US Patent No. 12,325,840 B2. Sam Brewer, Tracy Ann Ryan, Kyle Smith all of Montvale, NJ; Rashda Khan, Boca Raton, FL; Remigio Musci, Alberto Simionato and Elisa Vanzetto, all of Milan Italy. Assignee: Reckitt Benckiser, Parsippany, NJ.

Reckitt researchers patented laundry detergent formulations having enhanced germ removal efficacy. The formula includes:

• approximately 55% w/w to approximately 75% w/w water;

• approximately 0.15% active w/w to approximately 1.5% active w/w sodium lauryl ether sulfate;

• approximately 14% w/w to approximately 22% w/w C10-16 alcohol alkoxylate nonionic surfactant;

• approximately 1.5% active w/w to approximately 3% active w/w cocoamidopropyl betaine;

• approximately 1.5% active w/w to approximately 2.5% active w/w alkyl dimethyl ammonium chloride; and

• protease enzymes, wherein the nonionic surfactant comprises a mixture of C12-16 7 EO alcohol ethoxylate nonionic surfactant and C10-16 3 EO alcohol ethoxylate nonionic surfactant which are present in the composition in a respective weight ratio ranging from approximately 2.3:1 to approximately 2.9:1.