Detergent for cloth diaper laundry

Abstract

A composition for a highly effective laundry detergent is disclosed specifically tailored to the needs of cleaning soiled cloth diapers without employing known skin irritants and without persistent residue accumulation. The present invention discloses a composition comprising a surface active agent, a water softener, a surface tension reducer, a bleaching agent and a pH balancing agent.

Claims

1. A cloth diaper laundry detergent composition consisting of: (a) from [5.7]% to [6.3]% by weight of one or more surface active agents; (b) from [17.1]% to [18.9]% by weight of a water softener; (c) [from] [9.5]% to [10.5]% by weight of a surface tension reducer; (d) from [13.3]% to [14.7]% by weight of a bleaching agent; (e) from [49.4]% to [54.6]% by weight of a pH balancing agent; wherein the percentage by weight is relative to the total weight of the composition; and wherein the composition is for cleaning soiled diaper laundry.

2. The cloth diaper laundry detergent composition of claim 1, wherein the one or more surface active agents are sulfate-free, the surface tension reducer is phosphate-free, and the bleaching agent is chlorine-free.

3. The cloth diaper laundry detergent composition of claim 1, wherein the one or more surface active agents is selected from the group consisting of: alcohols, C12-15, ethoxylated and alcohols, C12-13, ethoxylated.

4. The cloth diaper laundry detergent composition of claim 1, wherein the one or more surface active agents is selected from the group consisting of: Tomadol 25-9, Tomadol 25-7 and Tomadol 23-5.

5. The cloth diaper laundry detergent of claim 1, wherein the water softener is sodium sulfate.

6. The cloth diaper laundry detergent of claim 1, wherein the surface tension reducer is hydrous sodium silicate.

7. The cloth diaper laundry detergent of claim 1, wherein the bleaching agent is sodium percarbonate.

8. The cloth diaper laundry detergent of claim 1, wherein the pH balancing agent is soda ash light.

Description

(1) In one embodiment of the invention, the included builder is a hydrous sodium silicate.

(2) In a further embodiment of the invention, a water softener (or chelating agent) is added to the formula to assist with inactivating mineral hardness. This is especially helpful for users living in areas with hard well water. This water softener further softens the water and helps to increase the efficiency of the surfactants.

(3) In one embodiment of the invention, the water softener (or chelating agent) is a non-phosphate water softener.

(4) In a further embodiment of the invention, the water softener (or chelating agent) is Sodium Sulfate.

(5) In a further embodiment of the invention, one or more ionic and anionic surfactants are included in the formula.

(6) In a further embodiment of the invention, the one or more ionic and anionic surfactants are non-sulfate surfactants.

(7) In one embodiment of the invention, the one or more ionic and anionic surfactants are various ethoxylated alcohols.

(8) In a further embodiment of the invention, the one or more ionic and anionic surfactants are selected from the group consisting of: Alcohols, C12-15, ethoxylated and Alcohols, C12-13, ethoxylated. For example, suitable ethoxylated alcohols could include: Tomadol 25-9, Tomadol 25-7 and Tomadol 23-5.

(9) In a further embodiment of the invention, a bleaching agent (oxidizer) to lighten discolorations on soiled cloth diapers is included in the formula.

(10) In one embodiment of the invention, the bleaching agent (oxidizer) is chlorine-free.

(11) In one embodiment of the invention, the bleaching agent (oxidizer) is disodium carbonate, compound with hydrogen peroxide (2:3). For example, one suitable example of a bleaching agent (oxidizer) can be PROVOX C.

(12) In a further embodiment of the invention, a pH balancing agent (alkali) is included in the formula.

(13) In one embodiment of the invention the pH balancing agent (alkali) is soda ash light.

(14) Table 2 shows minimal and preferred ranges of possible ingredients (% by weight) of a complete cloth diaper laundry detergent solution.

(15) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Minimal Range Preferred Range Ingredient (example) [Function] (% by wt) (% by wt) Alcohols, C12-15, Ethoxylated (e.g.  0.0% to 10.0% 0.95% to 1.05% Tomadol 25-9) [Surface Active Agent] Alcohols, C12-15, Ethoxylated (e.g.  0.0% to 10.0% 0.95% to 1.05% Tomadol 25-7) [Surface Active Agent] Alcohols, C12-13, Ethoxylated (e.g.  0.0% to 10.0% 3.8% to 4.2% Tomadol 23-5) [Surface Active Agent] Sodium Sulfate [Water Softener] 10.0% to 25.0% 17.1% to 18.9% Hydrous Sodium Silicate  0.0% to 15.0%  9.5% to 10.5% [Surface Tension Reducer] Disodium Carbonate, Compound  5.0% to 20.0% 13.3% to 14.7% with Hydrogen Peroxide (2:3) (e.g. PROVOX C) [Bleaching Agent] Soda Ash Light [pH Balancing Agent]  0.0% to 60.0% 49.4% to 54.6%