Cleaning compositions

摘要

A range of novel biodegradable aqueous acid cleaning systems for removing limescale from surfaces, especially stainless steel and porcelain surfaces, wherein said system comprises a biodegradable aqueous acid system, said system having a pH of less than 7.0, said system comprising at least one of the following acids: i) iminodiacetic acid; ii) aspartic acid; iii) derivatives selected from N-alkyl, N-alkylaryl and N-cycloaliphatic derivatives of iminodiacetic acid; iv) derivatives selected from N-alkyl, N-alkylaryl and N-cycloaliphatic derivatives of aspartic acid; and v) C2-C10 polycarboxylic acids, said polycarboxylic acids containing a heteroatom in the main chain thereof, said heteroatom being selected from S, O and N; said system optionally comprising mixtures of said acids (i) to (v). The composition preferably comprises a surfactant to optimize the performance of said acid. Additional optional ingredients are selected from thickeners and co-builders and enzyme mixtures. There is also provided a method of removing limescale from surfaces employing such compositions.