AU613792B2 - Fabric treatment composition - Google Patents

Description

I

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1952 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Form

(ORIGINAL)

FOR OFFICE USE Short Title: Int. Cl: Application Number: Lodged: 0 tO 00 0 0000 00 t~ 00 0 6 0 0 0 t~ 6 0 0~t6 0 0 to 6 Complete Specification-Lodged: Accepted: Lapsed: Published: Priority: Related Art: TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT Name of Applicant: UNILEVER PLC 0 0 Address of Applicant: UNILEVER HOUSE

BLACKFRIARS

LONDON EC4

ENGLAND

0 Actual Inventor: Address for Service: GRIFFITH HACK CO., 601 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia.

Complete Specification for the invention entitled: FABRIC TREATMENT COMPOSITION.

The following statement a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to me:- C 7136 (R) 1A FABRIC TREATMENT COMPOSITION This invention relates to a fabric treatment composition for treating fabrics during the rinse step of a fabric laundry process, and to a method for using said composition%, In particular, the invention relates to a fabric treatment composition comprising a fabricsoftening material, which is preferably a cationic fabric softening material and an antimicrobial agent.

It is known 'that fungal growth ca- develop on fabrics stored undc: certain physiological conditions, such as in a humid atmosphere or where there is Door air circulation. These growths can damage the fabrics by 00 g0 0 0o causing them to discolour. The.fabrics can also develop 9 an unpleasant smell. It has been found that the oo 0 o discolouration or staining of the fabrics is difficult ooo0o to remove either by normal laundering or after treatment co0* with a strong bleaching agent.

It has previously been proposed (EP 86 423, Henkel KaA) to incorporate specific antimicrobial substances in fabric treatment compositions.

We have now surprisingly discovered that benzimidazolylalkyl-carbamates, when combined with fabric-softening materials into a fabric treatment composition, are 0 0 particularly effective in inhibiting fungal growth on fabrics which have been rinsed with said fabric 0: 0 o~ o: treatment composition.

The incorporation of benzimidazolyl-alkyl-carbamates in textile treatment compositions according to the invention has also been found advantageous in that benzimidazolyl-alkyl-carbamates are: Iw C 7136 (R) 2 1. effective against a wide range of micro-organisms, particularly fungi; 2. active during the life of the product; 3. of low mammalian toxicity and non-toxic to humans at the concentrations used; 4. colourless and odourless; effective at low concentrations; 6. inexpensive and easy to apply; 7. resistant to sunlight; 8. not affecting fabric handle or strength; 9. compatible with water-repellent and flame-retardant agents, dyes and other textile auxiliaries; and do not sensitize the fabric to damage by light or other influences.

115 Thus, according to the invention there is provided a o0 fabric treatment composition comprising a softening material and a benzimidazolyl-alkyl-carbamate.

Preferably the softening material comprises a cationic fabric softener.

Benzimidazolyl-alkyl-carbamates are well-known fungicides for use in agriculture. It has also been suggested in Japanese patent application 49 093 537 25 (Yoshitomi) to treat textiles with a composition containing Me-2-benzimidazole-carbamate in a solvent.

This treatment, however, requires a separate processing step for applying the benzimidazolyl-alkyl-carbamate and a further separate processing step for removing the undesirable solvent compound.

The benzimidazolyl-alkyl-carbamate as used in a textile treatment composition of the invention is preferably of the following formula: C 7136 (R) 3K 0 R2 C NH-C -OR 1

N

H

Swherein: Rl is a C1- 4 alkyl, alkoxy or phenoxy alkyl; and

R

2 is a Cl.

4 alkyl, hydrogen, nitrogen or halogen.

Particular examples of suitable benzimidazolyl-alkylcarbamate substances are: benzimidazolyl-methylcarbamate, ben zim ida zolyl -ethyl -carbamate, benzimidazolyl-ethyl-carbamate, benzimidazolylisopropyl-carbamate, 4-ethyl-benzimidazolyl--isopropylcarbamate, 4-propyl-benzimidazolyl-isopropyl-carbamate, 4-butyl-benzimidazolyl-isopropyl-carbamate, 4-isobutylbenzimidazolyl-isopropyl-carbamate, benzimidazolylethylmethoxy-carbamate, 4 -ethyl -benz imidazolyl ethylmethoxy-carbamate, ethylmethoxy-carbamate, benzimidazolyl-ethylethoxycarbamate, benzimidazolyl-ethyl-propoxy-carbamate, benzimidazolyl-ethylphenoxy-carbamate, 4-ethylbenzimidazolyl-ethylphenoxy-carbamate& and Kbenzimidazolyl-ethylphenoxy-carbamate.

0O 4 The preferred benziriidzolyl-alkyl-carbamate is K benzimidazolyl-methyl-carbamate.

It is also possible to employ mixtures of different benzimidazolyl-alkyl-carbamates.

Particularly preferred is the use of Intace B 350 carbendazim ex Intace), and Intace B 300 (100% carbendazim ex Intace) Other antimicrobial substances may be incorporated in a fabric treatment composition according to the invention.

By antimicrobial substances are meant both antibacterial and antifungal products. Examples of such material are C 7136 (R) 4 formaldehyde, halogenated phenols, nitrated mono- or polyalcohols and antimicrobial surface-active tensides.

Particularly suitable for use in conjunction with benzimidazolyl-alkyl-carbamates are tetra-methylthiuramdisulphid, l-methylol-2-thiono-2-dihydrobenzthiazol, N-dimethyl-N'-phenyl-(N'-fluordichloromethyl-thio) sulfphamid and 3-isothiazolone compdunds such as for instance described in US 4,424,134. Generally, the amount of additional antimicrobial substances in the textile treatment composition is less than two times the amount of benzimidazolyl-alkyl-carbamate.

The fabric softening materials may be selected from cationic, nonionic, amphoteric or anionic fabric softening materials.

Suitable amphoteric fabric conditioning material for use in a composition according to the invention are fabric substantive amphotheric materials forming a particulate dispersion at a concentration of less than 1 g/l at at least one temperature between 0 and 100*C. Preferably at o 0 at least one temperature between 10 and 90 OC, more preferred between 20 and 80 OC. For the purpose of this ",'215 invention a fabric substantive amphoteric material is preferably an amphoteric or zwitterionic tertiary or quaternary ammonium compound having either one single long hydrocarbyl side chain or two long hydrocarbyl chains. From these compounds the use of amphoteric or zwitterionic ammonium compounds having two long hydrocarbyl chains is particularly preferred for many reasons including costs, ease of processing and better stability and performance. Suitable amphoteric materials are for example disclosed in EP 89200545.5.

In this specification the expression hydrocarbyl chain refers to linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl chains optionally substituted or interrupted by functional C 7136 (R) groups such as -OH,-O-,-CONH-,-COO-,etc.

Preferably the amphoteric fabric substantive materials are water insoluble and have a solubility in water at pH 2.5 at 20*C of less than 10 g/l. The HLB of the amphoteric fabric substantive material is preferably less than 10.0.

Suitable cationic fabric softener materials for use in a composition according to the present invention are cationic materials which are water-insoluble in that the material has a solubility in water at pH 2.5 and 20*C of less than 10 g/l. Highly preferred materials are cationic quaternary ammonium salts having two C12-24 hydrocarbyl chains.

Well-known species of substantially water-insoluble quaternary ammonium compounds have the formula

R

1 R3 N X- R2 R4 wherein R 1 and R 2 represent hydrocarbyl groups from about 12 to about 24 carbon atoms; R 3 and R 4 represent hydrocarbyl groups containing from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms; and X is an anion, preferably selected from halide, methyl sulfate and ethyl sulfate radicals.

Representative examples of these quaternary softeners include ditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride; ditallow dimethyl ammonium methyl sulfate; dihexadecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride; di(hydrogenated tallow) dimethyl ammonium methyl sulfate; dihexadecyl diethyl ammonium chloride; di(coconut) dimethyl ammonium chloride.

~1 i|f C 7136 (R) 6 Ditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride, di(hydrogenated tallow) dimethyl ammonium chloride, di(coconut) dimethyl ammonium chloride and di(coconut) dimethyl ammonium methosulfate are preferred.

Suitable materials also include dialkyl ethoxyl methyl ammonium methosulphate based on soft fatty acid, dialkyl ethoxyl methyl ammonium methosulphate based on hard fatty acid, and a material in which R 3 and R 4 represent methyl, R 1 is C 13 -1 5

R

2 is CH 2

CH

2 OCOR, where R is stearyl, and X is methosulphate. Ditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride, di(hydrogenated tallow alkyl) S dimethyl ammonium chloride, di(coconut alkyl) dimethyl ammonium chloride and di(coconut alkyl) dimethyl ammonium methosulfate are preferred.

Other preferred cationic compounds include those a materials as disclosed in EP 239,910 which is included herein by reference.

Other preferred materials are the materials of formula 0 C 0 CH 2

-CH

2

CH

2

-CH

2

-OH

N+

O

CH

3 SO4-

R

5 O CH 2

CH

2 CH3

R

5 being tallow, which is available from Stepan under the tradename Stepantex VRH and

R

6

COOCH

2 R C2iCH-CH2N+R8R 9

R

1 0

X"

R

7

COO

SJ C 7136 (R) 7 where R 8

R

9 and R 10 are each alkyl or hydroxyalkyl groups containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a benzyl group. R 6 and R7 are each an alkyl or alkenyl chain containing from 11 to 23 carbon atoms, and X- is a water soluble anion. These materials and their method of preparation are described in US 4,137,180 (LEVER

BROTHERS).

Another class of preferred water-insoluble cationic materials are the hydrocarbylimidazolinium salts believed to have the formula:

CH

2

CH

2 0 N C2H4---N 1 1

A-

1 C

R

1 2

R

1 3 RI4 wherein R 13 is a hydrocarbyl group containing from 1 to 4, preferably 1 or 2 carbon atoms, R 11 is a hydrocarbyl group containing from 8 to 25 carbon atoms, R 14 is an hydrocarbyl group containing from 8 to 25 carbon atoms and R 12 is hydrogen or an hydrocarbyl containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and A~ is an anion, preferably a halide, methosulfate or ethosulfate.

Preferred imidazolinium salts include 1-methyl-l- (tallowylamido-) ethyl -2-tallowyl- imidazolinium methosulfate and 1-methyl-l- (palmitoylamido)ethyl -2-octadecyl-4,5- dihydroimidazolinium chloride. Other useful imidazolinium C 7136 (R) 8 materials are 2-heptadecyl-l-methyl-l- (2-stearylamido)ethyl-imidazolinium chloride and 2-lauryl-lhydroxyethyl-l-oleyl-imidazolinium chloride. Also suitable herein are the imidazolinium fabric softening components of US patent No 4 127 489, incorporated by reference.

Representative commercially available materials of the above classes are the quaternary ammonium compounds Arquad 2HT (ex AKZO); Noramium M2SH (ex CEKA); Aliquat- 2HT (Trade Mark of General Mills Inc), Stepantex Q185 (ex Stepan); Stepantex VP85 (ex Stepan); Stepantex (ex Stepan) Synprolam FS (ex ICI) and the imidazolinium compounds Varisoft 475 (Trade Mark of Sherex Company, Columbus Ohio) and Rewoquat W7500 (Trade Mark of REWO).

i The compositions according to the invention may also possibly in addition to the above mentioned softening agents, one or more amine softening materials.

The term "amine" as used herein can refer to amines of formula S 25

R

1 6 -N (I) Rl17 wherein R 1 5

R

1 6 and RI 7 are defined as below; (ii) amines of formula

R

18

R

2 0

RI

9 N (CH 2 )n N R 2 1 (II) /m I 22L r

I

C 7136 (R) wherein R18, RI9, R 20 and R 21 m and n are defined as below.

(iii) imidazolines of formula

CH

2 CH 2 1 I n N IN C 2

H

4

N--C--R

1 1 C R12 R14 III wherein R11, R12 and R14 are defined as above.

(iv) condensation products formed from the reaction of fatty acids with a polyamine selected from the group consisting of hydroxy alkylalkylenediamines and dialkylenetriamines and mixtures thereof. Suitable materials are disclosed in European Patent Application 199 382 (Procter and Gamble), incorporated herein by o reference.

When the amine is of the formula I above, R 15 is a C 6 to

C

24 hydrocarbyl group, R16 is a C 1 to C 24 hydrocarbyl group and RI7 is a C 1 to C 10 hydrocarbyl group.

Suitable amines include those materials from which the quaternary ammonium compounds disclosed above are derived, in which P 15 is RI, R 16 is R2 and RI7 is R 3 Preferably, the amine is such that both R15 and R16 are

C

6

-C

20 alkyl with C 16

-C

18 being most preferred and with R17 as C1- 3 alkyl, or R 15 is an alkyl or alkenyl group with at least 22 carbon atoms and R 16 and R 12 are C1- 3 alkyl. Preferably these amines are protonated with hydrochloric acid, orthophosphoric acid (OPA), C 1 carboxylic acids or any other similar acids, for use in the fabric conditioning compositions of the invention.

-=AV,

C 7136

(R)

When the amine is of formula II above, R 1 8 is a C6 to C24 hydrocarbyl group, R 1 9 is an alkoxylated group of formula -(CH 2

CH

2 0)yH, where y is within the range from 0 to 6, R 2 0 is an alkoxylated group of formula

-(CH

2

CH

2 0)zH where z is within the range from 0 to 6 and m is an integer within the range from 0 to 6, and is preferably 3. When m is 0, it is preferred that R 1 8 is a C16 to C22 alkyl and that the sum total of z and y is within the range from 1 to 6, more preferably 1 to 3.

When m is 1, it is preferred that R 1 8 is a C16 to C22 alkyl and that the sum total of x and y and z is within the range from 3 to W Representative commercially available materials of this class include Ethomeen (ex Armour) and Ethoduomeen (ex Armour).

Preferably the amines of type (ii) or (iii) are also protonated for use in the fabric conditioning compositions of the invention.

When the amine is of type (iv) given above, a particularly preferred material is H R 22 0H

/I

j /N--R23--N 00

R

2 4 C C-R24 where R 2 2 and R 2 3 are divalent alkenyl chains having from 1 to 3 carbons atoms, and R 2 4 is an acyclic aliphatic hydrocarbon chain having from 15 to 21 carbon atoms. A commercially available material of this class is Ceranine HC39 (ex Sandoz).

The compositions according to the invention may also C 7136 (R) 11 contain nonionic fabric-softening agents. Suitable nonionic fabric-softening agents include glycerol esters, such as glycerol monostearate, fatty alcohols, such as stearyl alcohol, alkoxylated fatty alcohols, fatty acids, lanolin and derivatives thereof. Suitable materials are disclosed in European Patent Applications 88 520 (Unilever), 122 141 (Unilever) and 79 746 (Procter Gamble), the disclosures-of which are incorporated herein by reference. Prefererably, such materials are included at a level within the range of from 0.5% to 10% by weight of the composition.

The compositions can also contain one or more optional ingredients selected from non-aqueous solvents such as Cl-C 4 alkanols and polyhydric alcohols, pH-buffering agents such as weak acids, e.g. phosphoric, benzoic or citric acids (the compositions preferably have a pH of less than 6.0 more preferred between 2.0 and rewetting agents, viscosity modifiers such as electrolytes, included at levels from about 20 to 6000 ppm, aluminium chlorohydrate, antigelling agents, perfumes especially body odour reducing perfumes, perfume carriers, hydrocarbons, fluorescers, colourants, hydrotropes, antifoaming agents, antiredeposition agents, enzymes, optical brightening agents, opacifiers, stabilisers such as guar gum and polyethylene glycol, anti-shrinking agents, anti-wrinkle agents, soil-release agents, antioxidants, anticorrosion agents, preservatives such as Bronopol (Trade a commercially available form of 2-bromo-2nitropropane-l,3-diol, to preserve the fabric treatment composition, dyes, bleaches and bleach precursors, drape-imparting agents, antistatic agents and ironing aids.

Silicones can be included in the compositions as the ironing aid, re-wetting agent or the antifoaming agent.

Suitable silicones for use in the compositions according

D'

C 7136 (R) 12 to the invention include predominantly linear polydialkyl or alkylaryl siloxanes in which the alkyl groups contain one to five carbon atoms. The siloxanes can be amido- or amino-substituted. When the siloxane is amine-substituted the amine group may be quaternised.

These optional ingredients, if added, are each present at levels up to 5% by weight of the composition.

The compositions according to the invention may take a variety of forms. They may for example be liquids S containing an aqueous base.

Alternatively, the compositions according to the invention may be in the form of a powder, creams, pastes, a block or a tablet. Suitable types of blocks and tablets are disclosed in European Patent Specification EP-A-255 779 (Unilever).

When the compositions are in the form of liquid a products, the total level of the fabric softening material and the benzimidazolyl-alkyl-carbamate is preferably from 1 to 30% by weight. Based on the total S weight of the composition, the weight of the fabricsoftening agent is preferably from 1 to 20% and the weight of the benzimidazolyl-alkyl-carbamate is i preferably from 0.05 to 10%, more preferably from 0.1 j to most preferably from 0.5 to The weight 1 ratio of softening agent to benzimidazolyl-alkylcarbamate is preferably between 10:1 and 100:1, more preferably around 20:1. Preferably more than 50 wt of the softening materials are cationic softening materials.

When the compositions are in the form of powders, blocks or tablets, they may contain means for restraining the release of the cationic fabric-softening agent and benzimidazolyl-alkyl-carbamate in water, such as C 7136 (R) paraffin and tallow alcohol. Other suitable materials are disclosed in the European Patent Specification EP-A- 255 779 (Unilever) the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The compositions may also contain an electrolyte to aid dispersion of the cationic, fabric-softening agent and the benzimidazolylalkyl-carbamate, after the release inhibitor has ceased to have effect, and an antifoam material. A suitable antifoam granule may be of the type described in our European Pa, ent Specification EP-A-94 250.

I 1 .4 S e 0 0 In use, the compositions are preferably added to a large volume of water to form a liquor with which the fabrics to be treated are contacted. The liquor can be formed by adding the fabric treatment composition to water during the rinse stage of a hand-washing process.

o AlternatiVely, the composition can be ad.".d by hand or by way of an automatic dispensing device to rinse water O?00 in the tub of a washing machine of the type which is common in Europe, 'Chat is a machine in which the fabrics are rinsed in a tub which is f illed with rinse water, agi ".ed to achaieve efficient rinsing and then drained.

Generally, the total concentration of the fabricsoftening agent and the benzimidazolyl-alkyl-carbamate in the rinse liquor will be between 30 and 500 ppm.

Alternatively, the compositions, especially when being in the form of a tablet or block, can be used in a washing machine which is designed in such a manner that the fabrics are rinsed in running water. With a machine of this type, the fabrics will. normally have been previously washed in the same tub of the machine, or they may be placed in the tub specifically for rinsing.

When previously washed, they will have at least some of the wash liquor containing a detergent active still adsorbed on or otherwise associated with them, the running water then serving to flush this wash liquor out '1 *0 L 1 C 7136 (R) 14 of the fabrics. The rinse water running into the tub will be substantially free of any detergent actives. The composition can be added to -the fabrics in the tub before the rinse water flows into the tub, simultaneously with the rinse water or part-way tnirough the rinse cycle.

o 0 The invention will now be illustrat~d by the followixm: non-limiting examples. In these examples, all parts and percentages are by weight. Where commercially available materials are referred to, the percentages quoted are those of the active detergent therein.

s-I 0 0 00 10 0 1041

L~.

C 136 (R) C 7136 (R) EXAMPLES 1-6 Aqueous compositions were prepared according to the formulations in the following tables. The compositions were prepared by co-melting the cationic fabricsoftening agent and benzimidazolyl-alkyl-carbamate at The co-melt thus formed was added to water at to form a dispersion. In examples containing 2.5 and carbendazim respectively, the benzimidazolyl- IC alkyl-carbamate was post-dosed to a dispersion S, containing thie cationic fabric-softening agent.

The compos.tions were tested by the following method.

I

Two pieces of a 50/50 resinated polyester cotton fabric and two pieces of a 100% cotton, poplin fabric (each measuring 20 cm x 20 cm) were washed at 50°C with grams of a commercially available washing powder, Persil S° Automatic, in a litre of water in a tergotometer. After the wash liquor was separated, the fabrics were rinsed twice with a litre of demineralised water. 2 ml of an S aqueous test composition was added to the second rinse.

After line dry 4 g, the treated fabrics were assessed, as follows, to evaluate the microbial activity present.

Two pieces, each measuring 5 cm x 5 cm, were cut from each piece of treated fabric. Both pieces were placed on Petri dishes containing nutrient agar. 0.1 ml of an inoculum of either Asperqcillus niger or Penicillium spores was spotted onto the centre of each piece. Care was taken not to allow the inoculum to spread onto the surrounding agar. The inoculum concentration was 108 spores ml1. The plates were incubated at 28°C and evaluation of fungal growth assessed after 3 days.

I A C 7136 (R) 16 The scale used 0 to assess fungal growth was: No growth on fabric.

Very slight growth.

Visible, light, patchy growth.

Moderate growth on whole sample.

Heavy growth on most of sample.

Completely overgrown.- Owing to discolouration of the fabric, caused by spore inoculum, a fungal growth score of 0 is never attained.

A score of less than 10 is indicative of no growth.

0 0 0l o o 0 0 0 0 o 100 ~0 <0 0 0 EXAMPLE 50/50 POLYESTER COTTON No_ A. niqer Penicillium Reference Water 41 39 COTTON POPLIN A. niger Penicillium 1. Arquad 2HT 40 37 44 49 2. 5% 2HT 0.1% C* 35 28 40 3. 5% 2HT 0.25% C 30 30 35 4. 5% 2HT 0.50% C 25 10 30 5% 2HT C 18 10 10 6. 5% 2HT C 10 10 10 C Carbendazim (Intace B 350) !51;

I~

1~ 4 I C 7136 (R) The results show that even if carbendazim is incorporated in a fabric treatment composition containing Arquad 2HT, at low levels, such as 0.1%, there is a significant reduction in fungal growth.

EXAMPLES 7-11 Compositions according to the following tables were prepared as described in Example 1. Fabrics were evaluated as described for Example I. The following results were obtained.

o o o o o 0 0 0 o0 0 9 £5 .025 EXAMPLE 50/50 POLYESTER COTTON N' A. niger Penicillium COTTON POPLIN A. niger Penicillium Water 47.5 7. Arquad 2HT 37.5 35 50 8. Arquad 2HT 0.5% C* 25 10 30 9. Arquad 2HT 0.5% 32.5 42.5 42.5 47.5 Arquad 2HT 10% 25 25 47.5 47.5 11. Arquad 2HT 0.5% 35 50 C Carbendazim (Intace B 350) K Kathon (2-n-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one 1 B In this specification the expression hydrocarbyl chain refers to linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl chains optionally substituted or interrupted by functional .i P 1 1, 1 I C 7136 (R) ex Rohm Haas) A ='Actifresh L 8110, which comprises benzyl-alkylbis(hydroxy alkyl)ammonium, ex British Sanitized P Preventol R 89 (alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, ex Bayer) These examples clearly show the surprisingly better performance of textile treatment compositions comprising benzimidazolyl-alkyl-carbamate antimicrobial substances.

EXAMPLES 12-16 o n o 1-5 o t o' 0- Tablets comprising 8 g sodium bicarbonate, 2 g Adogen and 0.4 g carbendazim (Intace B 300) were prepared and compared with tablets comprising 8 g sodium bicarbonate and 2 g Adogen.

Pieces of 50/50 resinated polyester cotton fabrics and pieces of a 100% cotton poplin fabric were washed in a Japanese washing machine at room temperature with 31 g o of a commercially available wash powder. After a 1 o o minute spin to separate the wash liquor, the fabrics were rinsed for ten minutes in running water. One tablet a ,5 was added and the rinse continued for a further minutes. After line drying, the treated fabrics were assessed for microbial activity as in Example 1.

t t i I i I

B

:Y

C 7136 (R) The results were the following: Fungal Growth Aspergillus Penicillium Fabric Treatment U0 C UI o o o PU 0 o p., 0 0 O 50/50 Polycotton Control* 40-45 100% Cotton poplin Control 50 50/50 PC Softener 10 0.4 g Carb.

100% CP Softener 10 0.4 g Carb.

Control Tablet containing Adogen and NaHCO 3 Examples 17-30 The following aqueous compositions were prepared as in examples 1-6 and tested on cotton as in these examples.

The carbendazim used was Intace B300. These examples again show a reduction in fungal growth when carbendazim is added to fabric softening compositions of the invention.

L C 7136 (R) Fungal Growth Product A Niger Penicillium 17. Water 50 18. 7.56% Stepantex VRH 90 50 19. 7.56% Stepantx VRH 1.0% Carbendazim 0-10 5% DTTMAPC 50 (1,2 ditallow oxytrimethylammonium propane chloride) 21. 5% DTTMAPC 0-10 0 1% Carbendazim 22. 5% Imidazolinium (Rewoquat W7500H) 50 23. 5% Imidazolinium 0-5 0 1.0% Carbendazim 24. 10.8% Dihardened tallow dimethyl 40 ammonium chloride (DHTMAC) 2.7% Hardened tallow fatty acid 10.8% DHTMAC 20 0-10 2.7% Hardened tallow fatty acid Carbendazim 26. 6% DHTDMAC 50 27. 6% DHTDMAC 50 1.0% Aluminium Chlorohydrate (ACH) 28. 6% DHTDMAC 10 0 1.0% ACH 1.0% Carbendazim 29. 3.8% DHTDMAC 50 1.9% Ceranine HC39 (ex Sandoz) 1.9% DHTM amine oxide (Lilaminox M44, ex Berol Nobel) 0.38% Orthophosphoric Acid 3.8% DHTDMAC 30 10-15 1.9% Ceranine HC39 1.9% DHTM Amine Oxide 0.38% Orthophosphoric acid 1.0% Carbendazim

Claims (6)

1. Fabric treatment composition comprising a fabric-softening material and a benzimidazolyl-alkyl-carbamate.

2. Fabric treatment composition according to Claim 1, characterised in that the benzimidazolyl-alkyl-carbamate is of the following formula: N 0 tl R 2 C NH OR 1 0-H where R 1 is a C 1 -4 alkyl, alkoxy or phenoxy alkyl; and R 2 is a C1- 4 alkyl, hydrogen, nitrogen or halogen. S

3. Fabric treatment composition according to Claim 1 o or 2, characterised in that it comprises: 1 30% by weight of the fabric-softening material, and 0.1 5% by weight of the benzimidazolyl-alkyl-carbamate. "o

4. Fabric treatment composition according to claim 1, 2 or 3 comprising a cationic fabric softening material. a d "n one a

5. Fabric treatment composition according to Claims \Io L characterised in that it further comprises at least one other antimicrobial ubotanee.

6. Method for treating fabrics by rinsing the fabrics in an aqueous bath comprising a textile treatment composition comprising a fabric-softening material and a benzimidazolyl- alkyl-carbamate, wherein the concentration of the fabric softening material plus benzamidazolyl-alkyl-carbamate composition in the bath is from 30 to 500 ppm. DATED THIS 20TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER 1989 UNILEVER PLC By its Patent Attorneys: GRIFFITH HACK CO. Fellows Institute of Patent Attorneys of Australia. ly r 1 i6 -1 d4 i