Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~;~ '9~6
--1--
METHOD FOR CLEANING TEXTILES WHITE CYCLIC SELECTIONS
The present invention relates to a method for
removing soil from textiles using cyclic dimethylpoly-
selections. In particular, this invention relates to the use
of cyclic dimethylpolysiloxanes for removal of oily/greasy
stains from textiles.
Textile products such as fabrics, carpets and
upholstery often develop prominent stain spots from
inadvertent contact with foodstuff and other materials
containing grease and oils. Various organic solvents such as
alcohols, petroleum hydrocarbons, and chlorinated hydra-
carbons have been used in cleaning compositions adapted for
direct application to fabric as spot removers.
Several approaches to formulating spot cleaning
compositions are known. For instance, non residue cleaners
are formulated with volatile components only. After
dissolving, mobilizing, and removing the stained material,
such formulations are intended to completely evaporate
leaving no residue components on the textile. Other cleaning
compositions employ a combination of solvent and solid,
absorbent particles. The solvent mobilizes the soil and the
absorbent solid attracts the soil and solvent to itself. The
residue of absorbent solid is intended to be easily removed
from the textile by brushing or vacuuming. Yet another
approach involves liquid detergent compositions which have
been adapted as prewash spot removers. These compositions
usually contain concentrated synthetic surfactants with
alcohol or other solvents. When used as a prewash spot
remover, the nonvolatile surfactant components remain on the
textile as a residue which is removed by a conventional home
laundry operation. In the aqueous wash, the prewash spot
Jo
3Z~
remover composition additionally functions in the manner of a
heavy-duty laundry detergent.
While known spot cleaning compositions effectively
remove some stains, other types of stains may be unaffected
or only incompletely removed by the compositions. In other
cases, the cleaning composition itself may damage or leave a
residue on the textile in such a way that a visible ring
occurs around the treated area. It is an object of the
present invention to reduce the problems associated with the
prior art cleaning compositions by providing a new method of
cleaning stains using volatile silicone fluids that
effectively mobilize oil and grease stains, are non damaging
to a wide range of textiles both synthetic and natural, and
leave no residue or visible ring on treated textiles.
It is known from US. Patent No. 4,324,595, to
remove tacky adhesives from substrates by using octamethyl-
cyclotetrasiloxane fluid to detackify the adhered adhesive.
The process is taught to be particularly useful for removing
tacky adhesives from human skin, but it is also indicated
that the process is applicable to removing tacky adhesives
from a wide range of substrates including textiles. However,
this patent teaches the removal of only tacky adhesives, it
does not suggest removing oil and grease stains with cyclic
dimethylsiloxanes.
Stain removing compositions are disclosed in
Japanese Patent Publication Cook No. (1974)-35681, which
contain small amounts (0.5 to 10 weight percent) of silicone
oil combined with cleaning solvents such as trichlorethane
and petroleum hydrocarbons. Although the type of silicone
oil employed is not further identified, it is taught that the
silicone remains on the fabric after cleaning to provide
continuing water repellency and soil resistance for the
fabric. Consequently, it is apparent that this publication
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does not contemplate the use of completely volatile cyclic
dimethylpolysiloxanes.
An aerosol type aqueous cleaning composition is
disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication Cook
No. (1978)-56203, which contains non ionic surfactant,
alkanolamine, glycol ether, alcohol, propellant, and 0.02 to
0.1 weight percent of linear dimethylpolysiloxane with 2 to 7
silicon atoms per molecule. This publication discloses only
the use of very low amounts of linear dimethylpolysiloxanes
and does not contemplate the use of larger, solvent-effective
amounts of the cyclic dimethylpolysiloxanes.
The use of tetraethoxysilane as a solvent for
removing grease from textiles is disclosed in Russian Patent
Publication AYE. However, tetraethoxysilane is not
stable in contact with water and may hydrolyze forming
alcohol and silica solids.
A process for dry cleaning and waterproofing of
fabrics is disclosed in US. Patent No. 3,123,494 which
process employs a silicone composition diluted in typical dry
cleaning solvents. The silicone compositions recommended are
mixtures of linear dimethylpolysiloxane fluids and cross-
linked methylsiloxane resins. Excess liquid cleaning mixture
is removed from the textiles by centrifuging but retained
silicone provides a continuing waterproofing effect on the
textile. Again, it is apparent that this publication does
not contemplate the use of completely volatile cyclic
dimethylpolysiloxanes as a cleaning solvent.
Liquid cleaning compositions for removing dirt and
grit from solid surfaces are disclosed in US. Patent
No. 2,955,047. The compositions contain surfactants, water,
water-miscible organic solvent, and an oil-in-water emulsion
of dimethylpolysiloxane oil. The specified selections are
linear polymers with viscosities in the range of 200 to 350
1;Z ;3932~i -
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centistokes. The selection polymer is said to impart a high
glossy polish to the treated surfaces by depositing a
monomolecular film on the surface. Somewhat similarly, us.
Patent No. 2,993,866 teaches an aerosol glass cleaner
composition containing isopropanol, fluorochlorohydrocarbon
propellants, and linear dimethylpolysiloxane having a
viscosity of about 200 centistokes.
An all purpose cleaner composition containing a
mixture of surfactants, isopropyl alcohol, and a silicone
deforming agent is disclosed in US. Patent No. 4,311,608.
The silicone deforming agent is an oil-in-water emulsion of
dimethylsiloxane polymer.
A cleaner (apparently a wiper type) impregnated
with a composition containing mineral oils or alcohols with
organopolysiloxanes is disclosed in Japanese Patent
Publication Cook No. (1975)-161059. The organopolysiloxanes
are characterized by having a viscosity of not more than 30
centipoise at 20C.
This invention concerns a method for cleaning
textiles which comprises applying to a soiled textile a
liquid composition containing an effective amount to aid soil
removal of a cyclic selection selected from the group
consisting of octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, decamethylcyclo-
pentasiloxane, and dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane and removing
from the textile a combination of soil and cyclic selection.
In use, the novel textile cleaning compositions are
applied to a soiled area of clothing, carpet, or other
textile by spraying, pouring, or from a cloth or sponge
applicator. The composition may be rubbed or brushed into
the textile to facilitate loosening and dissolving the soil
components. The soil-solvent combination is then removed
from the textile by any of the well known methods such as
blotting with absorbent material, absorption unto particulate
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--5--
material followed by vacuuming, or a conventional home
laundry operation.
The cyclic selections employed in the liquid
cleaning and spot removing compositions of this invention are
available commercially and are made by well known methods
such as, for example, the hydrolysis and condensation of
dimethyldichlorosilane.
Compared with the linear polydimethylsiloxanes the
cyclic selections employed according to this invention are
relatively volatile materials having boiling points below
about 250C at 760 mm Hug. A single cyclic selection may be
used in the liquid cleaning composition or any mixture of two
or more of the cyclic selections may be used. Specifically
preferred cyclic selections for use in this invention are
octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, decamethylcyclopentasiloxane,
and dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane. It should be understood
that useful cyclic selection mixtures may contain, in addition
to the preferred cyclic selections, minor amounts of other
cyclic selections including hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane or
higher cyclic such as tetradecamethylcycloheptasiloxane.
Generally the amount of these other cyclic selections in
useful cyclic selection mixtures will be less than about 10
percent based on the total weight of the mixture.
The amount of cyclic selection used in the liquid
cleaning compositions of this invention is not critical so
long as the amount used is effective to aid soil removal from
textiles. In general, the cleaning composition may contain,
for example, from 1 to 100 percent by weight of the cyclic
selections. It is preferred that the cleaning composition
contain from 5 to 100, or more preferably 10 to 100, percent
by weight of the cyclic selections.
Other adjutants may be included in the liquid
cleaning compositions of this invention such as conventional
123932~
cleaning solvents, absorbent solid particulate materials,
synthetic builders, water soluble organic detergent
compounds, and cat ionic antistatic substances.
For example, non residue spot cleaning compositions
may contain conventional cleaning solvents mixed with cyclic
selections according to the present invention. Any
conventional cleaning solvent having a boiling point below
about 250C can be mixed with the cyclic selections to prepare
a liquid composition useful in the present invention. Useful
additional cleaning solvents include alcohols such as
isopropanol and buttonhole, petroleum hydrocarbons such as
mineral spirits, and chlorinated hydrocarbons such as
ethylene dichlorides tetrachloroethylene, and trichloro-
ethylene. Surprisingly, it has been found that a mixture of
cyclic selection and conventional cleaning solvent is more
effective at mobilizing stains than is either the cyclic
selection or the conventional solvent alone. Mixtures of
cyclic selections and conventional solvents selected from the
group consisting of petroleum hydrocarbons and chlorinated
hydrocarbons are especially effective. Mixtures containing
about 30 to 70 percent by weight of conventional cleaning
solvent and 30 to 70 percent by weight of the cyclic selection
are preferred because of their superior ability to mobilize
stains.
Cleaning compositions of the solvent/absorbent
class are also useful in the method of this invention. Such
cleaning compositions may contain in addition to the cyclic
selection any of the absorbent materials known for such
applications. Useful absorbent materials include mineral
particulate such as silica, talc, diatomaceous earth,
coolant; organic particulate such as starch and modified
starch, nut shell flour, and ground rice hulls; and synthetic
porous polymers such as the urea-formaldehyde polymer
lZ393~G
particles described in US. Patent No. 3,910,848, which more
fully describes the polymer particles. The absorbent
material is generally used in amounts of about 5 to 40
percent based on the weight of cleaning solvent in the
composition.
Cleaning compositions of the solvent/absorbent
class may also include a cat ionic antistatic agent to
facilitate the removal of the particulate material during
brushing or vacuuming of the textile material. Useful
cat ionic anti stats include qua ternary nitrogen salts that
contain at least one C10 to C24 aliphatic hydrocarbon
substituent on the nitrogen such as stearyltrimethylammonium
chloride. Antistatic agents are typically employed in
amounts of about 0.1 to 3 percent by weight based on the
total weight of the cleaning composition.
The method for cleaning textiles of this invention
also includes the use of prewash spot remover compositions
containing nonvolatile surfactant components in addition to
cyclic selection solvent. Such prewash spot remover
compositions will generally include a water soluble organic
detergent material and synthetic builders in combination with
the cyclic selection solvent. Detergent compounds useful in
prewash spot removers are the anionic, non ionic, zwitterionic
and ampholytic surfactant compounds. Such detergent
compounds are well known to those skilled in the detergent
art. Exemplary detergents are described in the well-known
books entitled "Surface Active Agents" by Schwartz and Perry
and "Surface Active Agents and Detergents" by Schwartz, Perry
and Bench, both by Intrusions Publishers, New York, NAY.
Especially preferred detergents are the non ionic
surfactants which are condensation products of polyethylene
oxide with an organic hydrophobic compound which is usually
aliphatic or alkylaromatic in nature. Exemplary non ionic
~2~93Z6
surfactants are polyethylene oxide condensates of nonyl
phenol and polyethylene oxide condensates of myristyl
alcohol.
Generally, from about 10 to 80 percent by weight of
surfactants may be used in the prewash spot removing compost-
lions of this invention. More preferred prewash spot
removing compositions contain 30 to 70 percent by weight of
non ionic surfactants.
Prewash spot removers of this invention may also
contain a variety of builder compounds such as sodium
tripolyphosphate, sodium carbonate, sodium silicate, the
alkali metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts of
oxydisuccinic acid, oxydiacetic acid, carboxymethyloxymalonic
acid, carboxymethyloxysuccinic acid, lactoxysuccinic acid,
citric acid, mellitic acid, tetrahydrofurantetracarboxylic
acid, polyacrylic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid, oxidized
starches and mixtures thereof. Builders are generally added `
to prewash spot removing compositions in amounts ranging from
0 to about 50 percent by weight based on the weight of the
total composition.
The liquid compositions of the present invention
are especially adapted for direct application to stains and
soils on fabrics and other textiles. The compositions can be
applied to soiled textiles by any of the commonly used
methods. The liquid compositions may be poured or sprayed
onto the stains. Alternatively the composition may be
brushed or rubbed onto the stained or soiled area using
absorbent items such as brushes, paper towels, cloth or
sponges that contain the cleaning composition.
Once the cleaning composition has been applied to
the soiled textile, the cyclic selection acts to dissolve
and/or loosen the soil which it contacts. The mobilized soil
is then more easily removed from the textile in combination
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123~332~
with the cyclic selection. The cyclic siloxane/soil
combination can be removed from the textile by any convenient
method such as blotting the textile with a dry absorbent
material. The textile may be blotted, for example, with
sponges, paper towels, or cloth towels. Alternatively, the
soil/cyclic selection combination may be removed by processes
such as brushing, vacuuming, or conventional home laundry
operations. Brushing and vacuuming are especially useful if
solid, absorbent particles are employed in the liquid
cleaning composition. Conventional home laundry is the
preferred method of removal when nonvolatile surfactants are
used in combination with cyclic selection in the cleaning
composition.
The cyclic selections are sufficiently volatile that
any residual cyclic selection on the textile, after removal of
the soil, readily volatilizes to leave the treated area dry
as well as clean
The method of the present invention can be used to
remove a wide variety of soils and stains. The cyclic
selection is especially effective at removing oil and grease
spots or stains. One special advantage of the cyclic
selections as cleaning solvents is that the formation of a
secondary stain ring is either eliminated or greatly reduced
in definition. Another advantage is that the cyclic
selections are essentially nontoxic and non harmful in the
environment.
Furthermore, the cyclic selections can be used with
a wide variety of fabrics without harming or in any way
changing the appearance-of the fabric. The method of
cleaning of this invention can be used on all types of
textiles including carpets and fabrics used for clothing or
upholstery.
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The following examples are presented to illustrate
the invention, but the examples in no way limit the scope of
the invention as more fully set out in the claims.
Artificial serum employed in the following examples
was prepared from a base mixture of palmitic acid (5 g),
Starkey acid (2.5 g), coconut oil (7.5 g), paraffin (5 g),
spermaceti (7.5 g), olive oil (10 g), skyline (2.5 g),
cholesterol (2.5 g), oleic acid (5 g), and linoleic acid
(2.5 g). A melted (120F) 5 g portion of the base mixture
was combined with oleic acid (4 g) and triethanolamine (8 g)
and agitated at 120F until homogeneous. Then air filter dirt
(12 g, +200 mesh) and deionized water (100 ml) were added and
the mixture agitated for ten minutes. Additional deionized
water (900 ml) was added and the mixture was agitated in a
homogenizer for ten minutes. The mixture was stored in a
100F oven and shaken well before using for staining.
Example 1
The following experiments demonstrate the stain
removal ability of cyclic dimethylpolysiloxanes on 100
percent cotton fabric.
Cotton fabric test pieces were prepared with
approximately 1 inch diameter stains of used motor oil,
cooking oil and artificial serum. The stains were aged at
room temperature for 24 hours. Stains were cleaned by
placing the fabric pieces on several absorbent paper towels
and rubbing the stained area for 20 seconds with a paper
towel saturated with the cleaning fluid.
The cyclic selection fluids tested were (A) octal
methylcyclotetrasiloxane, (B) decamethylcyclopentasiloxane,
(C) a cyclic selection mixture of about 91 percent by weight
octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane and about 8 percent by weight
decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, and (D) a cyclic selection
mixture of about 1.3 percent by weight
~;~3~3Z6
octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, about 69.3 percent by weight
decamethylcyclopentasiloxane and about 29.1 percent by weight
dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane. For comparison, hex-
methyldisiloxane, mineral spirits, tetrachloroethylene,
isopropyl alcohol, and zillion were also used to clean the
stains.
After drying, the cleaned fabric pieces were rated
visually for the degree of stain removal according to the
following scale:
5 = Complete removal
4 = Slight remaining stain
3 = Moderate stain remaining
2 = Slight removal of stain
1 = No change in stain
The ratings were made by comparison of the test
pieces with a standard series of exemplary stains in a black
box using a fluorescent light source. Deviations between the
test pieces and the standard stains are indicated by
fractional ratings.
The used motor oil tended to form a dual stain
containing a smaller sludge portion nearer the center and a
larger oil portion which spread out more from the point of
application. Some differences in the cleaning of the two
portions of these stains were observed and consequently the
cleaning of each portion was separately rated. The results
of the visual rating are presented in Table 1.
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TABLE 1: STAIN REMOVAL ON COTTON FABRIC
Cleaning Fluid Stain
Motor Motor Cooking Artificial
Oil Oil Oil Serum
(Sludge)
A 2.5 2.0 5.0 3.0
B 2.5 2.0 5.0 3.0
C 2.9 2.0 4.8 2.8
D 2.8 2.5 5.0 3.0
[(Chihuahuas 2.7 2.9 4.3 3.0
Mineral Spirits 2.9 2.5 4.9 3.0
Tetrachloroethylene 2.5 2.5 5.0 2.8
Isopropyl Alcohol 1.0 1.0 4.5 1.0
Zillion 2.8 3.5 5.0 1.0
Example 2
The stain removal testing procedure of Example 1
was repeated using a 65/35 polyester/cotton fabric. The
results of the black box visual ratings of the cleaned fabric
are presented in Table 2.
TABLE 2: STAIN REMOVAL ON 65/35 POLYESTER/COTTON FABRIC
Cleaning Fluid Stain
Motor Motor Cooking Artificial
Oil Oil Oil Serum
(Sludge)
A 2.5 3.0 5.0 3.0
B 3.0 3.0 5.0 3.0
C 2.9 3.0 5.0 3.0
D 3.5 3.5 5.0 3.0
[(Chihuahuas 2.9 - - 3.0
Isopropyl Alcohol 1.0 1.0 3.0 3.0
Zillion 3.0 4.0 5.0 3.0
. .,
12393~6
Example 3
The stain removal testing procedure of Example 1
was repeated using a 100 percent polyester fabric. The
results of the black box visual ratings of the cleaned fabric
are presented in Table 3.
TABLE 3: STAIN REMOVAL ON 100% POLYESTER FABRIC
Cleaning Fluid Stain
Motor Motor Cooking Artificial
Oil Oil Oil Serum
(Sludge)
A 2.0 5.0 5.0 1.0
B 2.0 5.0 5.0 1.0
C ` 2.0 5.0 5.0 1.0
D 2.0 5.0 5.0 1.0
[(Chihuahuas 1.5 5.0 4.2 1.0
Mineral Spirits 3.0 5.0 4.1 1.0
Tetrachloroethylene3.5 5.0 4.9 1.0
example 4
The stain removal testing procedure of Example 1
was modified by heat setting the stain before cleaning.
Stains were set by placing the fabric in an automatic clothes
dryer at the high temperature setting for two cycles of 60
minutes each. Polyester (100~) fabric was used in these
tests. Results of the black box visual ratings of cleaned
fabric are presented in Table 4.
1'Z393Z6
TABLE 4: STAIN REMOVAL OF HEAT SET STAINS
Cleaning Fluid Stain
Motor Motor Cooking Artificial
Oil Oil Oil Serum
(Sludge
A 2.0 5.0 5.0 1.3
B 2.0 5.0 4.9 1.6
C 2.0 5.0 5.0 1.0
D 2.0 5.0 4.7 1.2
[(Chihuahuas 2.0 5.0 4.8 1.2
Mineral Spirits 3.0 5.0 4.8 1.2
Tetrachloroethylene3.5 4.9 5.0 1.0
Example 5
The following experiments demonstrate the relative
efficiency of cyclic dimethylpolysiloxanes in spreading oil
stains on fabric. The degree of spreading of the stain
relates to the extent of mobilization of the stain by the
solvent being tested. Generally, the more effectively a
stain can be mobilized, the more easily and completely it can
be removed from the fabric.
Cotton fabric test pieces (8 inch x 8 inch) were
placed in an embroidery hoop and approximately 1 ml of
cooking oil was applied to the center of the fabric. Stains
were aged at room temperature for 24 hours. The fabric was
then positioned under a burette filled with the cleaning
fluid. With the burette tip just above the center of the
stain, a 0.5 ml portion of the cleaning fluid was dropped on
the stain. The fabric was allowed to dry at room temperature
and the size of the resulting stain was measured. Generally
the stains were circular or slightly oval in shape. The
approximate areas of the stains after the spreading process
with various cleaning fluids are shown in Table 5. In the
case of oval shaped stains, approximate areas were calculated
sty
-15-
as if the stain were circular using a diameter equal to the
average of the length and width of the oval. The cyclic
selection fluids tested are described in Example l.
TABLE 5: SPREADING OF COOKING OIL STAINS ON COTTON
Cleaning Fluid Stain Area (so. in.)
None 0.8
A >50
B >50
C >50
D 26
Chihuahuas 5 9
Mineral Spirits ~50
Tetrachloroethylene 4.9
Example 6
The stain spreading procedure of Example 5 was
repeated using 100~ polyester fabric test pieces. The
approximate stain areas after spreading are shown in Table 6.
TABLE 6: SPREADING OF COOKING OIL STAINS ON POLYESTER
Cleaning Fluid Stain Area (so. in.)
None 0.8
A 16
B 16
C 19
D 22
Chihuahuas 13
Mineral Spirits 25
Tetrachloroethylene 16
Example 7
The stain spreading procedure of Example 5 was
repeated using a 65/35 polyester/cotton fabric. Approximate
stain areas after spreading are presented in Table 7.
~23932~ -
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TABLE 7: SPREADING OF COOKING OIL STAINS ON 65/35
POLYESTER/COTTON
Cleaning Fluid Stain Area (so. in.)
None 0.8
A 33
B 33
C 33
D 33
[(Chihuahuas 27
Mineral Spirits 38
Tetrachloroethylene 5.9
Example 8
The following experiments demonstrate the stain
spreading efficiency of blends of cyclic dimethylpoly-
selections and conventional cleaning fluids such as mineral
spirits and tetrachloroethylene.
Cooking oil stains were prepared on 65/35
polyester/cotton fabric and the spreading procedure of
Example 5 was repeated except that a 1 ml portion of a blend
of cleaning materials was dropped on the stain. Octamethyl-
cyclotetrasiloxane was blended in various proportions by
weight with either mineral spirits or tetrachloroethylene to
prepare the cleaning materials. The approximate stain areas
after spreading are shown in Table 8.
.
.
lZ393Z~
TABLE 8: SPREADING OF STAINS WITH BLENDS OF CYCLIC
SELECTIONS AND CONVENTIONAL CLEANING FLUIDS
Conventional Cleaning Ratio of Cyclic Selection Stain Area
Fluid in Blend _ to Conventional Fluid (so. in.)
Mineral Spirits 5/95 40
Mineral Spirits 10/90 39
Mineral Spirits 20/80 40
Mineral Spirits 30/70 47
Mineral Spirits 40/60 ~50
Mineral Spirits 5Q/50 >50
Mineral Spirits 60/40 ~50
Mineral Spirits 70/30 >50
Mineral Spirits 80/20 34
Mineral Spirits 90/10 27
Tetrachloroethylene 5/95 13
Tetrachloroethylene10/90 17
Tetrachloroethylene20/80 10
Tetrachloroethylene30/70 25
Tetrachloroethylene40/60 >50
Tetrachloroethylene50/50 >50
Tetrachloroethylene60/40 22
Tetrachloroethylene70/30 >50
Tetrachloroethylene80/20 22
Tetrachloroethylene90/10 31
Example 9
The stain spreading procedure of Example 8 was
repeated using decamethylcyclopentasiloxane blended in
various proportions by weight with either mineral spirits or
tetrachloroethylene. The approximate stain areas after
spreading are presented in Table 9.
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TABLE 9: SPREADING OF STAINS WITH BLENDS OF CYCLIC
SELECTION AND CONVENTIONAL CLEANING FLUIDS
Conventional Cleaning Ratio of Cyclic Selection Stain Area
Fluid in Blend to Conventional Fluid (so. in.)
Mineral Spirits 5/95 28
Mineral Spirits 10/90 >50
Mineral Spirits 20/80 ~50
Mineral Spirits 30/70 34
Mineral Spirits 40/60 ~50
Mineral Spirits 50/50 31
Mineral Spirits 60/40 >50
Mineral Spirits 70/30 35
Mineral Spirits 80/20 38
Mineral Spirits 90/10 37
Tetrachloroethylene 5/95 18
Tetrachloroethylene 10/90 19
Tetrachloroethylene 20/80 25
Tetrachloroethylene 30/70 33
Tetrachloroethylene 40/60 25
Tetrachloroethylene 50/50 33
Tetrachloroethylene 60/40 31
Tetrachloroethylene 70/30 21
Tetrachloroethylene 80/20 26
Tetrachloroethylene 90/10 33
Example 10
The following tests demonstrate the use of cyclic
dimethylpolysiloxanes as a solvent component in prewash
spotting formulations used in home laundering.
Polyester fabric test pieces were prepared with
approximately 1 inch diameter stains of used motor oil,
cooking oil, and artificial serum. Stains were heat set by
placing the fabric in an automatic clothes dryer at the high
temperature setting for two cycles of 60 minutes each. Each
lZ~9326
--19--
stain was treated with 2 ml of the test fluid as described in
Example 1. Each fluid was left on the stain for one to two
minutes. The test fabric pieces were then washed in a
household automatic washer on the normal setting using the
recommended level of a powdered non phosphate detergent. The
fabric pieces were dried in an automatic clothes dryer on the
permanent press setting.
The cleaned fabric pieces were rated visually for
the degree of stain removal according to the following scale:
S = Complete removal
4 - Slight remaining stain
3 = Moderate stain remaining
2 = Slight removal of stain
1 = No change in stain
The ratings were made by comparison of the test pieces with a
standard series of exemplary stains in a black box using a
fluorescent light source.
The used motor oil tended to form a dual stain
containing a smaller sludge portion nearer the center and a
larger oil portion which spread out more from the point of
application. Some differences in the cleaning of the two
portions of these stains were observed and consequently the
cleaning of each portion was separately rated. The results
of the visual rating are presented in Table 10.
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-20-
TABLE 10: STAIN REMOVAL BY PREWASH SPOTTING
Solvent stain
Motor Motor Cooking Artificial
Oil Oil OilSebum
(Sludge)
A 3.0 5.0 4.55.0
B 3.5 5.0 5.05.0
C 3.0 5.0 5.05.0
D 3.0 5.0 5.05.0
[(Chihuahuas 4.0 5.0 4.95.0
Mineral Spirits 4.0 5.0 5.05.0
Tetrachloroethylene 4.2 5.0 4.95.0
Isopropyl Alcohol 1.0 5.0 3.54.0
Zillion 3.0 5.0 5.03.3
Polydimethylsiloxane 2 as* 1.2 5.0 5.0 3.7
Polydimethylsiloxane 5 as* 1.0 5.0 5.0 3.5
Polydimethylsiloxane 10 as* 1.0 5.0 5.0 4.0
*Trimethylsilyl end blocked linear dimethylsiloxane polymers
