Acidic Antimicrobial Cleaner Composition Without Bleach Venting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing multi-purpose cleaners struggle to provide effective soil removal and antimicrobial efficacy without the use of harsh chemicals like bleach or hydrogen peroxide, necessitating safety measures such as venting and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising anionic sulfonated surfactants and phenoxyethanol with a pH between 0.5 and 1.5, in a ratio of 3:1 to 1:3, providing a 3-log reduction in microbial population within 15 minutes or less, without oxidizers or harsh chemicals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If harsh chemicals such as bleach or hydrogen peroxide are used to provide antimicrobial efficacy and soil removal, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but safety measures such as venting and personal protective equipment (PPE) are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effectivenessVSAvoidsafety hazards

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters by using a low pH acid composition (pH 1-3) combined with specific surfactants and solvents to achieve antimicrobial efficacy without requiring harsh oxidizing agents like bleach or hydrogen peroxide. This parameter change maintains cleaning effectiveness while eliminating the need for venting and PPE

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite cleaning formulation containing multiple components working synergistically: anionic surfactants (0.1-10% wt), nonionic surfactants (0.1-10% wt), solvents (5-50% wt), and acidifying agents (0.1-10% wt). This composite approach achieves both soil removal and antimicrobial activity without relying on single harsh chemicals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If a single composition provides both soil removal and antimicrobial efficacy, then the versatility of the cleaner is improved, but the formulation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-functionalityVSAvoidformulation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal multi-purpose cleaner that performs both cleaning and disinfection functions through a single low pH acid composition. The formulation is designed to work on multiple surface types (glass, countertops, floors, walls) and against multiple pathogens, achieving versatility without requiring separate products for different functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent simplifies the formulation approach by using a consistent low pH parameter (pH 1-3) across all applications, with a standardized combination of surfactants, solvents, and acidifying agents. This parameter-based approach maintains versatility while controlling formulation complexity through systematic design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the cleaner is effective on multiple surface types including glass, then the adaptability is improved, but the risk of surface damage or streaking increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesurface compatibilityVSAvoidsurface damage or streaking

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent carefully controls the pH parameter (1-3) and includes buffering agents to maintain consistent acidity that is effective against pathogens but gentle enough for multiple surfaces including glass. The low pH is sustained without being so aggressive as to cause surface damage or visible streaking

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a composite surfactant system with both anionic and nonionic surfactants that provide broad-spectrum cleaning capability across different surface types. This composite approach ensures effective soil removal and antimicrobial action on glass, countertops, floors, and walls without causing damage or unwanted residue

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The composition achieves effective soil removal and rapid antimicrobial activity on various surfaces, including glass, without the need for venting or PPE, ensuring safety and efficacy.

Implementation Method 1

comprising between about 1 wt. % and about 60 wt. % of an anionic sulfonated surfactant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurfactant: Surfactant

Implementation Method 2

wherein the composition has a pH of between about 0.5 and about 1.5... provides at least about 3 log reduction in a microbial population in about 15 minutes or less

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcid denaturation:

Data Source

PatentUS12480071B2Acidic antimicrobial multi-purpose cleaner with a sulfonate anionic surfactant and phenoxyethanol mixture

Publication Date: 2025.11.25 ECOLAB USA INC

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to multi-purpose cleaning compositions, methods of manufacturing the multi-purpose cleaning compositions, and methods of using the multi-purpose cleaning compositions to clean a surface. Beneficially the multi-purpose cleaning compositions are capable of removing soil and providing antimicrobial activity. The compositions are especially useful on hard surfaces and are preferably low streaking.