Hard surface cleaning compositions

Abstract

Improved hard surface cleaning compositions having an acidic pH provide good removal of soap scum stains. Compositions of the present invention comprise an acidic constituent which comprises either citric acid alone or citric acid in combination with an acid selected from the group consisting of sorbic acid, acetic acid, boric acid, formic acid, maleic acid, adipic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, malonic acid, glycolic acid, and mixtures thereof at least one anionic surfactant at least one thickener at least one scrubbing agent one or more optional constituents and the balance water wherein the aqueous hard surface cleaning composition exhibits a pH of 6.0 or less.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to improved cleaning compositions, especially for cleaning hard surfaces, especially lime, rust and soap scum stains. Background technique [0002] Cleaning compositions are important commodities and they are widely used for removing dirt and grime from surfaces, especially useful "hard surfaces". Hard surfaces refer to surfaces commonly found in bathrooms, such as toilets, showers, bathtubs, tubs, sinks and other toilets, as well as countertops, walls, floors, etc. Various forms of undesirable residue are known to form in such washing environments, including hard water stains and "soap scum stains". Hard water stains are inorganic stains resulting from the deposition of salts commonly present in hard water, such as calcium or magnesium salts, and soap scum stains are the residue of fatty acid soaps, eg soaps based on alkaline salts of lower fatty acids. Fatty acids are known to precipitate in hard water due to the prese...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

The compositions described in these patents are all claimed to be effective in removing soap scum stains from such hard surfaces, but have been found to be of limited use for other types of stains

[0004] However, the formulations of most of the compositions in the aforementioned patents generally have relatively high levels of acids (organic and / or inorganic) which pose toxicological problems, and none of the aforementioned patents provide any sanitizing properties