Textile washing method

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for washing textiles in a washing machine which has a laundry treatment chamber and a storage container for a surfactant concentrate, having the steps of a) providing a washing machine with a wash program; b) introducing textiles into the laundry treatment chamber of the washing machine; e) introducing an aqueous liquor into the laundry treatment chamber of the washing machine; d) providing a surfactant-containing detergent composition by diluting a surfactant concentrate which contains i) 50 to 95 wt.% of a surfactant; and ii) less than 10 wt.% of water; and e) introducing the surfactant-containing detergent composition into the laundry treatment chamber of the washing machine.

Description

[0001] .Textile washing process

[0002] The present invention relates to a textile washing process. In particular, the application relates to a textile washing process in which washing and cleaning agents are diluted and subsequently introduced into the laundry treatment chamber of a washing machine.

[0003] While currently less than a third of the world's population has access to a washing machine, machine-based textile cleaning has been the standard method for removing soiling and freshening laundry in some regions of the world since the 1970s.

[0004] Both the machine technology and the detergents used in machine textile cleaning processes have been continuously developed over the past decades and improved in terms of their performance and ecological footprint. While development efforts were initially focused on improving the individual components of the washing process, such as the textile washing machine and its mechanics and programs, or the textile detergent, for some time now the consumer-friendly implementation of the machine washing process has also been the focus of attention.

[0005] One development aimed at increasing operator comfort is the provision of detergent storage and dosing devices. These devices can be mounted outside the fabric washing machine or integrated into it.

[0006] For example, European patent EP 3 305 969 B1 describes a storage container coupled with a dosing device for holding the amount of detergent required for a plurality of cleaning programs.

[0007] European patent EP 2 478 146 B1 discloses textile washing machines with at least two dosing containers.

[0008] European patent EP 3 296 448 B1 describes a method for operating a washing machine with one or more dosing devices.

[0009] The international application WO 2010 / 019841 A2 relates to a highly concentrated surfactant-containing detergent composition.

[0010] The agents and methods for machine textile washing known to those skilled in the art require further improvement both in terms of user comfort and the cleaning performance achieved. The present application was therefore based on the object of providing a method for machine textile cleaning that offers the consumer not only increased comfort but also improved cleaning results. Furthermore, the detergent compositions used should be characterized by reduced resource consumption, both with regard to the active ingredients they comprise and with regard to the packaging and transport materials required for their provision. The provision of highly concentrated detergents for use in washing machines was a further object of this application.

[0011] A first subject matter of this application is a washing method for textiles in a washing machine which has a laundry treatment chamber and a storage container for a surfactant concentrate, comprising the steps of a) providing a washing machine with a washing program; b) introducing textiles into the laundry treatment chamber of the washing machine; c) introducing an aqueous liquor into the laundry treatment chamber of the washing machine; d) providing a surfactant-containing detergent composition by diluting a surfactant concentrate which, based on its total weight, contains i) 50 to 95 wt.% surfactant ii) less than 10 wt.% water; e) introducing the surfactant-containing detergent composition into the laundry treatment chamber of the washing machine.

[0012] A washing machine is a motor-driven appliance for cleaning textiles. Drum washing machines with a laundry drum rotatable about a horizontal axis are particularly preferred. The method according to the invention is particularly suitable for implementation in a washing machine with a tub, a laundry drum mounted within the tub as the laundry treatment chamber, and a pumping device designed to pump aqueous liquor from the tub.

[0013] In step a) of the method, a washing machine with a washing program is provided. Conventional washing machines generally have several washing programs designed for cleaning different textiles, which may include a main wash cycle as well as pre-wash, rinse, and / or spin cycles. Preferred washing programs comprise a main wash cycle, at least one rinse cycle, and at least one spin cycle. Alternative washing programs have at least one pre-wash cycle, a main wash cycle, at least one rinse cycle, and at least one spin cycle.

[0014] In addition to the mechanical forces acting on the laundry, the detergent used, and the temperature reached in the wash liquor, the duration of the wash cycle, especially the main wash cycle, influences the cleaning performance achieved. The duration is preferably t wThe duration of the main wash cycle used in the washing process is 15 to 400 minutes, preferably 30 to 240 minutes, and in particular 60 to 180 minutes. The textiles introduced into the laundry treatment room in step b) can be, for example, cotton, wool, or synthetic textiles, but also blended fabrics.

[0015] The aqueous liquor introduced into the laundry treatment room in step c) preferably has a volume of 8 to 40 l, particularly preferably of 12 to 35 l.

[0016] The loading of the washing machine with textiles in step b) and the volume of the aqueous liquor introduced in step c) are preferably coordinated such that the weight ratio of aqueous liquor to textiles in step c) is above 1:1, preferably above 2:1 and in particular above 5:2.

[0017] In step c), the aqueous liquor preferably has a temperature Ti of 18 to 25°C.

[0018] The surfactant concentrate used in step d) is preferably taken from a container integrated into the washing machine, which is filled with several times the amount of surfactant concentrate required to carry out a washing program.

[0019] The surfactant concentrate contains, based on its total weight, preferably 55 to 92 wt.%, in particular 60 to 88 wt.% and particularly preferably 68 to 80 wt.% surfactant.

[0020] The group of surfactants includes nonionic, anionic, cationic, and amphoteric surfactants. The compositions according to the invention can comprise one or more of the aforementioned surfactants. Particularly preferred compositions contain surfactants from the group of anionic and nonionic surfactants.

[0021] The anionic surfactant is preferably selected from the group comprising C9-13 alkylbenzenesulfonic acids, olefinsulfonic acids, C8-13 alkanesulfonic acids, estersulfonic acids, alk(en)ylsulfonic acids, fatty alcohol ethersulfonic acids, and mixtures thereof. Compositions comprising C8-13 alkylbenzenesulfonic acids and fatty alcohol ethersulfonic acids as anionic surfactant have particularly good dispersing properties. Suitable surfactants of the sulfonic acid type are preferably C8-13 alkylbenzenesulfonic acids, olefinsulfonic acids, i.e., mixtures of alkene and hydroxyalkanesulfonic acids, and disulfonic acids, such as those obtained, for example, from C12-18 monoolefins with a terminal or internal double bond by sulfonation with gaseous sulfur trioxide and subsequent alkaline or acidic hydrolysis of the sulfonation products.Also suitable are C s-alkanesulfonic acids and the esters of a-sulfofatty acids (estersulfonates), for example the a-sulfonated methyl esters of hydrogenated coconut, palm kernel or tallow fatty acids.

[0022] In particularly preferred washing processes, the surfactant concentrate contains anionic surfactant from the group of Cs-18-alkylbenzenesulfonic acids. Particularly preferred is the use of alkylbenzenesulfonic acids from the group of Cg-15-alkylbenzenesulfonic acids, in particular C9-13-alkylbenzenesulfonic acids.

[0023] Alternatively, but preferably in combination with the alkylbenzenesulfonic acid, the surfactant concentrate comprises anionic surfactant from the group of alkyl ether sulfonic acids.

[0024] Preferred are alkyl ether sulfonic acids with the formula Ri-O-(AO) n -SÖ3H, where

[0025] Ri represents a linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl radical, preferably a linear, unsubstituted alkyl radical, particularly preferably a fatty alcohol radical. Preferred Ri radicals are selected from decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl, octadecyl, nonadecyl, eicosyl radicals, and mixtures thereof, with preference given to those having an even number of carbon atoms. Particularly preferred Ri radicals are derived from fatty alcohols having 12 to 18 carbon atoms, for example from coconut fatty alcohol, tallow fatty alcohol, lauryl, myristyl, cetyl, or stearyl alcohol, or from oxo alcohols having 10 to 20 carbon atoms.

[0026] AO represents an ethylene oxide (EO) or propylene oxide (PO) group, preferably an ethylene oxide group. The index n of the formula is an integer from 1 to 50, preferably from 1 to 20, and especially from 2 to 10. n is most preferably 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8.

[0027] As a further optional ingredient, which is preferably present in the surfactant concentrate in combination with the aforementioned alkylbenzenesulfonic acids and alkyl ethersulfonic acids, the surfactant concentrate contains an anionic surfactant from the group of fatty acids. Particularly preferred fatty acids are selected from the group of caprylic acid, capric acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, and mixtures thereof.

[0028] Preferred surfactant concentrates used in step d) of the process contain, based on their total weight, 30 to 90 wt.%, preferably 40 to 80 wt.%, particularly preferably 45 to 70 wt.%, and in particular 51 to 70 wt.% anionic surfactant. The weight fraction of the anionic surfactant is determined as the weight fraction of the anionic surfactant acid, regardless of the degree of neutralization of the anionic surfactant in the surfactant concentrate.

[0029] Specific weight ratios of the anionic surfactants to each other have proven to be advantageous for the rheological properties and the dilution properties of the surfactant concentrate.

[0030] Preference is therefore given to washing processes in which the surfactant concentrate contains Cs-18-alkylbenzenesulfonic acid and alkyl ether sulfonic acid as anionic surfactant, the Cs-18-alkylbenzenesulfonic acid and the alkyl ether sulfonic acid being present in a weight ratio of 10:1 to 1:1, preferably 7:1 to 2:1 and in particular 5:1 to 5:2. Preference is also given to washing processes in which the surfactant concentrate contains Cs-18-alkylbenzenesulfonic acid and fatty acid as anionic surfactant, the Cs-18-alkylbenzenesulfonic acid and the fatty acid being present in a weight ratio of 20:1 to 6:1, preferably 18:1 to 6:1 and in particular 15:1 to 8:1.

[0031] Also preferred are washing processes in which the surfactant concentrate contains alkyl ether sulfonic acid and fatty acid as anionic surfactant, the alkyl ether sulfonic acid and the fatty acid being present in a weight ratio of 6:1 to 1:1, preferably of 5:1 to 3:2 and in particular of 4:1 to 2:1.

[0032] The above-mentioned weight ratios are suitable for advantageously influencing the properties of the surfactant concentrate during filling and dosing, but also with regard to rapid and homogeneous dilution.

[0033] As a further optional component, the surfactant concentrate contains nonionic surfactant, preferably nonionic surfactant from the group of ethoxylated primary Ce-is alcohols, preferably the ethoxylated primary Ce-is alcohols with a degree of alkoxylation > 2, particularly preferably the C12-14 alcohols with 4 EO or 7 EO, the Cg-n alcohols with 7 EO, the Ce alcohols with 5 EO, 7 EO or 8 EO, the C13-15 oxo alcohols with 7 EO, the Cs alcohols with 5 EO or 7 EO, in particular the C12-18 fatty alcohols with 7 EO or the Cs oxo alcohols with 7 EO.

[0034] Preferred surfactant concentrates used in step d) of the process contain, based on their total weight, 7 to 50 wt.%, preferably 12 to 40 wt.% and in particular 15 to 30 wt.% nonionic surfactant.

[0035] Particularly with regard to rapid and homogeneous dilution of the surfactant concentrate, it has proven advantageous to maintain weight ratios of anionic surfactant to nonionic surfactant in the surfactant concentrate in the range from 4:1 to 1:8, preferably from 3:1 to 1:4 and in particular from 11:4 to 1:1.

[0036] One group of optional components of the surfactant concentrates are polyalkoxylated amines with a weight-average molecular weight Mw in the range from 600 g / mol to 10,000 g / mol, which are obtainable by reacting ammonia or primary alkyl or hydroxyalkylamines having a molecular weight below 200 g / mol with alkylene oxides. The weight fraction of these polyalkoxylated amines in the total weight of the surfactant concentrate is preferably 0.5 to 10 wt.%, particularly preferably 1 to 8 wt.%, and especially 2 to 6 wt.%.

[0037] Preferred polyalkoxylated amines have a weight-average molecular weight Mw in the range from 1300 g / mol to 6000 g / mol, in particular from 1400 g / mol to 4500 g / mol. (The average molecular weights given here and later for other polymers are weight-average molecular weights Mw, which can generally be determined by gel permeation chromatography using an RI detector, with the measurement conveniently being carried out against an external standard.) For their preparation, one can start in a known manner from ammonia, a monoalkylamine, a monoalkyl-monoalkanolamine or a monoalkyl-dialkanolamine or a mono-, di- or trialkanolamine, for example triethanolamine, methyl-, ethyl-, propyl- and isopropyldiethanolamine, methyl-, ethyl-, propyl- and isopropyl-diisopropanolamine, tripropanolamine, triisopropanolamine, N,N-di-(2-hydroxyethyl)cyclohexylamine, N,N-di-(2-hydroxypropyl)cyclohexylamine, n-butylamine, n-hexylamine, n-octylamine, isopropylamine, sec-butylamine, tert-butylamine, cyclohexylamine, 2-ethylhexylamine, 2-phenylethylamine and mixtures thereof, which is reacted with an alkylene oxide, in particular selected from the group consisting of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, Butylene oxide and mixtures thereof, in particular with a mixture containing propylene oxide and preferably ethylene oxide, particularly preferably with propylene oxide.The polyalkoxylated amines obtainable in this way can be block or random structures. Particular preference is given, inter alia, to a polyalkoxylated amine obtainable by propoxylation of triethanolamine, preferably with a length of each of the three side arms of 15 propylene oxide units. Also preferred is a polyalkoxylated amine obtainable by propoxylation of triisopropanolamine, preferably with a length of each of the three side arms of 15 propylene oxide units. Also suitable are polyalkoxylated monoalkylamines having a linear, branched, or cyclic alkyl group, wherein the alkoxylation is carried out with an alkylene oxide selected from the group consisting of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, and mixtures thereof, preferably with a mixture containing propylene oxide, particularly preferably with propylene oxide.Also preferred is a polyalkoxylated amine obtainable by propoxylation of tert-butylamine, preferably with a length of the two side arms of 12 propylene oxide units each.

[0038] Preferred polyalkoxylated amines satisfy the general formula, in which R represents a linear, optionally branched or optionally cyclic alkyl group having 1 to 12 C atoms or a group -(CH2CHR'O) n -(CH2CHR“O) m -H stands,

[0039] R' and R" independently of one another represent H, CH3 or CH2CH3, n, n' and n" independently of one another represent numbers from 0 to 30, preferably from 0 to 10 and in particular from 0 to 5, and m, m' and m" independently of one another represent numbers from 0 to 30, preferably from 5 to 20 and in particular from 12 to 16, with the proviso that the sum n + n' + n" + m + m' + m" is at least 14, preferably in the range from 18 to 100 and in particular in the range from 20 to 70. Preferably, in the compounds of the formula I, at least one of the radicals R' and R" is a CHs group.

[0040] As a further optional component, the surfactant concentrate contains a polyalkoxylated polyalkyleneimine, which is obtainable by reacting polyalkyleneimines with alkylene oxides, wherein weight proportions of the total weight of the surfactant concentrate of 0.5 to 10 wt.%, preferably of 1 to 8 wt.% and in particular of 2 to 6 wt.% are preferred.

[0041] The polyalkoxylated polyalkyleneimine is a polymer with a polyalkyleneimine backbone bearing polyalkoxy groups on the nitrogen atoms. It preferably has a weight-average molecular weight Mw in the range from 5000 g / mol to 60000 g / mol, in particular from 10000 g / mol to 22500 g / mol. The polyalkyleneimine has primary amino functions at the ends and preferably both secondary and tertiary amino functions in the interior; optionally, it can also have only secondary amino functions in the interior, resulting in a linear rather than a branched-chain polyalkyleneimine. The ratio of primary to secondary amino groups in the polyalkyleneimine is preferably in the range from 1:0.5 to 1:1.5, in particular in the range from 1:0.7 to 1:1. The ratio of primary to tertiary amino groups in the polyalkyleneimine is preferably in the range from 1:0.2 to 1:1, in particular in the range from 1:0.5 to 1:0.8.The polyalkyleneimine preferably has a weight-average molecular weight in the range from 500 g / mol to 50,000 g / mol, in particular from 550 g / mol to 2,000 g / mol. The N atoms in the polyalkyleneimine are preferably separated from one another by alkylene groups having 2 to 12 C atoms, in particular 2 to 6 C atoms, although not all alkylene groups need to have the same number of C atoms. Ethylene groups, 1,2-propylene groups, 1,3-propylene groups, and mixtures thereof are particularly preferred. The primary amino functions in the polyalkyleneimine can carry 1 or 2 polyalkoxy groups, and the secondary amino functions can carry 1 polyalkoxy group, although not every amino function needs to be alkoxy-substituted. The average number of alkoxy groups per primary and secondary amino function in the polyalkoxylated polyalkylenimine is preferably 5 to 100, in particular 10 to 50.The alkoxy groups in the polyalkoxylated polyalkyleneimine are preferably ethoxy, propoxy, or butoxy groups, or mixtures thereof. Polyethoxylated polyethyleneimines are particularly preferred. The polyalkoxylated polyalkyleneimines are obtainable by reacting the polyalkyleneimines with epoxides corresponding to the alkoxy groups. If desired, the terminal OH function of at least some of the polyalkoxy substituents can be replaced by an alkyl ether function having 1 to 10, in particular 1 to 3, carbon atoms.

[0042] Preferred surfactant concentrates contain, based on their total weight, 12 to 36 wt.%, preferably 18 to 34 wt.% and in particular 24 to 32 wt.% solvent. As stated at the outset, surfactant concentrates with the lowest possible proportion of inactive ingredients are used for use in the washing process according to the invention. Since water is classified as inactive ingredients, it is therefore preferred if the surfactant concentrate contains less than 10 wt.%, preferably less than 6 wt.% and in particular less than 2 wt.% water. As the proportion of inactive ingredients decreases, not only does the amount of resources required for packaging, storing and transporting the surfactant concentrates decrease, but at the same time the volume of surfactant concentrate used per washing process also decreases and thus the range of a storage container, for example a storage container integrated into the washing machine.For the handling of the surfactant concentrates, in particular for carrying out the dilution carried out in step e), a weight proportion of 0.5 to 29 wt.%, preferably 4.5 to 27 wt.%, and in particular 10 to 24 wt.% of organic solvent, based on the total weight of the surfactant concentrate, has proven advantageous. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the washing process, the surfactant concentrate contains, based on its total weight, 12 to 38 wt.%, preferably 15 to 35 wt.%, and in particular 20 to 32 wt.% of organic solvent. Organic solvents can be attributed cleaning-enhancing effects in the washing process. This applies in particular when using organic solvents from the group of organic amines, preferably monoethanolamine.The use of these not only has a cleaning-enhancing effect, but also enables the partial or complete neutralization of any anionic surfactant acids contained in the surfactant concentrate.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment of the washing process, the surfactant concentrate comprises an anionic surfactant from the group of Ca-1-15 alkylbenzenesulfonic acids, alkyl ether sulfonic acids, and fatty acids, as well as a superstoichiometric amount of organic amine, preferably monoethanolamine, relative to the anionic surfactant. This procedure enables, for example, the parallel performance of neutralization reactions with additional acids added during dilution of the surfactant concentrate.

[0044] With regard to the packaging, filling, dosing, dilution, and subsequent cleaning performance of the surfactant concentrate, the use of organic amines, in particular the use of monoethanolamine, has proven superior to the use of low-molecular-weight organic alcohols and ethers. For this reason, it is preferred that the surfactant concentrate, based on its total weight, contains less than 12 wt.%, preferably less than 8 wt.%, particularly preferably less than 4 wt.%, and especially less than 1 wt.% of organic solvent from the group of monohydric, dihydric, or trihydric alcohols with a molecular weight of 30 to 120 g / mol.

[0045] It is further preferred that the surfactant concentrate, based on its total weight, contains less than

[0046] 12 wt.%, preferably less than 8 wt.%, particularly preferably less than 4 wt.% and in particular less than 1 wt.% organic solvent from the group ethanol, n-propanol, i-

[0047] Propanol, butanols, glycol, propanediol, butanediol, methylpropanediol, glycerin, diglycol, propyl diglycol,

[0048] Butyl diglycol, hexylene glycol, ethylene glycol methyl ether, ethylene glycol ethyl ether,

[0049] Ethylene glycol propyl ether, ethylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, diethylene glycol methyl ether,

[0050] Diethylene glycol ethyl ether, propylene glycol methyl ether, propylene glycol ethyl ether,

[0051] Propylene glycol propyl ether, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, dipropylene glycol monoethyl ether,

[0052] Contains methoxytriglycol, ethoxytriglycol, butoxytriglycol, 1-butoxyethoxy-2-propanol, 3-methyl-3-methoxybutanol, propylene glycol t-butyl ether, di-n-octyl ether and mixtures thereof, preferably from the group consisting of propanediol, glycerol and mixtures thereof. In summary, washing processes are preferred in which the surfactant concentrate in step d), based on its total weight, i) 30 to 90 wt.%, preferably 40 to 80 wt.% and in particular 45 to 70 wt.% of anionic surfactant from the group of Ca-is-alkylbenzenesulfonic acids, alkyl ether sulfonic acids and fatty acids, ii) 7 to 50 wt.%, preferably 12 to 40 wt.% and in particular 15 to 30 wt.% of non-ionic surfactant from the group of ethoxylated primary C6-18 alcohols, iii) 0.5 to 29 wt.%, preferably 4.5 to 27 wt.% and in particular 10 to 24 wt.% of organic solvent from the group of organic amines iv) less than 10 wt.%, preferably less than 6 wt.% and in particular less than 2 wt.-% water.

[0053] Particularly preferred are washing processes using a surfactant concentrate which, based on its total weight, i) 30 to 80 wt.%, preferably 40 to 70 wt.% and in particular 45 to 60 wt.% anionic surfactant from the group of Ca-is-alkylbenzenesulfonic acids, alkyl ether sulfonic acids and fatty acids, ii) 7 to 50 wt.%, preferably 12 to 40 wt.% and in particular 15 to 30 wt.% nonionic surfactant from the group of ethoxylated primary C6-18 alcohols, iii) 12 to 38 wt.%, preferably 15 to 35 wt.% and in particular 20 to 32 wt.% organic solvent from the group of organic amines, iv) less than 10 wt.%, preferably less than 6 wt.% and in particular less than 2 wt.% water.

[0054] Finally, washing processes are preferred in which the surfactant concentrate, based on its total weight, i) 30 to 80% by weight, preferably 40 to 70% by weight and in particular 45 to 60% by weight of anionic surfactant in the form of a mixture of Ca-is-alkylbenzenesulfonic acids, alkyl ether sulfonic acids and fatty acids, ii) 7 to 50% by weight, preferably 12 to 40% by weight and in particular 15 to 30% by weight of non-ionic surfactant from the group of ethoxylated primary C6-18 alcohols, iii) 12 to 38% by weight, preferably 15 to 35% by weight and in particular 20 to 32% by weight of organic solvent from the group of organic amines, iv) less than 10% by weight, preferably less than 6% by weight and in particular less than 2% by weight of water.

[0055] The composition of some particularly preferred surfactant concentrates used in the process can be found in the following tables (data in wt.% based on the total weight of the surfactant concentrate unless otherwise stated). Preferred surfactant concentrates do not contain enzyme.

[0056] Preferred surfactant concentrates also do not contain any washing or cleaning-active polymer.

[0057] Preferred surfactant concentrates do not contain cationic surfactant.

[0058] In step d), a surfactant-containing detergent composition is obtained by diluting the surfactant concentrate. The dilution of the surfactant concentrate preferably takes place in the interior, i.e., within the washing machine's housing. Since the surfactant-containing composition provided in step d) is introduced into the laundry treatment chamber in the subsequent step e), the dilution necessarily takes place outside the washing machine's laundry treatment chamber, for example, in a pipeline connecting the storage container for the surfactant concentrate and the laundry treatment chamber, or in a mixing device.

[0059] In step d), the surfactant concentrate is preferably dosed by means of a dosing device integrated into the washing machine from a container integrated into the washing machine, which is filled with several times the amount of surfactant concentrate required to carry out a washing program.

[0060] In step d), the surfactant concentrate is preferably dosed at a shear rate above 10 s-1 , preferably above 200 s-1 , and especially above 400 s-1 . The dosage rate is preferably 0.1 g / s to 10 g / s, more preferably 0.5 g / s to 8 g / s. Both the preferred shear rate and the preferred dosage rate have proven advantageous for rapid and homogeneous dilution.

[0061] The surfactant-containing detergent composition can be obtained in step d), for example, by diluting the surfactant concentrate with water. As in the case of dosing, it is also preferable to work with a shear rate above 10 s-1 , preferably above 200 s-1 , and especially above 400 s-1 , during dilution.

[0062] In a preferred embodiment, the surfactant-containing detergent composition in step d) is preferably obtained by diluting the surfactant concentrate with an aqueous composition. In addition to water, an aqueous composition further contains at least one washing or cleaning-active ingredient. The composition used to dilute the surfactant concentrate preferably contains no fabric softener compounds.

[0063] Preferably, the surfactant concentrate in step d) is at least partially diluted using a composition taken from a container integrated into the washing machine, which is filled with several times the amount of this composition required to run a wash program. In a preferred embodiment, the surfactant-containing detergent composition in step d) is obtained by diluting the surfactant concentrate with an acid-containing aqueous composition. Suitable acids for the acid-containing aqueous composition are particularly organic acids, in particular organic acids from the group consisting of citric acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, gluconic acid, methylglycinediacetic acid, glutamic acid diacetic acid, and the copolymer polysulfonates.

[0064] Particularly preferred is the dilution of the surfactant concentrate with a citric acid-containing aqueous composition selected from the group citric acid.

[0065] It is further preferred to dilute the surfactant concentrate with an acid-containing aqueous composition whose acid is selected from the group of copolymer polysulfonates, in particular copolymer polysulfonates which, in addition to monomer(s) containing sulfonic acid groups, contain at least one monomer from the group of unsaturated carboxylic acids, in particular acrylic acid.

[0066] Finally, it is very particularly preferred to use an organic peracid, preferably a peroxycarboxylic acid, in particular a peroxycarboxylic acid from the group i) mono- and diperoxycarboxylic acids such as performic acid, peracetic acid, decane diperoxyacid, dodecane diperoxyacid, ii) mono- and diperphthalic acids, iii) mono- and diperterephthalic acids, iv) imidoperoxycarboxylic acids such as 6-phthalimidoperoxocaproic acid (PAP), as the acid in the acid-containing aqueous composition. The use of 6-phthalimidoperoxocaproic acid (PAP) is very particularly preferred.

[0067] If the surfactant concentrate contains an excess of alkaline components, for example, an excess of an organic amine, the dilution in step d) is accompanied by a neutralization reaction when using an acidic aqueous composition. This neutralization reaction is suitable for accelerating the dilution process. When selecting the above-mentioned acids, the resulting surfactant-containing composition is additionally enriched with a detergent ingredient, for example, a complexing agent or an oxygen bleaching agent.

[0068] For rapid and homogeneous dilution, it has proven advantageous if the surfactant-containing detergent composition in step d) is obtained by diluting the surfactant concentrate with a composition whose temperature is more than 15°C, preferably more than 25°C and in particular more than 30°C.

[0069] The surfactant concentrate is preferably diluted by a factor of between 5 and 50 in step d). To monitor and control the dilution occurring in step d) and any reactions associated with the dilution, the surfactant-containing composition can be analyzed in step d). Suitable analysis parameters include, for example, the pH, turbidity, conductivity, or temperature of the surfactant-containing composition.

[0070] In step e) of the process, the surfactant-containing composition is introduced into the laundry treatment chamber of the washing machine.

[0071] The surfactant-containing composition introduced into the laundry treatment chamber of the washing machine in step e) preferably contains no enzyme and / or no washing- or cleaning-active polymer and / or no fabric softener-active compound.

[0072] To achieve the desired cleaning effect, it has proven advantageous to introduce the composition into the wash liquor over a short period of time. Preferred washing processes are therefore characterized in that the surfactant-containing composition is introduced into the laundry treatment chamber of the washing machine in step e) over a period of less than five minutes, preferably over a period of less than two minutes, and in particular over a period of less than one minute.

[0073] In comparison to conventional washing processes, the washing or cleaning active ingredients in the process according to the invention are introduced into the laundry treatment room in pre-dissolved or completely dissolved form and immediately reach their maximum effective concentration.

[0074] This registration provides, among other things, the following items:

[0075] 1. A washing method for textiles in a washing machine having a laundry treatment chamber and a storage container for a surfactant concentrate, comprising the steps of a) providing a washing machine with a washing program; b) introducing textiles into the laundry treatment chamber of the washing machine; c) introducing an aqueous liquor into the laundry treatment chamber of the washing machine; d) providing a surfactant-containing detergent composition by diluting a surfactant concentrate which, based on its total weight, contains i) 50 to 95 wt.% surfactant ii) less than 10 wt.% water; e) introducing the surfactant-containing detergent composition into the laundry treatment chamber of the washing machine.

[0076] 2. Washing process according to point 1, wherein the surfactant concentrate contains, based on its total weight, 55 to 92 wt.%, preferably 60 to 88 wt.% and in particular 68 to 80 wt.% surfactant. Washing process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the surfactant concentrate contains anionic surfactant from the group from the group of Cs-18-alkylbenzenesulfonic acids. Washing process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the surfactant concentrate contains anionic surfactant from the group from the group of alkyl ether sulfonic acids. Washing process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the surfactant concentrate contains anionic surfactant from the group from the group of fatty acids. Washing process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the surfactant concentrate contains, based on its total weight, 30 to 90 wt.%, preferably 40 to 80 wt.%, in particular 45 to 70 wt.% and very particularly preferably 51 to 70 wt.% anionic surfactant.Washing process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the surfactant concentrate contains Cs-18-alkylbenzenesulfonic acid and alkyl ether sulfonic acid as anionic surfactant, wherein the Cs-18-alkylbenzenesulfonic acid and the alkyl ether sulfonic acid are present in a weight ratio of 10:1 to 1:1, preferably from 7:1 to 2:1 and in particular from 5:1 to 5:2. Washing process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the surfactant concentrate contains Cs-18-alkylbenzenesulfonic acid and fatty acid as anionic surfactant, wherein the Cs-18-alkylbenzenesulfonic acid and the fatty acid are present in a weight ratio of 20:1 to 6:1, preferably from 18:1 to 6:1 and in particular from 15:1 to 8:1. Washing process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the surfactant concentrate contains alkyl ether sulfonic acid and fatty acid as anionic surfactant, wherein the alkyl ether sulfonic acid and the fatty acid are present in a weight ratio of 6:1 to 1:1, preferably of 5:1 to 3:2 and in particular of 4:1 to 2:1.Washing process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the surfactant concentrate contains nonionic surfactant from the group of ethoxylated primary C6-18 alcohols, preferably ethoxylated primary C6-18 alcohols with a degree of alkoxylation > 2, particularly preferably C12-14 alcohols with 4 EO or 7 EO, C9-11 alcohols with 7 EO, C13-15 alcohols with 5 EO, 7 EO or 8 EO, C13-15 oxo alcohols with 7 EO, C12-18 alcohols with 5 EO or 7 EO, in particular C12-18 fatty alcohols with 7 EO or C13-15 oxo alcohols with 7 EO. Washing process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the surfactant concentrate contains, based on its total weight, 7 to 50 wt.%, preferably 12 to 40 wt.%, and in particular 15 to 30 wt.% nonionic surfactant. Washing process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the weight ratio of anionic surfactant to nonionic surfactant is 4:1 to 1:8, preferably 3:1 to 1:4, and in particular 11:4 to 1:1.Washing process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the surfactant concentrate, based on its total weight, contains polyalkoxylated amine having a weight-average molecular weight Mw in the range from 600 g / mol to 10,000 g / mol, which is obtainable by reacting ammonia or primary alkyl or hydroxyalkylamines having a molecular weight below 200 g / mol with alkylene oxides, preferably in weight proportions of 0.5 to 10 wt. %, preferably 1 to 8 wt. %, and in particular 2 to 6 wt. %. Washing process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the surfactant concentrate, based on its total weight, contains polyalkoxylated polyalkyleneimine, which is obtainable by reacting polyalkyleneimines with alkylene oxides, preferably in weight proportions of 0.5 to 10 wt. %, preferably 1 to 8 wt. % and in particular 2 to 6 wt. %. Washing process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the surfactant concentrate, based on its total weight, contains 12 to 36 wt.-%, preferably 18 to 34 wt.% and in particular 24 to 32 wt.% solvent. Washing process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the surfactant concentrate, based on its total weight, contains less than 8 wt.%, preferably less than 6 wt.% and in particular less than 2 wt.% water. Washing process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the surfactant concentrate, based on its total weight, contains 0.5 to 29 wt.%, preferably 4.5 to 27 wt.% and in particular 10 to 24 wt.% organic solvent. Washing process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the surfactant concentrate, based on its total weight, contains 12 to 38 wt.%, preferably 15 to 35 wt.% and in particular 20 to 32 wt.% organic solvent. Washing process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the surfactant concentrate contains organic solvent from the group of organic amines, preferably monoethanolamine.Washing process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the surfactant concentrate contains anionic surfactant from the group of Ca-1-15-alkylbenzenesulfonic acids, alkyl ether sulfonic acids and fatty acids, as well as an excess of stoichiometric amount of organic amine, preferably monoethanolamine, relative to the anionic surfactant. Washing process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the surfactant concentrate, based on its total weight, contains less than 12 wt.%, preferably less than 8 wt.%, particularly preferably less than 4 wt.% and in particular less than 1 wt.% of organic solvent from the group of monohydric, dihydric or trihydric alcohols having a molecular weight of 30 to 120 g / mol. Washing process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the surfactant concentrate, based on its total weight, contains less than 12 wt.%, preferably less than 8 wt.%, particularly preferably less than 4 wt.% and in particular less than 1 wt.-% organic solvent from the group ethanol, n-propanol, i-propanol, butanols, glycol, propanediol, butanediol, methylpropanediol, glycerol, diglycol, propyldiglycol, butyldiglycol, 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 thereof, preferably from from the group consisting of propanediol, glycerin, and mixtures thereof. Washing process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the surfactant concentrate, based on its total weight, contains i) 30 to 90 wt.%, preferably 40 to 80 wt.%, and in particular 45 to 70 wt.%.-% anionic surfactant from the group of Ca-is-alkylbenzenesulfonic acids, alkyl ether sulfonic acids and fatty acids, ii) 7 to 50 wt.%, preferably 12 to 40 wt.% and in particular 15 to 30 wt.% non-ionic surfactant from the group of ethoxylated primary C6-18 alcohols, iii) 0.5 to 29 wt.%, preferably 4.5 to 27 wt.% and in particular 10 to 24 wt.% organic solvent from the group of organic amines iv) less than 10 wt.%, preferably less than 6 wt.% and in particular less than 2 wt.% water. Washing process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the surfactant concentrate, based on its total weight v) 30 to 80 wt.%, preferably 40 to 70 wt.% and in particular 45 to 60 wt.% anionic surfactant from the group of Ca-is-alkylbenzenesulfonic acids, alkyl ether sulfonic acids and fatty acids, vi) 7 to 50 wt.%, preferably 12 to 40 wt.% and in particular 15 to 30 wt.-% non-ionic surfactant from the group of ethoxylated primary C6-18 alcohols, vii) 12 to 38 wt.%, preferably 15 to 35 wt.% and in particular 20 to 32 wt.% organic solvent from the group of organic amines, viii) less than 10 wt.%, preferably less than 6 wt.% and in particular less than 2 wt.% water. Washing process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the surfactant concentrate, based on its total weight v) 30 to 80 wt.%, preferably 40 to 70 wt.% and in particular 45 to 60 wt.% anionic surfactant in the form of a mixture of Ca-is-alkylbenzenesulfonic acids, alkyl ether sulfonic acids and fatty acids, vi) 7 to 50 wt.%, preferably 12 to 40 wt.% and in particular 15 to 30 wt.% non-ionic surfactant from the group of ethoxylated primary C6-18 alcohols, vii) 12 to 38 wt.%, preferably 15 to 35 wt.% and in particular 20 to 32 wt.% organic solvent from the group of organic amines, viii) less than 10 wt.-%, preferably less than 6 wt.% and in particular less than 2 wt.% water. Washing process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the surfactant concentrate does not contain an enzyme. Washing process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the surfactant concentrate does not contain a washing or cleaning-active polymer. Washing process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the surfactant concentrate does not contain a cationic surfactant. Washing process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the surfactant concentrate in step d) is taken from a container integrated into the washing machine, which container is filled with several times the amount of surfactant concentrate required to carry out a washing program.Washing method according to one of the preceding points, wherein the surfactant concentrate is dosed in step d) by means of a dosing device integrated into the washing machine from a container integrated into the washing machine, which container is filled with a multiple of the amount of surfactant concentrate required to carry out a washing program. Washing method according to one of the preceding points, wherein the surfactant concentrate is dosed in step d) with a shear rate above 10 s-1 , preferably above 200 s-1 and in particular above 400 s-1 . Washing method according to one of the preceding points, wherein the surfactant concentrate is dosed in step d) at a dosing rate of 0.1 g / s to 10 g / s, preferably 0.5 g / s to 8 g / s. Washing method according to one of the preceding points, wherein the dilution of the surfactant concentrate takes place in the interior of the washing machine.Washing process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the surfactant-containing detergent composition is obtained in step d) by diluting the surfactant concentrate with water, preferably by diluting the surfactant concentrate with water at a shear rate above 10 s-1 , preferably above 200 s-1 and in particular above 400 s-1 . Washing process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the surfactant-containing detergent composition is obtained in step d) by diluting the surfactant concentrate with an aqueous composition. Washing process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the surfactant concentrate is at least partially diluted in step d) by means of a composition which is taken from a container integrated into the washing machine and filled with a multiple of the amount of this composition required to carry out a washing program.Washing process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the surfactant-containing detergent composition is obtained in step d) by diluting the surfactant concentrate with a composition that does not contain fabric softener-active compounds. Washing process according to one of the preceding points, wherein the surfactant-containing detergent composition is obtained in step d) by diluting the surfactant concentrate with an acid-containing aqueous composition. Washing process according to point 38, wherein the acid of the acid-containing aqueous composition is selected from the group of organic acids, in particular from the group of citric acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, gluconic acid, methylglycinediacetic acid, glutamic acid diacetic acid, and the copolymer polysulfonates. Washing process according to point 38, wherein the acid of the acid-containing aqueous composition is selected from the group of citric acid.Washing process according to item 38, wherein the acid of the acid-containing aqueous composition is selected from the group of copolymer polysulfonates, in particular copolymer polysulfonates which, in addition to monomer(s) containing sulfonic acid groups, contain at least one monomer from the group of unsaturated carboxylic acids, in particular acrylic acid. Washing process according to item 38, wherein the acid of the acid-containing aqueous composition is selected from the group of organic peracids, preferably peroxycarboxylic acids, in particular peroxycarboxylic acids from the group i) mono- and diperoxocarboxylic acids such as performic acid, peracetic acid, decane diperoxo acid, dodecane diperoxo acid, ii) mono- and diperphthalic acids, iii) mono- and diperterephthalic acids, iv) imidoperoxocarboxylic acids such as 6-phthalimidoperoxocaproic acid (PAP).Washing process according to item 38, wherein the acid of the acid-containing aqueous composition is selected from group 6-phthalimidoperoxocaproic acid (PAP). Washing process according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the surfactant-containing detergent composition is obtained in step d) by diluting the surfactant concentrate with a composition whose temperature is more than 15°C, preferably more than 25°C, and in particular more than 30°C. Washing process according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the surfactant-containing detergent composition is obtained in step d) by diluting the surfactant concentrate by a factor greater than 3, preferably by diluting the surfactant concentrate by a factor between 5 and 50. Washing process according to any one of the preceding items, wherein the surfactant-containing composition is analyzed in step d). Washing process according to item 46, wherein the surfactant-containing composition is analyzed in step d) for its pH.Washing process according to item 46 or 47, wherein the surfactant-containing composition is analyzed for its turbidity in step d). Washing process according to items 46 to 48, wherein the surfactant-containing composition is analyzed for its conductivity in step d). Washing process according to items 46 to 49, wherein the surfactant-containing composition is analyzed for its temperature in step d). Washing process according to any of the preceding items, wherein the surfactant-containing composition introduced into the laundry treatment chamber of the washing machine in step e) contains no enzyme and / or no washing- or cleaning-active polymer and / or no fabric softener-active compound.Washing method according to one of the preceding points, wherein the surfactant-containing composition in step e) is introduced into the laundry treatment chamber of the washing machine over a period of less than five minutes, preferably over a period of less than two minutes and in particular over a period of less than one minute.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Washing process for textiles in a washing machine comprising a laundry treatment chamber and a reservoir for a surfactant concentrate, comprising the steps of: a) providing a washing machine with a washing program; b) introducing textiles into the laundry treatment chamber of the washing machine; c) introducing an aqueous liquor into the laundry treatment chamber of the washing machine; d) providing a surfactant-containing detergent composition by diluting a surfactant concentrate containing i) 50 to 95 wt.% surfactant ii) less than 10 wt.% water; e) introducing the surfactant-containing detergent composition into the laundry treatment chamber of the washing machine.

2. Washing method according to claim 1, wherein the surfactant concentrate contains 55 to 92 wt.%, preferably 60 to 88 wt.% surfactant.

3. Washing method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the surfactant concentrate contains an anionic surfactant from the group consisting of calcium alkylbenzenesulfonic acids.

4. Washing method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the surfactant concentrate contains an anionic surfactant from the group consisting of alkyl ether sulfonic acids.

5. Washing method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the surfactant concentrate contains an anionic surfactant from the group of fatty acids.

6. Washing method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the surfactant concentrate contains, based on its total weight, 30 to 90 wt.%, preferably 40 to 80 wt.% and in particular 45 to 70 wt.% anionic surfactant.

7. Washing process according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the surfactant concentrate comprises a non-ionic surfactant from the group of ethoxylated primary C6-18 alcohols, preferably the ethoxylated primary C6-18 alcohols with a degree of alkoxylation > 2, particularly preferably the C12-14 alcohols with 4 EO or 7 EO, the C9-11 alcohols with 7 EO, the C13-15 alcohols with 5 EO, 7 EO or 8 EO, the C13-15 oxo alcohols with 7 EO, the C12-18 alcohols with 5 EO or 7 EO, in particular the C12-18 fatty alcohols with 7 EO or the C13-15 oxo alcohols with 7 EO.

8. Washing method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the surfactant concentrate contains, based on its total weight, 7 to 50 wt.%, preferably 12 to 40 wt.% and particularly 15 to 30 wt.% non-ionic surfactant. Washing process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the surfactant concentrate contains less than 10 wt.%, preferably less than 6 wt.%, and particularly less than 2 wt.% water. Washing process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the surfactant concentrate contains 0.5 to 29 wt.%, preferably 4.5 to 27 wt.%, and particularly 10 to 24 wt.% organic solvent, preferably an organic solvent from the group of organic amines, in particular monoethanolamine.

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