Surfactants capable of releasing and/or dissolving polymers to form water-soluble or water-dispersible polymer solutions are disclosed. In addition, polymer compositions containing a water-in-oil emulsion comprising the surfactant are provided and can be used, for example, in methods of dissolving a polymer. Also disclosed are detergent compositions and methods of cleaning articles and/or membranes using the surfactants herein. These surfactants and polymer compositions can be used in various industries including for water clarification, papermaking, sewage and industrial water treatment, drilling mud stabilizers, and enhanced oil recovery.

The present invention relates to a modified terpene-based formulation for removing petroleum oils from contaminated soils, which contains between 90 and 98% by weight d-limonene, between 0.1 and 2% by weight isomeric forms of carveol, between 0.01 and 1% by weight carvone, between 0.01 and 1% by weight limonene oxide and between 0.01 and 2% by weight alpha-terpineol. A modified terpene-based oil-in-water emulsion containing the abovementioned formulation and at least one non-ionic surfactant and a carrier is described, as well as use of said modified terpene formulation for cleaning contaminated soils.

An automatic dishwashing composition is provided including 20 to <98.6 wt %, based on weight of the automatic dishwashing composition, of a builder; 0.2 to 20 wt %, based on weight of the automatic dishwashing composition, of a nonionic surfactant; 0.1 to <10 wt %, based on weight of the automatic dishwashing composition, of a substance of formula I

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wherein n is 2 and wherein each M.sup. is a counter ion; >0.005 to 6 wt %, based on weight of the automatic dishwashing composition, of a protease; and wherein the weight of the substance of formula I divided by the weight of the protease in the automatic dishwashing composition is <20.

Processes for forming alkyl alkoxylated sulfate anionic surfactant containing concentrated surfactant blends having reduced levels of dioxane by-product while still providing good stability, grease cleaning and sudsing, include first forming an alkyl alkoxylated alcohol stream in which the alkyl alkoxylated alcohol stream includes at least two different alkyl alkoxylated alcohols, which differ in degree of alkoxylation by no more than 0.5, and then sulfating and neutralizing the alkyl alkoxylated alcohol stream to form the alkyl alkoxylated sulfate anionic surfactant.

The invention provides a method and formulation for cleaning a soiled substrate, the method comprising the treatment of the moistened substrate with a formulation comprising a multiplicity of polymeric particles, wherein the polymeric particles comprise at least one antimicrobial agent. Preferably, the substrate is wetted so as to achieve a substrate to water ratio of between 1:0.1 to 1:5 w/w. Optionally, the formulation additionally comprises at least one additional cleaning agent, and in this embodiment, it is preferred that the polymeric particles are mixed with the at least one additional cleaning agent. Preferably, the additional cleaning material comprises a surfactant, which most preferably has detergent properties. Most preferably, the substrate comprises a textile fiber. Typically, the polymeric particles comprise particles of polyester or nylon, most preferably in the form of beads. The results obtained are very line with those observed when carrying out conventional aqueous cleaning processes and the method provides the significant advantage that the use of antimicrobial agents in or on the polymer bead greatly improves the overall hygiene in the washing machine by preventing mold and bacterial growth on the polymer particle surfaces, particularly at low temperatures.

A product for cleaning a surface includes a combination of a first composition with a second composition. The first composition includes hydrogen peroxide and makes up 94-99.5% of the combination by weight. The second composition includes at least one of a silicate, a carbonate, a bicarbonate and a percarbonate and makes up 0.5-6% of the combination by weight. The first composition and the second composition are stored in separate vessels until combined to form the combination. The combination is applied to the surface after mixing.

Suggested is a liquid detergent composition comprising or consisting of at least one hydroxyl compound selected from the group consisting of (a1) 1,2-hexanediol; (a 2) 1,2-heptanediol; (a 3) 1,2-octanediol; (a4) 1,2-decanediol; (a 5) 2,3-heptanediol (a 6) 2,3-hexanediol; (a 7) 2,3-octanediol; (a 8) 2,3-nonanediol; (a 9) glyceryl caprylate; (a 10) 4-hydroxyacetophenone; and optionally (b) tropolone or mixtures thereof, provided that said hydroxyl compounds are present in total amounts of from about 0.001 to about 2.0 wt.-percentcalculated on the composition.

A detergent comprising (A) a sulfobetaine type ampholytic surfactant, and (B) a quaternary ammonium cation-modified silicone. A mass ratio [(A)/(B)] of the component (A) to the component (B) is 0.1 or more and 1,000 or less.

The disclosure relates to produce wash products including a dispenser with a liquid retaining container and a foam dispenser head and a liquid produce wash present in the liquid retaining container, wherein the foam dispenser head is fluidly connected to the liquid produce wash, and wherein the liquid produce wash includes a natural oil or a component thereof, a fatty acid, an antioxidant, a surfactant, an alkali metal hydroxide, glycerin, water, and, optionally, a preservative. In some aspects, the foam dispenser head includes an air chamber and a liquid chamber fluidly connected to the liquid retaining container; when the foam dispenser head is activated by pumping or another means, air and the liquid produce wash are dispensed simultaneously as a foam. Also disclosed are methods of dispensing a produce wash, methods of using the disclosed produce washes to wash a piece of firm produce, and liquid produce washes.

Compositions and methods that impart a hydrophobic finish to surfaces, such as, for example, automotive surfaces. The compositions comprise an amino functional silicone emulsion, an amphoteric surfactant, and, a non-ionic surfactant.