm to 20 μm, and most preferably 1 μm to 5 μm as determined by laser diffraction. 50 ); or a top cut particle size (d ) determined by laser diffraction equal to or less than 30 μm, preferably 2 μm to 30 μm, more preferably 5 μm to 20 μm, and most preferably 8 μm to 18 μm by volume 98 ).

[0104] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the water-dispersible magnesium ion source is magnesium carbonate or magnesite (MgCO3), preferably naturally occurring magnesium carbonate or magnesite (MgCO3) and / or hydromagnesite (Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O), preferably synthetic hydromagnesite (Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O), and most preferably precipitated hydromagnesite (PHM), and is in the form of particles having a volume median particle size (d ) of ≥150 nm, preferably 150 nm to 50 μm, more preferably 0.2 μm to 25 μm, even more preferably 0.5 μm to 20 μm, and most preferably 1 μm to 5 μm, as determined by laser diffraction. 50 ); and / or a top cut particle size (d ) determined by volume of equal to or less than 30 μm, preferably from 2 μm to 30 μm, more preferably from 5 μm to 20 μm, and most preferably from 8 μm to 18 μm as determined by laser diffraction 98 ).

[0105] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the water-dispersible magnesium ion source is in the form of granules having a volume median particle size d of 5 to 300 μm, preferably 8 to 200 μm, and most preferably 10 to 150 μm, as determined by laser diffraction. 50 and a volume particle size d of 15 μm to 500 μm, preferably 20 μm to 400 μm, and most preferably 30 μm to 250 μm, as determined by laser diffraction 90 and a volume particle size d of 1 μm to 100 μm, preferably 2 μm to 70 μm, and most preferably 4 μm to 50 μm, as determined by laser diffraction 10 .

[0106] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the water-dispersible magnesium ion source is magnesium carbonate or magnesite (MgCO3), preferably naturally occurring magnesium carbonate or magnesite (MgCO3) and / or hydromagnesite (Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O), preferably synthetic hydromagnesite (Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O), and is in the form of granules having a volume median particle size d of 5 μm to 300 μm, preferably 8 μm to 200 μm, and most preferably 10 μm to 150 μm, as determined by laser diffraction. 50 and a volume particle size d of 15 μm to 500 μm, preferably 20 μm to 400 μm, and most preferably 30 μm to 250 μm, as determined by laser diffraction 90 and a volume particle size d of 1 μm to 100 μm, preferably 2 μm to 70 μm, and most preferably 4 μm to 50 μm, as determined by laser diffraction 10 .

[0107] Granules and granulation (i.e. a process in which primary powder particles are made to adhere or agglomerate to form larger multi-particulate entities, by agglomerating the particles together by creating bonds between the particles, for example by a binder) are known to the skilled person. Granules are thus fairly firm agglomerations of finer materials to larger products, such that the products can be easily spread or flowed without dust problems and have increased reactivity or decomposability. Such granulation methods are described, for example, in EP3733785 A1, EP3517502 A1 and in the unpublished patent application EP21193840.2. For example, granules can be obtained by: a) providing an aqueous suspension comprising a magnesium ion-containing material; b) homogenizing the aqueous suspension comprising a magnesium ion-containing material of step a), and c) removing liquid from the aqueous suspension comprising a magnesium ion-containing material of step b) by spray drying to obtain granules comprising a magnesium ion-containing material.

[0108] Volume-determined median particle size d 50 (or d 50 (volume)) and volume-determined top cut particle size d 98 (or d 98 (volume)) was evaluated using a Malvern Mastersizer 3000 laser diffraction system equipped with a Hydro-LV system (Malvern Instruments Plc., UK). 50 (Volume) value or d 98 The (volume) value represents the diameter value such that 50% or 98% of the particles by volume have a diameter less than this value, respectively. The powder was suspended in a 0.1 wt% Na4O7P2 solution. 10 mL of 0.1 wt% Na4O7P2 was added to a Hydro LV tank and the sample slurry was then introduced until a 10% to 20% blur was reached. The measurements were performed for 10 seconds each with red and blue light. For the analysis of the raw data, a model for non-spherical particle size using Mie theory was used and the particle refractive index was assumed to be 1.57 and the density was 2.70 g / cm 3 , and an absorption index of 0.005. This method and instrument are known to the skilled person and are commonly used to determine the particle size distribution of fillers and pigments.

[0109] In one embodiment, the water-dispersible magnesium ion source is in the form of particles or granules having a relative humidity at 2 m / s measured using nitrogen and the BET method according to ISO 9277:2010. 2 / g to 200m 2 / g, preferably 10m 2 / g to 100m 2 / g, and most preferably 12m 2 / g to 75m 2 / g, for example, about 55m 2 / g BET specific surface area.

[0110] As used throughout this application, the "specific surface area" (in m 2 / g) can be determined by the BrunauerEmmett Teller (BET) method, with nitrogen as the adsorption gas, and by using an ASAP2460 instrument from Micromeritics. This method is well known to the skilled person and is defined in ISO 9277:2010. The sample is conditioned at 150° C. for a period of 60 minutes under vacuum before the measurement.

[0111] Such sources of magnesium ions are known to the skilled person and are commercially available.

[0112] In the meaning of the present invention, the term water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source means that the source comprises, preferably consists of, one or more water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion sources. A requirement is that the water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source is selected from alkali metal carbonates and / or alkali metal bicarbonates.

[0113] In the meaning of the present invention, alkali metal carbonate comprises one or more alkali metal carbonates, preferably consists of one or more alkali metal carbonates. In one embodiment of the present invention, alkali metal carbonate comprises one alkali metal carbonate, preferably consists of one alkali metal carbonate. Alternatively, alkali metal carbonate comprises two or more alkali metal carbonates, preferably consists of two or more alkali metal carbonates. For example, alkali metal carbonate comprises two or three alkali metal carbonates, preferably consists of two or three alkali metal carbonates. Preferably, alkali metal carbonate comprises one alkali metal carbonate, preferably consists of one alkali metal carbonate.

[0114] In the meaning of the present invention, alkali metal bicarbonate means that the alkali metal bicarbonate comprises one or more alkali metal bicarbonate salts, preferably consists of one or more alkali metal bicarbonate salts.

[0115] In one embodiment of the invention, the alkali metal bicarbonate comprises one alkali metal bicarbonate, preferably consists of one alkali metal bicarbonate. Alternatively, the alkali metal bicarbonate comprises two or more alkali metal bicarbonates, preferably consists of two or more alkali metal bicarbonates. For example, the alkali metal bicarbonate comprises two or three alkali metal bicarbonates, preferably consists of two or three alkali metal bicarbonates. Preferably, the alkali metal bicarbonate comprises one alkali metal bicarbonate, preferably consists of one alkali metal bicarbonate.

[0116] It is to be understood that the water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source may be any material comprising, preferably consisting of, an alkali metal carbonate and / or an alkali metal bicarbonate.

[0117] For example, the water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source is at least one alkali metal carbonate and at least one alkali metal bicarbonate, i.e., a mixture of at least one alkali metal carbonate and at least one alkali metal bicarbonate. Alternatively, the water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source is at least one alkali metal carbonate or at least one alkali metal bicarbonate.

[0118] In one embodiment, the alkali metal carbonate is selected from sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, lithium carbonate and mixtures thereof. Preferably, at least one alkali metal carbonate is selected from sodium carbonate and / or lithium carbonate. More preferably, at least one alkali metal carbonate is sodium carbonate.

[0119] Additionally or alternatively, the alkali metal bicarbonate is selected from sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, lithium bicarbonate and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the alkali metal bicarbonate is selected from sodium bicarbonate and / or lithium bicarbonate. More preferably, the alkali metal bicarbonate is sodium bicarbonate.

[0120] In one embodiment, the water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source is a mixture of at least one alkali metal carbonate and at least one alkali metal bicarbonate. For example, the water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source is a mixture of sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate, or a mixture of potassium carbonate and potassium bicarbonate, or a mixture of lithium carbonate and lithium bicarbonate. Preferably, the water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source is a mixture of sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate or a mixture of lithium carbonate and lithium bicarbonate. More preferably, the water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source is a mixture of sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate.

[0121] In the case where the water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source is a mixture of at least one alkali metal carbonate and at least one alkali metal bicarbonate, the alkali metal carbonate and alkali metal bicarbonate may be present in any ratio. For example, the molar ratio of alkali metal carbonate to alkali metal bicarbonate is 1000:1 to 1:1000, preferably 100:1 to 1:100, more preferably 20:1 to 1:20, even more preferably 10:1 to 1:10, and most preferably 2:1 to 1:2, such as about 1:1.

[0122] In addition, a requirement of the present invention is that the storage stabilizer contains at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources, and the at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources are selected from water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion sources, water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion sources, water-dispersible magnesium ion sources, and at least water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion sources. In the case where the water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source contains lithium carbonate and / or lithium bicarbonate or consists of lithium carbonate and / or lithium bicarbonate, the second water-soluble or water-dispersible ion source is selected from a water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source or a water-soluble or water-dispersible magnesium ion source. However, in addition to the water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source containing lithium carbonate and / or lithium bicarbonate or consisting of lithium carbonate and / or lithium bicarbonate, and the second water-soluble or water-dispersible ion source selected from a water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source or a water-soluble or water-dispersible magnesium ion source, a water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source may also be present in the stabilizer. However, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, in case the water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source comprises or consists of lithium carbonate and / or lithium bicarbonate, then the second water-soluble or water-dispersible ion source is selected from a water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source or a water-soluble or water-dispersible magnesium ion source and does not comprise further water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion and lithium ion sources. The storage stabilizer for stabilizing aqueous household care formulations on storage does not comprise or consists of a combination of lithium carbonate and / or lithium bicarbonate with sodium carbonate and / or sodium bicarbonate.

[0123] The storage stabilizer for making the aqueous household care formulation stable during storage comprises at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources, the at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources are selected from a water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source, a water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source, a water-dispersible magnesium ion source, and at least a water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source, wherein the water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source is selected from alkali metal carbonates and / or alkali metal bicarbonates, and wherein the water-dispersible magnesium ion source is selected from magnesium carbonate or magnesite (MgCO3) and / or hydromagnesite (Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O).

[0124] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the storage stabilizer for stabilizing the aqueous household care formulation during storage comprises at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources, the at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources being selected from a water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source, a water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source, a water-dispersible magnesium ion source, and at least a water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source,

[0125] wherein the water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source is selected from alkali metal carbonates and / or alkali metal bicarbonates, and

[0126] The water-dispersible magnesium ion source is hydromagnesite (Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O).

[0127] In the case where the storage stabilizer for stabilizing the aqueous household care formulation during storage comprises or consists of two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources, the storage stabilizer may comprise or consist of: a water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source, and a water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source; or a water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source, and a water-dispersible magnesium ion source (wherein the water-dispersible magnesium ion source is selected from magnesium carbonate or magnesite (MgCO3) and / or hydromagnesite (Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O)); or a water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source, and at least a water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source (wherein the water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source is selected from alkali metal carbonates and / or alkali metal bicarbonates); or water A water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source, and a water-dispersible magnesium ion source (wherein the water-dispersible magnesium ion source is selected from magnesium carbonate or magnesite (MgCO3) and / or hydromagnesite (Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O)); or a water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source, and at least a water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source (wherein the water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source is selected from alkali metal carbonates and / or alkali metal bicarbonates); or a water-dispersible magnesium ion source (wherein the water-dispersible magnesium ion source is selected from magnesium carbonate or magnesite (MgCO3) and / or hydromagnesite (Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O)), and at least a water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source (wherein the water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source is selected from alkali metal carbonates and / or alkali metal bicarbonates).

[0128] In the case where the storage stabilizer for stabilizing the aqueous household care formulation during storage comprises or consists of three different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources, the storage stabilizer may comprise or consist of: a water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source, and a water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source, and a water-dispersible magnesium ion source (wherein the water-dispersible magnesium ion source is selected from magnesium carbonate or magnesite (MgCO3) and / or hydromagnesite (Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2.4H2O)); or a water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source, and a water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source, and a water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source, and at least one water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source (wherein the water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source is selected from alkali metal carbonates and / or alkali metal carbonates. or a water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source, and a water-dispersible magnesium ion source (wherein the water-dispersible magnesium ion source is selected from magnesium carbonate or magnesite (MgCO3) and / or hydromagnesite (Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O)), and a water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source (wherein the water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source is selected from alkali metal carbonate and / or alkali metal bicarbonate); or a water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source, and a water-dispersible magnesium ion source (wherein the water-dispersible magnesium ion source is selected from magnesium carbonate or magnesite (MgCO3) and / or hydromagnesite (Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O)), and a water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source (wherein the water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source is selected from alkali metal carbonate and / or alkali metal bicarbonate).

[0129] In the case where the storage stabilizer for stabilizing the aqueous household care formulation during storage comprises or consists of four different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources, the storage stabilizer may comprise or consist of a water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source, and a water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source, and a water-dispersible magnesium ion source (wherein the water-dispersible magnesium ion source is selected from magnesium carbonate or magnesite (MgCO3) and / or hydromagnesite (Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O)), and a water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source (wherein the water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source is selected from alkali metal carbonates and / or alkali metal bicarbonates).

[0130] In an exemplary embodiment, the storage stabilizer for stabilizing aqueous household care formulations during storage comprises or consists of two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources as described above, or comprises or consists of three different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources as described above. According to a preferred embodiment, the storage stabilizer for stabilizing aqueous household care formulations during storage comprises or consists of two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources as described above.

[0131] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the storage stabilizer for stabilizing the aqueous household care formulation during storage comprises, preferably consists of, two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources as described above, preferably consists of: bismuth chloride or bismuth oxide and lithium citrate or lithium carbonate, or bismuth chloride or bismuth oxide and precipitated hydromagnesite, or bismuth chloride or bismuth oxide and sodium carbonate, or lithium citrate or lithium carbonate and precipitated hydromagnesite, or lithium citrate or lithium carbonate and sodium carbonate, or precipitated hydromagnesite and sodium carbonate.

[0132] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the storage stabilizer for stabilizing the aqueous household care formulation on storage is used in solid form, preferably in the form of a granular material. The term "solid" according to the present invention refers to a material that is solid at standard ambient temperature and pressure (SATP), which refers to a temperature of 298.15 K (25° C.) and an absolute pressure of just 1 bar. The solid may be in the form of a powder, tablet, granule, flake, etc.

[0133] According to another embodiment of the invention, the storage stabilizer for stabilizing the aqueous household care formulations on storage is used in a liquid medium. The term "liquid medium" therefore refers to a material that is liquid at standard ambient temperature and pressure (SATP), which refers to a temperature of 298.15 K (25° C.) and an absolute pressure of exactly 1 bar. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the storage stabilizer comprises water and forms a solution or a dispersion or a slurry.

[0134] In the meaning of the present invention, the term "solution" refers to a storage stabilizer dissolved in water, wherein no discrete solid particles are observed in the solvent, i.e. a solution with water is formed, wherein a water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source and / or a water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source and / or a water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source is dissolved in the water.

[0135] In the meaning of the present invention, the term "dispersion" or "suspension" refers to a storage stabilizer dissolved in water, wherein at least a portion of the water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source and / or the water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source and / or the water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source is dissolved in the water, and / or the water-dispersible magnesium ion source is present in the water as an insoluble solid.

[0136] In addition to water, further solvents may be present in the liquid phase.The solvent is a water-miscible organic solvent, preferably selected from the group comprising methanol, ethanol, acetone, acetonitrile, tetrahydrofuran and mixtures thereof.

[0137] For example, the liquid phase comprises water and at least one water-miscible organic solvent in an amount of 0.1 wt.-% to 40.0 wt.-%, preferably 0.1 wt.-% to 30.0 wt.-%, more preferably 0.1 wt.-% to 20.0 wt.-%, and most preferably 0.1 wt.-% to 10.0 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the liquid phase. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the storage stabilizer for stabilizing aqueous household care formulations on storage consists exclusively of water as liquid phase and has no additional solvents.

[0138] In view of this, the storage stabilizer for stabilizing the aqueous household care formulation during storage can be used in an undiluted form (i.e., concentrated form). In another embodiment of the present invention, the storage stabilizer for stabilizing the aqueous household care formulation during storage can be diluted to a suitable concentration for use. In the diluted form, the storage stabilizer is preferably dissolved in water, wherein the corresponding diluted composition contains preferably 0.001 wt. % to 20.0 wt. % of the storage stabilizer, and most preferably 0.01 wt. % to 15 wt. % of the storage stabilizer, based on the total weight of the composition.

[0139] Preferably, the storage stabilizer for stabilizing aqueous home care formulations during storage is homogeneously distributed in water and optionally organic solvents. However, in order to avoid excessive dilution of the storage stabilizer and the home care formulation, the water content in the storage stabilizer is preferably kept as low as possible or as low as desired.

[0140] When a storage stabilizer is used to stabilize the aqueous home care formulation, it is understood that each of the water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources (selected from a water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source, a water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source, a water-dispersible magnesium ion source, and at least a water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source) present in the home care formulation is individually present in the composition in an amount of at least 1000 ppm to 50000 ppm, based on the total weight of the aqueous home care formulation.

[0141] According to one embodiment of the present invention, when a storage stabilizer is used to stabilize an aqueous home care formulation, each of the water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources (selected from a water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source, a water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source, a water-dispersible magnesium ion source, and at least a water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source) present in the home care formulation is present in an amount of 2500 ppm to 20000 ppm, based on the total weight of the aqueous home care formulation, even more preferably in an amount of 3000 ppm to 10000 ppm, and most preferably in an amount of 2500 ppm to 5000 ppm in the composition.

[0142] That is, storage stabilizers are used to stabilize aqueous household care formulations during storage, wherein

[0143] a) a water-soluble or water-dispersible source of bismuth ions is present in an amount of 1000 ppm to 50000 ppm, preferably in an amount of 2500 ppm to 20000 ppm, even more preferably in an amount of 3000 ppm to 10000 ppm, and most preferably in an amount of 2500 ppm to 5000 ppm, based on the total weight of the home care formulation, and / or

[0144] b) a water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source is present in an amount of 1000 ppm to 50000 ppm, preferably in an amount of 2500 ppm to 20000 ppm, even more preferably in an amount of 3000 ppm to 10000 ppm, and most preferably in an amount of 2500 ppm to 5000 ppm, based on the total weight of the home care formulation, and / or

[0145] c) the water-dispersible magnesium ion source is present in an amount of 1000 ppm to 50000 ppm, preferably in an amount of 2500 ppm to 20000 ppm, even more preferably in an amount of 3000 ppm to 10000 ppm, and most preferably in an amount of 2500 ppm to 5000 ppm, based on the total weight of the home care formulation, and / or

[0146] d) a water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source is present in an amount of 1000 ppm to 50000 ppm, preferably in an amount of 2500 ppm to 20000 ppm, even more preferably in an amount of 3000 ppm to 10000 ppm, and most preferably in an amount of 2500 ppm to 5000 ppm, based on the total weight of the home care formulation,

[0147] The proviso is that at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources are present.

[0148] For example, storage stabilizers are used to stabilize aqueous household care formulations during storage.

[0149] a) a water-soluble or water-dispersible source of bismuth ions is present in an amount of 1000 ppm to 50000 ppm, preferably in an amount of 1000 ppm to 20000 ppm, even more preferably in an amount of 1000 ppm to 10000 ppm, even more preferably in an amount of 1000 ppm to 5000 ppm, and most preferably in an amount of 1000 ppm to 2500 ppm, based on the total weight of the home care formulation, and / or

[0150] b) a water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source is present in an amount of 250 ppm to 50000 ppm, preferably in an amount of 250 ppm to 20000 ppm, even more preferably in an amount of 250 ppm to 10000 ppm, even more preferably in an amount of 250 ppm to 5000 ppm, and most preferably in an amount of 250 ppm to 2500 ppm, based on the total weight of the home care formulation, and / or

[0151] c) the water-dispersible magnesium ion source is present in an amount of 1000 ppm to 50000 ppm, preferably in an amount of 1000 ppm to 20000 ppm, even more preferably in an amount of 1000 ppm to 10000 ppm, even more preferably in an amount of 1000 ppm to 5000 ppm, and most preferably in an amount of 1000 ppm to 2500 ppm, based on the total weight of the home care formulation, and / or

[0152] d) a water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source is present in an amount of 1000 ppm to 50000 ppm, preferably in an amount of 1000 ppm to 20000 ppm, even more preferably in an amount of 1000 ppm to 10000 ppm, even more preferably in an amount of 1000 ppm to 5000 ppm, and most preferably in an amount of 1000 ppm to 2500 ppm, based on the total weight of the home care formulation,

[0153] The proviso is that at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources are present.

[0154] According to a preferred embodiment, the storage stabilizer is used to stabilize the aqueous household care formulation during storage, wherein

[0155] a) a water-soluble or water-dispersible source of bismuth ions is present in an amount of 1000 ppm to 50000 ppm, preferably in an amount of 2500 ppm to 20000 ppm, even more preferably in an amount of 3000 ppm to 10000 ppm, and most preferably in an amount of 2500 ppm to 5000 ppm, based on the total weight of the home care formulation, and / or

[0156] b) a water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source is present in an amount of 1000 ppm to 50000 ppm, preferably in an amount of 2500 ppm to 20000 ppm, even more preferably in an amount of 3000 ppm to 10000 ppm, and most preferably in an amount of 2500 ppm to 5000 ppm, based on the total weight of the home care formulation, and / or

[0157] c) a water-dispersible magnesium ion source is present in an amount of 1000 ppm to 50000 ppm, preferably in an amount of 2500 ppm to 20000 ppm, even more preferably in an amount of 3000 ppm to 10000 ppm, and most preferably in an amount of 2500 ppm to 5000 ppm, based on the total weight of the home care formulation, wherein the water-dispersible magnesium ion source is hydromagnesite, and / or

[0158] d) a water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source is present in an amount of 1000 ppm to 50000 ppm, preferably in an amount of 2500 ppm to 20000 ppm, even more preferably in an amount of 3000 ppm to 10000 ppm, and most preferably in an amount of 2500 ppm to 5000 ppm, based on the total weight of the home care formulation,

[0159] The proviso is that at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources are present.

[0160] According to another embodiment of the invention, the storage stabilizer for stabilizing the aqueous household care formulations on storage comprises water and preferably has a pH value in the range of 7 to 14, preferably 7.5 to 11.5, even more preferably 8 to 11.

[0161] pH values ​​were measured at 25°C using a Mettler Toledo Seven Easy pH meter and a Mettler Toledo InLab Expert Pro pH electrode. The instrument was first calibrated at three points (according to the stepwise method) using commercial buffer solutions (from Aldrich) with pH values ​​of 4, 7 and 10 at 25°C. The reported pH value is the endpoint value detected by the instrument (signal differs less than 0.1 mV from the average value within the last 6 seconds).

[0162] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the weight ratio of at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources present in the storage stabilizer is 100:1 to 1:100, preferably 10:1 to 1:10, and most preferably 5:1 to 1:5.

[0163] Where the storage stabilizer comprises or consists of three or four different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources, the weight ratio of each of the water-soluble or water-dispersible sources to the other is from 100:1 to 1:100, preferably from 10:1 to 1:10, and most preferably from 5:1 to 1:5.

[0164] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the storage stabilizer used in the present invention comprises a further additive selected from the group consisting of a dispersant, a viscosity agent, a thickener, a rheological additive and a defoamer. Such further additives are known to the skilled person and are commercially available.

[0165] Storage stabilizers are used to stabilize aqueous household care formulations on storage. "Stable on storage" means that the aqueous composition is stabilized against microorganisms and optionally against pH changes for a determined amount of time. More precisely, stable on storage means that the aqueous composition stored statically at 25°C does prevent or reduce the growth and / or reproduction of microorganisms for at least 15 days, and optionally does not exhibit a pH change of more than + / -1 for at least 15 days.

[0166] Preferably, the microorganism is selected from the group comprising at least one bacterial strain, at least one fungal strain such as mold or yeast, algae and mixtures thereof.

[0167] In one embodiment of the present invention, the at least one bacterial strain is selected from Gram-negative bacteria, Gram-positive bacteria and mixtures thereof.

[0168] It should be understood that gram-positive bacteria and gram-negative bacteria are well known in the art and are, for example, described in Biology of Microorganisms, "Brock", Madigan MT, Martinko JM, Parker J, 1997, 8th edition. In particular, such bacteria represent evolutionarily very distantly related bacterial classes, each of which contains many bacterial families. Gram-negative bacteria are characterized by two layers of membrane (exo-membrane and endomembrane), while gram-positive bacteria only contain one layer of membrane. Typically, the former contain a large amount of lipopolysaccharide and a thin monolayer of peptidoglycan, while the latter do not actually have lipopolysaccharide, have multiple layers of thick peptidoglycan, and the outer shell contains teichoic acid. For these differences, gram-positive bacteria and gram-negative bacteria react differently to environmental influences. Methods for distinguishing gram-positive bacteria from gram-negative bacteria include species identification by DNA sequencing technology or biochemical characterization. Alternatively, the number of membranes can be directly determined by thin section transmission electron microscopy.

[0169] In the meaning of the present invention, the term "at least one bacterial strain" means that the bacterial strain comprises, preferably consists of, one or more bacterial strains.

[0170] In one embodiment of the invention, at least one bacterial strain comprises one bacterial strain, preferably consists of one bacterial strain. Alternatively, at least one bacterial strain comprises two or more bacterial strains, preferably consists of two or more bacterial strains. For example, at least one bacterial strain comprises two or three bacterial strains, preferably consists of two or three bacterial strains. Preferably, at least one bacterial strain comprises two or more bacterial strains, preferably consists of two or more bacterial strains.

[0171] In one embodiment, the storage stabilizer is used to stabilize the aqueous household care formulation against at least one bacterial strain selected from the group consisting of Pseudomonas sp., such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes, Pseudomonas putida, Pseudomonas stutzeri, Pseudomonas mendocina, Pseudomonas oleovorans subsp. Oleovorans, and mixtures thereof; Burkholderia sp., such as Burkholderia cepacia; Escherichia spp., such as Escherichia coli; Alcaligenes sp., such as Alcaligenes faecalis. faecalis; Staphylococcus sp., such as Staphylococcus aureus; Enterococcus sp., such as Enterococcus faecalis; Bacillus sp., such as Bacillus halodurans; Salmonella sp.; Legionella, Comomonas aquatica, Brevundimonas intermedia, Rhizobium radiobacter, Spingobium yanoikuyae, Caldimonas sp., Hydrogenophaga sp., Alishewanella agri, Arthrobacter sp. sp.), Chryseomicrobium amylolyticum, Microbacterium sp., Exiguobacterium aurantiacum; and mixtures thereof.

[0172] For example, the storage stabilizer is used to stabilize the aqueous household care formulation against at least one bacterial strain selected from the group consisting of: Pseudomonas sp., such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes, Pseudomonas putida, and mixtures thereof; Burkholderia sp., such as Burkholderia cepacia; Escherichia spp., such as Escherichia coli; Alcaligenes sp., such as Alcaligenes faecalis; Staphylococcus sp., such as Staphylococcus aureus; Enterococcus sp., such as Staphylococcus aureus; sp.), such as Enterococcus faecalis; Bacillus sp.; Salmonella sp.; Legionella; and mixtures thereof.

[0173] Additionally or alternatively, the storage stabilizer is used to stabilize the aqueous household care formulation against at least one fungal strain selected from the group consisting of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Pichiamembranifaciens, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa; Fusarium sp.; Aspergillus sp., for example Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus brasiliensis and mixtures thereof; Penicillium sp., for example Penicillium pulpinophilum, Penicillium funiculosum and mixtures thereof; Aureobasidium pullulans, Geotrichum sp., Acremonium sp., Alternaria sp. sp., Cladosporium sp., Mucor sp., Rhizopus sp., Stachybotrys sp., Trichoderma sp., Dematiaceae sp., Phoma sp., Eurotium sp., Scopulariopsis sp., Aureobasidium sp., Monilia sp., Botrytis sp., Stemphylium sp., Chaetomium sp., Mycelia sp., Neurospora sp., Ulocladium sp., Paecilomyces sp. sp., Wallemia sp., Curvularia sp.; and mixtures thereof.

[0174] For example, the storage stabilizer is used to stabilize the aqueous home care formulation against at least one fungal strain selected from the group comprising Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Pichiamembranifaciens, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, Fusarium sp., Aspergillus sp. and mixtures thereof.

[0175] It will be appreciated that moulds and yeasts are subclasses of fungi. Thus, the at least one fungal strain may be at least one mould strain or at least one yeast strain.

[0176] Thus, the storage stabilizer can be used to stabilize the aqueous household care formulation against at least one mold strain selected from the group consisting of Acremonium sp., Alternaria sp., Aspergillus sp., Cladosporium sp., Fusarium sp., Mucor sp., Penicillium sp., Rhizopus sp., Stachybotrys sp., Trichoderma sp., Dematiaceae sp., Phoma sp., Eurotium sp., Scopulariopsis sp., Aureobasidium sp., Monilia sp., Botrytis sp., Stemphylium sp. sp., Chaetomium sp., Mycelia sp., Neurospora sp., Ulocladium sp., Paecilomyces sp., Wallemia sp., Curvularia sp., and mixtures thereof.

[0177] In the meaning of the present invention, the term "at least one mold strain" means that the mold strain comprises, preferably consists of, one or more mold strains.

[0178] In one embodiment of the present invention, at least one mold strain comprises one mold strain, preferably consists of one mold strain. Alternatively, at least one mold strain comprises two or more mold strains, preferably consists of two or more mold strains. For example, at least one mold strain comprises two or three mold strains, preferably consists of two or three mold strains. Preferably, at least one mold strain comprises two or more mold strains, preferably consists of two or more mold strains.

[0179] Additionally or alternatively, the storage stabilizer may be used to stabilize the aqueous home care formulation against at least one yeast strain selected from the group comprising Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Pichiamembranifaciens, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa and mixtures thereof.

[0180] In the meaning of the present invention, the term "at least one yeast strain" means that the yeast strain comprises, preferably consists of, one or more yeast strains.

[0181] In one embodiment of the invention, at least one yeast strain comprises one yeast strain, preferably consists of one yeast strain. Alternatively, at least one yeast strain comprises two or more yeast strains, preferably consists of two or more yeast strains. For example, at least one yeast strain comprises two or three yeast strains, preferably consists of two or three yeast strains. Preferably, at least one yeast strain comprises two or more yeast strains, preferably consists of two or more yeast strains.

[0182] Additionally or alternatively, the storage stabilizer may be used to stabilize the aqueous home care formulation against at least one algae strain selected from the group comprising Chlorella vulgaris, Chlorella emersonii, Stichococcus bacillaris, Pleurococcus sp., Anacystis montana and mixtures thereof.

[0183] In the meaning of the present invention, the term "at least one algae strain" means that the algae strain comprises, preferably consists of, one or more algae strains.

[0184] In one embodiment of the invention, at least one algae strain comprises one algae strain, preferably consists of one algae strain. Alternatively, at least one algae strain comprises two or more algae strains, preferably consists of two or more algae strains. For example, at least one algae strain comprises two or three algae strains, preferably consists of two or three algae strains. Preferably, at least one algae strain comprises two or more algae strains, preferably consists of two or more algae strains.

[0185] Storage stabilizers are used to stabilize aqueous home care formulations on storage. More precisely, storage stabilizers are used to stabilize aqueous home care formulations against microorganisms and optionally against pH changes for a determined amount of time on storage. More precisely, storage stabilizers are used to stabilize aqueous home care formulations on storage when stored statically at 25°C and indeed prevent or reduce the growth and / or reproduction of microorganisms and, optionally, do not exhibit a pH change of more than + / - 1 for at least 15 days, preferably for at least 20 days, more preferably for at least 30 days, even more preferably for at least 60 days, and most preferably for at least 90 days without the use of conventional antimicrobial agents that may be toxic and / or harmful to humans, animals and / or the environment.

[0186] Therefore, the storage stabilizer and the aqueous home care formulation used to stabilize the aqueous home care formulation during storage preferably do not contain an antimicrobial selected from the group comprising phenols, halogenated phenols, halogen-containing compounds, halogen-releasing compounds, isothiazolinones, aldehyde-containing compounds, aldehyde-releasing compounds, guanidines, sulfones, thiocyanates, 2-thiopyrithione, antibiotics such as beta-lactam antibiotics, quaternary ammonium salts, peroxides, perchlorates, amides, amines, heavy metals, biocidal enzymes, biocidal polypeptides, azoles, carbamates, glyphosate, sulfonamides and mixtures thereof. Such antimicrobial agents are well known to the skilled person.

[0187] However, it should be noted that it is not excluded that the storage stabilizer for stabilizing the aqueous home care formulations on storage also comprises a small amount of an antimicrobial agent in order to increase the antimicrobial efficiency of the storage stabilizer against microorganisms.

[0188] Storage stabilizers are used to stabilize aqueous home care formulations during storage. Aqueous home care formulations are known to the skilled person. For example, aqueous home care formulations are washing formulations, preferably washing formulations for laundry, fabrics, dishes and cleaning of hard surfaces; pre-wash formulations; rinse formulations; bleaching formulations; laundry fabric softener formulations; cleaning formulations; and mixtures thereof.

[0189] According to an exemplary use of the present invention, the storage stabilizer for stabilizing the aqueous household care formulation during storage comprises two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources as described above, preferably consists of two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources as described above, preferably consists of: bismuth chloride or bismuth oxide and lithium citrate or lithium carbonate; or bismuth chloride or bismuth oxide and precipitated hydromagnesite; or bismuth chloride or bismuth oxide and sodium carbonate; or lithium citrate or lithium carbonate and precipitated hydromagnesite; or lithium citrate or lithium carbonate and sodium carbonate; or precipitated hydromagnesite and sodium carbonate, wherein

[0190] a) bismuth chloride or bismuth oxide is present in an amount of 1000 ppm to 2500 ppm, based on the total weight of the home care formulation, and / or

[0191] b) lithium citrate or lithium carbonate is present in an amount of 250 ppm to 2500 ppm, based on the total weight of the home care formulation, and / or

[0192] c) precipitated hydromagnesite is present in an amount of 1000 ppm to 2500 ppm, based on the total weight of the home care formulation, and / or

[0193] d) Sodium carbonate is present in an amount of 1000 ppm to 2500 ppm, based on the total weight of the home care formulation.

[0194] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the storage stabilizer is used to stabilize the aqueous household care formulation, wherein the storage stabilizer comprises at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources, the at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources are selected from a water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source, a water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source, a water-dispersible magnesium ion source, and at least a water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source,

[0195] wherein the water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source is selected from alkali metal carbonates and / or alkali metal bicarbonates, and

[0196] The water-dispersible magnesium ion source is hydromagnesite (Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O), and

[0197] Contains no water soluble or water dispersible source of zinc ions.

[0198] Besides this, in a preferred embodiment, no additional antimicrobial agents and / or biocides are required to prevent or reduce microbial growth and, therefore, no additional antimicrobial agents and / or biocides are used to stabilize the aqueous home care formulation.

[0199] The inventors have surprisingly found that the storage stabilizer of the present invention can be used to stabilize aqueous home care formulations during storage. More precisely, the storage stabilizer stabilizes the aqueous home care formulation against microorganisms to a determined amount. Furthermore, no additional antimicrobial and / or biocide is required in addition to the storage stabilizer to prevent or reduce microbial growth. Furthermore, the storage stabilizer of the present invention is easy to handle and transport, inexpensive, and non-toxic to humans, animals and / or the environment.

[0200] Storage stabilizer

[0201] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the present invention relates to a storage stabilizer for stabilizing aqueous household care formulations during storage, comprising at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources, the at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources being selected from a water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source, a water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source, a water-dispersible magnesium ion source, and at least a water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source, wherein the water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source is selected from alkali metal carbonates and / or alkali metal bicarbonates, and wherein the water-dispersible magnesium ion source is selected from magnesium carbonate or magnesite (MgCO3) and / or hydromagnesite (Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O).

[0202] With regard to the definition of storage stabilizers, microorganisms and preferred embodiments thereof, reference is made to the statements provided above when discussing the technical details of the use of storage stabilizers for stabilizing aqueous household care formulations on storage.

[0203] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the storage stabilizer for stabilizing aqueous household care formulations during storage comprises at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources, the at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources are selected from a water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source, a water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source, a water-dispersible magnesium ion source, and at least a water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source, wherein the water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source is selected from alkali metal carbonates and / or alkali metal bicarbonates, and wherein the water-dispersible magnesium ion source is selected from magnesium carbonate or magnesite (MgCO3) and / or hydromagnesite (Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O), with the proviso that if one of the water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources is a water-dispersible magnesium ion source, the second water-soluble or water-dispersible ion source is not at least a water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source. More precisely, if one of the water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources is a water-dispersible magnesium ion source (wherein the water-dispersible magnesium ion source is selected from magnesium carbonate or magnesite (MgCO3) and / or hydromagnesite (Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O)), the second water-soluble or water-dispersible ion source is selected from a water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source and a water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source.

[0204] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the storage stabilizer for stabilizing the aqueous household care formulation during storage comprises at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources, the at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources are selected from a water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source, a water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source, a water-dispersible magnesium ion source, and at least a water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source, wherein the water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source is selected from alkali metal carbonates and / or alkali metal bicarbonates, and wherein the water-dispersible magnesium ion source is hydromagnesite (Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O), with the proviso that if one of the water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources is a water-dispersible magnesium ion source, the second water-soluble or water-dispersible ion source is not at least a water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source. More precisely, if one of the water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources is a water-dispersible magnesium ion source (wherein the water-dispersible magnesium ion source is hydromagnesite (Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O)), the second water-soluble or water-dispersible ion source is selected from a water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source and a water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source.

[0205] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the storage stabilizer for stabilizing the aqueous household care formulation during storage comprises at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources, the at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources are selected from water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion sources, water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion sources, water-dispersible magnesium ion sources, and at least water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion sources, wherein the water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion sources are selected from alkali metal carbonates and / or alkali metal bicarbonates, and are not sodium ions, and wherein the water-dispersible magnesium ion source is selected from magnesium carbonate or magnesite (MgCO3) and / or hydromagnesite (Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O), and does not contain a water-soluble or water-dispersible zinc ion source. In addition, if the first compound is a water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source, the second compound is not a water-dispersible magnesium ion source.

[0206] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the storage stabilizer for stabilizing the aqueous household care formulation during storage comprises at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources, the at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources are selected from water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion sources, water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion sources, water-dispersible magnesium ion sources, and at least water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion sources, wherein the water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source is selected from alkali metal carbonates and / or alkali metal bicarbonates, and is not a sodium ion, and wherein the water-dispersible magnesium ion source is hydromagnesite (Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O), and does not contain a water-soluble or water-dispersible zinc ion source. In addition, if the first compound is a water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source, the second compound is not a water-dispersible magnesium ion source.

[0207] Aqueous home care preparations

[0208] According to the invention, the storage stabilizer is used to stabilize the aqueous home care formulation during storage. More precisely, the aqueous home care formulation comprises a storage stabilizer.

[0209] With regard to the definition of the storage stabilizer and its preferred embodiments and its use, reference is made to the statements provided above when discussing the technical details of the storage stabilizer and its use according to the invention.

[0210] Aqueous household care formulations are preferably washing formulations, preferably for laundry cleaning of laundry, fabrics, dishes and hard surfaces; pre-wash formulations; rinse formulations; bleaching formulations; laundry fabric softener formulations; cleaning formulations; and mixtures thereof.

[0211] The term "aqueous" home care formulation refers to systems wherein the liquid phase of the home care formulation or composition comprises water, preferably consists of water. However, the term does not exclude that the aqueous home care formulation or composition comprises an organic solvent, preferably selected from the group comprising methanol, ethanol, acetone, acetonitrile, tetrahydrofuran and mixtures thereof. If the aqueous home care formulation or composition comprises an organic solvent, the aqueous home care formulation or composition comprises the organic solvent in an amount of up to 40.0 wt.-%, preferably 0.1 wt.-% to 30.0 wt.-%, and most preferably 0.1 wt.-% to 20.0 wt.-%, and preferably 0.1 wt.-% to 10 wt.-%, based on the total weight of the liquid phase of the aqueous home care formulation or composition.

[0212] According to a preferred embodiment, the liquid phase of the aqueous home care formulation or composition consists of water. If the liquid phase of the aqueous home care formulation or composition consists of water, the water to be used may be any available water, such as tap water and / or deionized water.

[0213] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the storage stabilizer of the present invention is present in an amount such that the aqueous home care formulation is kept resistant to microorganisms for at least 15 days, preferably for at least 20 days, more preferably for at least 30 days, even more preferably for at least 60 days, and most preferably for at least 90 days. Optionally, the pH value of the aqueous home care formulation is also stabilized.

[0214] More precisely, the aqueous household care formulation comprising the storage stabilizer, when stored statically at 25°C, does prevent or reduce the growth and / or reproduction of microorganisms for at least 15 days, preferably for at least 20 days, more preferably for at least 30 days, even more preferably for at least 60 days, and most preferably for at least 90 days, and optionally does not show a pH change of more than + / - 1 within the same time frame.

[0215] According to the present invention, the expression "preventing microbial growth" means that no significant growth of microorganisms (e.g. at least one bacterial strain, at least one fungal strain such as mold or yeast, algae and mixtures thereof) is observed in the aqueous home care formulation when the storage stabilizer is present. This preferably does not result in an increase in the cfu value of the treated aqueous home care formulation compared to the formulation immediately before treatment, more preferably the value is reduced to less than 100 cfu / 1 ml or 1 g of the aqueous home care formulation using the bacterial count method described in the Examples section herein. It should be understood that the final aqueous formulation (i.e. comprising the storage stabilizer) is diluted 10 times and then 100 μl of the diluted composition is plated to assess microbial growth.

[0216] According to the present invention, the expression "reducing microbial growth" means that the growth of microorganisms (e.g. at least one bacterial strain, at least one fungal strain such as mold or yeast, algae and mixtures thereof) in the aqueous home care formulation is slower when a storage stabilizer is present. This preferably results in a lower cfu value in the treated aqueous home care formulation compared to the home care formulation without storage stabilizer before treatment, more preferably less than 100 cfu / 1 ml or 1 g of the aqueous home care formulation using the bacterial count method described in the Examples section herein. It should be understood that the final aqueous home care formulation (i.e. comprising storage stabilizer) is diluted 10 times and then 100 μl of the diluted composition is plated to assess microbial growth.

[0217] pH values ​​were measured at 25°C using a Mettler Toledo Seven Easy pH meter and a Mettler Toledo InLab Expert Pro pH electrode. The instrument was first calibrated at three points (according to the stepwise method) using commercial buffer solutions (from Aldrich) with pH values ​​of 4, 7 and 10 at 25°C. The reported pH value is the endpoint value detected by the instrument (signal differs less than 0.1 mV from the average value within the last 6 seconds).

[0218] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the aqueous home care formulation may comprise at least one inorganic particulate material. The presence of the at least one inorganic particulate material depends on the consistency and use of the aqueous home care formulation.

[0219] In the meaning of the present invention, the term "at least one" inorganic particulate material means that the inorganic particulate material comprises, preferably consists of, one or more inorganic particulate materials.

[0220] In one embodiment of the invention, at least one inorganic particulate material comprises one inorganic particulate material, preferably consists of one inorganic particulate material. Alternatively, at least one inorganic particulate material comprises two or more inorganic particulate materials, preferably consists of two or more inorganic particulate materials. For example, at least one inorganic particulate material comprises two or three inorganic particulate materials, preferably consists of two or three inorganic particulate materials. Preferably, at least one inorganic particulate material comprises one inorganic particulate material, preferably consists of one inorganic particulate material.

[0221] For example, the at least one inorganic particulate material is selected from the group comprising natural ground calcium carbonate, natural and / or synthetic precipitated calcium carbonate, surface-modified calcium carbonate, dolomite, kaolin, clay, barite, talc, aluminum hydroxide, aluminum silicate, titanium dioxide, perlite, sepiolite, brucite, and mixtures thereof.

[0222] In one embodiment of the invention, at least one inorganic particulate material comprises natural ground calcium carbonate and / or synthetic precipitated calcium carbonate and / or surface modified calcium carbonate. Preferably, at least one inorganic particulate material comprises natural ground calcium carbonate and / or synthetic precipitated calcium carbonate, and most preferably comprises natural ground calcium carbonate. Such inorganic particulate materials are particularly preferred in cases where the aqueous home care formulation should have an abrasive character. In this case, it is preferred that the aqueous home care formulation has a creamy or milky consistency and a high Brookfield viscosity to avoid sedimentation of the inorganic particulate material in the aqueous home care formulation.

[0223] "Ground calcium carbonate" (GCC) in the meaning of the present invention is calcium carbonate obtained from natural sources (e.g. limestone, marble or chalk) and processed by treatments such as grinding, sieving and / or classifying (by wet and / or dry processes, for example by cyclones or classifiers).

[0224] "Precipitated calcium carbonate" (PCC) in the meaning of the present invention is a synthetic material generally obtained by precipitation following the reaction of carbon dioxide and lime in an aqueous environment or by precipitating a source of calcium and carbonate ions in water.

[0225] "Surface-modified calcium carbonate" can be characterized by surface-reacted GCC or PCC. Surface-reacted calcium carbonate can be prepared by providing GCC or PCC in the form of an aqueous suspension and adding acid to the suspension. Suitable acid is, for example, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, citric acid, oxalic acid or a mixture thereof. In the next step, the calcium carbonate is treated with gaseous carbon dioxide. If a strong acid (such as sulfuric acid or hydrochloric acid) is used for the acid treatment step, carbon dioxide will automatically form in situ. Additionally or alternatively, carbon dioxide can be supplied from an external source. Surface-reacted calcium carbonate is described in, for example, US20120031576 A1, WO2009074492 A1, EP2264109 A1, EP2070991A1, EP2264108A1, WO0039222A1, WO2004083316A1 or WO2005121257A2.

[0226] The natural ground calcium carbonate and / or the synthetic precipitated calcium carbonate and / or the surface-modified calcium carbonate may additionally be surface treated or may contain a dispersant known to the skilled person. For example, the dispersant may be an acrylate-based dispersant.

[0227] If the aqueous household care formulation comprises at least one inorganic particulate material, the at least one inorganic particulate material may have a particle size distribution as conventionally used for the materials involved in the type of product to be produced. Typically, 90% of the particles will have an esd (equivalent spherical diameter, as measured by a well-known sedimentation technique using a Sedigraph 5120 series from Micromeritics) of less than 5 μm. The particle esd of the coarse inorganic particulate material may be generally (i.e. at least 90% by weight) in the range of 1 μm to 5 μm. The particle esd of the fine inorganic particulate material may be generally less than 2 μm, for example 50.0% to 99.0% by weight is less than 2 μm, and preferably 60.0% to 90.0% by weight is less than 2 μm. Preferably, the esd of the at least one inorganic particulate material in the aqueous formulation is as measured using a Sedigraph 5120 series from Micromeritics Instrument Corporation. TM5120 Measured weight median particle size d 50 Values ​​are 0.1 μm to 5 μm, preferably 0.2 μm to 2 μm, and most preferably 0.35 μm to 1 μm, for example 0.7 μm.

[0228] The "particle size" of the inorganic particulate material as described above which may be present in a household care formulation is determined by its particle size distribution. x (weight). Among them, the value d x (weight) represents the diameter at which x weight % of the particles have a diameter smaller than d x (weight). This means, for example, that d 20 The value of d is the particle size that is smaller than 20% by weight of all particles. 50 The (weight) value is the weight median particle size, i.e., the particle size below which 50% by weight of all particles are smaller, and d 98 The (weight) value (called the weight-based top cut) is the particle size below which 98% by weight of all particles are smaller. The weight-based median particle size d 50 (weight) and top cut d 98 (Weight) is measured by sedimentation, which is the analysis of sedimentation behavior in a gravitational field. TM The measurement was performed with a 5120. This method and instrument are known to the skilled person and are commonly used to determine particle size distribution. The measurement was performed in a 0.1 wt% aqueous solution of Na4P2O7. The sample was dispersed using a high-speed stirrer and ultrasound.

[0229] In order to keep such inorganic particulate materials dispersed in the aqueous household care formulation and thus ensure that the viscosity of the formulation remains essentially the same over time, additives such as dispersants can be used. Suitable dispersants according to the invention are preferably homopolymers or copolymers made from monomers and / or comonomers selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, itaconic acid, crotonic acid, fumaric acid, maleic anhydride acid, isocrotonic acid, aconitic acid (cis or trans), mesaconic acid, sinapic acid, undecylenic acid, angelic acid, canellic acid, hydroxyacrylic acid, acrolein, acrylamide, acrylonitrile, dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, vinylpyrrolidone, styrene, esters of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid and mixtures thereof, with preference given to salts of poly(acrylic acid) and / or poly(methacrylic acid) as dispersants.

[0230] Additionally or alternatively, the aqueous household care formulation comprises at least one organic particulate material. For example, the at least one organic material is selected from the group comprising: carbohydrates such as CMC or starch, sugar, cellulose, modified cellulose and cellulose-based pulp; glycerol; hydrocarbons; and mixtures thereof.

[0231] In one embodiment of the present invention, the aqueous household care formulation comprises at least one inorganic particulate material, preferably selected from the group comprising natural ground calcium carbonate, natural and / or synthetic precipitated calcium carbonate, surface-modified calcium carbonate, dolomite, kaolin, clay, barite, talc, aluminum hydroxide, aluminum silicate, titanium dioxide, perlite, sepiolite, brucite and mixtures thereof, and most preferably the at least one inorganic particulate material comprises natural ground calcium carbonate and / or synthetic precipitated calcium carbonate.

[0232] The aqueous home care formulation is therefore preferably an aqueous suspension or slurry.

[0233] It should be understood that the solid content of the aqueous home care formulation can be up to 85.0 wt %. For example, based on the total weight of the aqueous home care formulation, the solid content of the aqueous home care formulation is 10.0 wt % to 82.0 wt %, and more preferably 20.0 wt % to 80.0 wt %.

[0234] In the meaning of the present application, the total solids content corresponds to the residual weight of the aqueous household care formulation after drying at 105° C. for 3 hours, as measured in a sample of at least 3 g to 5 g.

[0235] The pH of the aqueous home care formulation can vary within a wide range and is preferably within the pH range typically observed for such aqueous home care formulations. Thus, it will be appreciated that the aqueous home care formulation preferably has a pH value of 7 to 14, preferably 7.5 to 11.5, and more preferably 8 to 11.

[0236] Typically, the viscosity of aqueous household care formulations is preferably in the range of 50 mPa·s to 2000 mPa·s, and preferably 80 mPa·s to 800 mPa·s. For this purpose, the Brookfield viscosity is measured by a Brookfield DV-II+Pro viscometer using an appropriate spindle of a Brookfield RV spindle set at 25°C ± 1°C at 100 rpm and is stated in mPa·s.

[0237] The aqueous household care preparations according to the invention can be produced by methods known in the art, for example by dispersing, suspending or slurrying water-insoluble solids, preferably inorganic particulate materials, and if appropriate adding dispersants and, if appropriate, further additives in water. Method for stabilizing aqueous household care preparations on storage

[0238] The present invention also relates to a method for stabilizing an aqueous household care formulation on storage, said method comprising the following steps:

[0239] a) providing aqueous household care formulations, preferably washing formulations, preferably washing formulations for cleaning of laundry, fabrics, dishes and hard surfaces; pre-wash formulations; rinse formulations; bleaching formulations; laundry fabric softener formulations; cleaning formulations; and mixtures thereof,

[0240] b) providing a storage stabilizer as defined herein, and

[0241] c) contacting and mixing the aqueous home care formulation of step a) with the storage stabilizer of step b) in any order to obtain a stable aqueous home care formulation.

[0242] With regard to the definitions of the aqueous home care formulation, the storage stabilizer, the microorganism and preferred embodiments thereof, reference is made to the statements provided above when discussing the technical details of the aqueous home care formulation and the storage stabilizer of the present invention and their use.

[0243] According to step c) of the process of the invention, the aqueous household care formulation of step a) is contacted and mixed with the storage stabilizer of step b).

[0244] Generally, the aqueous home care formulation of step a) and the at least one storage stabilizer of step b) can be contacted by any conventional means known to the skilled person.

[0245] It will be appreciated that step c) is preferably carried out by adding the storage stabilizer of step b) to the aqueous home care formulation of step a).

[0246] Preferably, step c) is performed, wherein the storage stabilizer is added to the aqueous home care formulation under mixing. Adequate mixing can be achieved by shaking the aqueous home care formulation or by stirring (which can provide more thorough mixing). In one embodiment of the invention, step c) is performed under stirring to ensure thorough mixing of the aqueous home care formulation and the storage stabilizer. Such stirring can be performed continuously or discontinuously.

[0247] In one embodiment, step c) is carried out wherein the storage stabilizer is added to the aqueous home care formulation in such an amount that the amount of each of the at least one water-soluble or water-dispersible ion source present in the storage stabilizer is present in the aqueous home care formulation in an amount of 1000 ppm to 50000 ppm, preferably in an amount of 2500 ppm to 20000 ppm, even more preferably in an amount of 3000 ppm to 10000 ppm, and most preferably in an amount of 2500 ppm to 5000 ppm, based on the total weight of the home care formulation.

[0248] It will be appreciated that the amount of each of the at least one water-soluble or water-dispersible ion source present in the storage stabilizer in the aqueous home care formulation may vary within wide ranges.

[0249] It will be appreciated that the individual components of the storage stabilizer may be added to the aqueous home care formulation as a premixed composition or in the form of individual components.

[0250] In one embodiment, the individual components of the storage stabilizer can be added to the aqueous household care formulation in dry form or in the form of a solution or slurry or dispersion.

[0251] The amounts of a water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source, a water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source, a water-soluble or water-dispersible magnesium ion source (wherein the water-dispersible magnesium ion source is selected from magnesium carbonate or magnesite (MgCO3) and / or hydromagnesite (Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O)), and at least a water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source (wherein the water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source is selected from alkali metal carbonates and / or alkali metal bicarbonates) added to the aqueous household care formulation can be adjusted individually according to the aqueous household care formulation. In particular, the amount of the storage stabilizer and the individual components thereof depends on the nature and presence of at least one water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source, a water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source, a water-soluble or water-dispersible magnesium ion source (wherein the water-dispersible magnesium ion source is selected from magnesium carbonate or magnesite (MgCO3) and / or hydromagnesite (Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2.4H2O)), and at least a water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source (wherein the water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source is selected from alkali metal carbonates and / or alkali metal hydrogencarbonates) to be used in the aqueous household care formulation. The optimal amount to be used within the defined range can be determined by preliminary tests and series tests on a laboratory scale and by additional operational tests.

[0252] It will be appreciated that step c) may be repeated one or more times.

[0253] The storage stabilizer can be added to the aqueous home care formulation in one or several portions. If the storage stabilizer is added in several portions, the storage stabilizer can be added to the aqueous formulation in approximately equal portions or in unequal portions.

[0254] The stable aqueous household care preparation obtained in step c) preferably has a solids content corresponding to the solids content of the aqueous household care preparation provided in step a). Thus, it is understood that, based on the total weight of the stable aqueous household care preparation obtained in step c), the stable aqueous household care preparation obtained in step c) preferably has a solids content of up to 85.0% by weight. For example, based on the total weight of the stable aqueous household care preparation obtained in step c), the solids content of the stable aqueous household care preparation obtained in step c) is from 10.0% to 82.0% by weight, and more preferably from 20.0% to 80.0% by weight.

[0255] Additionally or alternatively, the pH of the stable aqueous household care preparation obtained in step c) preferably corresponds to the pH of the aqueous household care preparation provided in step a). Thus, the stable aqueous household care preparation obtained in step c) preferably has a pH value of from 7 to 14, preferably from 7.5 to 11.5, and more preferably from 8 to 11.

[0256] Generally, the viscosity of the stable aqueous household care preparation obtained in step c) is preferably in the range of 50 mPa·s to 2000 mPa·s, and preferably 80 mPa·s to 800 mPa·s. For this purpose, the Brookfield viscosity is measured at 25 °C ± 1 °C at 100 rpm using the appropriate spindle of a Brookfield DV-II+Pro viscometer with a Brookfield RV spindle set, and is expressed in mPa·s.

[0257] The following examples are intended to illustrate the invention without limiting its scope.

[0258] Examples

[0259] 1. Measurement methods

[0260] The following measurement methods are used to evaluate the parameters given in the description, examples and claims.

[0261] BET specific surface area of the material

[0262] After conditioning the sample by heating at 250 °C for 30 minutes, the BET specific surface area is measured according to ISO 9277:2010 using nitrogen via the BET method. Before such measurement, the sample is filtered, rinsed and dried in an oven at 110 °C for at least 12 hours.

[0263] Particle size distribution of particulate material (% volume of particles with diameter < X) and weight median diameter (d 50 )

[0264] The volume median particle size d was estimated using a Malvern Mastersizer 3000 laser diffraction system. 50 d measured using a Malvern Mastersizer 3000 laser diffraction system 50 or 98 The value represents the diameter value such that 50% or 98% of the particles by volume have a diameter smaller than this value, respectively. The raw data obtained by the measurement were analyzed using the Mie theory, where the particle refractive index was 1.57 and the absorption index was 0.005. The weight median particle size and the particle size mass distribution of the particulate material were determined via a sedimentation process (i.e., analyzing the sedimentation behavior in a gravitational field). The Sedigraph of Micromeritics Instrument Corporation was used. TM The measurement is carried out with a 5120. This method and instrument are known to the skilled person and are commonly used to determine the particle size of fillers and pigments. The measurement is carried out in an aqueous solution of 0.1 wt. % Na4P2O7. The sample is dispersed using a high-speed stirrer and ultrasound.

[0265] pH Measurement

[0266] By using a Mettler Toledo Seven Easy pH meter and a Mettler Toledo The ExpertPro pH electrode measures the pH of water samples at 25°C. The instrument is first calibrated at three points (according to the segmented method) using commercial buffer solutions (from Aldrich) with pH values ​​of 4, 7 and 10 at 20°C. The reported pH value is the endpoint value detected by the instrument (the endpoint is when the measured signal differs by less than 0.1 mV from the average value over the last 6 seconds).

[0267] Brookfield Viscosity

[0268] All Brookfield viscosities are measured with a Brookfield DV-II viscometer equipped with a LV-3 spindle at a speed of 100 rpm and room temperature (20°C ± 3°C) and are reported in mPa·s. After the spindle is inserted into the sample, the measurement is started at a constant speed of 100 rpm. The reported Brookfield viscosity value is the value displayed 60 seconds after the start of the measurement.

[0269] The amount of additives

[0270] Unless otherwise stated, all amounts expressed in ppm represent mg ​​values ​​per kg of the obtained product (i.e. the aqueous home care formulation). According to the International System of Units, the concentrations are further expressed in mmol / kg (millimoles per kilogram) or mol / l (moles per liter) of the aqueous home care formulation.

[0271] Total live bacterial count

[0272] Unless otherwise stated, all expressed bacterial counts (total viable count (TVC) values) are given in cfu / ml (colony forming units / milliliter) or cfu / gram (colony forming units / gram), wherein cfu / ml and cfu / gram are determined after 2 to 3 days after plating and incubation at 30°C and according to the counting method described in "Bestimmung von aeroben mesophilen Keimen", Schweizerisches Lebensmittelbuch, Chapter 56, Section 7.01, 1985 edition, revised 1988. Unless otherwise stated, each tryptic soy agar plate (TSA, prepared using BD 236950) was plated with 0.1 ml of a 1:10 dilution of phosphate buffered saline (PBS; pH = 7.4, 137 mmol / l NaCl, 2.7 mmol / l KCl, 10 mmol / l Na2HPO4, 1.8 mmol / l KH2PO4). The TSA plates were then incubated at 30°C for 48 hours or 72 hours. The colony forming units (cfu) were then counted and reported as cfu / ml or cfu / gram. Counts from 100,000 cfu / ml and higher were reported as 100,000 cfu / ml.

[0273] Solid content

[0274] The solid content (also called "dry weight") is measured using a moisture analyzer MJ33 from Mettler-Toledo, Switzerland, with the following settings: temperature 120°C, auto shutoff 3, standard drying, 5g to 20g product. The method and the instrument are known to the skilled person.

[0275] Material:

[0276] Water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source: bismuth chloride (BiCl3), CAS: 7787-60-2; bismuth oxide (Bi2O3), CAS: 1304-76-3

[0277] Water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion sources: lithium citrate (Li3C6H5O7), CAS: 919-16-4, lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) CAS: 554-13-2

[0278] Water-dispersible magnesium ion source: precipitated hydromagnesite (PHM), with d 50 (Volume) = 8.9 μm and BET = 54.7 m 2 / g

[0279] Water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source: Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) CAS: 497-19-8 Bacteria, yeast and mold used in preparation

[0280] Bacteria Pseudomonas sp., such as P. aeruginosa DSM-1707 and P. putida DSM-50906, P. pseudoalcaligenes DSM-50188T, Alcaligenes faecalis, such as A. faecalis ATCC-25094, Escherichia coli DSM-1576 and Staphylococcus aureus, such as S. aureus strain DSM 346, Enterobacter cloacae, such as E. cloacae ATCC Fresh bacterial cultures of BAA-234, and fresh yeast cultures of Saccharomyces cervisiae DSM-1333, Pichia membranifaciens DSM-70179, and Rhodotorula mucilaginosa DSM-18184 were inoculated from a single colony of a stock culture into 3 ml of liquid growth medium (tryptic soy broth, e.g., Fluka, No. 22092) and incubated at 30° C. with stirring at 150 rpm for 16 to 20 hours to obtain approximately 1×10 9 Overnight cultures of bacteria / yeast and fungi (in tryptic soy broth) were mixed together in equal amounts and 100 μl of the obtained mixture was added to 50 ml of the base formulation containing a storage stabilizer.

[0281] Basic preparations

[0282] Table 1 below summarizes the ingredients of the base formulations used to test antimicrobial activity.

[0283] Table 1: Composition of the base formulation

[0284]

[0285] To prepare the base formulation, coconut oil fatty acid and potassium hydroxide were mixed at room temperature under stirring. After that, desalinated water at a temperature of 40° C. to 50° C. was added under stirring. Alkane sulfonate, Lutensol AO7 and 1,2-propylene glycol were added successively to the homogeneous mixture. The obtained mixture was cooled to room temperature and had a pH value of 8 to 9.

[0286] Experimental data

[0287] Antimicrobial activity testing in basic formulations

[0288] As shown in Tables 2 to 5 below, samples of the base formulation were mixed with varying amounts of a water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source, a water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source, a water-dispersible magnesium ion source and at least a water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source according to claim 1.

[0289] All amounts expressed in ppm correspond to mg values ​​of the corresponding ion per kg of the total weight of the base formulation.

[0290] Prepare the base formulations E1 to E32 containing the antimicrobial composition according to Tables 2 to 4 and test the antimicrobial activity weekly over a period of 6 weeks (T0 to T6) to evaluate the storage stabilization of the added storage stabilizer in the base formulation, and especially the long-term effect of the antimicrobial activity. Take a 50 ml aliquot of the base formulation containing the storage stabilizer over 6 weeks and mix it with a 100 μl aliquot of the overnight culture of bacteria / yeast and fungi prepared as above, mix thoroughly, and incubate in the dark at room temperature for one week. After one week, 100 μl of 1:10 diluted PBS buffer (phosphate buffered saline 10 mM, pH 7.4, 137 mmol / l NaCl, 2.7 mmol / l KCl, 10 mmol / l Na2HPO4, 1.8 mmol / l KH2PO4) were plated (100 colony forming units (cfu) per ml of smear) on standard TSA (tryptic soy agar) plates and incubated in a Binder 3.1 incubator at 30° C. The samples were analyzed for bacterial growth after 48 hours and for yeast / fungus / mold growth after 72 hours.

[0291] Unless otherwise stated, bacterial / yeast and fungal counts are expressed as follows:

[0292] -(no growth, <100 cfu / g),

[0293] +(100 cfu / g to 10'000 cfu / g),

[0294] ++(10'000 cfu / g to 100'000 cfu / g), and

[0295] +++(>100'000 cfu / g).

[0296] cfu = colony forming units

[0297]

[0298]

[0299]

[0300] As can be seen from the data of Tables 2 to 5, samples E1, E9, E10 and E17 are control samples which do not contain any storage stabilizer. It can be seen that already after one week, the bacteria / yeast and fungi counts increased significantly and no storage stabilization was given.

[0301] As can be seen from Table 2, the use of a water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source (wherein the water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source is selected from alkali metal carbonates and / or alkali metal bicarbonates) (samples E2 and E3), and the use of a water-dispersible magnesium ion source (wherein the water-dispersible magnesium ion source is selected from magnesium carbonate or magnesite (MgCO3) and / or hydromagnesite (Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O)) (sample E4) alone cannot stabilize the base formulation over a 6-week period. However, if these compounds are used in combination, bacterial / yeast and fungal growth are undetectable.

[0302] As can be seen from Table 3, the storage stabilizer of the present invention comprising at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources (selected from a water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source, a water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source, a water-dispersible magnesium ion source, and at least a water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source) according to claim 1 can indeed stabilize the basic formulation during storage.

[0303] This can also be seen from Table 4. It can be seen that the use of a water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source (wherein the water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source is selected from alkali metal carbonates and / or alkali metal bicarbonates) (sample E11), and the use of a water-dispersible magnesium ion source (wherein the water-dispersible magnesium ion source is selected from magnesium carbonate or magnesite (MgCO3) and / or hydromagnesite (Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O)) (sample E4), and the use of a water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source (sample E15) and a water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source (sample E14) alone cannot stabilize the base formulation over a 6-week period. However, if at least two of these compounds are used in combination (sample E12: alkali metal ion in combination with lithium ion; sample E13: lithium ion in combination with magnesium ion; sample E16: bismuth ion in combination with alkali metal ion), no bacterial / yeast and fungal growth can be detected.

[0304] This can also be seen from Table 5. It can be seen that the use of a water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source (wherein the water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source is selected from alkali metal carbonates and / or alkali metal bicarbonates) (sample E26) alone, and the use of a water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source (samples E30 and E32) alone cannot stabilize the basic formulation over a period of 6 weeks. However, if at least two or three of these compounds are used in combination (samples E18 to E25, E27 to E29 and E31), no bacterial / yeast and fungal growth can be detected.

[0305] Thus, the use of the storage stabilizers according to the invention stabilizes aqueous home care formulations on storage, in particular stabilizes aqueous home care formulations against microbial and especially bacterial / yeast and fungal growth for a defined amount of time.

Claims

1. Use of a storage stabilizer for stabilizing an aqueous household care formulation during storage, wherein the storage stabilizer comprises at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources, the at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources being selected from a water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source, a water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source, a water-dispersible magnesium ion source, and at least a water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source, wherein the water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source is selected from alkali metal carbonates and / or alkali metal bicarbonates, and The water-dispersible magnesium ion source is selected from magnesium carbonate or magnesite (MgCO3) and / or hydromagnesite (Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O).

2. The use according to claim 1, wherein the water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source is at least one bismuth compound, preferably the at least one bismuth compound is selected from bismuth carbonate, bismuth subcarbonate, bismuth oxide, bismuth hydroxide, bismuth chloride, bismuth iodide, bismuth phosphate, bismuth citrate, bismuth acetate, bismuth lactate, bismuth subsalicylate, polymeric compounds of bismuth and mixtures thereof, the polymeric compound of bismuth is preferably selected from bismuth compounds of acrylic acid homopolymers, acrylic acid copolymers such as copolymers of acrylic acid and maleic acid and / or acrylamide, polyphosphates and mixtures thereof.

3. The use according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source is at least one lithium salt, preferably the at least one lithium salt is selected from lithium carbonate, lithium chloride, lithium hydroxide, lithium phosphate, lithium citrate, lithium maleate, lithium acetate and lithium lactate; polymer salts of lithium and mixtures thereof, the polymer salts of lithium are preferably selected from acrylic acid homopolymers, acrylic acid copolymers such as copolymers of acrylic acid and maleic acid and / or acrylamide, polyphosphates and lithium salts of mixtures thereof, the polymer salts of lithium are more preferably Li2Na2 polyphosphate, sodium lithium hexametaphosphate or lithium polyacrylate.

4. The use according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one dispersible magnesium ion source is a) hydromagnesite, preferably natural or synthetic hydromagnesite, more preferably synthetic hydromagnesite, and most preferably precipitated hydromagnesite, and / or b) wherein the water dispersible magnesium ion source is in the form of particles having: i) a volume median particle size (d ) of ≥ 150 nm, preferably 150 nm to 50 μm, more preferably 0.2 μm to 25 μm, even more preferably 0.5 μm to 20 μm, and most preferably 1 μm to 5 μm, as determined by laser diffraction 50 ), and / or ii) a top cut particle size (d ) determined by volume of equal to or less than 30 μm, preferably from 2 μm to 30 μm, more preferably from 5 μm to 20 μm, and most preferably from 8 μm to 18 μm as determined by laser diffraction 98 ),or c) wherein the water dispersible magnesium ion source is in the form of pellets having: i) a volume median particle size d of 5 μm to 300 μm, preferably 8 μm to 200 μm, and most preferably 10 μm to 150 μm, as determined by laser diffraction 50 ,and ii) a volume particle size d of 15 μm to 500 μm, preferably 20 μm to 400 μm, and most preferably 30 μm to 250 μm as determined by laser diffraction 90 ,and iii) a volume particle size d of 1 μm to 100 μm, preferably 2 μm to 70 μm, and most preferably 4 μm to 50 μm as determined by laser diffraction 10 .

5. Use according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the alkali metal carbonate is selected from sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, lithium carbonate and mixtures thereof, preferably sodium carbonate and / or lithium carbonate, and most preferably sodium carbonate, and / or at least one alkali metal bicarbonate is selected from sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, lithium bicarbonate and mixtures thereof, preferably sodium bicarbonate and / or lithium bicarbonate, and most preferably sodium bicarbonate.

6. Use according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources is present in the composition in an amount of 1000 ppm to 50000 ppm, preferably in an amount of 2500 ppm to 20000 ppm, even more preferably in an amount of 3000 ppm to 10000 ppm, and most preferably in an amount of 2500 ppm to 5000 ppm, based on the total weight of the home care formulation.

7. Use according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the weight ratio of the at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources is from 100:1 to 1:100, preferably from 10:1 to 1:10, and most preferably from 5:1 to 1:

5.

8. Use according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the storage stabilizer comprises further additives selected from the group consisting of dispersants, viscosity agents, thickeners, rheology additives and defoamers.

9. The use according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources are a water-dispersible magnesium ion source and at least a water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source, wherein the water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source is selected from alkali metal carbonates and / or alkali metal bicarbonates, and preferably sodium carbonate, and wherein the water-dispersible magnesium ion source is selected from magnesium carbonate or magnesite (MgCO3) and / or hydromagnesite (Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O), preferably hydromagnesite (Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O), even more preferably synthetic hydromagnesite, and most preferably precipitated hydromagnesite.

10. Use according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the microorganism is selected from the group comprising at least one bacterial strain, at least one fungal strain such as mold or yeast, algae and mixtures thereof.

11. A storage stabilizer for stabilizing aqueous household care formulations during storage, comprising at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources, the at least two different water-soluble or water-dispersible ion sources being selected from a water-soluble or water-dispersible bismuth ion source, a water-soluble or water-dispersible lithium ion source, a water-dispersible magnesium ion source, and at least a water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source, wherein the water-soluble or water-dispersible alkali metal ion source is selected from alkali metal carbonates and / or alkali metal bicarbonates, and The water-dispersible magnesium ion source is selected from magnesium carbonate or magnesite (MgCO3) and / or hydromagnesite (Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2·4H2O).

12. An aqueous household care formulation comprising the storage stabilizer according to claim 11, wherein the household care formulation is preferably a detergent formulation, preferably a detergent formulation for washing laundry, fabrics, dishes and cleaning of hard surfaces; Pre-wash preparations; Rinse preparations; bleaching preparations; laundry fabric softener preparations; cleaning preparations; and mixtures thereof.

13. The aqueous home care formulation according to claim 12, wherein the storage stabilizer according to claim 11 is present in an amount such that the aqueous home care formulation is kept against microorganisms for at least 15 days, preferably for at least 20 days, more preferably for at least 30 days, even more preferably for at least 60 days, and most preferably for at least 90 days.

14. A method for stabilizing an aqueous household care formulation on storage, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing an aqueous household care formulation, preferably a detergent formulation, preferably a detergent formulation for washing laundry, fabrics, dishes and cleaning of hard surfaces; Pre-wash preparations; Rinse preparations; bleaching preparations; laundry fabric softener preparations; cleaning preparations; and mixtures thereof, b) providing a storage stabilizer as defined in claim 11, and c) contacting and mixing the aqueous home care formulation of step a) with the storage stabilizer of step b) in any order to obtain a stable aqueous home care formulation.

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