Delayed-gelling, post-foaming composition based upon alkoxylated alkyl phosphate ester surfactants

A delayed-gelling, post-foaming composition which comprises:

• (a) from about 15 to 30 weight percent of an anionic alkoxylated alkyl phosphate ester surfactant having the general formula ##STR3## wherein R.sub.1 is an alkyl group having about 8 to 18 carbon atoms, (OR.sub.2) is an ethoxy or a propoxy group, and n is from about 1 to 10;
• (b) a sufficient amount of a neutralizing agent to provide a pH for the composition of from about 4.5 to 8;
• (c) from about 0.5 to 15 weight percent of a post-foaming agent selected from the group consisting of at least one higher hydrocarbon having between 5 to 8 carbon atoms and a mixture of at least one lower hydrocarbon having up to 4 carbon atoms and at least one higher hydrocarbon having between 5 to 8 carbon atoms;
• and
• (d) the balance comprising water, wherein the composition is dispensed from a container in the form of a liquid and remains as a liquid for a predetermined period of time before it sets up into a gel.