Detergent composition

Abstract

[Problem] An objective of the present disclosure is to provide a detergent composition that comprises l-carvone and a quaternary ammonium salt and is capable of suppressing discoloration that occurs over time. [Solution] The detergent composition of the present disclosure is characterized by comprising l-carvone, a quaternary ammonium salt, and a phosphonic acid chelating agent.

Description

Cleaning composition

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cleaning composition that contains l-carboxylic acid and a quaternary ammonium salt and yet is capable of suppressing discoloration that occurs over time.

[0002] Conventionally, various detergent compositions have been used to remove dirt adhering to hard surfaces such as toilet bowls and to create a hygienic environment. For example, detergent compositions for flush toilets are used that are designed to release detergent into flush water when placed in the hand basin, on the surface of the toilet bowl, in the water storage tank, or the like of a flush toilet.

[0003] In conventional cleaning compositions, tetraalkylammonium salts such as didecyldimethylammonium chloride or benzylalkyldimethylammonium salts such as benzyldodecyldimethylammonium chloride and benzyltetradecyldimethylammonium chloride are widely used as disinfectants to prevent microbial stains such as blackening. Various compositions have been investigated in an attempt to improve the performance of cleaning compositions containing disinfectants. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that the detergency of a cleaning composition for hard surfaces can be improved by using didecyldimethylammonium chloride in combination with a specific polyoxyethylene alkyl ether.

[0004] In addition, in response to the increasing demand for more comfortable living, detergent compositions often contain fragrances to add a pleasant fragrance to the space in which the detergent composition is used. Among the fragrances, mint fragrances (fragrances that have a mint scent) are in line with consumer preferences and are therefore often used in detergent compositions.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-95718

[0006] Mint fragrances are formulated with l-carvone as the main ingredient to impart a mint scent. The present inventors conducted extensive research into cleaning compositions containing a quaternary ammonium salt as a disinfectant and exhibiting a mint scent, and discovered a problem in that conventional cleaning compositions containing a quaternary ammonium salt and a mint fragrance suffer from discoloration (yellowing) over time. Furthermore, the present inventors discovered a problem in that when the quaternary ammonium salt contains a benzylalkyldimethylammonium salt, particularly a benzylalkyl(C12-C14)dimethylammonium salt (a salt of a compound in which an alkyl group having 12 to 14 carbon atoms and two methyl groups are bonded to the amino group of benzylammonium), significant discoloration (yellowing) occurs. Further research led the present inventors to discover that the yellowing occurs due to a reaction between the quaternary ammonium salt and l-carvone. The yellowing caused by the reaction between quaternary ammonium salts and l-carvone can be suppressed to some extent by reducing the content of quaternary ammonium salts or l-carvone, but reducing the content of quaternary ammonium salts will weaken the disinfecting action, and reducing the content of l-carvone will deteriorate the quality of the mint scent.

[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a cleaning composition that contains l-carboxylic acid and a quaternary ammonium salt and yet is capable of suppressing discoloration that occurs over time.

[0008] The present inventors have conducted extensive research to solve the above-mentioned problems and have found that discoloration that occurs over time can be suppressed by further blending a phosphonic acid chelating agent into a detergent composition containing l-carboxylic acid and a quaternary ammonium salt. The present disclosure was completed based on this finding and further research.

[0009] That is, the present disclosure provides the following aspects of the invention. Item 1. A cleaning composition comprising l-carvone, a quaternary ammonium salt, and a phosphonic acid chelating agent. Item 2. The cleaning composition according to Item 1, wherein the quaternary ammonium salt comprises a benzylalkyldimethylammonium salt. Item 3. The cleaning composition according to Item 2, wherein the benzylalkyldimethylammonium salt comprises a benzylalkyl (having 12 to 14 carbon atoms)dimethylammonium salt. Item 4. The cleaning composition according to any one of Items 1 to 3, wherein the content of the phosphonic acid chelating agent is 0.1 to 100 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of l-carvone. Item 5. The cleaning composition according to any one of Items 1 to 4, wherein the content of the phosphonic acid chelating agent is 0.001 to 10 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the quaternary ammonium salt. Item 6. The cleaning composition according to any one of Items 1 to 5, which is used to clean a toilet bowl of a flush toilet. Item 7. A method for inhibiting discoloration of a cleaning composition containing l-carboxylic acid and a quaternary ammonium salt, comprising further adding a phosphonic acid chelating agent to the cleaning composition.

[0010] The cleaning composition of the present disclosure contains a phosphonic acid chelating agent in addition to l-carboxylic acid and a quaternary ammonium salt, which can inhibit discoloration that occurs over time. This provides excellent color stability and allows the cleaning composition to maintain a good appearance for a long period of time.

[0011] 1. Detergent Composition The detergent composition of the present disclosure is characterized by containing l-carboxylic acid, a quaternary ammonium salt, and a phosphonic acid chelating agent. The detergent composition of the present disclosure is described in detail below.

[0012] [l-Carvone] The cleanser composition of the present disclosure contains l-carvone as a fragrance component. The l-carvone may be purified, or may be used in the form of an essential oil containing l-carvone. The essential oil containing l-carvone may be appropriately selected from known essential oils and, for example, spearmint oil is an example of an essential oil containing l-carvone. In this specification, when an essential oil containing l-carvone is used, the contents and ratios of the essential oil containing l-carvone are values ​​converted into the amount of l-carvone contained in the essential oil.

[0013] The content of l-carvone in the detergent composition of the present disclosure may be appropriately set depending on the strength of the fragrance to be imparted, the dilution ratio at the time of use, and the like, and is, for example, more than 0 to 10 wt%, preferably 0.1 to 8 wt%, more preferably 0.2 to 6 wt%, even more preferably 0.3 to 5 wt%, and still more preferably 0.5 to 3 wt%.

[0014] [Quaternary Ammonium Salt] The cleaning composition of the present disclosure contains a quaternary ammonium salt as a disinfectant. The type of quaternary ammonium salt is not particularly limited, but examples include quaternary ammonium chloride, quaternary ammonium sulfate, quaternary ammonium bromide, and quaternary ammonium hydrogen sulfate. From the viewpoint of disinfecting effect, the type of quaternary ammonium salt is preferably quaternary ammonium chloride or quaternary ammonium sulfate, and more preferably quaternary ammonium chloride. Examples of quaternary ammonium salts include benzylalkyldimethylammonium salts (the alkyl group has, for example, 8 to 24 carbon atoms, preferably 8 to 18 carbon atoms), cetylpyridinium salts, benzethonium salts, dequalinium salts, dialkyldimethylammonium salts (the alkyl group has, for example, 8 to 22 carbon atoms), alkyltrimethylammonium salts (the alkyl group has, for example, 8 to 22 carbon atoms), methylbenzethonium salts, lauroylcholaminoformylmethylpyridinium salts, dialkyldimethylammonium methyl sulfates (the alkyl group has, for example, 8 to 22 carbon atoms), and alkyltrimethylammonium methyl sulfates (the alkyl group has, for example, 8 to 22 carbon atoms). Examples of the salt form include halide salts such as chlorides, bromides, and iodides, with chlorides being preferred. The above-exemplified quaternary ammonium salts may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Discoloration (yellowing) of a detergent composition over time is likely to occur when the detergent composition contains a benzylalkyldimethylammonium salt, particularly when the detergent composition contains a benzylalkyl(C12-C14)dimethylammonium salt. Therefore, from the viewpoint of more effectively achieving the effects of the present disclosure, the quaternary ammonium salt preferably contains a benzylalkyldimethylammonium salt, and more preferably contains a benzylalkyl(C12-C14)dimethylammonium salt. The benzylalkyldimethylammonium salt may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The benzylalkyl(C12-C14)dimethylammonium salt may be used alone or in combination of two or more.When the benzylalkyldimethylammonium salt contains a benzylalkyl(C12-C14)dimethylammonium salt, the content of the benzylalkyl(C12-C14)dimethylammonium salt in the benzylalkyldimethylammonium salt is typically 1 to 80 wt%, preferably 5 to 70 wt%, more preferably 10 to 65 wt%, even more preferably 15 to 50 wt%, and particularly preferably 15 to 30 wt%. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of more effectively obtaining the effects of the present disclosure, the quaternary ammonium salt to be blended is preferably a benzylalkyldimethylammonium salt, more preferably a benzylalkyldimethylammonium salt containing a benzylalkyl(C12-C14)dimethylammonium salt.

[0015] The content of the quaternary ammonium salt in the cleaning composition of the present disclosure may be appropriately set depending on the disinfecting effect to be imparted, the dilution ratio at the time of use, etc., and is, for example, 1 to 80 wt %, preferably 5 to 70 wt %, more preferably 10 to 65 wt %, even more preferably 15 to 50 wt %, and still more preferably 15 to 30 wt %.

[0016] In the cleaning composition of the present disclosure, the ratio of l-carvone to the quaternary ammonium salt is determined depending on the contents of the above-described components. The content of l-carvone per 100 parts by weight of the quaternary ammonium salt is usually 0.1 to 30 parts by weight, preferably 0.3 to 20 parts by weight, more preferably 1 to 15 parts by weight, and even more preferably 3 to 12 parts by weight.

[0017] [Phosphonic Acid Chelating Agent] The cleaning composition of the present disclosure contains a phosphonic acid chelating agent. The phosphonic acid chelating agent is a component for inhibiting discoloration (yellowing) that occurs over time in a cleaning composition containing l-carboxylic acid and a quaternary ammonium salt.

[0018] The number of phosphonic acid groups contained in the phosphonic acid chelating agent is not particularly limited, but is preferably 1 to 5, more preferably 1 to 4, and even more preferably 2 to 4. The molecular weight of the phosphonic acid chelating agent is not particularly limited, but is preferably 100 to 1,000, more preferably 150 to 800, and even more preferably 200 to 600.

[0019] The phosphonic acid chelating agent is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP), nitrilotris(methylenephosphonic acid) (NTMP), phosphonobutanetricarboxylic acid (PBTC), ethylenediaminetetramethylenephosphonic acid (EDTMP), and salts thereof (alkali metal salts such as sodium salts). The phosphonic acid chelating agents exemplified above may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Of the phosphonic acid chelating agents exemplified above, it is preferable to use at least one selected from the group consisting of 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP), nitrilotris(methylenephosphonic acid) (NTMP), and phosphonobutanetricarboxylic acid (PBTC), from the viewpoint of more effectively suppressing discoloration over time.

[0020] The content of the phosphonic acid chelating agent in the cleaning composition of the present disclosure may be appropriately set depending on the contents of l-carboxylic acid and the quaternary ammonium salt. For example, the content is 0.001 to 5 wt %. From the viewpoint of more effectively suppressing discoloration over time, the content is preferably 0.01 to 3 wt %, more preferably 0.02 to 1 wt %, even more preferably 0.03 to 0.8 wt %, and still more preferably 0.04 to 0.5 wt %.

[0021] In the cleaning composition of the present disclosure, the content ratio of the phosphonic acid chelating agent to l-carvone is determined depending on the contents of the above-described components. The content of the phosphonic acid chelating agent per 100 parts by weight of l-carvone is usually 0.1 to 100 parts by weight, preferably 0.5 to 80 parts by weight, more preferably 1 to 50 parts by weight, even more preferably 2 to 30 parts by weight, and still more preferably 3 to 10 parts by weight.

[0022] In the cleaning composition of the present disclosure, the content ratio of the phosphonic acid chelating agent to the quaternary ammonium salt is determined depending on the contents of the above-described components. The content of the phosphonic acid chelating agent per 100 parts by weight of the quaternary ammonium salt is usually 0.001 to 10 parts by weight, preferably 0.01 to 8 parts by weight, more preferably 0.03 to 5 parts by weight, even more preferably 0.05 to 3 parts by weight, and still more preferably 0.1 to 1 part by weight.

[0023] [Fragrances Other Than 1-Carvone] The cleanser composition of the present disclosure may contain fragrances other than 1-carvone (oil-based fragrances) as needed. Examples of fragrances (other than 1-carvone) include natural fragrances as well as synthetic fragrances such as hydrocarbon-based fragrances, ether-based fragrances, ester-based fragrances, alcohol-based fragrances, aldehyde-based fragrances, and ketone-based fragrances.

[0024] These fragrances may be used singly as a single fragrance, or may be used in combination of two or more as a blended fragrance.

[0025] Since l-carvone is suitable as a constituent raw material for mint-based fragrances, a preferred example of the fragrance used in the cleanser composition of the present disclosure is a mint-based fragrance prepared by combining l-carvone with other fragrances.

[0026] When l-carvone and other fragrances are used in combination in the cleansing composition of the present disclosure, the ratio thereof is not particularly limited. For example, the content of l-carvone per 100 parts by weight of the total amount of fragrances (total amount of l-carvone and other fragrances) is preferably 5 parts by weight or more, more preferably 10 to 60 parts by weight, and even more preferably 15 to 50 parts by weight.

[0027] When a fragrance other than l-carvone is contained in the cleanser composition of the present disclosure, the content of the fragrance other than l-carvone is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, more than 0 to 30 wt %, preferably 1 to 20 wt %, more preferably 2 to 15 wt %, and even more preferably 3 to 10 wt %.

[0028] [Polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether] The cleaning composition of the present disclosure may contain a polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether as needed. When the cleaning composition of the present disclosure contains a polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether, the oral toxicity and skin irritation of the disinfectant can be reduced, thereby providing high safety. Furthermore, since the polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether is a nonionic surfactant, it can also impart a cleaning effect.

[0029] The polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether is a compound in which a polyoxyalkylene chain and an alkyl group are ether-bonded.

[0030] The polyoxyalkylene chain in the polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether may be, for example, any of a polyoxyethylene chain, a polyoxypropylene chain, or a polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene chain. The polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene chain may be one in which ethylene oxide and propylene oxide are randomly added, or one in which they are block-added.

[0031] From the viewpoint of providing even higher safety, the polyoxyalkylene chain in the polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether is preferably a polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene chain. The ratio of the number of moles of polyethylene oxide to the number of moles of polypropylene oxide added in the polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene chain is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 1:0.3-15, preferably 1:0.5-8, more preferably 1:1-5, in terms of the number of moles of polypropylene oxide added: the number of moles of polyethylene oxide added.

[0032] The number of moles of alkylene oxide added to the polyoxyalkylene chain is, for example, 3 to 50, preferably 8 to 40, more preferably 10 to 30, and particularly preferably 15 to 25.

[0033] The alkyl group in the polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether may be either linear or branched, and the number of carbon atoms in the alkyl group may be, for example, 6 to 24, preferably 8 to 18, and more preferably 8 to 16.

[0034] Suitable examples of polyoxyalkylene alkyl ethers used in the present disclosure include compounds represented by the following general formula (1): R 1 -O-[(EO)n / (PO)m]-H (1)

[0035] In general formula (1), R 1 represents a linear or branched alkyl group having 6 to 24 carbon atoms, preferably 8 to 18 carbon atoms, and more preferably 8 to 16 carbon atoms.

[0036] In general formula (1), EO represents an oxyethylene group, n represents the average number of moles of EO added, PO represents an oxypropylene group, and m represents the average number of moles of PO added. n is an integer from 0 to 50, preferably from 0 to 40, more preferably from 0 to 30, and even more preferably from 0 to 25; m is an integer from 0 to 50, preferably from 0 to 40, more preferably from 0 to 30, and even more preferably from 0 to 25; and n+m represents 3 to 50, preferably from 8 to 40, more preferably from 10 to 30, and even more preferably from 15 to 25. From the viewpoint of providing even higher safety, n and m in general formula (1) are particularly preferably n is 8 to 20, m is 1 to 8, and n+m is 12 to 24, and most preferably n is 13 to 19, m is 2 to 7, and n+m is 18 to 22.

[0037] In addition, in the general formula (1), [(EO)n / (PO)m] represents random addition or block addition of EO and PO.

[0038] In the cleaning composition of the present disclosure, the polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether may be used alone having one type of structure, or may be used in combination of two or more types of structures.

[0039] In the cleaning composition of the present disclosure, the content of the polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether may be appropriately set depending on the content of the disinfectant, the dilution ratio at the time of use, etc., and may be, for example, 10 to 60 wt %, preferably 20 to 55 wt %, and more preferably 30 to 50 wt %.

[0040] [Water] When the cleaning composition of the present disclosure is in a liquid or gel form, it may contain water.

[0041] When water is contained in the cleaning composition of the present disclosure, the content of water is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, 1 to 40 wt %, preferably 3 to 30 wt %, and more preferably 5 to 20 wt %.

[0042] [Other Components] The detergent composition of the present disclosure may further contain additives, such as monohydric lower alcohols, polyhydric alcohols, surfactants (other than polyoxyalkylene alkyl ethers), colorants (colored pigments, dyes), enzymes, disinfectants, deodorizers, emulsifying and solubilizing agents for oily components, extenders, solubility adjusters, bleaching agents, water repellents, hydrophilic agents, fillers, pH adjusters, thickeners, gelling agents, moldability improvers, buffers, opacifying agents, antifoaming agents, lubricants, and coating agents, as needed, within the scope of not impairing the effects of the present disclosure.

[0043] [Form] The form of the cleaning composition of the present disclosure is not particularly limited and may be appropriately selected depending on the intended use, and examples thereof include liquid, solid (powder, tablet, etc.), semi-solid (paste, gel, etc.), aerosol, etc. Among these forms, liquid and semi-solid forms are preferred, and liquid form is more preferred.

[0044] [Object to be Cleaned] The object to be cleaned with the cleaning composition of the present disclosure is not particularly limited as long as it is an object requiring sterilization and stain removal, and examples thereof include hard surfaces that can come into contact with water, such as toilets (toilet bowls and toilet floors), bathrooms, kitchens, galleys, drainage pipes, water storage facilities (swimming pools, artificial ponds, etc.), etc. Among these, flush toilet bowls are prone to microbial stains such as blackening and are therefore objects to be cleaned that require sterilization, and therefore the cleaning composition of the present disclosure is suitable as a cleaner for flush toilet bowls.

[0045] When the cleaning composition of the present disclosure is used to clean a flush toilet bowl, the cleaning composition of the present disclosure may be applied directly to the toilet bowl and used for cleaning, but it is preferable to dilute it with flush water and use it to clean the toilet bowl with the flush water when flushing the flush toilet. When the cleaning composition of the present disclosure is diluted with flush water for use in cleaning a flush toilet bowl, the dilution ratio is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, about 10,000 to 1,000,000 times, and preferably about 20,000 to 500,000 times.

[0046] When the cleaning composition of the present disclosure is diluted with flush water and used for cleaning a flush toilet bowl, the cleaning composition of the present disclosure may be any of an on-tank cleaning agent for flush toilets, an in-tank cleaning agent for flush toilets, a rim cleaning agent for flush toilets, a cleaning agent used by adhering to the surface of a toilet bowl, etc.

[0047] An on-tank cleaner for a flush toilet is a cleaner that is placed above the hand-washing section of a flush toilet and cleans the toilet bowl by contacting a container containing the cleaner composition with flush water supplied to the hand-washing section, causing the cleaner composition to flow out of the container and releasing the flush water into the toilet bowl with the cleaner composition dissolved in it. When the cleaner composition of the present disclosure is used as an on-tank cleaner for a flush toilet, the cleaner composition of the present disclosure is preferably in a liquid or solid form.

[0048] An in-tank cleaner for a flush toilet is a cleaner that is placed in the water storage tank of a flush toilet and used by dissolving the cleaner composition in the water storage tank upon contact with flush water used for cleaning, and the flush water with the cleaner composition dissolved in it is released into the toilet bowl during flushing, thereby cleaning the toilet bowl. When the cleaner composition of the present disclosure is used as an in-tank cleaner for a flush toilet, the cleaner composition of the present disclosure is preferably in a solid form.

[0049] A cleaning agent for flush toilet rims is a cleaning agent that is attached to the rim of a flush toilet and cleans the toilet bowl by causing the cleaning composition to flow out of the container when flush water released into the toilet bowl comes into contact with a container containing the cleaning composition, and then releasing the flush water into the toilet bowl with the cleaning composition dissolved in it. When the cleaning composition of the present disclosure is used as a cleaning agent for flush toilet rims, the cleaning composition of the present disclosure is preferably in a liquid or solid form.

[0050] A cleaning agent used by adhering to the surface of a toilet bowl is a cleaning agent that is set in a state of being adhered to the surface of a toilet bowl, comes into contact with flush water released into the toilet bowl during flushing, and cleans the toilet bowl by dissolving the cleaning agent composition in the flush water. When the cleaning composition of the present disclosure is used as a cleaning agent by adhering to the surface of a toilet bowl, the cleaning composition of the present disclosure is preferably in a gel form in order to provide adhesion to the toilet bowl surface.

[0051] Furthermore, since the cleaning composition of the present disclosure can be inhibited from discoloring (yellowing) over time, it has the advantage of being able to maintain stability without impairing the appearance even when stored in a container having a transparent storage portion (a storage portion for storing the cleaning composition) through which the interior can be seen. Therefore, a suitable example of a container for storing the cleaning composition of the present disclosure is a container having a transparent storage portion. Here, "transparent" includes both colorless transparent and colored transparent.

[0052] Furthermore, a container having a blue-transparent storage portion is considered unsuitable for storing a cleaning composition that is prone to yellowing over time because the color change is easily noticeable when the cleaning composition stored in the storage portion turns yellow. However, the cleaning composition of the present disclosure can suppress discoloration (yellowing) over time, and therefore can maintain a stable appearance even when stored in a container having a blue-transparent storage portion. Therefore, a suitable example of a container for storing the cleaning composition of the present disclosure is a container having a blue-transparent storage portion.

[0053] The material for the container that holds the cleaning composition of the present disclosure is not particularly limited, but typically, a hard resin or metal can be used. From the viewpoint of suppressing discoloration (yellowing) over time, the container is preferably made of a synthetic resin such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, or polypropylene.

[0054] 2. Method for Inhibiting Discoloration The present disclosure provides a method for inhibiting discoloration in a cleaning composition containing l-carvone and a quaternary ammonium salt. Specifically, the method is carried out by further incorporating a phosphonic acid chelating agent into a cleaning composition containing l-carvone and a quaternary ammonium salt.

[0055] The content of l-carvone, the type and content of the quaternary ammonium salt, the type and content of the phosphonic acid chelating agent, the type and content of other components that can be blended in the detergent composition, the form of the detergent composition, the target to be cleaned, etc. used in the method are as described in the section "1. Detergent composition" above.

[0056] The present disclosure will be described below with reference to examples, but the present disclosure is not limited to these examples.

[0057] Test Example 1 Each detergent composition shown in Tables 1 and 2 was prepared. The mint fragrances shown in Tables 1 and 2 contain 25% by weight of l-carvone and 75% by weight of other fragrances. Therefore, the content of l-carvone in the detergent composition is 1.3% by weight. The benzylalkyldimethylammonium chlorides shown in Tables 1 to 3 are mixtures of chlorides of compounds in which an alkyl group having 8 to 18 carbon atoms and two methyl groups are bonded to the amino group of benzylammonium, and contain 20% by weight of benzylalkyl (12 to 14 carbon atoms) dimethylammonium chloride. The polyoxyalkylene alkyl ethers shown in Tables 1 to 3 are mixtures of chlorides of compounds in which R 1is a branched alkyl group having 10 carbon atoms, n is 15, and m is 5, and is a random adduct of EO and PO. Immediately after preparation, all of the cleaning compositions were colorless and transparent. Immediately after preparation, 60 ml of each cleaning composition was placed in a 75 ml polyethylene terephthalate container and stored at 60°C under light-shielded conditions for two weeks. After two weeks of storage, the appearance of the cleaning composition was observed, and the discoloration suppression effect was evaluated according to the following criteria. <Criteria for evaluating discoloration suppression effect> A: No yellowing was observed, and there was no problem as a product. B: Only slight yellowing was observed, but there was no problem as a product. C: Obvious yellowing was observed, and the product was unsuitable. D: Significant yellowing was observed, and the product was unsuitable.

[0058] The results are shown in Tables 1 and 2. As a result, the cleaning compositions containing no chelating agent (Comparative Examples 1 and 2) and the cleaning compositions containing an aminocarboxylic acid chelating agent (Comparative Examples 3 to 10) showed clear yellowing after storage at 60°C for two weeks. In contrast, the cleaning compositions containing a phosphonic acid chelating agent (Examples 1 to 8) showed no or only slight yellowing even after storage at 60°C for two weeks, demonstrating excellent color stability. In other words, these results demonstrate that discoloration (yellowing) occurring over time can be effectively suppressed by further blending a phosphonic acid chelating agent into a cleaning composition containing l-carboxylic acid and a quaternary ammonium salt.

[0059]

[0060]

[0061] Formulation Examples The cleaning compositions shown in Table 3 were produced in the same manner as in Test Example 1. All of the obtained cleaning compositions effectively inhibited discoloration (yellowing) that occurs over time, similar to the cleaning compositions of each Example in Test Example 1.

[0062]

Claims

1. A cleaning composition comprising l-carboxylic acid, a quaternary ammonium salt, and a phosphonic acid chelating agent.

2. The cleaning composition of claim 1, wherein the quaternary ammonium salt comprises a benzyl alkyl dimethyl ammonium salt.

3. The cleaning composition according to claim 2, wherein the benzylalkyldimethylammonium salt includes a benzylalkyl (C12-C14)dimethylammonium salt.

4. The cleaning composition according to claim 1, wherein the content of the phosphonic acid chelating agent is 0.1 to 100 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of l-carvone.

5. The cleaning composition according to claim 1, wherein the content of the phosphonic acid chelating agent is 0.001 to 10 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the quaternary ammonium salt.

6. The cleaning composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which is used to clean a toilet bowl of a flush toilet.

7. A method for inhibiting discoloration of a cleaning composition containing l-carboxylic acid and a quaternary ammonium salt, comprising further adding a phosphonic acid chelating agent to the cleaning composition.

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