The present invention relates to a kit and method for cleaning a substrate without the use of water.

Hair and other soft surfaces are conventionally cleaned with liquid based shampoos. In addition to liquid based shampoos dry shampoos which do not use water, can also be used. However, dry shampoos have not been particularly popular with the consumer, largely because they are inefficient in cleaning the hair.

Furthermore when using dry shampoos, it is found that there is the disadvantage that some of the material remains on the hair and the scalp. The present invention is concerned with the effective removal of oily substances and fatty material from substrates, in particular hair. A further advantage is fewer residues remain on the surface.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention relates to a kit for cleaning a surface comprising:

i) a dry shampoo comprising a particulate material; and

ii) a separate substrate that does not partition the hair. The invention further relates to a method of cleaning hair comprising the following steps:

i) applying to the hair a dry shampoo, said dry shampoo composition comprising a particulate material followed by

ii) wiping the hair with a substrate that does not partition the hair. Also disclosed is the use of a substrate that does not partition the hair and a dry shampoo comprising a particulate material to clean the hair.

Description of the Invention

The present invention relates to kit and method for cleaning a surface, preferably the surface is a soft surface, more preferably the surface is a soft surface such as one selected from the group consisting of carpet, upholstery, skin or hair, especially preferred is hair.

In the context of the present invention an absorbing/adsorbing powder material is defined as a material capable of absorbing/adsorbing oily and fatty materials, especially those found in sebum. Dry shampoos are cleaning products that do not require the use of water to give a surface a clean appearance. The dry shampoos of the invention comprise a particulate. Preferably the particulate is capable of adsorbing and/or absorbing oily material. Particulate material for use with the dry shampoo may be selected from the group consisting of starch, modified starch, talcum, silicone elastomer and mixtures thereof. Preferably the particulate material is a starch (for example corn starch) or modified starch material. Most preferred are aluminium octenyl succinate starch and/or rice starch.

The particles size as measured by d50 is preferably from 0.1 1 to 200 microns, more preferably form 2 to 100 microns.

The level of particulate is at least 3 wt%, more preferably at least 5 wt% of the total dry shampoo composition. If the shampoo composition is a powdered composition it preferably comprises at least 50 wt% of an adsorbing/absorbing powder material.

Preferred formats are powdered compositions or sprays, particularly

advantageous are aerosol sprays.

It is advantageous if the dry shampoo of the invention is not an aqueous based product, preferably it comprises less than 2 wt% of the total composition of water, more preferably less than 1 wt% water, most preferably less than 0.5 wt% of water.

In the case that that the composition is used in aerosol form the composition is preferably applied at a distance of 20 to 40 cm from the substrate, preferably hair, and after being allowed to act for a short time is removed.

If used as a powder, the powdered composition is shaken onto the substrate, in particular hair and after being allowed to act for a short time is removed.

The sprays of the invention can utilise any of the conventional propellants to deliver the material as a spray. Examples of suitable propellants include materials such as trichlorofluoromethane, dichlorodifluoromethane, difluoroethane, dimethylether, propane, n-butane or isobutane. Hydrocarbon based propellants are preferred. The level of propellant can be adjusted as desired but is generally from about 20% to about 90% by weight based on total weight, preferably from 50 to 80%, by weight of the total composition.

Suitable spray containers are well known in the art and include conventional, non- aerosol pump sprays i.e., "atomisers", aerosol containers or cans having a propellant, as described above, and also pump aerosol containers utilising compressed air as the propellant.

The composition may further comprise an anticaking agent such as silica.

The composition can contain a lower (C1 to C5) chain alcohol, preferably ethanol. It is preferable the level of lower chain alcohol is present from a level of 1 wt% to 10 wt% of the total composition, more preferably from 3 wt% to 8 wt%. These levels are particularly advantageous in an aerosol based product.

Preferably the dry shampoo comprises less then 2 wt% of the total dry shampoo composition of surfactant, more preferably less then 0.5 wt%, most preferably less than 0.1 wt%. Dry shampoos in accordance with the invention can naturally also include additions conventional in hair cosmetic preparations such as perfumes, silicones and emollients.

The product of the present invention comprise a substrate that does not divide the hair, and is thus not a comb or a brush. In the context of the present invention the terms partition and divide are used interchangeably. Preferably the substrate is a sheet.

Preferably the substrate is water insoluble. By "water insoluble" is meant that the substrate does not dissolve in or readily break apart upon immersion in water

(20°C). The water insoluble substrate is the implement or vehicle for removing the dry shampoo and sebum for the hair.

A wide variety of materials can be used as the substrate. Preferred embodiments employ nonwoven substrates since they are economical and readily available in a variety of materials. By nonwoven is meant that the layer is comprised of fibres which are not woven into a fabric but rather are formed into a sheet, mat, or pad layer. The fibres can either be random (i.e. randomly aligned) or they can be carded (i.e. combed to be oriented in primarily one direction). Furthermore, the nonwoven substrate can be composed of a combination of layers of random and carded fibres. Nonwoven substrates may be comprised of a variety of materials both natural and synthetic. By natural is meant that the materials are derived from plants, animals, insects or by-products of plants, animals, and insects. By synthetic is meant that the materials are obtained primarily from various man-made materials or from natural materials which have been further altered. The conventional base starting material is usually a fibrous web comprising any of the common synthetic or natural textile-length fibres, or mixtures thereof.

Cellulosic fibres are a preferred natural fibre. Non-limiting examples of cellulosic fibres include those selected from the group consisting of wood pulp fibres, cotton fibres, hemp fibres, jute fibres, flax fibres, and mixtures thereof. Wood pulp fibres are preferred while all cotton fibres (e.g. cotton pads) are normally avoided.

Polyester is a preferred synthetic fibre. Particularly preferred are mixtures of synthetic and natural fibres. Particularly preferred are mixtures of polyester and cellulosic fibres.

The invention will now be illustrated by the following non-limiting Examples: Examples

Example 1 1 ) 3 x 2.5g 6" Dark Brown European virgin hair switches were treated with a model human sebum formulation (table 1 ). This mixture was stored within an oven set at 37 degrees centigrade and was applied to hair within minutes of removing from the oven. A total of 0.25 g was distributed between the three switches. Distribution was uniform across each switch and all appeared oily.

Table 1 : Composition of model human sebum applied to hair to simulate unclean state. 1 ) Cleaning:

Switch 1 was left as a reference, to show the unclean state. This is represented by number 1 in the image of figure 1 .

Switches 2 and 3 were sprayed with identical bursts of the dry shampoo described in table 2. Spraying lasted for 3 seconds in each case, was from a distance of 20 cm and resulted in a uniform dusting of white powder on these two switches. The mass of both switches increased by 50 mg as a result of spraying.

Comparative Example A - A comb was passed through the switch of example A 10 times. Example A corresponds to switch 2 and this switch is represented by number 2 in the image of figure 1 . Clumped fibres, sometimes known as rats tails are evident in this switch, indicating that cleaning has not been fully effected.

Invention Example 1 - An 8.5" x 8.5" non-woven wipe of 45:55 wt ratio of polyester /cellulose purchased from VWR International, was rubbed along the switch ten times. The wipe was positioned so that it enclosed both faces of the switch and firm finger pressure was applied. A comb was passed once over the switch to align the hair. This example corresponds to switch 3 and is represented by number 3 in the image of figure 1 . No clumps of fibres are evident in this switch, indicating that cleaning by example 1 is more effective than by example A.

Table 2: Dry shampoo composition

Figures Figure 1 is a photograph demonstrating the effect of the invention.

Switch 1 is untreated hair

Switch 2 is hair sprayed with dry shampoo followed by combing

Switch 3 is hair sprayed with dry shampoo followed by a wiping with a wipe.