Methods of using a soil release polymer in a neutral or low alkaline prewash
The invention provides methods of cleaning including the use of a soil release polymer. In some embodiments, the soil release polymer can be included in a neutral to low alkalinity prewash or main wash that is substantially free of hydroxide-based alkalinity. In some embodiments, the soil release polymer can be included in a neutral to low alkalinity prewash that is substantially free of hydroxide-based alkalinity, followed by an alkaline main wash with any alkalinity source.
1. A method of cleaning an article, the method comprising:
(a) providing an article to be cleaned;
(b) contacting the article in a prewash step with a prewash composition and water,
wherein said prewash step is performed at a pH of from about 6.5 to about 7.5, and wherein said prewash composition comprises a soil release polymer and has less than 0.5 wt % hydroxide based alkalinity;
(c) contacting the article with an alkaline detergent and a hydroxide-based alkalinity source in a main wash step, wherein said main wash step is performed at a pH of at least 10.5:
(d) rinsing the article: and
(e) contacting the article with an acid sour composition.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said prewash step is performed at a pH of about 7.5 and further comprises an alkalinity source.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein said alkalinity source is selected from the group consisting of alkanolamines, carbonates, silicates, and combinations thereof.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the alkalinity source is a silicate.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the prewash composition further comprises one or more surfactants.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the prewash composition further comprises an enzyme.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the enzyme is a protease, amylase, or combination of protease and amylase.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the hydroxide-based alkalinity source is part of the alkaline detergent.
9. A method of cleaning an article, the method comprising:
(a) providing an article to be cleaned;
(b) contacting the article in a prewash step with a prewash composition and water,
wherein said prewash step is performed at a pH of about 6.5 to about 7.5, and wherein said prewash composition comprises a soil release polymer and has less than 0.5 wt % hydroxide-based alkalinity;
(c) contacting the article with an alkaline detergent and an alkalinity source in a main wash step, wherein said alkaline detergent has less than 0.5 wt % hydroxide-based alkalinity, and wherein said main was step is performed at a pH of at least 10.5;
(d) rinsing the article: and
(e) contacting the article with an acid sour composition.
10. The method of claim 9 , wherein said prewash step is performed at a pH of about 7.5 and further comprises an alkalinity source selected from the group consisting of alkanolamines, carbonates, silicates, and combinations thereof.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the alkalinity source is a silicate.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the prewash composition further comprises an enzyme, an enzyme stabilizer, a defoaming agent, a surfactant, or combinations thereof.
13. The method of claim 9 wherein the alkalinity source is selected from the group consisting of alkanolamines, carbonates, silicates, and combinations thereof, and is part of the alkaline detergent.