Performance gear, textile technology, and cleaning and protecting systems and methods

Abstract

A cleaning system for all laundry, high performance textiles, and sports gear, which includes a washing agent and a protective agent. The washing agent is configured to remove unwanted matter from the high performance textiles, sports gear, and/or other laundry. The protective agent is configured to create a bonded barrier comprising organosilane antimicrobial(s) on the high performance textiles, sports gear, and/or other laundry for protection against odors from bacteria, mold and mildew and/or the like. The washing agent and the protective agent are configured to be used in a two-step water-based treatment process in which the washing agent is provided in a given first step of the treatment process and the protective agent is provided in a given subsequent second step of the treatment process.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method of forming a batch of a detergent, the method comprising the steps, performed in order, of:
 (i) providing a base soap solution comprising water and one or more soap-forming components, and   (ii) adding a warm antimicrobial solution comprising an organosilane dissolved in water,   wherein the warm antimicrobial solution has a temperature in a range of 80 F-120 F, and wherein the organosilane is present in an amount of no more than 5% by weight of the batch.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising, after step (i) and prior to step (ii), adding a surfactant or a viscosity-reducing agent to the base soap solution. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the surfactant or viscosity-reducing agent is present in an amount of 3-12% by weight of the batch. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the surfactant or viscosity-reducing agent is present in an amount of 8-10% by weight of the batch. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the surfactant or viscosity-reducing agent comprises propylene glycol. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the one or more soap-forming components comprise at least one chelator. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein, following adding the surfactant or viscosity-reducing agent and prior to step (ii), the method further comprises adding at least one additional ingredient to the batch, the at least one additional ingredient not comprising a fragrance or an antimicrobial. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the at least one additional ingredient comprises an enzyme. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the temperature of the warm antimicrobial solution is in a range of 90 F-100 F. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the warm antimicrobial solution is formed by dissolving the organosilane in warm water, the warm antimicrobial solution being added to the batch thereafter. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the organosilane is present in an amount of 0.05-1% by weight of the batch. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein one or more steps are performed under a level of agitation so as to minimize any foam formation. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein, following adding the at least one additional ingredient and prior to step (ii), the method further comprises adding a fragrance to the batch. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the one or more soap-forming components, the surfactant or viscosity-reducing agent, the at least one additional ingredient, and the warm antimicrobial solution are all bled into the batch at a rate that minimizes foam formation. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the warm antimicrobial solution comprises a homogeneous solution of organosilane dissolved into water.