Abstract:
The present invention comprises methods and compositions for affecting indoor air quality, such as by reducing particulates in indoor air and providing allergen control comprising using surfactant-free cleaning compositions to remove particulate matter such as soils and stains from fibers and surfaces comprising fibers such as indoor carpeting and upholstery, and to prevent redeposition of particles and other soil or stain components on indoor environmental surfaces.
Abstract:
A comprehensive stain removal kit includes various cleaning formulas, rinses and a super absorbent cloth for a regimen of stain removal. A stain removal guide is included to provide a stain removal regimen based on a stain and fabric classification. Cleaning formulas and rinses are alternately applied to the fabric in the presence of the super absorbent cloth in combination in accordance with a specified stain removal regimen. The cleaning formulas and rinses are absorbed into the super absorbent cloth with the stain material to completely remove stains, including combination stains. The kit is provided as a portable packet easily used or stored in a variety of locations where stain removal may be desired.
Abstract:
A comprehensive stain removal kit includes various cleaning formulas, rinses and a super absorbent cloth for a regimen of stain removal. A stain removal guide is included to provide a stain removal regimen based on a stain and fabric classification. Cleaning formulas and rinses are alternately applied to the fabric in the presence of the super absorbent cloth in combination in accordance with a specified stain removal regimen. The cleaning formulas and rinses are absorbed into the super absorbent cloth with the stain material to completely remove stains, including combination stains. The kit is provided as a portable packet easily used or stored in a variety of locations where stain removal may be desired.
Abstract:
A process for sanitizing a fabric article which is contaminated with one or more microbials. The process steps include: (a) placing the fabric article in a vapor venting bag together with a cleaning/refreshing composition comprising water; and (b) subjecting the vapor venting bag to a heat source which supplies sufficient heat to vaporize the water, thereby exposing the microbials to the resulting water vapor. This process results in at least about 50% of the microbials being killed. The cleaning/refreshing composition preferably comprises at least one antimicrobial agent selected from the group consisting of 5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol, trichlorocarbanalide, hydrogen peroxide, other oxygen bleaches, 4-chloro-3,5-dimethylphenol, iodine/iodophors, chlorhexidine, phenols, phospholipids, thymol, eugeniol, geraniol, oil of lemon grass, limonene and mixtures thereof. The process of this invention preferably further comprises the step pre-treating at least a portion of the fabric with a pre-treating composition comprising an antimicrobial agent selected from the group consisting of 5-chloro-2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)phenol, trichlorocarbanalide, hexachlorophene, chlorhexidine, o-phenylphenol, benzylquaternium salts and mixtures thereof
Abstract:
A system and method are provided for cleaning fiber. Fiber is first provided for being washed in a solution. Such solution includes ingredients such as stain remover, whitener, brightener, conditioner, and/or odor remover.
Abstract:
A method for dry-cleaning articles such as fabrics and clothing in carbon dioxide. The article includes a stained portion or region, which is pretreated with a pretreatment composition prior to initiating the cleaning cycle. The pretreatment step is followed by contacting the pretreated article to be cleaned with a liquid dry cleaning composition for a time sufficient to clean the article. The liquid dry-cleaning composition comprises a mixture of carbon dioxide, a surfactant, and an organic co-solvent. After the contacting step, the article is separated from the liquid dry cleaning composition. The pretreatment composition, in a preferred embodiment, comprises at least one of (a) a surfactant; (b) d-limonene, and (c) a C12-C15 alkane co-solvent. Preferably the pretreatment composition comprises at least two, and in some particularly preferred embodiments, the pretreatment composition comprises all three, of the aforesaid ingredients.
Abstract:
According to this invention, allergenicity is reduced by combining the step of cleaning textiles in situ, to physically removing allergens with at least one of the following steps: a) use enzymes to denature all allergens capable of producing respiratory or skin reactions; and b) apply approved pesticides and fungicides/fungistats (preferably via professional pest control operators) to prevent reinfestation of house dust mites, molds and cockroaches. Alternatively, either of the latter two steps can be used alone or in combination with other aspects of any protocol to reduce the allergen load in allergen reservoirs momentarily or prophylactically.
Abstract:
A system for dry cleaning soils from fabrics comprising densified carbon dioxide and a surfactant in the densified CO2. The densified carbon dioxide is in a temperature range of about −78.5° C. to about 100° C. and a pressure range of about 14.7 to about 10,000 psi. At least 0.1% by volume of a modifier is preferably present. The surfactant has a polysiloxane, a branched polyalkylene oxide or a halocarbon group which is a functional CO2-philic moiety connected to a CO2-phobic functional moiety. The surfactant either exhibits an HLB of less than 15 or has a ratio of siloxyl to substituted siloxyl groups of greater than 0.5:1.
Abstract:
A dry cleaning process and system for cleaning articles disposed in a cleaning chamber having a rotatable member therein, using carbon dioxide (CO2) from a storage tank. The process includes causing a pressure differential between the storage tank and the cleaning chamber, filling the cleaning chamber with a predetermined amount of liquid CO2 enabling flow of liquid CO2 from the storage tank to the cleaning chamber in response to the pressure differential, and rotating the rotatable member.
Abstract:
A dry-cleaning process for cleaning articles disposed in a cleaning chamber having jet inflow ports, using carbon dioxide (CO2) from first and second storage tanks, the process including the steps of compressing gaseous CO2 into the first storage tank to cause a positive pressure differential between the first storage tank and the cleaning chamber, filling the cleaning chamber with liquid carbon dioxide by enabling CO2 flow from the first storage tank to the cleaning chamber in response to the positive pressure differential, alternately compressing gaseous CO2 into the first or second storage tanks to cause a pressure differential between the first and second storage tanks, and flowing liquid CO2 between the first and second storage tanks, via the jet ports and through the cleaning chamber, in response to the pressure differential between the first and second storage tanks, to provide jet agitation in the cleaning chamber and a periodically continuous flow of liquid CO2 through the cleaning chamber.