The invention provides a method for the cleaning of a soiled substrate, the method comprising treating the substrate with a non-polymeric solid particulate cleaning material and wash water, the treatment being carried out in an apparatus comprising a drum comprising perforated side walls and having a capacity of between 5 and 50 liters for each kg of fabric in the washload, wherein the solid particulate cleaning material comprises a multiplicity of non-polymeric particles at a particle to fabric addition level of 0.1:1-10:1 by mass, each of the particles being substantially cylindrical or spherical in shape, and wherein the drum comprising perforated side walls is rotated at a speed which generates G forces in the range of from 0.05 to 900 G. The non-polymeric particles may comprise particles of glass, silica, stone, wood, or any of a variety of metals or ceramic materials. Preferably the solid particulate cleaning material additionally comprises a multiplicity of polymeric particles each of which is substantially cylindrical or spherical in shape. Preferably, at least one detergent is employed in the cleaning process. The invention provides optimum cleaning performance as a result of improved mechanical interaction between substrate and cleaning media and is preferably used for the cleaning of textile fabrics. The method allows for significant reductions in the consumption of detergents, water and energy when compared with the conventional wet cleaning of textile fabrics, and also facilitates reduced washing-related textile fabric damage. The invention also envisages a cleaning composition comprising a solid particulate cleaning composition and at least one additional cleaning agent.

The present invention relates to a pearly liquid detergent composition comprising a thickener, a pearlescent agent and perfume capsules. The present invention further relates to a method for cleaning textiles using such a pearly liquid detergent composition.

The disclosure relates to a silica-based structurant and methods of making such a structurant. According to one embodiment, the structurant may include 55 wt % to 90 wt % of a silica having a [Na.sub.2O]/[SiO.sub.2] molar ratio of from 0.02 to 0.14 and at least 15 wt % of an adjunct salt. The structurant may have a hydrated particle size distribution such that no more than 30 wt % of the structurant has a hydrated particle size greater than 45 micrometers according to the Structurant Residue Test. The structurant may also have a tapped bulk density of from 200 g/L to 300 g/L. Methods of making the structurant include combining starting materials with a non-stoichiometric amount of acid, then drying the reaction mixture without first washing any silica-based particles to produce a silica-based structurant with adjunct salt.

The present disclosure relates to a process for obtaining and formulating functional silica particles and other materials with active ingredients/compounds for use in polymers, paints, mortars, ceramic, cement, textile, pharmaceutics, varnishes, paper, clays, cosmetics, sensors and effluents.

The present disclosure describes a functional particle for binding to a substrate comprising:

a granule comprising oxide or hydroxide of an element selected from the following list: silica, magnesium, zinc, iron, copper, silver, aluminum, gold, titanium, or mixtures thereof having a size between 90 nm-500 nm;

a binder comprising silane-based compounds which binds the outer granule to the substrate;

a functional compound/active compound bound to the surface of the granule, to the binder, or to both;

wherein the functional compound is at least one of the following compounds: anti-mosquito/repellent/anti-insect, fungicide, antimicrobial/bactericide, antimycotic, anti-fire, UV protectors, larvicides, hydrophobics, vitaminics, moisturizers, cosmetics, drugs, mechanical properties, magnetic properties enhancement, or mixtures thereof.

Cleaning fluids and methods for cleaning microfluidic channels are disclosed. The cleaning fluid includes surfactant coated magnetic particles, and the cleaning fluid may be guided into, through and out of the channels by using a magnetic field.

In one aspect is disclosed a cleansing composition comprising: (i) a surfactant; (ii) an oligodynamic metal or ions thereof; (iii) a chelating agent; and, a polymer having a group comprising a site having one or more lone pair of electrons wherein, said surfactant is soap. The polymer having a group comprising a site having one or more lone pair of electrons enhances the antimicrobial efficacy of the oligodynamic metal.

A method for cleaning a substrate which is or comprises a textile, the method comprising agitating the substrate in the presence of a cleaning composition comprising: i. cleaning particles comprising a thermoplastic polyamide and a particulate inorganic filler having a density of at least 2.5 g/cm.sup.3, said cleaning particles having an average particle size of from 1 to 100 mm, wherein the cleaning particles have an average density of at least 1.65 g/cm.sup.3 and/or the particulate inorganic filler has a D.sub.50 particle size of at least 10 microns and/or a D.sub.90 particle size of at least 40 microns; and ii. a liquid medium.

A laundry additive composition comprising a) at least one oxylated material chosen from polyoxyalkylene, a poly-oxyalkylene fatty acid ester, and a polyoxyalkylene fatty alcohol ether; b) a polyol; c) a coloring agent; and d) at least one additive chosen from fragrance and a fabric treatment material. The composition can deliver the additive to clothing during washing or rinsing of the clothes, such as to impart a fragrance to clothing.

An additive for incorporating ultraviolet radiation protection into a synthetic polymer with the additive and the synthetic polymer for forming a synthetic material is disclosed which has a quantity of zinc oxide particles modified with a layer of a reactive group that forms a bond with a synthetic polymer having C-H bonds.

A composition for removing spillage on asphalt paving of hydrocarbon substances which includes modifiers, chemical oxidizers and bacteria which metabolizes both the spillage and a softened top layer of asphalt paving to aid in rehardening the surface of the mat while not metabolizing the underlying asphalt paving unaffected by the spillage.