Stable microemulsion disinfecting detergent composition

Abstract

Low viscosity and high pH disinfecting and bleaching all purpose cleaning compositions in microemulsion form, suitable in both concentrated and diluted forms for applying to surfaces to be cleaned and disinfected or sanitized, include hypochlorite, higher alcohol sulfate and higher paraffin sulfonate detergents, higher fatty acid soap, alkali metal hydroxide, liquid hydrocarbon, perfume, periodate, branched lower alcohol co-surfactant and water. The compositions are of improved lipophilic soil removing capability when diluted with water, are of about equivalent such capability in neat or concentrated form and are of significantly better hypochlorite stability on aging at room and elevated temperatures, compared to other microemulsion cleaners that contain hypochlorite. Their low viscosities facilitate spraying them from squeeze bottles or pump sprayers onto surfaces to be cleaned and disinfected or sanitized, such as floors and walls. The absence of any builder salts allows uses of the compositions, especially in diluted form, to clean surfaces without the need for rinsing (wiping sufficing), and the cleaned surfaces are not objectionably streaky afterward. The concentrated microemulsions are effective removers of mildew from bathroom tub and shower tiles, and other surfaces, but in such cases rinsing is usually desirable. Also described are processes for the manufacture and use of the described cleaning compositions.