Method of dry cleaning articles using densified carbon dioxide

摘要

Disclosed is a method for the removal of stains from articles, especially fabric, using densified carbon dioxide. The invention is concerned with a method of dry cleaning an article comprising the successive steps of (a) contacting the article with a fluid dry cleaning composition containing densified carbon dioxide at a temperature between -20 and 60° C. and a pressure between 1 and 100 MPa, so as to allow stains to dissolve and/or to disperse into the fluid dry cleaning composition and (b) separating the article and the fluid dry cleaning composition; wherein the fluid dry cleaning composition comprises an ionic surfactant in a concentration between 0.01 and 15% by weight of the carbon dioxide and wherein during step a) at least 10%, preferably at least 30%, of said ionic surfactant is present in an undissolved solid form.