Hard surface cleaners comprising ethoxylated alkoxylated nonionic surfactants

#Hard surface cleaning compositions comprising ethoxylated alkoxylated nonionic surfactants and their use in improving shine on hard surfaces, improving drying time and hence reducing slipperiness.

#Hard surface cleaning compositions are used for cleaning and treating hard surfaces. Preferably, the hard surface cleaning composition is formulated to be an “all purpose” hard surface cleaning composition. That is, the hard surface cleaning composition is formulated to be suitable for cleaning as many different kinds of surfaces as possible. However, it has historically been challenging to formulate a hard surface cleaning composition which effectively cleans tiles, and more delicate surfaces such as stainless steel, linoleum, marble, and the like. Hard surface cleaning compositions are typically diluted before use in a bucket before being applied to the surface being cleaned using a mop, sponge, cloth or similar device. Especially when cleaning particularly dirty floors, film and streak residues may be left which result in poor shine, and an impression that the surface is not yet sufficiently clean. In addition, such floors, washed with diluted hard surface cleaning compositions, tend to be slippery with a resultant increase in the risk of falls and similar accidents. As a result, the floor is sometimes rinsed again using fresh water, in order to remove such films and streaks, and improve the impression of cleanliness. Moreover, long drying times can result in damage to delicate surfaces, such as spotting and rusting of steel surfaces.

#Hence, a need remains for a composition which provides improved shine, even after cleaning especially dirty floors. In addition, a need remains for a hard surface cleaning composition which is suitable for cleaning a variety of surfaces, and results in surfaces which are quicker drying.

#Hard surface cleaning compositions of the present invention, comprising a ethoxylated alkoxylated nonionic surfactant and an additional nonionic surfactant in combination with an anionic surfactant, provide improved shine, even when cleaning especially dirty floors. In addition, they are effective at cleaning a variety of surfaces. Moreover, since surfaces which are treated with the hard surface cleaning composition of the present invention dry more quickly, there is less risk of slips and other accidental falls.

#As defined herein, “essentially free of” a component means that no amount of that component is deliberately incorporated into the respective premix, or composition. Preferably, “essentially free of” a component means that no amount of that component is present in the respective premix, or composition.

#As used herein, “isotropic” means a clear mixture, having little or no visible haziness, phase separation and/or dispersed particles, and having a uniform transparent appearance.