Biodegradable ether dry cleaning solvent

Abstract

Compositions for dry-cleaning garments containing dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether (DPNB), water, and optionally at least one other solvent selected from cyclic siloxanes and glycol ethers other than DPNB suitable for use as dry-cleaning solvents, wherein the water is present at a level of about 2% by weight or less when only DPNB is present and about 10% by weight or less when other solvents are present.

1 . A composition for dry-cleaning garments consisting essentially of dipropylene glycol normal-butyl ether (DPNB), water, and at least one other solvent selected from the group consisting of cyclic siloxanes and glycol ethers other than DPNB suitable for use as dry-cleaning solvents, wherein said water is present at a level of about 10% by weight or less.  
   
   
       2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the level of DPNB is greater than about 70% by weight.  
   
   
       3 . The composition of  claim 2 , consisting essentially of glycol ethers and water.  
   
   
       4 . The composition of  claim 3 , further comprising less than about 10% by weight of one or more glycol ethers selected from the group consisting of dipropylene glycol tertiary-butyl ether (DPTB), propylene glycol tertiary-butyl ether (PTB) and propylene glycol n-butyl ether (PNB).  
   
   
       5 . A method of dry-cleaning garments, comprising treating the garments for a period of time sufficient to effect dry-cleaning in the dry-cleaning composition of  claim 1 .  
   
   
       6 . A method of dry-cleaning garments, comprising treating the garments for a period of time sufficient to effect dry cleaning in a dry-cleaning composition consisting of DPNB and water.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 5  or  6 , wherein the period of time is sufficient to remove both solvent-soluble and water-soluble stains.  
   
   
       8 . A method of cleaning scoured and milled wool, comprising treating the scoured and milled wool with a composition to effect cleaning, said composition consisting of DPNB and water.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said composition further comprises at least one other solvent selected from the group consisting of cyclic siloxanes and glycol ethers other than DPNB suitable for use as dry-cleaning solvents.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein said composition consists essentially of glycol ethers and water.  
   
   
       11 . A composition for dyeing fabrics comprising a solution of a water-insoluble aliphatic glycol ether-soluble dye dissolved in a solvent consisting of DPNB and water.  
   
   
       12 . The composition of  claim 11 , wherein said solvent further comprises at least one solvent selected from the group consisting of cyclic siloxanes and glycol ethers other than DPNB suitable for use as dry-cleaning solvents.  
   
   
       13 . The composition of  claim 12 , wherein said solvent consists essentially of glycol ethers and water.  
   
   
       14 . A method of dyeing fabric, comprising treating the fabric to effect dyeing with the dye composition of  claim 11 .  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , further characterized by the step of drying said fabric after said dyeing has been effected.  
   
   
       16 . A method of scouring raw wool comprising scouring raw wool with a composition consisting of DPNB and water.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein said composition further comprises at least one solvent selected from the group consisting of cyclic siloxanes and glycol ethers other than DPNB suitable for use as dry-cleaning solvents.  
   
   
       18 . A method of milling scoured raw wool comprising milling said scoured raw wool with a composition consisting of DPNB and water.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein said composition further comprises at least one solvent selected from the group consisting of cyclic siloxanes and glycol ethers other than DPNB suitable for use as dry-cleaning solvents.