A hydrocolloid or aqueous solution comprising a poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether compound is disclosed having a viscosity of at least about 10 centipoise (cPs). The poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether compound in these compositions has a degree of substitution of about 0.05 to about 3.0. Also disclosed is a method for increasing the viscosity of a hydrocolloid or aqueous composition using a poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether compound.

A hydrocolloid or aqueous solution comprising a poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether compound is disclosed having a viscosity of at least about 10 centipoise (cPs). The poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether compound in these compositions has a degree of substitution of about 0.05 to about 3.0. Also disclosed is a method for increasing the viscosity of a hydrocolloid or aqueous composition using a poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether compound.

A hydrocolloid or aqueous solution comprising a poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether compound is disclosed having a viscosity of at least about 10 centipoise (cPs). The poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether compound in these compositions has a degree of substitution of about 0.05 to about 3.0. Also disclosed is a method for increasing the viscosity of a hydrocolloid or aqueous composition using a poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether compound.

A hydrocolloid or aqueous solution comprising a poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether compound is disclosed having a viscosity of at least about 10 centipoise (cPs). The poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether compound in these compositions has a degree of substitution of about 0.05 to about 3.0. Also disclosed is a method for increasing the viscosity of a hydrocolloid or aqueous composition using a poly alpha-1,3-glucan ether compound.

Cleaning compositions may include polypeptides having hexosaminidase activity. The cleaning compositions may include a polypeptide having one or more of the motif(s) GXDE (SEQ ID NO 27), [EQ][NRSHA][YVFL][AGSTC][IVLF][EAQYN][SN] (SEQ ID NO: 28), HFHIGG (SEQ ID NO: 29), FLHLHF (SEQ ID NO: 30) or DHENYA (SEQ ID NO: 31), or combinations thereof. The cleaning compositions may be or include laundry detergents, fabric finishers, acidic cleaning agents, neutral cleaning agents, alkaline cleaning agents, hand dishwashing agents, automatic dishwasher compositions, or combinations thereof.

A flowable washing agent preparation containing, based on the total weight thereof, i) 20 to 80 wt. % surfactant; ii) 2 to 15 wt. % fatty acid; iii) 0.3 to 8 wt. % of the salt of a divalent cation; iv) 0.01 to 2 wt. % pigment; v) 8 to 35 wt. % solvent; and a washing method using same.

A method of cleaning a substrate with optical energy can comprise applying optical energy from a source of optical energy to the substrate. The method can comprise applying the optical energy to a substrate having a cleaning agent applied thereto, the optical energy having one or more optical parameters selected for cleaning the substrate. The method can comprise reading data from a data bearing element associated with the substrate, communicating the data to a processor associated with a cleaning appliance comprising the source of optical energy, wherein the processor, responsive to the communicated data, controls the cleaning of the substrate with the optical energy. The method can comprise slidingly contacting the substrate with a work surface, said work surface comprising an aperture and emanating optical energy from the aperture for cleaning the substrate. A cleaning appliance can comprise an appliance body comprising an aperture for emanating optical energy for cleaning the substrate and an optical transmission pathway arranged for propagating optical energy received from an optical energy source to said aperture. The appliance can be adapted and constructed for delivering a cleaning agent to the substrate. The appliance can include a processor, a data interface in communication with the processor, and can be configured such that the processor outputs signals that control the cleaning of the substrate, the processor being configured for controlling, responsive to data received by the data interface and via the output signals, the substrate cleaning. The cleaning appliance can include a suction pump for removing material from the substrate.

A method of cleaning a substrate with optical energy can comprise applying optical energy from a source of optical energy to the substrate. The method can comprise applying the optical energy to a substrate having a cleaning agent applied thereto, the optical energy having one or more optical parameters selected for cleaning the substrate. The method can comprise reading data from a data bearing element associated with the substrate, communicating the data to a processor associated with a cleaning appliance comprising the source of optical energy, wherein the processor, responsive to the communicated data, controls the cleaning of the substrate with the optical energy. The method can comprise slidingly contacting the substrate with a work surface, said work surface comprising an aperture and emanating optical energy from the aperture for cleaning the substrate. A cleaning appliance can comprise an appliance body comprising an aperture for emanating optical energy for cleaning the substrate and an optical transmission pathway arranged for propagating optical energy received from an optical energy source to said aperture. The appliance can be adapted and constructed for delivering a cleaning agent to the substrate. The appliance can include a processor, a data interface in communication with the processor, and can be configured such that the processor outputs signals that control the cleaning of the substrate, the processor being configured for controlling, responsive to data received by the data interface and via the output signals, the substrate cleaning. The cleaning appliance can include a suction pump for removing material from the substrate.

Pouches that include a water-soluble film and a composition at least partially enclosed by the water-soluble film in at least one compartment, where the water-soluble film includes a polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) resin blend. Methods of making and using such pouches and films.

Supercritical fluid (SCF) is used to scour a target material to leave scour elements, such as oligomers and oils from the target material. Carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) is introduced into a pressure vessel also containing the target material to be scoured. The CO.sub.2 is raised in temperature and pressure to a SCF state. The CO.sub.2 is recirculated within the pressure vessel to scour the target material. An exchange of the CO.sub.2 is occurs allowing for the scoured elements to be removed from the CO.sub.2 and therefore from within the pressure vessel. Operation variables such as temperature, pressure, time, internal flow rate, and CO.sub.2 exchange are adjusted to achieve a scouring of the target material.