Method for Treating Laundry

Abstract

Method and apparatus for treating laundry.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for treating laundry comprising the steps of:
 providing a treatment composition comprising a photoactive component;   contacting in an appliance said treatment composition with said laundry; and   irradiating said treatment composition with visible light;   wherein the step of irradiating said treatment composition with visible light is performed with a source of light that is tool free attachable to and detachable from an interior portion of said appliance.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said photoactive component is a photoactivator. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of irradiating said treatment composition with visible light is performed with a light source having a power source independent of said appliance. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of irradiating said treatment composition with visible light is performed with a dispenser that comprises said source of light and a reservoir releasably containing said treatment composition. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of irradiating said treatment composition with visible light provides a radiant flux between about 500 mW and 500 W at a wavelength between about 350 nm and about 750 nm. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said appliance has a cabinet within which said laundry is cleaned, wherein said source of light is tool free attachable to and detachable from said cabinet. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the treatment composition is a fully formulated laundry detergent. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the treatment composition comprises from about 0.5% to about 20% by weight photoactivator. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the treatment composition comprises from about 1% to about 10% by weight photoactivator. 
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said source of light is tool free attachable to and detachable from a mobile component within said appliance. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of contacting in an appliance said treatment composition with said laundry is performed in a rotating drum. 
     
     
         12 . An automated laundry washing machine for implementing the method according to  claim 1 , wherein said automated laundry washing machine comprises:
 an interior portion for holding laundry; and   a source of light;   wherein said source of light is tool free attachable to and detachable from said interior portion.