Targeted performance of hypohalite methods thereof

Abstract

This invention relates to extend the benefits of using hypochlorite compounds such as sodium hypochlorite to clean and disinfect articles while reducing or eliminating the side effects of treating an article with a strong oxidant material. The invention relates to a single step process involving mixing of precursor compositions of a suitable hypohalite or hypohalous acid with a solution of a reducing agent. Optionally a buffer may be present in either or both precursor compositions, such that at time of use such active hypohalous acid concentration in the resulting aqueous mixture remains at a sufficient activity level to effect one or more desired benefits against a target substrate for a desired period of time. The oxidant is substantially consumed by reaction with the reducing agent after the time needed for achieving the desired benefit has passed.

1 . A method for treating a surface, the method comprising:
 providing a two-part composition comprising:
 an oxidant first part comprising a hypohalous acid or a hypohalite; and 
 a reductant second part comprising a glucose, wherein the first and second parts are initially separate; and 
   mixing the oxidant first part with the reductant second part to form a mixed composition; and   contacting the mixed composition with a surface to provide oxidizing benefits to the surface whereby the oxidant is reduced by the reductant to prevent damage caused by prolonged exposure to the hypohalous acid or the hypohalite.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the hypohalous acid or the hypohalite comprises from about 0.001% to about 10% by weight of the two-part composition. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the hypohalous acid or the hypohalite comprises from about 0.005% to about 5% by weight of the two-part composition. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the hypohalous acid or the hypohalite comprises from about 0.005% to about 0.2% by weight of the two-part composition. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising a pH buffer comprising at least one member of an organic acid, a phosphate, a bicarbonate or a carbonate. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the buffer is said carbonate. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the buffer is said phosphate. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the buffer is said bicarbonate. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the buffer is said organic acid. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the second part comprises the buffer. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the oxidant is hypohalite. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the hypohalite is a hypochlorite. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the oxidant is hypohalous acid. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the surface is a hard surface. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the surface is a soft surface.