Low VOC composition to remove food, beverage, pet and protein stains

Abstract

A Low-VOC, water-based cleaner containing Baypure CX 100/34 or EDTA Versene 100, Glycol Ether DPNP, or glycol ether EB and DB, Acetone, Acetic Acid, and fragrance. The VOC content of this composition is selectable to be 3.0% or 0% (zero).

Claims

1. A water-based composition for removing stains from substrates, wherein the composition has a Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) level of zero percent, and the composition consists essentially of: TABLE-US-00007 (a) de-ionized water 73.01%; (b) about 39 wt % Na.sub.4EDTA in water 9.65%; (c) Dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether 7.85%; (d) acetone 8.65%; (e) acetic acid 0.44%; and (f) fragrance 0.40%.

2. A water-based composition for removing stains from substrates, wherein the composition has a Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) level of zero percent, and the composition consists essentially of: TABLE-US-00008 (a) de-ionized water 71.86-79.86%; (b) about 39 wt % Na.sub.4EDTA in water 9.65%; (c) Dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether 1.0-9.0%; (d) acetone 8.65%; (e) acetic acid 0.44%; and (f) fragrance 0.40%.

3. A water-based composition for removing stains from substrates, wherein the composition has a Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) level of 3%, and the composition consists essentially of: TABLE-US-00009 (a) de-ionized water 73.86%; (b) 34% solution of tetrasodium 9.65%; iminodisuccinate in water (c) Ethylene glycol n-butyl ether 3.00%; (d) Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether 4.00%; (e) acetone 8.65%; (f) acetic acid 0.44%; and (g) fragrance 0.40%.

4. A water-based composition for removing stains from substrates, wherein the composition has a Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) level of 3% or less, and the composition consists essentially of: TABLE-US-00010 (a) de-ionized water, the amount selected to 100%; complete the composition to (b) 34% solution of tetrasodium 9.65%; iminodisuccinate in water (c) Dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether 1.0-9.0%; (d) Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether 1.0-9.0%; (e) acetone 8.65%; (f) acetic acid 0.44%; and (g) fragrance 0.40%.

5. A water-based composition for removing stains from substrates, wherein the composition has a Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) level of 3% or less, and the composition consists essentially of: TABLE-US-00011 (a) de-ionized water, the amount selected to 100%; complete the composition to (b) 34% solution of tetrasodium 9.65%; iminodisuccinate in water (c) Ethylene glycol n-butyl ether 1.0-3.0%; (d) Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether 1.0-9.0%; (e) acetone 8.65%; (f) acetic acid 0.44%; and (g) fragrance 0.40%.

6. A water-based composition for removing stains from substrates, wherein the composition has a Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) level of between 1.0 and 3.0%, and the composition consists essentially of: (a) water; (b) about 39 wt % Na.sub.4EDTA in water or 34% solution of tetrasodium iminodisuccinate in water; (c) Dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether, Ethylene glycol n-butyl ether, Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, or any combination thereof; (d) acetone; and (e) acetic acid.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(1) The basic formulation of this invention, itself useful for cleaning a wide range of substrate materials from deposits and stains is an aqueous solution of EDTA Versene 100, Glycol ether DPNP, acetone, acetic acid, and fragrance. This solution is biodegradable with 0% VOC content, and is applicable to a wide range of materials without damaging them. It is best to wash it out after the solution has done its work—it does leave a small but usually unobjectionable deposit. The components of the solution are benign, and if left in place will cause no damage to the substrate (soiled) material to which the solution is applied, nor to persons who come in contact with it.

(2) The combination of components used herein appears to function synergistically, by mechanisms which are not fully understood at this time. What has become apparent is that the total composition functions to a degree of effectiveness much greater than already-known compositions useful for the intended purposes, and that elimination of any of the components greatly reduces the effectiveness of the composition.

(3) As a preliminary observation, it should be noted that purified water (either distilled, de-ionized or softened), is preferred. If it is used, the solution will be clear. If water is used which is not purified, then the solution is likely to be cloudy and sometimes less acceptable to the user. However, some users might actually prefer a cloudy or milky composition. Use of tap water will usually result in this. The result of this is that, no matter where the composition is mixed, using local water supplies, the resulting composition is the same.

(4) The above basic formulation, for which more detailed specifications will be given below removes beverages and their stains and removes protein based foods, sauces and condiments. It can be used on all substrates such as clothing, carpets, athletic shoes, wall, floors, wall papers, and many others.

(5) Some stains and deposits are more resistant to the basic formulation, usually because their dyes or other colorizers must be attended to either by decolorizing them, or by solubilizing them. Examples of these materials are various inks. These are notoriously difficult to remove using other products without damage to cloth, with the use of cleaning solutions generally available in a household, and with the skill and knowledge of the householder. Especially this is the situation where water-based formulations are needed. This invention provides excellent results without recourse to aromatic or petroleum solvents.

(6) The modified formulation to be described can be directly applied to many troublesome stains and left there. The stain quickly disappears. Washing out the garment or blotting it is optional, but it is best practice to wash it out, or at least to blot it out. There will be no damage to any but the most fragile fabrics and none to many of such fabrics. The modified formulation is also useful for wood stripping, when some color removal is desired.

(7) The presently preferred basic formulation is the 3% formulation as follows:

(8) TABLE-US-00001 CAS Numbers EDTA Versene 100 60-00-4 Baypure CX 100/34% 144538--83-8 Glycol ether EB and DPNP 111-76-2 Glycol ether DB 112-34-5 Acetone 67-64-1 Acetic acid 64-19-17 De-ionized water 7732-18-5

(9) In all the the formulations and guidelines given below, at least one substance from each group must be included.

(10) The preferred embodiment is directly below, the 0% VOC Formulation.

(11) TABLE-US-00002 0% VOC Formulation percentages a. De-ionized water 73.01 b. EDTA Versene 100 9.65 c. Glycol ether DPNP 7.85 e. Acetone 8.65 f. Acetic acid 0.44 g. Fragrance 0.40

(12) TABLE-US-00003 Variable 0% VOC formulation percentages a. De-ionized water 71.86-79.86 b. EDTA Versene 100 9.65 c. Glycol ether DPNP 1.0-9.0 e. Acetone 8.65 f. Acetic acid 0.44 g. Fragrance 0.40

(13) TABLE-US-00004 3% VOC Formulation percentages a. De-ionized water 73.86 b. Baypure CX 100/34 9.65 c. Glycol ether EB 3.00 Glycol ether DB 4.00 e. Acetone 8.65 f. Acetic acid 0.44 g. Fragrance 0.40

(14) TABLE-US-00005 Variable VOC Formulation A a. De-ionized water (varies) b. Baypure CX 100/34 9.65 c. Glycol ether DPNP 1.0-9.0 Glycol ether DB 1.0-9.0 e. Acetone 8.65 f. Acetic acid 0.44 g. Fragrance 0.40 (Note: the amount of part a., de-ionized water, will vary depending on the DPNP and DB percentages selected for part c.)

(15) TABLE-US-00006 Variable VOC Formulation B a. De-ionized water (varies) b. Baypure CX 100/34 9.65 c. Glycol ether EB 1.0-3.0 Glycol ether DB 1.0-9.0 e. Acetone 8.65 f. Acetic acid 0.44 g. Fragrance 0.40 (Note: the amount of part a., de-ionized water, will vary depending on the EB and DB percentages selected for part c.)

(16) This invention is not to be limited to the embodiments described in the description which are given by way of example and not of limitation, but only in accordance with the scope of the appended claims.