Disinfectant cleaning composition with quaternary ammonium hydroxycarboxylate salt and quaternary ammonium antimicrobial

Abstract

An aqueous cleaning composition, which may be suitable for use in cleaning hard surfaces, is described. The aqueous cleaning composition includes an N,N-dialkyl-N-aliphatic ammonium hydroxycarboxylate salt, a nonionic surfactant and/or anionic surfactant, an quaternary ammonium antimicrobial surfactant and a substantial amount of water. The aqueous cleaning composition commonly has a pH of no more than about 8 and other than an optional fragrance component, the composition is substantially free of volatile organic compounds. The cleaning compositions may also include a chelating agent, such as an aminopolycarboxylate chelating agent.

Claims

1. An aqueous cleaning composition comprising: (a) N,N-dialkyl-N-aliphatic ammonium hydroxycarboxylate salt; (b) nonionic surfactant; (c) quaternary ammonium antimicrobial surfactant; and (d) at least about 85 wt. % water.

2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition contains no more than 0.1 wt. % glycol ether solvents, aliphatic alcohol solvents, polyol solvents and amino alcohol solvents.

3. The composition of claim 1, wherein, other than an optional fragrance component, the composition contains no more than 0.1 wt. % volatile organic compounds.

4. The composition of claim 1, further comprising an aminopolycarboxylate chelating agent.

5. The composition of claim 1, wherein the nonionic surfactant is an ethoxylated C.sub.8-16-aliphatic alcohol having an average degree of ethoxylation of about 5 to 12 as a nonionic surfactant.

6. The composition of claim 1, wherein the nonionic surfactant comprises an alkyl amine oxide nonionic surfactant.

7. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition has a pH of about 5 to 8.

8. The composition of claim 1, wherein the N,N-dialkyl-N-aliphatic ammonium hydroxycarboxylate salt comprises N,N-di-(C.sub.1-3)alkyl-N(C.sub.8-18)N-aliphatic ammonium hydroxycarboxylate salt.

9. The composition of claim 8, wherein the N,N-dialkyl-N-aliphatic ammonium hydroxycarboxylate salt is selected from the group consisting of N,N-dimethyl-N-n-octyl ammonium citrate, N,N-dimethyl-N-n-decyl ammonium citrate, N,N-dimethyl-N-lauryl ammonium citrate, N,N-dimethyl-myristyl ammonium citrate, N,N-dimethyl-N-n-octyl ammonium lactate, N,N-dimethyl-N-n-decyl ammonium lactate, N,N-dimethyl-N-lauryl ammonium lactate and/or N,N-dimethyl-myristyl ammonium lactate.

10. The composition of claim 4, further comprising an aminopolycarboxylate chelating agent selected from the group consisting of iminodisuccinate salt (IDSA), ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) salt, hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetate (HEEDTA) salt, 2-hydroxyethyliminodiacetate (HEIDA) salt, nitrilotriacetate (NTA) salt, glutamate diacetic acid salt, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid salt (DETAPA), triethylenetetraminehexaacetic acid salt (TETAHA), 1,3-diamino-2-hydroxypropane-N,N,N,N-tetraacetic acid salt, and/or 1,2-diaminocyclohexane-N,N,N,N-tetraacetic acid salt.

11. The composition of claim 4, wherein the aminopolycarboxylate chelating agent comprises a sodium salt of iminodisuccinic acid and/or a sodium salt of glutamate diacetic acid.

12. The composition of claim 1, wherein the N,N-dialkyl-N-aliphatic ammonium hydroxycarboxylate salt comprises a salt of citric acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid, glucaric acid, gluconic acid and/or malic acid.

13. The composition of claim 4, wherein the composition comprises: (a) about 0.1 to 4 wt. % N,N-dialkyl-N-aliphatic ammonium hydroxycarboxylate salt; (b) about 0.1 to 1 wt. % quaternary ammonium antimicrobial surfactant; (d) about 0.2 to 5 wt. % nonionic surfactant; and (e) about 0.2 to 2 wt. % aminopolycarboxylate chelating agent; and (f) at least about 90 wt. % water.

14. The composition of claim 1, wherein the N,N-dialkyl-N-aliphatic ammonium hydroxycarboxylate salt comprises N,N-di-alkyl-N(C.sub.8-14)-fatty ammonium citrate; the nonionic surfactant comprises ethoxylated C.sub.10-15-aliphatic alcohol having an average degree of ethoxylation of about 5 to 12; the aminopolycarboxylate chelating agent comprises iminodisuccinate salt and/or glutamate diacetic acid salt; the quaternary ammonium antimicrobial surfactant comprises quaternary benzyl ammonium salt and/or a bis(n-alkyl)dimethylammonium salt; and the composition has a pH of about 5 to 8.

15. The composition of claim 1, wherein the N,N-dialkyl-N-aliphatic ammonium hydroxycarboxylate salt comprises N,N-dimethyl-N(C.sub.8-14)-n-alkylammonium citrate and/or N,N-dimethyl-N(C.sub.8-14)-n-alkylammonium lactate.

16. The composition of claim 4, wherein the composition comprises: (a) about 0.1 to 4 wt. % N,N-dimethyl-N(C.sub.8-14)-n-alkyl ammonium citrate; (b) about 0.1 to 1 wt. % quaternary ammonium antimicrobial surfactant; (c) about 0.2 to 5 wt. % ethoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactant; (d) about 0.2 to 2 wt. % aminopolycarboxylate chelating agent; and (e) at least about 90 wt. % water; wherein, other than an optional fragrance component, the composition contains no more than 0.1 wt. % volatile organic compounds.

17. An aqueous cleaning composition comprising: (a) about 0.05 to 3 wt. % N,N-dialkyl-N-aliphatic ammonium hydroxycarboxylate salt, which comprises N,N-dimethyl-N-n-decylammonium citrate; (b) about 0.1 to 1 wt. % quaternary ammonium antimicrobial surfactant, which comprises N-(n-C.sub.12-16)-alkyl-N-benzyl dimethylammonium halide, N-(n-C.sub.12-16)-alkyl-N-ethylbenzyl dimethylammonium halide and/or bis(n-C.sub.8-12-alkyl)dimethylammonium halide; (c) about 0.2 to 5 wt. % nonionic surfactant, which comprises ethoxylated C.sub.10-15-alkanol having an average degree of ethoxylation of about 6 to 10; (d) about 0.2 to 2 wt. % aminopolycarboxylate chelating agent, which comprises iminodisuccinate salt and/or glutamate diacetic acid salt; and (e) at least about 90 wt. % water; wherein the composition has a pH of about 6 to 8 and, other than an optional fragrance component, the composition contains no more than 0.1 wt. % volatile organic compounds.

18. An aqueous cleaning composition comprising: (a) N,N-dialkyl-N-aliphatic ammonium hydroxycarboxylate salt; (b) anionic surfactant; (c) quaternary ammonium antimicrobial surfactant; and (d) at least about 85 wt. % water.

19. A method for cleaning a hard surface having a first concentration of soap scum thereon, the method comprising applying the composition of claim 1 to the hard surface; and removing the composition from the hard surface, such that after removal the hard surface has a second concentration of soap scum, which is no more than about 50% of the first concentration of soap scum.

20. The composition of claim 1, wherein the N,N-dialkyl-N-aliphatic ammonium hydroxycarboxylate salt is formed from a reaction of a 3:1 mole ratio of an N,N-dialkyl-N-aliphatic tertiary amine and citric acid.

21. The composition of claim 18, wherein the anionic surfactant is an alkyl sulfate anionic surfactant and/or an alkyl sulfonate anionic surfactant.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(1) The present cleaning compositions include an ionic liquid, typically have a relatively neutral pH and, other than an optional fragrance component, are generally substantially free of organic solvents and other volatile organic compounds. For example, the cleaning composition may be substantially free of glycol ether solvents, aliphatic alcohol solvents, polyol solvents and amino alcohol solvents. The present cleaning compositions are commonly environmentally friendly due to being based on a low volatile organic content (VOC) formulation. Even though having significantly lower amounts of solvents as compared to conventional hard surface cleaning compositions, no loss of performance as to cleaning is generally observed (rather improved cleaning is typically obtained). As referred to herein, a composition having a low VOC or composition substantially free of volatile organic compounds is considered to be one which, other than an optional fragrance component, the composition contains no more than 0.1 wt. % volatile organic compounds. In some embodiments, a present cleaning compositions may have an even lower VOC concentration such as 0.05 wt. % or 0.01 wt. % VOC.

(2) In some embodiments, the present aqueous cleaning composition includes (a) N,N-dialkyl-N-aliphatic ammonium hydroxycarboxylate salt; (b) nonionic surfactant and/or anionic surfactant; (c) quaternary ammonium antimicrobial surfactant; and (d) at least about 85 wt. % water. The N,N-dialkyl-N-aliphatic ammonium hydroxycarboxylate salt typically includes one or more N,N-di-(C.sub.1-C.sub.3)alkyl-N(C.sub.8-C.sub.14)aliphatic ammonium hydroxycarboxylate salts, such as an N,N-dimethyl-N(C.sub.8-C.sub.14)alkylammonium citrate and/or an N,N-dimethyl-N(C.sub.8-C.sub.14)alkylammonium lactate. N,N-dimethyl-N-alkylammonium salts are also referred to herein as N-alkyl dimonium salts. In many instances, the N,N-di-(C.sub.1-C.sub.3)alkyl-N(C.sub.8-C.sub.14)aliphatic ammonium hydroxycarboxylate salt(s) comprises N,N-dimethyl-N(C.sub.8-C.sub.14)-n-alkylammonium citrate and/or lactate, such as N,N-dimethyl-N-n-octylammonium citrate, N,N-dimethyl-N-n-decylammonium citrate (also referred to as N-decyl dimonium citrate), N,N-dimethyl-N-n-dodecylammonium citrate (also referred to as N-lauryl dimonium citrate).

(3) Additional examples of suitable N,N-dialkyl-N-aliphatic ammonium hydroxycarboxylate salts include N,N-dimethyl-N-coco alkylammonium hydroxycarboxylate salts. The N-coco alkyl dimonium hydroxycarboxylate salts may suitably include N-coco alkyl dimonium citrate and N-coco alkyl dimonium lactate. Specific suitable examples include N-lauryl dimonium citrate, N-palmityl dimonium citrate, N-myristyl dimonium citrate, N-lauryl dimonium lactate, N-palmityl dimonium lactate, and/or myristyl dimonium lactate.

(4) In the present compositions, the N,N-dialkyl-N-aliphatic ammonium hydroxycarboxylate salt commonly includes an N,N-di-(C.sub.1-C.sub.3)alkyl-N(C.sub.8-C.sub.14)-n-alkylammonium hydroxycarboxylate, such as an N,N-dialkyl-NC.sub.8-14-fatty alkylammonium hydroxycarboxylate salt. For example, in some embodiments the cleaning composition includes N-octyl dimonium citrate, N-decyl dimonium citrate, N-lauryl dimonium citrate, and/or N-myristyl dimonium citrate. In other embodiments, the cleaning composition may include N-octyl dimonium N-octyl dimonium lactate, N-decyl dimonium lactate, N-lauryl dimonium citrate and/or N-myristyl dimonium citrate. Typically, the present aqueous cleaning composition includes about 0.5 to 5 wt. % and, more commonly, about 1 to 4 wt. % of the N,N-dialkyl-N-aliphatic ammonium hydroxycarboxylate salt, such as an N,N-dimethyl-NC.sub.8-12-n-alkylammonium citrate.

(5) In the present compositions, the N,N-dialkyl-N-aliphatic ammonium hydroxycarboxylate salts may suitably be an ionic liquid formed from the reaction of one or more equivalents of an N,N-dialkyl-N-aliphatic amine with a hydroxycarboxylic acid, such as citric acid, tartaric acid, lactic acid, glucaric acid, gluconic acid and/or malic acid. For example, such ammonium hydroxycarboxylate salts formed from citric acid may include 1, 2 or 3 equivalents of amino cation, but typically are formed from the reaction of a 3:1 mole ratio of the tertiary amine and citric acid.

(6) The nonionic surfactant may be an alkoxylated alcohol, such as an ethoxylated (C.sub.10-C.sub.15) linear or branched aliphatic alcohol. The ethoxylated alcohol may have an average of about 5-15, typically 5 to 10 ethylene oxide groups. Examples of suitable alkoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactants include ethoxylated C.sub.8-16-aliphatic alcohol have an average degree of ethoxylation of about 5 to 12. The ethoxylated C.sub.8-16-aliphatic alcohol may include ethoxylated C.sub.8-16-Guerbet alcohol, other secondary ethoxylated C.sub.8-16-aliphatic alcohol and/or ethoxylated C.sub.8-16-n-alkanol. Quite commonly the ethoxylated alcohol non-ionic surfactant includes an ethoxylated C.sub.10-15-alkanol having an average degree of ethoxylation of about 5 to 10. When the cleaning compositions include an alkoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactant, the composition typically includes about 0.1 to 5 wt. % and, more commonly, about 0.5 to 3 wt. % of the alkoxylated alcohol. For example, the cleaning compositions may include about 0.5 to 5 wt. % of an ethoxylated alcohol, such as an ethoxylated C.sub.10-15-alkanol, which may suitably having an average degree of ethoxylation of about 5 to 10.

(7) Nonlimiting examples include ethoxylated long chain C.sub.10-Guerbet alcohols, such as those produced by BASF and sold under the trade names LUTENSOL XL100, LUTENSOL XL80, LUTENSOL XL70, LUTENSOL XL60 and LUTENSOL XP80 and. Particularly suitable nonionic surfactants include ethoxylated C.sub.10-Guerbet alcohols having an HLB of from about 10 to about 15, commonly from about 12 to about 15. Examples include LUTENSOL XL80an ethoxylated C.sub.10-Guerbet alcohol with an average of 8 ethylene oxide (EO) groups, LUTENSOL XL100an ethoxylated C.sub.10-Guerbet alcohol with an average of 10 EO groups, and an ethoxylated C.sub.10-Guerbet alcohol having an HLB of about 13, such as the surfactant produced by BASF Corp. and sold under the trade name LUTENSOL XL70.

(8) Other examples of suitable nonionic surfactants include ethoxylated linear alcohols, such as ethoxylated linear alcohols having a C.sub.10-C.sub.15 n-alkyl group. Nonlimiting examples include LUTENSOL TDA 10 (produced by BASF)an ethoxylated tridecyl alcohol having an average of 10 EO groups, Genapol LA 070San ethoxylated lauryl alcohol having an average of 7 EO groups, Tomadol 91-6a C.sub.9-C.sub.11 ethoxylated alcohol having an average of 6 EO groups, and LUTENSOL AO-8a synthetic C.sub.13-C.sub.15 ethoxylated oxo alcohol having an average of 8 EO groups.

(9) Particularly suitable nonionic surfactants for use in the present cleaning compositions include ethoxylated fatty alcohols, e.g., ethoxylated C.sub.12/C.sub.14 fatty alcohols having a degree of ethoxylation of about 5 to 12 (5-12 EO) and more suitably a degree of ethoxylation of about 6 to 10; ethoxylated oxo alcohols, e.g., ethoxylated C.sub.11-C.sub.13 oxo alcohols having a degree of ethoxylation of about 5 to 15 and more suitably a degree of ethoxylation of about 5 to 10; ethoxylated Guebert alcohols, e.g., ethoxylated C.sub.10 Guebert alcohols having a degree of ethoxylation of about 5 to 15 and more suitably a degree of ethoxylation of about 5 to 12; and ethoxylated secondary alcohols, e.g., ethoxylated secondary alcohols having a degree of ethoxylation of about 5 to 15 and more suitably a degree of ethoxylation of about 5 to 10.

(10) Additional suitable nonionic surfactants include alkyl amine oxides, such as linear alkyl amine oxides. Typical alkyl amine oxides include water-soluble amine oxides of the formula R.sup.1N(R.sup.2)(R.sup.3)O where R.sup.1 is typically a C.sub.8-C.sub.18 alkyl moiety and the R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 moieties are typically selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C.sub.1-C.sub.3 alkyl groups and C.sub.1-C.sub.3 hydroxyalkyl groups. Quite often, the alkyl amine oxide is a linear alkyl amine oxide where R.sup.1 is a C.sub.8-C.sub.18 n-alkyl and R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, 2-hydroxethyl, 2-hydroxypropyl and/or 3-hydroxypropyl. The linear amine oxide surfactants in particular may include linear C.sub.8-C.sub.14 alkyl dimethyl amine oxides and linear C.sub.8-C.sub.12-alkoxyethyl di(hydroxyethyl) amine oxides. Particularly suitable amine oxides include linear C.sub.10, linear C.sub.10-C.sub.12, and linear C.sub.12-C.sub.14 alkyl dimethyl amine oxides. Other examples of amine oxide nonionic surfactants include alkyl amidopropyl amine oxides, such as lauryl/myristyl amidopropyl amine oxides (e.g., lauryl/myristyl amidopropyl dimethylamine oxide). When the cleaning compositions include an amine oxide nonionic surfactant, the composition typically includes about 0.1 to 5 wt. % and, more commonly, about 0.5 to 3 wt. % of the amine oxide.

(11) Further nonionic surfactants which may be optionally present in the aqueous cleaning compositions are alkyl polyglycosides. Suitable alkyl polyglycosides include known nonionic surfactants which are alkaline and electrolyte stable. Alkyl mono and polyglycosides are generally prepared by reacting a monosaccharide, or a compound hydrolysable to a monosaccharide with an alcohol such as a fatty alcohol in an acid medium. The fatty alcohol may have from about 8 to 30 and typically 8 to 18 carbon atoms. Examples of such alkylglycosides include, APG 325 CS GLYCOSIDE which is reported to be a 50% C9-C11 alkyl polyglycoside (commercially available from Henkel Corp, Ambler Pa.) and GLUCOPON 625 CS which is reported to be a 50% C10-C16 alkyl polyglycoside.

(12) The cleaning composition may contain an anionic surfactant component. Anionic surfactants are often desirably included in cleaning compositions because of their wetting and detersive properties. Suitable examples of anionic surfactants include anionic sulfonate and/or sulfate surfactants. For example, the anionic surfactant component may include alkyl sulfate, alkyl ether sulfate, alkyl sulfonate and/or alkyl ether sulfonate surfactants. Suitable alkyl sulfates include those typically having an C.sub.8-C.sub.18 alkyl group. In some instances the alkyl sulfates suitably contain a secondary alkyl group. Examples of suitable alkyl sulfates include, but are not limited to, sodium octyl sulfate, sodium decyl sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium lauryl/myristyl sulfate and mixtures thereof. Suitable alkane sulfonates that can be used in the cleaning composition may desirably have an alkane group having 8 to 22 carbon atoms. The alkyl sulfonates may include a secondary alkane sulfonate and/or alpha olefin sulfonate. The secondary alkane sulfonate may suitably include sodium C.sub.14-C.sub.17 secondary alkyl sulfonate (commercially available as Hostapur SAS from Clariant). Suitable alpha olefin sulfonates include those having alpha olefin groups containing 10 to 18 carbon atoms. Suitable alkyl ether sulfates may have about 1 to 10 repeating alkoxy groups, e.g., about 1 to 5 repeating ethoxy groups. In general, the alkoxy group will contain between about 2 and about 4 carbon atoms and, commonly is an ethoxy group. One example of a suitable alkyl ether sulfate is sodium lauryl ether sulfate (sodium laureth sulfate). When the cleaning compositions include an anionic surfactant component, the composition typically includes about 0.1 to 5 wt. % and, more commonly, about 0.5 to 3 wt. % anionic surfactant.

(13) When the present cleaning composition includes an anionic surfactant component, quite commonly the composition includes an alkyl sulfate salt and/or alkyl sulfonate salt. For example, the cleaning composition may include a sodium C.sub.8-12-alkyl sulfate, such as sodium lauryl and/or sulfate sodium octyl sulfate. In other embodiments, the cleaning composition may include an ethoxylated fatty alcohol sulfate and/or sulfonate ester, such as sodium laureth sulfate, as an anionic surfactant.

(14) As discussed above, the present cleaning compositions include an antimicrobial quaternary ammonium surfactant, such as a quaternary benzyl ammonium salt and/or a quaternary dialkyl ammonium salt. For example, the present cleaning compositions may include an N-(n-C.sub.12-16)-alkyl-N-benzyl dimethylammonium chloride, an N-(n-C.sub.12-16)-alkyl-N-ethylbenzyl dimethylammonium chloride and/or a bis(n-C.sub.8-12-alkyl)dimethylammonium chloride. When the cleaning compositions include an antimicrobial quaternary ammonium surfactant, it is typically present at about 0.05 to 1 wt. % and, more commonly, about 0.1 to 0.4 wt. % of the composition.

(15) In some embodiments, the antimicrobial quaternary ammonium surfactant may include a quaternary benzyl ammonium surfactant. The quaternary benzyl ammonium surfactant may include an N-alkyl-N,N-dimethyl (optionally substituted)benzyl ammonium salt. In some embodiments, the antimicrobial quaternary ammonium surfactant may include NC.sub.10-18-alkyl-N,N-dimethyl benzyl ammonium halide and/or NC.sub.10-18-alkyl-N,N-dimethyl ethylbenzyl ammonium halide. In another embodiment, the antimicrobial quaternary ammonium surfactant may include NC.sub.12-14-alkyl-N,N-dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride and/or NC.sub.12-14-alkyl-N,N-dimethyl ethylbenzyl ammonium chloride. In some embodiments, the antimicrobial quaternary ammonium surfactant may include N-n-C.sub.12-14-alkyl-N,N-dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride and/or N-n-C.sub.12-14-alkyl-N,N-dimethyl ethylbenzyl ammonium chloride.

(16) In some embodiments, the antimicrobial quaternary ammonium surfactant may include a quaternary dialkyl ammonium surfactant. Examples of suitable quaternary dialkyl ammonium surfactants include N,N-di-C.sub.8-18-alkyl-N,N-dimethyl ammonium halides, such as bis(n-C.sub.8-12-alkyl)dimethylammonium chlorides. In some embodiments, the antimicrobial quaternary ammonium surfactant may include N,N-dioctyl-N,N-dimethyl ammonium chloride, N,N-didecyl-N,N-dimethyl ammonium chloride and N-octyl-N-decyl-N,N-dimethyl ammonium chloride.

(17) Examples of the antimicrobial quaternary ammonium surfactants include, but are not limited to, BTC 885 (available from Stepan Company), BTC 888 (available from Stepan Company), BTC 2125M (available from Stepan Company), Bardac 2280 (available from Lonza), Barquat MB-80 (available from Lonza), Bardac 2250 (available from Lonza), and Carboquat H (available from Lonza). BTC 885 is a quaternary ammonium antimicrobial surfactant which is a mixture of n-alkyl (50% C14, 40% C12, 10% C16) dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (20%), n-octyl, n-decyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (15), di-n-octyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (7.5%), and di-n-decyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (7.5%). BTC 888 is a mixture of n-alkyl (50% C14, 40% C12, 10% C16) dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (32%), n-octyl, n-decyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (24%), di-n-octyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (12%), and di-n-decyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (12%). BTC 2125M is a mixture of n-alkyl (60% C14, 30% C16, 5% C12, 5% C18) dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride and n-alkyl (68% C12, 32% C14) dimethyl ethylbenzyl ammonium chloride. Bardac 2280 is N,N-Didecyl-N,N-dimethylammoniumchloride. Barquat MB-80 is a mixture of n-alkyl (50% C14, 40% C12, 10% C16) dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride salts. Bardac 2250 is di-n-decyl dimethyl ammonium chloride. Carboquat H is a mixture di-n-decyl dimethyl ammonium carbonate and bicarbonate salts.

(18) In some aspects, the cleaning composition may optionally include a chelating agent. Suitable chelating agents include aminopolycarboxylate chelating agents, such as an iminodisuccinate salt and/or an ethylenediaminetetraacetate salt. Other suitable aminopolycarboxylate chelating agents include salts of hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetate (HEEDTA), 2-hydroxyethyliminodiacetate (HEIDA), and/or nitrilotriacetate (NTA). Other suitable aminopolycarboxylate chelating agents include glutamate diacetic acid salts, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid salts (DETAPA), triethylenetetraminehexaacetic acid salts (TETAHA), 1,3-diamino-2-hydroxypropane-N,N,N,N-tetraacetic acid salts, and/or 1,2-diaminocyclohexane-N,N,N,N-tetraacetic acid salts. In some instances, the cleaning composition may also include an alkali metal of the aminopolycarboxylate chelating agent, typically a sodium or potassium salt of the chelating agent. For example, the cleaning composition may also include an alkali metal of iminodisuccinic acid, e.g., tetrasodium iminodisuccinate, and/or an alkali metal sodium salt glutamate diacetic acid, e.g., the tetrasodium salt glutamate diacetic acid. Commonly, where an aminopolycarboxylate chelating agent is present in the cleaning composition, the composition includes a sodium salt of iminodisuccinic acid and/or a sodium salt of glutamate diacetic acid.

(19) The present cleaning compositions may also include additional components or agents, such as additional functional materials (which may also be referred to as adjuvants). In some embodiments, the functional materials may be included to provide desired properties and functionalities to the cleaning composition. For the purpose of this application, the term functional materials include a material that when dispersed or dissolved in a concentrate and/or use solution, such as an aqueous solution, provides a beneficial property in a particular use. The present cleaning preparations containing the ionic liquids may optionally contain other soil-digesting components, surfactants, disinfectants, detergent fillers, sanitizers, acidulants, complexing agents, biocides, corrosion inhibitors, anti-redeposition agents, foam inhibitors, dyes, bleaching agents, enzymes, enzyme stabilizing systems, thickening or gelling agents, wetting agents, dispersants, stabilizing agents, and/or fragrances.

(20) For example, the aqueous cleaning compositions may also include various adjuvants as is conventional for hard surface cleaners. Examples of such adjuvants include one or more of a fragrance, preservative, dyes, corrosion inhibitors, antioxidants and the like. Adjuvants are generally present in an amount less than about 0.5 wt. % and commonly are present in an amount of about 100 ppm to about 0.2 wt. % of the composition. Quite commonly, the present the aqueous cleaning compositions may include a fragrance material and a preservative.

(21) In another aspect, the present technology provides a method for cleaning a hard surface that includes applying any of the cleaning composition disclosed herein to a hard surface; wherein the hard surface includes a first concentration of soap scum. The method further comprising removing the composition from the hard surface; wherein the hard surface includes a second concentration of soap scum and the second concentration of soap scum may be at least about 50% less than the first concentration of soap scum. In some embodiments, the second concentration of soap scum may be at least about 60%, at least about 70%, or at least about 80% less than the first concentration of soap scum. Typically, the removal of the composition from the hard surface is conducted by scrubbing by hand. In some embodiments, the removal of the composition from the hard surface is conducted by rinsing with water that is not highly pressurized (e.g., sink or shower facet water).

(22) As used herein, fragrance refers to any perfume, odor-eliminator, odor masking agent, the like, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, a fragrance is any substance which may have an effect on a consumer, or user's, olfactory senses.

(23) As used herein, wt. % refers to the weight percentage of an ingredient in the total formula. For example, an off-the-shelf commercial composition of Formula X may only contain 70% active ingredient X. Thus, 10 g of the off-the-shelf composition only contains 7 g of X. If 10 g of the off-the-shelf composition is added to 90 g of other ingredients, the wt. % of X in the final formula is thus only 7%.

EXAMPLES

(24) The following examples more specifically illustrate protocols for preparing aqueous cleaning compositions according to various embodiments described above. These examples should in no way be construed as limiting the scope of the present technology.

(25) Soap Scum Test.

(26) The following test was used to evaluate the cleaning capability of various cleaning compositions to remove soap scum from a hard surface (Soap Scum Test-SS). The following is a brief description of the soap scum removal test. SOIL AND TEST PLATE PREPARATION: 1. SOAP SCUM SOIL IS PREPARED USING PRECIPITATED FATTY ACID SALTS. 2. TEST PLATES (TILE) ARE PRECLEANED, DRIED, AND WEIGHED PRIOR TO SOILING. THE PRESOILING WEIGHT OF EACH PLATE IS RECORDED. 3. THE SOAP SCUM SOIL IS APPLIED TO TEST PLATES IN A MANNER TO ENSURE CONSISTENCY REGARDING THE AMOUNT AND AREA OF SOIL APPLIED. 4. SOILED PLATES ARE THEN BAKED TO CURE THE SOIL. PLATES ARE COOLED TO ROOM TEMPERATURE PRIOR TO CLEANING TESTS. CLEANING: 1. A SOILED PLATE IS SPRAYED (TRIGGER OR AEROSOL DISPENSER) WITH AN AMOUNT OF A TEST CLEANING FORMULA AND THEN THE PLATE IS PLACED ON A GARDNER SCRUBBING DEVICE. 2. A SPONGE OR OTHER CLEANING IMPLEMENT IS DAMPENED WITH WATER AND INSERTED INTO THE SCRUBBER'S SLED. 3. THE SLED IS POSITIONED ON THE TEST PLATE AND THE SCRUBBING DEVICE IS ACTIVATED. 4. AFTER A PREDETERMINED NUMBER OF CYCLES HAVE BEEN COMPLETED, THE SCRUBBING DEVICE IS STOPPED AND THE PLATE IS REMOVED. 5. THE CLEANED PLATE IS RINSED UNDER RUNNING WATER AND SET ASIDE TO AIR DRY. 6. THE CLEANING PROCEDURE IS REPEATED AS NEEDED FOR ADDITIONAL PLATES. ASSESSMENT: 1. PLATES ARE WEIGHED AND STATISTICALLY ASSESSED TO DETERMINE THE AVERAGE PERCENT OF SOIL REMOVED ALONG WITH THE STANDARD DEVIATION (SD). 2. FORMULA TO FORMULA COMPARISONS CAN THEN BE MADE.

Example 1

(27) Table 1 below shows the composition of a two exemplary formulations of the present aqueous cleaning compositions. These formulations include a 3:1 mole ratio of N-decyl-N,N-dimethyl amine to citric acid as the ionic liquid component (3:1 C10DMA:Citrate). BTC 888 is a quaternary ammonium antimicrobial surfactant which is a mixture of n-alkyl (50% C14, 40% C12, 10% C16) dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, n-octyl, n-decyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, di-n-octyl dimethyl ammonium chloride and di-n-decyl dimethyl ammonium chloride. The results of the Soap Scum Test (SS) shown in Table 2 demonstrate the effectiveness of these formulations to remove soap scum from a hard surface.

(28) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 X1-1 X1-2 Wt. % Wt. % Water 95.4 95.4 3:1 C10DMA:Citrate** 1.1 1.1 Ethoxylated (7EO) C12 alcohol 2.0 0 Ethoxylated (8EO) C13 alcohol 0 2.0 BTC 888 0.32 0.32 Fragrance 0.15 0.15 IDSA* 1.0 1.0 *tetrasodium iminodisuccinic acid **C10DMA is N-decyl-N,N-dimethyl amine

(29) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Ave. % SS Formulas Tested Removed SD Levels Multi-Surface 94.48 3.62 A Disinfectant (control) X1-1 85.29 1.76 B X1-2 85.05 1.95 B

Example 2

(30) Table 3 below shows the composition of three exemplary formulations of the present aqueous cleaning compositions. These formulations include a 3:1 mole ratio of N-decyl-N,N-dimethyl amine to citric acid as the ionic liquid component (3:1 C10DMA:Citrate). The results of the Soap Scum Test (SS) shown in Table 4 demonstrate the relative effectiveness of these formulations to remove soap scum from a hard surface. Barquat MB-80, Bardac 2250 and Carboquat H are a quaternary ammonium antimicrobial surfactants. Barquat MB-80 is a mixture of n-alkyl (50% C14, 40% C12, 10% C16) dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride salts. Bardac 2250 is di-n-decyl dimethyl ammonium chloride. Carboquat H is a mixture di-n-decyl dimethyl ammonium carbonate and bicarbonate salts.

(31) TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 X2-1 X2-2 X2-3 Wt. % Wt. % Wt. % Water 92.95 92.95 93.40 Ethoxylated (7EO) C12 alcohol 2.0 2.0 2.0 3:1 C10DMA:Citrate** 0.55 0.55 0.55 Barquat MB-80 0 0 0.75 Bardac 2250 1.2 0 0 Carboquat H 0 1.2 0 Fragrance 0.15 0.15 0.15 ISDA* 1.0 1.0 1.0 *tetrasodium iminodisuccinic acid **C10DMA is N-decyl-N,N-dimethyl amine

(32) TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Ave. % SS Formulas Tested Removed SD Levels Multi Surface 96.42 1.27 A Disinfectant (control) X2-1 44.23 1.25 B, C X2-2 43.37 1.47 B, C X2-3 41.47 3.14 C, D

Example 3

(33) Table 5 below shows the composition of a number of exemplary formulations of the present aqueous cleaning compositions. These formulations include a varying mole ratio of N-decyl-N,N-dimethyl amine to citric acid as the ionic liquid component (C10DMA:Citrate). The amine salt was either added as a powdered solid of 1:1 C10DMA:Citrate and/or was formed by adding appropriate amounts of N-decyl-N,N-dimethyl amine and/or citric acid to water. The results of the Soap Scum Test (SS) shown in Table 6 demonstrate the relative effectiveness of these formulations to remove soap scum from a hard surface.

(34) TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 X3-1 X3-2 X3-3 X3-4 X3-5 X3-6 Water 96.3 96.3 96.3 96.3 96.3 96.3 Ethoxylated (7EO) 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 C12 alcohol 1:1 C10DMA:Citrate 0.54 0 0.36 0 0.27 0 Powder (99%) Citric acid 0 0.27 0 0.18 0 0.14 C10DMA 0 0.27 0.18 0.36 0.27 0.4 Fragrance 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 IDSA 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0

(35) TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Ave. % SS Formulas Tested Removed SD levels Commercial Multi-Surface 96.63 1.1 A Foaming Disinfectant (control) X3-2 33.22 1.74 B X3-1 29.09 1.07 C X3-4 25.43 1.65 D X3-6 22.24 1.95 D, E X3-3 19.79 1.29 E, F X3-5 18.47 0.76 F

Example 4

(36) Table 7 below shows the composition of two exemplary formulations of the present aqueous cleaning compositions. These formulations include a 1:1 mole ratio of N-decyl-N,N-dimethyl amine to citric acid as the ionic liquid component (1:1 C10DMA:Citrate). The amine salt may be added as a powdered solid or formed by adding the N-decyl-N,N-dimethyl amine and citric acid to water. The results of the Soap Scum Test (SS) shown in Table 8 demonstrate the relative effectiveness of these formulations to remove soap scum from a hard surface.

(37) TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7 X4-1 X4-2 Wt. % Wt. % Water 96.10 95.6 Ethoxylated (7EO) C12 1.0 1.0 alcohol 1:1 C10DMA:Citrate 0.54 0.54 Barquat MB-80 0.75 0 Bardac 2250 0 1.20 Citric Acid 0.5 0.5 Fragrance 0.15 0.15 IDSA 1.0 1.0

(38) TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 8 Ave. % SS Formulas Tested Removed SD Commercial (Mist) - 46.69 4.68 control Commercial (Foam) - 65.1 2.48 control X4-1 (Mist) 55.79 1.52 X4-1 (Foam) 71.08 2.99 X4-4 (Mist) 50.02 1.37 X4-4 (Foam) 83.01 8.58

Example 5

(39) Table 9 below shows the composition of a number of exemplary formulations of the present aqueous cleaning compositions. These formulations include a 3:1 mole ratio of N-decyl-N,N-dimethyl amine to citric acid as the ionic liquid component (3:1 C10DMA:Citrate). The amine salt may be added as a powdered solid or formed by adding the N-decyl-N,N-dimethyl amine and citric acid to water. The results of the Soap Scum Test (SS) shown in Table 9 demonstrate the relative effectiveness of these formulations.

(40) TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 9 Lauryl Sodium 3:1 Amine Octyl Experiment C10DMA:Citrate 7EO-LA Oxide Sulfate SS 5-1 1.48 0 1.1 0 94.53 5-2 1.48 1 0 3.6 53.1 5-3 1.48 2 2.2 1.8 80.76 5-4 2.96 0 0 1.8 98.99 5-5 2.96 1 2.2 0 99.49 5-6 2.96 2 1.1 3.6 97.46 C1 0 0 2.2 3.6 10.85 C2 0 1 1.1 1.8 47.82 C3 0 2 0 0 60.23 7EO-LA - Ethoxylated (7EO) lauryl alcohol

Example 6

(41) Table 10 below shows the composition of a number of exemplary formulations of the present aqueous cleaning compositions. These formulations include an N-decyl-N,N-dimethyl amine/citrate salt as the ionic liquid component. The amine salt may be formed by adding the indicated amounts of N-decyl-N,N-dimethyl amine and citric acid to water.

(42) TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 10 Formulation 6-1 6-2 6-3 6-4 6-5 Raw Material wt % wt % wt % wt % wt % Water 94-96.8 ~95-99% 94-99% 95.7 ~93-98 C10DMA 1.5 0.3-1.5 0.3-1.5 1.5 0.25-1.5 Citric acid 0.85 0.1-0.5 0.85 0.25-1.0 Lactic acid 0.1-2 Ethoxylated C10- 2 0.1-2 0.1-2 2 0.75-2 C15 alcohol Antimicrobial Quat 0.3 0.1-0.4 0.1-0.4 0.3-1.2 IDSA 0.2 0-2 Na C8 Sulfate 1 Benzoisothiazolinone 0.01 0.01 Preservative Fragrance 0.1 0.1-0.2 0.1-0.2 0.1-0.15 pH 6-8 4-6 6-8

Illustrative Embodiments

(43) Reference is made in the following to a number of illustrative embodiments of the subject matter described herein. The following embodiments describe illustrative embodiments that may include various features, characteristics, and advantages of the subject matter as presently described. Accordingly, the following embodiments should not be considered as being comprehensive of all of the possible embodiments or otherwise limit the scope of the methods, materials and compositions described herein.

(44) In one aspect, the aqueous cleaning composition may include (a) N,N-dialkyl-N-aliphatic ammonium hydroxycarboxylate salt; (b) nonionic surfactant and/or an anionic surfactant; (c) quaternary ammonium antimicrobial surfactant; and (d) at least about 85 wt. % water. Such cleaning compositions typically have a pH of about 5 to 8 and are substantially free of {e.g., contain no more than 0.1 wt. %} glycol ether solvents, aliphatic alcohol solvents, polyol solvents and amino alcohol solvents.

(45) In one aspect, the aqueous cleaning composition may include (a) N,N-dialkyl-N-aliphatic ammonium hydroxycarboxylate salt; (b) nonionic surfactant and/or anionic surfactant; (c) quaternary ammonium antimicrobial surfactant; and (d) at least about 85 wt. % water. Such compositions typically have a pH of no more than about 8, e.g., a pH of about 5 to 8. The aqueous cleaning composition may be substantially free of glycol ether solvents, aliphatic alcohol solvents, polyol solvents and amino alcohol solvents. In some instances, other than an optional fragrance component, the composition is substantially free of volatile organic compounds. The aqueous cleaning composition may also include a polycarboxylate chelating agent, such as an aminopolycarboxylate chelating agent. The nonionic surfactant may be an ethoxylated alcohol non-ionic surfactant and/or an alkyl amine oxide non-ionic surfactant. The anionic surfactant may be an alkyl sulfate and/or alkyl sulfonate anionic surfactant. The N,N-dialkyl-N-aliphatic ammonium hydroxycarboxylate salt may include an N,N-dialkyl-N(C.sub.8-18)N-aliphatic ammonium hydroxycarboxylate salt, such as an N,N-di-(C.sub.1-3)alkyl-N-fatty ammonium hydroxycarboxylate salt. The N,N-dialkyl-N-aliphatic ammonium may suitably include an N,N-di-(C.sub.1-2)alkyl-N(C.sub.8-14)-fatty ammonium hydroxycarboxylate salt, such as N,N-dimethyl-N-octylammonium citrate, N,N-dimethyl-N-decylammonium citrate, N,N-dimethyl-N-dodecylammonium citrate and/or N,N-dimethyl-tetradecylammonium citrate. In some embodiments, the N,N-di-(C.sub.1-2)alkyl-N(C.sub.8-14)-fatty ammonium hydroxycarboxylate salt may suitably include an N,N-dimethyl-N-n-octyl ammonium citrate, N,N-dimethyl-N-n-decyl ammonium citrate, N,N-dimethyl-N-lauryl ammonium citrate and/or N,N-dimethyl-myristyl ammonium citrate. In other embodiments, the N,N-di-(C.sub.1-2)alkyl-N(C.sub.8-14)-fatty ammonium hydroxycarboxylate salt may include N,N-dimethyl-N-n-octyl ammonium lactate, N,N-dimethyl-N-n-decyl ammonium lactate, N,N-dimethyl-N-lauryl ammonium lactate and/or N,N-dimethyl-myristyl ammonium lactate.

(46) In another aspect, the aqueous cleaning composition may include (a) N,N-dialkyl-N-aliphatic ammonium hydroxycarboxylate salt; (b) nonionic surfactant; (c) aminopolycarboxylate chelating agent; (d) quaternary ammonium antimicrobial surfactant; and (e) at least about 85 wt. % water. The aminopolycarboxylate chelating agent may include iminodisuccinate salt (IDSA), ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) salt, hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetate (HEEDTA) salt, 2-hydroxyethyliminodiacetate (HEIDA) salt, nitrilotriacetate (NTA) salt, glutamate diacetic acid salt, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid salt, (DETAPA), triethylenetetraminehexaacetic acid salt (TETAHA), 1,3-diamino-2-hydroxypropane-N,N,N,N-tetraacetic acid salt, and/or 1,2-diaminocyclohexane-N,N,N,N-tetraacetic acid salt. Suitably, the aminopolycarboxylate chelating agent includes a sodium salt of iminodisuccinic acid and/or a sodium salt of glutamate diacetic acid. Such aqueous cleaning compositions may be substantially free of glycol ether solvents, aliphatic alcohol solvents, polyol solvents and amino alcohol solvents. In some embodiments, other than an optional fragrance component, the aqueous cleaning compositions may be substantially free of volatile organic compounds.

(47) In another aspect, the aqueous cleaning composition may include (a) N,N-di-alkyl-N-aliphatic ammonium hydroxycarboxylate salt; (b) ethoxylated alcohol non-ionic surfactant; (c) chelating agent; (d) quaternary ammonium antimicrobial surfactant; and (e) at least about 85 wt. % water; wherein the composition has a pH of about 6 to 8. Often, the N,N-dialkyl-N-aliphatic ammonium hydroxycarboxylate salt may suitably include N,N-dimethyl-N-n-decylammonium citrate. The chelating agent may include an aminopolycarboxylate chelating agent, such as a sodium salt of iminodisuccinic acid and/or a sodium salt of glutamate diacetic acid.

(48) In another aspect, the aqueous cleaning composition may include (a) N,N-di-alkyl-N-aliphatic ammonium hydroxycarboxylate salt; (b) nonionic surfactant; (c) quaternary ammonium antimicrobial surfactant; and (d) at least about 75 wt. % water. Such compositions typically have a pH of no more than about 8. Such aqueous cleaning compositions may be substantially free of glycol ether solvents, aliphatic alcohol solvents, polyol solvents and amino alcohol solvents. In some embodiments, other than an optional fragrance component, the aqueous cleaning compositions may be substantially free of volatile organic compounds. In some instances, the aqueous cleaning composition may also include a chelating agent.

(49) In many instances, the aqueous cleaning composition described herein may include the following weight percent of the various components.

(50) TABLE-US-00011 Raw Material Wt % Water 75-97 Ionic liquid 0.1-5 Nonionic surfactant 0.1-5 Quat. ammonium antimicrobial surfactant 0.1-0.5 Hydroxycarboxylic acid chelating agent 0-1 Aminopolycarboxylate chelating agent 0-10 Preservative 0-0.1 Fragrance 0-0.3 pH 6-8

(51) In another aspect, the aqueous cleaning composition may include (a) about 0.1 to 4 wt. % N,N-dimethyl-N-n-decylammonium citrate; (b) about 0.1 to 0.5 wt. % N-(n-C.sub.12-16)-alkyl-N-benzyl dimethylammonium chloride, N-(n-C.sub.12-16)-alkyl-N-ethylbenzyl dimethylammonium chloride and/or bis(n-C.sub.8-12-alkyl)dimethylammonium chloride; (c) about 0.2 to 5 wt. % ethoxylated C.sub.10-15-alkanol having an average degree of ethoxylation of about 6 to 10; (d) about 0.2 to 5 wt. % iminodisuccinate salt and/or glutamate diacetic acid salt; and (e) at least about 85 wt. % water. Such compositions may have a pH of about 6 to 8 and, other than an optional fragrance component, the compositions may be substantially free of volatile organic compounds.

(52) In another aspect, the aqueous cleaning composition may include (a) about 0.05 to 3 wt. % N,N-dialkyl-N-aliphatic ammonium hydroxycarboxylate salt, which comprises N,N-dimethyl-N-n-decylammonium citrate; (b) about 0.1 to 1 wt. % quaternary ammonium antimicrobial surfactant, which comprises N-(n-C.sub.12-16)-alkyl-N-benzyl dimethylammonium halide, N-(n-C.sub.12-16)-alkyl-N-ethylbenzyl dimethylammonium halide and/or bis(n-C.sub.8-12-alkyl)dimethylammonium halide; (c) about 0.2 to 5 wt. % nonionic surfactant, which comprises ethoxylated C.sub.10-15-alkanol having an average degree of ethoxylation of about 6 to 10; (d) about 0.2 to 2 wt. % aminopolycarboxylate chelating agent, which comprises iminodisuccinate salt and/or glutamate diacetic acid salt; and (e) at least about 90 wt. % water. Such compositions may desirably have a pH of about 6 to 8.

(53) In another aspect, the aqueous cleaning composition may include (a) about 0.1 to 4 wt. % N,N-dimethyl-N-n-decylammonium citrate; (b) about 0.1 to 1 wt. % N-(n-C.sub.12-16)-alkyl-N-benzyl dimethylammonium chloride, N-(n-C.sub.12-16)-alkyl-N-ethylbenzyl dimethylammonium chloride and/or bis(n-C.sub.8-12-alkyl)dimethylammonium chloride; (c) about 0.2 to 5 wt. % ethoxylated having an average degree of ethoxylation of about 6 to 10; (d) about 0.2 to 2 wt. % iminodisuccinate salt and/or glutamate diacetic acid salt; and (e) at least about 90 wt. % water. Such compositions may have a pH of about 6 to 8 and other than an optional fragrance component the composition is substantially free of volatile organic compounds.

(54) In another illustrative embodiment, the present cleaning composition may (a) N,N-dialkyl-N-aliphatic ammonium hydroxycarboxylate salt; (b) anionic surfactant; (c) quaternary ammonium antimicrobial surfactant; and (d) at least about 85 wt. % water. Such compositions may have a pH of about 6 to 8 and other than an optional fragrance component the composition is substantially free of volatile organic compounds. The quaternary ammonium antimicrobial surfactant may include N-(n-C.sub.12-16)-alkyl-N-benzyl dimethylammonium halide, N-(n-C.sub.12-16)-alkyl-N-ethylbenzyl dimethylammonium halide and/or bis(n-C.sub.8-12-alkyl)dimethylammonium halide. The anionic surfactant may include an alkyl sulfate salt and/or alkyl sulfonate salt. For example, the anionic surfactant may include sodium octyl sulfate and/or sodium lauryl sulfate.

(55) In one illustrative embodiment, the present cleaning composition includes (a) N,N-dialkyl-N-aliphatic ammonium hydroxycarboxylate salt; (b) nonionic surfactant and/or an anionic surfactant; (c) quaternary ammonium antimicrobial surfactant; and (d) at least about 85 wt. % water; wherein the composition has a pH of about 5 to 8 and is substantially free {e.g., 0.1 wt. %} of glycol ether solvents, aliphatic alcohol solvents, polyol solvents and amino alcohol solvents. Often, other than an optional fragrance component, the composition is substantially free of volatile organic compounds, e.g., contain 0.1 wt. % VOC. The anionic surfactant may include alkylsulfate salt (e.g., sodium lauryl sulfate and/or sodium octyl sulfate) and/or alkylsulfonate salt. The nonionic surfactant may include ethoxylated aliphatic alcohol, such as an ethoxylated C.sub.10-15-alkanol having an average degree of ethoxylation of about 6 to 10. In some instances, nonionic surfactant may include an alkyl amine oxide, e.g., N-lauryl-N,N-dimethyl amine oxide, N-myristyl-N,N-dimethyl amine oxide and/or N-decyl-N,N-dimethyl amine oxide.

(56) While certain embodiments have been illustrated and described, it should be understood that changes and modifications can be made therein in accordance with ordinary skill in the art without departing from the technology in its broader aspects.

(57) The embodiments, illustratively described herein may suitably be practiced in the absence of any element or elements, limitation or limitations, not specifically disclosed herein. Thus, for example, the terms comprising, including, containing, shall be read expansively and without limitation. Additionally, the terms and expressions employed herein have been used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the claimed technology. Additionally, the phrase consisting essentially of will be understood to include those elements specifically recited and those additional elements that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed technology. The phrase consisting of excludes any element not specified.

(58) As used herein, about will be understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art and will vary to some extent depending upon the context in which it is used. If there are uses of the term which are not clear to persons of ordinary skill in the art, given the context in which it is used, about will mean up to plus or minus 10% of the particular term.

(59) The use of the terms a and an and the and similar referents in the context of describing the elements (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., such as) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the embodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the claims unless otherwise stated. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential.

(60) In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

(61) As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and all purposes, particularly in terms of providing a written description, all ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible subranges and combinations of subranges thereof.