Fabric treatment

Abstract

A method for treating fabric, comprising: i. exposing the fabric to a cleaning solution containing 100 ppm to 600 ppm of a surfactant system; and ii. rinsing the fabric with a rinsing solution containing approximately 1 × 10² to approximately 1 × 10⁸ CFU of bacterial spores per liter of aqueous solution.

Description

[Technical Field] 【0001】 The present invention relates to a method for treating fabrics to provide cleaning, odor reduction, and odor prevention. [Background technology] 【0002】 In cleaning applications, particularly laundry, removing stains and odors remains a persistent challenge. While numerous cleaning technologies exist to mitigate these challenges, improving their effectiveness and, in particular, their environmental friendliness, remains a constant challenge. In automatic washing machines, these challenges are exacerbated by the increasing use of lower wash temperatures (e.g., cold water) and shorter wash cycles, which reduce the stain / dirt and odor-removing effectiveness of detergent compositions. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve] 【0003】 Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a detergent composition, particularly for laundry, that can be used in the washing process even at low temperatures and short washing times, and that improves washing performance while simultaneously reducing and preventing unpleasant odors. [Means for solving the problem] 【0004】 According to a first aspect of the present invention, a method for processing a fabric, wherein the method is i. A step of exposing the fabric to a cleaning solution containing 100 ppm to 600 ppm of surfactant, ii. Approximately 1 x 10 per liter of aqueous solution 2 ~Approx. 1×10 8 A step of rinsing the fabric with a rinse solution containing bacterial spores of CFU, preferably Bacillus spores, A method is provided that includes this. 【0005】 This method provides good cleaning even when using low levels of surfactants, at low temperatures, and with short cycles. It also provides odor removal and prevention. 【0006】 According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the use of a method for improving spore attachment to the fabric surface during the washing process. 【0007】 The elements of the method of the present invention described in connection with the first aspect of the present invention are applied mutatis mutandis to the second aspect of the present invention. 【BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION】 【0008】 The present invention includes a method of treating a fabric, which achieves improvement in the attachment of bacterial spores to the fabric surface while achieving good washing. 【0009】 The present invention also includes the use of the method of the present invention for improving the attachment of bacterial spores to the fabric surface. This method can result in the continuous removal and prevention of malodors from the fabric. "Continuous removal of malodors" means that after the fabric is treated, odor removal and / or prevention is carried out for at least 24 hours, preferably at least 48 hours. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that bacterial spores react to heat, moisture, and nutrients brought about by common washing stains, germinate, and grow. Such metabolism of dirt and odor is thought to cause the removal and prevention of malodors during the wearing of the fabric. 【0010】 As used herein, the articles "a" and "an" when used in the claims are understood to mean one or more of what is claimed or described. As used herein, the terms "include", "includes", and "including" are meant to be non-limiting. The compositions of the present disclosure can contain, consist essentially of, or consist of the components of the present disclosure. 【0011】 All percentages, ratios, and proportions used in this specification are, unless otherwise specified, weight % of the composition. All average values are calculated "by weight" of the composition, unless otherwise explicitly indicated. Unless otherwise specified, all ratios are calculated at the weight / weight level. 【0012】 Unless otherwise specified, all measurements are carried out at 25 °C. 【0013】 Unless otherwise noted, all concentrations of components or compositions relate to the active portion of that component or composition, and impurities that may be present in commercial sources of such components or compositions, such as residual solvents or by-products, are excluded. 【0014】 "An aqueous liquid substantially free of" means that the aqueous liquid contains less than 10 ppm of a particular compound. 【0015】 "A composition substantially free of" means that the composition contains less than 1% of a particular compound, preferably less than 0.5%, and particularly none at all. 【0016】 Method for treating fabric The present disclosure relates to a method for treating a fabric to effect washing of the fabric and to deposit bacterial spores on its surface, preferably the bacterial spores include Bacillus spores. 【0017】 The method of the present disclosure includes contacting the fabric with a cleaning liquid containing a surfactant system of 100 ppm to 600 ppm, preferably 200 ppm to 500 ppm, particularly 250 ppm to 450 ppm. The method also includes rinsing the fabric with a rinsing liquid. This liquid is preferably aqueous and contains at least 1×10 2 CFU, preferably about 1×10 2 ~ about 1×10 8 CFU of bacterial spores, preferably including Bacillus spores. 【0018】 The method for processing the fabric can be carried out in whole or in part in any suitable container, for example, in an automatic washing machine. Such a machine may be a top-loading machine or a front-loading machine. The entire process can be carried out in the washing machine. The method of the present invention is also suitable for hand washing applications. 【0019】 The method of the present disclosure comprises first bringing a fabric into contact with a cleaning solution, preferably an aqueous solution, and then rinsing the fabric with a rinsing solution, preferably an aqueous solution. The aqueous cleaning solution may include a cleaning composition, such as a granular or liquid laundry detergent composition, which is soluble in water or diluted. The composition includes a surfactant system. The aqueous cleaning solution includes about 100 to about 600 ppm or about 100 to about 500 ppm of the surfactant system. 【0020】 Bacterial spores are delivered during the rinsing cycle. 【0021】 fabric The fabrics processed by the method of the present invention may be any fabric, including synthetic fabrics and fabrics made from natural fibers (e.g., cotton, jute, burlap, hemp, ramie, silk, wool, mohair, cashmere) or fibers regenerated from cellulosic raw materials (e.g., viscose / lyocell / rayon and related regenerated cellulose, acetates, triacetates). Suitable examples of synthetic fibers include polyester, acrylic, elastane (spandex, Lycra), polyamide (nylon), polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyurethane. The fiber composition of the fabric is usually published by the manufacturer, but it can also be determined by experimental methods using test methods familiar to those skilled in the art, such as ASTM D629-15: Standard Test Methods for Quantitative Analysis of Textiles, ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA; 2015. 【0022】 In this specification, "synthetic fabric" means a fabric containing synthetic fibers in an amount of more than 70% by weight, preferably more than 80% by weight, preferably more than 95% by weight, preferably more than 98% by weight, and preferably about 100% by weight. 【0023】 composition This disclosure relates to methods for treating fabrics. As used herein, the term “fabric treatment composition” includes compositions designed for treating fabrics such as clothing or other textiles. 【0024】 The surfactant system used in the method of the present invention is preferably part of a laundry detergent composition. The surfactant system can be added as part of the entire detergent formulation, or it can be added from a reservoir of an automated detergent dispenser, such as the automated dispenser described in International Publication No. 2019 / 063402(A1). 【0025】 The rinsing solution of the method of the present invention may not substantially contain a fabric conditioning active substance. Examples of fabric conditioning active substances include quaternary ammonium ester compounds, silicones, non-esterified quaternary ammonium compounds, amines, fatty acid esters, sucrose esters, silicones, dispersible polyolefins, polysaccharides, fatty acids, softening oils or conditioning oils, polymer latex, or combinations thereof. The washing solution preferably does not contain bleach. 【0026】 The composition containing the surfactant system may be in any preferred form. The product may be in the form of a liquid composition, a granular composition, a single-compartment pouch, a multi-compartment pouch, a sheet, a lozenge or beads, a fibrous article, a tablet, a bar, a flake, or a mixture thereof. The product may be liquid, solid, or a combination thereof. 【0027】 The composition may be in liquid form. The composition may contain about 30% to about 90% by weight, or about 50% to about 80% by weight, of water. The pH of the composition is about 1 to about 6 when measured at 20°C. If the composition is in liquid form, the pH is measured neat; if the composition is in solid form, the pH is measured in a 1% w / v aqueous solution. 【0028】 The composition may be a cleaning or additive composition and may be in the form of a unit-dose article such as a tablet, pouch, sheet, or fibrous article. Such a pouch typically contains a water-soluble film, such as a polyvinyl alcohol water-soluble film, that at least partially encapsulates the composition. A suitable film is available from MonoSol, LLC (Indiana, USA). The composition can be encapsulated in a single-compartment pouch or a multi-compartment pouch. A multi-compartment pouch may have at least two, at least three, or at least four compartments. A multi-compartment pouch may include compartments arranged side by side and / or overlapping. The composition contained in the pouch or its compartments may be a liquid, a solid (such as a powder), or a combination thereof. The pouch composition may contain a relatively small amount of water, such as less than about 20% by weight, or less than about 15% by weight, or less than about 12% by weight, or less than about 10% by weight, or less than about 8% by weight of the detergent composition. 【0029】 The composition may be in the form of lozenges or beads. The lozenges may contain polyethylene glycol as a carrier. The polyethylene glycol may have a weight-average molecular weight of about 2,000 to about 20,000 daltons, preferably about 5,000 to about 15,000 daltons, and more preferably about 6,000 to about 12,000 daltons. 【0030】 The composition may contain a non-aqueous solvent that can act as a carrier and / or promote stability. Examples of non-aqueous solvents include organic solvents such as methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, 1,3-propanediol, 1,2-propanediol, ethylene glycol, glycerin, glycol ethers, hydrocarbons, or mixtures thereof. 【0031】 Bacterial spores Bacterial spores may be present on the surface, but the method of the present invention involves intentionally adding bacterial spores to the fabric surface in an amount that can provide a significant benefit to the consumer, particularly the benefit of removing and preventing bad odors. Preferably, the method of the present invention requires at least 1×10 2 CFU, preferably at least 1×10 3 CFU, preferably at least 1×10 4 CFU, preferably at least 1×10 5 CFU, and preferably less than 1×10 12 CFU per liter of rinse liquid for intentional addition. "Intentional addition of bacterial spores" means herein that in addition to microorganisms that may be present on the surface, spores are added. 【0032】 The microbial spores used in the method and composition of the present invention are added in the rinse cycle. The spores are not inactivated by the heat at the temperatures found in washing machines. The spores are fabric persistent and provide odor control during and after the washing process, particularly during and after the use (e.g., wearing) of the fabric. 【0033】 The microbial spores of the method and composition of the present invention can germinate on the fabric. The spores can be activated by heat generated, for example, during fabric use or by the heat generated in a washing machine. The spores can germinate when the fabric is stored and / or used. The odor precursors can be used by the microorganisms produced by the spores as nutrients to promote germination. 【0034】 The bacterial spores for use herein are i) able to survive the temperatures encountered in the washing process, ii) fabric-persistent, iii) capable of controlling odors, and iv) preferably capable of supporting the purifying action of laundry detergents. The spores have the ability to germinate and form cells during processing and continue to germinate and form cells on the fabric using odor precursors as nutrients. The spores can be supplied in liquid or solid form. Preferably, the spores are in solid form. 【0035】 Some Gram-positive bacteria have a two-stage life cycle, and bacteria growing under certain conditions, such as in response to nutrient deficiency, may undergo an elaborate developmental process leading to spore or endospore formation. Bacterial spores are protected by a coat of about 60 different proteins, assembled as a biochemically complex structure with interesting morphological and mechanical properties. This protein coat is considered a static structure that provides high rigidity and primarily acts as a sieve to filter out large exogenous toxic molecules such as lytic enzymes. Spores play a crucial role in the long-term survival of species because they are highly resistant to extreme environmental conditions. Spores can also remain metabolically dormant for many years. Methods for obtaining bacterial spores from vegetative cells are well known in the field. In some cases, vegetative bacterial cells are grown in liquid medium. From the late logarithmic growth phase or the early stationary growth phase, bacteria may initiate spore formation. Once the bacteria have completed spore formation, their spores can be obtained from the medium, for example, by centrifugation. Various methods can be used to kill or remove any remaining vegetative cells. Spores can be purified from cell debris and / or other materials or substances using various methods. Bacterial spores can be differentiated from vegetative cells, for example, using various techniques such as phase contrast microscopy, automated scanning microscopy, high-resolution nuclear microscopy, or heat-resistant methods. 【0036】 Bacterial spores are readily selected and used in commercially available microbial products because they are generally metabolically inactive or dormant, environmentally resistant structures. Despite their robustness and extremely long lifespan, spores can rapidly react to the presence of certain small molecules known as germination-inducing substances, which signal favorable conditions for interrupting their dormant state through germination, the initial stage of the process that completes their life cycle by returning to vegetative bacteria. For example, commercially available microbial products may be designed to disperse spores into an environment where they come into contact with germination-inducing substances present in the environment, allowing them to germinate, become vegetative cells, and perform their intended function. A variety of different bacteria can form spores. Bacteria from any of these groups may be used in the compositions, methods, and kits disclosed herein.For example, the following genera: Astonema, Alkalibacillus, Ammoniphyllus, Amphibacillus, Anaerobacter, Anaerospora, Aneuribacillus, Anoxybacillus, Bacillus, Brevibacillus, Cardanaerobacter, Caloramater, Caminella, Cerasibacillus, Clostridium, Clostridium erythribacter, Cornella, Dendrosporobacter, Desulfotomaculum, Desulfosporomus, Desulfosporosi Nus, Desulfovirgra, Desulfunispora, Desulfurispora, Philifactor, Filovacillus, Geruria, Geobacillus, Geosporobacter, Gracilibacillus, Halonatronum, Heliobacterium, Heliophyllum, Raceella, Lentibacillus, Lysinibacillus, Mahera, Metabacterium, Morela, Natroniela, Oceanobacillus, Orenia, Ornithinibacillus, Oxalophagus, Oxobacter Paenibacillus, Paraliobacillus, Perospora, Perotomaculum, Piscibacillus, Planiphyllum, Ponchibacillus, Propionispora, Salinibacillus, Salsuginibacillus, Seinonella, Shimazuela, Sporasetigenium, Sporoanaerobacter, Sporobacter, Sporobacterium, Sporohalobacter, Sporolactobacillus, Sporomsa, Sporosalthia, Sporotalea, Sporotomaculum, Si Some of the bacteria among *Centrophomonas*, *Syntrophospora*, *Tenuibacillus*, *Tepidibacter*, *Teribacillus*, *Thalassobacillus*, *Thermoacetogenium*, *Thermoactinomyces*, *Thermoalkalibacillus*, *Thermoanaerobacter*, *Thermoanaeromonas*, *Thermobacillus*, *Thermoflavimicrobium*, *Thermovenablum*, *Tuberibacillus*, *Bildibacillus*, and / or *Vulcanobacillus* may form spores. 【0037】 Preferably, bacteria capable of forming spores are from the Basilaceae family, such as Aeribacillus, Aliibacillus, Alkalibacillus, Alkalicoccus, Alkalihalobacillus, Alkalilactibacillus, Alobacillus, Alteribacillus, Alteribacter, Amphibacillus, Anaerobacillus, Anoxybacillus, Aquibacillus, Aquisalibacillus, Aureibacillus, Bacillus, Cardarukaribacillus, Cardibacillus, Carditericola, Callidifontibacillus, Cameribacillus, Cerasibacillus, Compostibacillus Rus, Cytobacillus, Desertibacillus, Domibacillus, Ectobacillus, Evanthera, Falcibacillus, Ferdinandocochina, Fermentibacillus, Fictibacillus, Phylobacillus, Geobacillus, Geomicrobium, Gottfriedia, Gracilibacillus, Haralalkalibacillus, Halobacillus, Haloractibacillus, Heindrixia, Hydrogenibacillus, Rederbergia, Lentibacillus, Riccifieldia, Lottidevacillus, Margaritia, Malinococcus, Mergillibacillus, Mesobacillus, Metabacillus, Microaerobacter, Natribacillus, Natronobacillus, Neobacillus, Niaria, Oceanobacillus, Ornithinibacillus, Parageobacillus, Paralyobacillus, Paralycalibacillus, Pausisalibacillus, Pelagirhabdos, Peribacillus, Piscibacillus, Polygonibacillus, Ponchibacillus, Pradosia, Priestia, Pseudograsilibacillus, Pueribacillus, Radiobacillus, Robertomuraya, Roselleromorea, Saccharococcus, Salibacterium, Salimicrobium, The bacteria originate from species of the genus Salinibacillus, Salipardibacillus, Salirhabdus, Salisedyminibacterium, Saliteribacillus, Salseuginibacillus, Sediminibacillus, Siminobitia, Sinibacillus, Sinobacillus, Streptohalobacillus, Sacriphiera, Swionibacillus, Tenyuibacillus, Tepidibacillus, Teruribacillus, Terurilactibacillus, Texcoconibacillus, Thalassobacillus, Thalassorhabdus, Thermolongibacillus, Bilgibacillus, Viridibacillus, Vulcanibacillus, and Weitzmania. In various cases, the bacteria are derived from species of the genus Bacillus, Bacillus achydicola, Bacillus aeolius, Bacillus aerius,Bacillus aerophilus, Bacillus albus, Bacillus altichusinis, Bacillus albeayuensis, Bacillus amyloriquefaciensex, Bacillus anthrasis, Bacillus aquiflavi, Bacillus atropaeus, Bacillus australimaris, Bacillus badius, Bacillus benzoevorans, Bacillus cabriaresi, Bacillus canaveralius, Bacillus capparis, Bacillus carboniphyllus, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus chagangensis, Bacillus coaphirensis, Bacillus cyto Bacillus toxicus, Bacillus decisifrondis, Bacillus ectoiniformans, Bacillus encrensis, Bacillus finchiensis, Bacillus hungorum, Bacillus glycinifermentans, Bacillus gobiensis, Bacillus halotorens, Bacillus heinesi, Bacillus horti, Bacillus inaquosorum, Bacillus infantis, Bacillus infernus, Bacillus isaberiae, Bacillus kexae, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus ruti, Bacillus manusensis, Bacillus marinisedimen Toram, Bacillus mesophilus, Bacillus metanolicus, Bacillus mobilis, Bacillus mojavensis, Bacillus mycoides, Bacillus naziopicas, Bacillus nitratiredusens, Bacillus oreiborans, Bacillus pacificus, Bacillus pachystanensis, Bacillus paralicheniformis, Bacillus paramycoides, Bacillus paransurasis, Bacillus perbagus, Bacillus pisticola, Bacillus proteoriticus, Bacillus pseudomycoides, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus... Bacillus saphensis, Bacillus saracetis, Bacillus salinas, Bacillus salitolens, Bacillus theohaeanensis, Bacillus sibajii, Bacillus siamensis, Bacillus smitty, Bacillus solimanglobi, Bacillus sonkrensis, Bacillus sonorensis, Bacillus spizizenii, Bacillus spongiae, Bacillus stercolis, Bacillus stratosfelicus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus swizzii, Bacillus taenensis, Bacillus tamarisis, Bacillus tekirensis, Bacillus thermochlorae,This could be Bacillus thermotolerance, Bacillus turingiensis, Bacillus chianshenii, Bacillus toyonensis, Bacillus tropicus, Bacillus vallismortis, Bacillus berezensis, Bacillus viedmannii, Bacillus vudariankiensis, Bacillus chiamenensis, Bacillus chiapuensis, Bacillus zanjoensis, or a combination thereof. 【0038】 In some cases, the spore-forming bacterial strains may be Bacillus strains, such as Bacillus strain SD-6991, Bacillus strain SD-6992, Bacillus strain NRRL B-50606, Bacillus strain NRRL B-50887, Bacillus pumilus strain NRRL B-50016, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50017, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7792 (formerly classified as Bacillus atrophaeus), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7543 (formerly classified as Bacillus atrophaeus), and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50018, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7541, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7544, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7545, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7546, Bacillus subtilis strain PTA-7547, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7549, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7793, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7790, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7791, Bacillus subtilis strain NRRL B-50136 (also known as DA-33R, ATCC acceptance number 55406), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50141, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50399, Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50014, Bacillus licheniformis strain NRRL B-50015, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50607, Bacillus subtilis strain NRRL B-50147 (also known as 300R), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50150, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50154, Bacillus megatherium PTA-3142, Bacillus amyloriquefaciens strain ATCC acceptance number 55405 (also known as 300), Bacillus amyloriquefaciens strain ATCC acceptance number 55407 (also known as PMX), Bacillus pumilus NRRL B-50398 (ATCCBacillus cereus (also known as 700385, PMX-1, and NRRL B-50255), Bacillus cereus ATCC acceptance number 700386, Bacillus turingiensis ATCC acceptance number 700387 (all of the above strains are available from Novozymes, Inc., USA), Bacillus amyloriquefaciens FZB24 (for example, isolates available from Novozymes, NRRL B-50304 and NRRL B-50349 TAEGRO®), Bacillus subtilis (for example, isolates of NRRL B-21661 in RHAPSODY®, SERENADE® MAX, and SERENADE® ASO available from Bayer CropScience), Bacillus pumilus (for example, NRRL available from Bayer CropScience) Examples include isolate B-50349, Bacillus amyloriquefaciens TrigoCor (also known as "TrigoCor 1448," for example, isolates from Embrapa Trigo acceptance number 144 / 88.4Lev, Cornell acceptance number Pma007BR-97, and ATCC acceptance number 202152, available from Cornell University, USA), and combinations thereof. 【0039】 In some cases, the spore-forming bacterial strain may be a Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain. For example, the strain may be from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7543 (formerly classified as Bacillus atrophaeus) and / or Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50154, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain PTA-7543 (formerly classified as Bacillus atrophaeus), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain NRRL B-50154, or other Bacillus amyloliquefaciens microorganisms. 【0040】 In some cases, the spore-forming bacterial strain may be a Brevibacillus species, such as Brevibacillus brevis, Brevibacillus formosus, Brevibacillus laterosporus, or Brevibacillus parabrevis, or a combination thereof. 【0041】 In some cases, the spore-forming bacterial strain may be a Paenibacillus species, such as Paenibacillus alvei, Paenibacillus amylolyticus, Paenibacillus azotofixans, Paenibacillus cookii, Paenibacillus macerans, Paenibacillus polymyxa, or Paenibacillus validus, or a combination thereof. 【0042】 Bacterial spores may have an average particle size of approximately 0.5–50 microns, or approximately 2–50 microns, or 10–45 microns, or 0.5–6 microns, preferably approximately 1–5 microns. Bacillus spores are commercially available in blends in aqueous carriers and are insoluble in these carriers. Other commercially available bacillus spore blends include, but are not limited to, Freshen Free® CAN (10X) from Novozymes Biologicals, Inc., Evogen® Renew Plus (10X) from Genesis Biosciences, Inc., and Evogen® GT (10X, 20X, and 110X), all available from Genesis Biosciences, Inc. In the above list, the notation in parentheses (10X, 20X, and 110X) indicates the relative concentration of bacillus spores. 【0043】 The bacterial spores used in the compositions, methods, and products disclosed herein may be thermally activated or not. In some examples, the bacterial spores are thermally activated. In some examples, the bacterial spores are not thermally deactivated. Preferably, the spores used herein are thermally activated. Thermal activation may involve heating the bacterial spores from room temperature (15-25°C) to an optimal temperature of 25-120°C, preferably 40-100°C, and holding the optimal temperature for 2 hours or less, preferably 70-80°C for 30 minutes. 【0044】 Populations of bacterial spores are commonly used for the methods, compositions, and products disclosed herein. In some examples, a population of bacterial spores may consist of bacterial spores from a single strain of bacteria. Preferably, a population of bacterial spores may consist of bacterial spores from two, three, four, five, or more bacterial strains. Generally, a population of bacterial spores contains a majority of spores and a small number of vegetative cells. In some examples, a population of bacterial spores does not contain vegetative cells. In some examples, a population of bacterial spores may contain less than 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 40%, or 50% vegetative cells, and the percentage of bacterial spores is calculated as ((number of vegetative cells / (number of spores in the population + number of vegetative cells in the population)) × 100). Generally, the populations of bacterial spores used in the disclosed methods, compositions, and products are stable (i.e., not germinating), and at least some individual spores in the population are in a state where they can germinate. 【0045】 The bacterial spore populations used in this disclosure may contain bacterial spores at different concentrations. In various examples, the bacterial spore population may contain at least 1 × 10⁻⁶ 2 , 5×10 2 , 1 x 10 3 , 5×10 3 , 1 x 10 4 , 5×10 4 , 1 x 10 5 , 5×10 5 , 1 x 10 6 , 5×10 6 , 1 x 10 7 , 5×10 7 , 1 x 10 8 , 5×10 8 , 1 x 10 9 , 5×10 9 , 1 x 10 10 , 5×10 10 , 1 x 10 11 , 5×10 11 , 1 x 10 12 , 5×10 12 , 1 x 10 13 , 5×10 13 , 1 x 10 14 or 5 x 10 14pieces / mL, pieces / gram, or pieces / cm³ 3 This may include, but is not limited to, spores. 【0046】 A preferred composition for providing bacterial spores for rinsing may be an aqueous composition having a pH of about 1 to about 6 when measured at 20°C, preferably comprising 1 to 20% by weight of an organic acid, preferably selected from the group consisting of acetic acid, citric acid, lactic acid, and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the composition comprises a polymer. Preferably, the composition comprises a dirt-releasing polymer. 【0047】 Preferably, the composition is (a) Preferably an organic acid selected from the group consisting of acetic acid, citric acid, lactic acid and mixtures thereof, (b) A first polymer in an amount of about 1% to about 25% by weight of the composition, which is a fouling-releasing polymer (SRP), (c) Optionally, a second polymer in an amount of about 1% to about 25% by weight of the composition, preferably the second polymer being a graft copolymer, an alkoxylated polyalkyleneimine polymer, or a mixture thereof. If graft copolymers are present, the graft copolymers are i) Water-soluble polyalkylene oxide as a graft base, ii) A second polymer comprising one or more side chains formed by polymerization of vinyl ester components. 【0048】 The composition may comprise a first polymer (a), which is a dirt-releasing polymer (such as a dirt-releasing polymer derived from terephthalate), and a second polymer (b), which is selected from PEG / vinyl acetate graft copolymer, alkoxylated polyalkylene imine polymer, or a mixture thereof. Polymers (a) and (b) may form a polymer system. The polymer system may comprise additional polymers, preferably polymers that provide an effect on the fabric. As shown by the following examples, a fabric treatment composition comprising a combination of polymers (a) and (b) provides a superior wicking effect on the fabric compared to a composition comprising only polymer (a) or polymer (b). 【0049】 A suitable cleaning composition for providing a surfactant system to a cleaning solution may further include enzymes, enzyme stabilizers, detergent builders, chelating agents, complexing agents, clay stain removers / anti-re-adhesion agents, polymer stain release agents, polymer dispersants, polymer grease cleaners, color transfer inhibitors, foaming enhancers, defoaming agents, anti-foaming agents, corrosion inhibitors, stain suspenders, dyes, color dyes, anti-fogging agents, fluorescent whitening agents, fragrances, saturated or unsaturated fatty acids, calcium cations, magnesium cations, visual signaling components, structuring agents, thickeners, anti-caking agents, starch, sand, gelling agents, or any combination thereof. 【0050】 Surfactant System: The surfactant system may include cleaning surfactants selected from anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, amholytic surfactants, and mixtures thereof. Those skilled in the art will understand that cleaning surfactants encompass any surfactant or mixture of surfactants that provide a cleaning, stain removal, or laundry effect on soiled materials. Preferably, the composition is substantially free of cationic surfactants. Preferably, the composition contains anionic and nonionic surfactants. 【0051】 This laundry detergent composition may contain 1 to 60% by weight of anionic surfactant. Preferred anionic surfactants are sulfonate and sulfate surfactants, preferably alkylbenzene sulfonates and / or (optionally alkoxylated) alkyl sulfates. Particularly preferred anionic surfactants include linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS). Preferred alkyl sulfates include alkyl ether sulfates, particularly C9-15 alcohol ether sulfates, especially those having an average ethoxylation degree of 0.5-7, preferably 1-5, C8-C16 ester sulfates, and C10-C14 ester sulfates such as monododecyl ester sulfates. In a preferred composition, the anionic surfactant comprises an alkylbenzene sulfonate and optionally further, optionally, an ethoxylated alkyl sulfate having an ethoxylation degree of preferably 0-7, more preferably 0.5-3. Alkyl sulfates (AS) such as isomers of LAS, branched-chain alkylbenzene sulfonates (BABS), phenylalkane sulfonates, α-olefin sulfonates (AOS), olefin sulfonates, alkene sulfonates, alkane-2,3-diyrbis(sulfate), hydroxyalkane sulfonates and disulfonates, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), aliphatic alcohol sulfates (FAS), primary alcohol sulfates (PAS), alcohol ether sulfates (AES or AEOS or FES), alcohol ethoxysulfates or fatty acids Suitable anionic surfactants include (also known as alpha-alcohol ether sulfates), secondary alkanesulfonates (SAS), paraffin sulfonates (PS), ester sulfonates, sulfonated fatty acid glycerol esters, α-sulfo fatty acid methyl esters (α-SFMe or SES) (including methyl ester sulfonates (MES)), alkyl- or alkenyl succinic acids, dodecenyl / tetradecenyl succinic acids (DTSA), fatty acid derivatives of amino acids, diesters and monoesters of sulfosuccinates, or salts of fatty acids (soaps), as well as combinations thereof. 【0052】 Anionic surfactants are preferably added to the detergent composition in the form of a salt. Preferred cations are alkali metal ions such as sodium and potassium. However, the salt form of the anionic surfactant may be formed at its position by neutralizing the acid form of the surfactant with an alkali such as sodium hydroxide, or an amine such as mono-, di-, or triethanolamine. The composition preferably contains 1 to 60% by weight, or 1 to 50% by weight, or 2, or 5 to 40% by weight of anionic surfactant. The surfactant system preferably comprises an anionic surfactant and one or more additional surfactants that may be semipolar and / or cationic and / or zwitterionic and / or ampholytic and / or amphoteric and / or semipolar nonionic and / or mixtures thereof. 【0053】 Suitable nonionic surfactants include alcohol ethoxylates (AE), alcohol propoxylates, propoxylated aliphatic alcohols (PFA), alkoxylated fatty acid alkyl esters such as ethoxylated and / or propoxylated fatty acid alkyl esters, alkylphenol ethoxylates (APE), nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPE), alkyl polyglycosides (APG), alkoxylated amines, fatty acid monoethanolamides (FAM), fatty acid diethanolamides (FADA), ethoxylated fatty acid monoethanolamides (EFAM), propoxylated fatty acid monoethanolamides (PFAM), polyhydroxyalkyl fatty acid amides, or N-acyl N-alkyl derivatives of glucosamine (glucamide (GA) or fatty acid glucamide (FAGA)), as well as products available under the trade names SPAN and TWEEN, and combinations thereof. Alcohol ethoxylates are particularly preferred, preferably having an alkyl chain of C9-18 or preferably C12-15, and preferably having an average ethoxylation degree of 3-9, more preferably 3-7. Commercially available nonionic surfactant detergents include Plurafac®, Lutensol®, and Pluronic® from BASF, the Dehypon® series from Cognis, and the Genapol® series from Clariant. 【0054】 The detergent composition preferably contains 0.5% to about 40% by weight of a nonionic surfactant, and more preferably 1 to 30% by weight of a nonionic surfactant. 【0055】 Enzymes. Preferably, the composition contains one or more enzymes. Preferred enzymes provide cleaning performance and / or fabric care effects. Examples of preferred enzymes include, but are not limited to, hemicellulase, peroxidase, protease, cellulase, xylanase, lipase, phospholipase, esterase, cutinase, pectinase, mannanase, galactanase, pectateriase, keratinase, reductase, oxidase, phenol oxidase, lipoxygenase, ligninase, pullulanase, tannase, pentosanase, maranase, β-glucanase, arabinosidase, hyaluronidase, chondroitinase, laccase, and amylase, or mixtures thereof. Typical combinations include, for example, an enzyme cocktail which may contain protease and lipase together with amylase. 【0056】 Enzyme stabilization system. The composition may optionally contain an enzyme stabilization system in an amount of about 0.001% to about 10% by weight of the composition. The enzyme stabilization system can be any stabilization system compatible with the cleaning enzyme. In the case of an aqueous detergent composition containing a protease, stability may be further improved by adding a reversible protease inhibitor such as a boron compound, including borate, 4-formylphenylboronic acid, phenylboronic acid, and derivatives thereof, or compounds such as calcium formate, sodium formate, and 1,2-propanediol. 【0057】 Builder. The composition may optionally contain a builder or a builder system. A cleaning composition containing a builder typically contains at least about 1% of the builder based on the total weight of the composition. A liquid cleaning composition may contain up to about 10% of the builder, and in some examples up to about 8%, based on the total weight of the composition. A granular cleaning composition may contain up to about 30% of the builder, and in some examples up to about 5%, based on the weight of the composition. 【0058】 Builders selected from aluminosilicates (e.g., zeolite builders such as zeolite A, zeolite P, and zeolite MAP) and silicates assist in controlling the mineral hardness of the wash water, particularly calcium and / or magnesium, or in removing particulate contaminants from surfaces. Suitable builders may be selected from the group consisting of polyphosphates (e.g., sodium tripolyphosphate), particularly phosphates such as its sodium salts; carbonates, bicarbonates, sesquicarbonates, and carbonate minerals other than sodium carbonate or sesquicarbonates; organic mono, di, tri, and tetracarboxylates, particularly water-soluble non-surfactant carboxylates in the form of acids, sodium, potassium, or alkanolammonium salts, as well as oligomers or water-soluble low molecular weight polymer carboxylates, including aliphatic and aromatic types, and phytic acid. These may be complemented, for example, by borate for the purpose of pH buffering, or by sulfates, particularly sodium sulfate, and any other fillers or carriers that may be important to the engineering of the wash composition containing stable surfactants and / or builders. Additional suitable builders may be selected from citric acid, lactic acid, fatty acids, polycarboxylate builders, such as copolymers of acrylic acid, copolymers of acrylic acid and maleic acid, and copolymers of acrylic acid and / or maleic acid, as well as copolymers of other suitable ethylene monomers having various kinds of additional functional groups. Also suitable for use as builders herein are synthesized crystalline ion exchange materials or hydrates thereof having a chain structure and a composition represented by the following general anhydride form x(M2O)·ySiO2·zM'O, where M is Na and / or K, M' is Ca and / or Mg, y / x is 0.5 to 2.0, and z / x is 0.005 to 1.0. 【0059】 Alternatively, the composition may substantially not contain a builder. 【0060】 Chelating agents. The composition may also contain chelating agents for one or more metal ions. Suitable molecules include copper, iron, and / or manganese chelating agents and mixtures thereof. Such chelating agents can be selected from the group consisting of phosphonates, aminocarboxylates, aminophosphonates, succinates, polyfunctionally substituted aromatic chelating agents, 2-pyridinol-N-oxide compounds, hydroxamic acids, carboxymethyl inulin, and mixtures thereof. The chelating agents may exist in the form of acids, or in the form of salts, including alkali metal salts, ammonium salts, and substituted ammonium salts thereof, and mixtures thereof. 【0061】 Color transfer inhibitors. The composition may further contain one or more color transfer inhibitors. Suitable color transfer inhibitors include, for example, polyvinylpyrrolidone polymer, polyamine N-oxide polymer, copolymer of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole, polyvinyloxazolidone, polyvinylimidazole, manganese phthalocyanine, peroxidase, polyvinylpyrrolidone polymer, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA); diethylenetriaminepentamethylenephosphonic acid (DTPMP); hydroxyethanediphosphonic acid (HEDP); ethylenediamine N,N'-disuccinic acid (EDDS); methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA); diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA); propylenediaminetetraacetic acid (PDT) A); 2-hydroxypyridine-N-oxide (HPNO); or methylglycine diacetic acid (MGDA); N,N-diacetic acid (N,N-dicarboxymethylglutamate tetrasodium salt (GLDA)); nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA); 4,5-dihydroxy-m-benzenedisulfonic acid; citric acid and any salt thereof; N-hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA), triethylenetetraaminehexaacetic acid (TTHA), N-hydroxyethyliminodiacetic acid (HEIDA), dihydroxyethylglycine (DHEG), ethylenediaminetetrapropionic acid (EDTP), and derivatives thereof, or combinations thereof. 【0062】 Preferably, the composition is substantially free of bleaching compounds. 【0063】 Whitening agent. Fluorescent whitening agents or other whitening agents may be incorporated into the composition at a concentration of approximately 0.01% to approximately 1.2% by weight. 【0064】 Commercial whitening agents that may be used herein can be classified into subgroups that include, but are not limited to, stilbenes, pyrazolines, coumarins, benzoxazoles, carboxylic acids, methyncyanines, dibenzothiophene-5,5-dioxide, azoles, 5- and 6-membered heterocyclic compounds, and derivatives of various other agents. 【0065】 In some cases, the fluorescent whitening agents are 4,4'-bis{[4-anilino-6-morpholino-s-triazine-2-yl]-amino}-2,2'-stilbendisulfonate disodium (whitening agent 15, marketed by Ciba Geigy Corporation under the trademark name Tinopal AMS-GX), 4,4'-bis{[4-anilino-6-(N-2-bis-hydroxyethyl)-s-triazine-2-yl]-amino}-2,2'-stilbendisulfonate disodium (marketed by Ciba Geigy Corporation under the trademark name Tinopal UNPA-GX), and 4,4'-bis{[4-anilino-6-(N-2-hydroxyethyl-N-methylamino)-s-triazine-2-yl]-amino}-2,2'-stilbendisulfonate disodium (marketed by Ciba Geigy Corporation under the trademark name Tinopal 5BM-GX). Selected from the group consisting of (commercially available from Corporation). More preferably, the fluorescent whitening agent is 4,4'-bis{[4-anilino-6-morpholino-s-triazine-2-yl]-amino}-2,2'-stilbendisulfonate disodium. 【0066】 The whitening agent may be added in the form of particles or as a premix with a suitable solvent, such as a nonionic surfactant, monoethanolamine, or propanediol. 【0067】 Fabric colorants. Compositions may contain fabric colorants (sometimes referred to as tinters, bluing agents, or whitening agents). Typically, colorants impart a blue or bluish-purple hue to a fabric. Colorants can be used alone or in combination to create a specific hue and / or tint different types of fabrics. This can be achieved, for example, by mixing red and green-blue dyes to produce a blue or purple hue. The colorants may be selected from any known chemical classification of dyes, including, but not limited to, acridine, anthraquinones (including polycyclic quinones), azine, azo (e.g., monoazo, diazo, trisazo, tetrakisazo, polyazo) including premetallized azo, benzodifurans and benzodifuranones, carotenoids, coumarins, cyanines, diazahemicyanines, diphenylmethane, formazan, hemicyanines, indigoids, methane, naphthalimide, naphthoquinone, nitro and nitroso, oxazine, phthalocyanines, pyrazoles, stilbenes, styryls, triarylmethane, triphenylmethane, xanthenes, and mixtures thereof. 【0068】 Encapsulation. The composition may include an encapsulating agent. The encapsulating agent may include a core and a shell having an inner and outer surface, the shell encapsulating the core. 【0069】 In certain embodiments, the encapsulating agent comprises a core and a shell, the core comprising a material selected from fragrances, whitening agents, dyes, insecticides, silicones, waxes, scenting agents, vitamins, softeners, skincare agents, e.g., paraffin, enzymes, antimicrobial agents, bleaching agents, sensory agents, or mixtures thereof; and the shell comprising a material selected from polyethylene, polyamides, polyvinyl alcohols optionally containing other comonomers, polystyrene, polyisoprene, polycarbonate, polyester, polyacrylate, polyolefin, polysaccharides, e.g., alginate and / or chitosan; gelatin, shellac, epoxy resins, vinyl polymers, water-insoluble inorganic materials, silicones, amino resins, or mixtures thereof. In some embodiments where the shell comprises an aminoplast, the aminoplast comprises polyurea, polyurethane and / or polyurea urethane. Polyurea may comprise polyoxymethylene urea and / or melamine formaldehyde. 【0070】 Other components. The composition may further contain silicates. Suitable silicates include, for example, sodium silicate, sodium disilicate, sodium metasilicate, crystalline phyllosilicate, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the silicate may be present in an amount of about 1% to about 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. 【0071】 The composition may further contain conventional detergent components such as foam enhancers, foam inhibitors, corrosion inhibitors, dirt suspenders, dirt re-adhesion inhibitors, dyes, disinfectants, anti-fogging agents, fluorescent whitening agents, or fragrances. 【0072】 The composition optionally includes saturated or unsaturated fatty acids, preferably saturated or unsaturated C. 12 ~C 24Fatty acids; adhesion aids, which may further include, for example, polysaccharides, cellulose polymers, polydiallyldimethylammonium halide (DADMAC), and copolymers of DADMAC in random or block configurations with vinylpyrrolidone, acrylamide, imidazole, imidazolinium halide, and mixtures thereof, cationic guar gum, cationic cellulose, cationic starch, cationic polyacylamide, or combinations thereof. If present, fatty acids and / or adhesion aids may each be present in amounts of 0.1% to 10% by weight based on the total weight of the composition. 【0073】 The composition may optionally contain a silicone or fatty acid-based antifoaming agent, a color dye, calcium and magnesium cations, a visual signal component, an antifoaming agent (0.001% to about 4.0% by weight based on the total weight of the composition), and / or a structuring agent / thickener (0.01% to 5% by weight based on the total weight of the composition) selected from the group consisting of diglycerides and triglycerides, ethylene glycol distearate, microcrystalline cellulose, microfiber cellulose, biopolymers, xanthan gum, gellan gum, and mixtures thereof. [Examples] 【0074】 The following tests measure the effect of detergent surfactant concentration on the adhesion of Bacillus spores to fabric surfaces, including treatments involving the addition of Bacillus spores as part of the detergent composition or as part of a separate liquid fabric conditioner (LFE) composition added in a subsequent rinse cycle. 【0075】 Washing protocol and spore adhesion analysis method: In experiments involving four external and two internal replicates for each treatment, a surfactant-free liquid laundry detergent formulation containing 0.66% whitening agent, 0.77% chelating agent, 4.55% solvent / rheology modifier, 2.77% polymer, and the remainder being water was used. A surfactant system consisting of 30% nonionic AE7 (C12-14 alcohol ethoxylate with an average of 7 moles of ethoxylation), 40% LAS (linear alkylbenzene sulfonate), and 30% AE3S (C12-14 alcohol ether sulfate with an average of 3 moles of ethoxylation) (Procter & Gamble) was added separately to knitted cotton samples (GMT desizing knitted cotton, Warwick Equest Ltd, Consett, UK) and SBL2004 samples (SBL2004, wfk-Testgewebe) The (Germany GmbH, Bruggen-Bracht) was cleaned and then rinsed with LFE (Lenor, Procter & Gamble). 【0076】 [Table 1] 【0077】 The washing and rinsing cycle was completed in a 1L turgotometer containing tap water (9 gpg hardness (US)), a 5×SBL2004 5cm×5cm sample, and a 5cm×5cm knitted cotton sample, with a total fabric mass of 60g. This fabric was washed at 26°C and 208 rpm for 17 minutes, and then rinsed twice in fresh water (15°C) for 5 minutes each. The Bacillus spore premix (Genesis Biosciences, Cardiff, UK) was subjected to 5×10 in the washing (test categories 1+2) or second rinse (test categories 3+4). 6 The spores were added to obtain a total number of colony-forming units (CFU) / L. A 1 L stock wash solution was prepared by adding the desired number of spores, and a sample of this stock solution was taken to the initial CFU / g fabric reading. In all cases, after the rinse cycle, the knitted cotton sample was removed and 10 0Spore adhesion was analyzed by vortex extraction using 0.45 ml of 0.1% Tween 80 (P8074 Sigma-Aldrich) in 9 ml of 0.85% physiological saline (Trafalgar Scientific, Leicester, UK) to obtain a diluted solution. 10 -1 The dilution was performed by serially diluting 1 ml of the solution into 9 ml of physiological saline. 10 0 and 10 -1 200 μl aliquots of the dilution were plate-seed in double rows onto tryptic soy agar (TSA) plates (Biomerieu × UK Ltd, Basingstoke, UK) and spread using a sterile plastic wedge spreader (Trafalgar Scientific, Leicester, UK). The plates were incubated at 35°C for 18–24 hours, and the resulting colonies were visually counted. The total colony-forming units (CFU) per gram of fabric were calculated using the number of colonies from plates containing 20–200 colonies. See the calculation below. 【0078】 Similarly, the first sample counted was 10 0 For dilution, either plate seed directly onto the TSA plate, or 10 -1 For dilution, the solution was gradually diluted with 1 ml in 9 ml of 0.85% physiological saline, and then plate-seeded onto TSA plates. Using the numbers derived from these plates, the total available CFU per gram of fabric in the initial washing solution was calculated, assuming theoretical 100% adhesion, so that the percentage of adhesion to fabric could be calculated. 【0079】 Calculation: Fabric extraction: CFU / g fabric = CFU × (1000 / 200) × 9.45 (to obtain total CFU in 9.45 ml of extract solution) × 1 / 0.826 g (conversion from sample to grams) × dilution factor initial: Initial CFU / g fabric = (CFU × (1000 / 200 × 1000)) / 60g × dilution factor Adhesion rate: % adhesion = ((Initial CFU / g) / (Fabric CFU / g)) × 100 result: Average initial CFU / g fabric: 53,750 CFU / g 【0080】 [Table 2] 【0081】 statistical analysis Tukey's HSD was used to determine the statistical significance between the four treatments. The A vs. B comparison did not show a significant difference, but all other pairwise comparisons were found to be statistically significant at a 99% confidence level. 【0082】 [Table 3] 【0083】 conclusion A system including the delivery of Bacillus spores to the rinse solution achieves a higher level of adhesion to the fabric surface than spore formulations in the preceding wash cycle (comparison of treatments C vs. A and D vs. B). The level of surfactant does not significantly affect spore adhesion in the wash solution (comparison of treatment B vs. A). However, the combination of spore delivery to the rinse solution and a low surfactant level in the preceding wash solution (treatment C, the present invention) results in a remarkably and unexpectedly enhanced spore adhesion compared to any of the comparative treatments (A, B, and D). 【0084】 The dimensions and values ​​disclosed herein should not be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values ​​listed. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the listed value and the functionally equivalent range encompassing that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "approximately 40 mm."

Claims

[Claim 1] A method for processing fabric, wherein the method is i) A step of exposing the fabric to a cleaning solution containing a surfactant system in a concentration of 100 ppm to 600 ppm, ii Aqueous solution: approximately 1 x 10 per liter ２ ~Approx. 1×10 ８ A step of rinsing the fabric with a rinse solution containing bacterial spores of CFU, Methods that include... [Claim 2] The method according to claim 1, wherein the surfactant system includes anionic and nonionic surfactants. [Claim 3] The method according to claim 2, wherein the anionic surfactant comprises a sulfonate and / or sulfate surfactant, and the nonionic surfactant comprises an ethoxylated alcohol. [Claim 4] The method according to claim 3, wherein the anionic surfactant comprises a linear alkylbenzene sulfonate and an alcohol ether sulfate. [Claim 5] The method according to claim 4, wherein the weight ratio of the anionic surfactant to the nonionic surfactant is 30:1 to 1:2, preferably 20:1 to 2:3, or up to 1:

1. [Claim 6] The rinse solution contains approximately 1 x 10 units per liter of the aqueous solution. ３ ~Approx. 1×10 ７ The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising bacterial spores of CFU. [Claim 7] The bacterial spores include Bacillus spores, preferably Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacillus mycoides, Bacillus tequilensis, Bacillus vallismortis, and Bacillus mojavensis. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the bacillus is selected from the group consisting of Bacillus mojavensis and mixtures thereof, more preferably from the group consisting of Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus amyloriquefaciens, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus megatherium, Bacillus pumilus, and mixtures thereof. [Claim 8] The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the surfactant system is added to the cleaning solution as part of the total detergent formulation. [Claim 9] The method according to claim 8, wherein the total detergent further comprises a cleaning aid. [Claim 10] The method according to claim 9, wherein the entire detergent formulation is in the form of a liquid, solid, or unit dose. [Claim 11] The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the method is performed in a washing machine including an automatic dispensing system, the automatic dispensing system comprising a plurality of reservoirs, one reservoir containing one or more surfactants, and at least another reservoir containing the bacterial spores. [Claim 12] The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the cleaning solution substantially contains no bleach. [Claim 13] The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the rinsing solution substantially contains no fabric conditioning agent. [Claim 14] Use of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 13 to improve spore adhesion to fabrics during the washing process.

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