WO2018048364A1

WO2018048364A1 - Laundering of fabrics woven from polyester fibres

Info

Publication number: WO2018048364A1
Application number: PCT/TR2016/050340
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ahmet Ergun; Okan Yuzuak; Turgut Tas
Original assignee: Hayat Kimya San. A. Ş.
Priority date: 2016-09-08
Filing date: 2016-09-08
Publication date: 2018-03-15

Abstract

The present invention composition is prepared to provide cost-effective laundry detergent composition imparting soil release properties to hydrophobic fabrics to achieve superior cleaning, whitening, bleaching and brightening at warm or cold wash water temperatures.

Description

LAUNDERING OF FABRICS WOVEN FROM POLYESTER FIBRES

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the present invention relates to washing of fabrics with automatic washing machines.

The field of the present invention relates to a cleaning composition offering an enhanced hydrophobic soil removal performance from soiled fabric.

The field of the present invention relates to a cleaning composition offering an enhanced removal of oily soils and stains from fabrics woven from polyester fibres.

The field of the present invention relates to a cleaning composition employing soil release polymer to impart durable soil release properties to the fabrics woven from polyester fibres. The field of the present invention relates to a cleaning composition employing the synergistic effect of percompound, optical brighteners, photobleaches and soil release polymer for superior bleaching, cleaning and brightening of synthetic fabrics.

The field of the present invention relates to a cleaning composition providing enhanced whitening and brightening of fabrics.

Particularly this application relates to the specific compositions in order to fulfill all the said requirements and the needs in this particular field.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the light of developments in technology, fabrics are started to be cleaned by washing machines throughout the world with cleaning compositions involving detergents. Consumers continually seek for a detergent which offers improved cleaning of fabrics while maintaining their initial color even they are repeatedly washed or cleaned. When it comes to the cleaning of white fabrics, consumers become picky since white color is associated with the cleanliness. Because of that they wish to have white fabrics as whiter as possible and as new as the day they bought. However, during wearing and laundering of white fabrics, discoloration can be observed. Additionally, repeated laundering of white fabrics can cause yellowing in color which makes fabrics look older, worn and dull and fabrics never have a truly clean appearance. In accordance with that consumers wash their fabrics at high temperatures especially higher than 60°C in order to enable fabric look like new and whiter and also, washing of fabrics at temperatures lower than 10°C does not enable the fabrics cleaned, despoiled. Moreover, most of the laundry detergents show improved cleaning performance by removing many kinds of soil when hot water is used during laundering since hot water soften the soils and assist the surfactants for removing soil from fabric. However, laundering of fabrics with hot water increases the deterioration of the fabrics. Additionally in some part of the world, hot water is not available for laundering and also, hot water is not feasible due to economic and environmental reasons. Consequently, consumers prefer to use detergents having detersive ingredients at high temperatures. However, laundering of fabrics by using detersive detergents at high temperatures contributes to increased fabric degradation. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a laundry detergent composition offering superior cleaning of white fabrics at warm or cold water laundering operations.

Manufacturers have made many attempts in order to fulfill the whiteness expectations of the customers by considering type of the fabric since the needs of consumers determine the consumer products, manufacturing processes and marketing. Nowadays, fabric materials are produced in a way as to contain substantial amount of polyester fibers since polyester fibers offer improved abrasion resistance and crease resistance to the garments compared to fabrics woven only from cotton. Despite the high strength and endurance of polyester and polyester blended fabrics, they are hydrophobic in nature which makes their laundering difficult since polyester and polyester blended fabrics have tendency to retain oily soils and stains which are also hydrophobic in nature. Moreover, the laundering of oily soils and stains from the surfaces of fabrics woven from polyesters is very challenging and difficult even after repeated laundering because polyester fibers have tendency to absorb and accumulate hydrophobic oily stains and soils. This can be attributed to the low affinity of polyester fabrics for water which reduces their wettability and thus, laundering of oily soil and stains becomes laborious. Thus in turn, the difficulty in cleaning and laundering of polyester fabrics stained with oily and greasy stains increases the cost of the cleaning process which is not desirable.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a laundry detergent composition offering superior cleaning of fabrics woven from polyesters at warm or cold water laundering operations.

In the near future, it is not expected that consumers do not relinquish their preferences of buying fabrics having high strength, endurance and high abrasion resistance due to the economic reasons. Because of that the laundering and cleaning performance of the fabrics woven from polyesters should be improved. But, it has been a demanding challenge for the laundering industry. Accordingly, manufacturers seek for the ways to improve the hydrophilicity and thus wettability of the polyester fabrics so as to improve and ease for the cleaning and laundering of oily soil and stains from polyester fabrics. This can be achieved in two different ways either by making the polyester fibers and fabrics hydrophilic or by using polymers for increasing the hydrophilicity of the fabrics during laundering process. The former approach is associated with finishing process of fibers or fabrics in which fabrics or fibers are treated at once with soil release polymer to improve their hydrophilicity. Although this approach looks like a right solution, the use of higher amount of soil release polymer during fabric finishing makes the fabrics stiffer. Thus, fabrics lose their softness and desirable appearance. Besides, hydrophilicity of the fabrics are diminished due to the removal of soil release polymers either after repeated laundering process or after severe laundering conditions like high temperature, high pH or detersive ingredients. As a result of this, the hydrophilicity of fiber and fabrics tends to decrease gradually which leads to inefficient cleaning and laundering of oily soil and stains. On the other hand, the latter approach is associated with the use of laundry detergents involving soil release polymers which increases the hydrophilicity and wettability of the fabrics via on-going soil release benefit after each laundering.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a laundry detergent composition involving soil release polymer in order to improve the hydrophilicity and wettability of polyester fabric for the achievement of superior cleaning.

Soil release polymers are textile assistants and washing aids in detergency, having the ability to form films around polyesters fibers to impart soil repellent properties to the surfaces of the fabrics woven from polyesters. Through the use of laundry detergents involving soil release polymers, attachment of oily soil and stains are hindered which renders the soiled fabric susceptible to effective cleaning operation. Soil release polymers are superior washing aids compared to laundry detergent surfactants and builders since they (i)improve water absorptivity (hydrophilicity) of fabrics thus, giving wear comfort and (ii) provide outstanding improvement in the cleaning performance via the detachment of oily soil from the surface of polyester fabrics that could not be achieved just by using ordinary detergent ingredients, (iii) foster multi-wash effect in which the cleaning performance of the fabrics are improved via repetitive launderings since each laundering operation stabilize the soil release polymer amount. But the excess use of soil release polymers makes the fabrics stiffer, harsh and also increases the cost of the laundering process and the increased cost of the operation makes the consumers to change their opinion and preferences.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a laundry detergent composition which exhibit superior cleaning performance while imparting soil release properties to fabrics woven from polyesters laundered therewith.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a laundry detergent composition involving soil release polymer whose efficacious amount is adjusted in a way as to provide superior cleaning and wearing properties of fabrics woven from polyesters fibers. Since soil release polymers shows their effect by forming film on the surface of the polyester fabrics, laundering conditions especially temperature would be critical for the formation of films and adherence of soil release polymers. Laundering at high temperatures may either prevent the adherence or enhance the detachment of soil release polymer from the fabrics. As a result of this, water absorptivity of fabrics is declined which leads to the reduced soil repellency, reduced cleaning and laundering performance of oily soiled fabrics. Temperature is also critical for other inevitable ingredients of laundry detergents especially for percompound which is an inorganic peroxide compound, responsible for bleaching, stain and soil removal through the release of hydrogen peroxide by dissolving in water. Their activity is temperature dependent and show effective bleaching performance at temperatures higher than 60°C which is not favorable in terms of cost, energy and textile care considerations. Because of that the utilization of bleach activators are required to enhance the bleaching performance of hydrogen peroxide based detergents at temperatures below 60°C. However, this combination could not show efficient performance of the removal of oil soils and stains at cold or warm wash temperature.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention is to provide laundry detergent composition which provides superior bleaching and cleaning of hydrophobic soils exist on the surfaces of polyester fabrics through the synergistic effect of peroxyacid bleaches and soil release polymer.

It is a further object of the present invention is to provide laundry detergent composition offering on-going and effective bleaching of synthetic fabrics at warm or cold temperatures.

Consumers insist on their expectations related with improved whiteness of their white fabrics either during laundering or drying process. The terms used to refer to the cleaning performance of white fabrics are whiteness and brightness which are responsible for the overall efficient whiteness of white fabrics. Whitening is used to refer to the removal of soils and stains during laundering process whereas brightening is used to refer to the deposition of optical brighteners on the fabrics wherein optical brighteners are used to modulate the whiteness perception through the utilization of day light. Optical brighteners deposit on the surfaces of fabrics and mask the discoloration of fabrics and provide a pleasing whiteness to the fabrics. Actually, since whiteness can be judged by brightness perception of the fabrics, the utilization of optical brighteners and photobleaches would foster the perception of consumers about the performance of cleaning composition. As a result, whitening of fabrics is a two stage process such that first stage involves the bleaching of soils and the second stage involves modulation of brightness.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide laundry detergent composition which provides superior whitening of fabrics during either the laundering or the drying process of them.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide laundry detergent composition which provides superior bleaching, cleaning and brightening of synthetic fabrics through the synergistic effect of percompound, optical brighteners, photobleach and soil release polymer.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide laundry detergent composition imparting soil release properties to hydrophobic fabrics to achieve superior cleaning, whitening, bleaching and brightening beyond that possible with a comparable amount of soil release polymer delivered from free granular detergent composition.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide cost-effective laundry detergent composition imparting soil release properties to hydrophobic fabrics to achieve superior cleaning, whitening, bleaching and brightening at warm or cold wash water temperature beyond that possible with a comparable amount of soil release polymer delivered from free granular detergent composition.

The cleaning compositions offer hydrophobic soil removal performance from soiled fabric known from EP2978831 and EP30391 12. However, these compositions could not achieve effective cleaning performance just by the use of soil release polymer. Instead, they needed to incorporate extra ingredients like polyetheramine. These ingredients are providing improved grease removal but the said compositions do not provide bleaching and whitening of the fabrics. The present invention overcomes above mentioned problems by formulating particulate cleaning composition which provides superior bleaching, cleaning and brightening of synthetic fabrics through the synergistic effect of percompound, optical brighteners, photobleach and soil release polymer. The present invention cleaning composition allows the consumer to maintain using the product to its full extent by facilitating a safer, environmentally friendly, effective, and inexpensive cleaning.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to particulate cleaning product which is superior to commercially available products on the market with regard to enhanced hydrophobic soil removal performance from soiled fabrics woven from polyester fibres.

The present invention relates to particulate cleaning product involving soil release polymer for the development of hydrophilicity and wettability of polyester fabric for the achievement of superior cleaning.

The present invention relates to particulate cleaning product involving soil release polymer so as to increase the hydrophilicity and wettability of the fabrics via on-going soil release benefit after each laundering.

The present invention relates to particulate cleaning product which is superior to commercially available products on the market with regard to whitening and brightening of white synthetic fabrics at warm or cold wash water temperatures.

The present invention relates to particulate cleaning product which is superior to commercially available products on the market with regard to utilization of the synergistic effect of percompound, optical brighteners, photobleaches and soil release polymer for superior bleaching, cleaning and brightening of synthetic fabrics.

The present invention relates to particulate cleaning product having above mentioned features allowing the consumers to maintain improved cleaning, bleaching, whitening and brightening performance of white fabrics at warm or cold wash water temperatures via using the product to its full extent by facilitating an easy, effective, cost-effective and energy safer laundering.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide cost-effective laundry detergent composition imparting soil release properties to hydrophobic fabrics to achieve superior cleaning, whitening, bleaching and brightening at warm or cold wash water temperature wherein the composition comprises

a. Anionic and non-ionic surfactant

b. Anionic soil release polymer

c. Percompound

d. Bleach activator

e. Optical brighteners

f. Photobleach

g. Builder system The particulate detergent composition of the present invention comprises (a) anionic surfactant from 5.0wt.-% to 1 1 .0wt.-%, preferably from 6.0wt.-% to 10.0wt.-% and non-ionic surfactant from 0.5wt.-% to 4.0wt.-%, preferably from 1 .Owt.-% to 3.0wt.-%, (b) soil release polymer from 0.1 wt.-% to 1 .5wt.-%, preferably from 0.2wt.-% to 1 .2wt.-% of the total composition, (c) percompound from 3.0wt.-% to 20wt.-%, preferably from 3.5wt.-% to 17wt.- % of the total composition, (d) bleach activator from 1 .0 wt.-% to 6.0 wt.-%, preferably from 1 .5wt.-% to 5.0 wt.-% of the total composition (e) optical brighteners from 0.05 wt.-% to 1 .5 wt.-%, preferably from 0.06 wt.-% to 1 .2 wt.-% of the total composition, (f) photobleach from 0.01 wt.-% to 0.02 wt.-% , preferably from 0.012 wt.-% to 0.018 wt.-% of the total composition, wherein the composition further comprises a builder system.

The term "particulate" is used to refer to granules, powders, solid and mixtures thereof. The terms are used interchangeably.

Particulate cleaning composition as mentioned above is used to cover granules, solid and/or powders. Particulate cleaning composition and/or particulate cleaning product and/or particulate detergent composition cover the cleaning products for laundry. Additionally, the terms cleaning product and/or cleaning composition and/or detergent composition are used interchangeably.

The term "warm or cold wash water temperatures" is used to refer to the washing of fabrics below 40°C washing temperatures.

SOIL RELEASE POLYMER

Soil release polymers are employed in cleaning compositions in order to increase the hydrophilicity and wettability of synthetic fabrics by forming films on their surfaces. Soil release polymers are adsorbed on the surface of fabrics during laundering and the water absorption capacity of the fabrics is enhanced which enables the removal of oily soil and stains. Soil release polymers are also mostly prepared by copolymers of moderately high molecular weight, containing ethylene terephthalate segments which are randomly interspersed with polyethylene glycol segments. Soil release polymers can be anionic, nonionic and cationic in nature.

Anionic soil release polymers especially containing sulfo groups have good water solubility and thus, efficient soil release performance. The high water solubility of soil release polymers brings about a disadvantage about storage stability. Therefore, the preferred soil release polymers are compatible with additives and auxiliaries customary in detergents and cleaners which are based on polyethyleneterephthalate-polyoxyethyleneterephthalate co-polymers (so-called PET-POET) and they can be supplied under the trade name TexCare® SRA 300 and 300F from Clariant. The amount of soil release polymer is also critical in terms of performance of cleaning process. The utilization of soil release polymer less than 0.1wt.-% does not exhibit soil release and cleaning performance whereas higher than 1 .5wt.-% the performance of the detergent is in saturation but this increases the cost of the process and laundering.

Particulate cleaning composition of the present invention comprises soil release polymer from 0.1wt.-% to 1 .5wt.-%, preferably from 0.2 wt.-% to 1 .2 wt.-% of the total composition. A particulate cleaning composition involves an anionic soil release polymer which is comprised from sulphonates polyester, end-capped sulphonated polyester, carboxylate terminated polyester and mixtures thereof.

PERCOMPOUND

Particulate cleaning composition of the present invention ensures on-going and effective bleaching and whitening of hydrophobic fabrics at worm or cold wash water temperatures that can be achieved predominantly by the incorporation of percompounds. Percompounds are oxygen-releasing peroxide compounds which are effective bleaching agents.

The preferred bleaching agent for laundering applications involves the use of hydrogen peroxide sources because it not only causes less textile fiber damage compared to many other peroxygen sources but also tends to be less aggressive on fabric, enzymes and optical brighteners.

The preferred hydrogen peroxide sources for this invention can be chosen from peroxides and/or persalts. Additionally, the preferred bleaching source is persalts which could be added to the present invention by selection from the group of perborates (e.g. perborate monohydrate, perborate tetrahydrate), percarbonates, peroxyhydrates, persilicates and persulphates. More preferably, percarbonates are particularly chosen due to (i) their high dissolution rate, (ii) concurrent generation of hydrogen peroxide and carbonate ions which favor the perhydrolysis by maintaining higher pH values. Particulate cleaning composition of the present invention comprises percompound from 3.0wt.-% to 20wt.-%, preferably from 3.5wt.-% to 17wt.-% of the total composition. The preferred percarbonate source for the present invention composition is alkali metal salt of percarbonate. More preferably, sodium salts are preferred. Most preferably, percarbonates are chosen as coated in order to improve their stability.

BLEACH ACTIVATOR The particulate cleaning composition involves the use of organic bleach activators for percompound since they do not show remarkable activity at lower temperatures. Use of peroxy compounds in combination with activators results in the formation of peroxy acid which is the active species for bleaching. Since the activity of percompound is strongly dependent on temperature, bleach activators are used to activate bleaching agents to function properly at temperatures below 60°C. These bleach activators speed up the bleaching process so that bleaching can effectively take place at temperatures lower than that in the absence of them. The bleach activators are perhydrolyzed to form a peracid as active bleaching species. Bleaching and whitening at warm wash temperatures are very critical in terms of textile care, cost and energy considerations. Therefore, there is a trend toward the cold or warm temperature cleaning applications since bleaching at moderate temperature reduces the risk of the fabric deformation and reduces the cost of the laundering process. In the present invention compositions, the suitable bleach activator can be selected from the group of activators such that tetra acetyl ethylene diamine (TAED), nonanoyloxybenzene sulphonate (NOBS), sodium 4-(isononanoyloxy)benzenesulphonate (iso-NOBS). The preferred bleach activator for the present invention is tetra acetyl ethylene diamine (TAED). TAED speeds up the bleaching process by reacting with hydrogen peroxide released by sodium percarbonate to produce peroxyacetic acid whose bleaching efficiency is better than hydrogen peroxide, and a molecule of DAED (diacetyl ethylene diamine) which is no longer reactive.

Particulate cleaning composition of the present invention comprises bleach activator from 1 .0 wt.-% to 6.0 wt.- %, preferably from 1 .5wt.-% to 5.0 wt.-% of the total composition. The whiteness and bleaching power of particulate cleaning composition of the present invention is fostered with the incorporation of percompound and bleach activators. The utilization of percompound and bleach activators could be considered by their ratio. The utilization of percompound/bleach activator ratio less than 3.0 does not represent any discernible activity and thus, effective bleaching and whitening could not be achieved. The utilization of percompound/bleach activator ratio more than 17.0 could not be economical and also, could not represent effective performance due to either the inefficient activator ratio or the over saturation. Therefore, the ratio of percompound to bleach activator is in between 3.0 and 17.0, preferably in between 3.5 and 15.0.

PHOTOBLEACH Bleaching agents other than percompound are also used in particulate laundry detergents in order to enable bleaching of washed fabrics for improving their visual appearance via photophysical mechanisms. Photobleach is also photosensitizer compound which is a molecule that produces a chemical change in another molecule in a photochemical process. When photobleaches absorb light, it becomes excited. While relaxing back to ground state, the energy released oxidizes the ground state oxygen to singlet oxygen which is the effective bleaching agent of photobleaches. Singlet oxygen is an oxidative species which can react with the stains to bleach them. Since stains have chemical and biological background, singlet oxygen reacts with them and distrupt their structure which makes them colorless and mostly water soluble. As a result, stains could be removed. This process is also known as photochemical bleaching. Since singlet oxygen can't be generated directly from ground state oxygen under illumination, the utilization of photosensitizers is compulsory. Although the lifetime of singlet oxygen is in from nano to pico seconds, photosensitizers have ability to generate singlet oxygen continuously under illumination. Photobleaches can be deposited on the fabrics during laundering and bleaching the fabrics when they are hanged out to dry in the day light. Most common photobleaches are phthalocyanine and porphyrine dyes. Particulate cleaning composition of the present invention employs sulphonated tetrabenzo- tetraazaporphine derivative. The most common and simplest way of incorporating them into detergent powders is to add them to the slurry prior to spray drying of the base powder. Particulate cleaning composition of present invention comprises photobleach from 0.01 wt.-% to 0.02 wt.-%, preferably from 0.012 wt.-% to 0.018 wt.-% of the total composition.

OPTICAL BRIGTHENERS

Particulate cleaning composition of present invention comprises optical brighteners from 0.05 wt.-% to 1 .5 wt.-%, preferably from 0.06 wt.-% to 1 .2 wt.-% of the total composition. Optical brighteners can be selected from carbocycles, such as distyrylbenzenes, distyrylbiphenyls, and divinylstilbenes; triazinylaminostilbenes; stilbenyl-2H-triazoles, such as stilbenyl- 2Hnaphthol[1 ,2-d]triazoles and bis(1 ,2,3-triazol-2-yl)stilbenes; benzoxazoles, such as stilbenyl benzoxazoles and bis(benzoxazoles); furans, benzofurans and benzimidazoles, such as bis(benzo[b]furan-2-yl)biphenyls and cationic benzimidizoles; 1 ,3-diphenyl-2- pyrazolines; coumarins; naphthalimides; 1 ,3,5-triazin-2-yl derivatives; methinecyanines; and dibenzothiphene-5,5-dioxide. Diphenylethylene triazine and 4,4'-bis(2-sodium sulfonate stryl) biphenyl are preferably used optical brighteners. SURFACTANTS

Surfactant lowers surface tension of water; act as wetness agent which makes the soil removing possible. Suitable surfactants for such use may be of anionic, cationic, nonionic and amphotheric nature. Surfactants are used in the present invention in the range of %1 to

%50 varying with respect of concentration or purpose of the compositions.

The detergent compositions of the present invention comprise anionic and nonionic surfactants.

The preferred anionic surfactant is linear alkyl benzene sulfonic acid sodium salt (LABSA.Na). LABSA.Na is manufactured by the sulphonation of linear alkyl benzene (LAB), which produces linear alkyl benzene sulfonic acid (LABSA), and then neutralized with sodium hydroxide to yield LABSA.Na. The LAB used in LABSA.Na manufacturing may be HF and/or Detal type. The LAB used in LABSA.Na manufacturing comprises max. 1 % C₉ phenyl, 8- 18% Cio phenyl, 26-38% C phenyl, 26-38% C₁₂ phenyl, 15-27% Ci₃ phenyl, max. 1 % C phenyl by total weight of LAB. 2-phenyl isomer content of the LAB may be 15-22% by weight for HF type, and 25-35% by weight for Detal type. The resulting LABSA.Na has a solid matter of at least 96% by weight, and demonstrates the similar carbon distribution of raw material LAB. LABSA.Na is added to detergent compositions before the spray-drying process (i.e. it is present in slurry which is spray-dried).

The other suitable anionic surfactants may be of any types which are not sensitive to heat, and do not suffer from the conditions of spray-drying process that is applied during the preparation of powder base portion. Heat sensitive anionic surfactants may also be added to compositions in granular form in a post-addition which is established after spray-drying and cooling to lower temperatures at which anionic surfactants are not negatively affected.

The utilization of LABSA-Na less than 5.0wt.-% does not exhibit efficient cleaning performance whereas LABSA-Na higher than 1 1 .0wt.-% does not show any noticeable change in the cleaning performance. Beside, excessive amounts of LABSA-Na causes the formation extra foam during laundering that adversely affects the performance of enzymes and surfactants. Therefore, particulate cleaning composition of the present invention comprises LABSA-Na from 5.0wt.-% to 1 1 .0 wt.-%, preferably from 6.0wt.-% to 10.0wt.-% of the total composition.

The nonionic surfactants may be selected from the groups of ethoxylated alcohols, ethoxylated alkyl phenols, fatty acid esters, alkylpolyglucosides, polyalcohols and ethoxylated polyalcohols. The preferred non-ionic surfactant group is ethoxylated alcohols which can be chosen from the group of Ci₂-Ci₈ fatty alcohol ethoxylates with 5-9 EO, Ci₂-Ci₄ fatty alcohol ethoxylates 6-10 EO, C₁₆-C₁₈ fatty alcohol ethoxylates with 10-80 EO, C₁₃-C₁₅ oxo alcohol ethoxylates with 3-1 1 EO, C10-C18 alcohol ethoxylates with 5-7 EO, C13 oxo alcohol ethoxylates with 2-20 EO, C10 guerbet alcohol ethoxylates with 3-14 EO, C10 oxo alcohol ethoxylates with 3-1 1 EO. The preferred nonionic surfactant of the present invention is C13-C15 oxo alcohol ethoxylates with 3-1 1 EO, more preferably the nonionic surfactant of the present invention is oxo alcohol ethoxylate wherein ethoxyl group number is 5 to 7 and most preferably the nonionic surfactant of the present invention is oxo alcohol ethoxylate wherein ethoxyl group number is 7.

The present invention comprises a non-ionic surfactant from 0.5wt.-% to 4.0wt.-%, preferably from 1 .0 wt.-% to 3.0 wt.-% of the total composition.

BUILDER SYSTEM

Builders are incorporated into cleaning compositions in order to soften the water, boost the detergency effect, inhibit the redeposition and achieve a suspension of the soil during washing process. Additionally, they are expected to contribute the notable cleaning performance by providing alkalinity necessary for washing process, by improving the adsorption capacity and thus in turn effectiveness of surfactants. In this present invention composition, inorganic and organic builders are combined to form synergistic builder system which contributes to the improvement of whitening and brightening properties of particulate cleaning composition of the preset invention.

The particulate cleaning composition of the present invention comprises inorganic and organic builders wherein inorganic builders can be chosen from carbonates, silicates, disilicates, polysilicates, silicate-soda ash co-granules, zeolites whereas organic builders can be chosen from the groups of polycarboxylate polymers such as polyacrylic acid and their salts, modified polyacrylic acid and their salts, acrylic/maleic copolymers, maleic acid/olefin copolymers; monomeric polycarboxylates like citrates, gluconates, oxydisuccinates, glycerol mono-di-and trisuccinates, carboxymethyloxysuccinates, carboxy-methyloxymalonates, dipicolinates, hydroxyethyl iminodiacetates, alkyl-and alkenylmalonates and succinates; and sulphonated fatty acid salts.

The preferred inorganic and organic builders are present in alkali metal salt form, preferably sodium salt form.

The preferred builder systems of the present invention contain sodium carbonate, sodium silicate as inorganic builders and polyacrylic acid sodium salt as organic builder.

Organic builders like polyacrylic acid prevent the graying of fabrics and improves the detergency of ingredients by capturing ions responsible for waters hardness. Detergents containing polyacrylic acid builder less than 0.4wt.-% of the composition could not function properly whereas acrylic acid builder higher than 4.0wt.-% of the total composition could affect adversely the functioning of enzymes since some enzymes need Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions for functioning properly. The utilization of excess amount of polyacrylic acid builder captures Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions more than required which leads to improper functioning of enzymes and thus, cleaning performance of the detergent could be reduced. Therefore, particulate cleaning composition of the present invention comprises organic builder from 0.4 wt.- % to 4.0 wt.-%, preferably from 0.5wt.-% to 3.0wt.-% of the total composition. Detergents containing silicate builders less than 2.0wt.-% of the composition could not exhibit effective cleaning performance whereas silicate builders higher than 9.0wt.-% of the composition increase the irritancy potential. Therefore, particulate cleaning composition of the present invention comprises silicate builder from 2.0wt.-% to 9.0 wt.-%, preferably from 3.0wt.-% to 8.0 wt.-% of the total composition.

Detergents containing carbonate builders less than 8.0wt.-% of the composition could not exhibit effective cleaning performance whereas carbonate builders higher than 25.0wt.-% of the composition increase the irritancy potential. Therefore, particulate cleaning composition of the present invention comprises carbonate builder from 8.0wt.-% to 25.0 wt.-%, preferably from 10.0wt.-% to 20.0 wt.-% of the total composition.

The preferred amount of disilicates/polysilicates soda ash co-granules in the present detergent compositions is up to 10%, preferably up to 5% by weight of the total composition. These co-granules are preferably added to compositions in a post-addition which is established after the spray-drying process. Disilicates/polysilicates soda ash co-granules comprise 45-55% sodium carbonate and 21 -41 % silicic acid sodium salt. A non-limiting commercial example can be found under the brand Nabion® from Novacarb, France.

PHOSPHONATES

Phosphonates can be applied as builders or as descaling agents as a stabilizer for peroxide solutions. By this way, percarbonate sustain long term activity and stability thus in turn, enhances both the cleaning efficiency and the strength during the washing process. The phosphonate compositions are insufficient for long term bleaching and whitening ability during hand washing processes. These stabilizers are taught to protect the peroxyacids against iron and copper like heavy metal catalyst decomposition and improve the bleaching efficiency of the percompound and activator system by inhibiting deleterious side reaction which occurs between formed peracid and percompound in wash solution. The peroxyacid compositions of the present invention can contain various chelating agents which function as stabilizers in addition to the aminophosphonates and aminocarboxylate chelators specified herein above.

Phosphonates can be selected from amino tris(methylene phosphonic acid) - ATMP, (1 - hydroxyethylidene) diphosphonic acid - HEDP, diethylenetriamine penta(methylene phosphonic acid) - DTPMP or their respective salts. The preferred type of phosphonate in the present detergent compositions is DTPMP sodium salt (DTPMP. Na).

Particulate cleaning composition of the present invention comprises phosphonate from 0.05wt.-% to 0.4wt.-%, preferably from 0.1 wt.-% to 0.3 wt.-% of the total composition.

OTHER INGREDIENTS

Cellulosic Polymer: The detergent compositions of the present invention can comprise cellulosic polymers as anti-redeposition agent which could be chosen from alkyl cellulose, alkyl alkoxyalkyl cellulose, carboxyalkyl cellulose, alkyl carboxyalkyl. The detergent composition of this invention is based on the use of carboxymethyl cellulose as cellulosic polymer. Particulate cleaning composition of the present invention comprises cellulosic polymer from 0.1wt.-% to 1 .2wt.-%, preferably from 0.2wt.-% to 1 .0wt.-% of the total composition. Foam Suppressor: The detergent compositions can comprise up to 2% foam suppressor by weight of the total composition. The preferred foam suppressors are silicone based foam suppressors. Foam suppressors are added to detergent compositions after the spray-drying process (i.e. they are not present in slurry which is spray-dried).

Enzyme: The detergent compositions can comprise one or more detergent enzymes up to 2% by weight of the total composition. Examples of suitable enzymes are amylases, arabinosidases, β-glucanases, cellulases, chondroitinase, cutinases, esterases, hemicellulases, hyaluronidase, keratanases, laccase, ligninases, lipases, lipoxygenases, malanases, mannanases, oxidases, pectinases, pentosanases, peroxidases, phenoloxidases, phospholipases, proteases, pullulanases, reductases, tannases, and xylanases or mixtures thereof. A preferred combination is a mixture of enzymes like protease, amylase, mannanase, cellulase and lipase. Enzymes are added to detergent compositions after the spray-drying process (i.e. they are not present in slurry which is spray- dried).

Coloured Speckles: The detergent compositions can comprise up to 5% coloured speckles by weight of the total composition. The coloured speckles can be salts and/or fatty soaps. Examples of salts are sodium salts, lithium salts, potassium salts, magnesium salts, calcium salts. Sodium salts may be selected from sodium sulfate, sodium bisulfate, sodium carbonate, sodium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, sodium percarbonate, sodium nitrate, sodium nitrite, sodium thiosulfate, sodium acetate, sodium bromide, sodium chlorate, sodium perchlorate, sodium chromate, sodium dichromate, sodium iodide, sodium iodate, sodium oxalate, sodium silicate, sodium sulfide, sodium sulfite, sodium bisulfite, sodium citrate, sodium malate, sodium stearate, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium benzoate, sodium bromate, sodium formate, sodium selenate, sodium periodate, sodium molybdate, sodium hydrates, and mixtures thereof. The preferred salt is sodium sulfate. Coloured speckles are added to detergent compositions after the spray-drying process (i.e. they are not present in slurry which is spray-dried).

Filler: The detergent compositions of the present invention comprise from 10% to 60% filler by weight of the total composition. Suitably, the filler can be selected from sulphate salts, sodium acetate or sodium chloride. Preferred main filler is sodium sulphate. A minor amount of magnesium sulphate, up to %2 by weight of the total composition is also preferred in present detergent compositions. Fillers are added to detergent compositions before the spray-drying process (i.e. it is present in slurry which is spray-dried). Perfume: Perfume oils and/or encapsulated perfumes can be added to detergent compositions preferably in the amount of >0 wt.-% to 1 wt.-%.

PREPERATION METHOD OF CLEANING COMPOSITION

Particulate cleaning composition of the present invention is prepared in two step procedure which is slurry formation and post addition.

In the first step, linear alkyl benzene sulphonic acid is dissolved in water and converted to its sodium salt (LABSA.Na) by addition of equimolar amount of NaOH. Subsequent to the formation of linear alkyl benzene sulphonate sodium salt; polyacrylic acid sodium salt, sodium salt of diethylenetriamine penta(methylene phosphonic acid) (DTPMP), optical brigtheners, carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), sodium silicate, magnesium sulphate and sodium sulfate are added to finish the formation of slurry of the detergent composition. Thereafter, prepared slurry are dried and powdered to be used for the second step.

In the post addition part, powdered composition is mixed with nonionic surface active agent, anionic soil release polymer, sodium percarbonate, tetra acetyl ethylene diamine (TAED), photobleach, enzyme, disilicates/polysilicates, soda ash co-graules, foam supressor, perfume, colored sodium sulphate, shield speckles and sodium carbonate. By this way, particulate cleaning composition is completed.

Example 1 : Preparation of the present invention particulate cleaning composition

7.78 g linear alkyl benzene sulphonate is dissolved in water and converted to its sodium salt (LABSA.Na) by addition of equimolar amount of 2.02 g of 49% NaOH (aq) solution forming 8.0 g of LABSA.Na. Obtained mixture is stirred till to the heat of the reaction mixture cools down to room temperature. 0.16 g of sodium salt of diethylenetriamine penta(methylene phosphonic acid) (DTPMP), 0.10 g of optical brigthener, 0.4 g of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), 4.0 g of sodium silicate, 1 .0 g of magnesium sulphate is added subsequent to the addition of 1 .50 g polyacrylic acid sodium salt. Sodium sulfate is added to complete total weight of the detergent composition to 100.0 g.

In the post addition part, granular composition is completed with the addition of 1 .50 g of dads oxo alcohol ethoxylates with 7 EO, 1 .0 g of anionic soil release polymer, 17.0 g of sodium percarbonate, 1 .6 g of tetra acetyl ethylene diamine (TAED), 0.015 g of photobleach, 0.08 g of enzyme, 4.0 g of disilicates/polysilicates, soda ash co-graules, 1 .0 g of defoamer, 0.4 of perfume, 0.8 g of colored sodium sulphate, 0.3 g of shield speckles and 17.5 g of sodium carbonate. By this way, preparation of particulate cleaning composition is completed. Example 2: The same procedure with same amount of agents as in example 1 is applied except percarbonate and TAED amounts are changed to 14.0 g and 2.5 g respectively; soil release polymer and photobleach are not present.

Example 3: The same procedure with same amount of agents as in example 1 is applied except TAED amount is changed to 2.5 g; soil release polymer and photobleach are not present.

Example 4: The same procedure with same amount of agents as in example 1 is applied except TAED amount is changed to 5.0 g; soil release polymer and photobleach are not present. Example 5: The same procedure with same amount of agents as in example 1 is applied except photobleach amount is changed to 0.010 g; soil release polymer is not present.

Example 6: The same procedure with same amount of agents as in example 1 is applied except photobleach amount is changed to 0.020 g; soil release polymer is not present

Example 7: The same procedure with same amount of agents as in example 1 is applied except soil release polymer and photobleach are not present.

Example 8: The same procedure with same amount of agents as in example 2 is applied except soil release polymer is not present.

Table 1 : Composition of the Examples 1 -8.

MgS0₄ 1 ,0 1 ,0 1 ,0 1 ,0 1 ,0 1 ,0 1 ,0 1 ,0

Parfume 0,4 0,4 0,4 0,4 0,4 0,4 0,4 0,4

Water 1 ,5 1 ,5 1 ,5 1 ,5 1 ,5 1 ,5 1 ,5 1 ,5

NaS0₄ CompI CompI CompI CompI CompI CompI CompI Complet eted to eted to eted to eted to eted to eted to eted to ed to 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%

*Nonionic surface active agent: Lutensol A07

* Soil Release Polymer: Texcare SRA 300F

*Photobleach: CIBA TINOLUX BMC SOLID

Optix: PHOTINE CBUS B 560-Superoptix: CBSX

MEASUREMENTS, TEST and EVLUATION METHODS

EVALUATION METHODS

Visual Evaluation: For visual assessment of performance of particulate laundry detergent composition of the present invention, washing tests with selected stains are carried out in the same test conditions. Accordingly; WFK 30000 Polyester fabrics stained with selected stains are cut equally.

Tests were carried out in automated (Miele) washing machine in a 40 min, 800 rpm short washing programme. The detergent amount used in the washing programme was 150 g. The main wash cycle was performed at 20°C. The washed items were then hanged and dried at room temperature. Following the drying, the washed items were ironed and evaluated. The evaluations are reported as an average of four fabrics for each stain.

Thereafter stain removing capacities of both washings are compared by Cross Staining Scale based on the 5-step scale of 1 to 5, where 1 is bad and 5 is good.

Spectrophotometric Evaluation of Soil Release Deterqencv: All test procedure containing; staining, washing and drying were done under the supervision of Bureau Veritas Consumer Products Services Turkey (BV CPS TURKEY); spectrophotometric evaluations were done by BV CPS TURKEY. For spectrophotometric assessment of performance of particulate laundry detergent composition of the present invention, washing tests with selected stains are carried out in the same test conditions. Accordingly; WFK 30000 Polyester fabrics stained with selected stains are cut equally.

Thereafter stain removing capacities of both washings are compared by spectrophotometric evaluation by performing Gretag Macbeth Color Eye 7000 A. Rating is based on the 5-step scale of 1 to 5, where 1 is bad and 5 is good.

Comparative Washing Tests for Cleaning Performance: For the assessment of the cleaning performance of particulate laundry detergent composition of the present invention, washing tests with selected stains are carried out in the same test conditions.

Tests are conducted via Scheffe Panel Score Test. Accordingly; polyester fabrics stained with selected stains are cut equally.

Tests were carried out in automated (Miele Edition W5872) washing machine in a 109 min washing programme including main wash cycle of 49 min and the rest of the time for rinsing and squeezing stages. The detergent amount used in the washing programme was 150 g. The main wash cycle was performed at 40°C. The washed items were then hanged and dried at room temperature. Following the drying, the washed items were ironed and evaluated. The evaluations are an average of eight runs.

Thereafter stain removing capacities of both washings are compared by eye sighting according to Scheffe Panel Score Units on the following scale:

0 No difference

I think this is better

2 I know this is a little better

3 I know this is much better

4 I know this is very much better

Spectrophotometric Evaluation of Brigthness:

For spectrophotometric assessment of performance of particulate laundry detergent composition of the present invention, washing tests with WFK 30000 Polyester fabrics are carried out in the same test conditions.

Tests were carried out in automated (Miele Edition W5872) washing machine in a 109 min washing programme including main wash cycle of 49 min and the rest of the time for rinsing and squeezing stages. The detergent amount used in the washing programme was 150 g. The main wash cycle was performed at 40°C. The washed items were then hanged and dried at room temperature. Following the drying, the washed items were ironed and evaluated. The evaluations are reported as an average of two fabrics. During washing, WFK 10991 Graying Swatches is also added. Thereafter, brightness of both washings are compared by spectrophotometric evaluation by using Konika Minolta Spectrophotometer based on the CIE Lab. Colour Space.

MEASUREMENTS and TEST METHODS

A. SOIL RELEASE and DETERGENCY

Soil Release: Comparative Washing Results of Example 1 and Example 8 Compositions on Selected Stains

Soil release performance of example 1 is determined either visually and spectrophotometrically by using 5 different pure kind stains which are mixed oil, sunflower oil, corn oil, tuna fish oil and sesame oil blended with soybean oil. For this purpose, fabrics are washed at 20°C before and after staining procedure with pure kind stain with example 1 and example 8 under the same conditions. The test results are demonstrated in table 2.

Table 2: Visual and Spectrophotometric Evaluation Results of Soil Removal Performance of Example 1 and Example 8

Soil removal performance of example 1 and example 8 are determined visually for motor oil stain also and according to visual evaluation test results belongs to example 1 and example 8 are 4,0 and 3,5 respectively.

Both visual and spectrophotometric evaluation results shown in table 2 clearly demonstrate that the fabrics rinsed at 20°C with example 1 composition containing soil release polymer are much more easily and effectively cleaned than fabrics rinsed with example 8. The soil release polymer improves the hydrophilicity and wettability of synthetic fabrics by forming films on their surfaces which enables the removal of oily soil and stains.

Single and Multi Wash Deterqency: Comparative Single and Multi Wash Results of Example 1 Composition on Selected Stains

Soil release performance of single and repetitive washings belongs to example 1 was determined either by visually or by spectrophotometrically. For the single wash performance determination, polyester fabrics was not washed before staining procedure and fabrics stained with pure kind stains. After staining, fabrics washed with example 1 composition. For the multi wash performance determination, fabrics were washed at 20°C before and after staining procedure with pure kind stain with example 1 composition. The test results are demonstrated in table 3.

Table 3: Visual and Spectrophotometric Evaluation Results Single and Multi Wash

Performance of Example 1 on Selected Stains

Both visual and spectrophotometric evaluation results shown in table 3 clearly demonstrate that multiple washing of fabrics at 20°C are much more easily and effectively cleaned than single washing of fabrics. The soil release polymer improves the hydrophilicity and wettability of synthetic fabrics by forming films on their surfaces which enables the removal of oily soil and stains. Therefore, the higher the number of washing processes with composition containing soil release polymer, the better the cleaning performance of the composition. B. WHITENESS

Cleaning Performance: Comparative Washing Results of Example 2, 3, 4 and Example 7 Compositions on Selected Stains

The cleaning performance of a cleaning composition can be achieved with the incorporation of bleaching agents and bleach activators and their ratios are also critical. In order to figure out the effective bleaching agent to bleach activator ratio, examples 2,3 ,4 and example 7 which have different ratios are compared under the same conditions and the washing performances of the compositions are mentioned as Scheffe values and demonstrated in table 4. Fabrics are cleaned with the compositions at 40°C washing temperatures.

Table 4: Comparative Scheffe values of Washing Results of Example 2, 3, 4 and Example 7 Compositions on Selected Stains

Scheffe evaluation results shown in table 4 clearly demonstrate that the higher the ratios of bleaching agent to bleach activator, the better cleaning performance. Since example 7 composition has higher bleaching agent to bleach activator ratio, it represents effective cleaning performance at 40°C.

Soil Release Deterqency: Comparative Washing Results of Example 1 and Example 8

Compositions on Selected Stains

The effect of soil release polymer on cleaning performance of a composition is determined with the incorporation of soil release polymer in a composition containing effective bleaching agents to bleach activator ratio. Therefore, examples 1 and example 8 are used for comparison. Both examples have equal bleaching agent to bleach activator ratio but only example 1 contains soil release polymer. Fabrics are cleaned by using both compositions at 40°C washing temperatures. Example 1 and example 2 compositions are compared under the same conditions and the washing performances of the compositions are mentioned as Scheffe values and demonstrated in table 5.

Table 5: Comparative Scheffe Values of Washing Results of Example 1 and Example 8

Compositions on Selected Stains

Scheffe evaluation results shown in table 5 clearly demonstrate that fabrics are more effectively cleaned at 40°C with the use of example 1 composition containing soil release polymer than that of example 8. Example 1 composition improves the cleaning efficiency and performance of the composition since soil release polymer improves the hydrophilicity and wettability of synthetic fabrics by forming films on their surfaces which enables the removal of oily soil and stains.

C. BRIGTHNESS

Brightness Performance: Comparative Washing Results of Example 5, Example 6,

Example 7 and Example 8 Compositions

Brightness performance of the cleaning composition is determined by spectrophotometrically after the fabrics are rinsed and dried. The fabrics are cleaned at 40°C washing temperatures. In order to figure out effective photobleach amount for sufficient brightness, example 5, 6, 7 and 8 are used for comparison since these compositions involve different amount of photobleach.

Test 6: Spectrophotometric Evaluation of Brightness for Example 5, Example 6, Example 7 and Example 8 Compositions

Claims

Spectrophotometric evaluation results of brightness performance shown in table 6 clearly demonstrate that example 7 give lowest brightness value due to the absence of photobleach. Example 5 provides lower brightness than example 6 and example 8 since it contains lesser amount of photobleach. Example 6 and example 8 represent equal brightness although they contain different amount of photobleach. The reason for that after some point, the excessive use of photobleach does not create a recognizable change due to the attainment of saturation. Soil Release Deterqencv: Comparative Washing Results of Example 1 and Example 8 Compositions The effect of soil release polymer on brightness efficiency of a composition is determined with the incorporation of soil release polymer in a composition containing effective photobleach amount. Therefore, examples 1 and example 8 are used for comparison. Both examples have equal photobleach amount but only example 1 contains soil release polymer. Example 1 and example 8 compositions are compared under the same conditions and the brightness performances of the compositions are determined spectrophotometrically and demonstrated in table 7. Test 7: Spectrophotometric Evaluation of Brightness for Example 1 and Example 8 Compositions Spectrophotometric evaluation results shown in table 7 clearly demonstrate that fabrics rinsed with use of example 1 composition containing soil release polymer brighter than that of example 8. Example 1 composition improves brightness performance even after fifth wash since soil release polymer contributes to improved brightness either by protecting the previous brightness via forming film on the fabric surface or by enabling the adsorption of photobleach on the surface of fabrics. CLAIMS

1. A particulate whitening cleaning composition for washing polyester fabrics below 40°C having improved greasy, oily soil removal capabilities comprising, (a) anionic surfactant from 5.0wt.-% to 1 1.0wt.-%, and non-ionic surfactant from 0.5wt.-

% to 4.0wt.-%,

(b) anionic soil release polymer of sulphonated polyester type from 0.1 wt.-% to 1 .5wt.%,

(c) sodium percarbonate from 3.0wt.-% to 20wt.-%,

(d) tetra acetyl ethylene diamine from 1 .0 wt.-% to 6.0 wt.-%,

(e) optical brighteners from 0.05 wt.-% to 1 .5 wt.-%,

(f) photobleach from 0.01 wt.-% to 0.02 wt.-% of the total composition, wherein the composition further comprises a builder system.

2. A builder system according to claim 1 , comprising ;

(a) polyacrylic acid sodium salt from 0.4 wt.- % to 4.0 wt.-%, preferably from 0.5wt.-% to 3.0wt.-%,

(b) sodium silicate from 2.0wt.-% to 9.0 wt.-%, preferably from 3.0wt.-% to 8.0 wt.-%, (c) sodium carbonate from 8.0wt.-% to 25.0 wt.-%, preferably from 10.0wt.-% to 20.0 wt.-% of the total composition.

(d) disilicates/polysilicates soda ash co-granule preferably up to 10%, more preferably up to 5%

by weight of the total composition.

3. A particulate whitening cleaning composition for washing polyester fabrics according to claim 1 , comprising of;

(a) anionic surfactant from 6.0wt.-% to 10.0wt.-%, and non-ionic surfactant from 1 .0wt.-% to 3.0wt.-%,

(b) anionic soil release polymer of sulphonated polyester type from 0.2wt.-% to

1 .2wt.-% of the total composition,

(c) sodium percarbonate from 3.5wt.-% to 17wt.-% of the total composition,

(d) tetra acetyl ethylene diamine from 1 .5wt.-% to 5.0 wt.-% of the total composition

(e) optical brighteners from 0.06 wt.-% to 1 .2 wt.-% of the total composition,

(f) photobleach from 0.012 wt.-% to 0.018 wt.-% of the total composition.

4. A particulate whitening cleaning composition for washing polyester fabrics according to claim 1 comprising anionic surfactant, wherein said anionic surfactant is sodium salt of linear alkyl benzene sulfonic acid.

5. A particulate whitening cleaning composition for washing polyester fabrics according to claim 1 comprising, non-ionic surfactant, wherein said non-ionic surfactant is ethyloxylate of saturated C13-C15 alcohol, with 5-9 ethoxy , preferably with 7 ethoxy groups.

6. A particulate whitening cleaning composition for washing polyester fabrics according to claim 1 comprising anionic soil release polymer, wherein said anionic soil release polymer is comprised from sulphonates polyester, end-capped sulphonated polyester, carboxylate terminated polyester and mixtures thereof.

7. A particulate whitening cleaning composition for washing polyester fabrics according to claim 1 comprising optical brighteners, wherein said optical brighteners are selected from diphenylethylene triazine, 4,4'-bis(2-sodium sulfonate stryl) biphenyl compounds, their derivatives and mixtures thereof.

8. A particulate whitening cleaning composition for washing polyester fabrics according to claiml comprising photobleach, wherein said photobleach is sulphonated tetrabenzo-tetraazaporphine or its derivatives.

9. A particulate whitening cleaning composition for washing polyester fabrics according to claim 1 , comprising;

(a) 8.0 wt.-% sodium salt of linear alkyl benzene sulfonic acid and 1 .5 wt.-% ethyloxylate of saturated C13-C15 alcohol with 7 ethoxy groups

(b) 1 .0 wt.-% anionic soil release polymer of sulphonated polyester

(c) 17.0 wt.-% sodium percarbonate

(d) 1 .6 wt.-% tetra acetyl ethylene diamine

(e) 0.1 wt.-% optical brighteners wherein the said optical brighteners comprising 0.08 wt.-% diphenylethylene triazine and 0.02 wt.-% 4,4'-bis(2-sodium sulfonate stryl) biphenyl

(f) 0.015wt.-% sulphonated tetrabenzo-tetraazaporphine

(g) builder system involving;

(i)1 .5 wt.-% polyacrylic acid sodium salt, (ii) 4.0wt.-% sodium silicate,

(iii) 17,5wt.-% sodium carbonate and,

(iv) 4.0wt.-% disilicates/polysilicates soda ash co-granule.

10. A particulate whitening cleaning composition for washing polyester fabrics according to preceding claims, wherein said composition further comprises phosphonates, cellulosic polymers, fillers, enzymes, foam suppressors, colored speckles and perfumes.