The present invention provides a fiber modifier composed of an internal olefin sulfonate having 17 or more and 24 or less carbons.

A surfactant concentrate includes, based on the total weight of the concentrate, 5 to 40 weight percent of a surfactant of the formula R.sup.1(OCHCH.sub.2)OH wherein n has an average value from 3 to 15 and R.sup.1 is a combination of C.sub.12-14 alkyl having an average value of C.sub.13 or higher; 10 to 70 weight percent of a surfactant of the formula R.sup.2(OCHCH.sub.2).sub.mOH wherein m has an average value from 5 to 15 and R.sup.2 is a C.sub.13-18 alkyl or a combination of C.sub.13-18 alkyl; 1 to 20 weight percent of a cosolvent; and the remainder water. A scouring bath and method of scouring textile using the concentrate are also disclosed.

The present invention provides a fiber modifier composed of an internal olefin sulfonate having 17 or more and 24 or less carbons.

The present invention is a method for washing a textile product, including the following step 1 and step 2: step 1: a step of treating the textile product by contacting the textile product with treating liquid 1 obtained by mixing water and (A) an internal olefin sulfonate having 17 or more and 24 or less carbons [hereinafter, referred to as component (A)]; and step 2: a step of treating the textile product treated in step 1 by contacting the textile product with treating liquid 2 obtained by mixing water and a finishing agent composition for textile products.

A method of washing fabric articles in a tunnel washer that includes moving the fabric articles from the intake of the washer to the discharge of the washer and through multiple modules or sectors. Liquid can be counter flowed in the washer interior along a flow path that is generally opposite the direction of travel of the fabric articles. A dual use zone includes multiple of the modules or sectors. In a dual use zone, a module or modules can be used to both wash and thereafter rinse the fabric articles. While counterflow rinsing, the flow rate can be maintained at a selected flow rate or flow pressure head. One or more booster pumps can optionally be employed to maintain constant counterflow rinsing flow rate or constant counterflow rinsing pressure head.

A method of washing fabric articles in a tunnel washer that includes moving the fabric articles from the intake of the washer to the discharge of the washer and through multiple modules or sectors. Liquid can be counter flowed in the washer interior along a flow path that is generally opposite the direction of travel of the fabric articles. A dual use zone includes multiple of the modules or sectors. In a dual use zone, a module or modules can be used to both wash and thereafter rinse the fabric articles. While counterflow rinsing, the flow rate can be maintained at a selected flow rate or flow pressure head. One or more booster pumps can optionally be employed to maintain constant counterflow rinsing flow rate or constant counterflow rinsing pressure head.

The present invention relates to a process for cleaning and/or washing down and/or feathers comprising: (a) mixing the down and/or feathers with a solution of an alkyl polyglucoside; (b) optionally adding simultaneously or sequentially a solution of a Group 4 metal salt to the mixture of (a); and (c) removing excess liquid; and (d) optionally drying the down and/or feathers.

The invention also relates to down and/or feathers prepared according to such a process.

The invention additionally relates to a down and/or feather washing and/or cleaning composition for rendering the down and/or feathers hydrophobic comprising a solution of an alkyl polyglucoside, optionally a solution of a Group 4 metal salt, and a water-repellent treatment.

The invention further relates to a kit for cleaning and/or washing down and/or feathers and rendering the down and/or feathers water repellent comprising (i) a closed vessel containing a solution of an alkyl polyglucoside; (ii) optionally a closed vessel containing a solution of a

Group 4 metal salt; and (iii) a closed vessel containing a water repellent treatment;

The present invention relates to a process for cleaning and/or washing down and/or feathers comprising: (a) mixing the down and/or feathers with a solution of an alkyl polyglucoside; (b) optionally adding simultaneously or sequentially a solution of a Group 4 metal salt to the mixture of (a); and (c) removing excess liquid; and (d) optionally drying the down and/or feathers.

The invention also relates to down and/or feathers prepared according to such a process.

The invention additionally relates to a down and/or feather washing and/or cleaning composition for rendering the down and/or feathers hydrophobic comprising a solution of an alkyl polyglucoside, optionally a solution of a Group 4 metal salt, and a water-repellent treatment.

The invention further relates to a kit for cleaning and/or washing down and/or feathers and rendering the down and/or feathers water repellent comprising (i) a closed vessel containing a solution of an alkyl polyglucoside; (ii) optionally a closed vessel containing a solution of a

Group 4 metal salt; and (iii) a closed vessel containing a water repellent treatment;

A cleaning system for all laundry, high performance textiles, and sports gear, which includes a washing agent and a protective agent. The washing agent is configured to remove unwanted matter from the high performance textiles, sports gear, and/or other laundry. The protective agent is configured to create a bonded barrier comprising organosilane antimicrobial(s) on the high performance textiles, sports gear, and/or other laundry for protection against odors from bacteria, mold and mildew and/or the like. The washing agent and the protective agent are configured to be used in a two-step water-based treatment process in which the washing agent is provided in a given first step of the treatment process and the protective agent is provided in a given subsequent second step of the treatment process.

A cleaning system for all laundry, high performance textiles, and sports gear, which includes a washing agent and a protective agent. The washing agent is configured to remove unwanted matter from the high performance textiles, sports gear, and/or other laundry. The protective agent is configured to create a bonded barrier comprising organosilane antimicrobial(s) on the high performance textiles, sports gear, and/or other laundry for protection against odors from bacteria, mold and mildew and/or the like. The washing agent and the protective agent are configured to be used in a two-step water-based treatment process in which the washing agent is provided in a given first step of the treatment process and the protective agent is provided in a given subsequent second step of the treatment process.