| abstract |
Aqueous hard surface cleaner compositions useful for removing permanent ink are disclosed. The compositions comprise 75 to 99 wt.% of water; 0.1 to 5 wt.% of a monoterpene; 0.1 to 5 wt.% of a C10-C17 fatty acid derivative; and 0.1 to 5 wt.% of one or more surfactants. The fatty acid derivative is selected from Nu,Nu-dialkyl amides, N,N- dialkyl esteramines, and Nu,Nu-dialkyl amidoamines. Preferably, a base such as sodium carbonate or monoethanolamine is also included. The invention includes concentrates comprising the non-aqueous components recited above, as well as other applications for the cleaners and concentrates such as graffiti removers and permanent ink erasers. The combination of a monoterpene and certain fatty acid derivatives, especially fatty Nu,Nu-dialkyl amides, unexpectedly enables even dilute aqueous compositions to rapidly decolorize black permanent marker from hard, non-porous surfaces. |