Hard surface cleaner with enhanced cleaning power

Abstract

FIELD: household and industrial chemistry.SUBSTANCE: compositions of liquid cleaning agents based on non-ionic surfactants. A hard surface cleaning agent comprises a non-ionic surfactant in an amount of 2–4 wt.%, a solvent in an amount of 1–3 wt.%, a perfume composition and water, wherein the composition contains “ПЭГ-40” hydrogenated castor oil in an amount of 0.8–1.2 wt.% as a solubilizer; the amount of perfume composition is 0.8–1.2 wt.%, wherein the composition is a multicomponent mixture of terpenes, aromatic esters, aliphatic hydrocarbon compounds and oxygen-containing aromatic components; the ratio of solubilizer to fragrance is from 0.5:1 to 2:1; the solvent is isopropyl alcohol; it also contains a preservative in the form of a mixture of methylchloroisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone in an amount of 0.05-0.2 wt.%.EFFECT: increased efficiency in removing pigment-oil contaminants without increasing the content of surfactant.3 cl, 2 tbl, 3 ex

Description

[0001] The technical field to which the invention relates.

[0002] The claimed technical solution relates to the field of household and industrial chemistry, specifically to the compositions of liquid cleaning agents based on non-ionic surfactants, and is intended for cleaning hard surfaces, such as metal, glass, ceramics, and polymeric materials.

[0003] Technique level.

[0004] For example, a cleaning and degreasing agent for cleaning hard surfaces is known (RU Patent for Invention No. 2190011. IPC C11D 3 / 24, C11D 1 / 72, C11D 3 / 04, C11D 3 / 37, published on September 27, 2002, [1]), containing by weight %: non-ionic surfactant polyoxyethylated monoalkylphenol based on propylene trimers 0.01-4.0; sodium salt of polyacrylic acid 0.01-2.0; sodium carbonate 0.1-4.0; sodium silicate 0.01-5.0; fluorinated surfactant (surfactant) 0.001-0.4, perfume and water. The disadvantages of this analogue are:

[0005] - the use of alkylphenols (neonols) and fluorinated surfactants harms the environment and limits the use of the product in household conditions;

[0006] - high concentration of alkaline salts (sodium carbonate and silicate) causes clouding of glass, corrosion of non-ferrous metals and destruction of glossy polymer coatings with regular use;

[0007] - the fragrance in this composition performs an exclusively masking function to suppress the unpleasant odor of the chemical base.

[0008] The composition of a multifunctional cleansing agent is known (the formulation of the Cargill company "Body Wash for Men - Head to Toe", formula number C027, published January 2023, online resource https: / / www.cargill.com / bioindustrial / doc / 1432224930495 / formula-c027.rjdf [2]), containing a composition of surfactants, including a non-ionic surfactant of the alkyl polyglucoside class (decyl glucoside) in an amount of 7.50%, a perfume fragrance, a solubilizer (PPG-26-Butet-26, PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil) in an amount of 4.00%, a complexing agent (disodium EDTA), a pH regulator and water. The disadvantage of this alternative for cleaning hard surfaces is its poor cleaning ability against industrial and household stains. The formula is designed exclusively for removing light skin stains and is not capable of effectively emulsifying thick grease films, carbon deposits, soot, or mineral deposits on metal, glass, or plastic.The presence of caring hydrophilic emollients (hydrolyzed jojoba esters) and superfatting agents (polyethylene glycol ethers of macadamia oil glycerides) in the formula leaves a visible sticky film and cloudy streaks on hard surfaces when drying, requiring mechanical polishing or copious rinsing with water. The presence of strong foaming agents (sodium salts of C14-C16 olefin sulfonates) makes it impossible to use the product for cleaning vertical or hard-to-reach hard surfaces due to the formation of a foam that does not settle for a long time. The fragrance and solubilizers in the formula serve a purely aesthetic purpose, deodorizing the skin. Therefore, simply mixing nonionic surfactants and fragrance (as in shower gels) is unsuitable for hard surfaces due to streaking and poor cleaning performance.

[0009] The prototype of the proposed invention is a natural cleaning composition for hard surfaces (US Patent No. 7,396,808 B1, IPC C11D 3 / 20, C11D 3 / 22, C11D 3 / 43, C11D 3 / 50, published on July 8, 2008) containing a non-ionic surfactant of the alkyl polyglucosides class in an amount of 0.5-5%, an ethanol solvent in an amount of 0.5-5%, a processing additive (glycerin) in an amount of 0.05-1%, water and a perfume composition. According to the tables, the perfume composition contains 0.01 - 0.4% essential oil. Moreover, the essential oil contains d-limonene. The disadvantage of the prototype is the use of ethanol as a solvent. Due to the low aromatic content and the high polarity of ethanol, the solvent potential of terpenes is practically not realized. The composition is unable to quickly penetrate dense hydrophobic films, resulting in slow cleaning and requiring intensive mechanical action.

[0010] The technical problem being solved is the creation of an environmentally friendly cleaning composition based on non-ionic surfactants for the treatment of hard surfaces, which has a high penetration rate into hydrophobic pigment-oil contaminants.

[0011] Disclosure of invention.

[0012] The technical result provided by the claimed technical solution is an increase in the efficiency of removing pigment-oil contaminants without increasing the content of surfactants.

[0013] Other technical results are:

[0014] - quick drying of the surface;

[0015] - no streaks;

[0016] - prolonged aromatic effect.

[0017] Based on this original observation, the present invention mainly aims to provide a hard surface cleaning agent containing a nonionic surfactant in an amount of 2-4% (by weight), a solvent in an amount of 1-3% (by weight), a perfume composition and water.

[0018] It is distinguished by the fact that

[0019] - as a solubilizer, the composition contains PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil in an amount of 0.8-1.2% (wt.);

[0020] - the amount of perfume composition is 0.8-1.2% (wt.), while the composition is a multi-component mixture of terpenes, aromatic esters, aliphatic hydrocarbon compounds and oxygen-containing aromatic components;

[0021] - the ratio of solubilizer to fragrance is from 0.5:1 to 2:1;

[0022] - the solvent is isopropyl alcohol;

[0023] contains a preservative in the form of a mixture of methylchloroisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone in an amount of 0.05-0.2% (wt.).

[0024] The above-mentioned entity is a set of essential features of the declared technical solution that ensure the achievement of the declared technical result.

[0025] In special cases, it is permissible to implement the technical solution as follows.

[0026] The non-ionic surfactant is predominantly a decyl glucoside based on C8-C fatty alcohols 10 .

[0027] The calculated amount of demineralized water to be introduced is from 89.70 to 95.05% (by weight) of the total weight of the finished product.

[0028] The composition may contain glycerin in an amount of 0.3-0.7% (by weight).

[0029] The hard surface cleaning product has been developed by a specialist in practice and, when implemented, ensures the fulfillment of the stated purpose.

[0030] Implementation of the invention.

[0031] The claimed product for cleaning hard surfaces has increased cleaning ability and a prolonged aromatic effect.

[0032] The claimed product contains water, primarily demineralized, as a liquid base. The calculated amount of water added ranges from 89.70 to 95.05% by weight of the total weight of the finished product. This specified aqueous phase content is optimal for achieving the required viscosity, ensuring easy application of the composition by spraying, and guaranteeing complete dissolution and solubilization of all active components of the system.

[0033] The composition contains alkyl polyglucoside based on C8-C fatty alcohols as a non-ionic surfactant. 10 (decyl glucoside APG0810) in an amount of 2-4 wt.%.

[0034] As a solubilizer, the composition contains PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil in an amount of 0.8-1.2% (wt.).

[0035] The perfume composition, at a level of 0.8-1.2% (wt.), is a multicomponent mixture of terpenes, aromatic esters, aliphatic hydrocarbon compounds, and oxygen-containing aromatic components. The solubilizer converts these compounds into a stable dispersed form in an aqueous medium, ensuring their contact with the contaminant. A perfume composition content of 0.8-1.2% (wt.) leads to a statistically significant increase in the removal of pigment and oil stains. Thus, in the claimed composition, the perfume composition acts as an active fat co-solvent, working within the liquid phase during washing.

[0036] The optimal solubilizer to fragrance weight ratio is between 0.5:1 and 2:1. This creates a mobile microemulsion. When applied to a hard surface, the fragrance's terpenes are instantly released, penetrating and softening the hydrophobic stain, while the non-ionic surfactants immediately wash it away.

[0037] Isopropyl alcohol was used as a solvent in an amount of 1-3% by weight. Unlike the prototype [3], where the fragrance was introduced in an amount of up to 0.4% and dissolved in polar ethanol, the fragrance concentration in the claimed product is significantly increased. Replacing ethanol with less polar isopropyl alcohol allowed for the complete solubilization of the increased amount of fragrance monoterpenes, converting them from a passive fragrance to an active liquid co-solvent of fats, which provides the system's unexpectedly high cleaning capacity.

[0038] The long-lasting fragrance effect is achieved through the synergistic interaction of a non-ionic surfactant, a solubilizer, and a fragrance. This creates thermodynamically stable nanoscale encapsulating micelles, which slow the evaporation rate of volatile terpene hydrocarbons. An additional factor in prolonging fragrance retention is the replacement of ethanol with isopropyl alcohol. Isopropyl alcohol, being less polar than prototype 3, ensures more secure retention of the hydrophobic fragrance molecules within the micellar core during the drying of the liquid film on a solid substrate, preventing their avalanche-like evaporation.

[0039] The preservative is a mixture of methylchloroisothiazolinone and methyl isothiazolinone (CMIT / MIT) in an amount of 0.05-0.2% (wt.) provides increased stability during storage.

[0040] The composition may contain glycerin in an amount of 0.3-0.7% (by weight).

[0041] Pour the required amount of water into a mixing container, then add the non-ionic surfactant, solvent, preservative, and isopropyl alcohol. In a separate container, mix the perfume composition and solubilizer, stir thoroughly, and add to the container with water and surfactant.

[0042] Examples of specific implementation.

[0043] Example 1. For experimental testing, three variants of the composition were prepared (components are indicated in wt.%, calculated as 100% active substance):

[0044]

[0045] Example 2. Cleaning ability was assessed using a method adapted from the standard method for determining the cleaning ability of liquid dishwashing detergents according to GOST 22567.15-95 "Synthetic Detergents. Method for Determining Cleaning Ability." The method was modified to evaluate cleaning effectiveness on hard floor coverings.

[0046] Preparing test samples

[0047] Ceramic tiles measuring 10x10 cm were used as the test surface. A standard model contamination of the following composition was applied to the surface:

[0048] • Sunflower oil - 70%;

[0049] • Carbon black (pigment) - 20%;

[0050] • Quartz dust 10%.

[0051] The contaminant was applied in a uniform layer weighing 0.20 g onto the tile surface and kept for 24 hours at room temperature. Test method

[0052] For testing, a working solution of 0.5% solution in water was prepared. Cleaning was performed using a standard sponge at constant pressure for 10 wipe cycles. The test was repeated three times. After cleaning, gravimetric determination was made by weighing the tiles before and after soiling, and after cleaning.

[0053] Results evaluation

[0054] The cleaning ability was calculated using the formula:

[0055]

[0056] where:

[0057] m0 - mass of clean tile;

[0058] m1 - mass of tile with contamination;

[0059] m2 - mass after cleaning.

[0060]

[0061] Analysis of experimental data obtained during the evaluation of the cleaning ability of samples of compositions with different concentrations of perfume composition (see Table No. 2) clearly confirms the achievement of the claimed technical result.

[0062] As can be seen from the table, an increase in the content of the perfume composition leads to a noticeable increase in the effectiveness of removing pigment-oil stains.

[0063] Thus, at minor fragrance concentrations of 0.2-0.3% by weight (Samples No. 1 and No. 2), typical of traditional household chemicals, the degree of removal of complex stains does not exceed 74-78%. Under these conditions, the components of the perfume composition act only as passive deodorizing agents.

[0064] Experimentation has shown that at a perfume concentration of 0.5 wt.% (Sample No. 3, which is at the upper limit of known analogs), the degree of pigment-oil contamination removal is only 85%. However, upon passing this critical point and increasing the fragrance content by just 0.2 wt.% – to 0.7 wt.% (Sample No. 4) – a distinct qualitative leap in cleaning ability to 89% is recorded.

[0065] The maximum effect is achieved with an aromatic composition content of approximately 1% by weight. With a further increase in fragrance content, no significant increase in cleaning ability is observed, confirming the validity, adequacy, and economic feasibility of the stated upper concentration limits.

[0066] The obtained results confirm the presence of a synergistic effect between the surfactant, organic solvent and the components of the perfume composition.

[0067] Example 3. Evaluation of the prolonged aromatic effect (organoleptic assessment by an expert panel in a climate chamber at a constant temperature of +22°C and a relative air humidity of 50%, on a 5-point scale)

[0068]

[0069] The data obtained show that the claimed composition provides a stable, prolonged aromatic effect. The optimal balance between formula cost, high cleaning power, and scent retention (up to 24-48 hours) is achieved in Model Composition No. 3, with a perfume content of 1.2% by weight.

Claims

1. A cleaning agent for hard surfaces, containing a non-ionic surfactant in an amount of 2-4% by weight, a solvent in an amount of 1-3% by weight, a perfume composition and water, characterized in that - as a solubilizer, the composition contains PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil in an amount of 0.8-1.2% by weight; - the amount of perfume composition is 0.8-1.2% by weight, while the composition is a multi-component mixture of terpenes, aromatic esters, aliphatic hydrocarbon compounds and oxygen-containing aromatic components; - the ratio of solubilizer to fragrance is from 0.5:1 to 2:1; - the solvent is isopropyl alcohol; - contains a preservative in the form of a mixture of methylchloroisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone in an amount of 0.05-0.2% by weight.

2. The agent according to claim 1, characterized in that the non-ionic surfactant is predominantly a decyl glucoside based on fatty alcohols of the C8–C10 fraction.

3. The agent according to item 1, characterized in that it contains glycerin in an amount of 0.3-0.7% by weight.

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