Detergent composition
A liquid hard surface detergent composition comprising a liquid mixed alkoxylate fatty alcohol non-ionic surfactant comprising a greater number of the lower higher alkoxylate group than the higher alkoxylate group in the molecule and a builder. The compositions provide good shine/anti-spotting characteristics on hard surfaces and are especially suitable for use as automatic dishwashing compositions.
1. A method of automatic dishwashing, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
carrying out at least one main washing cycle and at least one rinse cycle in an automatic dishwashing machine; and
providing a composition to the automatic dishwashing machine during the at least one main washing cycle;
wherein the composition is a liquid automatic dishwashing detergent composition comprising:
a liquid mixed alkoxylate fatty alcohol non-ionic surfactant comprising at least one lower alkoxylate group and at least one higher alkoxylate group, wherein there is a greater number of moles of the lower alkoxylate group than of the higher alkoxylate group in the molecule, wherein the liquid mixed alkoxylate fatty alcohol non-ionic surfactant has the formula:
R1-[EO] n -[PO] m -[BO] p -Bu q
wherein:
R1 is an alkyl group of between C8 and C20;
EO is ethylene oxide;
PO is propylene oxide;
BO is butylene oxide;
Bu is butylene;
n is an integer from 6 to 10;
m is an integer from 3 to 5;
p is 0;
q is 0; and
a builder.
2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid automatic dishwashing detergent composition is a gel.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid mixed alkoxylate fatty alcohol non-ionic surfactant comprises 4 moles of PO and 8 moles of EO in the molecule.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid automatic dishwashing detergent composition comprises 2 to 30% wt of the liquid mixed alkoxylate fatty alcohol non-ionic surfactant.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the builder is selected from phosphate-containing builders, polycarboxylic acids and their salts and amino acid based builders.
6. The method according to claim 5 , wherein the builder is selected from tripolyphosphates, citrates, MGDA and GLDA and salts or derivatives and mixtures thereof.
7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid automatic dishwashing detergent composition further comprises a polymer.
8. The method according to claim 7 , wherein the polymer is a sulphonated polymer.
9. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the sulphonated polymer comprises monomers of a carboxylic acid or a salt thereof and a sulphonated monomer.
10. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid automatic dishwashing detergent composition further comprises additional non-ionic surfactant.
11. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid automatic dishwashing detergent composition is prepared at a temperature in the range of from 25-80° C.
12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the liquid automatic dishwashing detergent composition is prepared at a temperature in the range of from 30-50° C.
13. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid automatic dishwashing detergent composition is in the form of a unit dose and is enveloped in a water soluble or water dispersible package.
14. The method according to claim 13 , wherein the water soluble or water dispersible package has a plurality of compartments.
15. The method according to claim 13 , wherein the water soluble or water dispersible package comprises polymeric packaging material.
16. The method according to claim 15 , wherein the polymeric packaging material is selected from polyvinyl alcohol, celluloses and cellulose derivatives, starches, gelatine, polyglycolides, gelatine and polylactides copolymers or a mixture or co-polymer thereof.
17. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid mixed alkoxylate fatty alcohol non-ionic surfactant is derived from a linear chain fatty alcohol having 12-15 carbon atoms.
18. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid mixed alkoxylate fatty alcohol non-ionic surfactant has at least 10 moles of alkylene oxide per mole of alcohol.
19. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid automatic dishwashing detergent composition comprises at least 2 wt % of the liquid mixed alkoxylate fatty alcohol non-ionic surfactant.
20. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid automatic dishwashing detergent composition comprises at least 10 wt % of the builder.
21. The method according to claim 1 , wherein any solvent included in the liquid automatic dishwashing detergent composition is present in an amount of no more than 10 wt %.
22. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid mixed alkoxylate fatty alcohol non-ionic surfactant comprises 4 or 5 moles of PO and 7 or 8 moles of EO.
23. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the liquid mixed alkoxylate fatty alcohol non-ionic surfactant is derived from a linear chain fatty alcohol having 12-18 carbon atoms.