The subject invention provides environmentally-friendly compositions and methods for enhancing production of textiles and leather. In certain embodiments, the methods of the subject invention comprise incorporating the application of a biological amphiphilic molecule into a textile or leather-making process to reduce chemical usage, reduce water usage, reduce water pollution and/or provide an added benefit to the process. In certain embodiments, the methods of the subject invention comprise substituting a chemical surfactant with a biological amphiphilic molecule in one or more steps involved in textile or leather-making process that would traditionally utilize a chemical surfactant.

A method of cleaning a substrate (16, 24, 34, 64, 71, 82, 102, 165, 171, 181, 201, 300, 310) with optical energy can comprise applying optical energy from a source of optical energy (12, 21, 31, 91, 103, 114, 121, 131, 141, 151, 164, 191, 202) 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 (173) associated with the substrate, communicating the data to a processor (154) associated with a cleaning appliance (10, 30, 40, 60, 70, 80, 90, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 161, 200) 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 (83, 117) and emanating optical energy from the aperture for cleaning the substrate. A cleaning appliance can comprise an appliance body (80, 90, 104, 125) 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 (142) for removing material from the substrate.

A method of cleaning a substrate (16, 24, 34, 64, 71, 82, 102, 165, 171, 181, 201, 300, 310) with optical energy can comprise applying optical energy from a source of optical energy (12, 21, 31, 91, 103, 114, 121, 131, 141, 151, 164, 191, 202) 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 (173) associated with the substrate, communicating the data to a processor (154) associated with a cleaning appliance (10, 30, 40, 60, 70, 80, 90, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 161, 200) 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 (83, 117) and emanating optical energy from the aperture for cleaning the substrate. A cleaning appliance can comprise an appliance body (80, 90, 104, 125) 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 (142) for removing material from the substrate.

The invention relates to alpha-amylases which comprise an amino acid sequence that, over its entire length, shares at least 70% sequence identity with the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1, and to the production and use thereof. Said type of alpha-amylases have a good cleaning performance.

The present invention relates to the use of a cationic polysaccharide in a detergent composition used for treating dyed textile fibers in an aqueous medium, in order to reduce the loss of color of the dyed fibers when treating same using said detergent composition.

An object of the present invention is to realize an environment-friendly manufacturing process for textile products that solves the problem of wastewater by using a solvent instead of conventionally used water in a sizing process and/or desizing process of textile products. According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for applying a sizing agent to a textile product, the method including: a step of sizing the textile product by bringing the textile product into contact with a fluid containing the sizing agent and supercritical carbon dioxide.

The present invention relates to a process for reducing malodors on fabrics using an acid delivery composition.

The present invention relates to a process for reducing malodors on fabrics using an acid delivery composition.

The present invention relates generally to cleaning compositions and, more specifically, to cleaning compositions containing a polyetheramine that is suitable for removal of stains from soiled materials.

The present invention relates generally to cleaning compositions and, more specifically, to cleaning compositions containing a polyetheramine that is suitable for removal of stains from soiled materials.