Low-voc cleaning substrates and compositions

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a cleaning composition for sanitizing or disinfecting hard surfaces containing a cationic biocide, surfactant and low levels of VOC solvents. The cleaning composition is adapted to clean a variety of hard surfaces without leaving behind a visible residue and creates low levels of streaking and filming on the treated surface. The cleaning composition contains less than 5% by weight of VOCs. The cleaning composition may be used alone as a liquid or spray formulation or in combination with a substrate, for example, a pre-loaded cleaning wipe.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A cleaning system comprising:
 (a) a moisture-impervious container;   (b) a substrate housed within the moisture-impervious container; and   (c) a cleaning composition loaded onto the substrate, the cleaning composition consisting of:   i. about 0.01-2% by weight of one or more quaternary ammonium compounds;   ii. about 0.001-1% by weight of a surfactant selected from the group consisting of: lauryl sulfate, lauryl ether sulfate, cocamidopropylbetaine, alkyl polyglycoside, and any combinations or mixtures thereof,   iii. about 0.1-2% by weight of a first solvent selected form the group consisting of: C1-10 alkyl ethers of alkylene glycols, C3-24 alkylene glycol ethers, and any mixtures or combinations thereof;   iv. about 0.1-2% by weight of a second solvent that is different from the first solvent, selected from the group consisting of: alcohols, diols, C1-10 alkyl ethers of alkylene glycols, short chain carboxylic acids, and any mixtures or combinations thereof;   iii. at least about 90% by weight of water; and   v. optionally, one or more buffers selected from the group consisting of: monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine; tri(hydroxymethyl) amino methane, 2-amino-2-ethyl-1,3-propanediol, 2-amino-2-methyl-propanol, 2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanol, methyl diethanolamide, 2-dimethylamino-2-methylpropanol, 1,3-bis(methylamine)-cyclohexane, 1,3-diamino-propanol N,N′-tetra-methyl-1,3-diamino-2-propanol, N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)glycine, tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl glycine, ammonium carbamate, citric acid, acetic acid, ammonia and any mixtures or combinations thereof;   vi. optionally, one or more adjuncts selected from the group consisting of: fragrances, perfumes, defoamers, enzymes, dyes, colorants and preservatives.   
     
     
         2 . The system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the composition includes one or more buffers comprising monoethanolamine. 
     
     
         3 . The system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises a fragrance. 
     
     
         4 . The system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said one or more quaternary ammonium compounds comprises at least one of n-alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride or n-alkyldimethylethylbenzylammonium chloride. 
     
     
         5 . The system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the surfactant is an alkyl polyglycoside. 
     
     
         6 . The system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said first solvent includes a C1-10 alkyl ether of alkylene glycol. 
     
     
         7 . The system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the first solvent includes a C1-10 alkyl ether of propylene glycol. 
     
     
         8 . The system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the second solvent is an alcohol. 
     
     
         9 . A cleaning system comprising:
 (a) a moisture-impervious container;   (b) a substrate housed within the moisture-impervious container; and   (c) a cleaning composition loaded onto the substrate, the cleaning composition consisting of:   i. about 0.01-2% by weight of one or more quaternary ammonium compounds;   ii. about 0.001-1% by weight of an alkyl polyglycoside surfactant;   iii. about 0.1-2% by weight of a first solvent selected form the group consisting of: C1-10 alkyl ethers of alkylene glycols, C3-24 alkylene glycol ethers, and any mixtures or combinations thereof;   iv. about 0.1-2% by weight of a second solvent that is different from the first solvent, selected from the group consisting of: alcohols, diols, C1-10 alkyl ethers of alkylene glycols, short chain carboxylic acids, and any mixtures or combinations thereof;   v. about 0.001-1% by weight of a buffer selected from the group consisting of: monoethanoleamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine; tri(hydroxymethyl) amino methane, 2-amino-2-ethyl-1,3-propanediol, 2-amino-2-methyl-propanol, 2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanol, methyl diethanolamide, 2-dimethylamino-2-methylpropanol, 1,3-bis(methylamine)-cyclohexane, 1,3-diamino-propanol N,N′-tetra-methyl-1,3-diamino-2-propanol, N,N-bis(2-hydroxy ethyl)glycine, tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl glycine, ammonium carbamate, citric acid, acetic acid, ammonia and any mixtures or combinations thereof;   vi. at least about 90% by weight of water; and   vii. optionally, one or more adjuncts selected from the group consisting of: fragrances, perfumes, defoamers, dyes, colorants and preservatives.   
     
     
         10 . The system as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the buffer is monoethanolamine. 
     
     
         11 . The system as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the composition further comprises a fragrance. 
     
     
         12 . The system as defined in  claim 9 , wherein said one or more quaternary ammonium compounds comprises at least one of n-alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride or n-alkyldimethylethylbenzylammonium chloride. 
     
     
         13 . The system as defined in  claim 9 , wherein said second solvent is ethanol. 
     
     
         14 . The system as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the first solvent includes a C1-10 alkyl ether of alkylene glycol. 
     
     
         15 . The system as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the second solvent is an alcohol. 
     
     
         16 . A cleaning system comprising:
 (a) a moisture-impervious container;   (b) a substrate housed within the moisture-impervious container; and   (c) a cleaning composition loaded onto the substrate, the cleaning composition consisting of:   i. about 0.01-2% by weight of one or more quaternary ammonium compounds,   ii. about 0.1-0.8% by weight of an alkyl polyglycoside surfactant;   iii. about 0.1-2% by weight of a first solvent selected from the group consisting of: C1-10 alkyl ethers of alkylene glycols, C3-24 alkylene glycol ethers, and any mixtures or combinations thereof,   iv. about 0.01-2% by weight of a second solvent that is an alcohol;   v. one or more buffers selected from the group consisting of: monoethanoleamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine; tri(hydroxymethyl) amino methane, 2-amino-2-ethyl-1,3-propanediol, 2-amino-2-methyl-propanol, 2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanol, methyl diethanolamide, 2-dimethylamino-2-methylpropanol, 1,3-bis(methylamine)-cyclohexane, 1,3-diamino-propanol N,N′-tetra-methyl-1,3-diamino-2-propanol, N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)glycine, tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl glycine, ammonium carbamate, citric acid, acetic acid, ammonia and any mixtures or combinations thereof;   vi. one or more fragrances; and   vii. at least 90% by weight of water.   
     
     
         17 . The system as defined in  claim 16 , wherein said buffer is monoethanolamine. 
     
     
         18 . The system as defined in  claim 16 , the first solvent includes a C1-10 alkyl ether of propylene glycol. 
     
     
         19 . The system as defined in  claim 16 , wherein said one or more quaternary ammonium compounds comprise at least one of n-alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride or n-alkyldimethylethylbenzylammonium chloride. 
     
     
         20 . The system as defined in  claim 16 , wherein said second solvent is ethanol.