| abstract |
A method of cleaning stains on a soft surface, comprising a source of active oxygen and a surfactant with water to form a stable foam and applying the foam directly onto the stained surface. The stable foam can be generated by an aeration device, preferably a sponge attached to a rigid support and a handle. The soft surface is preferably a fabric or carpet. Additional subsequent steps may involve rubbing the stained fabric, cleaning in a fabric washing machine and/or rinsing the foam from the fabric. Preferred surfactants include sarcosinates, alkyl sulfates, alkyl naphthylene sulfonates and alcohol ethoxylates. The preferred source of active oxygen is sodium percarbonate. Alternatively, a device for treating stains on soft surfaces comprising a foam <B>3</B> attached to a rigid support surface <B>2</B>, the opposing face of latter being attached to a handle <B>1</B>. |