The Clorox Company

Barbara H Munk

William L Smith

Thomas S Coyne

David W Colborn

Carolyn P Emrie

Compositions effective in removing protein, fat and/or starch based stains as well as oil and grease based stains from fabrics comprise organic solvents admixed with surfactants and an enzyme component wherein the enzymes are dissolved in aqueous solution and the aqueous solution is, in turn, dispersed as reversed micelles within the solvent/surfactant mixture. Encapsulating the enzymes in reversed micelles protects them from degradation by the solvents and thereby prolongs the effectiveness of the enzymes for extended periods of time. The total water content of the compositions is kept below 5 weight % so that the compositions' oil and grease stain removal ability remains unimpaired.

Method of improving the storage life of liquid compositions containing

An aqueous laundry prewash composition includes a cosurfactant system with a hydrophobic nonionic surfactant and a hydrophilic nonionic surfactant providing balanced detergency, a hydrotrope for stabilizing the cosurfactant system, a thickener and water forming the balance of the composition. A thickened aqueous laundry prewash composition is also disclosed including a surfactant system, water and a thickener being xanthan gum to develop a pourable product wherein shear caused by dispensing of the composition tends to reduce its viscosity. An aqueous laundry prewash composition thickened in a similar manner maintains in suspension an insoluble particle component to further enhance prewash characteristics.

Thickened aqueous prewash composition

Most conventional animal litters develop malodors fairly quickly. An animal litter in accordance with the present invention selectively releases an odor masking component in response to agitation of the litter by an animal. The animal litter comprises absorbant particles having microcapsules affixed to exterior surfaces of at least some of the absorbant particles. The microcapsules encapsulate the odor masking component, which is released when the microcapsules are ruptured.

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Albany, CA, United States of America

Barbara H Munk