[0001] The present disclosure pertains to a nontoxic floor cleaner. In particular the present disclosure relates to a nontoxic antimicrobial floor cleaner.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] Floor cleaners are important products finding application in diverse set up like house hold, clinical and industrial surface cleaning. Different varieties of cleaners are available in the market, essentially based on phenyl. The popular class includes the ones essentially containing pine resins or oils derived from coniferous species of trees; or containing synthetic fragrance compositions mimicking the fragrance of one or more resins or oils derived from coniferous species of trees. A color of such floor cleaners range from usually amber yellow, or deep amber, or deep reddish color.
[0004] These floor cleaners suffer from shortcomings associated with their non-pleasant colour, appearance, very strong odor, and mostly very high percentage of pine oil used, which can be as high as 30%. Such highly concentrated pine oil leave surface residue or film after application, which is an undesirable attribute of a surface cleaner. To minimize such effect, usually a substantial amount of one or more organic compounds, particularly traditional soap constituents, or surfactants are used, however, again use of such surfactant in high concentration required to overcome the unwanted effect pose further problems. These constituents have been found to cause the further undesired surface deposits such as surface streaks or sticky films.
[0005] Many soap constituents, and surfactants used and the pine oil itself are categorized as undesired volatile organic compounds. Such volatile organic constituents may cause damage to flooring surface, especially those on which finish is applied. The residual films over time can built up over time, which are difficult to remove, requiring floor refinishing again and again. Besides, such built up residual films undesirably clog devices used for refinishing or abrading materials requiring frequent cleaning thereof, and/or consumption of the abrasive materials at an unacceptable rate. Since the film is

difficult to remove completely, the newly coated floor finish may impart defects such as swelling, loss of adhesion and/or change in gloss. Additionally, such volatile organic compounds in much higher amount can cause adverse changes to the environment posing risk to the health and safety of the users applying and those dwelling in the premises where floor cleaners containing high concentrations of volatile components are used regularly.
[0006] To obviate adverse effect of high concentrations of volatile constituents, when they are included at lower percentages, the quality of the floor cleaner is compromised leading to inadequate cleaning of the surface or poor disinfection ability, leaving the surface unhealthy.
[0007] From the foregoing it is apparent that there is a need for floor cleaning composition which can overcome one or more of the above undesirable feature and/or effect such as not so appealing color, very strong undesirable odor causing irritation in eyes or mucosal membrane, and can be considered toxic to those living in the premises where such floor cleaners are applied, obviate need for very high concentrations of the organic constituents and most importantly inadequate cleaning and disinfecting properties.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Accordingly, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide a floor cleaning
composition, which does not contain very high concentrations of toxic organic volatile
constituents.
[0009] It is an object of the preset disclosure to provide a floor cleaning
composition, which does not have unappealing colour or odour.
[0010] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a floor cleaning
composition, which possessed an antimicrobial activity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a floor cleaning composition, which does not contain very high concentrations of toxic volatile organic constituents. [0012] In one aspect the present disclosure provides a floor cleaning composition, which comprises low concentrations of volatile organic constituents and yet possesses antimicrobial activity.

[0013] In one aspect the present disclosure provides a floor cleaning composition comprising an alcohol; surfactants; essential oils; and a neem oil at corresponding ratio of 2:3:1.25:0.25; and water, wherein the surfactants include surfactant 1 and surfactant 2 at a ratio of 1:1, and essential oils include pine oil and at least one more additional essential oil at a ratio of 4:1.
[0014] In one aspect the present disclosure provides a floor cleaning composition
comprising an alcohol; a surfactant 1; a surfactant 2; essential oils; and a neem oil at corresponding ratio of 2:1.5:1.5:1.25:0.25; and water, wherein essential oils include the pine oil and at least one more additional essential oil at a ratio of 4:1. [0015] In one aspect the present disclosure provides a floor cleaner which is white in colour, has aromatic odour, and does not leave undesirable stain on the surface after application.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure. The
embodiments are in such detail so as to communicate the disclosure. However, the amount
of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the
contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives
falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended
claims.
[0017] Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification which
follow, the word "comprise" and variations thereof, such as, "comprises" and
"comprising" are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense that is as "including, but not
limited to."
[0018] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an
embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in
connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the
appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places
throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any
suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
[0019] As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a,"
"an," and "the" include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. It

should also be noted that the term "or" is generally employed in its sense including
"and/or" unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.
[0020] In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities of ingredients,
properties such as concentration, reaction conditions, and so forth, used to describe and
claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in
some instances by the term "about." Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical
parameters set forth in the written description are approximations that can vary depending
upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some
embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of
reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.
Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of
some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in
the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable.
[0021] The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a
shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range.
Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the
specification as if it were individually recited herein.
[0022] The process described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless
otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
[0023] The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. "such as")
provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better
illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention
otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating
any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
[0024] The headings and abstract of the invention provided herein are for convenience
only and do not interpret the scope or meaning of the embodiments.
[0025] The following discussion provides many example embodiments of the
inventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a single combination of
inventive elements, the inventive subject matter is considered to include all possible
combinations of the disclosed elements. Thus if one embodiment comprises elements A,
B, and C, and a second embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive
subject matter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A, B, C, or D,
even if not explicitly disclosed.

[0026] Various terms as used herein should be given the broadest definition persons in
the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents
at the time of filing.
[0027] Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments of the
present disclosure.
[0028] The present disclosure relates to a non toxic and antimicrobial floor cleaning
composition.
[0029] In one embodiment the present disclosure provides an antimicrobial floor
cleaning composition comprising an alcohol; surfactants; essential oils; and a neem oil at
corresponding ratio of 2:3:1.25:0.25; and water, wherein the surfactants include surfactant
1 and surfactant 2 at a ratio of 1:1, and essential oils include the mixture of pine oil and at
least one more additional essential oil at a ratio of 4:1.
[0030] In one embodiment the present disclosure provides an antimicrobial floor
cleaning composition comprising an alcohol; a surfactant 1; a surfactant 2; essential oils;
and a neem oil at corresponding ratio of 2:1.5:1.5:1.25:0.25; and water, wherein essential
oils include pine oil and at least one more additional essential oil at a ratio of 4:1.
[0031] In an embodiment the alcohol included can be lower alcohols, for example
selected from C1-C3 alcohol. In an embodiment the alcohol included is selected from
ethanol or propanol.
[0032] In a preferred embodiment the alcohol included is ethanol.
[0033] In an embodiment the alcohol included in the antimicrobial floor cleaning
composition is ethanol.
[0034] The surfactants that can be comprised in the antimicrobial floor cleaner
composition include the ones belonging to the class of polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid
esters.
[0035] In an embodiment of the present disclosure surfactants comprised in the
antimicrobial floor cleaning composition include polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate,
and polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate.
[0036] In an embodiment of the present disclosure the surfactant 1 included in the
antimicrobial floor cleaning composition is polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, and
surfactant 2 is polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate.
[0037] In an embodiment of the present disclosure in the antimicrobial floor cleaning
composition, the surfactant 1 is polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, and surfactant 2 is
polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate, included in the ratio of 1:1.

[0038] The essential oils comprised in the antimicrobial floor cleaner composition includes pine oil and at least one more additional essential oil selected from the group consisting of eucaplyptus oil, rosemary oil, citronella, lemongrass, lavender, sandalwood, mint, thyme, tea tree, camphor, orange, strawberry, jasmine, rose, cedar, vanilin, vetyver, and musk. Such essential oils to be included in the floor cleaner composition can be the ones derived naturally and are procured commercially or can be artificially synthesized having identical or similar fragrance to the ones occurring naturally.
[0039] In a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure the antimicrobial floor cleaner composition comprises pine oil and eucalyptus oil.
[0040] In one preferred embodiment of the present disclosure the antimicrobial floor cleaner composition comprises pine oil and eucalyptus oil in the ratio of 4:1. [0041] The neem oil used included in the antimicrobial floor cleaner composition is the commercially procured neem oil, which is extracted oil from the seeds/fruits of Azadirachta indica available as a value added product in the market place. [0042] The antimicrobial floor cleaner composition comprises water in a quantity sufficient to make up the desired volume. The water is added in the quantity sufficient in order to provide 100% by weight of the compositions of the present disclosure. The water may be tap water, but preferably is distilled and/or deionized water. In an instance of use of the tap water, it is preferably appropriately filtered in order to remove any undesirable impurities for example organic or inorganic, particularly minerals salts which are present in hard water which may interfere with the other components of the antimicrobial floor cleaner composition. Deionized water is most preferred, due to the absence of ions. Generally, water is present in the compositions in amounts in excess of about 90% by weight, preferably in amounts of between about 92% to about 93% by weight of the total weight of antimicrobial floor cleaner composition in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0043] The antimicrobial floor cleaner composition may optionally comprise further additional components, including but not limited to: further surfactant; active agents; antimicrobial agents, pH adjusting agents, pH buffering agents, preservatives, antioxidants, water softening agents, fragrances and coloring agents, or any other component which may be included in the antimicrobial floor cleaner to add, improve, enhance, or maintain one or more physical, or biological properties of the floor cleaner. [0044] In an embodiment the present disclosure provides a floor cleaner which is white in colour, has aromatic odour, and pH of about 6 to 7.

[0045] The antimicrobial floor cleaner composition of the present disclosure is acceptable in terms of consumer acceptance with respect to colour, odour and appearance. [0046] The antimicrobial floor cleaner composition of the present disclosure is particularly advantageous as it does not leave undesirable stain, streaking, or film on the surface after application. The antimicrobial floor cleaner composition of the present disclosure can be applied to clean surfaces selected from but not limiting to tiles, ceramics, marble, granite, glass or even wood.
[0047] The antimicrobial floor cleaner composition of the present disclosure on account of low concentrations of the components used is non-toxic and safe for the users as well as those present in the areas or premises where the floor cleaner is applied. [0048] The present invention satisfies the existing needs, as well as others, and generally overcomes the deficiencies found in the existing art.
[0049] It is to be understood that groupings of alternative elements or embodiments disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. [0050] While the foregoing description discloses various embodiments of the disclosure, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope of the disclosure. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.
EXAMPLES
[0051] The present disclosure is further explained in the form of following examples. However, it is to be understood that the foregoing examples are merely illustrative and are not to be taken as limitations upon the scope of the invention. Various changes and modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.
Example 1
Preparation of the antimicrobial floor cleaner

[0052] The components as per Table 1 were procured commercially. The antimicrobial floor cleaner was prepared using the components as per the following composition under Table 1 in accordance with the present disclosure:
Table 1: Composition of the antimicrobial floor cleaner

Ingredients Quantity %
Neem oil 0.25
Pine oil 1.00
Eucalyptus oil 0.25
Tween 80 1.5
Tween 20 1.5
Ethanol 2
Distilled water q.s to make 100%
[0053] Essential oils and neem oil were mixed using magnetic stirrer. Tween 80 and Tween 20 were added to the blend of essential oils and neem oil under constant stirring and ethanol was added to this mixture. Distilled water was added to make the final volume of 100% and was mixed thoroughly to provide the floor cleaner.
Example 2
Organoleptic Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Floor Cleaner
[0054] The antimicrobial floor cleaner prepared as per example 1 cleaner was
evaluated for organoleptic characteristic, pH and any after application effect. The floor
cleaner was found to have following characteristics as per Table 2.
Table 2: Organoleptic characteristics and after effect of application of the
antimicrobial floor cleaner

Parameters Observation
Colour White
Odour Aromatic
pH 6
Stain after application No stain
Example 3
Antimicrobial activity of the Antimicrobial Floor Cleaner

[0055] The screening of anti-microbial efficacy of the antimicrobial floor cleaner prepared as per Example 1 at different concentrations (10%, 20% and 50%) was aseptically performed in comparison with the standard drug (ciprofloxacin) on S. aureus and E. coli microbial strains by using Agar Well Diffusion Technique. [0056] Nutrient Agar (HEVIEDIA) (5.6 gm) was suspended in 200ml distilled water and boiled to dissolve the medium completely. Medium was then sterilized by autoclaving at 151bs for 15 minutes. The autoclaved medium was cooled to 45-50 °C and aseptically and transferred in sterile petri plates. The agar plate surface was inoculated by spreading a volume of the microbial inoculum over the entire agar surface. Then, a hole with a diameter of 6 to 8 mm was punched aseptically with a sterile cork borer or a tip. A volume (20-100 mL) of the floor cleaner solution at different concentrations (10%, 20% and 50%>) was introduced separately into each well. The inoculated agar plates were incubated in BOD chamber for 24 hours and microbial inhibition was noted. The antimicrobial floor clear in accordance with the present disclosure was found to diffuses in the agar medium and inhibit the growth of the microbial strain tested. The antimicrobial floor clear of the present disclosure was found to exhibit superior antimicrobial activity as compared to ciprofloxacin as shown in Table 3.
Table 3: Antimicrobial activity of the floor cleaner of the present invention and
ciprofloxacin

Concentration % Zone of inhibition (mm) after 24 hrs

E. coli S. aureus
10 12 10
20 17 19
50 21 23
Ciprofloxacin (lOug) 32 34
[0057] Thus, the above results show that the floor cleaner composition of the present disclosure which has desirable attributes in terms of colour, odor, and pH without leaving any residue or film accumulation after application, unexpectedly exhibits superior antimicrobial activity as compared to the standard antimicrobial drug ciprofloxacin, despite comprising low concentrations of the components and thus rendering it safe and highly effective antimicrobial floor cleaner.
[0058] While the present invention has been described with reference to what are presently considered to be the preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the

invention is not limited to these embodiments. To the contrary, the invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

WE CLAIM

1.An antimicrobial floor cleaning composition comprising an alcohol; surfactants; essential oils; andaneem oil at corresponding ratio of 2:3:1.25:0.25; and water, wherein the surfactants include surfactant 1 and surfactant 2 at a ratio of 1:1, and essential oils include the mixture of pine oil and at least one more additional essential oil at a ratio of 4:1.
2.The antimicrobial floor cleaning composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the alcohol is selected from C1-C3 alcohol, preferably the alcohol is ethanol.
3.The antimicrobial floor cleaning composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the surfactantl and surfactant 2 are selected from those belonging to the class of polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters.
4.The antimicrobial floor cleaning composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the surfactant 1 is polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, and surfactant 2 is polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate.
5.The antimicrobial floor cleaning composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
additional essential oil is selected from the group consisting of eucaplyptus oil, rosemary
oil, citronella, lemongrass, lavender, sandalwood, mint, thyme, tea tree, camphor, orange,
strawberry, jasmine, rose, cedar, vanilin, vetyver, and musk.
6.The antimicrobial floor cleaning composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the additional essential oil is eucalyptus oil.
7.The antimicrobial floor cleaning composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water is present in a quantity sufficient to make up the volume 100% by weight of the composition.
8.The antimicrobial floor cleaning composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the antimicrobial floor cleaner composition optionally comprises additional components, selected from the group consisting of active agents; antimicrobial agents, pH adjusting agents, pH buffering agents, preservatives, antioxidants, water softening agents, fragrances and coloring agents.
9.The antimicrobial floor cleaning composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pH of the antimicrobial floor cleaner composition is 6 to 7.