Abstract A process of cleaning fibrous materials such as carpets and the like by applying an aqueous composition which forms a foam on the material and then dries to a powder which can be brushed off or vacuumed away. The aqueous composition is an aqueous dilution of a mixture consisting essentially of (a) an alkali sulfate derived from an ethoxylated or polyethoxylated alcohol, (b) an alkali salt of a sulfosuccinic acid half ester, and (c) water. Of the solids content the ethoxysulfate salt comprises about 20 to 50 percent by weight and the sulfosuccinate salt about 50 to 80 percent by weight. Up to about half of the content of the ethoxysulfate salt may be replaced by an equivalent amount of alkali lauryl sulfate.
The process of claim 1 wherein between 0 to aBout 50% by weight of the ethoxysulfate salt is replaced by an equivalent amount of an alkali lauryl sulfate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said solids content comprises about 25% by weight of the composition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said solids content comprises about 25% by weight of the composition, and wherein a portion of the water content is replaced by a member selected from the group consisting of chelating agents, emulsifying agents, thickening agents, stabilizing agents, and selected mixtures thereof, said agents being present in amounts effective for their respective purposes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
9 words
The process of claim 1 wherein M is sodium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 2 wherein the alkali lauryl sulfate is sodium lauryl sulfate.