Fabric softener
View Patent ↗The present invention concerns the use of a C 16 -C 22 -alkyl or C 16 -C 22 -alkenyl amido alkyl betaine derivatives as a fabric softener, notably for fabric softening compositions. The invention also concerns a method of treating fabric which comprises the step of contacting said fabric in the rinse cycle of a fabric washing machine with an aqueous medium containing a composition as defined herein.
1. A method for rinsing fabrics, the method comprising contacting the fabrics with a softening composition comprising at least a fabric softener compound of formula (I):
R 1 —CONH(CH 2 ) n —N + (R 2 R 3 )—CH 2 COO − (I)
wherein:
R 1 is C 22 -alkyl or C 22 -alkenyl,
R 2 and R 3 are independently C 1 -C 4 -alkyl, and
n is a number between 1 and 3; thereby softening the fabrics.
2. The method according to claim 1 wherein said composition comprises between 0.1% to 20% by weight of a fabric softener compound of said formula (I).
3. The method according to claim 1 wherein R 1 is C 22 -alkyl.
4. The method according to claim 1 wherein R 1 is C 22 -alkenyl.
5. The method according to claim 1 wherein the compound of said formula (I) is erucic amidopropyl dimethyl betaine (EAPB).
6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the pH of the composition is in the range of from 3 to 7.
7. The method according to claim 1 wherein the compound of said formula (I) is erucic amidopropyl dimethyl betaine (EAPB).
8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the fabrics are previously washed in a detergent liquor.
9. A method for softening a fabric, the method comprising contacting the fabric during a rinse cycle of a fabric washing machine with an aqueous medium comprising a softening composition comprising at least a fabric softener compound of formula (I):
R 1 —CONH(CH 2 ) n —N + (R 2 R 3 )—CH 2 COO − (I)
wherein:
R 1 is C 22 -alkyl or C 22 -alkenyl,
R 2 and R 3 are independently C 1 -C 4 -alkyl, and
n is a number between 1 and 3.