WO1999060085A1

WO1999060085A1 - Liquid hard surface cleaner rinse

Info

Publication number: WO1999060085A1
Application number: PCT/US1999/010943
Authority: WO
Inventors: Manilal S. Dahanayake
Original assignee: Rhodia Inc.
Priority date: 1998-05-20
Filing date: 1999-05-19
Publication date: 1999-11-25
Also published as: AU4001499A; EP1080173A1

Abstract

A novel liquid hard surface cleaner rinse is comprised of one or more amphoteric surfactants, water, and optionally a chelating or sequestration agent, a hydrophilic agent, builders and water. The cleaner is particularly useful as a rinse for the removal of soap scum, greasy films, oily deposits and the like from bath tubs, shower stalls, sinks, toilets and other areas around the bath and kitchen. The amphoteric surfactant provides superior surface cleaning yet is non-toxic, environmentally benign and non-irritating to the eyes and skin.

Description

LIQUID HARD SURFACE CLEANER RINSE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to hard surface cleaners for use on ovens, sinks, toilets, bath tubs, shower stalls and the like. More specifically, the present invention comprises a rinsing solution for keeping these areas clean and free of mineral and other types of hard to remove deposits. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Shower stalls, sinks, and tubs accumulate a steady build-up of organic and inorganic deposits on their surfaces as a result of repeated use. The accumulation of such deposits, which include insoluble soap residues, washed-off debris from the body that is often partially coated with soap or shampoo, calcium, magnesium carbonates and soaps, other insoluble metal salts, and growth of mildew and micro-organisms, creates an unsightly and unhealthy environment that is unacceptable from the standpoint of cleanliness and good hygiene, as well as aesthetics.

Conventionally, the build-up of deposits in a shower can be cleaned with any one of a number of aggressive cleaners commercially available to the consumer. These cleaners, which contain combinations of surfactants, builders, chelating agents, oxidizers, abrasives, and soluble salts, require repeated scrubbing or wiping with the cleaner, followed generally with a water rinse, to periodically remove the unsightly and unhealthy build-up in the shower. However, considerable labor is required to maintain a clean shower using these conventional cleaners.

United States Patent No. 4,020,016 to Sokol discloses aqueous cleaning compositions for dissolving soap curds that require a non-ionic surfactant having an HLB (hydrophilic-lipophilic balance) number of at least 13.5. The composition also comprises ammonium, alkylamine or the hydroxy-alkylamine salt of nitrilotriacetic acid and an alkylene polyamine polycarboxylic acid as a chelating agent. The aqueous cleaning compositions are alleged to readily dissolve the soap curds with minimal manual effort. Soap curds form when the surfactants in the soap form complexes with metal ions and become insoluble. The composition is free of alkaline metal ions.

U. S. Patent No. 5,536,452 to Black teaches an aqueous rinsing composition for removing deposits from the surfaces of showers and the like without the need for manual scrubbing or wiping. The composition is comprised of a nonionic surfactant which has a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance number (HLB) of 13 or less, in particular, ethoxylated alcohol and ethoxylated alkylphenols, a chelating agent, an alcohol, and optionally, ammonium hydroxide and/or morpholine and water. U. S. Patent No. 5,587,022 also to Black discloses the same nonionic compositions as the '452 patent and further claims a method for rinsing showers using them.

These prior art compositions however, inherently possess a number of major flaws and deficiencies. Many plumbing components and fixtures used in shower stalls, bath tubs, sinks and toilets are comprised of one or a number of plastics such as polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene and the like. Nonionic surfactants such as the alcohol alkoxylates are hydrophobic with low solubility characteristics. As such, they soften and solubilize these plastic materials and result in cracking and crazing of the plastic surface. Crazing is a phenomenon caused by the solubilization and recrystallization of plastics whereby small, minute cracks are formed on coatings or glazed surfaces.

Secondly, the nonionic surfactants disclosed in the prior art with an HLB of 13 or less have very low cloud points and tend to form complexes with calcium and magnesium ions that are naturally found in tap water. These nonionic-metal complexes are insoluble and hence form deposits on the very surfaces that the surfactant composition is supposed to clean. And to exacerbate the problem, these surfactants also have very poor lime soap dispersibility which is essential for the removal of the calcium and magnesium lauryls, palmitates, and stearates generally found in commercially available soaps that form a soapy scum or film on the kitchen and bathroom surfaces.

Finally, the nonionic surfactants used in the hard surface bathroom cleaners of the prior art are non-biodegradable, toxic and are irritating to the skin and eyes. Moreover, due to the surfactant's low solubility as indicated by their low cloud points, excessive amounts of alcohol are required to formulate them into concentrated products.

The present invention then is an improved liquid hard surface cleaner rinse in which the active surfactant is one or more amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants which have been found to be far more compatible with all types of plastics resulting in no cracking or crazing even after repeated use. These surfactants are also highly stable at all temperatures. They have extremely high cloud point values and therefore do not form calcium or magnesium ion complexes resulting in surface stains and deposits. They are biodegradable, non-toxic and hence more environmentally friendly in addition to being mild to the eyes and skin. They also have excellent lime soap dispersing power and improved surface cleaning capability so that no soapy scum residues are left after use. Moreover, they are much more soluble than the other surfactants requiring the addition of little to no alcohol in order to formulate the hard surface cleaner rinse composition.

There is a need then for a liquid hard surface cleaner rinse for use as a shower, bathtub, sink and counter top cleaner that may be easily applied to these surfaces as a rinse which readily removes soap scum, greasy films, dirt, mildew and microorganisms such as bacteria and viruses which can grow and fester within these otherwise unsightly deposits. These superior cleaning attributes are achieved while the surfactants themselves are both compatible with the surfaces that are cleaned as well as being non-toxic, biodegradable and non-irritating.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an improved liquid hard surface cleaner comprising any one or more of a number of amphoteric or zwitterionic compounds as the surface active agent that is particularly useful as a sink, bath or shower surface cleaner rinse. The composition may be comprised of the amphoteric surfactant(s) with water as the carrier solvent alone or preferably also include a chelating or sequestration agent, an acid or base solvent, other secondary surfactants, fragrances, and/or disinfectants. The compositions provide superior cleaning functions while at the same time are non-toxic, biodegradable and much more compatible with plastic surfaces so as to not only clean but protect the surfaces from other, less compatible compounds.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The liquid hard surface cleaner rinse compositions of the present invention consist of an amphoteric surface active agent, water and a number of other optional ingredients which can vary as desired by the formulator depending on the particular application, strength necessary, etc. The amphoteric surfactants are generally classified as betaines, sultaines, amphopropionates, amine oxides and carboxylates. The surfactants which have been found to provide the benefits of the invention can be represented by the formulae:

R-NΘ-R,-Y

R,

R₄

/

R-N

\ R₅YM

(R₆OH)_x / R-Nθ-R₅COO- \

(R₅ COOM) ₂__x

R-NΘ -0^" I R₂

and mixtures thereof as well as mixtures with other surfactants wherein R is selected from the group of alkyl, alkylarylalkyl, arylalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl and sulfonated derivatives thereof, alkylamidoalkyl, or alkoxylalkyl, and the hydroxy-substituted derivatives thereof wherein the alkyl group contains from about 1 to about 16 carbon atoms, the aryl group is up to and including two fused rings and the alkoxy group contains from 4 to 18, preferably 4 to 10, carbon atoms wherein the total carbon atom content of the R group is no more than about 18 carbon atoms. R can be butyl, hexyl, 2- ethyihexyl, octyl, capryl, caprylyl, coco, lauryl, palmitic and the like. Substituents from natural sources contain mixed carbon chain lengths or can be purified to reduce the number of chain lengths in the alkyl groups. R can also be alkylamidoalkyl, such as butylamidoethyl or caprylamidopropyl, cocoamidopropyl and alkoxyalkyl such as cocooxypropyl, decyloxypropyl, hexyloxymethyl or hexyloxy -2- hydroxy- propyl. R can also be

V. R₇-CH (OH) CH₂-Q-

R₁ and R₂ independently represent alkyl chains of from about 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, preferably methyl, and the hydroxy-substituted derivatives thereof or hydroxy polyoxyethylene, polyoxypropylene or mixed polyether polymers of EO and PO having no more than 20 ether linkages; or R^ and R₂ may jointly be -CH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂- or -CH₂CH₂SCH₂CH₂- so as to form together with the nitrogen atom a morpholine or thiomorpholine ring. R₃ represents an alkyl or hydroxy- substituted alkyl group of from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms; R₄ represents R₆OH, R₅YM, preferably R₅COOM, or hydrogen where R₆ is a lower alkyl of from 1 to about 4, preferably 2, carbon atoms and the hydroxy- substituted derivatives thereof; R₅ represents alkyl or hydroxy-substituted alkyl of from 1 to about 4, preferably 1 or 2 carbon atoms; Y represents COO^" or S0₃ ^"; M represents hydrogen and or an alkali metal such as sodium or potassium and x equals 1 or 2.

Preferably, the surfactants are low to moderate foaming or non- foaming as foaming creates difficulties when used as a cleansing rinse, i.e. foams will not readily flow as a rinse off the surface to be cleaned thereby leaving residue. The compounds of Formula I generally defined as betaines and sultaines are well known compounds and can be made by well known methods. Betaine is trimethyl glycine. Replacing one of the methyl groups provides a betaine derivative, commonly an alkyl betaine. Betaines are zwittenonic and internally compensated salts. The remaining two methyl groups can be replaced such as with hydroxyethyl groups to form dihydroxyethyl alkyl glycinate.

In betaines, R is C₄ to C₁₆ alkyl, alkylamidoalkyl or alkoxyalkyl. The alkyl group or portion of the group is preferably about C₄ to about C₁₀. R^ and R₂ are preferably methyl. When R^ and R₂ are not methyl, they can optionally be substituted with an electron withdrawing group such as OH,

SH, CH₃0 or, CH₃S.

Materials which employ a sulfonate or hydroxy alkyl sulfonate in place of the carboxyl group, by analogy, are described as sultaines. These are well known compositions.

A specific group of sultaines that have been found to be effective in the invention can be more specifically depicted by the general formula:

VI. R₇-CH (OH) CH₂-Q-NΘ-R₃-S0₃

R,₂

wherein R₇ is selected from alkyl, aryl, or alkylaryl groups of from about 4 to about 16 carbon atoms or alkoxymethylene wherein the alkoxy group contains from about 4 to about 8 carbon atoms; R^ and R₂ are as defined hereinbefore with the proviso that when the alkyl group is an alkyl of from about 2 to about 6 carbon atoms, the alkyl group is substituted by an electron-donating group on the beta carbon atom thereof. R₃ represents an alkyl or hydroxy-substituted alkyl group of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Q is a covalent bond or:

R₈ VII. I I -N-(CH₂)_nCHCH₂- wherein R₈ is hydrogen or -CH₂CH(OH)CH₂S0₃M where M is hydrogen or an alkali metal cation; n is 0 or 1 and X is hydrogen or an electron- donating group such as OH, SH, CH₃0 or CH₃S.

Typically the R₇ group contains from about 4 to about 14, commonly from about 4 to about 8 carbon atoms. Preferably, R₇ is alkoxymethyl containing from about 4 to about 8 carbon atoms in the alkoxy group such as butoxymethyl, hexyloxymethyl, 2- ethylhexyloxymethyl and the like. R^ and R₂ are each preferably methyl, hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxypropyl, or a morpholine ring. When Q is not a covalent bond, X is preferably hydrogen and n is preferably 1. Q is preferably a covalent bond. A particularly preferred group of compounds can be described as alkylether hydroxypropyl sultaines.

All of these surfactants are more fully described in and can be prepared by processes disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.4,891 ,159, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

This group of surfactants can typically be incorporated in aqueous solutions that can have high acid or alkaline content, particularly having a relatively high alkali content, for example, within the range of from 5 to about 50%, and preferably from about 25 to about 50% sodium or potassium hydroxide or equivalent such as strong sodium carbonate, silicate and phosphate solutions.

Compounds of this class which can be used in the invention include the following which are believed to be predominantly of the formulae: OH

C, 2H^l '5 OH CH,-CH- CH₂S0₃-Na

C_ΛH_Q-CH-CH₂0-CH₂-CH-CH₂-N CH₃ OH

(CH₂)₃N^θCH₂CH-CH₂S0₃-

CH,

OH CH, OH

C.H¹ '_q9-CH H-CH₂-N^θ-CH₂CH-CH₂S0₃

CH,

OH CH3 OH

C₄H₉CH-CH₂0-CH₂CH-CH₂-N^θCH₂CH-CH₂S0₃

CH,

OH CH3 OH

C_RH,-CH-CH₂-N^θ-CH₂CH-CH₂S0₃

CH, CH₃ OH

I I

RC(0)NHCH₂CH₂CH₂N^ffi-CH₂CH-CH₂S0₃-

I

CH ',3

CH₂- CH(OH)CH₂-S0₃Na

I R-0 CH₂CH(OH)CH₂-N-(CH₂)₃-N^ffi-(CH₃)₂-CH(OH)CH₂S0₃-

wherein R represents the residue of glycidyl ether of a lauryl myristyl alcohol mixture.

Within Formulas II and III are numerous compositions that can be defined as imidazoline derivatives, preferably where R is alkylamidoalkyl, which are well known and can be made by well known methods. These are true amphoteric surfactants as they are anionic above the isoelectric point, cationic below the isoelectric point and zwitterionic in the isoelectric range. These compounds have at least two sites capable of ionization or protonization, i.e., a tertiary amine, carboxylate or sulfonate group with electronegative charge.

An alkylamphoacetate or propionate as used in the invention, such as capryl, coco or tallow, at alkaline pH is an anionic surfactant as represented below:

CH₂COO^" Naθ

I RC(0)NH CH₂CH₂N

CH₂CH₂OH At acid pH, the carboxylate group ionization is suppressed, the amine group is protonated by the excess hydrogen ions and the result is a cationic material: CH₂COOH

RC(0)NH CH₂CH₂NΘH

I

CH₂CH₂OH In the isoelectric range, both sites are ionized and a zwitterion is formed:

CH₂COO^"

RC(0)NH CH₂CH₂N®H

CH₂CH₂OH

In similar manner, the compounds of Formula III likewise are capable of different ionic forms depending on pH as illustrated by the following preferred compounds:

Alkyloamphodicarboxylates (e.g., diacetates and dipropionates)

CH₂COOH

RC(0)NH CH₂CH₂NθCH₂COOH I

CH₂CH₂OH Acid pH - Cationic CH₂COO Naθ

I RC(0)NH CH₂CH₂NΦCH₂COO- I

CH₂CH₂OH Alkaline pH - Anionic

CH₂COO^"

I RC(0)NH CH₂CH₂NΘCH₂C00H

I

CH₂CH₂OH Neutral pH - Zwitterionic

The inclusion of the various ionic possibilities of compounds in

Formula II and III includes the sulfonated derivatives as well as the carboxylated derivatives.

Included within Formula II of the invention are the amino and imino carboxylates which are well known and also vary ionic form depending on pH.

Alkylaminopropionates

RNH₂ΘCH₂CH₂COOH

Acid pH - Cationic

RNH₂®CH₂CH₂COO-

Neutral pH - Zwitterionic

RNHCH₂CH₂COO Naθ

Alkaline pH - Anionic Alkyliminodipropionates

CH₂CH₂COOH CH₂CH₂COO^" CH₂CH₂COO Naθ

I 1 1 I RNHΘ RNH@ RNHΘ

CH₂CH₂COOH CH₂CH₂COOH CH₂CH₂COO Naθ

Acid pH Neutral pH Alkaline pH

Cationic Zwitterionic Anionic

The above compounds differ from the imidazoline-derived materials since they have no amide group and differ from the betaines since the nitrogen is not quatemized. These ionic variations are intended to be included within the formula defining the compounds useful in this invention.

Typically, liquid hard surface cleaner rinse solutions utilized in accordance with the invention can contain the amphoteric surfactants in amounts ranging from 0.1 to 5.0%, and preferably from about 0.1 to 3.0%, active percent by weight of the solution. Concentrated solutions, generally designed for dilution can contain higher percentages, such as up to about 40% active weight percent of the surfactants. As discussed supra, these can be comprised solely of surfactant and water but preferably will also comprise additional components.

In addition to the amphoteric surfactant component of the hard surface cleaner rinse compositions of the present invention, other additional components are preferably added for best results. These comprise a sequesterant or chelating agent, a hydrophilic solvent and an acid or a base which is added in order to increase or decrease the pH of the liquid cleaner composition as required by local environmental conditions. Optional ingredients such as buffers, fragrances, disinfectants, colorants for visual aesthetics and other secondary surfactants for increased surface active cleaning power may also be included. Preferably, the chelating or sequestration agent is ethylene diamine tetraacetate (EDTA) or one of its salts such as diammonium EDTA, a commercially available 44% solution that is easy to mix, economical in cost, and has low toxicity. Other chelating agents that may be used are, for example but not limited to, hydroxyethyl ethylene diaminetriacetic acid (HEEDTA), propanolamine, polyamino-carboxylic acid, diethylenetriamine pentacetic acid (DTPA) and nitrolotriacetic acid (NTA) can be substituted for EDTA or diammonium EDTA on an equivalent chelating strength basis.

The chelating or sequestering agent is preferably mixed in the liquid hard surface cleaner in an amount of about 0.01 wt. % to 5.0 wt. % based on the total weight of the liquid cleaner rinse. On an equivalent chelating strength basis, the other chelating agents mentioned above, as well as a solution of diammonium EDTA of different concentration, can be mixed in the liquid hard surface cleaner rinse composition in an amount of about 0.1 wt. % to 3.0 wt. %.

A base or acid may be incorporated in the composition to increase or decrease the pH of liquid hard surface cleaner rinse depending on the acidity or alkalinity required for the cleaning conditions; i.e. water hardness, etc. The pH of the aqueous shower rinsing solution is preferably in the pH range of about 3 to 10, more preferably in the pH range of from about 5.0 to 9.0.

A hydrophilic solvent, which increases the solvent properties and improves the sheeting action of the rinse by keeping the viscosity low in order to minimize any residual film on both sink and shower surfaces, can optionally be added to the liquid hard surface cleaner rinse in the range of about 0.5 wt. % to about 5.0 wt. % of the total weight of the cleaner rinse. Any short-chain alcohol, such as ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, n-propyl alcohol, n-butyl alcohol, and isobutyl alcohol, can be used, although isopropyl alcohol is preferred. Ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerol, the isopropyl ether of ethylene glycol or the ethyl ether of ethylene glycol can be used as possible substitutions for a short-chain alcohol.

A builder is also optionally added as a buffer for the system according to the hardness of the tap water. These are selected from the group comprising silicates, citrates, phosphates, pyrophosphates and polyphosphates, borates, amines and mixtures thereof. The amount added may vary according to local conditions but generally ranges from about 0.01 wt. % to about 3.0 wt. %.

The liquid hard surface cleaner rinse preferably contains one or more fragrances to provide a fresh and clean smell. Although the addition of fragrance is optional, it satisfies the expectation of consumers that a clean shower, bath, toilet or sink would smell "fresh and clean". However, a composition which lacks a fragrance additive still performs satisfactorily in cleaning the bath, sink, or shower surfaces.

Pine scent is the preferred fragrance. However, any of a number of commercially available fragrances or color additives may be used to provide a fresh and clean smell and is well within the skill of those in the art. Generally, 0.005% to 0.008% of fragrance additive is mixed with the aqueous rinsing solution composition based on the initial concentration of the fragrance additive supplied by the manufacturer.

The water used in this liquid hard surface cleaner rinse of the present invention should have negligible amounts of metal ions and be capable of not leaving any residue or deposit after evaporation from a shower surface. Distilled water or deionized water is preferred as the source of water for dilution of the individual components as well as for the water added as the balance of the composition for an aqueous shower rinsing solution.

Local conditions, such as the degree of water hardness, altitude above sea level, and the composition of the indigenous soils, should also be taken into consideration in formulating the liquid hard surface cleaner rinse composition. The amount of surfactant, sequestration or chelating agent, buffer, hydrophilic solvent and acid or base incorporated may be increased/decreased to account for greater/lesser water hardness and soils with higher/lower calcium and magnesium levels. At higher altitudes, alcohols having lower vapor pressure can be used.

The liquid hard surface cleaner rinse is a dilute amphoteric surfactant solution containing additional additives and the bath, shower or sink is rinsed after use to prevent the build-up of deposits. The rinsing solution is best sprayed on the surfaces of shower stalls, bath tubs, sinks, and toilets with a pump or pressurized sprayer. For superior results, the rinsing solution is applied to bath, shower or sink surfaces before the deposits dry and set. While the rinsing solution does soften and remove dried deposits, it works best in the removal of deposits that are still wet. The rinsing solution transports these undesirable deposits down wet surfaces by gravity and onto the bath, shower or sink drain. In subsequent uses of the sink, bath or shower, hot water and mist enhances the removal of deposits. Thus, the repeated cycles of spray application, drying of surfaces and subsequent showering or bathing serve to readily release the deposits from the surface and carry them down to the bath, sink or shower drain in a continuous fashion. Water rinsing other than the actual use of the bath, sink or shower itself can also be done but is not necessary. No scrubbing, wiping, or other mechanical action is necessary, in contrast to conventional cleaning agents which are used to remove deposits only after such deposits have dried.

Previously accumulated build-up of undesirable deposits that have already dried and set can be softened and completely removed, albeit gradually, with continued application of the rinsing solution after each use of the respective bath, shower or sink. While no wiping or other mechanical action is required to remove such previously dried and set deposits, gentle wiping accelerates the removal of softened deposits that have accumulated over a period of time. Furthermore, in contrast to simply rinsing the shower surfaces with plain tap water or soapy water, both of which leave deposits, the present invention prevents streaking and air dries spot free. Thus, the aqueous hard surface cleaner rinsing solution provides a product for maintaining baths, sinks, and showers clean with the minimum of effort. The following example is provided to better describe the benefits of the compositions of the present invention and their use. They are for illustrative purposes only, and it is recognized the minor changes and alterations can be made that are not contemplated herein. It is to be understood then that to the extent any such changes do not materially alter or vary the final composition and its efficacy, it is to be considered as falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as later recited in the claims.

Example 1

Hard surface rinse cleaners of the present inventions were compared to those of the prior art in terms of the degree to which a particular cleaner caused cracking and/or crazing of the plastic surface and in terms of each formulation's ability to remove soap scum, dirt, greasy film etc. Each of the surfactants tested was formulated as a standard rinse solution consisting of the following components in their respective amounts. The solutions were then repeatedly applied to a number of plastic surfaces in a standard dishwasher at 80°C and observed at intermittent intervals of 1 hour for 24 cycles (24 hours). a) Surfactant 1.5 wt. % b) Isopropyl Alcohol 4.4 wt. % c) EDTA 1.5 wt. % d) Water Q.S.

OBSERVED VISUAL

PERCENTAGE SURFACE

SURFACTANT

CRACKING/ APPEARANCE

CRAZING (Inteqritv/

Cleanliness)

1) Water (control) 15% Good

2) Nonionic Alcohol Alkoxylate 55% Good

3) Sodium Oleate Ester 70% Very Poor

4) Alkyl Phenol Glycol Ether 75% Very Poor

5) Alkyl Phenol Glycerol Ether 60% Poor

6) Silicone Polyalkoxylate Block 80% Very Poor Copolymer

7) Amphoacetate/Amphopropionate 0% Excellent Surfactant Blend (MIRANOL JS) *

8) Capryloamphopropionate Sulfonate 2.0% Excellent

9) Capryloamprocarboxy Propionate 5.0% Excellent

10) Alkylether hydroxypropyl Sultaine 0% Excellent

* RHODIA INC., CRANBURY, N. J.

As is made quite clear above, the amphoteric hard surface cleaner rinses of the present invention (nos. 7-10) substantially outperformed those of the prior art (nos. 3-5) and Black '536 (no. 2). Not only are the amphoteric surfactants more compatible with the plastic surfaces resulting in less cracking and crazing, they were more effective in removing soap scum, films, and other visually discernible deposits.

Claims

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1) A liquid hard surface cleaner rinse comprising: a) an amphoteric surfactant; f) water

2) The liquid hard surface cleaner rinse of claim 1 wherein said amphoteric surfactant is selected from the group consisting of sultaines, betaines, alkyl amine oxides, zwitterions, amphopropionates and carboxylates.

3) The liquid hard surface cleaner rinse of claim 2 comprising: a) a chelating or sequestering agent;

b) a hydrophilic solvent;

c) a builder; and d) a base or acid,

4) The liquid hard surface cleaner rinse of claim 3 wherein said amphoteric surfactant is selected from the group consisting of :

I.

I R₂

R₄

/

II. R-N \

R₅YM

(R₆OH)_x / III. R-N╬ÿ-R₅COO^"

\

(R₅ COOM) ₂._x IV. R,

I

R-N╬ÿ -╧â I

R₂

and mixtures thereof and mixtures with other secondary surfactants wherein R is selected from the group of alkyl, alkylarylalkyl, arylalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl, and the sulfonated derivatives thereof, alkylamidoalkyl, or alkoxylalkyl wherein the alkyl group contains from about 1 to about 12 carbon atoms, the aryl group is up to and including two fused rings and the alkoxy group contains from 4 to 16 carbon atoms wherein the total carbon atom content of the R group is no more than about 22 carbon atom and wherein R in Formula I can be

R₇-CH (OH) CH₂-Q- wherein R₇ is selected from alkyl, aryl, or alkylaryl groups of from about 4 to about 16 carbon atoms or alkoxymethylene wherein the alkoxy group contains from about 4 to about 8 carbon atoms; and

Q is a covalent bond or:

R₈ X v. I I -N-(CH₂)_nCHCH₂-

wherein R₈ is hydrogen or -CH₂CH(OH)CH₂S0₃M where M is hydrogen or an alkali metal cation; n is 0 or 1 and X is hydrogen or an electron-donating group. R, and R₂ independently represent alkyl of from about 1 to about 6 carbon atoms and the hydroxy-substituted derivatives thereof or hydroxy polyoxyethylene, polyoxypropylene or mixed polyether polymers of EO and PO having no more than 20 ether linkages; or R^ and R₂ may jointly be -CH₂CH₂OCH₂CH₂- or - CH₂CH₂SCH₂CH₂- so as to form together with the nitrogen atom a morpholine or thiomorpholine ring; R₃ represents an alkyl or hydroxy-substituted alkyl group of from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms;

R₄ represents R₆OH, R₅YM, or hydrogen; R₅ and R₆ independently represent alkyl or hydroxy-substituted alkyl of from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms; Y represents COO^" or S0₃ ^"; M represents hydrogen and or an alkali metal and x equals 1 or 2. 5) The liquid hard surface cleaner rinse of claim 4 wherein said amphoteric surfactant comprises from about 0.01 wt. % to about

5.0 wt. % based on the total weight of the liquid hard surface cleaner rinse.

6) The surface cleaner rinse of claim 5 wherein said chelating or sequestration agent is selected from the group consisting of ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), diammonium EDTA, hydroxyethyl EDTA (HEEDA), diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA), nitielotriacetic acid propanolamine, polyamino-carboxylic acid and mixtures thereof. 7) The surface cleaner rinse of claim 6 wherein said chelating agent is incorporated into said liquid rinse in an amount of from about 0.1 wt. % to about 4.0 wt. % based on the total weight of the rinse solution.

8) The liquid hard surface cleaner rinse of claim 7 wherein said hydrophilic solvent is an alcohol is selected from the group consisting of ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, n-propyl alcohol, n- butyl alcohol, isobutyl alcohol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerol, the isopropyl ether of ethylene glycol, the ethyl ether of ethylene glycol and mixtures thereof. 9) The liquid hard surface cleaner rinse of claim 8 wherein said alcohol is incorporated in said rinse in an amount of from about 0.5 wt. % to about 5.0 wt. % based on the total weight of the rinse solution. 10) The liquid hard surface cleaner rinse of claim 9 wherein said builder is selected from the group consisting of citrates, phosphates, pyrophosphates, polyphosphates, silicates, citrates, borates, amines and mixtures thereof.

11) The liquid hard surface cleaner rinse of claim 10 wherein said secondary surfactant is selected from the group consisting of nonionic, cationic, anionic surfactants and mixtures thereof.

12) The liquid hard surface cleaner rinse of claim 11 further comprising fragrances, disinfectants, color agents and mixtures thereof.

13) A method for the removal of dirt, grease, grime, mildew, soap and mineral deposits, oils and the like from a hard surface comprises treating said surface with an aqueous amphoteric surfactant solution.

14) The method of claim 13 wherein said amphoteric surfactant is selected from the group consisting of sultaines, betaines, alkyl amine oxides, zwitterions, amphopropionates, carboxylates and mixtures thereof.

15) The method of claim 14 wherein said surface cleaner further comprises: a) a chelating or sequestering agent; b) a hydrophilic solvent; c) a builder; and d) a base or acid.

16) The method of claim 15 wherein said amphoteric surfactant comprises from about 0.01 wt. % to about 5.0 wt. % based on the total weight of the liquid hard surface cleaner rinse. 17) The method of claim 16 wherein said hard surface liquid cleaner is sprayed onto the surface to be cleaned.

18) The method of claim 17 wherein said dirt, grime, grease, soap and mineral deposits are wet. 19) The method of claim 18 wherein said dirt, grime, grease, soap and mineral deposits are dried onto the hard surface.

20) The method of claim 19 wherein said hard surface comprises a shower stall, bath tub, sink, toilet, bathroom or kitchen floor.

21) The method of claim 20 further comprising mechanical agitation of the hard surface with a cloth, brush, sponge, towel or mop.