| 摘要 |
The invention provides a method and formulation for cleaning a soiled substrate, the method comprising the treatment of the moistened substrate with a formulation comprising a multiplicity of polymeric particles, wherein the formulation is free of organic solvents. Preferably, the substrate is wetted so as to achieve a substrate to water ratio of between 1:0.1 to 1:5 w/w. Optionally, the formulation additionally comprises at least one cleaning material and, in this embodiment, it is preferred that the polymeric particles are coated with the at least one cleaning material. Preferably, the cleaning material comprises a surfactant, which most preferably has detergent properties. Most preferably, the substrate comprises a textile fiber. Typically, the polymeric particles comprise particles of nylon, most preferably in the form of nylon chips. The results obtained are very much in line with those observed when carrying out conventional dry cleaning processes and the method provides the significant advantage that the use of solvents, with all the attendant drawbacks in terms of cost and environmental considerations, can be avoided. |
| 主权项 |
1. A method for cleaning a soiled substrate, said method comprising treating the soiled substrate with water to provide a premoistened substrate and treating the premoistened substrate with a formulation comprising a multiplicity of polymeric particles, wherein said formulation is free of organic solvents, wherein said polymeric particles are re-used in further cleaning procedures, wherein said method comprises tumbling or rotating the soiled substrate in the presence of the polymeric particles, wherein said soiled substrate comprises a textile fibre or leather, and wherein the ratio of said particles to soiled substrate is in the range from 30:1 to 1:1 w/w. |
