Thickened aqueous abrasive cleanser exhibiting no syneresis

A pourable thickened abrasive cleanser having a plastic flowable rheology and substantially no syneresis comprising, in aqueous solution

• (a) between about 10 and 50 percent of a calcium carbonate abrasive having a particle size range such that about 99% is smaller than 40 mesh;
• (b) between about 0.5 and 5 percent of a LAS surfactant having an alkyl chain length of about 8 to 18 carbons;
• (c) between about 1 and 5 percent of a cosurfactant;
• (d) an electrolyte/buffer to provide a pH of between about 9.0 and 11.5, and to provide a favorable environment in which the alkali-metal silicate and borate anion can combine, with the proviso that the electrolyte/buffer is not an alkali-metal silicate or borate anion;
• (e) a thickener, present in an amount of about 3-25 percent by weight, including M.sub.2 O(SiO.sub.2).sub.n wherein M is an alkali-metal and n is between 0.5 and 5, and a source of borate anion, the borate anion and M.sub.2 O(SiO.sub.2).sub.n being present in a ratio of about 1:5 to 4:1;
• and wherein
• the cleanser has a viscosity of between about 10,000 and 250,000 cP and a yield value of between about 1 to 80 Pa.

A method for making a hard surface abrasive cleanser characterized by a plastic flowable rheology and substantially no syneresis, the method comprising, in sequence

• (a) making an aqueous solution of between about 1 and 15 percent of a source of a borate anion, and about 10 and 50 percent of a particulate abrasive;
• (b) adding to the solution of (a) about 2 to 10 percent of M.sub.2 O(SiO.sub.2).sub.n, wherein M is an alkali-metal and n is between 0.5 and 5, and about 0.5 to 5 percent of a LAS surfactant having an alkyl group of between about 8 and 18 carbons;
• (c) mixing the mixture, at a shear rate sufficient to result in vigorous mixing without drawing in air, until completely mixed as evidenced by a uniform appearance;
• and
• (d) adding thereto sufficient of an electrolyte/buffer, to yield a composition pH of between about 9.0 and 11.5, and to promote the favorable environment in which the alkali-metal silicate and borate anion can combine, with the proviso that the electrolyte buffer is not alkali-metal silicate or borate anion.

In a thickened aqueous abrasive cleanser having an anionic surfactant, a calcium carbonate abrasive, a thickener and an electrolyte/buffer, the improvement comprising

• (a) the anionic surfactant comprises about 0.5 to 5% of a LAS surfactant with an average alkyl chain length of 8 to 18 carbons;
• (b) the thickener comprises an alkali-metal silicate having the formula M.sub.2 O(SiO.sub.2).sub.n wherein M is an alkali-metal and n is between about 0.5 and 5, and a source of borate anion, the thickener being present in an amount of about 3-25 percent by weight of the composition, and sufficient to thicken the composition to a viscosity of between about 10,000 to 250,000 cP and a yield value of between about 1 and 80 Pa, the borate anion and alkali-metal silicate being present in a ratio of between about 1:5 to 4:1;
• and
• (c) the electrolyte/buffer is present in an amount sufficient to provide a composition pH of about 9.0-11.5 and to promote the favorable environment in which the alkali-metal silicate and borate anion can combine, and is selected from the group consisting of alkali-metal salts of carbonate, bicarbonates and hydroxides, alkaline earth salts of carbonates and hydroxides, gluconates, succinates, maleates and their alkali-metal salts, aluminates, and mixtures thereof.