A home care composition comprising dehydroacetic acid

Abstract

The present invention relates to a home care composition comprising dehydroacetic acid, a surfactant and an organic acid or its salt comprising citric acid or its salt.

Description

A home care composition comprising dehydroacetic acidField of the inventionThe present invention relates to a home care composition comprising dehydroacetic acid (DHA).Background of the inventionThere are several instances where consumers, in their day-to-day activities e.g. laundry and household cleaning, make use of home care compositions. For example, with a desire of taking care of their fabrics, they often tend to make use of home care compositions e.g. fabric washing compositions, fabric conditioning compositions while doing the laundry. Likewise, for upkeep of their surroundings, they tend to make use of home care compositions e.g. hard surface cleaning compositions, during household cleaning activities. Household cleaning includes cleaning of hard surfaces e.g. utensils, dishes, sinks, platforms, kitchen tops, tiles, floors, toilets, cupboards, doors, machines like dishwash machines, washing machines.Typically, a surface e.g. a fabric and a hard surface, is cleaned by applying a home care composition in neat or diluted form often followed by cleaning the surface with cleaning means, optionally rinsing the surface; and drying the surface. A surface may be cleaned by using suitable means like e.g. a brush, a scrub, a sponge, a paper, a cloth, wipes, using hands and using a cleaning machine e.g. washing machine. The step of rinsing, if carried out, may typically be carried out one or more times by rinsing the surface with water; and the step of drying may be carried out by using machines or by simply exposing the surface to air. For example, laundering involves cleaning a fabric by applying a fabric washing composition in neat or diluted form, rinsing the fabric with water and drying it by exposing it to air. Additionally, for example, hard surfaces such as toilets and floors, are typically cleaned by applying on to them, a hard surface cleaning composition in neat or diluted form followed by cleaning the hard surface with a suitable means, either immediately or after certain time; and optionally, but typically, followed by rinsing the hard surface with water. At times, hard surfaces may also be cleaned just by applying a composition to the surface and leaving it there.US2019055498 discloses a natural laundry detergent, including an emulsifier in an amount of from about 20 percent to about 40 percent by weight of the composition, anatural surfactant in an amount of from about 3.0 percent to about 23 percent by weight of the composition, water in an amount of less than about 60 percent by weight of the composition, a saponified oil in an amount of from about 0.50 percent to about 10.5 percent by weight of the composition, an organic chelating agent in an amount of from about 0.10 percent to about 2.5 percent by weight of the composition, one or more preservative in an amount of from about 0.10 percent to about 2.0 percent by weight of the composition, and a polymeric thickening component in an amount of from about 0.05 percent to about 1.0 percent by weight of the composition.WO 2002 / 097020 discloses a bactericidal liquid detergent composition comprising; a) from 1 percent to 50 percent, by weight of the total composition, of one or more surfactants selected from any of the following surfactant types: anionic, non-ionic, cationic and amphoteric; b) 0.01 percent to 5 percent, by weight of the total composition, of at least one nonionic, non-phenolic antimicrobial agent selected from the following groups; benzoic acid, sorbic acid, trimethyl dodecatrienol (commonly known as 'farnesol'), dehydroacetic acid and salts thereof; c) from 0 percent to 10 percent, by weight of the total composition, of at least one aromatic sulphonate hydrotrope selected from the group consisting of: benzene sulphonate, cumene sulphonate, xylene sulphonate and toluene sulphonate; d) from 0 percent to 20 percent, by weight of the total composition, of a water soluble hydroxyl containing solvent, selected from monohydric alcohols, polyhydric alcohols and glycol ethers of the general formula R-(0-R1)n - OH (wherein R and R1 are alkyl groups, which may be the same or different, containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms and n is an integer from 1 to 3); and e) water. The sum total of components 'c' and 'd' is present in the range from 0.5 percent to 30 percent by weight of the total composition.DHA is an effective agent but exhibits yellowing when used in liquid home care compositions e.g. liquid laundry compositions and liquid dishwash compositions. This yellowing leads to undesirable product aesthetics and so ways of reducing this yellowing are highly desired.Despite the prior art, there remains a need for improved systems for liquid home care compositions particularly, for liquid home care compositions comprising DHA and which exhibit reduced yellowing.Accordingly, and in a first aspect there is provided a liquid home care composition comprising dehydroacetic acid, an anionic surfactant and an organic acid or its salt comprising citric acid or its salt. It has been found that the home care composition exhibits reduced yellowing.Summary of the inventionIn a first aspect, the present invention relates to a liquid home care composition comprisinga) from 0.001 to 2 wt% dehydroacetic acid,b) from 3 to 30 wt% anionic surfactant; andc) from 0.2 to 5 wt% organic acid or its salt comprising citric acid or its salt.Detailed description of the inventionAny feature of one aspect of the present invention may be utilized in any other aspect of the invention. The word “comprising” is intended to mean “including” but not necessarily “consisting of’ or “composed of.” In other words, the listed steps or options need not be exhaustive. Except in the operating and comparative examples, or where otherwise explicitly indicated, all numbers in this description indicating amounts of material or conditions of reaction, physical properties of materials and / or use are to be understood as modified by the word “about”. Numerical ranges expressed in the format "from x to y" are understood to include x and y. When for a specific feature multiple preferred ranges are described in the format "x to y", it is understood that all ranges combining the different endpoints are also contemplated. Unless specified otherwise, amounts as used herein are expressed in percentage by weight based on total weight of the composition and is abbreviated as “wt%”. The use of any and all examples or exemplary language e.g. “such as” provided herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not in any way limit the scope of the invention otherwise claimed.In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a liquid home care composition (the composition) comprising dehydroacetic acid, an anionic surfactant and an organic acid or its salt comprising citric acid or its salt.Preferably, home care composition means a composition suitable for upkeep of home and surroundings including fabric care through liquid laundry composition; and upkeep of surroundings which includes surfaces e.g. utensils, dishes through liquid dishwash compositions e.g. hand dishwash compositions.Dehydroacetic acidThe composition comprises from 0.001 to 2 wt%, preferably from 0.005 to 1.5 wt%, more preferably from 0.01 to 1 wt%, even more preferably from 0.05 to 1 wt%, further more preferably from 0.1 to 0.5 wt%, still more preferably from 0.2 to 0.5 wt%, yet more preferably from 0.2 to 0.4 wt% and still further more preferably from 0.2 to 0.3 wt% dehydroacetic acid.Anionic surfactantThe composition comprises an anionic surfactant from 3 to 30 wt%, preferably from 4 to 27 wt%, more preferably from 5 to 25 wt%, even more preferably from 7 to 23 wt%, further more preferably from 9 to 21 wt%, yet more preferably from 12 to 18 wt%, still further more preferably from 12 to 16 wt%, yet further more preferably 12 to 15 wt%, of a surfactant.Preferably, an anionic surfactant is selected from linear alkyl benzene sulfonate (LAS), alkoxylated primary alcohol sulfate, non-alkoxylated primary alcohol sulfate, olefin sulfonate, ester sulfonate and secondary alcohol sulfate.It is particularly preferred that anionic surfactant that may be used in the composition is LAS having alkyl chain containing from 8 to 20 carbon atoms. Generally, the counter ion for anionic surfactants is an alkali metal, typically sodium, although instead of alkali metals, other amine based counter ions can also be present. A preferred LAS that may be used as an anionic surfactant in the composition is sodium salt of linear alkyl benzene sulfonates (Na-LAS) having an alkyl chain length of 8 to 15, more preferably 12 to 14 carbon atoms.Alternatively, the anionic surfactant is an alkoxylated primary alcohol sulfate. It is generally represented by the formula RO(C2H40)XSC>3 M+ where R is an alkyl chain having from 10 to 22 carbon atoms, saturated or unsaturated, M is a cation which makes the compound water-soluble, especially an alkali metal, ammonium or substituted ammonium cation, and x averages from 1 to 15. Preferably, R is an alkyl chain having from 12 to 16 carbon atoms, M is sodium and x averages from 1 to 9,preferably x is 1 to 7. An example of alkoxylated primary alcohol sulfate is sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES). A preferred alkoxylated primary alcohol sulfate that may be used as anionic surfactant in the composition is SLES having an average of 1 to 5 moles of ethylene oxide (EO) units per mole, more preferably having 1 to 3 EO units per mole.Alternatively, anionic surfactant is a non-alkoxylated primary alcohol sulfate. A preferred example of non-alkoxylated primary alcohol sulfates that may be used as anionic surfactant in the composition is sodium lauryl sulfate.Alternatively, anionic surfactant are water-soluble alkali metal salts of organic sulfates having alkyl radicals containing from 8 to 22 carbon atoms, the term alkyl being used to include the alkyl portion of higher acyl radicals. Examples include sodium and potassium alkyl sulfates, especially those obtained by sulfating higher C8 to C18 alcohols, produced for example from tallow or coconut oil, sodium alkyl glyceryl ether sulfates, especially those ethers of the higher alcohols derived from tallow or coconut oil and synthetic alcohols derived from petroleum, ester sulfonates and the alpha-olefin sulfonates.Mixtures of any of the above described anionic surfactants may also be used.Amphoteric surfactantPreferably, the composition further comprises an amphoteric surfactant. Preferably, an amphoteric surfactants is selected from include alkyl amine oxides, alkyl betaines, alkyl amidopropyl betaines, alkyl sulfobetaines (sultaines), alkyl glycinates, alkyl carboxyglycinates, alkyl amphoacetates, alkyl amphopropionates, alkylamphoglycinates, alkyl amidopropyl hydroxysultaines, acyl taurates and acyl glutamates, having alkyl radicals containing from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms, the term “alkyl” being used to include the alkyl portion of higher acyl radicals. More preferably, an amphoteric surfactant selected from alkyl amidopropyl betaines, even more preferably cocoamidopropyl betaine. Amphoteric surfactant, when included, may be present in an amount ranging preferably from 0.1 to 5 wt%, more preferably from 0.1 to 4 wt%, even more preferably from 1 to 3 wt%. Mixtures of any of the above described materials may also be used.Cationic surfactantPreferably, the composition further comprises a cationic surfactant. Examples of suitable cationic surfactant include quaternary ammonium salts where the ammonium salt has the general formula: RI R2RSR4N+ X , wherein Ri is a C12-C18 alkyl group, each of R2, R3 and R4 independently is a C1-C3 alkyl group and X is an inorganic anion. Ri is preferably a straight chain alkyl group containing from 14 to 16 carbon atoms, more preferably 16 carbon atoms. R2-R4 are preferably methyl groups. The inorganic anion is preferably chosen from halide, sulfate, bisulfate or OH . Thus, for the purposes of this invention, a quaternary ammonium hydroxide is considered to be a quaternary ammonium salt. More preferably the anion is a halide ion or sulfate, most preferably a chloride, bromide or sulfate. A particular example of cationic surfactant is cetyl trimethylammonium bromide.Another type of quaternary ammonium cationic surfactant is the class of benzalkonium halides, also known as alkyldimethylbenzylammonium halides. The most common and preferred cationic surfactant that may be used in the composition is benzalkonium chloride, also known as alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride (ADBAC). A preferred class of bezalkonium chlorides is given in the formula below.Cationic surfactant, when included, may be present in an amount ranging preferably from 0.1 to 5 wt%, more preferably from 0.1 to 4 wt%, even more preferably from 1 to 3 wt%.Organic acid or its saltsThe composition comprises an organic acid or its salts comprising citric acid or its salt. Preferably, the organic acid or its salt may further comprise succinic acid, malic acid, lactic acid, tartaric acid, hexanoic acid, cyclohexanoic acid, heptanoic acid, octanoic acid, 4-methyl octanoic acid, nonanoic acid, decanoic acid, benzoic acid, 4-methoxy benzoic acid and mixtures thereof. Examples of salts of organic acid include corresponding salts of these organic acids that are formed preferably with sodium and potassium, more preferably with sodium, e.g. trisodium citrate. More preferably, organic acid or its salt may further comprise maleic acid or its salt. Even more preferably, the organic acid or its salt is selected from citric acid or its salt e.g. trisodium citrate.Preferably, the composition does not comprise silver dihydrogen citrate.The composition comprises an organic acid or its salts comprising citric acid or its salt from 0.2 to 5 wt%, preferably from 0.3 to 4 wt%, more preferably from 0.4 to 3 wt%, even more preferably from 0.5 to 3 wt%, further more preferably from 1 to 2 wt%.Adding organic acid or its salt e.g. citric acid or its salts, in increasing amounts, may influence physical parameters of the composition e.g. viscosity of the composition. However, in such case, viscosity modifying agents e.g. glycols, may be incorporated in the composition.WaterPreferably, the composition further comprises water in an amount ranging from 5 to 99 wt%, more preferably from 10 to 90 wt%, even more preferably from 15 to 80 wt%, further more preferably from 20 to 70 wt%, still more preferably from 30 to 65 wt%, yet more preferably from 35 to 60 wt%, yet further more preferably from 40 to 55 wt%.SequestrantPreferably, the composition further comprises one or more sequestrants. Preferably, the composition comprises sequestrant may be present in an amount from 0.1 to 5 wt%, more preferably from 0.25 to 4 wt%, even more preferably from 0.5 to 2.5 wt%.A preferred sequestrant is a phosphonic acid or a salt thereof. The phosphonic acid (or salt thereof) sequestrant is preferably selected from the group consisting of 1 -Hydroxyethylidene-1,1 -diphosphonic acid (HEDP; commercially available as Dequest(R) 2010), Diethylenetriaminepenta(methylenephosphonic acid) (DTPMP; commercially available as Dequest(R) 2066), Hexamethylenediaminetetra(methylenephosphonic acid) (HDTMP), Aminotris(methylenephosphonic acid) (ATMP), Ethylenediaminetetra(methylenephosphonic acid) (EDTMP), Tetramethylenediaminetetra(methylenephosphonic acid) (TDTMP); and Phosphonobutanetricarboxylic acid (PBTC).The most preferred sequestrant is 1 -Hydroxyethylidene-1,1 - diphosphonic acid (HEDP). It is preferable that the sequestrant is added to the formulation in acid form.HydrotropePreferably, the composition further comprises hydrotrope. Hydrotropes are known to improve solubility of surfactants in water.Preferably, the composition comprises from 0.01 to 1 wt%, preferably from 0.05 to 0.8 wt%, more preferably from 0.1 to 0.6 wt%, even more preferably from 0.2 to 0.4 wt% of hydrotrope.Suitable hydrotrope which may be used include sulfonate compounds, glycols, alcohols, polyethers and mixtures thereof.Suitable sulfonate compounds include alkali metal sulfonates attached to benzene backbone or diphenyl oxide backbone that has linear or branched alkyl chain that comprises 1 to 5 carbon atoms. In the chemical structure shown below, when R or (R1 + R2) is made up of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, then sulfonate compound functions as hydrotrope.Examples of sulfonate compounds that function as hydrotrope include alkyl xylene sulfonate, alkyl cumene sulfonate and alkyl toluene sulfonate. Particular examples of sulfonate compounds that function as hydrotrope are sodium xylene sulfonate (SXS), sodium cumene sulfonate (SCS) and sodium toluene sulfonate (STS). A preferred sulfonate compound that may be used as hydrotrope in the composition is any one of SXS, SCS and STS.Examples of suitable glycols which may be used as hydrotropes include polyethylene glycol-200, polyethylene glycol-400, monopropyl glycol. A preferred glycol that may be used as hydrotrope is polyethylene glycol-200. Examples of suitable alcohol which may be used as hydrotropes include ethanol and propanol. A preferred alcohol that may be used as hydrotrope is ethanol.Examples of suitable polyether which may be used as hydrotropes include ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monopropyl ether , ethylene glycol monoisopropyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether , ethylene glycol monophenyl ether, ethylene glycol monobenzyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, ethylene glycol dimethyl ether, ethylene glycol diethyl ether, ethylene glycol dibutyl ether. A preferred polyether that may be used as hydrotrope is ethylene glycol monomethyl ether.EnzymesOptionally, the composition further comprises an enzyme with or without a suitable enzyme stabilizer. Preferably the composition further comprises an effective amount of at least one enzyme with or without a suitable enzyme stabilizer. Examples of suitable enzymes include pectate lyase, protease, amylase, cellulase, lipase, mannanase; with or without an appropriate stabilizing agent.Preferably, viscosity of the composition may suitably range from about 200 to about 10,000 mPa.s at 25°C at a shear rate of 21 sec1. This shear rate is the shear rate that is usually exerted on the liquid when poured from a bottle. Pourable liquid home care compositions generally have a viscosity of from 200 to 1,500 mPa.s, preferably from 100 to 800 mPa.s.Preferably, the composition does not comprise isothiazolinone compounds. Such compounds include Methylisothiazolinone (MIT), Chloromethylisothiazolinone (CMIT), Benzisothiazolinone (BIT), Octylisothiazolinone (OIT), Dichlorooctylisothiazolinone (DCOIT) and Butylbenzisothiazolinone (BBIT).Preferably, the composition does not comprise a fatty alcohol ethoxylate surfactant. Preferably, the composition comprises from 0 to 0.1 wt% fatty alcohol ethoxylate.pH of the compositionThe composition has pH in the range from 2.0 to 8.0, preferably from 2.5 to 7.5, more preferably from 3.0 to 7.0, even more preferably from 3.5 to 7.0, further more preferably from 4.0 to 7.5, still more preferably from 4.5 to 7.5, yet more preferably from 5.0 to 7.5, still further more preferably from 5.5 to 7.5 and yet further more preferably from 6.0 to 6.5.The pH of the composition may be adjusted using suitable pH adjusting agents e.g. hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide.Accordingly, the composition is preferably a liquid laundry composition comprising: a) from 0.001 to 2 wt% dehydroacetic acid,b) from 3 to 30 wt% anionic surfactant; andc) from 0.2 to 5 wt% organic acid or its salt comprising citric acid or its salt, wherein pH of the composition is in the range from 2 to 8.Accordingly, the composition is preferably a liquid dishwash composition comprising:a) from 0.001 to 2 wt% dehydroacetic acid,b) from 3 to 30 wt% anionic surfactant; andc) from 0.2 to 5 wt% organic acid or its salt comprising citric acid or its salt, wherein pH of the composition is in the range from 2 to 8.Aromatic alcoholOptionally, the composition further comprises aromatic alcohol selected from aryl alcohol, aryloxy alcohol and mixtures thereof. Suitable examples of aryloxy alcohol include phenoxyethanol and phenoxypropanol.If used in the composition an aromatic alcohol is preferably used in an amount ranging from 0.001 to 5 wt%, more preferably from 0.005 to 4 wt%, even more preferably from 0.01 to 3 wt%, further more preferably from 0.05 to 2 wt%, still more preferably from 0.1 to 1 wt%.PolymersThe composition may further comprise one or more polymers. Preferably, polymers can be cationic, anionic, amphoteric or nonionic types with molecular weights higher than 100,000 Dalton. They are known to increase the viscosity and stability of liquid compositions, to enhance in-use and after-use skin sensory feels, and to enhance lather creaminess and lather stability.Examples of polymers include polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylic acid, silane, siloxane and mixtures thereof.If present, polymers may be present in the composition in an amount ranging preferably from 0.001 to 10 wt%, more preferably from 0.005 to 9 wt%, even more preferably from 0.01 to 8 wt%, further more preferably from 0.05 to 7 wt%, still more preferably from 0.1 to 6 wt%, yet more preferably from 0.5 to 5 wt%, even further more preferably from 1 to 4 wt%, still further more preferably from 1 to 3 wt%.Soil release polymerSoil release polymers (SRPs) help to improve the detachment of soils from fabric by modifying the fabric surface during washing. The adsorption of a SRP over the fabric surface is promoted by an affinity between the chemical structure of the SRP and the target fibre.SRPs that may be used in the invention may include a variety of charged (e.g. anionic) as well as non-charged monomer units and structures may be linear, branched or star shaped. The SRP structure may also include capping groups to control molecular weight or to alter polymer properties such as surface activity. The weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the SRP may suitably range from about 1000 to about 20,000 and preferably ranges from about 1500 to about 10,000.SRPs for use in the invention may suitably be selected from copolyesters of dicarboxylic acids (for example adipic acid, phthalic acid or terephthalic acid), diols (for example ethylene glycol or propylene glycol) and polydiols (for example polyethylene glycol or polypropylene glycol). The copolyester may also include monomeric units substituted with anionic groups, such as for example sulfonated isophthaloyl units. Examples of such materials include oligomeric esters produced by transesterification / oligomerization of poly(ethyleneglycol) methyl ether, dimethyl terephthalate (“DMT”), propylene glycol (“PG”) and poly(ethyleneglycol) (“PEG”); partly-and fully-anionic-end-capped oligomeric esters such as oligomers from ethylene glycol (“EG”), PG, DMT and Na-3,6-dioxa-8-hydroxyoctanesulfonate; nonionic-capped block polyester oligomeric compounds such as those produced from DMT, Me-capped PEG and EG and / or PG, or a combination of DMT, EG and / or PG, Me-capped PEG and Na-dimethyl-5-sulfoisophthalate, and copolymeric blocks of ethylene terephthalate or propylene terephthalate with polyethylene oxide or polypropylene oxide terephthalate.Other types of SRP for use in the invention include cellulosic derivatives such as hydroxyether cellulosic polymers, Ci-C4alkylcelluloses and C4 hydroxyalkyl celluloses; polymers with poly(vinyl ester) hydrophobic segments such as graft copolymers of poly(vinyl ester), for example C1-C6 vinyl esters (such as poly(vinyl acetate)) grafted onto polyalkylene oxide backbones; poly(vinyl caprolactam) and related co-polymers with monomers such as vinyl pyrrolidone and / or dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate; and polyester-polyamide polymers prepared by condensing adipic acid, caprolactam, and polyethylene glycol.Preferred SRPs for use in the invention include copolyesters formed by condensation of terephthalic acid ester and diol, preferably 1,2 propanediol, and further comprising an end cap formed from repeat units of alkylene oxide capped with an alkyl group. Examples of such materials have a structure corresponding to general formula (I):in which R1 and R2 independently of one another are X-(OC2H4)n-(OC3H6)m ;in which X is C1-4 alkyl and preferably methyl;n is a number from 12 to 120, preferably from 40 to 50;m is a number from 1 to 10, preferably from 1 to 7; anda is a number from 4 to 9.Because they are averages, m, n and a are not necessarily whole numbers for the polymer in bulk.Mixtures of any of the above described materials may also be used.The overall level of SRP, when included, may range from 0.1 to 10%, depending on the level of polymer intended for use in the final diluted composition and which is desirably from 0.3 to 7%, more preferably from 0.5 to 5% (by weight based on the total weight of the diluted composition).Suitable soil release polymers are described in greater detail in U. S. Patent Nos. 5,574,179; 4,956,447; 4,861,512; 4,702,857, WO 2007 / 079850 and W02016 / 005271.If employed, soil release polymers will typically be incorporated into the liquid homecare compositions herein in an amount ranging from 0.01 wt% to 10 wt%, more preferably from 0.1 wt% to 5 wt%.Polymeric cleaning boostersIn addition to the soil release polymers of the invention described above, a composition of the invention may further contain one or more additional polymeric cleaning boosters such as anti-redeposition polymers.Anti-redeposition polymers stabilize the soil in the wash solution thus preventing redeposition of the soil. Suitable soil release polymers for use in the invention include alkoxylated polyethyleneimines. Polyethyleneimines are materials composed of ethylene imine units -CH2CH2NH- and, where branched, the hydrogen on the nitrogen is replaced by another chain of ethylene imine units. Preferred alkoxylated polyethyleneimines for use in the invention have a polyethyleneimine backbone of about 300 to about 10000 weight average molecular weight (Mw). The polyethyleneimine backbone may be linear or branched. It may be branched to the extent that it is a dendrimer. The alkoxylation may typically be ethoxylation or propoxylation, or a mixture of both. Where a nitrogen atom is alkoxylated, a preferred average degree of alkoxylation is from 10 to 30, preferably from 15 to 25 alkoxy groups per modification. A preferred material is ethoxylated polyethyleneimine, with an average degree of ethoxylation being from 10 to 30, preferably from 15 to 25 ethoxy groups per ethoxylated nitrogen atom in the polyethyleneimine backbone.Mixtures of any of the above described materials may also be used.When included, a composition of the invention may comprise preferably from 0.025 to 8 wt%, more preferably from 0.5 to 6 wt% (by weight based on the total weight of the diluted composition) of one or more anti-redeposition polymers such as the alkoxylated polyethyleneimines which are described above.Polymeric thickenersA composition of the invention may further comprise one or more polymeric thickeners. Suitable polymeric thickeners for use in the invention include hydrophobically modified alkali swellable emulsion (HASE) copolymers. Exemplary HASE copolymers for use inthe invention include linear or crosslinked copolymers that are prepared by the addition polymerization of a monomer mixture including at least one acidic vinyl monomer, such as (meth)acrylic acid (i.e. methacrylic acid and / or acrylic acid); and at least one associative monomer. The term “associative monomer” in the context of this invention denotes a monomer having an ethylenically unsaturated section (for addition polymerization with the other monomers in the mixture) and a hydrophobic section. A preferred type of associative monomer includes a polyoxyalkylene section between the ethylenically unsaturated section and the hydrophobic section. Preferred HASE copolymers for use in the invention include linear or crosslinked copolymers that are prepared by the addition polymerization of (meth)acrylic acid with (i) at least one associative monomer selected from linear or branched C8-C40 alkyl (preferably linear C12-C22 alkyl) polyethoxylated (meth)acrylates; and (ii) at least one further monomer selected from C1-C4 alkyl (meth) acrylates, polyacidic vinyl monomers (such as maleic acid, maleic anhydride and / or salts thereof) and mixtures thereof. The polyethoxylated portion of the associative monomer (i) generally comprises about 5 to about 100, preferably about 10 to about 80, and more preferably about 15 to about 60 oxyethylene repeating units.Mixtures of any of the above described materials may also be used.When included, a composition of the invention may further comprise from 0.01 to 5% wt., more preferably from 0.1 to 3 wt% polymeric thickeners.Fluorescent agentsThe composition may further comprise a fluorescer. Usually, these fluorescent agents are supplied and used in the form of their alkali metal salts, for example, the sodium salts. The total amount of the fluorescent agent or agents used in the composition is preferably from 0.005 to 2 wt %, more preferably 0.01 to 0.5 wt % the composition.Preferred classes of fluorescer are: Di-styryl biphenyl compounds, e.g. Tinopal (Trade Mark) CBS-X, Di-amine stilbene di-sulphonic acid compounds, e.g. Tinopal DMS pure Xtra, Tinopal 5BMGX, and Blankophor (Trade Mark) HRH, and Pyrazoline compounds, e.g. Blankophor SN.Preferred fluorescers are: sodium 2 (4-styryl-3-sulfophenyl)-2H-napthol[1,2-d]triazole, disodium 4,4'-bis{[(4-anilino-6-(N methyl-N-2 hydroxyethyl) amino 1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)]amino}stilbene-2-2' disulfonate, disodium 4,4'-bis{[(4-anilino-6-morpholino-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)]amino} stilbene-2-2' disulfonate, and disodium 4,4'-bis(2-sulfoslyryl)biphenyl.DyesThe composition may further comprise dyes as disclosed in W017202922.External StructurantsOptionally, the composition may further comprise a material or materials that form a structuring network within the composition as rheology modifiers. Suitable structurants include hydrogenated castor oil, microfibrous cellulose and citrus pulp fiber. The presence of an external structurant may provide shear thinning rheology and may also enable materials such as encapsulates and visual cues to be suspended stably in the liquid.Product applicationPreferably, the composition may be used as is, i.e. neat, or it may be diluted before use. The extent of dilution is generally dependent on market choice. In some markets a more concentrated product is desired while in others a more dilute product is preferred. If the composition is a liquid dishwash compositions it is typically diluted with water in a ratio like e.g. 1:1, 1:3, 1:5 and 1:10. On the other hand, if the composition is a liquid laundry composition, it may be diluted with water in ratios like 1:50, 1:100, 1:200 to form the wash liquor.Optional ingredientsThe composition may optionally comprise ingredients, such as fragrance, colorant, foam boosting agents, odor absorbing materials.ExamplesFor assessing yellowing effect, first the liquid laundry composition as shown in table 1 below was prepared.Table 1pH 6.0 to 7.0To the composition shown in table 1, DHA and trisodium citrate were added as shown in table 2.Table 2Images of the compositions in table 2 were captured at time zero, i.e. just after they are made and at the end of the storage period (12 weeks at45°C). All images were converted to L*, a* and b* data using Hunter lab Ultra scan Vis (Hunter lab Associates Laboratories Inc. Virginia). Color measurement presented by Hunter lab color space L*, a* and b* where, L* is black-white space, a* is green-red space, b* is blue-yellow space. Forexample, larger b* value means more yellow. The values of L*, a* and b* at week 12 and week zero (initial data) were found to be as in table 3 below.Table 2Path length: 0.4 cm; Incubation temperature 45°C

Claims

Claims:

1. A liquid home care composition comprising:a) from 0.001 to 2 wt% dehydroacetic acid,b) from 3 to 30 wt% anionic surfactant; andc) from 0.2 to 5 wt% organic acid or its salt comprising citric acid or its salt.

2. The composition according to claim 1 wherein the composition further comprises an amphoteric surfactant.

3. The composition according to claims 1 or 2 wherein the organic acid or its salt is citric acid or its salts.

4. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the organic acid salt is trisodium citrate.

5. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the composition comprises water in an amount from 5 to 99 wt%.

6. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the composition further comprises a phosphonic acid based sequestrant.

7. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the composition further comprises a hydrotrope.

8. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the composition further comprises an enzyme.

9. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 8 having a viscosity measured at 21 s 1 of from 100 to 800 mPa.s.

10. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the composition does not comprise isothiazolinone compounds.

11. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the composition does not comprise a fatty alcohol ethoxylate.

12. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein the pH of the composition is from 2 to 8.

13. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein the pH of the composition is from 4.5 to 7.5.

14. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 13 where in the composition is a laundry liquid composition.

15. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein the composition is a liquid dishwash composition.