Process for the preparation of a detergent concentrate

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing a liquid cleaning agent composition, in particular a concentrated liquid cleaning agent composition, preferably a concentrated liquid hand dishwashing detergent composition, wherein the composition comprises at least a first and at least a second surfactant, comprising the steps a) providing a mixture of (i) water, (ii) optionally a preservative, (iii) optionally a third surfactant from the group of amine oxides, (iv) an organic solvent, (v) a salt, (vi) the first surfactant from the group of betaines and (vii) citric acid; b) stirring the mixture from step a); c) adding the second surfactant from the group of fatty alcohol ether sulfates; d) stirring the mixture from step c); and e) optionally adding (ix) dye and / or (x) perfume and / or (xi) citric acid and / or (xii) enzymes.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for producing a liquid cleaning agent composition, in particular a concentrated liquid cleaning agent composition. The cleaning agent composition produced by such a method is preferably used for manual dishwashing. The present invention further relates to a liquid cleaning agent composition produced by such a method, in particular a concentrated liquid hand dishwashing detergent composition, and the use of such a cleaning agent composition for cleaning hard surfaces, in particular dishes.

[0002] To minimize packaging, storage, and transportation costs, many homecare products are now offered as concentrates, containing a higher proportion of active washing and cleaning ingredients than conventional products. These concentrates are either used directly by the consumer for washing or cleaning, requiring a smaller amount corresponding to the concentration, or they are first diluted with a specific amount of water and then used like a conventional product. Laundry and cleaning products offered in concentrated form thus represent an excellent solution for saving on packaging, transportation, and storage costs compared to conventional product forms. For precisely these reasons, concentrates are also attractive to sustainability-conscious consumers who consider reducing emissions at least one of their priorities when making purchasing decisions.

[0003] In addition to the aforementioned advantages that can be associated with concentrates, a corresponding product must meet a complex set of requirements to gain consumer acceptance. Besides the primary washing and cleaning effect and stability during transport and storage, consumers expect not only an attractive appearance, a pleasant fragrance, and good skin compatibility, but also, and especially, ease of use and dosage. For this reason, in a number of applications, such as manual dishwashing or cleaning other hard surfaces, consumers prefer products with increased viscosity, particularly after dilution with water. These products allow for more precise dosing and run more slowly on inclined and especially vertical surfaces, meaning they remain in contact with the surface being cleaned for a longer period. Furthermore, it is generally desirable for the final product to form quickly, easily, and without much effort (i.e.,(Light to moderate shaking of the aqueous mixture for only a few seconds without the need for repeated shaking) and that the final product, after dilution of the concentrate with water, exhibits favorable flow properties and no excessive bubble and / or foam formation. Furthermore, the diluted cleaning agent composition should also be stable over time. Such hand dishwashing detergent concentrates are described, for example, in the German patent application.

[0004] Concentrated or highly concentrated cleaning agent compositions are typically produced using a high-shear mixer. Such a mixer enables the dissolution and homogenization of large quantities of surfactants to create a homogeneous cleaning agent composition with the required quality profile. To use such a mixer, a recirculation line must be installed on the mixing vessel, within which the mixer operates. Maintaining and cleaning this recirculation line is complex and costly. Furthermore, this type of mixer requires additional energy. An alternative production method is manufacturing in a continuous mixing plant. However, such a plant is expensive and requires suitable infrastructure for the continuous supply of the raw materials.

[0005] Surprisingly, it was found that the manufacturing process for liquid concentrated cleaning agent compositions, especially concentrated hand dishwashing liquids, can be simplified by the inventive method, eliminating the need for a high-shear mixer with a recirculation line. This makes the process not only more cost-effective, sustainable, and less complex, but also allows for greater flexibility. The inventors surprisingly discovered that a specific dosing sequence simplifies the process for manufacturing liquid concentrated cleaning agent compositions, especially concentrated hand dishwashing liquids, and eliminates the need for a high-shear mixer with a recirculation line. Furthermore, the inventors surprisingly found that certain process parameters, such as...The process for producing liquid concentrated cleaning agent compositions, especially hand dishwashing liquid concentrates, is simplified by reducing the dosing speed and / or stirring time, and the use of a high-shear mixer with a recirculation line can be dispensed with. In particular, the process according to the invention, i.e., the dosing sequence according to the invention, leads to homogeneous liquid concentrated cleaning agent compositions, especially hand dishwashing liquid concentrates. In particular, the process parameters according to the invention, such as dosing speed and / or stirring time, lead to homogeneous liquid concentrated cleaning agent compositions, especially hand dishwashing liquid concentrates. In particular, the process according to the invention, i.e., the dosing sequence and process parameters according to the invention, such as...Dosing speed and / or stirring time, for homogeneous liquid concentrated cleaning agent compositions, especially hand dishwashing detergent concentrates.

[0006] The invention therefore relates in a first aspect to a method for producing a liquid cleaning agent composition, preferably a liquid concentrated hand dishwashing detergent composition, wherein the composition comprises at least a first and at least a second surfactant, comprising the steps a) Providing a mixture of (i) water, (ii) optionally a preservative, (iii) optionally a third surfactant, wherein the third surfactant is selected from the group consisting of amine oxides, (iv) an organic solvent, (v) a salt, (vi) the first surfactant, wherein the first surfactant is selected from the group consisting of betaines, and (vii) citric acid; b) stirring the mixture from step a); c) adding the second surfactant to the mixture from step b), wherein the second surfactant is selected from the group consisting of fatty alcohol ether sulfates, d) stirring the mixture from step c); and e) optionally adding (viii) dye and / or (ix) perfume and / or (x) citric acid and / or (xi) enzymes.

[0007] In preferred embodiments, the substances (i) to (vii) are added in step a) in the specified order.

[0008] In preferred embodiments, the mixture is stirred in step b) for about 10 minutes at room temperature.

[0009] In preferred embodiments, the first surfactant is added in step c) at a dosage rate of 0.4 to 0.7 wt.% per minute, preferably 0.45 to 0.55 wt.% per minute.

[0010] In preferred embodiments, the mixture is stirred in step d) for about 30 minutes at room temperature.

[0011] In preferred embodiments, the substances (viii) to (xi) are added in step e) in the specified order.

[0012] In preferred embodiments, the method comprises a step of adjusting the pH value of the cleaning agent composition by adding citric acid, so that the pH value of the cleaning agent composition is about 4 to about 8, preferably about 4.5 to about 7.8.

[0013] In preferred embodiments, the first surfactant is selected from the group consisting of betaines. In preferred embodiments, the betaine is selected from the group consisting of alkyl betaines, alkylamido betaines, imidazolinium betaines, sulfobetaines, phosphobetaines and mixtures thereof, preferably cocamidopropyl betaine.

[0014] In preferred embodiments, the second surfactant is selected from Na C 12-14 fatty alcohol ether sulfate (1-4 EO), preferably Na C 12-14 fatty alcohol ether sulfate (1-2 EO), preferably sodium lauryl ether sulfate.

[0015] In preferred embodiments, the third surfactant is selected from the group consisting of amine oxides. In preferred embodiments, the amine oxide is selected from the group consisting of cocamidopropylamine oxide, N-cocosalkyl-N,N-dimethylamine oxide, N-tallowalkyl-N,N-dihydroxyethylamine oxide, myristylcetyldimethylamine oxide, lauryldimethylamine oxide and mixtures thereof, preferably a mixture of amines, C 12-14 (even-numbered) alkyldimethyl and N-oxides.

[0016] In preferred embodiments, the salt is selected from the group consisting of sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, sodium formate, sodium acetate, sodium propionate, sodium lactate, potassium chloride, potassium sulfate, potassium formate, potassium acetate, potassium propionate, potassium lactate, magnesium chloride, magnesium sulfate, magnesium formate, magnesium acetate, magnesium propionate, magnesium lactate, calcium chloride, calcium sulfate, calcium formate, calcium acetate, calcium propionate, calcium lactate and mixtures thereof, in particular NaCl, KCl, MgCl, MgSO4 and mixtures thereof, preferably NaCl, KCl and mixtures thereof.

[0017] In preferred embodiments, the solvent is selected from the group consisting of ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, ethylene glycol, butyl glycol, propylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, alcoholamine, in particular monoethanolamine, glycerol and mixtures thereof, preferably ethanol.

[0018] In another aspect, the invention relates to a liquid cleaning agent composition, preferably a hand dishwashing detergent concentrate, comprising, in each case with reference to active substance and total weight of the composition, At least one first surfactant, wherein the first surfactant is selected from the group consisting of betaines, preferably from the group consisting of alkyl betaines, alkylamido betaines, imidazolinium betaines, sulfobetaines, phosphobetaines and mixtures thereof, preferably cocamidopropyl betaine, in an amount of about 1 to about 15 wt.%, preferably about 2 to about 10 wt.%, further preferably about 2.5 to about 7.5 wt.%, particularly preferably about 3 to about 6 wt.%; at least one second surfactant, wherein the second surfactant is selected from Na₂C₁₂-₁₄ fatty alcohol ether sulfate (1-4 EO), preferably Na₂C₁₂-₁₄ fatty alcohol ether sulfate (1-2 EO), preferably sodium lauryl ether sulfate, in an amount of about 7 to about 50 wt.%, preferably about 10 to about 40 wt.%, further preferably about 15 to about 30 wt.%, particularly preferably about 20 to about 23 kg.-%, optionally at least one third surfactant, wherein the third surfactant is selected from the group consisting of amine oxides, preferably from the group consisting of cocamidopropylamine oxide, N-cocosalkyl-N,N-dimethylamine oxide, N-tallowalkyl-N,N-dihydroxyethylamine oxide, myristylcetyldimethylamine oxide, lauryldimethylamine oxide and mixtures thereof, preferably a mixture of amines, C 12-14 (even-numbered) alkyldimethyl and N-oxides, in an amount of about 1 to about 15 wt.%, preferably about 2 to about 10 wt.%, further preferably about 2.5 to about 7.5 wt.%, particularly preferably about 3 to about 6 wt.%, at least one solvent, wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, ethylene glycol, butyl glycol, propylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, alcoholamine, monoethanolamine, glycerol and mixtures thereof is, preferably ethanol, in an amount of 0.01 to about 10 wt.%, preferably about 0.5 to about 7.5 wt.%.-%, more preferably about 1 to about 5 wt.%, particularly preferably about 2.5 to about 4 wt.%, and citric acid in an amount of about 0.001 to about 10 wt.%, more preferably about 0.01 to about 6 wt.%, more preferably about 0.05 to about 4 wt.%, particularly preferably about 0.1 to about 2 wt.%, wherein the salt concentration in the composition is about 0.2 to about 10 wt.%, more preferably about 1 to about 7.5 wt.%, more preferably about 1.5 to about 6 wt.%, particularly preferably about 2 to about 5.5 wt.%.-% and wherein the salt is selected from the group consisting of sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, sodium formate, sodium acetate, sodium propionate, sodium lactate, potassium chloride, potassium sulfate, potassium formate, potassium acetate, potassium propionate, potassium lactate, magnesium chloride, magnesium sulfate, magnesium formate, magnesium acetate, magnesium propionate, magnesium lactate, calcium chloride, calcium sulfate, calcium formate, calcium acetate, calcium propionate, calcium lactate and mixtures thereof, in particular NaCl, KCl, MgCl, MgSO₄ and mixtures thereof, preferably NaCl, KCl and mixtures thereof.

[0019] Further aspects of the invention relate to Use of a composition described herein for cleaning hard surfaces, in particular for hand dishwashing. Use of a composition described herein for producing a diluted cleaning agent composition for cleaning hard surfaces, preferably for producing a diluted hand dishwashing detergent composition.

[0020] These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent to the person skilled in the art upon studying the following detailed description and claims. Each feature from one aspect of the invention can be incorporated into any other aspect of the invention. Furthermore, it is understood that the examples contained herein are intended to describe and illustrate the invention, but do not limit it, and in particular, the invention is not limited to these examples.

[0021] Unless otherwise stated, all percentages are weight percent (wt%) based on the active substance and total weight of the respective composition / product.

[0022] Numeric ranges specified in the format "from x to y" include the stated values. If multiple preferred numeric ranges are specified in this format, it is understood that all ranges resulting from the combination of the different endpoints are also included.

[0023] The terms "a" or "an" as well as "at least one", as used herein, are synonymous with the term "one or more" and can be used interchangeably.

[0024] "One or more," as used herein, refers to at least one and includes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or more of the types mentioned. Similarly, "at least one," as used herein, refers to, but is not limited to, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and more. With respect to an ingredient, it refers to the type of ingredient and not the absolute number of molecules. Thus, "at least one surfactant," for example, means at least one type of surfactant; that is, it may refer to one type of surfactant or a mixture of several different surfactants. Together with the weight specifications, the statement refers to all compounds of the specified type contained in the composition / mixture; that is, the composition contains no further compounds of that type beyond the specified amount of the corresponding compounds.

[0025] When reference is made to molar masses herein, these values ​​always refer to the number-average molar mass Mn, unless explicitly stated otherwise. The number-average molar mass can be determined, for example, by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) according to DIN 55672-1:2007-08 using THF as the eluent. The weight-average molar mass Mw can also be determined by GPC as described for Mn.

[0026] The term "cleaning agent" or "cleaning agent composition," as used herein, is synonymous with the term "agent" and refers to a composition for cleaning hard surfaces, in particular for manual dishwashing, as described herein. Agents according to the invention are particularly suited to the manual washing of dishes and are suitable for removing dirt from hard surfaces, exhibit good cleaning properties, and are also particularly skin-friendly.

[0027] The terms "concentrated cleaning composition" or "cleaning concentrate" or "concentrate", as used herein, are synonymous and refer to a cleaning composition which can be diluted with water while maintaining or increasing its viscosity.

[0028] "Diluted liquid cleaning composition" or "working solution", as used herein, are synonymous and mean a liquid aqueous cleaning composition obtained by diluting the cleaning concentrate described herein with water.

[0029] Viscosity preservation within the meaning of the invention is understood to mean a decrease in viscosity that is not significant for the user, i.e., a decrease of the viscosity value determined as described herein by no more than 50%, preferably no more than 30%, more preferably no more than 10%, and particularly preferably no more than 5%.

[0030] "Approximately", "about" or "about", as used herein in reference to a numerical value, refer to the corresponding numerical value ±10%, preferably ±5%.

[0031] "Liquid," as used herein, includes liquids and gels as well as pasty compositions. It is preferred that the liquid compositions are free-flowing and pourable at room temperature, but it is also possible that they exhibit a yield point.

[0032] A substance, e.g., a composition or an agent, is, according to the invention, in a solid state if it exists at 25°C and 1013 mbar. Examples include powders, granules, extrudates, or solid molded bodies.

[0033] A substance, e.g., a composition or an agent, is liquid according to the definition of the invention if it exists in the liquid state at 25°C and 1013 mbar. Liquid also includes gel-like, paste-like, and non-Newtonian fluids that exhibit a yield point.

[0034] The present invention is based on the inventors' surprising discovery that the manufacturing process for liquid concentrated cleaning agent compositions, in particular hand dishwashing detergent concentrates, can be simplified by the inventive method, eliminating the need for a high-shear mixer with a recirculation line. This makes the process not only more cost-effective, sustainable, and less complex, but also allows for greater flexibility.

[0035] The present invention is based on the surprising finding of the inventors that a specific dosing sequence and / or specific process parameters, such as dosing speed and / or stirring time, can simplify the process for producing liquid concentrated cleaning agent compositions, in particular hand dishwashing detergent concentrates, and eliminate the need for a high-shear mixer with a recirculation line.

[0036] The inventors have surprisingly discovered that a specific dosing sequence and / or certain process parameters, such as dosing speed and / or stirring duration, can improve the solubility of anionic surfactants, particularly fatty alcohol ether sulfates, when producing concentrated liquid cleaning agent compositions, especially hand dishwashing liquid concentrates. The dosing sequence and / or process parameters described herein, such as dosing speed and / or stirring duration, enable the production of homogeneous liquid cleaning agent compositions, especially hand dishwashing liquid concentrates, in which the anionic surfactant is completely dissolved. Without being bound by theory, the dosing sequence and / or process parameters described herein, such as...Dosing speed and / or stirring duration are advantageous for incorporating a raw material with high viscosity, such as anionic surfactants, especially fatty alcohol ether sulfates. Raw materials with high viscosity are difficult to incorporate into mixtures in high concentrations using standard methods and / or standard agitators. With the method described herein, the inventors provide a means for the simple and effective incorporation of raw materials with high viscosity, such as anionic surfactants, especially fatty alcohol ether sulfates, into cleaning agent compositions, especially concentrated hand dishwashing liquids. In particular, the method according to the invention, i.e., the dosing sequence according to the invention, leads to homogeneous liquid concentrated cleaning agent compositions, especially concentrated hand dishwashing liquids. In particular, the method according to the invention, i.e., the process parameters according to the invention, such as...The method according to the invention, i.e., the dosing sequence and the process parameters according to the invention, such as dosing speed and / or stirring time, leads to homogeneous liquid concentrated cleaning agent compositions, in particular hand dishwashing detergent concentrates.

[0037] The invention therefore relates to a method for producing a liquid cleaning agent composition, preferably a liquid concentrated hand dishwashing detergent composition, wherein the composition comprises at least a first and at least a second surfactant, comprising the steps a) Providing a mixture of (i) water, (ii) optionally a preservative, (iii) optionally a third surfactant, wherein the third surfactant is selected from the group consisting of amine oxides, (iv) an organic solvent, (v) a salt, (vi) the first surfactant, wherein the first surfactant is selected from the group consisting of betaines, and (vii) citric acid; b) stirring the mixture from step a); c) adding the second surfactant to the mixture from step b), wherein the second surfactant is selected from the group consisting of fatty alcohol ether sulfates, d) stirring the mixture from step c); and e) optionally adding (viii) dye and / or (ix) perfume and / or (x) citric acid and / or (xi) enzymes.

[0038] According to the invention, the cleaning agent ingredients are mixed together in a specific sequence. It is important that the additional surfactants (first surfactant from the betaine group and optionally a third surfactant from the amine oxide group; optionally, further surfactants) are mixed with the organic solvent and this mixture is acidified with citric acid before the anionic surfactant (second surfactant from the fatty alcohol ether sulfate group) is added. Dosing the salt, betaine, and solvent before adding the anionic surfactant improves its solubility and thus the homogenization of the cleaning agent composition. Lowering the pH of the aforementioned mixture (i.e., the mixture from step a)) by adding citric acid further improves the solubility of the anionic surfactant in the cleaning agent composition.

[0039] Mixing ensures the most uniform distribution possible of the added components in the mixture. Both static and dynamic stirrers can be used. In one embodiment, the stirrer is located in the vessel below the liquid surface. Suitable stirred tanks can have volumes from 10 to 500,000 L. Examples of stirrer types include propeller, interprop, inclined-blade, or intermig stirrers. For the vessels mentioned above, a number of stirring elements of 1 to 4, particularly 2 to 3, is preferred. Stirring speeds can be freely selected and adjusted to the consistency of the mixture. Exemplary stirring speeds range from approximately 10 rpm to 150 rpm, for example, from 20 rpm to 100 rpm. Stirring speeds can be freely varied and adjusted during the process. For example, an initial low stirring speed can be increased once or in stages.Similarly, an initially high stirring speed can be reduced once or in stages. Furthermore, it is possible to apply alternating stirring speeds during the manufacturing process according to the invention.

[0040] In preferred embodiments, in step a) i) water, ii) optional preservative, iii) optional third surfactant from the group of amine oxides, iv) solvent, v) salt, and vi) first surfactant from the group of betaines are first mixed together before the mixture is adjusted to a pH of about 4 to about 8, preferably from about 4 to below about 8, by adding citric acid.

[0041] In preferred embodiments, in step a) i) water, ii) optional preservative, iv) ethanol, v) salt, and vi) first surfactant from the group of betaines are first mixed together before the mixture is adjusted to a pH of about 4 to about 8, preferably about 4 to about 5, by adding citric acid.

[0042] In preferred embodiments, in step a) i) water, ii) optional preservative, iii) third surfactant from the group of amine oxides, iv) ethanol, v) salt, and vi) first surfactant from the group of betaines are first mixed together before the mixture is adjusted to a pH of about 4 to about 8, preferably about 7 to about 8, by adding citric acid.

[0043] In preferred embodiments, in step a) i) water, ii) optional preservative, iv) ethanol, v) NaCl, and vi) first surfactant from the group of betaines are first mixed together before the mixture is adjusted to a pH of about 4 to about 8, preferably about 4 to about 5, by adding citric acid.

[0044] In preferred embodiments, in step a) i) water, ii) optional preservative, iii) third surfactant from the group of amine oxides, iv) ethanol, v) NaCl, and vi) first surfactant from the group of betaines are first mixed together before the mixture is adjusted to a pH of about 4 to about 8, preferably about 7 to about 8, by adding citric acid.

[0045] In particularly preferred embodiments, the substances (i) to (vii) are added in step a) in the specified order.

[0046] The mixture is stirred in step b) for about 10 minutes at room temperature.

[0047] In step c), the second surfactant, an anionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of fatty alcohol ether sulfates, is added to the mixture from step b). The solubility of the anionic surfactant is further improved by slow dosing with constant stirring. Preferably, the dosing time is between about 50 and about 70 minutes. The dosing rate is preferably about 0.4 to about 0.7 wt% per minute, more preferably about 0.45 to about 0.55 wt% per minute.

[0048] In particularly preferred embodiments, the second surfactant, selected from the group consisting of fatty alcohol ether sulfates, is added to the mixture from step b) at a dosage rate of about 0.4 to about 0.7 wt.% per minute, more preferably about 0.45 to about 0.55 wt.% per minute.

[0049] The mixture is stirred in step d) for about 30 minutes at room temperature.

[0050] After mixing and stirring in the second surfactant, further optional ingredients can be added, such as (viii) colorant and / or (ix) fragrances and / or (x) citric acid and / or (xi) enzymes.

[0051] In particularly preferred embodiments, the substances (viii) to (xi) are added in step e) in the specified order.

[0052] In particularly preferred embodiments, the addition of substances (i) to (vii) in step a) and the addition of substances (viii) to (xi) in step e) are carried out in the specified order.

[0053] In particularly preferred embodiments, the second dose of citric acid is added in step e) to adjust the pH of the final product. In one embodiment, the pH of the cleaning agent composition, preferably concentrated hand dishwashing liquid, at 20°C is approximately 4 to approximately 8, more preferably approximately 4.5 to approximately 7.8, more preferably approximately 4 to approximately 5, or also more preferably approximately 7 to approximately 8.

[0054] Advantages of the method according to the invention: Adding salt, betaine, and solvent before the anionic surfactant improves solubility and thus facilitates homogenization. Adding an initial amount of citric acid before the anionic surfactant also improves its solubility and facilitates homogenization. Slowly adding the anionic surfactant while stirring continuously further improves its solubility and facilitates homogenization. By adding the anionic surfactant slowly and consistently, the stirring time after addition can be limited to 30 minutes. This accelerates production and makes the process more efficient and economical.

[0055] Using methods according to the invention, as described herein, agents according to the invention are produced.

[0056] The inventive compositions contain as a first essential component a first surfactant selected from the group consisting of betaines.

[0057] The group of betaines includes alkyl betaines, alkylamido betaines, imidazolinium betaines, sulfobetaines, and phosphobetaines. Alkylamido betaines, especially cocamidopropyl betaines, are preferred.

[0058] Suitable betaines satisfy formula (I) R 1< -[CO-X-(CH 2 ) n ] x -N +< (R 2< )(R 3< )-(CH 2 ) m -[CH(OH)-CH 2 ] y -Y -< (I), in which R 1< is a saturated or unsaturated C 6-22 alkyl group, preferably a C 8-18 alkyl group, in particular a saturated C 10-16 alkyl group, e.g. a saturated C 12-14 alkyl group, X NH, NR 4< with the C 1-4 alkyl group R 4< , O or S, n a number from 1 to 10, preferably 2 to 5, in particular 3, x 0 or 1, preferably 1, R 2< and R 3< independently of each other a C 1-4 alkyl group, optionally hydroxy-substituted, e.g. a hydroxyethyl group, in particular a methyl group, m a number from 1 to 4, in particular 1, 2 or 3, y 0 or 1 and Y COO, SO 3 , OPO(OR 5< )O or P(O)(OR 5< )O, wherein R 5< H or C 1-4 alkyl group.

[0059] The alkyl and alkylamidobetaines, betaines of formula (I) with a carboxyl group (Y -< = COO -< ) are also called carbobetaines.

[0060] Preferred betaines are the alkyl betaines of formula (1a), the alkylamidobetaines of formula (Ib), the sulfobetaines of formula (Ic) and the amidosulfobetaines of formula (Id), in which R 1< has the same meaning as in formula (I): R 1< -N +< (CH 3 ) 2 -CH 2 COO -< (1a), R 1< -CO-NH-(CH 2 ) 3 -N +< (CH 3 ) 2 -CH 2 COO -< (Ib), R 1< -N +< (CH 3 ) 2 -CH 2 CH(OH)CH 2 SO 3 -< (Ic), and R 1< -CO-NH-(CH 2 ) 3 -N +< (CH 3 ) 2 -CH 2 CH(OH)CH 2 SO 3 -< (Id).

[0061] Particularly preferred betaines are the carbobetaines, especially the carbobetaines of formula (1a) and (1b), and most particularly preferred are alkylamidobetaines of formula (1b).

[0062] Examples of suitable betaines and sulfobetaines: Mandelamidopropyl betaine, apricot amidopropyl betaine, avocadamidopropyl betaine, babassuamidopropyl betaine, behenamidopropyl betaine, behenyl betaine, betaine, canolamidopropyl betaine, capryl / capramidopropyl betaine, carnitine, cetyl betaine, cocamidoethyl betaine, cocamidopropyl betaine, cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, cocobetaine, cocohydroxysultaine, coco / oleamidopropyl betaine, cocosultaine, decyl betaine, dihydroxyethyl oleylglycinate, dihydroxyethyl soya glycinate, dihydroxyethyl stearylglycinate, dihydroxyethyl tallow glycinate, dimethicone propyl PG betaine, erucamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, hydrogenated tallow betaine, isostearamidopropyl betaine, lauramidopropyl betaine, lauryl betaine, laurylhydroxysultaine, laurylsultaine Milkamidopropyl betaine, Minkamidopropyl betaine, Myristamidopropyl betaine, Myristyl betaine, Oleamidopropyl betaine, Oleamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, Oleyl betaine, Olivamidopropyl betaine, Palmamidopropyl betaine, Palmitamidopropyl betaine, PalmitoylcarnitinePalm kernel amidopropyl betaine, polytetrafluoroethylene acetoxypropyl betaine, ricinoleamidopropyl betaine, sesamidopropyl betaine, soy amidopropyl betaine, stearamidopropyl betaine, stearyl betaine, tallowidopropyl betaine, tallowidopropyl hydroxysultaine, tallow betaine, tallow dihydroxyethyl betaine, undecylenamidopropyl betaine and wheat germ amidopropyl betaine.

[0063] One preferred betaine is, for example, cocamidopropyl betaine.

[0064] Further suitable betaines satisfy formula (II) (R 1< )(R 2< )(R 3< )N +< CH 2 COO -< (II), in which R 1< represents an alkyl group with 8 to 25, preferably 10 to 21 carbon atoms, optionally interrupted by heteroatoms or heteroatom groups, and R 2< and R 3< represent similar or different alkyl groups with 1 to 3 carbon atoms, in particular C 10-18 alkyldimethylcarboxymethyl betaine and C 11-17 alkylamidopropyldimethylcarboxymethyl betaine.

[0065] Also suitable are C 8 / 10 -Amidopropyl betaine (Capryl / Capramidopropyl betaine; Tego ®< Betaine 810), Betaine 3 (3-Cocoamidopropyl)dimethylammonium-2-hydroxypropanesulfonate (Sultain; Rewoteric ®< AM CAS), Alkylamidoalkylamine N-[N'(N"-2-hydroxyethyl-N"-carboxyethylaminoethyl)acetic acid amido]-N,N-dimethyl-N-cocosammonium betaine (Rewoteric ®< QAM 50).

[0066] In preferred embodiments, the first surfactant from the group of betaines is contained in an amount of about 1 to about 15 wt.%, preferably about 2 to about 12 wt.%, more preferably about 5 to about 11 wt.%, particularly preferably about 7.5 to about 10 wt.%, e.g., but not limited thereto, about 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7 or 7.5 wt.%, based on the active substance and total weight of the composition.

[0067] The inventive compositions contain as a second essential component a second surfactant, which is selected from the group consisting of fatty alcohol ether sulfates.

[0068] Fatty alcohol ether sulfates (alkyl ether sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates) are products of sulfation reactions on alkoxylated alcohols. Alkoxylated alcohols are defined as reaction products of alkylene oxide, preferably ethylene oxide, with alcohols, preferably longer-chain alcohols, i.e., aliphatic straight-chain or mono- or poly-branched, acyclic or cyclic, saturated or mono- or polyunsaturated alcohols, preferably straight-chain, acyclic, saturated alcohols with 6 to 22, preferably 8 to 18, further preferably 10 to 16, and particularly preferably 12 to 14 carbon atoms. Generally, from n moles of ethylene oxide and one mole of alcohol, depending on the reaction conditions, a complex mixture of addition products with varying degrees of ethoxylation is formed (n = 1 to 30, preferably 1 to 20, further preferably 1 to 10, particularly preferably 2 to 4).Another embodiment of alkoxylation involves the use of mixtures of alkylene oxides, preferably a mixture of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide. Particularly preferred fatty alcohol ether sulfates are the sulfates of low-ethoxylated fatty alcohols with 1 to 4 ethylene oxide units (EO), especially 1 to 2 EO, e.g., 2 EO. Preferably, the fatty alcohol ether sulfates are used as sodium salts, but can also be present as other alkali or alkaline earth metal salts, e.g., potassium, calcium, or magnesium salts, as well as in the form of ammonium or mono-, di-, tri-, or tetraalkylammonium salts.

[0069] In preferred embodiments, the second surfactant is selected from Na₂C₁₂₁₄ fatty alcohol ether sulfate (1-4 EO), preferably Na₂C₁₂₁₄ fatty alcohol ether sulfate (1-2 EO). In further preferred embodiments, the second surfactant is Na₂C₁₂₁₄ fatty alcohol ether sulfate (2 EO). In particularly preferred embodiments, the second surfactant is sodium lauryl ether sulfate.

[0070] In preferred embodiments, the second surfactant from the group of fatty alcohol ether sulfates is contained in an amount of about 7 to about 50 wt.%, preferably about 10 to about 40 wt.%, more preferably about 15 to about 30 wt.%, particularly preferably about 20 to about 23 wt.%, e.g., but not limited thereto, about 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29 or 30 wt.%, based on the active substance and total weight of the composition.

[0071] In preferred embodiments, the composition according to the invention may contain a third surfactant selected from the group consisting of amine oxides.

[0072] The group of amine oxides includes, for example, alkylamine oxides, in particular alkyldimethylamine oxide, alkylamidoamine oxide and alkoxyalkylamine oxide. Preferred amine oxides satisfy formula (III) or (IV), R1< R2< R3< N+< -O-< (III) R1< -[CO-NH-(CH2)w]z -N+< (R2< )(R3< )-O-< (IV), in which R1< is a saturated or unsaturated C6-22 alkyl group, preferably a C8-18 alkyl group, in particular a saturated C10-16 alkyl group, e.g. a saturated C12-14 alkyl group, which in the alkylamidoamine oxides is bonded to the nitrogen atom N via a carbonylamidoalkylene group -CO-NH-(CH2)z- and in the alkoxyalkylamine oxides via an oxaalkylene group -O-(CH2)z-, wherein z is in each case for a number from 1 to 10, preferably 2 to 5, in particular 3, R2< and R 3< independently of each other is a C 1-4 alkyl group, possibly hydroxy-substituted, e.g. a hydroxyethyl group, in particular a methyl group.

[0073] Examples of suitable amine oxides: Mandelamidopropylamine oxide, babassuamidopropylamine oxide, behenamine oxide, cocamidopropylamine oxide, cocamidopropylamine oxide, cocamine oxide, cocomorpholine oxide, decylamine oxide, decyltetradecylamine oxide, diaminopyrimidine oxide, dihydroxyethyl-C 8-10-alkoxypropylamine oxide, dihydroxyethyl-C 9-11-alkoxypropylamine oxide, dihydroxyethyl-C 12-15-alkoxypropylamine oxide, dihydroxyethylcocamine oxide, dihydroxyethyllauramine oxide, dihydroxyethylstearamine oxide, dihydroxyethyltalgamine oxide, hydrogenated palm kernel oil amine oxide, hydrogenated talgamine oxide, hydroxyethylhydroxypropyl-C 12-15-alkoxypropylamine oxide, isostearamidopropylamine oxide, isostearamidopropylmorpholine oxide, lauramidopropylamine oxide, lauramin oxide, methylmorpholine oxide, milchamidopropylamine oxide, minkamidopropylamine oxide Myristamidopropylamine oxide, myristamine oxide, myristyl / cetyl amine oxide, oleamidopropylamine oxide, oleamine oxide, olivamidopropylamine oxide, palmitamidopropylamine oxide, palmitamine oxide, PEG-3 laurelamine oxide,Potassium dihydroxyethylcocamine oxide phosphate, potassium trisphosphonomethylamine oxide, sesamidopropylamine oxide, soya amidopropylamine oxide, stearamidopropylamine oxide, stearamine oxide, tallowidopropylamine oxide, tallow oxide, undecylenamidopropylamine oxide and wheat germ amidopropylamine oxides.

[0074] Preferred amine oxides are, for example, cocamidopropylamine oxide, N-cocoalkyl-N,N-dimethylamine oxide, N-tallow alkyl-N,N-dihydroxyethylamine oxide, myristylcetyldimethylamine oxide or lauryldimethylamine oxide.

[0075] In preferred embodiments, the third surfactant from the group of amine oxides may be present in an amount of about 1 to about 15 wt.%, preferably about 2 to about 10 wt.%, more preferably about 2.5 to about 7.5 wt.%, particularly preferably about 3 to about 6 wt.%, e.g., but not limited thereto, about 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5, 6, 6.5, 7 or 7.5 wt.%, based on the active substance and total weight of the composition.

[0076] In preferred embodiments, the composition according to the invention comprises two different surfactants, wherein the first surfactant is a betaine as described herein and the second surfactant is a fatty alcohol ether sulfate as described herein.

[0077] In preferred embodiments, the composition according to the invention comprises three different surfactants, wherein the first surfactant is a betaine as described herein, the second surfactant is a fatty alcohol ether sulfate as described herein, and the third surfactant is an amine oxide as described herein.

[0078] In preferred embodiments, the composition according to the invention contains the first and second and / or the first, second and third surfactant together in an amount of about 9 to about 80 wt.%, preferably about 14 to about 60 wt.%, more preferably about 20 to about 45 wt.%, particularly preferably about 26 to about 35 wt.%, e.g., but not limited thereto, about 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44 or 45 wt.%, based on the active substance and the total weight of the composition. A preferred range for the total surfactant content is also approximately 29.5 to approximately 35.5 wt.%, e.g., but not limited to, approximately 29.5, 30, 30.5, 31, 31.5, 32, 32.5, 33, 33.5, 34, 34.5, 35 or 35.5 wt.%, based on active substance and total weight of the product.

[0079] In particularly preferred embodiments, the composition according to the invention comprises three different surfactants, wherein the first surfactant is a betaine as described herein, the second surfactant is a fatty alcohol ether sulfate as described herein, and the third surfactant is an amine oxide as described herein, wherein the total surfactant content is about 9 to about 80 wt.%, preferably about 14 to about 60 wt.%, more preferably about 20 to about 45 wt.%, and particularly preferably about 26 to about 35 wt.%, e.g., but not limited thereto, about 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, or 45 wt.%, based on the active substance. Total weight of the product. A preferred range for the total surfactant content is also approximately 29.5 to approximately 35.5 wt%, e.g., but not limited to, approximately 29.5, 30, 30.5, 31, 31.5, 32, 32.5, 33, 33.5, 34, 34.5, 35 or 35.5 wt%, based on active substance and total weight of the product.

[0080] In particularly preferred embodiments, the composition according to the invention comprises three different surfactants, wherein the first surfactant is a betaine as described herein, the second surfactant is a fatty alcohol ether sulfate as described herein, and the third surfactant is an amine oxide as described herein, wherein, in each case based on the active substance and the total weight of the composition, the first surfactant is contained in an amount of about 1 to about 15 wt.%, preferably about 2 to about 12 wt.%, more preferably about 5 to about 11 wt.%, and particularly preferably about 7.5 to about 10 wt.%, the second surfactant is contained in an amount of about 7 to about 50 wt.%, preferably about 10 to about 40 wt.%, more preferably about 15 to about 30 wt.%, and particularly preferably about 20 to about 23 wt.%, the third surfactant is contained in an amount of about 1 to about 15 wt.%, preferably about 2 to about 10 wt.%, and more preferably about 2.5 to about 7.5 wt.%, particularly preferably about 3 to about 6 wt.%.-%, is contained, and wherein the total surfactant content is of about 9 to about 80 wt. %, preferably about 14 to about 60 wt. %, further preferably about 20 to about 45 wt. %, particularly preferably about 26 to about 35 wt. %, e.g., but not limited thereto, about 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44 or 45 wt. %, .

[0081] The surfactant combination preferably used according to the invention is also particularly advantageous from a sustainability perspective.

[0082] The composition according to the invention contains as a further essential component at least one organic solvent, usually in an amount of about 0.01 to about 10 wt.%, preferably about 0.5 to about 7.5 wt.%, more preferably about 1 to about 5 wt.%, particularly preferably about 2.5 to about 4 wt.%, based on the active substance and total weight of the composition.

[0083] Solvents are used as hydrotropic agents and viscosity regulators. They act as solubilizers, particularly for surfactants and electrolytes, as well as perfumes and dyes, thus contributing to their incorporation, preventing the formation of liquid-crystalline phases, and contributing to the formation of clear products. The viscosity can decrease with increasing solvent volume. Finally, the cold turbidity and clarity points of such agents decrease with increasing solvent volume. Suitable solvents are, for example, saturated or unsaturated, preferably saturated, branched or unbranched C1-20 hydrocarbons, preferably C2-15 hydrocarbons, with at least one hydroxyl group and optionally one or more ether functions (COCs), i.e., oxygen atoms interrupting the carbon chain. Preferred solvents are those that may be...C 2-6 alkylene glycols and poly-C 2-3 alkylene glycol ethers etherified on one side with a C 1-6 alkanol, having an average of 1 to 9 identical or different, preferably identical, alkylene glycol groups per molecule, as well as the C 1-6 alcohols, preferably ethanol, n-propanol or iso-propanol.

[0084] Beispiele geeigneter Lösungsmittel: Buteth-3, Butoxydiglykol, Butoxyethanol, Butoxyisopropanol, Butoxypropanol, n-Butylalkohol, t-Butylalkohol, Butylenglykol, Butyloctanol, Diethylenglykol, Dimethoxydiglykol, Dimethylether, Dipropylenglykol, Ethoxydiglykol, Ethoxyethanol, Ethylhexandiol, Glykol, Hexandiol, 1,2,6-Hexantriol, Hexylalcohol, Hexylenglykol, Isobutoxypropanol, Isopentyldiol, Isopropylalkohol (Isopropanol), 3-Methoxybutanol, Methoxydiglykol, Methoxyethanol, Methoxyisopropanol, Methoxymethylbutanol, Methoxy PEG-10, Methylal, Methylalkohol, Methylhexylether, Methylpropandiol, Neopentylglykol, PEG-4, PEG-6, PEG-7, PEG-8, PEG-9, PEG-6-Methylether, Pentylenglykol, Phenoxyethanol, PPG-7, PPG-2-Buteth-3, PPG-2-Butylether, PPG-3-Butylether, PPG-2-Methylether, PPG-3-Methylether, PPG-2-Propylether, Propandiol, Propylalkohol (n-Propanol), Propylenglykol, Propylenglykolbutylether, Propylenglykolpropylether, Tetrahydrofurfurylalkohol, Trimethylhexanol.Longer-chain polyalkylene glycols, especially polypropylene glycols, are further preferred. PPG-400 or PPG-450 are particularly preferred, but polypropylene glycols with longer chain lengths can also be used in accordance with this invention.

[0085] In preferred embodiments, the solvent is selected from the group consisting of ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, ethylene glycol, butyl glycol, propylene glycol, polypropylene glycol as well as alcoholamine, in particular monoethanolamine, and mixtures thereof.

[0086] In preferred embodiments, the solvent is selected from C 2 and C 3 alcohols, ethanol, n-propanol and / or isopropanol, as well as polyalkylene glycols, especially polypropylene glycols, in particular PPG-400, as well as alcoholamines, in particular monoethanolamines, and mixtures thereof.

[0087] In further preferred embodiments, the solvent is selected from 1-butoxypropan-2-ol and / or ethanol and / or isopropanol.

[0088] In particularly preferred embodiments, the solvent is ethanol.

[0089] Alcoholic solvents, especially ethanol, are particularly advantageous at higher surfactant concentrations, as they can improve the solubility of surfactants in concentrated agents, especially at low water content.

[0090] In particularly preferred embodiments, the compositions according to the invention contain ethanol as a solvent in an amount of about 0.01 to about 10 wt.%, preferably about 0.5 to about 7.5 wt.%, more preferably about 1 to about 5 wt.%, and particularly preferably about 2.5 to about 4 wt.%.

[0091] The composition according to the invention contains a salt as a further essential component, such that the composition has a salt concentration in the concentrated liquid cleaning agent composition of about 0.2 to about 10 wt.%, preferably about 1 to about 7.5 wt.%, more preferably about 1.5 to about 6 wt.%, and particularly preferably about 2 to about 5.5 wt.%, based on the active substance and the total weight of the cleaning agent concentrate. The salt is preferably selected from alkali metal and / or alkaline earth metal salts, e.g., sodium, potassium, magnesium, or calcium salts, particularly preferably from NaCl, KCl, MgCl, MgSO₄, and mixtures thereof.

[0092] In preferred embodiments, the composition according to the invention contains at least one salt selected from alkali and / or alkaline earth metal salts. Suitable salts are, for example, sodium salts such as sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, sodium formate, sodium acetate, or sodium propionate; potassium salts such as potassium chloride, potassium sulfate, potassium formate, potassium acetate, or potassium propionate; magnesium salts such as magnesium chloride, magnesium sulfate, magnesium formate, magnesium acetate, or magnesium propionate; and calcium salts such as calcium chloride, calcium sulfate, calcium formate, calcium acetate, or calcium propionate.

[0093] The use of sodium, potassium, magnesium, or calcium salts has proven advantageous. Both inorganic and organic sodium, potassium, magnesium, or calcium salts can be used. Preferred sodium, potassium, magnesium, or calcium salts are colorless. Among the inorganic sodium, potassium, magnesium, or calcium salts, those from the group of water-soluble halides, sulfates, sulfites, carbonates, hydrogen carbonates, nitrates, nitrites, phosphates, and / or oxides are preferred, especially halides and sulfates. The organic sodium, potassium, magnesium, or calcium salts are, in particular, water-soluble sodium, potassium, magnesium, or calcium salts of carboxylic acids. Preferably, the salts are selected from the group consisting of formate, acetate, propionate, citrate, malate, tartrate, succinate, malonate, oxalate, lactate, and mixtures thereof.Particularly advantageous are sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, sodium formate, sodium acetate, sodium propionate, sodium lactate, potassium chloride, potassium sulfate, potassium formate, potassium acetate, potassium propionate, potassium lactate, magnesium chloride, magnesium sulfate, magnesium formate, magnesium acetate, magnesium propionate, magnesium lactate, calcium chloride, calcium sulfate, calcium formate, calcium acetate, calcium propionate, calcium lactate and mixtures thereof.

[0094] In preferred embodiments, the salt is selected from the group consisting of NaCl, KCl, MgCl, MgSO 4 and mixtures thereof.

[0095] In particularly preferred embodiments, the salt is selected from the group consisting of NaCl, KCl and mixtures thereof.

[0096] In particularly preferred embodiments, the salt is selected from the group consisting of NaCl, KCl and mixtures thereof, such that the composition according to the invention has a salt concentration in the concentrated liquid cleaning agent composition of about 0.2 to about 10 wt.%, preferably about 1 to about 7.5 wt.%, more preferably about 1.5 to about 6 wt.%, particularly preferably about 2 to about 5.5 wt.%, based on active substance and total weight of the cleaning agent concentrate.

[0097] The salt concentration according to the invention in the concentrated liquid cleaning agent composition leads to a comparable or increased viscosity of the cleaning agent composition diluted with water.

[0098] The composition according to the invention contains, as a further essential component, citric acid in an amount of about 0.001 to about 10 wt.%, preferably about 0.01 to about 6 wt.%, more preferably about 0.05 to about 4 wt.%, particularly preferably about 0.1 to about 2 wt.%, based on the active substance and total weight of the composition.

[0099] The compositions according to the invention are in concentrated form, meaning they can be diluted with water to obtain a ready-to-use cleaning agent composition. According to the invention, the compositions are in the form of water-dilutable concentrates that yield end products, i.e., diluted aqueous products, which are formed quickly, easily, and without much effort (i.e., light to moderate shaking of the aqueous mixture for only a few seconds without the need for repeated shaking). The resulting end product exhibits suitable viscosity, favorable flow properties, and no excessive bubble and / or foam formation.

[0100] In preferred embodiments, the water content of the composition according to the invention is approximately 10 to approximately 88 wt.%, preferably approximately 40 to approximately 80 wt.%, more preferably approximately 55 to approximately 70 wt.%, and particularly preferably approximately 50 to approximately 60 wt.%. The composition according to the invention preferably contains less than 90 wt.% and increasingly preferably less than 90, 89, 88, 87, 86, 85, 84, 83, 82, 81, 80, 79, 78, 77, 76, 75, 74, 73, 72, 71, 70, 69, 68, 67, 66, 65, 64, 63, 62, 61, 60, 59, 58, 57, 56, 55, 54, 53, 52, 51 or 50 wt.% water, particularly preferably less than 60 wt.% water, e.g. less than 60, 59.5, 59, 58.5, 58, 57.5, 57, 56.5 56, 55.5, 55, 54.5, 54, 53.5, 53, 52.5, 52, 51.5, 51, 50, 5 or 50 wt.% water.

[0101] In preferred embodiments, a cleaning agent concentrate according to the invention is composed of approximately 1 to approximately 5 parts, preferably approximately 1 to approximately 4 parts, more preferably approximately 1 to approximately 3 parts, and particularly preferably approximately 1 to approximately 2 parts, e.g., but not limited thereto, approximately 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9 or 5 parts water diluted, based on the volume of the diluted liquid composition.

[0102] In preferred embodiments, cleaning agent concentrates according to the invention have a viscosity at 20°C and a shear rate of 30 min⁻¹, measured with a Brookfield LV DV 11 type viscometer and spindle 25, in the range of about 50 to about 15,000 mPas, preferably about 100 to about 2,000 mPas, more preferably about 200 to about 1,500 mPas, particularly preferably about 200 to about 1,000 mPas, e.g., but not limited thereto, about 200, 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 270, 280, 290, 300, 310, 320, 330, 340, 350, 360, 370, 380, 390, 400, 410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470, 480, 490, 500, 510, 520, 530, 540, 550, 560, 570, 580, 590, 600, 610, 620, 630, 640, 650, 660, 670, 680, 690, 700, 710, 720, 730, 740, 750, 760, 770, 780, 790, 800, 810, 820, 30, 840, 850, 860, 870, 880, 890 900, 910, 920, 930, 940, 950, 960, 970, 980, 900 or 1,000.

[0103] In preferred embodiments, diluted liquid cleaning agent compositions according to the invention have a viscosity at 20°C and a shear rate of 30 min⁻¹, measured with a Brookfield LV DV 11 type viscometer and spindle 25, in the range of about 100 to about 50,000 mPas, preferably about 200 to about 15,000 mPas, more preferably about 500 to about 7,500 mPas, particularly preferably about 1,000 to about 5,000 mPas, e.g., but not limited thereto, 1,000, 1,100, 1,200, 1,300, 1,400, 1,500, 1,600, 1,700, 1,800, 1,900, 2,000, 2,100, 2,200, 2,300. 2,400, 2,500, 2,600, 2,700, 2,800, 2,900, 3,000, 3,100, 3,200, 3,300, 3,400, 3,500, 3,600, 3,700, 3,800, 3,900, 4,000, 4,100, 4,200, 4,300, 4,400, 4,500, 4,600, 4,700, 4,800, 4,900 or 5,000.

[0104] In preferred embodiments, the viscosity of the concentrate is maintained or increased when diluted with about 1 to about 5 parts, preferably about 1 to about 4 parts, more preferably about 1 to about 3 parts, particularly preferably about 1 to about 2 parts, of water.

[0105] The viscosity of the diluted liquid cleaning agent composition according to the invention, in particular the especially preferred viscosity of approximately 1,000 mPas to approximately 5,000 mPas, corresponds to that of currently commercially available hand dishwashing liquids. Consumers associate a corresponding expectation with this handling (appearance, flow properties, etc.), especially with regard to cleaning performance. Therefore, the cleaning agent concentrate according to the invention, after dilution, should yield a liquid cleaning agent composition familiar to the consumer.

[0106] In preferred embodiments, the liquid cleaning agent concentrate according to the invention is clear. In preferred embodiments, the diluted liquid cleaning agent composition is clear. In particularly preferred embodiments, the agent according to the invention is clear in both concentrated and diluted form.

[0107] The following are preferred embodiments of the composition according to the invention, wt.% each based on active substance and total weight of the composition: Example 1* Example 2* Example 3* Example 4* Example 5* First surfactant 1-15 2-12 5-11 7,5-10 7,5-10 Second surfactant 7-50 10-40 15-30 20-23 20-23 Third surfactant 0 0 0 0 0 solvent 0,01-10 0,5-7,5 1-5 2,5-4 3-3,6 Salt 0,2-10 1-7,5 1,5-6 2-5,5 2,2-5,2 Citric acid #< ≤ 10 0,01-6 0,05-2 0,1-4 0,1-2 Water Ad 100 Ad 100 Ad 100 Ad 100 Ad 100 Example 6* Example 7* Example 8* Example 9* Example 10* First surfactant 1-15 2-12 5-11 7,5-10 7,5-10 Second surfactant 7-50 10-40 15-30 20-23 20-23 Third surfactant 1-15 2-10 2,5-7,5 3-6 3-6 solvent 0,01-10 0,5-7,5 1-5 2,5-4 3-3,6 Salt 0,2-10 1-7,5 1,5-6 2-5,5 2,2-5,2 Citric acid #< ≤ 10 0,01-6 0,05-2 0,1-4 0,1-2 Water Ad 100 Ad 100 Ad 100 Ad 100 Ad 100 * Preservatives, colorants, perfume and enzymes are optional; #< sufficient amount to adjust pH 4-5 (Variant A) or pH 7-8 (Variant B). Example 11* Example 12* Example 13* Example 14* Example 15* Betaine 1-15 2-12 5-11 7,5-10 7,5-10 N / a C 12-14 FAEOS (2 EO) 7-50 10-40 15-30 20-23 20-23 Amine oxide 0 0 0 0 0 Ethanol 0,01-10 0,5-7,5 1-5 2,5-4 3-3,6 NaCl 0,2-10 1-7,5 1,5-6 2-5,5 2,2-5,2 Citric acid #< ≤ 10 0,01-6 0,05-2 0,1-4 0,1-2 Water Ad 100 Ad 100 Ad 100 Ad 100 Ad 100 Example 16* Example 17* Example 18* Example 19* Example 20* Betaine 1-15 2-12 5-11 7,5-10 7,5-10 Na C 12-14 FAEOS (2 EO) 7-50 10-40 15-30 20-23 20-23 Amine oxide 1-15 2-10 2,5-7,5 3-6 3-6 Ethanol 0,01-10 0,5-7,5 1-5 2,5-4 3-3,6 NaCl 0,2-10 1-7,5 1,5-6 2-5,5 2,2-5,2 Citric acid #< ≤ 10 0,01-6 0,05-2 0,1-4 0,1-2 Water Ad 100 Ad 100 Ad 100 Ad 100 Ad 100 * Preservatives, colorants, perfume and enzymes are optional; #< sufficient amount to adjust pH 4-5 (Variant A) or pH 7-8 (Variant B).

[0108] In addition to the first surfactant and second surfactant mentioned above and optionally third surfactants, compositions according to the invention may, in preferred embodiments, contain at least one further surfactant, wherein the at least one further surfactant is selected from the group consisting of nonionic surfactants, anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants and mixtures thereof.

[0109] Suitable nonionic surfactants are, in particular, alkyl glycosides and ethoxylation and / or propoxylation products of alkyl glycosides or linear or branched alcohols, each with 8 to approximately 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety and 3 to 20, preferably 4 to 10, alkyl ether groups. Furthermore, corresponding ethoxylation and / or propoxylation products of N-alkylamines, vicinal diols, fatty acid esters, and fatty acid amides, which correspond to the aforementioned long-chain alcohol derivatives with respect to the alkyl moiety, as well as of alkylphenols with 5 to 12 carbon atoms in the alkyl group, are also suitable. Another class of preferably used 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, in particular fatty acid methyl esters.Nonionic surfactants within the scope of the invention can be alkoxylates such as polyglycol ethers, fatty alcohol polyglycol ethers, alkylphenol polyglycol ethers, end-capped polyglycol ethers, mixed ethers, hydroxy mixed ethers, and fatty acid polyglycol esters. Ethylene oxide / propylene oxide block polymers, fatty acid alkanolamides, and fatty acid polyglycol ethers are also suitable. Another important class of nonionic surfactants are the polyol surfactants, and in particular the glycotidical surfactants, e.g., alkyl polyglycosides and fatty acid glucamides. Particularly preferred are the alkyl polyglycosides, especially the alkyl polyglucosides, wherein the alcohol is particularly preferably a long-chain fatty alcohol or a mixture of long-chain fatty alcohols with branched or unbranched C 8-18 alkyl chains and the degree of oligomerization (DP) of the sugars is between 1 and 10, preferably 1 to 6, preferably 1.1 to 3, particularly preferably 1.1 to 1.7, e.g. C 8-10 alkyl-1,5-glucoside (DP of 1.5).In addition, fatty alcohol alkoxylates (fatty alcohol polyglycol ethers) are also preferred, in particular unbranched or branched, saturated or unsaturated C 8-22 alcohols with a degree of alkoxylation up to 30 alkoxylated with ethylene oxide (EO) and / or propylene oxide (PO), preferably ethoxylated C 12-22 fatty alcohols with a degree of ethoxylation of less than 30, preferably 12 to 28, particularly preferably 20 to 28, most particularly preferably 25, e.g. C 16-18 fatty alcohol ethoxylates with 25 EO.

[0110] Suitable anionic surfactants include, for example, fatty alcohol sulfates, fatty alcohol ether sulfates, dialkyl ether sulfates, monoglyceride sulfates, alkylbenzenesulfonates, olefin sulfonates, alkanesulfonates, ethersulfonates, n-alkyl ethersulfonates, estersulfonates, and lignosulfonates. Also suitable are fatty acid cyanamides, sulfosuccinates (sulfosuccinic acid esters), especially sulfosuccinic acid mono- and di-C8-18 alkyl esters, sulfosuccinamates, sulfosuccinamides, fatty acid isethionates, acylaminoalkanesulfonates (fatty acid taurides), fatty acid sarcosinates, ether carboxylic acids and alkyl (ether) phosphates, as well as α-sulfofatisfied acid salts, acylglutamates, monoglyceride disulfates, and alkyl ethers of glyceride disulfate. Linear alkylbenzenesulfonates, fatty alcohol sulfates and / or fatty alcohol ether sulfates, especially the fatty alcohol sulfates, are preferred.Fatty alcohol sulfates are products of sulfation reactions on corresponding alcohols, while fatty alcohol ether sulfates are products of sulfation reactions on alkoxylated alcohols. Alkoxylated alcohols are defined as the reaction products of alkylene oxides, preferably ethylene oxide, with alcohols, preferably longer-chain alcohols. Generally, n moles of ethylene oxide and one mole of alcohol yield, depending on the reaction conditions, a complex mixture of addition products with varying degrees of ethoxylation. Another embodiment of the alkoxylation involves the use of mixtures of alkylene oxides, preferably a mixture of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide. Preferred fatty alcohol ether sulfates are the sulfates of low-ethoxylated fatty alcohols with 1 to 4 ethylene oxide units (EO), particularly 1 to 2 EO, e.g., 1,3 EO.Among the alkylbenzenesulfonates, those with approximately 12 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety are particularly preferred, such as linear sodium C10-18 alkylbenzenesulfonate. Preferred olefin sulfonates have a carbon chain length of 14 to 16. The anionic surfactants are preferably used as sodium salts, but can also be present as other alkali or alkaline earth metal salts, e.g., magnesium salts, as well as in the form of ammonium or mono-, di-, tri-, or tetraalkylammonium salts; in the case of the sulfonates, also in the form of their conjugate acid, e.g., dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid.

[0111] Suitable cationic surfactants include, among others, the quaternary ammonium compounds of the formula (R< 1< )(R 2< )(R 3< )(R 4< )N+< X-< , in which R< 1< to R< 4< represent four identical or different alkyl groups, in particular two long-chain and two short-chain, and X-< represents an anion, in particular a halide ion, e.g., didecyldimethylammonium chloride, alkylbenzyldidecylammonium chloride, and mixtures thereof. Other suitable cationic surfactants are the quaternary surfactants, in particular those with a sulfonium, phosphonium, iodonium, or arsonium group, which are also known as antimicrobial agents. By using quaternary surfactants with antimicrobial activity, the product can be formulated with antimicrobial properties, or its existing antimicrobial activity, if present due to other ingredients, can be enhanced.

[0112] The alkylamidoalkylamines are amphoteric surfactants of the formula R 6< -CO-NR 7< -(CH 2 ) i -N(R 8< )-(CH 2 CH 2 O) j -(CH 2 ) k -[CH(OH)] l -CH 2 -Z-OM, in which R 6< is a saturated or unsaturated C 6-22 alkyl group, preferably a C 8-18 alkyl group, in particular a saturated C 10-16 alkyl group, e.g. a saturated C 12-14 alkyl group, R 7< H or a C 1-4 alkyl group, preferably H, i a number from 1 to 10, preferably 2 to 5, in particular 2 or 3, R 8< H or CH 2 COOM (to M su), j a number from 1 to 4, preferably 1 or 2, in particular 1, k a number from 0 to 4, preferably 0 or 1, I 0 or 1, where k = 1 if I = 1, Z CO, SO 2 , OPO(OR 9< ) or P(O)(OR 9< ), where R 9< is an H or M (su), and MH is an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal or a protonated alkanolamine, e.g. protonated mono-, di- or triethanolamine.Preferred representatives satisfy the following formulas, in which R 6< , R 8< and M each have the same meaning as above: R 6< -CO-NH-(CH 2 ) 2 -N(R 8< )-CH 2 CH 20 -CH 2 -COOM, R 6< -CO-NH-(CH 2 ) 2 -N(R 8< )-CH 2 CH 20 -CH 2 CH 2 -COOM, R 6< -CO-NH-(CH 2 ) 2 -N(R 8< )-CH 2 CH 20 -CH 2 CH(OH)CH 2 -SO 3 M, and R 6< -CO-NH-(CH 2 ) 2 -N(R 8< )-CH 2 CH 20 -CH 2 CH(OH)CH 2 -OPO 3 HM.

[0113] Examples of suitable alkylamidoalkylamines: cocoamphodipropionic acid, cocobetaine amidoamphopropionate, DEA cocoamphodipropionate, disodium caproamphodiacetate, disodium caproamphodipropionate, disodium capryloamphodiacetate, disodium capryloamphodipropionate, diantrium cocoamphocarboxyethyl hydroxypropyl sulfonate, disodium cocoamphodiacetate, Disodium cocoamphodipropionate, disodium isostearoamphodiacetate, disodium isostearoamphodipropionate, disodium laureth-5-carboxyamphodiacetate, disodium lauroamphodiacetate, disodium lauroamphodipropionate, disodium oleoamphodipropionate, disodium PPG-2-isodeceth-7-carboxyamphodiacetate, disodium stearoamphodiacetate, disodium tallow phosphate diacetate, Disodium wheat germ amphodiacetate, Lauroamphodipropionic acid, Quaternium-85, Sodium caproamphoacetate, Sodium caproamphohydroxypropyl sulfonate, Sodium caproamphopropionate, Sodium capryloamphoacetate, Sodium capryloamphohydroxypropyl sulfonate, Sodium capryloamphopropionate, Sodium cocoamphoacetate,Sodium cocoamphohydroxypropylsulfonate, sodium cocoamphopropionate, sodium maize amphopropionate, sodium isostearamphoacetate, sodium isostearamphopropionate, sodium lauroamphoacetate, sodium lauroamphohydroxypropylsulfonate, sodium lauroampho-PG acetate phosphate, sodium lauroamphopropionate, sodium myristoamph acetate, sodium oleoamphoacetate, sodium oleoamphohydroxypropylsulfonate, sodium oleoamphopropionate, sodium ricinoleoamphoacetate, sodium stearoamphoacetate, sodium stearoamphohydroxypropylsulfonate, sodium stearoamphopropionate, sodium tallow amphopropionate, sodium tallow amphoacetate, sodium undecylenoamphoacetate, sodium undecylenoamphopropionate, sodium wheat germ amphoacetate, and trisodium lauroampho-PG acetate chloride phosphate.

[0114] Preferred alkyl-substituted amino acids are monoalkyl-substituted amino acids according to formula R 10< -NH-CH(R 11< HCH 2 ) u -COOM', in which R 10< is a saturated or unsaturated C 6-22 alkyl group, preferably a C 8-18 alkyl group, in particular a saturated C 10-16 alkyl group, e.g. a saturated C 12-14 alkyl group, R 11< H or a C 1-4 alkyl group, preferably H, u a number from 0 to 4, preferably 0 or 1, in particular 1, and M' H, an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal or a protonated alkanolamine, e.g. protonated mono-, di- or triethanolamine, alkyl-substituted imino acids according to formula R 12< -N-[(CH 2 ) v -COOM"] 2 , in which R 12< is a saturated or unsaturated C 6-22 alkyl group, preferably C 8-18 alkyl group, in particular a saturated C 10-16 alkyl group, e.g. a saturated C 12-14 alkyl group, v a number from 1 to 5, preferably 2 or 3, in particular 2, and M" H, an alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal or a protonated alkanolamine, e.g.protonated mono-, di- or triethanolamine, wherein M" in the two carboxyl groups can have the same or two different meanings, e.g., H and sodium or twice sodium, and mono- or dialkyl-substituted natural amino acids according to formula R 13< -N(R 14< )-CH(R 15< )-COOM''', in which R 13< is a saturated or unsaturated C 6-22 alkyl group, preferably C 8-18 alkyl group, in particular a saturated C 10-16 alkyl group, e.g., a saturated C 12-14 alkyl group, R 14< H or a C 1-4 alkyl group, optionally hydroxy- or amine-substituted, e.g., a methyl, ethyl, hydroxyethyl or amine propyl group, R 15< the residue of one of the 20 natural amino acids H 2 NCH(R 16< )COOH, and M‴ H, a alkali metal, an alkaline earth metal, or a protonated alkanolamine, e.g., protonated mono-, di-, or triethanolamine.Particularly preferred alkyl-substituted amino acids are the aminopropionates according to formula R 10< -NH-CH 2 CH 2 COOM', in which R 10< and M' have the same meaning as above.

[0115] Examples of suitable alkyl-substituted amino acids: Aminopropyllaurylglutamine, cocaminobutyric acid, cocaminopropionic acid, DEA-lauraminopropionate, disodium cocaminopropyliminodiacetate, disodium dicarboxyethylcocopropylenediamine, disodium lauriminodipropionate, disodium steariminodipropionate, disodium tallowiminodipropionate, lauraminopropionic acid, laurylaminopropylglycine, lauryldiethylenediaminoglycine, myristaminopropionic acid, sodium C12-15 alkoxypropyliminodipropionate, sodium cocaminopropionate, sodium lauriminodipropionate, sodium lauriminodipropionate, sodium lauroylmethylaminopropionate, TEA-lauraminopropionate and TEA-myristaminopropionate.

[0116] Acylated amino acids are amino acids, in particular the 20 natural α-amino acids, that bear the acyl group R17CO of a saturated or unsaturated fatty acid R17COOH at the amino nitrogen atom, where R17 is a saturated or unsaturated C6-22 alkyl group, preferably a C8-18 alkyl group, and in particular a saturated C10-16 alkyl group, e.g., a saturated C12-14 alkyl group. The acylated amino acids can also be used as alkali metal salts, alkaline earth metal salts, or alkanolammonium salts, e.g., mono-, di-, or triethanolammonium salts. Examples of acylated amino acids are acyl derivatives, e.g., sodium cocoylglutamate, lauroylglutamic acid, capryloylglycine, or myristoylmethylalanine.

[0117] Also suitable are sodium carboxyethyl cocosphosphoethylimidazoline (Phosphoteric ®< TC-6), N-2-hydroxyethyl-N-carboxymethyl fatty acid amidoethylamine-Na (Rewoteric ®< AMV) and N-capryl / caprinamidoethyl-N-ethyletherpropionate-Na (Rewoteric ®< AMVSF).

[0118] In preferred embodiments, no builder substances are present in the means according to the invention.

[0119] In alternative embodiments, water-soluble builder substances can be included in the composition according to the invention. The water-soluble organic framework substances include polycarboxylic acids, in particular citric acid and sugar acids; monomeric and polymeric aminopolycarboxylic acids, in particular methylglycine diacetic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, as well as polyaspartic acid; polyphosphonic acids, in particular aminotris(methylenephosphonic acid), ethylenediaminetetrakis(methylenephosphonic acid) and 1-hydroxyethyl-1,1-diphosphonic acid; polymeric hydroxy compounds such as dextrin and polymeric (poly)carboxylic acids, in particular polycarboxylates obtainable by oxidation of polysaccharides or dextrins; polymeric acrylic acids, methacrylic acids, maleic acids and their copolymers, which may also contain small amounts of polymerizable substances without carboxylic acid functionality incorporated by polymerization.The relative molecular mass of homopolymers of unsaturated carboxylic acids generally ranges from about 3,000 to about 200,000, and that of the copolymers from about 2,000 to about 200,000, preferably about 30,000 to about 120,000, in each case based on the free acid. A particularly preferred acrylic acid / maleic acid copolymer has a relative molecular mass of about 30,000 to about 100,000. Common commercial products include, for example, Sokalan® CP 5, CP 10, and PA 30 from BASF. Suitable, though 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, the acid content of which is at least 50 wt.%. Water-soluble organic framework substances can also include terpolymers containing two unsaturated acids and / or their salts as monomers and vinyl alcohol and / or an esterified vinyl alcohol or a carbohydrate as a third monomer.The first acidic monomer or its salt is derived from a monoethylene-unsaturated C3-8 carboxylic acid, preferably from a C3-4 monocarboxylic acid, particularly (meth)acrylic acid. The second acidic monomer or its salt can be a derivative of a C4-8 dicarboxylic acid, particularly preferably maleic acid, and / or a derivative of an allylsulfonic acid, substituted at position 2 by an alkyl or aryl group. Such polymers generally have a relative molecular mass between about 1,000 and about 200,000. Further preferred copolymers are those containing acrolein and acrylic acid / acrylic acid salts or vinyl acetate as monomers. The organic builder substances can be used, particularly for the production of liquid products, in the form of aqueous solutions, preferably in the form of about 30 to about 50 wt% aqueous solutions.All the acids mentioned are generally used in the form of their water-soluble salts, particularly the alkali metal salts. Such organic framework substances can, if desired, be present in amounts up to about 40 wt.%, particularly up to about 25 wt.%, and preferably from about 1 wt.% to about 8 wt.%. Amounts close to the aforementioned upper limit are preferably used in pasty or liquid, especially aqueous, detergent formulations.

[0120] In preferred embodiments, the cleaning agent is a hand dishwashing liquid that (after dilution with water) exhibits a foaming capacity of at least 250 ml, measured according to DIN method 53902, Part 2 (Ross-Miles test), preferably at least 300 ml. This advantageous foaming behavior is typically due to the fact that the hand dishwashing liquid contains at least 5% by weight of anionic surfactant, based on the active substance and total weight of the hand dishwashing liquid. However, the total surfactant content can also be significantly higher.

[0121] In preferred embodiments, compositions according to the invention can contain foam regulators. Commonly used foam regulators include, for example, polysiloxane-silica mixtures, wherein the finely divided silica contained therein is preferably silanated or otherwise hydrophobized. The polysiloxanes can consist of linear compounds as well as cross-linked polysiloxane resins and mixtures thereof. Other defoamers are paraffin hydrocarbons, in particular microparaffins and paraffin waxes, whose melting point is above 40°C, saturated fatty acids or soaps with, in particular, 20 to 22 carbon atoms, e.g., sodium behenate, and alkali salts of phosphoric acid mono- and / or dialkyl esters, in which the alkyl chains each have 12 to 22 carbon atoms. Among these, sodium monoalkyl phosphate and / or dialkyl phosphate with C 16-18 alkyl groups is preferably used. The proportion of the foam regulators can preferably be about 0.2 to about 2 wt.-%, preferably not more than approximately 1% by weight, based on the total weight of the product.

[0122] In preferred embodiments, the compositions according to the invention exhibit good skin compatibility. In preferred embodiments, the compositions according to the invention may contain a skin-conditioning substance. The skin-conditioning substance may be a compound or a mixture of compounds and is preferably hydrophobic, liquid or solid, and must be compatible with the other components of the composition. The skin-conditioning substance may be selected, for example, from: waxes, e.g., carnauba, spermaceti, beeswax, lanolin, their derivatives, and mixtures thereof; plant extracts, e.g., vegetable oils such as avocado, olive, palm, palm kernel, rapeseed, linseed, soy, peanut, coriander, castor, poppy, coconut, pumpkin seed, wheat germ, sesame, sunflower, almond, macadamia nut, apricot nut, hazelnut, jojoba, or rapeseed oil, chamomile, aloe vera, or even green tea or plankton extract, as well as mixtures thereof; higher fatty acids, e.g.Lauric, myristic, palmitic, stearic, behenic, oleic, linoleic, linolenic, or isostearic acids, as well as polyunsaturated fatty acids; higher fatty alcohols, e.g., lauryl, cetyl, stearyl, oleyl, or behenyl alcohol, and 2-hexadecanol; esters, e.g., cetyl octanoate, lauryl lactate, myristyl lactate, cetyl lactate, isopropyl myristate, myristyl myristate, isopropyl palmitate, isopropyl adipate, butyl stearate, decyl oleate, cholesterol isostearate, glyceryl monostearate, glyceryl distearate, glyceryl tristearate, alkyl lactate, alkyl citrate, or alkyl tartrate; hydrocarbons, e.g., paraffins, mineral oils, squalane, or squalene; fats; vitamins such as vitamins A, C, or E, or vitamin alkyl esters; phospholipids; Sunscreens, e.g. octyl methoxycinnamate and butyl methoxybenzoylmethane; silicone oils, e.g. linear or cyclic polydimethylsiloxanes, amino-, alkyl-, alkylaryl- or aryl-substituted silicone oils; and mixtures thereof.Skin care substances can be included in compositions according to the invention in amounts of up to about 5 wt.%, in particular from about 0.1 wt.% to about 4 wt.%, based on the total weight of the composition.

[0123] In preferred embodiments, the composition according to the invention can contain a perfume. Suitable perfume oils can contain individual fragrance substances, e.g., synthetic products of the ester, ether, aldehyde, ketone, alcohol, and hydrocarbon type. Ester-type fragrance substances include, for example, benzyl acetate, phenoxyethyl isobutyrate, p-tert-butylcyclohexyl acetate, linalyl acetate, dimethylbenzylcarbinyl acetate (DMBCA), phenylethyl acetate, benzyl acetate, ethylmethylphenylglycinate, allylcyclohexyl propionate, styralyl propionate, benzyl salicylate, cyclohexyl salicylate, floramate, melusate, and jasmecyclate. Ethers include, for example, benzyl ethyl ether and ambroxane; aldehydes include, for example, the linear alkanes with 8 to 18 carbon atoms, citral, citronellal, citronellyl oxyacetaldehyde, cyclamenaldehyde, lilial, and bourgeonal; ketones include, for example,The ionones, isomethyl ionone, and methylcedryl ketone; the alcohols include anethole, citronellol, eugenol, geraniol, linalool, phenylethyl alcohol, and terpineol; and the hydrocarbons include, for example, terpenes such as limonene and pinene. Preferably, however, mixtures of various fragrances are used, which together create an attractive scent in the resulting perfume oil. The perfume oils may also contain natural fragrance mixtures, such as those derived from plant sources, e.g., pine, citrus, jasmine, patchouli, rose, or ylang-ylang oil. Exemplary long-lasting fragrances can be selected from essential oils, e.g.,Angelica root, anise, arnica flower, basil, bay leaf, bergamot, champax flower, silver fir, silver fir cone, elemi, eucalyptus, fennel, pine needle, galbanum, geranium, ginger grass, guaiac wood, Indian wood, helichrysum, ho, ginger, iris, cajuput, sweet flag, chamomile, camphor, canoga, cardamom, cassia, Scottish fir, kopaiba balsam, coriander, spearmint, caraway, lavender, lemongrass, laudanum, lime, linden flower, mandarin, lemon balm, amber seed, mint, clary sage, myrrh, clove, neroli, niaouli, olibanum, orange, orange blossom Orange peel, oregano, palmarosa, patchouli, Peruvian balsam, petitgrain, pepper, peppermint, allspice, pine, rose, rosemary, sandalwood, celery seed, lavender thorn, Japanese anise, turpentine, thuja, thyme, verbena, vetiver, juniper berry, wormwood, wintergreen, ylang-ylang, hyssop, cinnamon, cinnamon leaf or cypress oil.Perfume oils can also be included in fragrance blends. Essential oils can be used as active ingredients to achieve an aromatherapy effect. An example of an essential oil is angelica (…). Angelica archangelica ) , Anise ( Pimpinella anisum ), Siam Benzoin ( Styrax tokinensis ), Cabreuva ( Myrocarpus fastigiatus ), Cajeput ( Melaleuca leucadendron ), Rockrose ( Cistus ladaniferus ), Copaiba balsam ( Copaifera reticulata ), Costicus root ( Saussurea discolor ), silver fir needle ( Abies alba ), Elemi ( Canarium luzonicum ), Fennel ( Foeniculum dulce ) , pine needle ( Picea abies ) , Pelargonium ( Pelargonium graveolens ), Ho leaves ( Cinnamomum camphora ), Immortal Strawflower, Helichrysum angustifolia, Ginger, Perforated St. John's Wort ( Hypericum perforatum ), Jojoba, German Chamomile ( Matricaria recutita ), blue chamomile oil ( Matricaria chamomilla ), Roman chamomile ( Anthemis nobilis ) , Wild chamomile ( Ormensis multicaulis ), carrot ( Daucus carota ), knee jaw ( Pinus mugho ), Lavender ( Lavandula hybrida ), Litsea cubeba (may chang), Manuca ( Leptospermum scoparium), balsam mint ( Melissa officinalis ), Jaw ( Pinus pinaster ) , Myrrh ( Commiphora molmol ), myrtle ( Myrtus communis ), Neem ( Azadirachta ) , Niaouli (mqv) melaleuca quin. viridiflora, Palmarosa ( Cymbopogom martini ) , Patchouli ( Pogostemon patchouli ), Peruvian balsam ( Myroxylon balsamum var. pereirae ), Raventsara aromatica, Rosewood ( Aniba rosae odora ) , Sage ( Salvia officinalis ) , Horsetail ( Equisetaceae ), yarrow ( Achillea millefolia ) , narrow-leaved plantain ( Plantago lanceolata ) , Styrax ( Liquidambar orientalis ) , Marigold ( Tagetes tagetes patula ) , Tea tree ( Melaleuca alternifolia ), Tolu balsam ( Myroxylon balsamum I. ), Virginia cedar ( Juniperus virginiana ), Frankincense (Olibanum) ( Boswellia carten ) and silver fir ( Abies alba ) . The amount of perfume in compositions according to the invention can be up to about 5 wt.%, in particular about about 0.01 wt.% to about 5 wt.%, preferably about 0.1 to about 4 wt.%, based on active substance and total weight of the composition.

[0124] In addition to the aforementioned components, compositions according to the invention may contain further ingredients. These include, for example, salts, additives for improving drainage and drying properties, for adjusting viscosity, for stabilization, as well as other auxiliary and additive substances commonly found in hand dishwashing detergents, such as UV stabilizers, perfume, pearlescent agents (e.g., glycol distearate, e.g., Cutina® AGS from Cognis, or mixtures containing it, e.g., Euperlane® from Cognis), dyes, corrosion inhibitors, preservatives (e.g., the technical grade 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol, also known as Bronopol, which is commercially available, for example, as Myacide® BT or Boots Bronopol BT from Boots), organic salts, disinfectants, enzymes, pH adjusters, and skin-feeling or conditioning additives (e.g.,dermatologically active substances such as vitamin A, vitamin B2, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin E, D-panthenol, sericerin, collagen partial hydrolysate, various vegetable protein partial hydrolysates, protein hydrolysate fatty acid condensates, liposomes, cholesterol, vegetable and animal oils, e.g. lecithin, soybean oil, etc., plant extracts, e.g. aloe vera, azulene, ham hock extracts, algae extracts, etc., allantoin, AHA complexes), which may be present in amounts of usually no more than 5% by weight.

[0125] Cleaning agent concentrates according to the invention have (undiluted) a pH value at 20°C in the range of about 4 to about 8, preferably about 4.5 to about 7.8, particularly preferably about 4 to about 5 or also particularly preferably about 7 to about 8, e.g., but not limited thereto, about 4, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9 or 5, or e.g. 7, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.4, 7.5, 7.6, 7.7 or 7.8.

[0126] To adjust the desired pH value, compositions according to the invention can contain system- and environmentally compatible acids, in particular citric acid, acetic acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid and / or adipic acid, but also mineral acids, in particular sulfuric acid or alkali hydrogen sulfates, or bases, in particular ammonium or alkali hydroxides, preferably sodium hydroxide. Such pH regulators are preferably present in compositions according to the invention in a concentration of not more than about 10% by weight, more preferably about 0.5 to about 6% by weight, and particularly preferably about 0.3 to about 2% by weight, based on the active substance and the total weight of the composition. In preferred embodiments, the pH value is adjusted by adding citric acid.

[0127] To adjust and / or stabilize the pH value, compositions according to the invention can further contain one or more buffer substances, typically in amounts of about 0.001 to about 5 wt.%, preferably about 0.005 to about 3 wt.%, more preferably about 0.01 to about 2 wt.%, more preferably about 0.05 to about 1 wt.%, and particularly preferably about 0.1 to about 0.5 wt.%, e.g., about 0.2 wt.%. Buffer substances that are also complexing agents or even chelating agents are preferred. Particularly preferred buffer substances are citric acid or citrate, especially sodium and potassium citrate, e.g., trisodium citrate dihydrate and tripotassium citrate dihydrate.

[0128] The viscosity of the composition according to the invention can be increased by thickening agents and / or decreased by solvents. In particularly preferred embodiments, compositions according to the invention are free of polymeric thickening agents.

[0129] In preferred embodiments, compositions according to the invention may contain preservatives and / or antimicrobial agents, preferably in an amount of about 0.01 to about 1 wt.%, more preferably about 0.02 to about 0.8 wt.%, further preferably about 0.05 to about 0.5 wt.%, particularly preferably about 0.1 to about 0.3 wt.%, and most preferably about 0.2 wt.%. The terms preservation, disinfection, sanitation, antimicrobial effect, and antimicrobial agent have, as used herein, their customary meanings. Suitable preservatives and / or antimicrobial agents may be selected from the groups of alcohols, aldehydes, antimicrobial acids, or other substances.whose salts, carboxylic acid esters, acid amides, phenols, phenol derivatives, diphenyls, diphenylalkanes, urea derivatives, oxygen and nitrogen acetals and formals, benzamidines, isothiazoles and their derivatives such as isothiazolines and isothiazolinones, phthalimide derivatives, pyridine derivatives, antimicrobial surfactants, guanidines, antimicrobial amphoteric compounds, quinolines, 1,2-dibromo-2,4-dicyanobutane, iodo-2-propynyl butylcarbamate, iodine, iodophores, active chlorine-releasing compounds and peroxides may be selected.Preferred preservatives and / or antimicrobial agents may be selected from the group comprising ethanol, n-propanol, i-propanol, 1,3-butanediol, phenoxyethanol, 1,2-propylene glycol, glycerin, undecylenic acid, citric acid, lactic acid, benzoic acid, salicylic acid, thymol, 2-benzyl-4-chlorophenol, 2,2'-methylene-bis-(6-bromo-4-chlorophenol), 2,4,4'-trichloro-2'-hydroxydiphenyl ether, N-(4-chlorophenyl)-N-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-urea, N,N'-(1,10-decandiyldi-1-pyridinyl-4-ylidene)-bis-(1-octanamine)-dihydrochloride, N,N'-Bis-(4-chlorophenyl)-3,12-diimino-2,4,11,13-tetraazatetradecanediimidamide, antimicrobial quaternary surfactants, guanidine, and sodium dichloroisocyanurate (DCI, 1,3-dichloro-5H-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-trione sodium salt) may be selected. Preferred antimicrobial quaternary surfactants contain an ammonium, sulfonium, phosphonium, iodonium, or arsonium group.Furthermore, antimicrobial essential oils can also be used, which simultaneously provide fragrance to the cleaning product. Particularly preferred preservatives and / or antimicrobial agents are selected from the group comprising salicylic acid, quaternary surfactants, especially benzalkonium chloride, peroxo compounds, especially hydrogen peroxide, alkali metal hypochlorite, sodium dichloroisocyanurate, and mixtures thereof.

[0130] In preferred embodiments, the composition according to the invention can contain one or more dyes. Both water-soluble and oil-soluble dyes can be used, whereby, on the one hand, compatibility with other ingredients must be considered, and on the other hand, the dye used should not have a substantial effect on the metal and ceramic, even after prolonged exposure. The dyes are preferably present in an amount of about 0.0001 to about 0.1 wt.%, more preferably about 0.0005 to about 0.05 wt.%, and particularly preferably about 0.001 to about 0.01 wt.%.

[0131] In preferred embodiments, compositions according to the invention may contain hydrolytic enzymes or other enzymes in a concentration suitable for the efficacy of the composition. Preferably used as enzymes are all enzymes that can exhibit catalytic activity in compositions according to the invention, in particular selected from proteases, lipases, amylases, cellulases, hemicellulases, mannanases, tannases, xylanases, xanthanases, xyloglucanases, β-glucosidases, pectinases, carrageenases, perhydrolases, oxidases, oxidoreductases, and mixtures thereof. Enzymes are advantageously contained in the composition in an amount of approximately 1 x 10⁻⁸ to approximately 5% by weight, based on the active protein and total weight of the composition. Increasingly preferred is each enzyme in an amount of about 1 x 10 -1 to about 3 wt.%, about 0.00001 to about 1 wt.%, about 0.00005 to about 0.5 wt.%, about 0.0001 to about 0.1 wt.% and particularly preferably about 0.0001 to about 0.05 wt.%.-% contained in the composition according to the invention, based on active protein and total weight of the composition. Enzymes particularly preferably exhibit synergistic cleaning performance against certain soiling or stains, i.e., the enzymes contained in the composition mutually support each other in their cleaning performance.

[0132] In preferred embodiments, cleaning agents according to the invention for hard surfaces, in particular for cleaning soiled dishes, are applied in the form of a foam either directly onto the surface to be cleaned or onto a sponge, a cloth, a brush or another, optionally moistened, cleaning aid.

[0133] Within the scope of the invention, cleaning performance is understood to mean the ability of a means to partially or completely remove existing soiling. Within the scope of the invention, both a cleaning agent concentrate or the diluted cleaning agent composition, as well as the cleaning solution formed by these means, each possess a cleaning performance. The cleaning performance can be determined by means of methods known to those skilled in the art.

[0134] The term cleaning solution refers to the working solution containing the cleaning agent that acts on the surfaces to be cleaned, particularly dishes, and thus comes into contact with the soiling present on the surfaces. The cleaning solution is typically created when the cleaning process begins and the cleaning agent is diluted with water, for example, in a suitable container, preferably a sink for manual dishwashing.

[0135] Preferred embodiments of the uses and means according to the invention achieve such advantageous cleaning performance even at low temperatures, in particular in a temperature range of about 10°C to about 30°C, preferably about 15°C to about 30°C, preferably about 18°C ​​to about 25°C, particularly preferably about 25°C, and most preferably about 20°C.

[0136] Preferred embodiments include all liquid, gel-like, or pasty dosage forms of the composition according to the invention, which may optionally consist of several phases and may be in compressed or uncompressed form, e.g., in the form of a non-aqueous cleaning agent or a non-aqueous paste, or in the form of an aqueous cleaning agent or a water-containing paste. Liquid compositions are generally preferred. Furthermore, the composition may be in the form of a single-component system. Such compositions consist of one phase. Alternatively, a composition may also consist of several phases. Such a composition is therefore divided into several components.

[0137] In preferred embodiments, concentrated agents according to the invention can be provided in pre-portioned form (e.g. bags, pouches).

[0138] In preferred embodiments, the concentrated agent according to the invention is encased in a water-soluble coating in pre-portioned form. The water-soluble coating is preferably formed from a water-soluble film material selected from the group consisting of polymers or polymer mixtures. The coating can be formed from one, two, or more layers of the water-soluble film material. The water-soluble film material of the first layer and any subsequent layers can be the same or different. It is preferred that the water-soluble coating contains polyvinyl alcohol or a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer. Alternatively or additionally, the water-soluble coating can also comprise a biopolymer. Suitable water-soluble coatings are commercially available from Monosol, Mitsubishi, Nippon Gohsei, Aicello Chemical Europe GmbH, or Kuraray.

[0139] In preferred embodiments, the concentrated liquid cleaning agent composition is in pre-portioned form, in particular in a pouch, wherein the concentrate in pre-portioned form is diluted with water, as described herein, to obtain a diluted liquid cleaning agent composition.

[0140] In preferred embodiments, the invention relates to a method for cleaning hard surfaces, in particular dishes, characterized in that a cleaning agent described herein is used in at least one process step, wherein the process is preferably carried out in a temperature range of about 20°C to about 30°C, preferably about 25°C, particularly preferably about 20°C.

[0141] Methods for cleaning surfaces are generally characterized by the fact that various cleaning-active substances are applied to the item to be cleaned in several process steps and washed off after the contact time, or that the item to be cleaned is treated in some other way with a substance or a solution or dilution of this substance.

[0142] All circumstances, objects, and embodiments described for means according to the invention are also applicable to these inventions. Therefore, explicit reference is made here to the disclosure at the relevant point, with the note that this disclosure also applies to the aforementioned use according to the invention.

[0143] In further preferred embodiments, the invention relates to the use of a composition according to the invention for cleaning hard surfaces, in particular for hand dishwashing.

[0144] In further preferred embodiments, the invention relates to the use of a composition according to the invention for producing a diluted cleaning agent composition for cleaning hard surfaces, preferably for producing a diluted hand dishwashing detergent composition.

[0145] All circumstances, objects, and embodiments described for means according to the invention are also applicable to these inventions. Therefore, explicit reference is made here to the disclosure at the relevant point, with the note that this disclosure also applies to the aforementioned use according to the invention. EXAMPLES Example 1: Method for producing a liquid concentrated hand dishwashing detergent composition

[0146] The quantities in the following examples were chosen such that the resulting hand dishwashing liquid composition includes: Active substance in wt.% in formula Water Ad 100 Ethanol 3-3,6 Total surfactant content 29,5-35,5 SLES 20,0-23,0 Betaine 3-6 Amine oxide 3-6 Sodium chloride 2,2-5,2 citric acid Preservatives, colorants, fragrances, enzymes Minors

[0147] The amount of citric acid varies depending on the desired pH value. In one version, a hand dishwashing liquid with a pH value of 4-5 was produced. In another version, a hand dishwashing liquid with a pH value of 7-8 was produced. Inventive example

[0148] The following substances were added to a stirred tank in the order given and mixed together: 1. Water 2. Preservative 3. Amine oxide 4. Ethanol 5. Sodium chloride 6. Betaine 7. Citric acid

[0149] This mixture was stirred for 10 minutes at room temperature.

[0150] After that, 8. SLES was added over a period of 50-70 minutes, and the mixture was stirred for 30 minutes at room temperature. With an SLES content of 20-23 wt.% active substance, this results in a raw material dosage of 0.41-0.66 wt.% per minute.

[0151] The following substances were then added and mixed in the order given: 9. Dye 10. Perfume 11. Citric acid 12. Enzymes

[0152] The resulting hand dishwashing liquid was clear and had a homogeneous appearance.

[0153] To demonstrate the inventive effect of the aforementioned advantages, the following comparative examples were carried out: Comparative example 1

[0154] The following substances were added to a stirred tank in the order given and mixed together: 1. Water 2. Preservative 3. Amine oxide 4. Ethanol 5. Sodium chloride 6. Betaine

[0155] This mixture was stirred for 10 minutes at room temperature.

[0156] After that, 7. SLES was added over a period of 50-70 minutes and the mixture was stirred for 30 minutes at room temperature (corresponding to a dosage rate of 0.41-0.66 wt% per minute).

[0157] The following substances were then added and mixed in the order given: 8. Dye 9. Perfume 10. Citric acid 11. Enzymes

[0158] In the resulting hand dishwashing detergent composition, the anionic surfactant was not sufficiently dissolved and the composition showed an inhomogeneous appearance. Comparative example 2

[0159] The following substances were added to a stirred tank in the order given and mixed together: 1. Water 2. Preservative 3. Amine oxide 4. Ethanol 5. Sodium chloride 6. Betaine 7. Citric acid

[0160] This mixture was stirred for 10 minutes at room temperature.

[0161] After that, 8. SLES was added at a dosage rate of 2 wt% per minute and the mixture was stirred for 10 minutes at room temperature.

[0162] The following substances were then added and mixed in the order given: 9. Dye 10. Perfume 11. Citric acid 12. Enzymes

[0163] In the resulting hand dishwashing detergent composition, the anionic surfactant was not sufficiently dissolved and the composition showed an inhomogeneous appearance.

Claims

1. A method for producing a liquid detergent composition, preferably a liquid concentrated hand dishwashing detergent composition, wherein the composition comprises at least a first and at least a second surfactant, comprising the steps: a) providing a mixture of (i) water, (ii) optionally a preservative, (iii) optionally a third surfactant, wherein the third surfactant is selected from the group consisting of amine oxides, (iv) an organic solvent, (v) a salt, (vi) the first surfactant, wherein the first surfactant is selected from the group consisting of betaines, and (vii) citric acid; b) stirring the mixture from step a); c) adding the second surfactant to the mixture from step b), wherein the second surfactant is selected from the group consisting of fatty alcohol ether sulfates; d) stirring the mixture from step c).and e) optionally adding (viii) colouring and / or (ix) perfume and / or (x) citric acid and / or (xi) enzymes.; 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the addition of substances (i) to (vii) in step a) is carried out in the specified order.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the stirring of the mixture in step b) is carried out for about 10 minutes at room temperature.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the addition of the second surfactant in step c) is carried out at a dosage rate of 0.4 to 0.7 wt.% per minute, preferably 0.45 to 0.55 wt.% per minute.

5. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the stirring of the mixture in step d) is carried out for about 30 minutes at room temperature.

6. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the addition of substances (viii) to (xi) in step e) is carried out in the specified order.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises adjusting the pH value of the cleaning agent composition by adding citric acid, such that the pH value of the cleaning agent composition is about 4 to about 8, preferably about 4.5 to about 7.

8.

8. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first surfactant is selected from the group of betaines consisting of alkyl betaines, alkylamido betaines, imidazolinium betaines, sulfobetaines, phosphobetaines and mixtures thereof, preferably cocamidopropyl betaine.

9. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second surfactant is selected from Na C 12-14 -Fatty alcohol ether sulfate (1-4 EO), preferably Na C 12-14 -Fatty alcohol ether sulfate (1-2 EO), preferably sodium lauryl ether sulfate.

10. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the third surfactant is selected from the group of amine oxides consisting of cocamidopropylamine oxide, N-cocosalkyl-N,N-dimethylamine oxide, N-tallowalkyl-N,N-dihydroxyethylamine oxide, myristylcetyldimethylamine oxide, lauryldimethylamine oxide and mixtures thereof.

11. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the salt is selected from the group consisting of sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, sodium formate, sodium acetate, sodium propionate, sodium lactate, potassium chloride, potassium sulfate, potassium formate, potassium acetate, potassium propionate, potassium lactate, magnesium chloride, magnesium sulfate, magnesium formate, magnesium acetate, magnesium propionate, magnesium lactate, calcium chloride, calcium sulfate, calcium formate, calcium acetate, calcium propionate, calcium lactate and mixtures thereof, in particular NaCl, KCl, MgCl, MgSO4 and mixtures thereof, preferably NaCl, KCl and mixtures thereof.

12. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, ethylene glycol, butyl glycol, propylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, alcoholamine, in particular monoethanolamine, glycerol and mixtures thereof, preferably ethanol.

13. Liquid cleaning agent composition, preferably hand dishwashing detergent concentrate, comprising, based on active substance and total weight of the composition, at least one first surfactant, wherein the first surfactant is selected from the group consisting of betaines, preferably from the group consisting of alkyl betaines, alkylamido betaines, imidazolinium betaines, sulfobetaines, phosphobetaines and mixtures thereof, preferably cocamidopropyl betaine, in an amount of about 1 to about 15 wt.%, preferably about 2 to about 12 wt.%, further preferably about 5 to about 11 wt.%, particularly preferably about 7.5 to about 10 wt.%, and at least one second surfactant, wherein the second surfactant is selected from Na₂C₆. 12-14 -Fatty alcohol ether sulfate (1-4 EO), preferably Na C 12-14-Fatty alcohol ether sulfate (1-2 EO), preferably sodium lauryl ether sulfate, in an amount of about 7 to about 50 wt.%, preferably about 10 to about 40 wt.%, further preferably about 15 to about 30 wt.%, particularly preferably about 20 to about 23 wt.%, at least a third surfactant, wherein the third surfactant is selected from the group consisting of amine oxides, preferably from the group consisting of cocamidopropylamine oxide, N-cocosalkyl-N,N-dimethylamine oxide, N-tallowalkyl-N,N-dihydroxyethylamine oxide, myristylcetyldimethylamine oxide, lauryldimethylamine oxide and mixtures thereof, in an amount of about 1 to about 15 wt.%, preferably about 2 to about 10 wt.%, further preferably about 2.5 to about 7.5 wt.%, particularly preferably about 3 to about 6 wt.%.-%, at least one solvent, wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, ethylene glycol, butyl glycol, propylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, alcoholamine, monoethanolamine, glycerol and mixtures thereof, preferably ethanol, in an amount of 0.01 to about 10 wt.%, more preferably about 0.5 to about 7.5 wt.%, further preferably about 1 to about 5 wt.%, particularly preferably about 2.5 to about 4 wt.%, citric acid in an amount of about 0.001 to about 10 wt.%, more preferably about 0.01 to about 6 wt.%, more preferably about 0.05 to about 4 wt.%, particularly preferably about 0.1 to about 2 wt.%, wherein the salt concentration in the composition is about 0.2 to about 10 wt.%, more preferably about 1 to about 7.5 wt.%, more preferably about 1.5 to about 6 wt.%, particularly preferably about 2 to approximately 5.5 kg.-% and wherein the salt is selected from the group consisting of sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, sodium formate, sodium acetate, sodium propionate, sodium lactate, potassium chloride, potassium sulfate, potassium formate, potassium acetate, potassium propionate, potassium lactate, magnesium chloride, magnesium sulfate, magnesium formate, magnesium acetate, magnesium propionate, magnesium lactate, calcium chloride, calcium sulfate, calcium formate, calcium acetate, calcium propionate, calcium lactate and mixtures thereof, in particular NaCl, KCl, MgCl, MgSO4 and mixtures thereof, preferably NaCl, KCl and mixtures thereof.

14. Use of a composition according to claim 13 or a composition produced according to a method of claims 1 to 12 for cleaning hard surfaces, in particular for hand dishwashing.

15. Use of a composition according to claim 13 or a composition produced according to a method of claims 1 to 12 for producing a diluted cleaning agent composition for cleaning hard surfaces, preferably for producing a diluted hand dishwashing detergent composition.

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