Composition for the removal of stains

Abstract

The present invention relates to a composition comprising a bleaching agent, a bleach activator and a bleach catalyst. The bleach catalyst is of the formula: (I) wherein: R1 is H, halogen, hydroxy, amino, nitro, cyano, carboxy, alkyl, C1-C10-alkoxy, C1-C10- alkylamino, phenyl, substituted phenyl, or a heterocyclic ring; R2 is an organic group in which the carbon atom that is bonded to the third carbon of the bleach catalyst is not bonded to any hydrogen atom, and the ClogP of the bleach catalyst is lower than 2. The composition may be for example a laundry detergent or a laundry additive, to a method of laundering a fabric e.g. in a laundry washing machine, to a method of cleaning a stain on a laundry item, and to the use of the composition for the removal of stains and preferably also malodour from a garment.

Description

[0001] Composition for the removal of stains

[0002] Introduction

[0003] The present invention relates to a composition, for example a laundry detergent or a laundry additive, to a method of laundering a fabric in a laundry washing machine, to a method of cleaning a stain on a laundry item, and to the use of the composition for the removal of stains and / or the removal of malodour from a garment.

[0004] Background

[0005] Consumers associate desirability and wearability of a garment with characteristics such as whiteness, freshness, and / or absence of stains. It is preferred when all characteristics are achieved in a simple way.

[0006] Regular laundry compositions are useful for cleaning clothes, meaning that grime and dirt are removed. However, for the removal of stains or malodour, and in the case of white garments, improved whiteness, additional laundry compositions are needed. The removal of stains can be achieved using bleaching agents, surfactants and / or enzymes.

[0007] Normally, people are required to follow long cleaning procedures, involving pre-treatment, vigorous rubbing action, or washings at high temperatures to achieve acceptable stain and malodour removal. For example, washing operations are normally performed at temperatures between 40°C and 60°C.

[0008] Patent application WO2022 / 069468 A1 to Reckitt Benckiser Vanish B.V. describes compositions comprising a bleaching agent, at least one bleach catalyst, and a protease. The compositions disclosed in this document have a high content of the bleaching agent and are intended mainly for the removal of turmeric and / or curry stains.

[0009] A drawback of a such a composition having a high content of bleaching agent is that they are subject to hazard labelling. Such labels are unappealing to the consumer as they may be concerned about having such a hazardous product in their home. This is particularly a concern where the laundry composition is compacted such as in tablets which are added to a laundry washing machine. Also, having a composition having a relatively high amount of a bleach agents increases the carbon footprint of a composition which is undesirable along with safety issues when transporting the compositions.

[0010] Additionally, current laundry compositions use bleaching systems where the bleach catalysts are sensitive to humidity, pH and the oxidant in the environment. This can cause the composition to discolour and even lose their effectiveness. This discolouration can affect the user’s opinion of the composition where they can consider that it is no longer effective. These changes can occur even when the bleach catalyst is granulated and / or coated.

[0011] Hence, there is a need for a laundry composition which allows for an equal or increased level of stain removal whilst using a level of ingredients which are not subject to being labelled as hazardous and / or which does not degrade during storage. Further, there is the need to reduce the level of ingredients used to lower the carbon footprint of the composition to make it more environmentally friendly. It can be even more environmentally friendly by providing stain removal even at lower temperatures and in shorter washing cycles. Further still, there is need for a laundry composition which does not degrade during storage.

[0012] It is an object of the present invention to provide a composition, preferably a laundry detergent composition or laundry additive composition, which ameliorates the above disadvantages. It is also an object of the present invention to provides such a composition which provides a solution to these needs; in particular, reducing the quantity of ingredients used, and thereby its carbon footprint, whilst improving or maintaining the stain-removing efficacy.

[0013] It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of laundering a fabric e.g. in a laundry washing machine.

[0014] It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of cleaning a stain on a laundry item.

[0015] It is a further object of the invention to provide a use of a composition for the removal of stains and / or malodour from a garment.

[0016] Summary of the invention

[0017] In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a composition comprising; between 15 and 55 wt.% of at least one bleaching agent, based on the total weight of the composition, between 0.001 and 5 wt.% of at least one bleach catalyst, based on the total weight of the composition, wherein said at least one bleach catalyst has the formula (1) Formula (1) wherein:

[0018] R1is H, halogen, hydroxy, amino, nitro, cyano, carboxy, alkyl, Ci-C -alkoxy, Ci- Cw-alkylamino, phenyl, substituted phenyl, or a heterocyclic ring;

[0019] R2is an organic group in which the carbon atom that is bonded to the third carbon of the bleach catalyst is not bonded to any hydrogen atom, and the ClogP of the bleach catalyst is lower than 2, and

[0020] -between 0.1 and 40 wt.% of a bleach activator, based on the total weight of the composition.

[0021] The present inventors have observed that the compositions according to the invention provide equal or better removal of stains when compared to compositions which do not contain at least one bleach catalyst of Formula (1) and combinations thereof and / or higher quantity of bleach activator.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises: between 18 wt.% and 50 wt.% of said at least one bleaching agent, based on the total weight of the composition, more preferably between 20 wt.% and 45 wt.%; between 0.005 wt.% and 4 wt.% of said at least one bleach catalyst having Formula (1), based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.01 wt.% and 3.00 wt.%, more preferably between 0.025 and 2 wt.%. of said at least one bleach catalyst; and between 0.20 wt.% and 30 wt.% of said bleach activator, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.3 wt.% and 20 wt.%.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment the at least one bleach catalyst comprises or consists of 3- (pyridin-2-yl)-1 ,2-benzisothiazole-1 ,1 -dioxide, 3-(pyridin-3-yl)-1 ,2-benzisothiazole-1 ,1-dioxide and combinations thereof.

[0024] In an embodiment, the said at least one bleaching agent comprises at least one source of active oxygen selected from the group comprising an inorganic peroxide, an organic peracid, and combinations thereof; preferably selected from the group comprising hydrogen peroxide, sodium percarbonate, e-phthalimido-peroxy-hexanoic acid (PAP), peracetic acid, potassium peroxymonosulfate (KMPS), perborates_and combinations thereof; most preferably wherein said at least one bleaching agent comprises or consist of sodium percarbonate.

[0025] It is especially preferred that at least one bleaching agent in the compositions of the invention comprises or consist of sodium percarbonate.

[0026] In another embodiment, the at least one bleach activator is selected from the group consisting of tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED), its derivative diacetylethylenediamine (DAED), acetylated triazine derivatives, acylimides, acetylated phenolsulfonates, acetylated phenol carbonic acids, carbonic acid anhydrides, acetylated sugar derivatives, N- acetylated lactams, sodium nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate (NOBS), pentaacetyl glucose (PAG) and combinations thereof; preferably said at least one bleach activator comprises or consists of tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED).

[0027] It is especially preferred that at least one bleach activator in the compositions of the invention comprises or consist of tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED).

[0028] In an especially preferred embodiment, the composition further comprises between 0.0001 wt.% and 10 wt.% of one or more enzymes, based on the total weight of the composition.

[0029] Preferably said one or more enzymes are selected from the group consisting of a mannanase, an amylase, a cellulase, a protease, a lipase, xyloglucanase and pectate lyase and combinations thereof.

[0030] In an embodiment, the composition is a laundry detergent composition or a laundry additive composition.

[0031] In an embodiment, the pH at 20°C of a dilution of 1 :100 of the composition is between 9 and 12, preferably between 9.5 and 11.5, more preferably between 10 and 11.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment the composition is in form of a tablet (compacted or noncompacted) or a free-flowing powder.

[0033] When the composition is in the form of a free-flowing powder the composition preferably comprises: between 19 wt.% and 35 wt.% of said at least one bleaching agent, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 20 wt.% and 30 wt.% and more preferably between 20 wt.% and 25 wt.%: between 0.005 wt.% and 1 .5 wt.% of said at least one bleach catalyst having Formula (1), based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.05 wt.% and 1.5 wt.% and more preferably between 0.025 wt.% and 0.75 wt.%; and between 0.5 wt.% and 10 wt.% of said bleach activator, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 1 wt.% and 5 wt.%. When the composition is in the form of a compacted (compressed) tablet the composition preferably comprises: between 25 wt.% and 55 wt.% of said at least one bleaching agent, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 30 wt.% and 50 wt.% and more preferably between 35 wt.% and 45 wt.%; between 0.01 wt.% and 4 wt.% of said at least one bleach catalyst having Formula (1), based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.05 wt.% and 3 wt.% and more preferably between 0.1 wt.% and 2 wt.%; and - between 0.5 wt.% and 15 wt.% of said bleach activator, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 1 wt.% and 8 wt.%.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment, the bleach catalyst is in the form of a granule or co-granule with another ingredient, said granule or co-granule containing between 0.5 wt% and 40 wt.% of the bleach catalyst. The other ingredient is preferably selected from the group consisting of bleach activators, sucrose, carbonates, sulphates and / or zeolites, preferably a bleach activator and more preferably wherein the bleach activator is tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED). It is especially preferred that the other ingredient is tetraacetylethylendiamine (TAED).

[0035] In a second aspect, the invention relates to a method of laundering a fabric in a laundry washing machine comprising adding a composition according to the first aspect of the invention to the washing machine and conducting the wash. Preferably the wash liquor is at a temperature higher than 15°C and lower than 40°, more preferably lower than 30°C, even more preferably lower than 25°C, most preferably lower than 20°C.

[0036] Preferably between 0.05 g and 10 g of the composition are added to the laundry washing machine per litre of washing liquor.

[0037] In an embodiment, the total washing time is 60 minutes or less, preferably less than 50 minutes, more preferably less than 40 minutes, even more preferably between 10 minutes and 35 minutes, most preferably between 15 minutes and 30 minutes.

[0038] In a third aspect, the invention relates to a method of cleaning a stain on a laundry item comprising: mixing the composition according to the first aspect of the invention with water and contacting the stain directly with the obtained mixture before the laundry item is washed, or adding the composition according to the first aspect of the invention directly into the drum of washing machine, or adding the composition according to a first aspect of the invention to a dispensing drawer of a washing machine, or adding the composition according to the first aspect of the invention to a bucket with water and soaking for a predetermined length of time.

[0039] In a fourth aspect, the invention relates to a use of the composition according to the first aspect of the invention in a laundry washing and / or fabric treatment operation.

[0040] In a further aspect, the invention relates to a use of the composition for the removal of enzymatic, bleachable, greasy or oil-based stains and / or the removal of malodour from a garment.

[0041] Definitions

[0042] The following definitions are used in the present application.

[0043] “alkyl” as used in the present application means a saturated aliphatic radical, such as straight or branched chain group having 1 to 16 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl groups having 3 to 16 carbon groups in their ring, alkyl substituted cycloalkyl groups, and cycloalkyl substituted alkyl groups. Non-limiting examples of straight and branched chain groups are methyl, ethyl, butyl, isopropyl, and 2-ethylhexyl.

[0044] “heteroalkyl” as used in the present application means an alkyl group in which one or more atoms is a heteroatom, e.g., oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur, etc. Non-limiting examples of heteroalkyl groups are alkoxy, alkyl-substituted amino, and piperidinyl.

[0045] “aryl” as used in the present application means aromatic hydrocarbon radical, which can be substituted, have a single ring, multiple rings or fused rings in which at least one is aromatic. A non-limiting example of an aromatic single ring is phenyl. A non-limiting example of multiple rings is biphenyl. A non-limiting example of multiple fused rings in which at least one is aromatic is phenantryl.

[0046] When talking about an aryl with multiple rings or fused rings in which at least one is aromatic, it will be understood that these are polycyclic aryls.

[0047] “heteroaryl” as used in the present application means an aryl group in which one or more atoms is a heteroatom, e.g., oxygen, nitrogen, sulphur, etc. It will be understood that a radical having a heteroaryl with one or more fused rings is also considered a heteroaryl. Non-limiting examples of heteroaryl groups are pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, pyrrolyl, furanyl, thiophenyl, quinolyl, isoquinolinyl, acridinyl, quinoxalinyl, purinyl, indazolyl, quinazolinyl, and cinnolinyl.

[0048] “alkaryl” as used in the present application means an aryl group with a saturated straight or branched chain having 1 to 16 carbon atoms; for example, ethylphenyl and decylphenyl.

[0049] “alkenyl” as used in the present application means any radical having at least one ethylenic double bond, including straight or branched chain groups having 2 to 16 carbon atoms and at least one double bond, cycloaliphatic alkenyl groups, and aryl substituted alkenyl groups. Non-limiting examples of alkenyl groups are octenyl and methyloctenyl.

[0050] “compacted” or “compressed” tablet is a table formed by the application of pressure to a free-flowing starting material.

[0051] “cycloalkenyl” as used in the present application means cyclic species with at least one ethylenic double bond in the ring, excluding aromatic rings. The ring can have between 3 to 16 atoms. These species are also known as cyclic olefins. Non-limiting examples of cycloalkenyl or cyclic olefins are dicyclopentadiene, bicyclo compounds, and oxabicyclo compounds.

[0052] “heterocyclic ring” as used in the present application means a radical having a cyclic or ring structure in which one or more atoms is a heteroatom, e.g., oxygen nitrogen, sulphur, etc. Non-limiting examples of heterocyclic rings are heterocyclic alkenyls.

[0053] “heterocyclic alkenyl” as used in the present application means a radical having at least one cycloalkenyl in which one or more atoms is a heteroatom, e.g., oxygen nitrogen, sulphur, etc. It will be understood that a radical having a heterocyclic alkenyl with one or more fused rings is also considered a heterocyclic alkenyl. Non-limiting examples of heterocyclic alkenyls are imidazolyl, pyrazolyl, and indazolyl.

[0054] “alkynyl” as used in the present application means any radical having at least one triple bond, including straight or branched chain groups having 2 to 16 carbon atoms and at least one triple bond, cycloaliphatic alkynyl groups, and aryl substituted alkynyl groups. Nonlimiting examples of alkenyl groups is butynyl.

[0055] “cycloalkynyl” as used in the present application means cyclic species with at least one triple bond in the ring. The ring can have between 5 to 16 atoms. halogen” as used in the present application means F, Cl, Br, or I. “organic group” as used in the present patent application means a chemical group or radical that contains carbon-hydrogen or carbon-carbon bonds.

[0056] “pyridyl” as used in the present application means any of the three isomeric radicals derived from pyridine.

[0057] “quinolyl” as used in the present application means a radical from quinoline.

[0058] “isoquinolinyl” as used in the present application means a radical derived from isoquinoline.

[0059] “acridinyl” as used in the present application means a radical derived from acridine.

[0060] “pyrazinyl” as used in the present application means a radical derived from pyrazine.

[0061] “quinoxalinyl” as used in the present application means a radical derived from quinoxaline.

[0062] “imidazolyl” as used in the present application means a radical derived from imidazole.

[0063] “benzimidazolyl” as used in the present application means a radical derived from benzimidazole.

[0064] “purinyl” as used in the present application means a radical derived from purine.

[0065] “pyrazolyl” as used in the present application means a radical derived from pyrazole.

[0066] “indazolyl” as used in the present application means a radical derived from indazole.

[0067] “pyrimidinyl” as used in the present application means a radical derived from pyrimidine.

[0068] “quinazolinyl” as used in the present application means a radical derived from Quinazoline.

[0069] “pyridazinyl” as used in the present application means a radical derived from pyridazine.

[0070] “cinnolinyl” as used in the present application means a radical derived from cinnoline.

[0071] “ClogP” as used in the present application means logarithm of the partition coefficient of a compound defined as the ratio of concentrations of a compound in a mixture of two immiscible solvents at equilibrium, here n-octanol and water; i.e. ClogP = log (partition coefficient); wherein partition coefficient (P)js ca|cu|atec| using

[0072] ChemDraw 12.0 (ChemOffice suite by Perkin Elmer), which uses a dataset from full compounds, or fragments, which are experimentally determined, and then modelled in small fragments. Fragment contributions are then added up, with correction factors. “Laundry detergent composition” as used in the present application means a composition used primarily for the cleaning of garments and whose main action is the removal of grime and dirt.

[0073] “Laundry additive composition” as used in the present application means a composition used for providing a specific consumer benefit, such as: removal of stains, elimination of malodour, improvement of whiteness and / or disinfection of garments. This means that the mean action of a laundry additive is not the removal or grime and dirt. Furthermore, a laundry additive is commonly used as a pre-treatment, in soaking conditions or together with a laundry detergent composition.

[0074] “Ganz value I Instrumental evaluation” as used in the present application means: whiteness degree simulated as Ganz-Griesser value as specified in the A.I.S.E. Laundry detergent testing guidelines.

[0075] “Protease” as used in the present application means: class of enzymes that catalyse the breakdown of proteins into smaller polypeptides or single amino acids.

[0076] “Amylase” as used in the present application means: class of enzymes that catalyse the hydrolysis of starch into sugars such as glucose and maltose.

[0077] “Mannanase” as used in the present application means: class of enzymes that catalyse the hydrolysis of mannose derivatives.

[0078] “Mannose” as used in the present application means: sugar monomer of the aldohexose series of carbohydrates.

[0079] “Lipase” as used in the present application means: class of enzymes that catalyse the hydrolysis of fats or lipids.

[0080] “Cellulase” as used in the present application means: class of enzymes that catalyse the cellulolysis or hydrolysis of cellulose.

[0081] “Total washing time” as used in the present application means: the time just after a laundry washing machine has been loaded with fabrics and a laundry detergent composition and a laundry additive composition have been added to the wash tank. Therefore, it will be understood that the time is counted from the moment the laundry washing machine is turned on and water starts entering the wash tank. When one or more centrifugation steps are involved, it is considered that the washing has finished after the laundry washing machine performs the last centrifugation. Detailed description of the invention

[0082] In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a composition comprising:

[0083] - between 15 and 55 wt.% of at least one bleaching agent, based on the total weight of the composition,

[0084] - between 0.001 and 5 wt.% of at least one bleach catalyst, based on the total weight of the composition, wherein said at least one bleach catalyst has the formula (1)

[0085] Formula (1) wherein:

[0086] R1is H, halogen, hydroxy, amino, nitro, cyano, carboxy, alkyl, Ci-Cw-alkoxy, Ci- Cw-alkylamino, phenyl, substituted phenyl, or a heterocyclic ring;

[0087] R2is an organic group in which the carbon atom that is bonded to the third carbon of the bleach catalyst is not bonded to any hydrogen atom, and the ClogP of the bleach catalyst is lower than 2, and

[0088] - between 0.1 and 40 wt.% of a bleach activator, based on the total weight of the composition.

[0089] The present inventors have observed that the composition according to the invention provides an equal or better removal of stains when compared to compositions which do not contain bleach catalyst having Formula (1) and combinations thereof and / or higher quantity of bleach activator.

[0090] In a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises: between 18 wt.% and 50 wt.% of said at least one bleaching agent, based on the total weight of the composition, more preferably between 20 wt.% and 45 wt.%; between 0.005 wt.% and 4 wt.% of said at least one bleach catalyst having Formula (1), based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.01 wt.% and 3.00 wt.%, more preferably between 0.025 and 2 wt.%. of said at least one bleach catalyst; and between 0.20 wt.% and 30 wt.% of said bleach activator, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.3 wt.% and 20 wt.%. When the composition of the invention is in the form of a free-flowing powder, it preferably comprises:

[0091] - between 19 wt.% and 35 wt.%, 40 wt.% or 45 wt.% of said at least one bleaching agent, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 20 wt.% and 30 wt.% and more preferably between 20 wt.% and 25 wt.%;

[0092] - between 0.005 wt.% and 1.5 wt.% of said at least one bleach catalyst having Formula (1), based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.05 wt.% and 1.5 wt.% and more preferably between 0.025 wt.% and 0.75 wt.%; and

[0093] - between 0.5 wt.% and 15 wt.% of said bleach activator, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 1 wt.% and 8 wt.%.

[0094] When the composition is in the form of a tablet the composition preferably comprises: between 25 wt.% and 55 wt.% of said at least one bleaching agent, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 30 wt.% and 50 wt.% and more preferably between 35 wt.% and 45 wt.%; between 0.01 wt.% and 4 wt.% of said at least one bleach catalyst having Formula (1), based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.05 wt.% and 3 wt.% and more preferably between 0.1 wt.% and 2 wt.%; and - between 0.5 wt.% and 15 wt.% of said bleach activator, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 1 wt.% and 8 wt.%.

[0095] The present inventors have observed that by combining bleach catalysts according to the invention, a bleach activator and the bleaching agent in the compositions according to the invention, it is possible to use lower amounts of bleaching agent and still achieve excellent stain removal.

[0096] Bleaching agent

[0097] The bleaching agent is preferably selected from the group consisting of at least one source of active oxygen (oxygen- releasing bleaching agent), a chlorine-releasing bleaching agent and combinations of two or more thereof. The at least one bleaching agent may comprise at least one source of active oxygen selected from the group comprising an inorganic peroxide, an organic peracid, and combinations thereof; preferably selected from the group comprising hydrogen peroxide, sodium percarbonate, perborate (e.g. sodium perborate), e-phthalimido- peroxy-hexanoic acid (PAP), peracetic acid, potassium peroxymonosulfate (KMPS), and combinations thereof; most preferably wherein said at least one bleaching agent comprises or consist of sodium percarbonate. The bleaching agent may be used in the compositions of the invention in the amounts given herein. The bleaching agent is present in the compositions of the invention in an amount between 15 and 55 wt.% based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 18 and 55 wt.%, more preferably between 20 and 45 wt.%.

[0098] Bleach catalyst

[0099] The bleach catalyst used according to the invention is given above in Formula 1. In a preferred embodiment, the bleach catalysts are those in which R1is hydrogen and R2is 2- pyridyl or 3-pyridyl. In this case, the catalysts of formula 1 can be represented by the structures shown above.

[0100] In a preferred embodiment, the bleach catalysts of the invention are those in which R1is Hydrogen and R2is 2-pyridyl or 3-pyridyl. In this case, the catalyst of formula 1 can be represented as follows:

[0101] The at least one bleach catalyst preferably comprises or consists of 3-(pyridin-2-yl)-1 ,2- benzisothiazole-1 ,1-dioxide, 3-(pyridin-3-yl)-1 ,2-benzisothiazole-1 ,1-dioxide and combinations thereof.

[0102] The bleach catalysts of the invention react in the washing liquor to produce oxaziridines, which are responsible for the improved stain removal.

[0103] The bleach catalyst may be used in the compositions of the invention in the amounts given herein. The bleach catalyst may be present in the compositions of the invention in an amount between 0.001 and 5 wt.% based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.005 and 4 wt.%, more preferably between 0.01 and 3 wt.%, especially between 0.025 and 2 wt.%. The at least one bleach catalyst of the invention (of Formula 1) may be in any suitable form such as a granule, a coated granule, a co-granule with another ingredient or as a powder.

[0104] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one bleach catalyst is in the form or a granule or cogranule with at least one another suitable ingredient for inclusion in the granule. The granule or co-granule preferably contains between 0.1 wt.% and 80 wt.% of the bleach catalyst, more preferably between 0.2 wt.% and 60 wt.%, even more preferably between 0.5 wt.% and 50 wt.%, such as between 1 wt.% and 40 wt.% of the bleach catalyst based on the total weight of the granule.

[0105] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one other ingredients in the granule are preferably selected from the group consisting of bleach activators, binders, sucrose, carbonates, sulphates, zeolites, polymers and co-polymers, preferably a bleach activator and more preferably wherein the bleach activator is tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED), nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate (NOBS) or decanoyloxybenzoic acid (DOBA). It is especially preferred that the other ingredient comprises tetraacetylethylendiamine (TAED). Suitable binders include cellulose-based materials, such as cellulose ethers and mixtures thereof. Suitable cellulose ethers are well known in the art and include carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), methyl cellulose (MC), ethyl cellulose (EC), hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) and hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), methyl ethyl cellulose (MEC), hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose (HEMC), hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose (EHEC) and carboxy methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose (CMHEC). CMC is an especially preferred binder for use in the granules, either alone or in combination with another cellulose-based material.

[0106] When a bleach activator is present in the granule it is preferably present in an amount of from between 20 wt.% and 80 wt.%, more preferably between 30 wt.% and 70 wt.%, between 30 wt.% and 60 wt.% based on the total weight of the granule. The granules may also contain the other ingredients in conventional amounts according to the type of other ingredient. Typically, when present a binder is present in an amount between 1 wt.% and 20 wt.% based on the total weight of the granule, preferably between 2 wt.% and 15 wt.%, such as between 3 wt.% and 10 wt.% for example between 4 wt.% and 8 wt.%.

[0107] Bleach activator

[0108] The at least one bleach activator is preferably selected from the group consisting of tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED) and its derivative diacetylethylenediamine (DAED), acetylated triazine derivatives, acetylated acylimides, acetylated phenolsulfonates, acetylated phenol carbonic acids, carbonic acid anhydrides, acetylated sugar derivatives, N- acetylated lactams, sodium nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate (NOBS), decanoyloxybenzoic acid (DOBA), pentaacetyl glucose (PAG) and combinations thereof; preferably said at least one bleach activator comprises or consists of tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED).

[0109] It is especially preferred that at least one bleach activator in the compositions of the invention comprises or consist of tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED).

[0110] The bleach activator may be used in the compositions of the invention in the amounts given herein. The bleach activator is present in the compositions of the invention in an amount between 0.1 and 40 wt.% based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.20 wt.% and 30 wt.% of said bleach activator, more preferably between 0.3 wt.% and 20 wt.%, most preferably between 0.5 wt.% and 10 wt.%. In one embodiment, the bleach activator is present in an amount between 0.1 and 20 wt.% based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.2 wt.% and 15 wt%, most preferably between 0.5 wt.% and 10 wt.%, such as between 1 wt.% and 5 wt.% or 8 wt.%. In another embodiment, the bleach activator is present in an amount between 0.25 wt.% and 20 wt.%, more preferably between 0.5 wt.% and 15 wt.%, most preferably between 1 wt.% and 8 wt.%.

[0111] Format of the compositions

[0112] The compositions of the present invention may take any form, e.g. solid, liquid, gel, powder or mixtures thereof. According to one embodiment, the compositions will be in form of a solid or a powder.

[0113] In a preferred embodiment, the composition is in form of a tablet, which may be a compacted (compressed) tablet or a non-compacted tablet. Non-compacted tablets include tablets formed at least in part, or wholly, from self- supporting gels. Tablets are single dosages of tablets to be used by the consumer. Depending on the dosage desired by the consumer, two or more monodose tablets may be used together.

[0114] One embodiment according to the present invention is tablet formed from an outer supporting gel shell and an inner cavity containing one or more powders, liquids or gels.

[0115] The powder may be a free-flowing powder.

[0116] The composition, in any physical form, may be provided as a composition wrapped in a water-soluble film which dissolves in water in use to release the composition. Such films are well known in the art and include polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) films which are widely used in laundry and other cleaning operations to provide monodose compositions. Preferably, the pH at 20°C of a dilution of 1:100 of the composition is between 9 and 12, more preferably between 9.5 and 11.5, even more preferably between 10 and 11.

[0117] The composition can be a hard-surface cleaning composition or a soft-surface cleaning composition, preferably an automatic dishwashing composition or a laundry composition, more preferably a laundry detergent composition or a laundry additive composition, most preferably a laundry additive composition. It is especially preferred that the composition of the invention is a laundry detergent composition or a laundry additive composition.

[0118] When the composition is in the form of a free-flowing powder, the composition comprises: between 19 wt.% and 35 wt.% of said at least one bleaching agent, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 20 wt.% and 30 wt.% and more preferably between 20 wt.% and 25 wt.%; between 0.005 wt.% and 1.5 wt.% of said at least one bleach catalyst having Formula (1), based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.05 wt.% and 1.5 wt.% and more preferably between 0.025 wt.% and 0.75 wt.%; between 0.5 wt.% and 10 wt.% or 15 wt.% of a bleach activator, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 1 wt.% and 5 wt.% or 8 wt.%. Preferably the free- flowing powder composition further comprises an enzyme, preferably in an amount of between 0.01 wt.% or 0.05 wt.% and 5 wt.% of said at least one enzyme, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.02 wt.% or 0.1 wt.% and 2 wt.%.

[0119] When the composition is in the form of a compressed tablet, the composition comprises: between 25 wt.% and 55 wt.% of said at least one bleaching agent, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 30 wt.% and 50 wt.% and more preferably between 35 wt.% and 45 wt.%; between 0.01 wt.% and 4 wt.% of said at least one bleach catalyst having Formula (1), based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.05 wt.% and 3 wt.% and more preferably between 0.1 wt.% and 2 wt.%; between 0.5 wt.% and 15 wt.% of a bleach activator, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 1 wt.% and 8 wt.%. Preferably the free-compressed table further comprises an enzyme, preferably in an amount of between 0.01 wt.% or 0.1 wt.% and 7 wt.% of said at least one enzyme, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.02 wt.% or 0.2 wt.% and 5 wt.%. Optional Ingredients i. enzymes

[0120] The composition according to the invention comprising at least one bleaching agent, bleach catalyst and bleach activator allows for the incorporation of enzymes and the inclusion of enzymes is especially preferred according to the invention.

[0121] For example, preferably the composition may further comprise between 0.0001 wt.% and 10 wt.% of one or more enzymes, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.0002 wt.% and 8 wt.%, more preferably between 0.005 wt.% and 7 wt.%, even more preferably between 0.025 wt.% and 7 or 8 wt.%, most preferably between 0.05 wt.% and 7 wt.%, such as 0.1 wt.% and 5 wt.%; Preferably said one or more enzymes are selected from the group consisting of a mannanase, an amylase, a cellulase, a protease, a lipase, xyloglucanase, pectate lyase, DNase nuclease (deoxyribonuclease, phosphodiesterase) and combinations thereof. More preferably said one or more enzymes are selected from the group consisting of an amylase, a cellulase, a protease, DNase nuclease and combinations thereof. Suitable enzymes include peroxidises, proteases, lipases, amylases, xyloglucanase, pectate lyase, cellulases and DNase nucleases. Such enzymes are commercially available and sold, for example, under the registered trademarks Celluclean 4500T; Lipex Evity 100L; Effectenz P2020; Active Choice and Pristine Advance 100T.

[0122] According to another embodiment of the invention, the enzymes may be present in an amount between 0.0005 wt.% and 5 wt.% based on the total weight of the composition, more preferably between 0.001 wt.% and 2.5 wt.%, even more preferably between 0.001 wt.% and 2 wt.%, most preferably between 0.001 wt.% and 1 wt.% or 2 wt%.

[0123] If the composition of the invention is in the form of a powder it may comprise between 0.05 wt.% and 5 wt.% of said at least one enzyme, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.1 wt.% and 2 wt.%.

[0124] If the composition of the invention is in the form of a compressed tablet it may comprise between 0.1 wt.% and 7 wt.% of said at least one enzyme, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.2 wt.% and 5 wt.%. ii surfactants

[0125] The composition may comprise one or more non-ionic surfactants. The amount of said one or more non-ionic surfactants in the composition may be between 0.01 wt.% and 10 wt.%, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.05 wt.% and 5 wt.%, more preferably between 0.1 wt.% and 1.0 wt.%. Examples of non-ionic surfactants are ethoxylated alcohols and ethoxylated alkyl phenols having the formula R1(OCH2CH2)nOH; wherein R1is an aliphatic hydrocarbon radicals containing between 10 and 24 carbon atoms or alkyl phenyl radicals in which the alkyl groups contain from 10 to 22 carbon atoms; and n has an average value of from 1 to 10. Preferably, the one or more non-ionic surfactants have the formula R1(OCH2CH2)nOH; wherein R1is an alkyl moiety having between 10 and 24 carbon atoms, preferably between 12 and 20 carbon atoms, more preferably between 12 and 18 carbon atoms; and n has an average value of from 1 to 10.

[0126] For example, when R1is defined as being a C12-14 moiety, it is meant an alkyl moiety having between 12 and 14 carbon atoms. For example, when R1is defined as being a C12-16 moiety, it is meant an alkyl moiety having between 12 and 16 carbon atoms. For example, when R1is defined as being a C13 moiety, it is meant an alkyl moiety having 13 carbon atoms.

[0127] In a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises between 0.01 wt.% and 10 wt.% of one or more non-ionic surfactants, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.05 wt.% and 5 wt.%, more preferably between 0.1 wt.% and 1.0 wt.%; wherein said one or more non-ionic surfactants have the formula R1(OCH2CH2)nOH; wherein R1is an alkyl moiety having between 12 and 16 carbon atoms, and n has an average value of from 3 to 8, preferably between 4 and 6.

[0128] The composition may further comprise any conventional anionic surfactant or a mixture of them used in detergent products. These include, for example, alkyl benzene sulfonic acids and their salts as well as alkoxylated or non-alkoxylated alkyl sulphate materials. The anionic surfactants may be present in acid form or in neutralized (e.g., salt) form. The anionic surfactants may be linear, branched, or a mixture thereof. An example of an anionic surfactant is sodium cumenesulphonate.

[0129] Examples of anionic surfactants are the alkali metal salts of C10-16 alkyl benzene sulphonic acids or Cn-14 alkyl benzene sulphonic acids.

[0130] Another exemplary type of anionic surfactant is alkoxylated alkyl sulphate surfactants, such as ethoxylated alkyl sulphate surfactants. Such materials are also known as alkyl ether sulphates or alkyl polyethoxylate sulphates.

[0131] Alkyl ether sulphates are generally available in the form of mixtures comprising varying R' chain lengths and varying degrees of ethoxylation. Frequently such mixtures also contain some non- ethoxylated alkyl sulphate ("AS") materials. In a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises: between 0.01 wt.% and 10 wt.% of one or more non-ionic surfactants, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.05 and 5 wt.%, more preferably between 0.1 and 1.0 wt.%; wherein said one or more non-ionic surfactants have the formula R1(OCH2CH2)nOH; wherein R1is an alkyl moiety having between 12 and 16 carbon atoms, and n has an average value of from 3 to 8 , preferably between 4 and 6; and between 0.01 wt.% and 10 wt.% of one or more anionic surfactants, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.05 and 7.5 wt.%, more preferably between 0.1 and 5 wt.%; wherein said one or more anionic surfactants preferably comprise a sodium salt of linear alkyl benzene sulfonate, sodium xylene sulfonate, an alcohol sulphate, an alfa olefin sulfonate, or combinations thereof.

[0132] The selection of non-ionic surfactants and anionic surfactants, in, for example, this preferred embodiment, is important for the compatibility of the composition with the high amounts of the bleaching agent, but also for controlling the foaming, detergency, flowability, and other physical and chemical properties of the composition. iii. Other optional ingredients

[0133] Preferably the composition further comprises one or more of a rheology modifier agent, a fragrance, a phase stabilizer, a dye, a softening agent, a chelating agent, an anti-bacterial agent, a transition metal compound, an anti-foaming agent, a preservative, one or more surfactants, one or more fillers, a dye-transfer inhibitor, an optical brightener, or combinations thereof as optional ingredients.

[0134] Optional ingredients include conventional detergent components such as bleach enhancing agents, builders, suds boosters or suds suppressors, anti-tarnish and anti-corrosion agents, organic solvents, co-solvents, phase stabilisers, emulsifying agents, preservatives, soil suspending agents, soil release agents, germicides, anti-microbial I anti-bacterial agents, phosphates such as sodium tripolyphosphate or potassium tripolyphosphate, pH adjusting agents or buffers, non-builder alkalinity sources, chelating agents, clays such as smectite clays, enzyme stabilizers, anti-limescale agents, colourants, dyes, hydrotropes, dye transfer inhibiting agents, brighteners, and perfumes. If used, such optional ingredients can be used in conventional amounts and will generally constitute no more than 10 wt%, for example from 1 to 6 wt%, of the total weight of the composition.

[0135] The composition may optionally contain a filler. Suitable fillers include bicarbonates and carbonates of metals, such as alkali metals and alkaline earth metals. Examples include sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, calcium carbonate, calcium bicarbonate, magnesium carbonate, magnesium bicarbonate and sesqui-carbonates of sodium, calcium and / or magnesium. Other examples include metal carboxy glycine and metal glycine carbonate. Chlorides, such as sodium chloride; citrates; and sulphates, such as sodium sulphate, calcium sulphate and magnesium sulphate, may also be employed. Other examples are sucrose and carboxymethyl cellulose. Preferably the composition comprises at least one filler selected from the group comprising alkyl carbonate, alkyl sulphate, saccharose and combinations thereof; more preferably selected from the group comprising sodium carbonate, sodium sulphate and combinations thereof.

[0136] When a filler is present, the composition may comprise between 0.1 wt.% and 80 wt.% of said at least one filler, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 10 wt.% and 75 wt.%, more preferably between 20 wt.% and 70 wt.%.

[0137] The composition may comprise an optical brightener, preferably selected from the group comprising stilbene, benzidine, benzothiazole, benzimidazole, benzoxazole, coumarin, pyrazoline, naphtalimide, naphtoxazole, distyryl-biphenyl, benzonitrile, benzopyrazole, including their derivatives and substituted compounds, and combinations thereof. Suitable optical brighteners include 4,4’-bis(2-sulphostyryl)diphenyl, 7-Diethylamino-4- methylcoumarin, benzoxazole, 2,2'-(1,2-ethenediyl) bis[5-methyl] including their substituted compounds, 4,4'-bis (triazine-2ylamino) stilbene-2,2'-disulphonic acid, mono (azol-2-yl) stilbene and bis (azol-2yl) stilbene; styryl derivatives of benzene and biphenyl, such as 1 ,4- bis (styryl) benzene, 4,4'-bis (styryl) benzene, 4,4'-bis- (styryl) biphenyl, 4,4'-bis (sulphostryryl) biphenyl sodium salt; pyrazolines such as 1 , 3-diphenyl-2-pyrazoline; bis (benzene-2-yl) derivatives, bis (benzoxazol-2-yl) derivatives and bis (benzimidazol-2-yl) derivatives; 2- (benzofuran-2-yl) benzimidazole; coumarins such as 4-methyl-7-hydroxy- coumarin or 4-methyl-7-diethylaminocoumarin; carbostyrils; naphthalimides; dibenzothiophene5,5-dioxide; pyrene; or pyridotriazole derivatives and combinations thereof.

[0138] When an optical brightener is present, the composition may comprise between 0.001 wt.% and 1 wt.% of at least one optical brightener, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.01 wt.% and 0.5 wt.%, more preferably between 0.05 wt.% and 0.25 wt.%.

[0139] The composition may further comprise a dye-transfer inhibitor. Preferred dyetransfer inhibitors (sometimes called dye anti-redisposition agents or soil suspending agents) include polyvinylalcohol, fatty amides, sodium carboxyl methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, polyvinylpyrollidone, polyvinylimidazole, polyvinyloxazolidone, polyamine N-oxide polymers and copolymers or N-vinylpyrollidone and N-vinylimidazole. When a dye- transfer inhibitor is present, the composition may comprise between 0.001 wt.% and 1.5 wt.% of at least one dye transfer inhibitor, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.01 wt.% and 1.0 wt.%, more preferably between 0.05 wt.% and 0.75 wt.%.

[0140] The compositions according to the invention allow for the combined effect of removal of stains and malodour, even at temperatures lower than those usually used in automatic laundry washing (e.g., 30°C or 40°C). It is believed that by adding the bleach catalyst of Formula 1 to a detergent composition comprising a bleaching agent and a bleach activator, the activation energy needed to remove a stain is reduced; this means that, the compositions according to the invention allow for the removal of stains from the fabric at lower temperatures, for example, 15°C or 20°C, and faster than a composition not containing the bleach catalyst and the bleaching agent.

[0141] The composition according to the invention can be prepared by methods known by the person skilled in the art.

[0142] In a second aspect, the invention relates to a method of laundering a fabric in a laundry washing machine comprising adding a composition according to the first aspect to the washing machine and conducting the wash. Preferably the wash liquor is at a temperature lower than 40°C, more preferably lower than 30°C, even more preferably lower than 25°C, most preferably lower than 20°C. Preferably between 0.05g and 10g of the composition are added to the laundry washing machine per litre of washing liquor. Typically, the wash liquor is at a temperature higher than 15°C.

[0143] In the method according to the second aspect of the invention, it is preferred that between 1g and 5g of the composition are added to the laundry washing machine per litre of washing liquor especially when the composition is a free-flowing powder. In another embodiment of the method according to the second aspect of the invention it is preferred that, between 2g and 3g of the composition are added to the laundry washing machine per litre of washing liquor.

[0144] In another preferred method, when the composition is a non-compressed or compressed tablet preferably between 2 g and 3 g of the composition are added to the laundry washing machine per litre of washing liquor when the composition is a tablet.

[0145] In the method according to the second aspect of the invention, the total washing time is 60 minutes or less, preferably less than 50 minutes, more preferably less than 40 minutes, even more preferably between 10 minutes and 35 minutes, most preferably between 15 minutes and 30 minutes. The compositions according to the invention allow for the removal of stains even in a wash cycle which is quicker than those usually used in an automatic laundry machine (e.g. 30 minute wash). It is believed that by adding the bleach catalyst to a detergent composition comprising a bleaching agent and a bleach activator, the activation energy needed to remove a stain is reduced; this means that, the compositions according to the invention allow for the removal of stains from the fabric in shorter times, e.g. 20 minutes, than for a composition not containing the bleach catalyst.

[0146] It will be understood that the total washing time refers to the time needed to perform the complete wash in a washing machine. The fabric can be in contact with the washing liquor for 20% to 80% of the total washing time, preferably for 30% to 70% of the total washing time, more preferably for 40% to 60% of the total washing time.

[0147] In a third aspect, the invention relates to a method of cleaning a stain on a laundry item comprising: mixing the composition according to the first aspect of the invention with water and contacting the stain directly with the obtained mixture before the laundry item is washed, or adding the composition according to the first aspect of the invention directly into the drum of washing machine, or adding the composition according to a first aspect of the invention to a dispensing drawer of a washing machine, or adding the composition according to the first aspect of the invention to a bucket with water and soaking for a predetermined length of time.

[0148] When the composition is added into the drum of the washing machine or when it is added to a bucket with water, the washing liquor may have between 0.05g and 10g of the composition by litre of washing liquor. For example, if the composition is added into the drum of the washing machine, the washing liquor may have between 0.05g and 10g of the composition per litre of washing liquor, preferably between 1g and 5g for a free-flowing powder, and preferably between 2g and 3g for a compressed tablet. If the composition is added to a bucket with water, the washing liquor may have between 0.5g and 10g or 20g, of the composition per litre of washing liquor, preferably between 1g and 15g, more preferably between 5g and 15g. When the composition is added to a bucket with water, soaking is performed for a predetermined length of time, which may be between 30 minutes and 2 hours, preferably between 45 minutes and 90 minutes, more preferably for about one hour.

[0149] It should be noted that the temperature of the washing liquor may be between 10°C and 60 °C, preferably between 10 °C and 45 °C. The present inventors have observed that the composition according to the first aspect of the invention removes stains, in particular mixed oil-based stain, and malodour even at lower temperatures than those usually used in washing operation, for example at 25 °C or even at 15°C.

[0150] This means that the method according to the second or third aspect allows for the removal of greasy or oil-based stains and malodour, and preferably whiteness improvement, even at temperatures of for example 25°C or 20°C or 15°C. If the washing temperature is reduced, then energy consumption is also reduced.

[0151] In a fourth aspect, the invention relates to a use of the composition according to the first aspect of the invention in a laundry washing and / or fabric treatment operation.

[0152] In a further aspect, the invention relates to a use of the composition according to the first aspect of the invention for the removal of enzymatic, bleachable, greasy or oil-base stains and / or the removal of malodour from a garment.

[0153] The foregoing aspects may be freely combined with any of the foregoing aspects disclosed herein.

[0154] All percentages used in this disclosure are by weight unless otherwise specified.

[0155] The present invention will now be described by way of example in relation to the following non-limiting Examples. Further examples within the scope of the invention will be apparent to the person skilled in the art.

[0156] Examples

[0157] Formulations 1 and 2 of the invention

[0158] Formulations A - D are comparative compositions not according to the invention whilst Formulations 1 and 2 are formulations according to the invention. The amounts in Table 1 are the wt.% of the ingredients based on the total weight of the composition used as the raw material from the supplier. The active level in these raw materials are detailed below. The formulations were prepared in a laboratory using a drum mixer. The fillers were first added to the drum of the mixer and were mixed for three minutes. The TAED was then added along with the enzymes (if any) and allowed to mix for a further three minutes. The bleach catalyst and sodium percarbonate were then added and mixed again for three minutes. The composition was then ready for use.

[0159] Table 1 : Formulations

[0160] Formulation 1 contains the bleach catalyst of the invention and enzymes.

[0161] Comparative example A contains no bleach catalyst of the invention but contains enzymes.

[0162] Comparative example contains no bleach catalyst but contains enzymes.

[0163] Formulation 2 contains the bleach catalyst of the invention and enzymes.

[0164] Comparative example C contains no bleach catalyst of the invention but contains enzymes.

[0165] Comparative example D contains no bleach catalyst and no enzymes.

[0166] Sodium percarbonate: 100% active material.

[0167] TAED = 92% active material.

[0168] CC30: a CSI (cyclo sulphonimine) bleach catalyst not according to the invention ex WeylChem / Catexel under the Trade Name Weylclean CC30, a 30 wt.% active material.

[0169] 2PY: 3-(pyridin-2-yl)-1 ,2-benzisothiazole-1 ,1 -dioxide bleach catalyst according to the invention, a 30 wt.% active material.

[0170] Amylase (alpha amylase): a 10 to <20 wt.% active material.

[0171] Protease: ex IFF: a 10 to 15 wt.% active material. Cellulase: ex Novonesis: a 2.5 to <5 wt.% active material.

[0172] Performance tests for Formulations 1 and 2 and comparative examples A to D

[0173] Removal of stains in a washing machine

[0174] Technical stains supported on cotton were washed in a laundry washing machine in a washing liquor containing one of the detergent systems shown in Table 2 below.

[0175] Table 2.

[0176] Commercial detergent: Ariel Original Washing Liquid

[0177] Washing test conditions Technical stained fabrics were washed using one of the detergent systems of Table 2. Each sample was washed in BOSCH Serie 6 WUU24T29IT laundry washing machine at a temperature of about 20°C Rapid - quick cycle (time of main wash about 30 minutes), water hardness of 28°f.

[0178] The commercial detergent was Ariel Original Washing Liquid as sold in the United Kingdom. Stain removal was determined using a Datacolor 650 spectrophotometer and by measuring the Y-value of the technical stain after washing. Results are shown in Table 3 below.

[0179] Table 3.

[0180] The results in table 3 show the Y value for each of the stains treated with detergent systems comparative examples DA-DD and detergent systems D1-D2 according to the invention. The results demonstrate that the formulations according to the invention provide better removal of stains than the comparative formulations which do not contain the 3-(pyridin-2-yl)-1 ,2- benzisothiazole-1 ,1 -dioxide bleach catalyst of the invention. This effect is achieved with a lower amount of bleaching agent.

[0181] The compositions according to the invention provide removal of stains and is particularly effective for bleachable stains. A summary of the results from Table 3 is provided in Table 4 below.

[0182] Table 4.

[0183] Table 4 shows that the removal of stains is improved using a formulation containing the bleach catalyst 3-(pyridin-2-yl)-1 ,2-benzisothiazole-1 ,1 -dioxide of the invention (D1) compared with formulations which do not use this bleach catalyst but use a known bleach catalyst even when a low level of sodium percarbonate is used (DA). As the composition of D1 and DA are the same, save for the bleach catalyst used, the improvement in stain removal can only be attributed to the bleach catalyst used. The previously known bleach catalyst CC30 demonstrated an improvement of 1.06 (DA) in the Y value compared with a marked increase of 2.90 for the bleach catalyst of the invention (D1). This shows the improved efficacy of the laundry composition according to the present invention over the prior art.

[0184] In order to further demonstrate the performance of the laundry composition, a comparison of the detergents D1 and DA-DD are shown in Table 5 below.

[0185] Table 5.

[0186] The Y values have been compared against composition DD which has a high level of sodium percarbonate without a bleach catalyst. The data in Table 5 shows that a composition without a catalyst and with a low level of sodium percarbonate (DB) performs worse than a composition with a higher level of sodium percarbonate without a catalyst (DD). This is to be expected. However, if one compares the formulation D1 , which contains a low level of sodium percarbonate and the 3-(pyridine-2-yl)-1 ,2-benzisothiiazole-1 ,1-dioxide bleach catalyst of the invention, it has a higher delta Y than a composition having a higher level of sodium percarbonate with the known bleach catalyst CC30 (DC). This result clearly shows that the performance of the compositions according to the invention show a marked and unexpected improved efficacy against stain removal even when a lower concentration of bleaching agent is used in the compositions. Formulating such a laundry composition with a low level of bleaching agent in the composition results in a reduction in the quantity of hazardous substances and, in turn, a reduction in the carbon footprint of the laundry composition due to the lower level of active ingredients required whilst also providing effective and improved stain removal. Formulations 3 and 4 of the invention

[0187] Formulations 3 and 4 are compositions according to the invention and E - F are comparative examples not according to the invention. The formulations were prepared as described above for formulations 1 and 2. The amounts in Table 6 are the wt.% of the ingredients based on the total weight of the composition used as the raw material from the supplier. The active level in these raw materials are detailed below or above for the previous example.

[0188] Table 6: Formulations Formulation 3 contains the bleach catalyst of the invention and enzymes.

[0189] Comparative example E contains no bleach catalyst but contains enzymes.

[0190] Formulation 4 contains the bleach catalyst of the invention but no enzymes.

[0191] Comparative example F contains no bleach catalyst but no enzymes.

[0192] The details of the ingredients above are the same as for the previous examples unless otherwise stated.

[0193] Mannanase: (mannan endo-1 ,4-beta-mannosidasi) a 2.5 to <5 wt.% active material.

[0194] Lipase: a 5 to <10 wt.% active material.

[0195] The filler is a combination of sodium carbonate and sodium sulphate: 22 wt.% sodium sulphate is added, and sodium carbonate is added in the required amount to total 100 wt.% of the total composition.

[0196] Performance tests for Formulations 3 and 4 and comparative examples E and F

[0197] Removal of stains in a washing machine

[0198] Technical stains supported on cotton were washed in a laundry washing machine in a washing liquor containing one of the detergent systems shown in Table 7 below.

[0199] Table 7.

[0200] Commercial detergent: Ariel Original Washing Liquid

[0201] Washing test conditions

[0202] Technical stained fabrics were washed using one of the detergent systems of Table 7. Each sample was washed in BOSCH SERIE 6 WUU24T29IT washing machine at a temperature of about 20°C Rapid - quick cycle (time of main wash about 15 minutes), water hardness of 28°F.

[0203] The commercial detergent was Ariel Original Washing Liquid from UK. Stain removal was determined using a Datacolor 650 spectrophotometer and by measuring the Y-value of the technical stain after washing. In Table 8 below.

[0204] Table 8. The results in table 8 demonstrate that the formulations according to the invention (D3 and D4) provide better removal of stains that their respective comparative formulations DE and DF, especially D3. D3 which contains a bleach catalyst of the invention shows significantly better stain removal than DE which does not contain a bleach catalyst. Both D3 and DE contain a bleaching agent and enzymes. However, DE does not contain any bleach catalyst (which D3 does) and DE exhibits inferior stain removal performance to D3. The average Y value for D3 compared to the value for DE demonstrates the improvement in stain performance achieved by the inclusion of the bleach catalyst of the invention on stain removal. D4 according to the invention, does not contain enzymes and the performance is slightly reduced compared to D3 which does contain enzymes. Comparative example DF contains the same active ingredients as D4 but does not contain any bleach catalyst. DF contains no bleach catalyst of the invention or enzymes and has the lowest average Y value in table 6 demonstrating from comparison with D4 further that the combination of the bleach catalyst of the invention in combination with low levels of sodium percarbonate bleaching agent delivers superior stain removal, even without the presence of enzymes. By comparing the average Y values for D4 and D3, it is demonstrated that the inclusion of enzymes in D3 compared to the compositions of D4, further increases the average Y values. This demonstrates the beneficial effect of including enzymes in the compositions of the invention.

[0205] The compositions according to the invention provide improved removal of many types of stains including bleachable, greasy or oil-based and enzymatic. They also remove malodour and / or whiten garments.

[0206] A summary of the results from Table 8 is provided in Table 9 below which shows the average Y value of the stains for each of the four detergent systems.

[0207] Table 9.

[0208] It can be seen from the above results that the detergent system without a bleach catalyst and without enzymes performs the least well out of the four detergent systems (DF). There is an increase in the Y value for a detergent system which has a bleach catalyst and no enzymes (D4). A further increase in the Y value is shown for the detergent system having enzymes but no bleach catalyst (DE). Finally, the detergent system (D3) with a bleach catalyst and enzymes has the largest Y value of all the tests. The difference in Y values between detergent systems D4 and DF was 0.82. The difference between detergent systems DE and DF was 2.44. Therefore, one would presume that a detergent system having both the enzymes of DE and bleach catalyst of D4 one would have a delta Y of 3.32 (0.82 + 2.44). However, the actual increase in the Y value for detergent system D3 which contains both t the enzymes of DE and bleach catalyst of D4, compared with detergent system DF, was 4.98. This difference is far greater than could have been predicted. The increase in Y value for detergent system D3 can be attributed to a synergy between the enzymes and the bleach catalyst as all other ingredients were present in the same quantities for detergent systems.

[0209] Formulations 5 and 6 of the invention

[0210] Formulations 5 and 6 are compositions according to the invention and formulations G - J are comparative compositions not according to the invention. The formulations were prepared as described above for formulations 1 and 2. The amounts in Table 10 are the wt.% of the ingredients based on the total weight of the composition used as the raw material from the supplier. The active level in these raw materials are detailed below or above for the previous examples.

[0211] Table 10: Formulations containing bleaching agent, different catalysts or no catalyst, bleach activator and enzymes.

[0212] Lipase: ex Novonesis, a 5 to <10 wt.% active material.

[0213] DNAse nuclease ex Novonesis, a 1 to 2.5 wt.% active material. The Common Base formulation is shown in Table 11 below.

[0214] Table 11 : Common Base

[0215] Nansa LSS480H, sodium C14-16 alpha-olefin sulfonate, 60-100 wt.% active, ex Innospec Ltd.

[0216] Oxylated Alcohol(12 / 15, 13 / 15, 14 / 16)+4-5EO 100 wt.% active ex SASOL under the tradename Lialet 125-5 or ex BASF under the tradename LUTENSOL M5.

[0217] Marlon ARL, sodium alkylbenzene sulphonate, 90-100 wt.% active, ex Sasol Germany GmbH.

[0218] Sokalan HP 56, 2-Pyrrolidinone, 1-ethenyl-, polymer with 1-ethenyl-1 H-imidazole, 95-100 wt.% active, ex BASF SE.

[0219] Citric Acid coated is sold as tradename Acid Citric DC ex Jungbunzlauer.

[0220] Performance tests for formulations 5, 6 and comparative examples G-J

[0221] Removal of stains in a washing machine

[0222] Fifteen technical stains supported on cotton were washed in a laundry washing machine in a washing liquor containing 35ml of the stated commercial detergent plus 60g of one of the formulations 5, 6 and G-J. Each sample was tested individually on the fifteen technical stains (D5, D6, DG-DJ).

[0223] The detergent used in the testing was Ariel Original Washing Liquid Washing commercial detergent sold in the UK.

[0224] Technical stained fabrics were washed using one of the detergent systems of Table 12. Each sample was washed in BOSCH Serie 6 WUU24T29IT laundry washing machine at a temperature of about 20°C Rapid - quick cycle (time of main wash about 30 minutes), water hardness of 28°f and MIX 20°C - 1 h, water hardness of 28°f. Stain removal was determined using a Data color 650 spectrophotometer by measuring 10 the Y-value of the technical stain after washing. Y value results are shown in Table 12 for quick cycle wash (30min) and Table 13 for Mix 1 hour cycle at 20°C.

[0225] In the results below, the stains are classified as: Enzymatic stains: balsamic dressing, full egg / pigments, chocolate drink pure, chocolate ice cream, DNA stain, sheep blood.

[0226] Detergent stains: turmeric with oil, make up, mineral oil / carbon black, cooked beef fat.

[0227] Bleachable stains: grass puree, blueberry juice, tea, red wine and espresso coffee.

[0228] Table 12: Y values for quick cycle 30min

[0229] Table 13: Y values for Mix 1 hour cycle

[0230] The results in tables 12 and 13 show the Y value for each of the stains treated with detergent systems formulations 5 and 6 according to the invention and comparative examples DG to DJ. The results demonstrate that the formulations according to the invention comprising the 3- (pyridin-2-yl)-1 ,2-benzisothiazole-1 ,1 -dioxide bleach catalyst of the invention provide good removal of stains compared to the comparative formulations comprising the same amount of bleaching agent but with a known bleach catalyst or no bleach catalyst. Composition D5 of the invention which contains 20 wt.% of sodium percarbonate bleaching agent provides comparable stain removal performance to comparative examples DI and DJ which contains 35 wt.% sodium percarbonate (75% more sodium percarbonate than in Formulation 5). Thus, a comparable stain removal effect is achieved with a significantly lower amount of bleaching agent.

[0231] The compositions according to the invention provide effective removal of stains in both quick washes and longer washes and are particularly effective for bleachable stains.

[0232] A summary of the results from Tables 12 and 13 is provided in Table 14 below. The average for each formulation is calculated as the average of the 3 average values given for the enzymatic stains (the first average going down the column), the detergent stains (second average) and the bleachable stains (3rdaverage) across the quick wash cycle and the mix cotton cycle of 1 hour total wash as detailed in the above examples.

[0233] Table 14.

[0234] Table 14 shows that the removal of stains is improved using a formulation containing the bleach catalyst 3-(pyridin-2-yl)-1 ,2-benzisothiazole-1 ,1 -dioxide of the invention (D5) compared with comparative formulations which do not use this bleach catalyst but use a known bleach catalyst even when a low level of sodium percarbonate is used (DG and DH).

[0235] As D5 and DG have the same active ingredients, save for the bleach catalyst used, the improvement in stain removal can only be attributed to the bleach catalyst. The previously known bleach catalyst CC30 demonstrated an improvement of 1.64 (DG) in the Y value compared with a marked increase of 3.35 for the bleach catalyst of the invention (D5). This shows the improved efficacy of the laundry composition according to the present invention over the prior art over both quick washes of 20°C and the longer wash of 20°C and 1 hour.

[0236] To further demonstrate the performance of the compositions of the invention, a comparison of D5, D6 and DG-DJ are shown in Table 15 below.

[0237] Table 15.

[0238] The Y values have been compared against composition DJ which has a high level of sodium percarbonate (35wt.%) without a bleach catalyst. The data in Table 15 shows that a composition without a catalyst and with a low level of sodium percarbonate (DH) performs worse than a composition with a higher level of sodium percarbonate without a catalyst (DJ). This is to be expected. However, D5, which contains a low level of sodium percarbonate and the 3-(pyridine-2-yl)-1 ,2-benzisothiiazole-1 ,1-dioxide bleach catalyst of the invention, only has a slightly lower delta Y than a composition having a higher level of sodium percarbonate and the known bleach catalyst CC30 (I). D5 and D6 of the invention have higher average Y results than the equivalent comparative examples DG and DI respectively. These results clearly show that the performance of the compositions according to the invention show a marked and unexpected improved efficacy against stain removal even when a lower concentration of bleaching agent is used in the compositions and compared to compositions comprising known bleach catalysts.

[0239] Again, formulating such an effective laundry composition with a low level of bleaching agent in the composition results in a reduction in the quantity of hazardous substances and, in turn, a reduction in the carbon footprint of the laundry composition due to the lower level of active ingredients required whilst also providing effective and improved stain removal.

[0240] Comparative formulations K-P and Formulation 5

[0241] Comparative formulations K, L and M contain the bleaching agent sodium percarbonate, the bleach catalyst of the invention (K), or a known bleach catalyst (L) or no bleach catalyst (M) but no TAED bleach activator.

[0242] Comparative formulations N, O and P contain TAED but no sodium percarbonate bleaching agent. They contain either the bleach catalyst of the invention (N), or a known bleach catalyst (O) or no bleach catalyst (P). The amounts in Table 16 are the wt.% of the ingredients based on the total weight of the composition used as the raw material from the supplier. The active level in these raw materials are detailed below or above for the previous example. Details of Formulation 5 are given above. Table 16.

[0243] The Common Base formulation is shown in Table 11 above. The details for the enzymes are given above under Table 10. Performance tests for comparative formulations K-P

[0244] The test conditions used for these comparative examples was the same as given above for D5, D6 and DG-DJ. Y value results are shown in Table 17 for quick cycle wash (30min) and Table 18 for Mix 1 hour cycle.

[0245] Table 17: Y values for quick cycle 30min

[0246] Table 18: Y values for Mix 1 hour cycle

[0247] The results in tables 17 and 18 show the Y value for each of the stains treated with detergent systems comparative examples DKto DP. The results demonstrate the negative effect on stain removal performance of the absence of the bleach activator (DK to DM) or no bleaching agent (DN to DP).

[0248] A summary of the results from Tables 17 and 18 and those for D5 of the invention and comparative example DG in Table 14 is provided in Table 19 below. The average for each formulation is calculated as for D5 etc above. Table 19.

[0249] The results in Table 19 show that a formulation with a low amount of sodium percarbonate bleaching agent but no TAED bleach activator or bleach catalyst (DM) has the lowest average Y score of the compositions in the table. This is to be expected.

[0250] The addition of a bleach catalyst but without adding TAED (DL and DK) results in similar average Y scores to that of DM which is to be expected as the TAED supports the action of the bleach catalyst. However, the inclusion of the bleach catalyst of the invention and TAED (D5) significantly increases the average Y value to 67.31 compared to DM’s value of 63.55: an average Y value increase of 3.76. The average Y value for D5 is significantly higher than the value for comparative example DG which contains a known bleach catalyst and whose average Y value is 65.6: an average Y value increase of 2.05.

[0251] D5 also has a significantly higher average Y value than DG which has the same active ingredients composition but uses a known bleach catalyst. This shows the beneficial effect on stain removal of a composition comprising the bleach catalyst of the invention and a bleach activator even at low levels of sodium percarbonate bleaching agent.

[0252] The effect of adding the TAED bleach activator to the known bleach catalyst CC30 (DG compared to DL) resulted in an improvement of 0.95 in the Y value. The effect of adding the TAED bleach activator to the bleach catalyst of the invention (D5 compared to DK) demonstrated a much greater improvement of 3.88 in the Y value. This demonstrates the highly beneficial effect of combining a bleach activator and a bleach catalyst of the invention in the compositions of the invention for both quick washes of 20°C and the longer washes of 20°C and 1 hour.

[0253] The average Y values of comparative examples DN to DP without any bleaching agent are shown in Table 20 below.

[0254] Table 20. The Y values in table 20 have been compared against comparative composition DP which has no sodium percarbonate or bleach catalyst but which does contain 2 wt.% of TAED.

[0255] The data in Table 20 shows that all 3 compositions without the bleaching agent sodium percarbonate (DN-DP) had parity performance on stains with each other and they perform much worse than compositions with a low level of sodium percarbonate, bleach catalyst and bleach activator (DG and D5). D5 performed significantly better than comparative example

[0256] DG which did not contain a bleach catalyst according to the invention. Therefore, the presence of the bleaching agent is required to give good overall stain removal in addition to the bleach catalyst and bleach activator. Furthermore, D5 comprising the bleach catalyst of the invention shows a significantly higher average Y value of 67.31 than comparative example DG which contains a known bleach catalyst but otherwise contains the same active ingredients.

[0257] The average Y value increase compared to DP (no bleaching agent or bleach catalyst but with bleach activator) for D5 is 6.45. The average Y value increase for DG compared to DP is 4.82. The compositions according to the invention (D5) show a marked and unexpected improved efficacy against stain removal compared to compositions containing known bleach catalysts (DG) when a low level of bleaching agent is used.

[0258] The average Y value increase compared to DN (no bleaching agent but with bleach activator and the bleach catalyst of the invention) for D5 is 6.99. The average Y value increase compared to DO (no bleaching agent but with bleach activator and the known bleach catalyst) for DG is 4.82.

[0259] The compositions according to the invention show a marked and unexpected improved efficacy against stain removal compared to compositions containing known bleach catalysts and the interaction of the bleaching agent, the catalyst of the invention and the bleach activator has been demonstrated. The necessity of including the bleaching agent is also demonstrated.

[0260] Formulations 7 and 8 of the invention and comparative examples Q and R

[0261] Formulations 7 and 8 are compositions according to the invention. Formulations Q and R and are comparative compositions not according to the invention as they either contain a known bleach catalyst or no bleach catalyst. The formulations were prepared as described above for formulations 1 and 2. The amounts in Table 21 are the wt.% of the ingredients based on the total weight of the composition used as the raw material from the supplier. The active level in these raw materials are detailed below or above for the previous examples.

[0262] Table 21.

[0263] The Common Base formulation is shown in Table 11 above. The details for the enzymes are given above under Table 10.

[0264] Performance tests for formulations 7, 8, Q and R The test conditions used for these comparative examples was the same as given above for formulations 5, 6 and G-J. Y value results are shown in Table 22 for quick cycle wash (30min) and Table 23 for Mix 1 hour cycle.

[0265] Table 22: Y values for quick cycle 30 mins Table 23: Y values for Mix 1 hour cycle

[0266] The results in tables 22 and 23 show the Y value for each of the stains treated with detergent systems D7 and D8 according to the invention and comparative examples DQ and DR. D7 and comparative examples DQ and DR do not contain enzymes but D8 does. A summary of the results from Tables 22 and 23 is provided in Table 24 below. Comparative example DG has been included to provide a comparison for adding enzymes into a composition comprising a known bleach catalyst. The average for each formulation is calculated as for Formulation 5 etc above.

[0267] Table 24.

[0268] The results in Table 24 show that the average Y values for a formulation with a low amount of sodium percarbonate bleaching agent, TAED and a bleach catalyst according to the invention (D7) are higher than the values for the comparative examples which have no bleach catalyst (DR) or a known bleach catalyst. Furthermore, the average Y values are significantly improved in the compositions of the invention by the inclusion of enzymes as shown by D8 which has an increase in average Y value of X over D7 of 3.58. The same comparison for the known bleach activator (comparing the average Y values for DG to DQ) has a lower increase of average Y value of 2.64 for the inclusion of enzymes. This shows the synergy between the bleach catalyst of the invention and enzymes in the compositions of the invention.

[0269] Hence one or more objects of the present invention are achieved by the present invention which is further elucidated in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A composition comprising:-between 15 and 55 wt.% of at least one bleaching agent, based on the total weight of the composition,- between 0.001 and 5 wt.% of at least one bleach catalyst, based on the total weight of the composition, wherein said at least one bleach catalyst has the formula (1)Formula (1)wherein:R1is H, halogen, hydroxy, amino, nitro, cyano, carboxy, alkyl, Ci-Cw-alkoxy, Ci- Cw-alkylamino, phenyl, substituted phenyl, or a heterocyclic ring;R2is an organic group in which the carbon atom that is bonded to the third carbon of the bleach catalyst is not bonded to any hydrogen atom, and the ClogP of the bleach catalyst is lower than 2, and- between 0.1 and 40 wt.% of a bleach activator, based on the total weight of the composition.

2. The composition according to claim 1 , wherein said composition comprises:- between 18 wt.% and 50 wt.% of said at least one bleaching agent, based on the total weight of the composition;- between 0.005 wt.% and 4 wt.% of said at least one bleach catalyst having Formula (1), based on the total weight of the composition, and- between 0.20 wt.% and 30 wt.% of said bleach activator, based on the total weight of the composition.

3. The composition according to claim 1 to claim 2, wherein said at least one bleach catalyst comprises or consists of 3-(pyridin-2-yl)-1 ,2-benzisothiazole-1 ,1-dioxide, 3-(pyridin-3-yl)-1 ,2- benzisothiazole-1 ,1 -dioxide and combinations thereof.

4. The composition according to any preceding claim, wherein said at least one bleaching agent comprises at least one source of active oxygen selected from the group comprising an inorganic peroxide, an organic peracid, and combinations thereof.

5. The composition according to claim 4, wherein the at least one bleaching agent comprises or consist of sodium percarbonate.

6. The composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one bleach activator is selected from the group consisting of tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED), its derivative diacetylethylenediamine (DAED), acetylated triazine derivatives, acylimides, acetylated phenolsulfonates, acetylated phenol carbonic acids, carbonic acid anhydrides, acetylated sugar derivatives, N- acetylated lactams, sodium nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate (NOBS), pentaacetyl glucose (PAG) and combinations thereof.

7. The composition according to claim 6, wherein said at least one bleach activator comprises or consists of tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED).

8. The composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said composition further comprises between 0.0001 wt.% and 10 wt.% of one or more enzymes, based on the total weight of the composition.

9. The composition claim 8, wherein said one or more enzymes are selected from the group consisting of a mannanase, an amylase, a cellulase, a protease, a lipase, xyloglucanase, pectate lyase, DNase nuclease and combinations thereof.

10. The composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said composition is a laundry detergent composition or a laundry additive composition.

11. The composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pH at 20°C of a dilution of 1 :100 of the composition is between 9 and 12.

12. The composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the composition is in form of a tablet or a free-flowing powder.

13. The composition according to claim 12 wherein the composition is in the form of a free- flowing powder and wherein said composition comprises:- between 19 wt.% and 35 wt.% of said at least one bleaching agent, based on the total weight of the composition,- between 0.005 wt.% and 1.5 wt.% of said at least one bleach catalyst having Formula (1), based on the total weight of the composition, and- between 0.5 wt.% and 15 wt.% of said bleach activator, based on the total weight of the composition.

14. The composition according to claim 12 wherein the composition is in the form of a tablet and wherein said composition comprises:- between 25 wt.% and 55 wt.% of said at least one bleaching agent, based on the total weight of the composition,- between 0.01 wt.% and 4 wt.% of said at least one bleach catalyst having Formula (1), based on the total weight of the composition, and- between 0.5 wt.% and 10 wt.% of said bleach activator, based on the total weight of the composition15. The composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the bleach catalyst is in the form of a granule or co-granule with another ingredient, said granule or co-granule containing between 0.5 wt.% and 40 wt.% of the bleach catalyst.

16. The composition according to claim 15, wherein the other ingredient is selected from the group consisting of: bleach activators, sucrose, carbonates, sulphates and / or zeolites.

17. The composition according to claim 16, wherein the other ingredient is tetraacetylethylendiamine (TAED).

18. A method of laundering a fabric in a laundry washing machine comprising adding the composition according to any of the preceding claims to the washing machine and conducting the wash.

19. The method according to Claim 18, wherein the wash liquor is at a temperature higher than 15°C and lower than 40°C.

20. The method according to claims 18 or 19, wherein between 0.05g and 10g of the composition are added to the laundry washing machine per litre of washing liquor.21 . The method according to any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein the total washing time is 60 minutes or less.

22. A method of cleaning a stain on a laundry item comprising:- mixing the composition according to any of the claims 1-17 with water and contacting the stain directly with the obtained mixture before the laundry item is washed, or- adding the composition according to any of the claims 1-17 directly into the drum of washing machine, or- adding the composition according to any of the claims 1-17 to a dispensing drawer of a washing machine, or- adding the composition according to any of the claims 1-17 to a bucket with water and soaking for a predetermined length of time.

23. Use of the composition according to any of the claims 1-17 in a laundry washing and / or fabric treatment operation.

24. Use of the composition according to any of the claims 1-17 for the removal of enzymatic, bleachable, greasy or oil-based stains and / or the removal of malodour from a garment.

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