Detergent composition containing branched alcohol alkoxylate and compatibilizing surfactant, and method for using
A detergent composition is provided according to the invention. The detergent composition includes a branched alcohol alkoxylate having the formula: wherein R 1 is a C 2 -C 20 alkyl, R 2 is H or a C 1 -C 4 alkyl, n is 2-20, and m is 1-40, and a compatibililizing surfactant. The compatibilizing surfactant can be selected so that an aqueous composition containing 5 wt. % of the branched alcohol alkoxylate and at least 2.5 wt. % of the compatibilizing surfactant provides a clear aqueous composition. A clear aqueous composition refers to an aqueous composition that is free of haze visible to the naked eye. In general, a clear aqueous composition resembles a composition containing only water. A method for using the detergent composition is provided.
1. A detergent composition comprising:
(a) a water insoluble branched alcohol alkoxylate having the formula:
wherein R 1 is a C 2 -C 20 alkyl, R 2 is H or a C 1 -C 4 alkyl, n is 2-20, and m is 1-5;
(b) a compatibilizing surfactant, wherein the compatibilizing surfactant is selected so that an aqueous composition containing 5 wt. % of the branched alcohol alkoxylate and at least 2.5 wt. % of the compatibilizing surfactant provides a clear aqueous composition; and
(c) about 1 wt. % to about 20 wt. % of a viscosity modifier.
2. A detergent composition according to claim 1 , wherein the compatibilizing surfactant comprises at least one of a linear alcohol alkoxylate or an ethylene oxide/propylene oxide copolymer.
3. A detergent composition according to claim 2 , wherein the linear alcohol alkoxylate contains an alkyl group having 5 to 20 carbon atoms, and 2 to 20 repeating ethoxy groups.
4. A detergent composition according to claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises about 2 wt. % to about 50 wt. % of the branched alcohol alkoxylate.
5. A detergent composition according to claim 1 , wherein the detergent composition comprises about 1 wt. % to about 20 wt. % of the compatibilizing surfactant.
6. A detergent composition according to claim 2 , wherein the detergent composition comprises about 1 wt. % to about 20 wt. % of the linear alcohol alkoxylate.
7. A detergent composition according to claim 1 , wherein the detergent composition comprises about 0.5 wt. % to about 10 wt. % of a chelating/sequestering agent or a threshold agent.
8. A detergent composition according to claim 1 , wherein the detergent composition comprises about 0.5 wt. % to about 6 wt. % wetting agent.
9. A detergent composition according to claim 1 , wherein the detergent composition comprises about 0.1 wt. % to about 90 wt. % water.
10. A detergent composition according to claim 1 , wherein the detergent composition comprises about 5 wt. % to about 70 wt. % of a source of alkalinity.
11. A method for using a detergent composition comprising:
(a) diluting a detergent composition concentrate with water to provide a detergent composition use composition, the detergent composition concentrate comprising:
(i) an alcohol alkoxylate having the formula:
wherein R 1 is a C 2 -C 20 alkyl, R 2 is H or a C 1 -C 4 alkyl, n is 2-20, and m is 1-5;
(ii) a compatibilizing surfactant, wherein the compatibilizing surfactant is selected so that an aqueous composition containing 5 wt. % of the branched alcohol alkoxylate and at least 2.5 wt. % of the compatibilizing surfactant provides a clear aqueous composition; and
(iii) about 1 wt. % to about 20 wt. % of a viscosity modifier; and
(b) applying the use composition to a soiled substrate.
12. A method for using a detergent composition according to claim 11 , wherein the compatibilizing surfactant comprises at least one of a linear alcohol alkoxylate or ethylene oxide/propylene oxide copolymer.
13. A method for using a detergent composition according to claim 12 , wherein the linear alcohol alkoxylate contains an alkyl group having 5 to 20 carbon atoms, and 2 to 20 repeating ethoxy groups.
14. A method for using a detergent composition according to claim 11 , wherein the composition comprises about 2 wt. % to about 50 wt. % of the branched alcohol alkoxylate.
15. A method for using a detergent composition according to claim 11 , wherein the detergent composition comprises about 1 wt. % to about 20 wt. % of the compatibilizing surfactant.
16. A method for using a detergent composition according to claim 12 , wherein the detergent composition comprises about 1 wt. % to about 20 wt. % of the linear alcohol alkoxylate.
17. A method for using a detergent composition according to claim 11 , wherein the detergent composition comprises about 0.5 wt. % to about 10 wt. % of a chelating/sequestering agent or a threshold agent.
18. A method for using a detergent composition according to claim 11 , wherein the detergent composition comprises about 0.5 wt. % to about 6 wt. % wetting agent.
19. A method for using a detergent composition according to claim 11 , wherein the detergent composition comprises about 0.1 wt. % to about 90 wt. % water.
20. A method for using a detergent composition according to claim 11 , wherein the detergent composition comprises about 5 wt. % to about 70 wt. % of a source of alkalinity.
21. A detergent composition comprising:
(a) a water insoluble branched alcohol alkoxylate having the formula:
wherein R 1 is a C 2 -C 20 alkyl, R 2 is H or a C 1 -C 4 alkyl, n is 2-20, and m is 1-5;
(b) a compatibilizing surfactant, wherein the compatibilizing surfactant is selected so that an aqueous composition containing 5 wt. % of the branched alcohol alkoxylate and at least 2.5 wt. % of the compatibilizing surfactant provides a clear aqueous composition;
(c) a chelating/sequestering agent or a threshold agent; and
(d) a source of alkalinity.
22. A detergent composition according to claim 21 , wherein the detergent composition comprises about 0.5 wt. % to about 10 wt. % of a chelating/sequestering agent or a threshold agent.
23. A detergent composition according to claim 21 , wherein the detergent composition comprises about 5 wt. % to about 70 wt. % of a source of alkalinity.