The present invention relates to a mon-phase laundry composition, to a method of for washing a garment and to the use of said laundry composition.

Background

Consumers associate desirability and wearability of a garment with characteristics such as e.g. whiteness, absence of wrinkles, absence of stains, absence of color fading, absence of unwanted loose threads, etcetera. It is preferred when one or more of these characteristics are achieved in a simple way and preferably after treating or washing a garment after only one time.

Regular laundry compositions are useful for cleaning clothes, meaning that grime and dirt are removed. However, for the removal of stains and optionally the removal of loose threads, additional laundry compositions need to be used. Current laundry compositions might provide improved whiteness, but this is normally not achieved after only one wash. In addition, current laundry compositions either eliminate loose threads from garments or remove stains from these; and again, these results are not always achieved after only one wash.

Furthermore, compositions in the market for the removal of stains and/or removal of loose threads and/or whiteness improvement appear as dual-phase compositions, which need to be mixed by the consumer before using these.

EP 1123374 A1 describes fabric care compositions, which after being applied to a garment, would produce a garment having some of the above-mentioned characteristics. WO2015/121134 describes a laundry detergent composition comprising a combination of enzymes for maintaining or improving whiteness of a textile. However, these documents are silent about improved whiteness, removal of stains, grim, dirt, and, optionally removal of loose threads, at the same time, and after only one wash of said garment or textile.

Therefore, there is a need of a mono-phase laundry composition that not only removes grime and dirt, but that also provides improved whiteness and that removes stains, after only one wash. With other words, there is a need of a mono-phase laundry composition, which after only one wash, provides a combined effect of improved whiteness and stain removal, and preferably elimination of loose threads. When referring to loose threads it is meant the small parts of the fibres of a fabric to which dirt and grime attach; this means that, within the scope of this disclosure, the elimination of loose threads refers to the elimination of the small parts of the fibres of a fabric and not to the elimination of complete fibres as such. By eliminating loose threads, a garment looks cleaner and rejuvenated.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a mono-phase laundry composition that breaks down dirt and grime, providing whiteness improvement and stain removal from a garment, after only one wash. Preferably the mono-phase laundry composition also removes unwanted loose threads from the garment.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for washing a garment for the removal of dirt and grime, whiteness improvement and removal of stains from the garment.

Summary of the invention

In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a mono-phase liquid laundry composition comprising one or more non-ionic surfactants, one or more optical brighteners, and a combination of enzymes, wherein the combination of enzymes comprises at least one amylase, at least one mannanase, at least one lipase, and at least one exocellulase.

In one embodiment, said one or more optical brighteners are selected from the group consisting of stilbene, benzidine, benzothiazole, benzimidazole, benzoxazole, coumarin, pyrazoline, naphtalimide, naphtoxazole, distyryl-biphenyl, benzonitrile, benzopyrazole, including their derivatives and substituted compounds, and combinations thereof; preferably said one or more optical brighteners are selected from the group consisting of 4,4’-bis(2-sulphostyryl)diphenyl, 7-Diethylamino-4-methylcoumarin, benzoxazole, 2,2'- (1 ,2-ethenediyl) bis[5-methyl] including their substituted compounds, and combinations thereof; more preferably said one or more optical brighteners are selected from the group consisting of 4,4’-bis(2-sulphostyryl)diphenyl, 7-Diethylamino-4-methylcoumarin including their substituted compounds, and combinations thereof

In another embodiment, the composition comprises between 0.01 wt.% and 5 wt.% of the one or more optical brighteners, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.05 wt.% and 4 wt.%, more preferably between 0.05 wt.% and 3 wt.%, even more preferably between 0.1 wt.% and 0.5 wt.% ln an embodiment, the composition comprises: between 0.01 and 5 wt.% of the at least one mannanase, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.1 and 1 wt.%; and/or between 0.01 and 5 wt.% of the at least one lipase, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.05 and 4 wt.%, more preferably between 0.1 wt.% and 3.0 wt.%, even more preferably between 0.5 wt.% and 2.5 wt.%; and/or between 0.1 and 10 wt.% of the at least one exocellulase, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.5 wt.% and 5 wt.%, more preferably between 1 wt.% and 4 wt.%, even more preferably between 1 wt.% and 3 wt.%; and/or between 0.01 and 5 wt.% of the at least one amylase, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.05 wt.% and 4 wt.%, more preferably between 0.1 wt.% and 3 wt.%, even more preferably between 0.5 wt.% and 2.5 wt.%.

In another embodiment, the composition comprises between 1 wt.% and 30 wt.% of the one or more non-ionic surfactants, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 5 wt.% and 25 wt.%, more preferably between 5 wt.% and 20 wt.%, even more preferably between 10 wt.% and 20 wt.%.

In an embodiment, the one or more non-ionic surfactants have the formula R ¹ (CH2CH2O) _n OH; wherein R ¹ is an alkyl moiety having between 10 and 24 carbon atoms, and n has a value of from 1 to 10, preferably wherein R ¹ is a C12-16 moiety or any combinations thereof and n has a value from 3 to 7.

In another embodiment, the composition has a pH of between 4 and 9, preferably between 4.5 and 8, more preferably between 5 and 7, even more preferably between 5.5 and 6.5, measured at 20°C.

In an embodiment, the composition further comprises between 1 wt.% and 20 wt.% of an anionic surfactant, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 2 wt.% and 15 wt.%, more preferably between 3 wt.% and 10 wt.%, even more preferably between 3 wt.% and 5 wt.%.

In a second aspect, the invention relates to a method for washing a garment, comprising: - washing a garment with the composition according to the first aspect of the invention; or

- washing a garment with a mixture comprising a laundry detergent composition and the composition according to the first aspect of the invention; or a) pre-treating the garment with the composition according to the first aspect of the invention; and b) washing the pre-treated garment of step a) with the composition according to the first aspect of the invention, or a laundry detergent composition, or with a mixture comprising a laundry detergent composition and the composition according to the first aspect of the invention.

In a third aspect, the invention relates to a use of the mono-phase liquid laundry composition according to the first aspect of the invention as an auxiliary of a laundry detergent composition

In a fourth aspect, the invention relates to a use of the mono-phase liquid laundry composition according to the first aspect of the invention for the washing of clothes in a washing machine.

In a fifth aspect, the invention relates to a use of the mono-phase liquid laundry composition according to the first aspect of the invention for the removal of stains from clothes and preferably for the improvement of whiteness of said clothes.

In an embodiment of the fifth aspect, the invention relates to the use of the mono-phase liquid laundry composition for the further removal of loose threads from clothes.

Definitions

The following definitions are used in the present application.

“Rejuvenation of clothes” or “Rejuvenation of a garment” as used in the present application means: treatment or washing of clothes or a garment to eliminate dirt and grime, eliminate loosed threads, and to remove stains. With other words, it is the treatment of clothes or a garment to provide the combined effect of eliminating dirt and grime, eliminating loose threads and removing stains. It will be understood that in the case of white textiles, whiteness is also recovered in the clothes or garment. “Ganz value I Instrumental evaluation” as used in the present application means: whiteness degree simulated as Ganz-Griesser value as specified in the A.I.S.E. Laundry detergent testing guidelines.

“Soft water” as used in the present application means: water having a content of calcium carbonate, CaCO3, of less than 60 ppm, preferably less than 50 ppm.

“Amylases” as used in the present application means: class of enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of starch into sugars such as glucose and maltose.

“Mannanases” as used in the present application means: class of enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of mannose derivatives.

“Mannose” as used in the present application means: sugar monomer of the aldohexose series of carbohydrates.

“Lipases” as used in the present application means: class of enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of fats or lipids.

“Exocellulases” as used in the present application means: class of cellulases that hydrolyze glycoside links at the ends of cellulose chains.

“Laundry composition” as used in the present application means: compositions which can be used for pre-treating a garment before washing the garment with a laundry detergent, and/or that can be used alone for washing a garment, and/or that can be used together with the laundry detergent during washing of the garment, and/or that can be used as a rinse cycle composition. In other words, the laundry composition can be used alone for washing a garment or can be used as a laundry additive.

“Laundry detergent composition” as used in the present application means: composition used solely for the cleaning of garments and whose main action is the removal of grim and dirt, comprising a builder and not having lipases.

“Laundry additive” as used in the present application means: composition which is used for providing a specific consumer benefit, such as: removal of stains, whiteness improvement, elimination of unwanted pilling from garments, elimination of loose threads, sanitisation of garments, and/or disinfection of garments. This means that the mean action of a laundry additive is not the removal or grim and dirt. Furthermore, a laundry additive is commonly used as a pre-treatment or together with a laundry detergent composition.

Detailed description of the invention

In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a mono-phase liquid laundry composition comprising one or more non-ionic surfactants, one or more optical brighteners, and a combination of enzymes, wherein the combination of enzymes comprises at least one amylase, at least one mannanase, at least one lipase, and at least one exocellulase.

By mono-phase liquid laundry composition it is meant that, macroscopically, it consists of one liquid phase.

This specific combination of non-ionic surfactants, optical brightener and enzymes is responsible for the rejuvenation of a garment, i.e. , the combined effect of elimination of grime and dirt, stain removal, whiteness improvement and elimination of unwanted loose threads from garments.

The person skilled in the art will understand that loose threads appear due to wearing and washing of a garment. These loose threads are different to unwanted pilling; whilst the first might not be that remarkable, the second are very remarkable and noticeable to the naked eye. Loose threads contribute to the accumulation of dirt and grime; therefore, when these are removed, a garment appears cleaner or with an improved whiteness.

It is believed that said at least one exocellulase is responsible for the removal of loose threads.

The composition may comprise one or more optical brighteners that are selected from the group consisting of stilbene, benzidine, benzothiazole, benzimidazole, benzoxazole, coumarin, pyrazoline, naphtalimide, naphtoxazole, distyryl-biphenyl, benzonitrile, benzopyrazole, including their derivatives and substituted compounds, and any combinations thereof; preferably said one or more optical brighteners are selected from the group consisting of 4,4’-bis(2-sulphostyryl)diphenyl, 7-Diethylamino-4- methylcoumarin, benzoxazole, 2,2'-(1 ,2-ethenediyl) bis[5-methyl] their substituted compounds, and any combinations thereof; more preferably said one or more optical brighteners are selected from the group consisting of 4,4’-bis(2-sulphostyryl)diphenyl, 7- Diethylamino-4-methylcoumarin including their substituted compounds, and combinations thereof.

The present inventors have observed that, in particular, 4,4’-bis(2-sulphostyryl)diphenyl, 7-Diethylamino-4-methylcoumarin including their substituted compounds, provide superior benefits, considering whiteness improvement.

The composition may comprise between 0.01 wt.% and 5 wt.% of the one or more optical brighteners, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.05 and 4 wt.%, more preferably between 0.05 wt.% and 3 wt.%, even more preferably between 0.1 wt.% and 0.5 wt.%.

The composition may comprise, for example: between 0.01 wt.% and 5 wt.% of the at least one mannanase, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.1 wt.% and 1 wt.%; and/or between 0.01 wt.% and 5 wt.% of the at least one lipase, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.05 wt.% and 4 wt.%, more preferably between 0.1 wt.% and 3.0 wt.%, even more preferably between 0.5 wt.% and 2.5 wt.%; and/or between 0.1 wt.% and 10 wt.% of the at least one exocellulase, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.5 wt.% and 5 wt.%, more preferably between 1 wt.% and 4 wt.%, even more preferably between 1 wt.% and 3 wt.%; and/or between 0.01 wt.% and 5 wt.% of the at least one amylase, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.05 wt.% and 4 wt.%, more preferably between 0.1 wt.% and 3 wt.%, even more preferably between 0.5 wt.% and 2.5 wt.%.

It will be appreciated by the skilled person that the levels of enzyme quoted are the levels of raw material (i.e. , enzyme preparation) added to the admixture. Enzymes sold for use in detergency are not provided in pure form but are provided as mixtures enzyme plus other excipients necessary to stabilise the enzyme. Typically, such preparations only contain less than 10 wt.% of enzyme, normally less than 5 wt.% of enzyme. Non-ionic surfactant

The amount of the one or more non-ionic surfactants in the laundry composition may be between 1 wt.% and 30 wt.%, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 5 wt.% and 25 wt.%, more preferably between 5 wt.% and 20 wt.%, even more preferably between 10 wt.% and 20 wt.%.

Examples of non-ionic surfactants are ethoxylated alcohols and ethoxylated alkyl phenols having the formula R ¹ (OCH2CH2) _n OH; wherein R ¹ is an aliphatic hydrocarbon radicals containing between 10 and 24 carbon atoms or alkyl phenyl radicals in which the alkyl groups contain from 10 to 22 carbon atoms; and n has an average value of from 1 to 10.

Preferably, the one or more non-ionic surfactants have the formula R ¹ (OCH2CH2) _n OH; wherein R ¹ is an alkyl moiety having between 10 and 24 carbon atoms, and n has an average value of from 1 to 10, preferably wherein R ¹ is a C12-16 moiety or any combinations thereof and n has a value from 3 to 7.

For example, the one or more non-ionic surfactants may have an R ¹ defined as being a C12-14 moiety, in which the alkyl moiety has between 12 and 14 carbon atoms. For example, the one or more non-ionic surfactants may have an R ¹ defined as being a C12- 16 moiety, in which the alkyl moiety has between 12 and 16 carbon atoms. The one or more non-ionic surfactants may comprise a combination of surfactants, in which a first surfactant has an R ¹ defined as being a C12-14 moiety and a second surfactant has an R ¹ defined as being a C12-16 moiety, and n has a value from 3 to 7.

For example, when n is defined being 7, it is meant that n has an average value of 7. For example, when n is defined as being 3, it is meant that n has an average value of 3.

Examples of non-ionic surfactants having the formula R ¹ (OCH2CH2) _n OH; wherein R ¹ is a C12-14 moiety and n is 7, are Marlipal ® 24/70 by Sasol and Rokanol ® L7A by PCC Exol S.A.

Examples of non-ionic surfactants having the formula R ¹ (OCH2CH2) _n OH; wherein R ¹ is a C12-16 moiety and n is 3, are Novel ® 1216 CO-3 by Sasol and Rokanol ® L3A by PCC Exol SA. Organic solvent

The composition may comprise an organic solvent that is miscible with water. Examples of organic solvents that are miscible with water are glycols, glycerine or an alcohol. It is preferred that the organic solvent is glycerin.

Glycerin, besides being an organic solvent is also an enzyme stabilizer.

When an organic solvent is present in the composition, it is present in a range of between 5 wt.% and 30 wt.%, preferably between 7 wt.% and 25 wt.%, based on the total weight of the composition. For example, the organic solvent can be present in a range of between 9 wt.% and 15 wt.%, based on the total weight of the composition. Preferably said organic solvent is glycerin.

In a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises between 5 wt.% and 30 wt.% of an organic solvent, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 7 wt.% and 25 wt.%, more preferably between 9 wt.% and 15 wt.%; wherein said organic solvent is soluble in water and is selected from the group consisting of glycols, glycerin, alcohols and combinations thereof, even more preferably wherein said organic solvent is glycerin. pH modifier

The compositions according to the invention may also comprise a pH modifier, i.e. a source of acidity or a source of alkalinity, to obtain the desired pH, on dissolution. A source of acidity may suitably be any suitable acidic compound for example a polycarboxylic acid. A source of alkalinity may suitably be any suitable basic compound for example any salt of a strong base and a weak acid. For example, a source of alkalinity may be a carbonate or bicarbonate (such as the alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salts). When an alkaline composition is desired silicates are amongst the suitable sources of alkalinity. Other materials commonly used as a source of alkalinity are NaOH (sodium hydroxide), and Tri- Di - or Monoethanolamine; while sulfuric acid is commonly used as a source of acidity. Conventional amounts of the alkalinity or acidity source may be used. For example, the laundry compositions according to the invention may comprise between 0.5 wt.% and 10 wt.% of a pH modifier, for example between 0.5 wt.% and 5 wt.%, based on the total weight of the formulation.

In an embodiment, the mono-phase liquid laundry composition has a pH of between 4 and 9, preferably between 4.5 and 8, more preferably between 5 and 7, even more preferably between 5.5 and 6.5, measured at 20°C.

It should be noted that the present inventors have observed that the pH influences the efficacy of the formulation. For example, at a pH higher than approximately 9 and lower than approximately 4, the performance of the formulation decreases, i.e. the whiteness improvement and/or the elimination of unwanted threads from garments and/or the removal of stains. Furthermore, the inventors have observed that activity of the enzymes is the best within a pH ranging from between 5.5 to 6.5.

In a preferred embodiment, the mono-phase liquid laundry composition comprises: between 0.1 wt.% and 0.5 wt.% of one or more optical brighteners, preferably selected from the gorup consisting of 4,4’-bis(2-sulphostyryl)diphenyl, 7- Diethylamino-4-methylcoumarin including their substituted compounds, and combinations thereof; between 0.1 wt.% and 1 wt.% of at least one mannananase, between 0.5 wt.% and 2.5 wt.%. of at least one lipase; between 1 wt.% and 3 wt.% of at least one exocellulase; between 0.5 wt.% and 2.5 wt.% of at least one amylase; between 10 wt.% and 20 wt.% of one or more non-ionic surfactants, preferably having the formula R ¹ (OCH2CH2) _n OH; wherein R ¹ is an alkyl moiety having between 10 and 24 carbon atoms, and n has an average value of from 1 to 10, more preferably wherein R ¹ is a C12-16 moiety or any combinations thereof and n has a value from 3 to 7; between 9 wt.% and 15 wt.% of an organic solvent, wherein preferably said organic solvent is glycerin; based on the total weight of the laundry composition, and wherein the composition has a pH of between 5.5 and 6.5, measured at 20°C. In a preferred embodiment the mono-phase liquid laundry composition has a viscosity at 20 °C and 20 rpm, measured with a Brookfield rheometer DV-II + Pro, of between 100 mPa s and 1000 mPa s, preferably between 100 mPa s and 500 mPa s.

The composition may include one or more additional ingredients selected from the group consisting of chelating agents, dye-transfer inhibitors, anti-fading agents, anti-bacterial agents, preservatives, fabric softeners, anti-static agents, fragrances, odor absorbing components, thickeners, and dyes.

Chelating agent

The composition may include a chelating agent such as water-soluble polyphosphonates, such as diphosphonates including sodium, potassium, and lithium salts of ethane-1-hydroxy-1 ,1-diphosphonic acid; sodium, potassium and lithium salts of methylenediphosphonic acid; sodium, potassium salts of hydroxyalkylidene diphosphonic acids, and the like.

The chelating agent may also be dialkylene polyacetic acids or salts thereof, for example, diethylene pentacetic acid or a salt thereof, such as the pentasodium salt.

Optionally the chelating agent is an acrylic acid/acrylate polymer, for example polyacrylic acid or a copolymer which includes acrylic acid as a monomer unit

A preferred class of chelating agents, especially in the acidic liquid, is the alkali metal salts of aliphatic hydroxydi- or hydroxy-tricarboxylic acids. Suitable compounds include the alkali metal salts of malic, tartaric, isocitric, trihydroxyglutaric and, especially, citric acid. Sodium salts are generally preferred. An especially preferred compound of this class is sodium citrate.

Some chelating agents, such as 3 sodium citrate, are also used as pH modifiers.

When one or more chelating agents are present in the composition, it is present in a range of between 0.1 and 10 wt.%, preferably between 0.25 and 5 wt.%, more preferably between 0.5 and 1 wt.%, based on the total weight of the composition. Anionic surfactant

The composition may further comprise any conventional anionic surfactant or a mixture of them used in detergent products. These include, for example, the alkyl benzene sulfonic acids and their salts as well as alkoxylated or non-alkoxylated alkyl sulfate materials. The anionic surfactants may be present in acid form or in neutralized (e.g., salt) form. The anionic surfactants may be linear, branched, or a mixture thereof. An example of an anionic surfactant is sodium cumenesulphonate.

Examples of anionic surfactants are the alkali metal salts of C -ie alkyl benzene sulphonic acids or Cn-u alkyl benzene sulphonic acids.

Another exemplary type of anionic surfactant is alkoxylated alkyl sulphate surfactants, such as ethoxylated alkyl sulphate surfactants. Such materials are also known as alkyl ether sulphates or alkyl polyethoxylate sulphates.

Alkyl ether sulphates are generally available in the form of mixtures comprising varying R' chain lengths and varying degrees of ethoxylation. Frequently such mixtures also contain some non- ethoxylated alkyl sulphate ("AS") materials.

In a preferred embodiment, the composition further comprises between 1 wt.% and 15 wt.% of the at least one endocellulase, preferably between 3 wt.% and 10 t.%, more preferably between 4 wt.% and 5 wt.%, based on the total weight of the composition.

By further adding at least one endocellulase to the composition, a further benefit is achieved: removal of unwanted pilling from a garment.

In a second aspect, the invention relates to a method for washing a garment, comprising:

- washing a garment with the composition according to the first aspect of the invention; or

- washing a garment with a mixture comprising a laundry detergent composition and the composition according to the first aspect of the invention; or a) pre-treating the garment with the composition according to the first aspect of the invention; and b) washing the pre-treated garment of step a) with the composition according to the first aspect of the invention, or a laundry detergent composition, or with a mixture comprising a laundry detergent composition and the composition according to the first aspect of the invention.

The garment may be made of a wide range of materials, such as cotton, linen, and synthetic materials.

A garment may be washed by adding certain amount; e.g. 100 mL, of the composition according to the first aspect of the invention to a washing machine and washing the garment following a regular cycle of said machine.

Optionally, a garment may be washed with a mixture comprising a regular detergent composition and the laundry composition according to the first aspect of the invention. This mixture may be added to a washing machine and the garment may be then washed following a regular cycle of said machine. The proportion in weight of regular detergent composition to the laundry composition according to the invention in the mixture may be (weight of detergent composition : weight of composition according to the invention) 5:1 , for example 4:1 , preferably 3: 1 , or even 2:1 or 1 : 1.

A garment may be also washed by firstly pre-treating the garment with the composition according to the first aspect of the invention and then washing the pre-treated garment using a regular cycle of a washing machine to which, the composition according to the invention, or a regular laundry detergent composition or a mixture comprising a laundry detergent composition and the laundry composition according to the invention has been added. Said pre-treatment comprises for example applying an effective amount of the composition according to the first aspect to a stain on the garment, allowing the composition to act for certain amount of time, for example 1 to 45 minutes, preferably 10 minutes, and rubbing it against itself.

The present inventors have observed that, although the washing of a garment with the composition according to the invention or with a mixture comprising a laundry detergent composition and the composition according to invention leads to a garment from which dirt, grime, unwanted loose threads and stains are removed and whiteness is recovered or improved; however, surprisingly, the best results are obtained when the garment is pre-treated with the composition according to the invention and then washed. In a third aspect, the invention relates to a use of the mono-phase liquid laundry composition according to the first aspect of the invention as an auxiliary of a laundry detergent composition.

A regular laundry detergent composition normally removes dirt and grim from clothes; however, when the composition according to the first aspect of the invention is used, not only dirt and grim are removed from a garment, but also whiteness is improved or recovered, stains are removed and, optionally, unwanted loose threads are eliminated.

In at least one embodiment, the compositions according to the present invention are capable of improving whiteness of the subject garment, using a Datacolor 650 spectrophotometer and determining the Ganz whiteness degree, from its pre-treated whiteness by at least 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, or 40 points. In a preferred embodiment, the improvement in whiteness is at least by 20 points.

In a fourth aspect, the invention relates to a use of the mono-phase liquid laundry composition according to the first aspect of the invention for the washing of clothes in a washing machine.

In a fifth aspect, the invention relates to a use of the mono-phase liquid laundry composition according to the first aspect of the invention for the removal of stains from clothes and preferably for the improvement of whiteness of said clothes.

In an embodiment of the fifth aspect, the invention relates to a use of a mono-phase liquid laundry composition according to the first aspect of the invention for the further removal of loose threads from clothes.

It will be understood that the use according to the fifth aspect of the invention encompasses removal of stains preferably combined with improvement of whiteness of said clothes and preferably combined with the removal of loose threads from clothes.

In an embodiment of the fifth aspect, the invention relates to the use of a mono-phase laundry liquid composition according to the first aspect of the invention for the combined removal of stains, improvement of whites and removal of loose threads from clothes.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to a use of the mono-phase liquid laundry composition according to the first aspect of the invention for the combined removal of loose threads, stains and unwanted pilling from clothes. The foregoing aspects may be freely combined with any of the foregoing aspects disclosed herein.

The invention will be further described, by way of example, with the reference to the following non-limiting embodiments.

Formulations

The formulation shown in Table 1 is a formulation according to the invention. This formulation has a pH between 5.5 - 6.5.

Table 1. Laundry composition

The viscosity of formulation 1 was measured with a Brookfield rheometer DV-II + Pro, at 20 rpm at 20°C, and this value was 350 cP ± 100 cP.

In formulation 1, specification of the components is the following:

• Caustic soda: sodium hydroxide solution of 50% in H2O.

• Sulfonic acid: sulfonic acid solution with 96% purity.

• Non-ionic surfactants: mixture of o C12-C14 fatty acid alcohol with an average ethoxylation of 7, being Rokanol L7A by PCC Exol S.A.; o C12-C16 alcohol with an average ethoxylation of 3, being Rokanol L3A by PCC Exol SA.

• Mannanase: Mannan endo-1 ,4-beta-mannosidase - Mannaway 4.0 L. • Amylase: a - amylase - Amplify Prime 100 L.

• Exocellulase: Celluclean 5000 L.

• Lipase: Lipex Evity 200 L.

• Optical Brighteners: mixture of o (4,4’-bis(2-sulphostyryl)diphenyl); and o (7-Diethylamino-4-methylcoumarin)

• The amount of the enzymes is presented as raw materials.

• Additional ingredients: chelating agents, preservative, dyes and fragrance.

Performance tests

Fabrics

Whiteness and loose threads

The samples that were used for demonstrating the whiteness improvement provided by the composition according to the invention are cotton fabrics. These fabrics, which were initially white, do not appear white (i.e. yellow or grey) to the naked eye due to use and washing of the garment.

In addition, a black-white stripped fabric is used, which not only does not appear white to the naked eye, but also has loose threads. This stripped fabric is also a cotton fabric.

Stained fabrics

Standard stained fabrics were used for demonstrating the stain-removal properties of the composition according to the invention.

Washings

The fabrics were washed in a washing machine, with the following specifications: Washing machine: Miele W3164; Washing program: cotton, Washing temperature: 40°C; Drying method: Tumble drier.

The regular liquid detergent was Ariel liquid detergent as sold in the United Kingdom. Washinq A: with 35m L of the regular liquid detergent added to the washing machine.

Washing B: with 35mL of the regular liquid detergent and 36,7 mL of a composition not according to the invention for stain removal (OxiClean™); both added to the washing machine

Washing 1 : with 100 mL of the formulation shown in Table 1 ; composition according to the invention; added to the washing machine.

Washing 2: with 35mL of the regular liquid detergent and 100 mL of the formulation shown in Table 1 ; composition according to the invention, both added to the washing machine.

Washing 3: pre-treatment of a stained fabric with 2mL of the formulation shown in Table 1 , i.e. the laundry composition according to the invention. The pre-treated stained fabric was washed with 35 mL of the regular liquid detergent and 98 mL of the formulation shown in Table 1 , which were added to the washing machine.

The pre-treatment in washing 3 is performed by adding 2mL of the formulation shown in Table 1 to the stained fabric, waiting 10 minutes and then rubbing the stained fabric 5 times back and forth.

It should be noted that the total amount of the formulation shown in Table 1 and used in washing 3 is 100 mL. This means that if, for example, three stained fabrics are pre-treated, then 2 mL of the formulation shown in Table 1 are used per stain, and 94 mL are used for the washing in the washing machine.

Whiteness recovery and removal of loose threads after one wash

Whiteness performance was determined using a Datacolor 650 spectrophotometer and by determining the Ganz whiteness degree. A higher Ganz whiteness degree corresponds to a better whitening performance. It should be noted that 20 points of difference or more are clearly visible to the naked eye.

The samples that were used for these experiments are fabrics that do not appear white (i.e. yellow or grey) to the naked eye. Removal of loose threads (stripped garment) was determined visually.

The results relating to whiteness recovery and removal of loose threads are shown in Table 2.

Table 2. Whiteness recovery

The results in Table 2, show that for the three fabrics tested, the formulation shown in Table 1 provides better results than the detergent, i.e. whiteness is better. It should be noted that in the striped fabric, not only whiteness is recovered, but also loose threads are removed and the black stripped is brighter, meaning that the fabric looked rejuvenated.

Stain removal after one wash

Stained fabrics were treated according to different “washings” as previously described. In table 3, stain removal performance of different “washings” is compared with respect to stain removal of a regular liquid detergent, i.e. Washing A. In table 3, “0” means no difference regarding stain removal performance, compared to Washing A, “+” means improved stain removal performance.

Table 3. Stain removal after one wash

From table 3, it is clear that, the laundry composition according to the invention, either when used alone, for pre-treating a garment, or in combination with a laundry detergent composition, removes stains from the clothes. It should be noted that this is achieved after just one wash of the garment or clothing. In addition, stained fabrics were treated according to different “washings” as previously described. In table 4, stain removal performance of different “washings” is compared with respect to:

• stain removal of a regular liquid detergent, i.e. Washing A; and

• stain removal of a composition not according to the invention for stain removal (OxiClean™); i.e. Washing B.

In table 4, “0” means no difference regarding stain removal performance, compared to Washing A or Washing B, “+” means improved stain removal performance.

Table 4. Stain removal after one wash

From table 4, it is clear that the laundry composition according to the invention provides a better performance than either the regular detergent or the stain-removal composition not according to the invention. It should be noted that this is achieved after just one wash of the garment or clothing. The results show that the composition according to the invention provides an improved whiteness and stain removal. It also provides removal of loose threads, which leads to a garment that looks cleaner, whiter and rejuvenated. These effects are obtained after just one wash.

While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative forms, it is to be understood that specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example which are not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed; on the contrary the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the scope and spirit of the invention.

Hence one or more objects of the present invention are achieved by the present which is further elucidated in the appended claims.