Malodor reducing compositions and methods

Abstract

The present invention is directed to methods of reducing fabric malodor, comprising applying a water-soluble soil release polymer (SRP), as well as compositions comprising such polymers.

1 . A method of reducing malodor comprising:
 (a) applying a soil release polymer (SRP) composition in an aqueous solution to a fabric; and   (b) rinsing the fabric;   
       wherein the SRP composition is substantially free of anionic surfactants and/or builder salts. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said soil release polymer is polyethylene glycol polyester. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said soil release polymer is 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid polymer with 1,2-ethanediol and alpha-hydro-omega-hydroxypoly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl). 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said malodor is human body malodor. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said fabric comprises synthetic fibers. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said fabric comprises polyester, spandex, viscose, nylon, satin, velvet, acetates, acrylics, or mixtures or blends thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said SRP is provided to the rinse cycle of a laundry washing machine while said fabric is being rinsed. 
     
     
         8 . A method of reducing malodor comprising:
 (a) applying a soil release polymer (SRP) composition in an aqueous solution with a fabric softening component to a surface; and   (b) rinsing said surface;   
       wherein said SRP composition is substantially free of anionic surfactants and/or builder salts. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said fabric softening component is a triethanolamine-esterquat. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said fabric softening component has the structure: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein
 R 1  represents (CH 2 ) t R 6  where R 6  represents benzyl, phenyl, (C1-C4)-alkyl substituted phenyl, OH or H; 
 R 2  and R 3  represent (CH 2 ) s —R 5  where R 5  represents an acyloxy group containing from 8 to 22 carbon atoms, benzyl, phenyl, (C1-C4)-alkyl substituted phenyl, OH or H; 
 R 4  represents an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having from 8 to 22 carbon atoms; 
 q, s, and t, each independently, represent an integer from 1 to 3; and 
 X −  is a softener compatible anion. 
 
       
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the ratio by weight of fabric softening component to soil release polymer is about 30:1 to about 1:30. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising a component chosen from a chelator, dye, fatty alcohol, preservative or perfume.