A washing method to eradicate textile pests

Abstract

A washing method to eradicate a pest on a textile article, in a washing machine, characterized in that said washing method comprises a prewash cycle, a main wash cycle and at least three rinses cycles, and a drain step between each cycle.

Description

DescriptionTitle: A washing method to eradicate textile pests

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention relates to the field of textile pests elimination including bed bugs. More particularly, it relates to a washing method, using a washing machine, to eradicate pest on a textile article, like bed bugs and similar insect pests, lodged in a textile article.

[0003] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART

[0004] After the cessation of certain pesticides, a lot of insect pests have reappeared, notably bed bugs on a textile article or scabies mites.

[0005] Bed bugs are parasitic insects of the family Cimicidae. The common specie is Cimex lectularius. Other species like Cimex hemipterus generate infestation.

[0006] Bed bugs are mainly active at night and feed on blood of human or animals by bites. There is no visible sign of the bite, however bites are able to cause a serious skin itching and irritation. Serious infestations and chronic attack can cause stress, anxiety, allergic reactions and sleep difficulties.

[0007] Adult bed bugs are to 4-5 mm long and 1.5-2 mm wide and reddish-brown with oval, flattened bodies. The nymphs are similar in appearance to the adult but smaller and translucent in color. Female can lay 1 to 10 eggs per day and 200-500 eggs in their lifetime. The bedbug eggs are very small, about 1 mm in length.

[0008] Even if bed bugs are obligatory bloodsuckers, they can survive long periods without feeding. Nymphs can persist weeks or months without feeding. Adult bed bug can survive months without feeding, even up to a year or more in favorable conditions.

[0009] Bed bugs are able to crawl from place to place, to cling to possessions and hide in a small space close to where they feed. Textile articles near to the skin and blood are their favorite, like sheet around the bed, clothes, carpet.

[0010] As a result, bed bug infestations increase in public places where the turnover of occupant is high, such as hotels, hospital, public transports and begin to arrive in a domestic dwelling.

[0011] The nighttime activity, the size of bed bugs in form adult, nymphs or eggs, their place of life, their ability to survive long time without food, making hard to detect and eradicate them.

[0012] First solution to eliminate bed bug infestation is to use insecticides or insect repellent; trap for bed bugs or physical barriers. These chemical treatments are not environmentally safe, not easily employable and to be inappropriate to treat the textile article like bedlinen, towels and personal garments. Furthermore, the color and the textile fiber are damaged by this chemical treatment.

[0013] Current treatment to eradicate a bed bug in a textile article is a washing in hightemperature at least 60°C. However, this treatment is energy intensive with cost expensive and it destroys the color as well as the fiber of the sensitive textile like wool, silk or cashmere. Although effective against pest, treatment with high temperature does not take care of textiles.

[0014] Document PL 244 328 Bl is known in the state of the art, which discloses a method of washing laundry using ozonated water, comprising the step of washing in ozonated water with an ozone concentration of 0.045-4 ppm for 10-30 minutes, the water temperature being 40-50°C. It is a well-known fact for a person skilled in the art that, when it comes to laundering, even small difference in temperature may be crucial, since temperature is one of the most important and sensitive condition to perform laundering of different types of articles made of more or less sensitive textile.

[0015] As can be seen, there is a need to find a novel method to eradicate pest, notably bed bugs, in a textile article that cheaply and effectively eliminates every form of pest like bed bugs life without damaging the textile and the environment.

[0016] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The present invention provides for a washing method to eradicate a pest on a textile article, in a washing machine, which comprises a prewash cycle, a main wash cycle and at least three rinses cycles, and a drain step between each cycle: the prewash cycle comprises exposing the textile article, at least 10 minutes in a washing environment which includes an effective amount of water with a temperature between 5-20°C, preferably 18°C, an effective amount of alkaline product and detergent product and preferably an effective amount of ozone injected, the main wash cycle comprises exposing the textile article, at least 20 minutes, in a disinfecting environment which includes an effective amount of water with a temperature between 5-20°C, preferably 18°C, an effective amount of detergent product and biocide product and preferably an effective amount of ozone injected, each rinses cycle comprises exposing the textile article at least 3 minutes in a rinses environment which includes an effective amount of water with a temperature between 5-20°C, preferably 18°C, and preferably an effective amount of ozone injected.

[0018] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. It is therefore to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

[0019] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG 1 : is a schematic view illustrating the different step of a washing methodto eradicate a pest on a textile article according to an embodiment of the present invention named treatment 1.

[0021] FIG 2: is a schematic view illustrating the different step of a washing method to eradicate a pest on a textile article according to another embodiment of the present invention named treatment 2.

[0022] FIG 3 : is a schematic view illustrating the different step of a washing method to eradicate a pest on a textile article according to another embodiment of the present invention named treatment 3.

[0023] FIG 4: is a table indicating the percentage of mortality of adult bed bugs after exposure to the washing method according to the first and second treatments of the present invention with or without drying,

[0024] FIG 5: is a table indicating the percentage of mortality of nymph bed bugs after exposure to the washing method according to the first and second treatments of the present invention with or without drying,

[0025] FIG 6: is a table indicating the percentage of mortality of eggs bed bugs after exposure to the washing method according to the first and second treatments of the present invention with or without drying.

[0026] FIG 7: is a table indicating the percentage of mortality of adult bed bugs after exposure to the washing method according to the first and second treatment of the present invention, without ozone, with or without drying,

[0027] FIG 8: is a table indicating the percentage of mortality of nymph bed bugs after exposure to the washing method according to the first and second treatment of the present invention, without ozone, with or without drying,

[0028] FIG 9: is a table indicating the percentage of mortality of eggs bed bugs after exposure to the washing method according to the first and second treatment of the present invention, without ozone, with or without drying.

[0029] FIG 10: is a table indicating the percentage of mortality of adult bed bugs after exposure to the washing method according to the treatment of the present invention, without ozone, with or without drying,

[0030] FIG 11 : is a table indicating the percentage of mortality of nymph bed bugs after exposure to the washing method according to the treatment of the present invention, without ozone, with or without drying,

[0031] FIG 12: is a table indicating the percentage of mortality of eggs bed bugs after exposure to the washing method according to the treatment of the present invention, without ozone, with or without drying.

[0032] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] In accordance with the invention, the washing method to eradicate a pest on a textile article, in a washing machine, comprises a prewash cycle, a main wash cycle and at least three rinses cycles, and a drain step between each cycle.

[0034] The term “pest in textile article” is used here to refer to different forms of life of a bed bug, like Cimex lectularius and Cimex hemiplerus. but also scabiesmite, bacteria, virus and fungi.

[0035] The term “textile article” is used here to refer to all sorts of textile, with all colors or white, all types synthetic or natural fiber. For example, “textile article” are a textile in a domestic dwelling like sheet or public area like textile in hotels, in hospitals (hospital gown), public transportation. Such dwellings include those where humans live and work, and include homes, offices, warehouses, factories, apartments, indoor public areas, commercial stores, retail spaces, and the like.

[0036] According to the invention, the prewash cycle comprises exposing the textile article, at least 10 minutes, in a washing environment, which includes an effective amount of water with a temperature between 5-20°C, preferably 18°C, an effective amount of alkaline product and detergent product and preferably an effective amount of ozone injected.

[0037] According to some embodiments of the invention, the prewash cycle comprises exposing the textile article, at least 30 minutes, in a washing environment, which includes an effective amount of water with a temperature between 5- 20°C, preferably 18°C, an effective amount of alkaline product and detergent product and preferably an effective amount of ozone injected.

[0038] An “effective amount” of a compound is that amount of compound which is sufficient to provide a beneficial effect to the subject to which the compound is used.

[0039] According to the invention “an effective amount of water” is that amount of water which is sufficient to impregnate and humidify all of the textile articles in a washing machine.

[0040] According to an embodiment, the alkaline product is selected from the group consisting of NaOH or KOH solution or is consisting of a NaOH or KOH solution or any other earth metal alkali. In an specific embodiment, the alkaline product may optionally contain additional compounds like sequestrant known from the group of carboxylates (for example, citrate, or gluconate, or polymers such as poly acrylates or copolymers of polycarboxylates), aminocarboxylates (such as MGDA, GLDA but not limited to), phosponates such as PBTC, DTMPA,HEDP, ATMP

[0041] In an exemplary embodiment, used in experimental results, the alkalin product consist of a mix of disodium phosphonate, heptasodium salt of diethylenetri- aminepenta(methylenephosphonic) acid, Phosphonobutanetricarbon acid, tetra sodium salt, sodium chloride, Sodium hydroxide and water.

[0042] According to an embodiment, the detergent product, in the prewash cycle, is selected from the group consisting of a mix emulsifier agent, non-ionic solution and non-ionic surfactant and anionic surfactant.

[0043] In another embodiment, the detergent product contains at least one non-ionic surfactant and one anionic surfactant and may additionally contain sequestrant(as mentioned) and other auxiliary ingredients such as dyestuff, optical brightener, antifoam, perfume.

[0044] According to an embodiment, non-ionic surfactants are selected from the following group consisting of linear C12-C15 ethoxylated fatty alcohols with an average ethoxylation degree ranging between 3 and 9 or a branched (Guerbet CIO alcohol, iso-C 13 alcohol) with an average EO range between 3 and 9.

[0045] Suitable non-ionic surfactants include, for example, C12-C14 fatty alcohol ethersulfate 2EO-3EO, Benzenesulfonic acid, 4-C10-13 -sec-alkyl derivs, C12- C14 alkylsulfate Na-salt 30% alkaline, sec C14-C17 alkane sulfonate Na salt 30%.

[0046] In an exemplary embodiment, used in experimental results, the detergent product consists of a mix of 2-m ethoxymethylethoxy) propanol, 2 -butoxy ethanol, Alcohol ethoxylate, Ethoxylated Alcohol, Terpene monocyclic and water.

[0047] According to the invention “an effective amount of ozone injected” is that amount of ozone which is sufficient to create chemical free radicals in a washing environment to increase the prewash, and the main wash operation, in a washing machine.

[0048] In fact, the inorganic molecule 03, trioxygen or ozone, is a gas that consists of three oxygen atoms, in contact with water, and other washing products and soiled textile, the extra atom will separate from its original molecule and is then free to combine with other chemical compounds, to increase the action to kill all forms of bed bugs. The ozone oxidizes and decomposes dirt on textile and opens the fiber to support the action of water and the other chemical compounds in cold washing conditions (5-20°C) and act against all forms of bedbugs present in fibers. The ozone enhances the chemical activities of alkaline, detergent and biocide product against bedbugs and replaces the heat.

[0049] In an exemplary embodiment, the ozone is injected directly in a washing machine by a pipe.

[0050] The ozone for use in the present invention can be generated by any known means. During the prewash cycle, the level, the pressure and the flow of ozone injected are controllable by any known means, to respect security of users.

[0051] In a specific embodiment, the ozone is introduced into the inner drum of the washing machine by using 2-4 ppm pure ozone output mixed in water to obtain 0,2 and 0,4 ppm of ozone in the pipe, with 10 liters / min of air flow per output. The airflow and concentration are constant during each cycle (prewash, main wash and rinses) and stopped during draining-extraction (drain step) and at the end of the cycle. These conditions allow to improve the chemical synergy between ozone and the other chemicals (alkaline, detergent, biocide, water) to kill bedbugs in the textile.

[0052] According to the invention, the main wash cycle comprises exposing the textilearticle, at least 20 minutes, in a disinfecting environment which includes an effective amount of water with a temperature between 5-20°C, preferably 18°C, an effective amount of detergent product and biocide product and preferably an effective amount of ozone injected.

[0053] According to some embodiments of the invention, the main wash cycle comprises exposing the textile article, at least 30 minutes, in a environment which includes an effective amount of water with a temperature between 5-20°C, preferably 18°C, an effective amount of detergent product and biocide product and preferably an effective amount of ozone injected.

[0054] According to an embodiment, the detergent product, in the main wash cycle, is selected from the group consisting of a mix emulsifier agent, non-ionic solution and non-ionic surfactant and anionic surfactant as mentioned previously.

[0055] In an exemplary embodiment, used in experimental results, the detergent product consists of a mix of Water, Isotridecanol, ethoxylated, Soap (C12-C18), monoethanolamine salt, Dipropylene glycol monomethylether, SULFURIC ACID, MONO-C 12- 14-ALKYL ESTERS, SODIUM SALTS, Monopropyleneglycol; 1,2-propanediol, Isotridecanol, ethoxylated, sodium p-cumenesul- phonate, N,N-bis(carboxylatomethyl)-L-glutamate, tetrasodium salt, Heptasodium salt of diethylenetriaminepenta(methylenephosphonic) acid, disodium 4, 4'-bis[(4-anilino-6-morpholino- 1,3, 5-tri azin-2 -yl)amino]stilbene-2,2'-disul- phonate, Parfum, Sodium chloride, Disodium phosphonate, disodium 2,2'- ([l,l'-biphenyl]-4,4'-diyldivinylene)bis(benzenesulphonate), 2-aminoethanol; thanolamine, Sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, Geraniol, 1,2-benzisothia- zol-3(2H)-one; l,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one, Formaldehyde, reaction products with sulfonated l,l'-oxybis[methylbenzene], sodium salts; octamethylcyclo- tetrasiloxane;;dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane;decamethylcyclopentasilox- ane;N, N-dimethylformamide; dimethyl formamide;glutaral, glutaraldehyde, l,5-pentanedial;3-iodo-2-propynyl butylcarbamate; 3 -iodoprop-2 -yn-l-yl butylcarbamate. .

[0056] According to the invention, the biocide product is selected, by the skilled person in the art, to kill all forms of pest like bed bugs in textile article during the washing method, without decrease in the chemical effect of alkaline or detergent product. In others words, the biocide product has inert and has no negative impact about technical effect and chemical effect of alkaline or detergent product.

[0057] According to the invention, each rinses cycle comprises exposing the textile article at least 3 minutes in a rinses environment which includes an effective amount of water with a temperature between 5-20°C, preferably 18°C, and preferably an effective amount of ozone injected.

[0058] According to the invention, to reach the best synergic effect with alkaline, detergent and biocide products, it is preferred that the effective amount of ozoneinjected concentration is from 0,2 to 0,6 ppm, preferably 0,4 ppm.

[0059] Advantageously, these relative amounts of ozone injected concentration are relatively small, expressed in parts per million (ppm), but such is the power of ozone as a washing product or disinfectant, especially in combination with alkaline, detergent and biocide product in accordance with this invention, that such small quantities thereof are all that is required to kill all forms of bedbugs.

[0060] According to an embodiment, the biocide product having a biocide action against pest on a textile article in a temperature between 5-20°C to kill them. The biocide effective action against pest, in a low temperature, leads to treat the sensitive textile with the present washing method without the risk of damage and without an energy intensive process.

[0061] In an exemplary embodiment, the biocide product consists of peracetic acid composition at concentration between 1-20% by total weight of the composition, preferably 5-15%, more preferably 15%.

[0062] According to the invention, the peracetic acid concentration is at least 7,5 grams, preferably 30 grams by kilogram of textile article. According to the experimental results below, 30 grams of peracetic acid by kilogram of textile article is the effective amount to kill all forms of bed bugs.

[0063] In an exemplary embodiment, used in experimental results, the biocide product consists of a solution mix of l-hydroxyethylidene-l,l-diphosphonic acid, acetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, phosphonic acid, Sulphuric acid, and water.

[0064] Advantageously, the combination of the biocide product, like peracetic acid, and ozone make sure all forms of bed bugs are fully killed during the washing method, even at lower temperatures and with shorter cycles.

[0065] Furthermore, the combination of ozone and peracetic acid works in synergy, it opens up the textile fibers, releasing and breaking down embedded mineral particles and chemical deposits and boosts the action of alkaline and detergent products against all forms of bed bugs and stubborn stain.

[0066] According to an alternative more specific embodiment, a neutralizer is used optionally in the washing method, especially the prewash cycle and / or the main wash cycle. The neutralizer has, as sole purpose of neutralizing the residual alkalinity so the textiles are neutral in pH when exiting the method. For example, the neutralizer consists of an organic monoacid like formic acid, acetic acid; or an alkylsulfonic acid like methanesulfonic acid and water.

[0067] In a preferred embodiment, the period of exposure the textile article to the washing or disinfecting environment is at least 20 minutes, and to the rinses environment is at least 3 minutes. According to the invention, 10 minutes of exposure in prewash cycle, and 20 minutes of exposure in main wash cycle, is the minimum time to provide a sufficient contact time between the textile article and the different product and to lead a synergic chemical effect between ozone,alkaline, detergent and biocide product to kill all forms of bed bugs.

[0068] According to the washing method of the present invention, the drain step comprises a step to eliminate the environment of the previous cycle and including a subsequent step of removing ozone.

[0069] The step to eliminate the environment of the previous cycle is realized by any known means.

[0070] The step of introducing or removing ozone is realized by any known means in compliance with safety standards, for example indicated by the European and United Kingdom Health and Safety Executive authorities, which specify the following hygienic limits for ozone uses.

[0071] According to an embodiment, the effective amount of water is between 4 and 6 liters, preferably 5 liters, by weight of textile article. This amount is sufficient to impregnate and humidify the entire textile article and to be in a washing or disinfecting or rinses environment.

[0072] An aspect of the invention is a washing method of using a water with a temperature between 5-20°C, preferably 18°C which can be applied to sensitive textile for example like natural wool fiber, without risk of damage and consequently a longer textile lifetime.

[0073] Furthermore, and advantageously, using a water with a temperature between 5- 20°C, during the prewash and main wash cycle, is non-energy consuming therefore low cost.

[0074] In a particular embodiment of the washing method of the invention,- the alkaline product is a mix of disodium phosphonate, heptasodium salt of diethylenetriaminepenta(methylenephosphonic) acid, Phosphonobutanetri- carbon acid, tetra sodium salt, sodium chloride, Sodium hydroxide and water,- the detergent product, in the prewash cycle, is a mix of (2-methoxymethyleth- oxy)propanol, 2-butoxyethanol, Alcohol ethoxylate, Ethoxylated Alcohol, Terpene monocyclic and water,-the detergent product, in the main wash cycle, is a mix of Water, Isotridecanol, ethoxylated, Soap (C12-C18), monoethanol amine salt, Dipropylene glycol monomethylether, SULFURIC ACID, MONO-C 12- 14-ALKYL ESTERS, SODIUM SALTS, Monopropyleneglycol; 1,2-propanediol, Isotridecanol, ethoxylated, sodium p-cumenesulphonate, N,N-bis(carboxylatomethyl)-L-glutamate, tetrasodium salt, Heptasodium salt of diethylenetriaminepenta(meth- ylenephosphonic) acid, disodium 4,4'-bis[(4-anilino-6-morpholino-l,3,5-tria- zin-2-yl)amino]stilbene-2,2'-disulphonate, Parfum, Sodium chloride, Disodium phosphonate, disodium 2,2'-([l,l'-biphenyl]-4,4'-diyldivinylene)bis(benzene- sulphonate), 2-aminoethanol; thanolamine, Sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, Geraniol, l,2-benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one; l,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one, Formaldehyde, reaction products with sulfonated l,l'-oxybis[methylbenzene],sodium salts; octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane;;dodecamethylcyclohexasilox- ane;decamethylcyclopentasiloxane;N, N-dimethylformamide; dimethyl forma- mide;glutaral, glutaraldehyde, l,5-pentanedial;3-iodo-2-propynyl butylcarbamate; 3-iodoprop-2-yn-l-yl butylcarbamate;- the biocide product is a mix of l-hydroxyethylidene-l,l-diphosphonic acid, acetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, phosphonic acid, Sulphuric acid, and water.

[0075] According to the invention, at the end of the washing method, but not for the sensitive textile articles, an optional drying cycle is realized, preferably at 58°C during at least 40 mins.

[0076] In a preferred embodiment to the invention, the effective amount of alkaline product is at least 5 grams, preferably 20 grams, by kilogram of textile article and the effective amount of detergent product is at least 2 grams by kilogram of textile article.

[0077] According to the washing method of the present invention, the pest comprises bed bug adults, nymphs and eggs from the parasitic insect of the family Cimici- dae and / or scabies mite.

[0078] EXAMPLES AND EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS

[0079] Examples of composition

[0080] Examples of effective alkaline, detergent, and biocide product composition for the prewash or main wash cycle in accordance with the invention are show in table 1 herein below.

[0081] Table 1 :

[0082] Examples of washing method

[0083] Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings shows an example of a washing method named treatment 1.

[0084] Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings shows an example of a washing method named treatment 2.

[0085] Fig. 3 of the accompanying drawings shows an example of a washing method named treatment 3.

[0086] Experimental results.

[0087] For these experimental results, the composition indicated in table 1 is used.

[0088] Figs. 4 to 6 are the results of testing the present inventive washing method on bed bugs Cimex lectularius on a textile article.

[0089] The test used 20 kg of white cotton bed sheets, infested by different bed bugs forms. Inside the washing machine, the spinning speed is 915 tr / min, the temperature of each washing is 18°C and the temperature of drying cycle is 58°C during 40 minutes.

[0090] After put the infested laundry inside the washing machine, the washing method of the present invention, using treatments 1 and 2 with or without drying cycle at the end, is realized.

[0091] A negative control of the washing method, without washing, rinsing, drying and any chemical product in washing or disinfecting environment, is applied to check the natural viability of the bed bugs.

[0092] A positive control of the washing method, without drying cycle and any chemical product in washing or disinfecting environment, is applied to check the effect of the mechanical effect of the washing without the product.

[0093] Another positive control of the washing method, without any chemical product in washing or disinfecting environment but with washing, rinsing and drying cycle, is applied to check the effect of the drying process.

[0094] After the exposure to washing products or methods, the insects were brought back to laboratory for a count of dead insect by all of the usual methods known by the skilled person.

[0095] Each data represent the percentage of mortality of adult bed bugs (Fig. 4), nymph (Fig. 5) or eggs (Fig. 6) after exposure to the different treatments, in different time after the end of the washing method.

[0096] In the condition of the trial, with the samples of washing products used, insect strain and methodology used the results Figs. 4 to 6 show that:- the washing without any chemical product has killed 20% of adults and the nymphs and 35% of the eggs, probably by mechanical action and drowning of bed bugs,- the drying cycle only (positive control) has killed all the adults, nymphs and eggs,- the treatments 1 and 2 of the present invention, without drying cycle, have led to a complete kill of adults, nymphs and eggs.

[0097] The same results were obtained after carrying out treatment 3 shown in Figure 3, without drying operation and by reducing the quantities of alkaline product, detergent product and biocide product. The treatment 3, without drying cycle, has led to a complete kill of adults, nymphs and eggs.

[0098] Figs. 7 to 9 are the results of testing the present inventive washing method, but without ozone, on bed bugs Cimex lectularius on a textile article.

[0099] Chemical products’ amounts used for this testing are the following: treatment 1- 5 g / kg of alkaline product and 2g / kg of detergent product; treatment 2 - 2 g / kg of detergent product and 7.5 g / kg of biocide product.

[0100] The test used 20 kg of white cotton bed sheets, infested by different bed bugs forms. Inside the washing machine, the spinning speed is 915 tr / min, the temperature of each washing is 18°C and the temperature of drying cycle is 58°C during 40 minutes.

[0101] After put the infested laundry inside the washing machine, the washing method of the present invention, without ozone, using treatments 1 and 2 with or without drying cycle at the end, is realized.

[0102] A negative control of the washing method, without washing, rinsing, drying and any chemical product in washing or environment, is applied to check the natural viability of the bed bugs.

[0103] A positive control of the washing method, without drying cycle and any chemical product in washing or disinfecting environment, is applied to check the effect of the mechanical effect of the washing without the product.

[0104] Another positive control of the washing method, without any chemical product in washing or disinfecting environment but with washing, rinsing and drying cycle, is applied to check the effect of the drying process.

[0105] After the exposure to washing products or methods, the insects were broughtback to laboratory for a count of dead insect by all of the usual methods known by the skilled person.

[0106] Each data represent the percentage of mortality of adult bed bugs (Fig. 7), nymph (Fig. 8) or eggs (Fig. 9) after exposure to the different treatments, in different time after the end of the washing method.

[0107] In the condition of the trial, with the samples of washing products used, insect strain and methodology used the results Figs. 7 to 9 show that:- the washing without any chemical product has killed 20% of adults and the nymphs and 35% of the eggs, probably by mechanical action and drowning of bed bugs,- the drying cycle only (positive control) has killed all the adults, nymphs and eggs,- the treatments 1 and 2 of the present invention, without ozone, without drying cycle, have led to a complete kill of adults, nymphs and eggs.

[0108] Figs. 10 to 12 are the results of another testing the present inventive washing method, but without ozone, on bed bugs Cimex lectularius on a textile article.

[0109] Chemical products’ amounts used for this testing are the following: treatment 1- 3 g / kg of alkaline product and 2g / kg of detergent product; treatment 2 - 2 g / kg of detergent product and 5 g / kg of biocide product.

[0110] The test used 20 kg of white cotton bed sheets, infested by different bed bugs forms. Inside the washing machine, the spinning speed is 915 tr / min, the temperature of each washing is 18°C and the temperature of drying cycle is 58°C during 40 minutes.

[0111] After put the infested laundry inside the washing machine, the washing method of the present invention, without ozone, using treatments 1 and 2 without drying cycle at the end, is realized.

[0112] A negative control of the washing method, without washing, rinsing, drying and any chemical product in washing or disinfecting environment, is applied to check the natural viability of the bed bugs.

[0113] A positive control of the washing method, without drying cycle and any chemical product in washing or disinfecting environment, is applied to check the effect of the mechanical effect of the washing without the product.

[0114] Another positive control of the washing method, without any chemical product in washing or disinfecting environment but with washing, rinsing and drying cycle, is applied to check the effect of the drying process.

[0115] After the exposure to washing products or methods, the insects were brought back to laboratory for a count of dead insect by all of the usual methods known by the skilled person.

[0116] Each data represent the percentage of mortality of adult bed bugs (Fig. 10), nymph (Fig. 11) or eggs (Fig. 12) after exposure to the treatment, in different time after the end of the washing method.

[0117] In the condition of the trial, with the samples of washing products used, insect strain and methodology used the results Figs. 10 to 12 show that:- the washing without any chemical product has killed 20% of adults and the nymphs and 35% of the eggs, probably by mechanical action and drowning of bed bugs,- the drying cycle only (positive control) has killed all the adults, nymphs and eggs,- the treatment of the present invention, without ozone, without drying cycle, has led to a complete kill of adults, nymphs and eggs.

[0118] A washing method of the present invention is effective at low temperature of washing at 18°C with combined typical chemical products, with or without ozone injection, to kill all forms of bed bugs on a textile article, including sensitive textile.

[0119] A washing method of the present invention helps also to reduce time and energy consumption during the washing cycle.

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 12 March 2026 (12.03.2026)

1. A washing method to eradicate a pest on a textile article, in a washing machine, characterized in that said washing method comprises a prewash cycle, a main wash cycle and at least three rinses cycles, and a drain step between each cycle,- the prewash cycle comprises exposing the textile article, at least 10 minutes in a washing environment which includes an effective amount of water with a temperature between 5-20°C, an effective amount of alkaline product and detergent product,- the main wash cycle comprises exposing the textile article, at least 20 minutes, in a disinfecting environment which includes an effective amount of water with a temperature between 5-20°C, an effective amount of detergent product and biocide product, wherein the biocide product comprises peracetic acid,- each rinses cycle comprises exposing the textile article at least 3 minutes in a rinses environment which includes an effective amount of water with a temperature between 5-20°C.

2. The washing method of claim 1, wherein the temperature of water on at least one of the prewash cycle, the main wash cycle and the rinses cycle is 18°C.

3. The washing method of any one of claims 1-2, wherein an effective amount of ozone is further injected on at least one of the prewash cycle, the main wash cycle and the rinses cycle.

4. The washing method of claim 3, wherein the effective amount of ozone injected concentration is from 0.2 to 0.6 ppm, preferably 0.4 ppm.

5. The washing method of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the biocide product consists of peracetic acid composition at concentration between 1-20% by total weight of the composition, preferably 5-15%, more preferably 15%.

6. The washing method of the previous claim, wherein the peracetic acid concentration is at least 7.5 grams, preferably 30 grams, by kilogram of the textile article.

7. The washing method of any one of claims 1-6, wherein the effective amount of water is between 4 and 6 liters, preferably 5 liters, by weight of the textile article.

8. The washing method of claim 3, wherein the drain step comprises a step of elimination of the environment of the previous cycle and includes a subsequent step of removing ozone.

9. The washing method of any one of claims 1-8, wherein:- the alkaline product, in the prewash cycle, is selected from the group consisting of a NaOH or KOH solution or any other earth metal alkali solution,- the detergent product, in the prewash cycle or the detergent product in the main wash cycle, is selected from the group consisting of a mix emulsifier agent, non-ionic solution, non-ionic surfactant and anionic surfactant.

10. The washing method of any one of claims 1-8, wherein:- the alkaline product, in the prewash cycle, is a mix of an earth alkali metal hydroxide selected from the group consisting of NaOH or KOH, and at least one sequestering agent selected from the group consisting of phosphonobutanetricarbon acid, 1- hydroxyethylidene-1, 1-diphosphonic acid, diethylenetriaminepenta(methylenephosphonic) acid or polyacrylates,- the detergent product, in the prewash cycle, or the detergent product, in the main wash cycle, is selected from the group consisting of a surfactant or surfactant mixture, mixture of non- ionic and anionic surfactants, builders, optical brightening agents and other auxiliary agents.

11. The washing method of any one of claims 1-8, wherein:- the alkaline product, in the prewash cycle, is a mix of di sodium phosphonate, heptasodium salt of diethylenetriaminepenta(methylenephosphonic) acid, phosphonobutanetricarbon acid, tetra sodium salt, sodium chloride, sodium hydroxide and water,- the detergent product, in the prewash cycle, is a mix of 2- methoxymethylethoxy)propanol, 2-butoxyethanol, alcohol ethoxylate, ethoxylated alcohol, terpene monocyclic and water,- the detergent product, in the main wash cycle, is a mix of water, isotridecanol, ethoxylated, soap (C12-C18), monoethanolamine salt, dipropylene glycol monomethylether, sulfuric acid, mono- C12-14-alkyl esters, sodium salts, monopropyleneglycol; 1,2- propanediol, isotridecanol, ethoxylated, sodium p- cumenesulphonate, N,N-bis(carboxylatomethyl)-L-glutamate, tetrasodium salt, heptasodium salt of diethylenetriaminepenta(methylenephosphonic) acid, disodium 4,4'-bis[(4-anilino-6-morpholino-l,3,5-triazin-2-yl)amino]stilbene-2,2'-disulphonate, parfum, sodium chloride, disodium phosphonate, disodium 2,2' -([ 1 , 1 '-biphenyl]-4,4'- diyldivinylene)bis(benzenesulphonate), 2-aminoethanol, thanolamine, sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, geraniol, 1,2- benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one, l,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one, formaldehyde, reaction products with sulfonated 1,1'- oxybisfmethylbenzene], sodium salts, octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane, decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, N, N-dimethylformamide, dimethyl formamide, glutaral, glutaraldehyde, 1,5-pentanedial, 3-iodo-2- propynyl butylcarbamate, 3-iodoprop-2-yn-l-yl butylcarbamate;- the biocide product, in the mainwash cycle, is a mix of 1- hydroxyethylidene-l,l-diphosphonic acid, acetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, phosphonic acid, sulphuric acid, and water.

12. The washing method of any one of claims 1-11, wherein the effective amount of alkaline product is at least 5 grams, preferably 20 grams, by kilogram of the textile article and the effective amount of detergent product is at least 2 grams by kilogram of the textile article.

13. The washing method of any one of claims 1-12, wherein the pest comprises bed bug adults, nymphs and eggs from the parasitic insect of the family Cimicidae and / or scabies mite, preferably Cimex lectularius.

14. The washing method of any one of claims 1-13, wherein the washing method, especially the prewash cycle and / or the main wash cycle, include an effective amount of neutralizer product.

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