Lightly-foaming tenside mixtures with hydroxy mixed ethers

123x22y23z1 2 3 422n23m54 5 623p22q76 7 A low-foaming surfactant composition comprising: (a) a hydroxy mixed ether corresponding to formula I: RO[CHCH(CH)O](CHCHRO)[CHCH(OH)R] (I) wherein Ris an alkyl and/or alkylene group containing from 4 to 18 carbon atoms, Ris hydrogen, Ris an alkyl group having from 2 to 22 carbon atoms, x is 0, y is a number from 1 to 30, and z is a number from 1 to 3; and (b) a low-foaming nonionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of an optionally end-capped fatty alcohol polyethylene glycol/polypropylene glycol ether corresponding to formula II: RO(CHCHO)[CH(CH)CHO]R (II) wherein Ris an alkyl and/or alkylene group containing from 8 to 22 carbon atoms, Ris hydrogen or an alkyl group containing from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, n is a number from 1 to 15 and m is a number up to 10, an optionally end-capped fatty alcohol polypropylene glycol/polyethylene glycol ether corresponding to formula II: RO[CH(CH)CHO](CHCHO)R (III) wherein Ris an alkyl and/or alkylene group having from 8 to 22 carbon atoms, Ris hydrogen or an alkyl group having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, p is a number from 1 to 5, and q is a number up to 15, and mixtures thereof.