Disclosed are microwave assisted methods and systems for decontaminating a variety of contaminated surfaces. The systems and methods comprise treating the surfaces with benign chemical formulations followed by exposing to microwave irradiation for short periods of time to achieve at least 6-log reduction in biological contaminants including spores of B. anthracis, B. thuringiensis, and P. roqueforti. Chemical formulations may comprise copper (II) chloride in water. The formulations may include a surfactant such as a polyethylene sorbitol ester surfactant.

The invention relates to compositions and methods of treatment employing compositions comprising polyelectrolyte complexes. The compositions include a water-soluble first polyelectrolyte bearing a net cationic charge or capable of developing a net cationic charge and a water-soluble second polyelectrolyte bearing a net anionic charge or capable of developing a net anionic charge. The total polyelectrolyte concentration of the first solution is at least 110 millimolar. The composition is free of coacervates, precipitates, latex particles, synthetic block copolymers, silicone copolymers, cross-linked poly(acrylic) and cross-linked water-soluble polyelectrolyte. The composition may be a concentrate, to be diluted prior to use to treat a surface.

Sanitizing and disinfecting compositions with relatively low levels of free available chlorine, with good effectiveness against microbes. The composition may include less than 0.5% by weight hypochlorite or other free available chlorine level, at least one nonionic or zwitterionic surfactant, with a pH from 8 to 12.5. The composition is characterized by an R value of greater than 0 (e.g., greater than 0.5, or equal to 1), where R is defined as the sum of the concentration of any nonionic, zwitterionic, and cationic surfactants divided by the total surfactant concentration (and total surfactant concentration may include any surfactant aids). The compositions may exhibit at least a 3-log reduction in M. bovis or C. diff population within 10 minutes (e.g., 4-6 minutes).

Methods for disinfecting a surface are provided which include contacting a surface with a solution comprising Fe(VI)O.sub.4.sup.2−, thereby disinfecting the surfaces. In some cases, the surface to be contacted with the solution is in a space suitable for human occupancy and the surface is arranged in the ambient of the space. In addition, solutions comprising Fe(VI)O.sub.4.sup.2− are provided. The solutions may additionally include a hypohalite salt and a surfactant.

The disclosure provides compositions and methods for making a colorized solution of an aqueous disinfectant that is both stable in bulk solution and will fade to clear within a predetermined period of time after being applied to a surface, for example as a spray or film. The compositions and methods described here allow an end user to visualize both the extent of coverage and the duration of contact of the disinfectant with the surface, thereby providing more efficient disinfection of the surface.

The invention relates to a method of automatic dishwashing, comprising: placing soiled wares inside a cleaning volume; providing a first cleaning composition comprising a bleach and a second cleaning composition different from the first composition; and delivering the first composition and the second composition separately to the cleaning volume to contact the soiled wares, wherein: the first composition is delivered to the cleaning volume as a mist and the second composition is delivered to the cleaning volume as a jet; and the first and second compositions are delivered to the cleaning volume at a temperature below 100° C. The invention also relates to a dishwasher and a kit for use in the inventive method.

The use of a gel consisting of a colloidal solution comprising, preferably consisting of: 5% to 30% by weight, preferably 5% to 25% by weight, more preferably 8% to 20% by weight relative to the weight of the gel, of at least one inorganic viscosifying agent; a mineral base selected from among hydroxides of alkaline metals, hydroxides of alkaline-earth metals and the mixtures thereof, said mineral base being present in a proportion of 0.05 to 10 mol/L of gel, preferably in a proportion of 0.1 to 5 mol/L of gel; an oxidizing agent stable in a basic medium selected from among permanganates, persulfates, ozone, hypochlorites and the mixtures thereof, said oxidizing agent stable in a basic medium being present in a proportion of 0.05 to 5 mol/L of gel, preferably 0.1 to 2 mol/L of gel; 0.1% to 2% by weight relative to the weight of the gel, of at least one surfactant; and a solvent; the gel not containing any super-absorbent polymer, to remove a biofilm present on a surface of a solid substrate.

The invention provides a powdered composition of additives and a method of use thereof for increasing the visibility, potency and coverage of disinfectant solutions, such as bleach.

The present invention comprises chlorinated and non-chlorinated alkaline cleaning compositions for removal of proteinaceous and fatty soils at low temperature, i.e. less than 120° F., with little or no deleterious affect on cleaning performance. According to the invention, applicants have found that adding additional alkalinity makes protein removal more difficult and reducing the amount of alkalinity actually improves performance. According to the invention optimized combinations of chlorine and alkalinity components for low temperature cleaning as well as a surfactant system optimized for low temperature fatty soil removal are disclosed.

The present invention provides a formula and a method for treating mold residue on surfaces. A liquid mold remover comprises a first formula and a second formula, wherein the first formula comprises water, a surfactant, and one or more alcohols, and wherein the second formula comprises water and sodium hypochlorite. The liquid mold remover is evenly applied to the surface affected with mold, and after drying, a liquid mold sealer is evenly applied to the treated surface. The liquid mold sealer comprising water, a surfactant, a suspension of metal particles and an optical tracer.