Boric acid-free liquid detergent

Abstract

A liquid aqueous washing, cleaning or textile care product which has a pH value of 4 to 7 (undiluted, 25°C) and is free from boric acid, its salts and its derivatives can be used in a process for cleaning and / or caring for textiles.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid aqueous washing, cleaning or textile care agent having a pH of 4 to 7, which is free from boric acid, its salts and its derivatives.

[0002] Liquid laundry, cleaning, and fabric care products typically have a pH value of 7 to 9. At the same time, they usually contain preservatives to reduce the risk of contamination by fungi and bacteria. However, these common preservatives are controversial, as some are also known to be contact allergens, which is why they can often only be used in low concentrations. Furthermore, their use is subject to various legal regulations. Therefore, there is a desire to offer a preservative-free product.

[0003] Liquid detergents, cleaning products, and fabric care products often contain boric acid, its derivatives, or its salts. This serves as a buffer, but also as a preservative and enzyme stabilizer. The use of this ingredient should also be avoided in the future if possible.

[0004] There is therefore a desire to provide liquid washing, cleaning, and textile care products that are as free as possible from boric acid and declarable preservatives. Surprisingly, it has now been discovered that products with a pH value of 4 to 7 can be formulated that are free of boric acid, its salts, and derivatives.

[0005] These agents can be used for textile washing. This application therefore also relates to a method for cleaning and / or caring for textiles using such agents.

[0006] These liquid washing, cleaning and textile care products are distinguished from state-of-the-art products by better pH stability and better preservation properties while maintaining consistently good washing performance.

[0007] These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a study of the following detailed description and claims. It should be understood that any feature of one aspect of the invention may be employed in any other aspect of the invention. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the examples contained herein are intended to describe and illustrate the invention, but not to limit it, and in particular, the invention is not limited to these examples.

[0008] Unless otherwise stated, all percentages are by weight based on the total weight of the agent / composition. Numerical ranges given in the format "from x to y" include the stated values. Where multiple preferred numerical ranges are given in this format, it is understood that all ranges resulting from the combination of the various endpoints are also included. "At least one", as used herein, refers to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or more. In the context of components of the compositions described herein, this information does not refer to the absolute amount of molecules but to the type of component. "At least one anionic surfactant" therefore means, for example, one or more different anionic surfactants, i.e., one or more different types of anionic surfactants.Together with quantities, the quantities refer to the total quantity of the correspondingly designated type of ingredient.

[0009] The agent according to the invention has a pH of 4 to 7, preferably 5 to 6 (undiluted, 25°C). To adjust the desired pH, system- and environmentally compatible acids, in particular citric acid, acetic acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, lactic acid, amino acids such as glycine, glutamic acid, arginine and / or aspartic acid, glycolic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, salicylic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid and / or adipic acid, but optionally also mineral acids, in particular sulfuric acid, or bases, in particular ammonium or alkali hydroxides, can be added to the agent according to the invention, provided this pH does not arise automatically from the mixture of the other components.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the agent according to the invention additionally contains a substance with preservative properties, which, however, is not one of the classic, regulated preservatives. Sorbates and benzoates are particularly suitable as such, in particular potassium sorbate or sodium benzoate. Sodium benzoate is particularly preferred. This preservative is preferably used in an amount of 0.01 to 5 wt.%, particularly preferably in an amount of 0.2 to 1.5 wt.%.

[0011] The liquid washing, cleaning or textile care agent further preferably contains one or more surfactants, preferably selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants, amphoteric / zwitterionic surfactants, cationic surfactants and mixtures thereof.

[0012] Examples of anionic surfactants that can be used within the meaning of this application are linear or branched alkylbenzenesulfonates, fatty alcohol sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, ether carboxylates, secondary alkanesulfonates, sulfosuccinates, taurides, isethionates, rhamnolipids or soaps.

[0013] Sulfonate-type surfactants are particularly preferred as anionic surfactants. C 9 - 13 -Alkylbenzenesulfonates, olefinsulfonates, ie mixtures of alkene and hydroxyalkanesulfonates as well as disulfonates, such as those obtained from C 12 - 18 -monoolefins with terminal or internal double bonds by sulfonation with gaseous sulfur trioxide and subsequent alkaline or acidic hydrolysis of the sulfonation products. C 12-18-Alkanesulfonates and the esters of α-sulfofatty acids (estersulfonates), for example the α-sulfonated methyl esters of hydrogenated coconut, palm kernel or tallow fatty acids.

[0014] Other preferred anionic surfactants are fatty alcohol sulfates (also known as alk(en)yl sulfates). These include the alkali metal salts and, in particular, the sodium salts of the sulfuric acid monoesters of C 12 -C 18 -Fatty alcohols, for example from coconut fatty alcohol, tallow fatty alcohol, lauryl, myristyl, cetyl or stearyl alcohol or the C 10 -C 20 -oxo alcohols and those half esters of secondary alcohols of these chain lengths are preferred. For washing purposes, the C 12 -C 16 -alkyl sulfates and C 12 -C 15 -alkyl sulfates and C 14 -C 15 -Alkyl sulfates are preferred. 2,3-Alkyl sulfates are also suitable anionic surfactants.

[0015] Suitable anionic surfactants also include alkyl ether sulfates of the formula R 1 -O-(AO)n-SO 2- X +

[0016] In this formula, R 1 represents a linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl radical, preferably a fatty alcohol radical. Preferred radicals R 1 selected from decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl, octadecyl, nonadecyl, eicosyl radicals and mixtures thereof, with the representatives having an even number of carbon atoms being preferred. Particularly preferred radicals R 1 are derived from C 8 -C 18 -fatty alcohols, for example coconut fatty alcohol, tallow fatty alcohol, lauryl, myristyl, cetyl or stearyl alcohol, particularly preferred are C 12-14-fatty alcohols. AO stands for an ethylene oxide (EO) or propylene oxide (PO) group, preferably for an ethylene oxide group. The index n stands for an integer from 1 to 50, preferably from 1 to 20 and in particular from 2 to 10. Most preferably, n stands for the numbers 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8. X stands for a monovalent cation or the nth part of an n-valent cation, preferred are the alkali metal ions, and among these, Na + or K + , where Na + is highly preferred. Particularly preferred is a C 12-14 -Alkyl ether sulfate with 2 EO is used.

[0017] Other suitable anionic surfactants are soaps, i.e. salts of linear or branched, saturated or mono- or polyunsaturated C 8-22 -carboxylic acids. In a preferred embodiment, this is a linear, saturated or mono- or polyunsaturated C 8-22-carboxylic acid, particularly preferably a linear, saturated or mono- or polyunsaturated C 8-18 -Carboxylic acid, in particular a linear, saturated or mono- or polyunsaturated C 12-18 -Carboxylic acid. Examples of suitable saturated and unsaturated fatty acid soaps are the salts of lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, (hydrogenated) erucic acid, and behenic acid, as well as, in particular, soap mixtures derived from natural fatty acids, for example, coconut, palm kernel, olive oil, or tallow fatty acids.

[0018] The anionic surfactants and soaps can be present in the form of their sodium, potassium, magnesium, or ammonium salts. The protonated forms of choline, triethylamine, monoethanolamine, or methylethylamine are also suitable as counterions for the anionic surfactants.

[0019] The liquid washing, cleaning or textile care agent preferably contains anionic surfactants in an amount of 1 to 20 wt.%, preferably 3 to 15 wt.%, in particular 5 to 10 wt.%.

[0020] Suitable non-ionic surfactants include, for example, fatty alcohol alkoxylates, alkoxylated fatty acid alkyl esters, fatty acid amides, alkoxylated fatty acid amides, polyhydroxy fatty acid amides, alkylphenol polyglycol ethers, amine oxides, alkyl polyglycosides, sophorolipids, mannosylerythritol lipids and mixtures thereof.

[0021] Nonionic surfactants used are preferably alkoxylated, advantageously ethoxylated and / or propoxylated, preferably ethoxylated, especially primary alcohols with preferably 8 to 22 C atoms and an average of 1 to 12 mol of ethylene oxide (EO) per mole of alcohol, in which the alcohol radical can be linear or preferably methyl-branched in the 2-position or can contain linear and methyl-branched radicals in a mixture, as is usually the case in oxo alcohol radicals. However, alcohol ethoxylates with linear radicals from alcohols of native origin with 12 to 18 C atoms, for example from coconut, palm, tallow or oleyl alcohol, and an average of 2 to 8 mol of EO per mole of alcohol are particularly preferred. Preferred ethoxylated alcohols include, for example, C 12-14 -Alcohols with 3 EO or 4 EO, C 8-11 -Alcohol with 7 EO, C 13-15 -Alcohols with 3 EO, 5 EO, 7 EO or 8 EO, C 12 - 18-Alcohols with 3 EO, 5 EO or 7 EO and mixtures of these, such as mixtures of C 12 - 14 -Alcohol with 3 EO and C 12-18 -Alcohol with 5 EO.

[0022] The fatty alcohol alkoxylates preferably obey the following formula, R'-O-(EO) m -H where R' represents a linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted C 8 -C 22 -alkyl radical, EO is an ethylene oxide group and m is an integer from 1 to 50, preferably 2 to 20 and more preferably 2 to 10. In particular, m is 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8.

[0023] Preferred R' radicals are selected from decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl, octadecyl, and nonadecyl radicals, and mixtures thereof, with preference given to those with an even number of carbon atoms. Particularly preferred R' radicals are derived from fatty alcohols having 12 to 19 carbon atoms, for example from coconut fatty alcohol, tallow fatty alcohol, lauryl, myristyl, cetyl, or stearyl alcohol, or from oxo alcohols having 10 to 19 carbon atoms.

[0024] Mixtures of fatty alcohol ethoxylates with different alkyl chain lengths and degrees of ethoxylation can also be used. Particularly preferred examples are fatty alcohols with 10 to 18 carbon atoms and 7 EO. Such fatty alcohol ethoxylates are available under the trade names Dehydol® LT7 (BASF), Lutensol® AO7 (BASF), Lutensol® M7 (BASF), and Neodol® 45-7 (Shell Chemicals).

[0025] Furthermore, the liquid aqueous washing, cleaning, or fabric care product may contain amine oxide as a non-ionic surfactant. Amine oxides are, in principle, all amine oxides established in the prior art for these purposes, i.e., compounds having the formula R 1 R 2 R 3 NO, where each R 1 , R 2 and R 3 independently of the others, is an optionally substituted hydrocarbon chain having 1 to 30 carbon atoms. Particularly preferred amine oxides are those in which R 1 Alkyl with 12 to 18 carbon atoms and R 2 and R 3 are each independently alkyl having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, in particular alkyldimethylamine oxides having 12 to 18 carbon atoms. Examples of suitable amine oxides are N-cocoalkyl-N,N-dimethylamine oxide, N-tallowalkyl-N,N-dihydroxyethylamine oxide, myristyl / cetyldimethylamine oxide, or lauryldimethylamine oxide.

[0026] Other suitable non-ionic surfactants include alkyl glycosides of the general formula RO(G) x , in which R corresponds to a primary straight-chain or methyl-branched, in particular 2-methyl-branched, aliphatic radical having 8 to 22, preferably 12 to 18, carbon atoms, and G is the symbol representing a glycose unit having 5 or 6 carbon atoms, preferably glucose. The degree of oligomerization x, which indicates the distribution of monoglycosides and oligoglycosides, is any number between 1 and 10; preferably, x is between 1.2 and 1.4.

[0027] Other suitable nonionic surfactants are alkoxylated, preferably ethoxylated or ethoxylated and propoxylated fatty acid alkyl esters, preferably with 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain. Polyhydroxy fatty acid amides, polyol fatty acid esters, alkoxylated triglycerides, hydroxy mixed ethers, sorbitan fatty acid esters, and addition products of ethylene oxide with sorbitan fatty acid esters, such as polysorbates, sugar fatty acid esters and addition products of ethylene oxide with sugar fatty acid esters, addition products of ethylene oxide with fatty acid alkanolamides and fatty amines, fatty acid N-alkylglucamides, and biosurfactants such as sophorolipids or mannosyl erythritol lipids (MEL) can also be used as nonionic surfactants.

[0028] Zwitterionic or amphoteric surfactants can also be used, for example betaines, sulfobetaines or amphoacetates.

[0029] Cationic surfactants can also be used, such as quaternary ammonium compounds, especially esterquats. However, in a preferred embodiment, the liquid washing, cleaning, or fabric care product is free of cationic surfactants.

[0030] The liquid agent preferably contains solvents. In a preferred embodiment, the main solvent is water. Non-aqueous solvents can also be added to the agent. Suitable non-aqueous solvents include mono- or polyhydric alcohols, alkanolamines, or glycol ethers, provided they are miscible with water within the specified concentration range.The solvents are preferably selected from ethanol, n-propanol, i-propanol, butanols, glycol, propanediol, butanediol, methylpropanediol, glycerol, diglycol, propyl diglycol, butyl diglycol, hexylene glycol, ethylene glycol methyl ether, ethylene glycol ethyl ether, ethylene glycol propyl ether, ethylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, diethylene glycol methyl ether, diethylene glycol ethyl ether, propylene glycol methyl ether, propylene glycol ethyl ether, propylene glycol propyl ether, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, dipropylene glycol monoethyl ether, methoxytriglycol, ethoxytriglycol, butoxytriglycol, 1-butoxyethoxy-2-propanol, 3-methyl-3-methoxybutanol, propylene glycol t-butyl ether, di-n-octyl ether and mixtures of these solvents. An alcohol, in particular ethanol and / or glycerin, is particularly preferably used.

[0031] The liquid washing, cleaning, or fabric care agent may further contain one or more enzymes. In principle, all enzymes established in the prior art for these purposes can be used. Preferably, these are one or more enzymes that can exhibit catalytic activity in a washing agent, in particular a protease, amylase, lipase, cellulase, hemicellulase, mannanase, pectin-cleaving enzyme, tannase, xylanase, xanthanase, ß-glucosidase, carrageenase, perhydrolase, oxidase, oxidoreductase, hexosaminidase, and mixtures thereof. Preferred hydrolytic enzymes include, in particular, proteases, amylases, in particular α-amylases, cellulases, lipases, hemicellulases, in particular pectinases, mannanases, β-glucanases, and mixtures thereof. Particularly preferred enzymes are those selected from the group comprising amylases, proteases, cellulases, mannanases and lipases and mixtures thereof.These enzymes are essentially of natural origin; improved versions of the natural molecules are available for use in detergents and are therefore preferred. The enzymes can be adsorbed on carriers and / or embedded in coating substances to protect them against premature inactivation. The enzymes can also be formulated with accompanying substances, such as those from fermentation, or with stabilizers.

[0032] The washing, cleaning or textile care product preferably contains at least one further active ingredient, preferably selected from the group comprising builders, bleaching agents, bleach activators, thickeners, opacifiers, electrolytes, pH adjusters, perfumes, perfume carriers, fluorescent agents, dyes, hydrotropes, foam inhibitors, anti-redeposition agents, graying inhibitors, soil release polymers, shrinkage inhibitors, crease inhibitors, color transfer inhibitors, antimicrobial agents, germicides, fungicides, antioxidants, preservatives, corrosion inhibitors, antistatic agents, bittering agents, ironing aids, repellents and impregnating agents, skin care active ingredients, swelling and slip-resistant agents, softening components and UV absorbers.

[0033] A washing, cleaning or textile care agent according to the invention preferably contains at least one water-soluble and / or water-insoluble, organic and / or inorganic builder. The water-soluble organic builder substances include polycarboxylic acids, in particular citric acid and sugar acids, monomeric and polymeric aminopolycarboxylic acids and their salts, in particular glutamic acid-N,N-diacetic acid (GLDA), methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA), nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), iminodisuccinates such as ethylenediamineN,N'-disuccinic acid (EDDS) and hydroxyiminodisuccinates (HIDS), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and polyaspartic acid, polyphosphonic acids, in particular aminotris(methylenephosphonic acid), ethylenediaminetetrakis(methylenephosphonic acid), lysinetetra(methylenephosphonic acid) and 1-hydroxyethane1,1-diphosphonic acid, polymeric hydroxy compounds such as dextrin and polymeric (poly)carboxylic acids, in particular polycarboxylates accessible by oxidation of polysaccharides,polymeric acrylic acids, methacrylic acids, maleic acids and copolymers thereof, which may also contain small proportions of polymerizable substances without carboxylic acid functionality. The relative average molecular mass of the homopolymers of unsaturated carboxylic acids is generally between 5,000 g / mol and 200,000 g / mol, that of the copolymers between 2,000 g / mol and 200,000 g / mol, preferably 50,000 g / mol to 120,000 g / mol, in each case based on the free acid. A particularly preferred acrylic acid-maleic acid copolymer has a relative average molecular mass of 50,000 to 100,000. Suitable, although less preferred, compounds of this class are copolymers of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid with vinyl ethers, such as vinyl methyl ethers, vinyl esters, ethylene, propylene and styrene, in which the proportion of acid is at least 50% by weight. Terpolymers can also be used as water-soluble organic builder substances,which contain as monomers two unsaturated acids and / or their salts and as a third monomer vinyl alcohol and / or a vinyl alcohol derivative or a carbohydrate.

[0034] Suitable water-soluble inorganic builder materials include polyphosphates, preferably sodium triphosphate, as well as water-soluble crystalline and / or amorphous alkali silicate builders. However, in a preferred embodiment, the washing, cleaning, or textile care agents according to the invention are phosphate-free.

[0035] Crystalline or amorphous, water-dispersible alkali aluminosilicates are particularly used as water-insoluble inorganic builder materials. Among these, crystalline sodium aluminosilicates of detergent quality, especially zeolite A, zeolite P, zeolite MAP, and optionally zeolite X, are preferred.

[0036] Optionally, the composition according to the invention may contain one or more thickeners to regulate viscosity. All conventional organic or inorganic thickeners, whether polymeric or non-polymeric, may be used for this purpose.

[0037] To adjust the viscosity, a liquid detergent according to the invention may contain one or more thickeners, preferably in an amount of 0.01 to 5% by weight, more preferably 0.05 to 2.5% by weight, even more preferably 0.1 to 1% by weight.

[0038] Suitable thickeners are, for example, organic natural thickeners (agar-agar, carrageenan, tragacanth, gum arabic, alginates, pectins, polyoses, guar flour, locust bean gum, starch, dextrins, gelatin, casein), organic modified natural substances (carboxymethylcellulose and other cellulose ethers, hydroxyethyl and propylcellulose and the like, kernel flour ethers), organic fully synthetic thickeners (polyacrylic and polymethacrylic compounds, vinyl polymers, polycarboxylic acids, polyethers, polyimines, polyamides) and inorganic thickeners (polysilicic acids, clay minerals such as montmorillonites, zeolites, silicas).

[0039] Polyacrylic and polymethacrylic compounds include, for example, the high-molecular-weight homopolymers of acrylic acid crosslinked with a polyalkenyl polyether, in particular an allyl ether of pentaerythritol or propylene (INCI name according to the International Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients of the Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association (CTFA): carbomer), which are also referred to as carboxyvinyl polymers. Furthermore, the following acrylic acid copolymers fall under this category: (i) Copolymers of two or more monomers from the group of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and their simple, preferably C 1-4-alkanols, esters (INCI Acrylates Copolymer), which include, for example, the copolymers of methacrylic acid, butyl acrylate and methyl methacrylate (CAS name according to Chemical Abstracts Service: 25035-69-2) or of butyl acrylate and methyl methacrylate (CAS 25852-37-3); (ii) crosslinked high molecular weight acrylic acid copolymers, which include, for example, the copolymers of C10-30 alkyl acrylates crosslinked with an allyl ether of pentaerythritol with one or more monomers from the group of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid and their simple, preferably C 1-4 -alkanols, esters (INCI Acrylates / C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer). In addition to their thickening effect, these compounds can have other effects in detergents, such as anti-graying properties.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, the polyacrylic and polymethacrylic compounds suitable as thickeners have a weight-average molecular weight of >100,000 g / mol, preferably <500,000 g / mol.

[0041] Preferred thickeners are polysaccharides and heteropolysaccharides, especially polysaccharide gums, for example gum arabic, agar, alginates, carrageenans and their salts, guar, guaran, tragacanth, gellan, ramsan, dextran or xanthan and their derivatives, e.g., propoxylated guar, and mixtures thereof. Other polysaccharide thickeners, such as starches or cellulose derivatives, can be used alternatively, but preferably in addition, to a polysaccharide gum, for example, starches of various origins and starch derivatives, e.g., hydroxyethyl starch, starch phosphate esters or starch acetates, or carboxymethylcellulose or its sodium salt, methyl, ethyl, hydroxyethyl, hydroxypropyl, hydroxypropylmethyl or hydroxyethylmethylcellulose, or cellulose acetate.

[0042] Polysaccharides and heteropolysaccharides suitable as thickeners preferably have a weight-average molecular weight of >1,500 g / mol, more preferably >5,000 g / mol, and even more preferably >50,000 g / mol. Generally, their weight-average molecular weight is <250,000 g / mol.

[0043] A particularly preferred polymer is the microbial anionic heteropolysaccharide xanthan gum, which is produced by Xanthomonas campestris and some other species under aerobic conditions with a molecular weight of 2 to 15 × 10 6 g / mol is produced.

[0044] Any substance that destroys or absorbs dyes through oxidation, reduction, or adsorption, thereby decolorizing materials, can serve as bleaching agents. These include, among others, hypohalite-containing bleaching agents, hydrogen peroxide, perborate, percarbonate, peroxoacetic acid, diperoxoazelaic acid, diperoxododecanedioic acid, and oxidative enzyme systems.

[0045] Graying inhibitors are designed to keep soil detached from textile fibers suspended in the liquor. Suitable for this purpose are water-soluble colloids, usually of an organic nature, such as starch, glue, gelatin, salts of ether carboxylic acids or ether sulfonic acids of starch or cellulose, or salts of acidic sulfuric acid esters of cellulose or starch. Water-soluble polyamides containing acidic groups are also suitable for this purpose. Starch derivatives other than those mentioned above can also be used, such as aldehyde starches. Cellulose ethers such as carboxymethylcellulose (sodium salt), methylcellulose, hydroxyalkylcellulose, and mixed ethers such as methylhydroxyethylcellulose, methylhydroxypropylcellulose, methylcarboxymethylcellulose, and mixtures thereof are preferred.

[0046] Furthermore, soil release polymers or soil release polymers, so-called SRPs, can be included. Particularly suitable SRPs are oligoesters, preferably obtained from terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, sulfoisophthalic acid and / or their methyl esters, aliphatic dicarboxylic acids (saturated and / or unsaturated), for example adipic acid, and / or their anhydrides, aliphatic substituted dicarboxylic acids, for example nonylsuccinic acid, alkylene glycols (ethylene, 1,2-propylene, 1,2-butylene glycol), polyethylene glycols, alkylpolyethylene glycols, polyethylene glycol benzoic acid esters, polyethylene glycol sulfobenzoic acid esters, and optionally alkanolamines. Polymers based on terephthalate-PEG, such as those commercially available under the trade name Texcare®, are preferred. Alternatively, (co)polymers based on polyethyleneimine, polyvinyl acetate and polyethylene glycol can also be used.

[0047] Suitable soil-removing polymers are generally already known to a sufficient extent from the prior art. Therefore, all polymers known in the prior art for this purpose can be used.

[0048] In order to effectively suppress dye detachment and / or dye transfer to other textiles during washing and / or cleaning of dyed textiles, the composition according to the invention can contain a dye transfer inhibitor (DTI). It is preferred that the dye transfer inhibitor is a polymer or copolymer of cyclic amines such as vinylpyrrolidone and / or vinylimidazole. Suitable polymers include polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), polyvinylimidazole (PVI), copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone and vinylimidazole (PVP / PVI), polyvinylpyridine N-oxide, poly-N-carboxymethyl-4-vinylpyridium chloride, and mixtures thereof. Particular preference is given to using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), polyvinylimidazole (PVI), or copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone and vinylimidazole (PVP / PVI) as dye transfer inhibitors.

[0049] Polycarboxylates are particularly suitable as anti-redeposition agents. Suitable materials can be prepared by the polymerization or copolymerization of unsaturated carboxylic acid monomers, such as acrylic acid, maleic acid (or anhydride), fumaric acid, itaconic acid, aconitic acid, mesaconic acid, citraconic acid, and methylmalonic acid. Acrylate polymers and acrylic / maleic acid copolymers are particularly preferred.

[0050] As optical brighteners, washing, cleaning, or fabric care products can contain, for example, derivatives of diaminostilbenedisulfonic acid or its alkali metal salts. However, color detergents are preferably free of optical brighteners. Suitable examples include salts of 4,4'-bis(2-anilino-4-morpholino-1,3,5-triazinyl-6-amino)stilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid or similarly structured compounds that carry a diethanolamino group, a methylamino group, an anilino group, or a 2-methoxyethylamino group instead of the morpholino group. Furthermore, brighteners of the substituted diphenylstyryl type may be present, for example, the alkali metal salts of 4,4'-bis(2-sulfostyryl)diphenyl, 4,4'-bis(4-chloro-3-sulfostyryl)diphenyl, or 4-(4-chlorostyryl)-4'-(2-sulfostyryl)diphenyl. Mixtures of the aforementioned optical brighteners can also be used.

[0051] Especially when used in mechanical processes, it can be advantageous to add common foam inhibitors to washing, cleaning, or textile care products. Suitable foam inhibitors include, for example, soaps of natural or synthetic origin that contain a high proportion of C 18 -C 24-fatty acids. Suitable non-surfactant-type foam inhibitors include, for example, organopolysiloxanes and mixtures thereof with microfine, optionally silanized silica, as well as paraffins, waxes, microcrystalline waxes and mixtures thereof with silanized silica or bisfatty acid alkylenediamides. Mixtures of different foam inhibitors, for example those of silicones, paraffins, or waxes, are also advantageously used. The foam inhibitors, in particular silicone- and / or paraffin-containing foam inhibitors, are preferably bound to a granular, water-soluble or water-dispersible carrier substance. Mixtures of paraffins and bistearylethylenediamide are particularly preferred.

[0052] To further improve the stability of the agents, hydrotropes can be used in addition to the surfactant systems described herein. The term "hydrotrope," as used in connection with the present invention, refers to additives or solvents that increase the water solubility of sparingly soluble (hydrophobic) organic compounds. A second component (i.e., the hydrotrope), which is not itself a solvent, is added to the sparingly soluble substance. Such hydrotropes have hydrophilic and hydrophobic structural units (like surfactants) but without the tendency to form aggregates in water (unlike surfactants). In various embodiments, these hydrotropes have no micelle-forming activity, or the critical micelle concentration (CMC) is greater than 10 -4 mol / L, preferably greater than 10 -3 mol / L and more preferably 10 -2mol / L. The "critical micelle formation concentration" is, in accordance with the general understanding in the prior art, the concentration of the corresponding substance above which it begins to form micelles and each further molecule added to the system is converted into micelles. The hydrotropes used typically have a molecular weight < 10,000 g / mol, preferably < 2500 g / mol, more preferably < 1000 g / mol, and most preferably < 500 g / mol. They can be selected, for example, from short-chain mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-, or penta-alkylbenzenesulfonates, in particular C 1-6Alkylbenzenesulfonates, where the alkyl groups can be linear or branched, including but not limited to cumenesulfonate, toluenesulfonate, and / or xylenesulfonate, as well as butylglycol, propylene glycol, 3-methoxy-3-methyl-1-butanol, 2,2-dimethyl-4-hydroxymethyl-1,2-dioxolane, propylene carbonate, butyl lactate, 2-isobutyl-2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane-4-methanol, or mixtures thereof. The hydrotropic compounds are preferably used in a range of 0.1 to 5 wt. %, more preferably 1 to 2 wt. %, based on the total weight of the detergents.

[0053] In one embodiment, the washing, cleaning, or fabric care product is offered as a single, pre-portioned dose in a water-soluble casing. The water-soluble casing is preferably formed from a water-soluble film material.

[0054] Such unit doses can be manufactured by either vertical form-fill-seal (VFFS) or thermoforming processes. The thermoforming process generally involves forming a first layer of a water-soluble film material to form recesses for receiving a composition therein, filling the composition into the recesses, covering the composition-filled recesses with a second layer of a water-soluble film material, and sealing the first and second layers together at least around the recesses.

[0055] The water-soluble casing is preferably formed from a water-soluble film material selected from the group consisting of polymers or polymer blends. The casing can be formed from one or two or more layers of the water-soluble film material. The water-soluble film material of the first layer and the further layers, if present, can be the same or different. The single-dose unit comprising the washing, cleaning, or fabric care agent and the water-soluble casing can also have one or more chambers. The agent can be contained in one or more chambers, if present, of the water-soluble casing. The amount of washing agent preferably corresponds to the full or half dose required for one wash cycle.

[0056] It is preferred that the water-soluble coating contains polyvinyl alcohol or a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer. In addition, polymers selected from the group comprising acrylic acid-containing polymers, polyacrylamides, oxazoline polymers, polystyrenesulfonates, polyurethanes, polyesters, polyethers, polylactic acid, and / or mixtures of the above polymers can be added to the film material.

[0057] Preferred polyvinyl alcohol copolymers comprise, in addition to vinyl alcohol, dicarboxylic acids as further monomers. Suitable dicarboxylic acids are itaconic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, and mixtures thereof, with itaconic acid being preferred.

[0058] The single dose may have a substantially dimensionally stable spherical, rotationally ellipsoidal, cube-shaped, cuboid-shaped or cushion-shaped configuration with a circular, elliptical, square or rectangular basic shape.

[0059] Furthermore, it may have one or more chambers for storing one or more agents. If the water-soluble package has two or more chambers, each of the two chambers may contain a liquid composition, or one or more chambers may contain solid compositions and one or more further chambers may contain liquid compositions. In each case, at least one of the liquid compositions contained is a composition according to the invention.

[0060] Another subject of the invention is a method for cleaning and / or caring for textiles comprising the process steps: a) Providing a washing solution comprising a washing, cleaning or textile care agent according to the invention and b) Bringing a textile into contact with the washing solution according to a).

[0061] This includes both manual and mechanical processes, with mechanical processes being preferred. Examples of implementation

[0062] The compositions shown in the table below were prepared (all quantities in wt% active substance) A (comparison example) B Boric acid 0,6 Sodium benzoate 0,5 Lin. Alkylbenzenesulfonate 3,5 3,5 C 12 - 14 -Alcohol sulfate 3,8 3,8 Non-ionic surfactant 4,3 4,3 Soap 0,6 0,6 Citric acid 0,3 0,3 Glycerin 0,6 0,6 Sodium hydroxide 0,92 0,66 Preservatives 0,05 Phosphonate 0,25 0,25 Cellulase 0,1 0,1 Lipase 0,05 0,05 Amylase 0,2 0,2 Mannanase 0,05 0,05 opacifier 0,1 0,1 Perfume 0,72 0,72 Water to 100 to 100

[0063] One sample each of compositions A and B was adjusted to a pH above 8, and another sample each was adjusted to a pH below 6. Washing tests were then conducted at 20 and 40°C. The composition according to the invention demonstrated good washing performance on various stains, comparable to the prior art composition (containing boric acid, higher pH). Storage stability was also satisfactory.

Claims

[1] Liquid aqueous washing, cleaning or textile care product, characterized by that it has a pH of 4 to 7 (undiluted, 25°C) and is free from boric acid, its salts and its derivatives. [2] Liquid aqueous washing, cleaning or textile care agent according to claim 1, characterized by that it contains sodium benzoate and / or potassium sorbate, preferably in an amount of 0.01 to 5% by weight, particularly preferably in an amount of 0.2 to 1.5% by weight, in each case based on the total agent. [3] Liquid aqueous washing, cleaning or textile care agent according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized by that it has a pH value of 5 to 6 (undiluted, 25°C). [4] Liquid aqueous washing, cleaning or textile care agent according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized bythat it contains one or more surfactants, preferably selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants, amphoteric / zwitterionic surfactants, cationic surfactants and mixtures thereof. [5] Liquid aqueous washing, cleaning or textile care agent according to claim 4, characterized by that it contains at least one anionic surfactant, preferably selected from alkylbenzenesulfonates, fatty alcohol sulfates, fatty alcohol ether sulfates and mixtures, and / or at least one nonionic surfactant, preferably selected from fatty alcohol ethoxylates, alkylpolyglucosides and mixtures thereof. [6] Liquid aqueous washing, cleaning or textile care agent according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat it contains at least one non-aqueous solvent, preferably selected from the group comprising mono- or polyhydric alcohols, alkanolamines or glycol ethers, particularly preferably alcohol, in particular ethanol and / or glycerol. [7] Liquid aqueous washing, cleaning or textile care agent according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that it contains one or more enzymes, preferably selected from the group comprising amylases, proteases, cellulases, mannanases, lipases, hexosaminidases and mixtures thereof. [8] Liquid aqueous washing, cleaning or textile care agent according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat it contains at least one further active ingredient, preferably selected from the group comprising builders, bleaching agents, bleach activators, thickeners, opacifiers, electrolytes, pH adjusters, perfumes, perfume carriers, fluorescent agents, dyes, hydrotropes, foam inhibitors, anti-redeposition agents, graying inhibitors, soil-removing polymers, shrinkage inhibitors, crease inhibitors, color transfer inhibitors, antimicrobial active ingredients, germicides, fungicides, antioxidants, preservatives, corrosion inhibitors, antistatic agents, bittering agents, ironing aids, repellents and impregnating agents, skin-care active ingredients, swelling and slip-resistant agents, softening components and UV absorbers. [9] Single dose comprising a liquid washing, cleaning or textile care agent according to one of the preceding claims in a water-soluble casing, in particular a water-soluble casing made of a water-soluble film material, wherein the water-soluble film material preferably contains polyvinyl alcohol or a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer. [10] Use of a liquid washing, cleaning or textile care agent according to one of the preceding claims for textile washing. [11] Method for cleaning and / or caring for textiles, comprising the process steps a) providing a washing solution comprising a washing, cleaning or textile care agent according to any one of claims 1 to 9, b) Bringing a textile into contact with the washing solution according to a).