Scouring composition

Abstract

According to the present invention there is provided a composition suitable for removing metal stains, for example rust stains from hard surfaces comprising C1-6 carboxylic acid and an abrasive particulate component having hardness from 2 to 4 as measured according to the MOHS scale.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A scouring composition comprising a C1-6 carboxylic acid and an abrasive particulate component having hardness from 2 to 4 as measured according to the MOHS scale.  
     
     
         2 . A scouring composition according to any preceding claim wherein the composition is in particulate, liquid, gel or paste form.  
     
     
         3 . A scouring composition according to any preceding claim wherein the acid is selected from the group consisting of formic acid, sulphamic acid, hydroxyacetic acid, citric acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, thioglycolic acid, thiomalic acid, oxalic acid and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         4 . A scouring composition according to any preceding claim wherein the acid is oxalic acid.  
     
     
         5 . A scouring composition according to any preceding claim wherein the acid is present at a level of from 8% to 16% by weight of the composition.  
     
     
         6 . A scouring composition according to any preceding claim wherein the abrasive component is calcium carbonate.  
     
     
         7 . A scouring composition according to any preceding claims wherein the abrasive is in particulate form having an average particle size in the range of from 5 to 100 microns.  
     
     
         8 . A scouring composition according to any preceding claims wherein the abrasive is present at a level if from 75% to 90% by weight of the composition.  
     
     
         9 . A scouring composition according to any preceding claims wherein the weight ratio of carboxylic acid to abrasive is in the range of 1:7 to 1:8.  
     
     
         10 . A scouring composition according to any preceding claim wherein the composition additionally comprises a surfactant.  
     
     
         11 . A scouring composition according to  claim 10 , wherein said surfactant is a mixture of nonionic surfactants.  
     
     
         12 . A process of manufacturing a composition according to any of the preceding claims comprising the steps of: 
 a) premixing the abrasive and any wet or water-containing ingredients;    b) drying the premix formed in the preceding step to achieve a composition having a moisture content of less than 10% water; and    c) subsequently mixing the substantially dry premix formed in the preceding step with the carboxylic acid.    
     
     
         13 . A process according to  claim 12  wherein the abrasive is calcium carbonate and the carboxylic acid is oxalic acid.  
     
     
         14 . A process of treating a hard surface comprising the steps of contacting the hard surface with a scouring composition comprising carboxylic acid and an abrasive according to any of  claims 1  to  11 .  
     
     
         15 . A process according to  claim 14  wherein before and/or after treating the surface with the composition the surface is rinsed with water.  
     
     
         16 . A process according to either of claims  14  or  15  wherein the composition is applied using a cloth, sponge or other application device.  
     
     
         17 . The use of calcium carbonate as an abrasive in a scouring composition additionally comprising oxalic acid.  
     
     
         18 . The use according to  claim 17  for removing rust stains from hard surfaces.