Cleaning compositions employing extended chain anionic surfactants
The invention discloses synergistic combinations of surfactants blends and cleaning composition. In certain embodiments a surfactant system is disclosed which includes extended anionic surfactants, linker surfactants, and a multiply charged cation component. This system forms emulsions with, and can remove greasy and oily stains, even those comprised of non-trans fats. The compositions may be used alone, as a pre-spotter or other pre-treatment or as a part of a soft surface or hard surface cleaning composition.
1. A surfactant system or cleaning composition comprising:
an extended chain anionic surfactant of formula:
R-[L] x -[O—CH 2 —CH 2 ] y -M
where R is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted, aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon radical having from about 6-20 carbon atoms, L is a linking group, M is an ionic species, x is the chain length of the linking group ranging from 2-16, and y is the average degree of ethoxylation ranging from 1-5;
a linker surfactant comprising dioctyl sulfosuccinate; and
a multiply charged cation component selected from the group consisting of: Ca2+, Mg2+, a chelating agent, a source of alkalinity, or combination thereof;
wherein the cleaning composition is capable of removing oily soils; wherein the ratio of extended chain anionic surfactant to linker surfactant is from 1:0.167 to 1:2.33 and the ratio of extended chain anionic surfactant to multiply charged cation is from 1:0.01 to 1:5.31.
2. The surfactant system of claim 1 wherein said surfactant system is employed under alkaline or acid conditions.
3. The surfactant system of claim 1 wherein said surfactant system removes oily soils at room temperature.
4. The surfactant system of claim 1 wherein said linker surfactant consists of dioctyl sulfosuccinate.
5. The surfactant system of claim 1 wherein said multiply charged cation is Ma2+.
6. The surfactant system of claim 1 wherein said system forms an emulsion or microemulsion with oily soils.
7. The surfactant system of claim 6 wherein said emulsion or microemulsion. is formed with non-trans fats.
8. The surfactant system of claim 1 wherein M is any ionic species selected from the group consisting of carboxylates, sulfonates, sulfates, phosphates, and combinations thereof.
9. The surfactant system of claim 1 wherein said system is used as a pre-spotter.
10. A cleaning composition including the surfactant system of claim 1 .
11. The cleaning composition of claim 10 wherein said cleaning composition is a hard surface cleaner.
12. The cleaning composition of claim 10 wherein said cleaning composition is a detergent.
13. A method for removing a soil from a hard or soft surface comprising:
applying a cleaning composition containing the surfactant system according to claim 1 to the hard or soft surface and;
rinsing and/or wiping the cleaning composition from the hard or soft surface.
14. An emulsion product comprising:
the surfactant system of claim 1 and an oil.
15. The emulsion of claim 14 wherein said oil is a vegetable oil.
16. The emulsion of claim 14 wherein said emulsion is an oil based lubricant.
17. The emulsion of claim 14 wherein said oil is a synthetic oil.
18. The emulsion of claim 14 wherein said emulsion is a microemulsion.
19. A surfactant system comprising:
from about 15% by weight to about 45% by weight of an anionic extended chain surfactant;
from about 2.5% by weight to about 17.5% by weight linker, wherein said linker comprises dioctyl sulfosuccinate;
and from about 2.5% to about 10% by weight of multiply charged cation;
wherein said extended chain anionic surfactant comprises a compound of the formula:
R-[L] x -[O—CH 2 —CH 2 ] y -M
where R is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted, aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon radical having from about 6 to 20 carbon atoms, L is a linking group, M is any ionic species, x is the chain length of the linking group ranging from 2-16, and y is the average degree of ethoxylation ranging from 1 to 5;
wherein the ratio of extended chain anionic surfactant to linker surfactant is from 1:0.167 to 1:2.33 and the ratio of extended chain anionic surfactant to multiply charged cation is from 1:0.01 to 1:5.31.
20. The surfactant system of claim 19 wherein said extended surfactant is C 12-14 -(PO) 16 -(EO) 2 -sulfate.
21. The surfactant system of claim 19 wherein said multiply charged cation is selected from the group consisting of Ca2+, Mg2+, a chelating agent, source of alkalinity or combinations thereof.
22. The surfactant system of claim 19 wherein said multiply charged cation is Mg2+.
23. The surfactant system of claim 19 wherein said surfactant system contains less than 0.1% unreacted alcohols.
24. A method of laundering a cleaning article that is contacted with a non-transfat, comprising:
providing a cleaning article that has been contacted with a non-trans fat;
washing the cleaning article;
rinsing the cleaning article;
drying the cleaning article; and
treating the cleaning article with an effective amount of a composition comprising a surfactant system according to claim 1 , wherein the treating occurs prior to or during the washing step.