According to the invention, the compositions and methods provide for the complete removal of labels, synthetic glues and/or adhesives from a plurality of surfaces through the use of an aqueous or non-aqueous basic organic solvent and/or an amidine, optionally in combination with surfactants, chelants, acidulants and/or additional bottle wash additives. Beneficially, the compositions and methods are suitable for use at lower temperatures and pH conditions, along with under caustic-free and/or reduced caustic conditions to effectively remove such labels, synthetic glues and/or adhesives from a surface within less than about 30 minutes.

Aqueous hard surface cleaner compositions useful for removing permanent ink are disclosed. The compositions comprise 75 to 99 wt. % of water; 0.1 to 5 wt. % of a monoterpene; 0.1 to 5 wt. % of a C.sub.10-C.sub.17 fatty acid derivative; and 0.1 to 5 wt. % of one or more surfactants. The fatty acid derivative is selected from N,N-dialkyl amides, N,N-dialkyl esteramines, and N,N-dialkyl amidoamines. Preferably, a base such as sodium carbonate or monoethanolamine is also included. The invention includes concentrates comprising the non-aqueous components recited above, as well as other applications for the cleaners and concentrates such as graffiti removers and permanent ink erasers. The combination of a monoterpene and certain fatty acid derivatives, especially fatty N,N-dialkyl amides, unexpectedly enables even dilute aqueous compositions to rapidly decolorize black permanent marker from hard, non-porous surfaces.

The need for a fast acting and broad spectrum antimicrobial composition which does not reduce surface shine and does not leave visible residues on the surface, while also providing greater residuality of the actives can be met by formulating antimicrobial compositions as described herein.

The present disclosure relates to methods of treating a fabric by contacting the fabric with an aqueous liquor having a surfactant; an acidifying agent; and an amide and optionally an antimicrobial active. The fabric may be contacted with the aqueous liquor in a rinse step and/or in a pre-treatment step of a fabric laundering process.

A fabric softener composition including (i) 2 to 50 wt % quaternary ammonium ester fabric softener compound; and (ii) an amide of formula I:

R1-CONR2R3(I)

wherein R1 is selected from the group consisting of linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted C6-C12, each of R2 and R3 is independently selected from H, OH, a halogen, or C1-C6 linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl groups, and methods of treating a fabric including contacting the fabric with the composition.

A cleaning composition is particularly suited for cleaning dirty intake valves. The cleaning composition includes a high solvency surfactant/solvent which has a Kb greater than 100 or polar Hansen solubility parameter greater than 6. The surfactant/solvent is combined with a carrier such as water or an organic carrier and a surfactant. A wetting agent may also be employed. The cleaning composition is added to the intake air as a mist as the engine is running. Aqueous and non-aqueous versions are disclosed.

According to the invention, the compositions and methods provide for the complete removal of synthetic glues or adhesives from a plurality of surfaces through the use of amide solvents in combination with surfactants, chelants, acidulants and/or additional bottle wash additives. Beneficially, the compositions and methods are suitable for use at lower temperatures, including below 35 C., and lower pH conditions, including from 5 to 10, from 6 to 9, and from 6 to 8, in comparison to conventional caustic-based adhesive removal compositions.

Certain fatty acid amide-based surfactants such as cocamide DEA (also known as coco(nut) diethanolamide or coco(nut) DEA) when dissolved or dispersed in a cutting oil (diesel, light cycle oil, naphtha, and such other petroleum distillates) produce a petroleum distillate having significantly enhanced solvency for heavy residuals. Such solutions or dispersions are especially useful for cleaning vessels and similar equipment in refineries by circulating the solution or dispersion in the vessel, optionally with the application of heat.

According to the invention, the compositions and methods provide for the complete removal of synthetic glues or adhesives from a plurality of surfaces through the use of amide solvents in combination with surfactants, chelants, acidulants and/or additional bottle wash additives. Beneficially, the compositions and methods are suitable for use at lower temperatures, including below 35 C., and lower pH conditions, including from 5 to 10, from 6 to 9, and from 6 to 8, in comparison to conventional caustic-based adhesive removal compositions.

The present invention comprises a hard surface cleaning composition including an environmentally friendly alkyl amide solvent, derived from renewable bio-based resources that works at least as well as d-limonene. In one embodiment, the present invention is a cleaning composition including an anionic surfactant salt, a saturated C.sub.8 to C.sub.10 alkyl amide solvent, a cosolvent and water. The composition is substantially free of d-limonene and can remove red food soils with up to 20 percent protein, and also functions as an asphalt removal composition.