A description is given of an alkanol-free alkoxylate of the general formula (I) C.sub.nH.sub.2n+1O(A).sub.x(B).sub.yR (I) where R is C.sub.1-6 alkyl or benzyl A is ethyleneoxy B is C.sub.3-6 alkyleneoxy or mixtures thereof, it being possible for groups A and B to be in random distribution, in alternation or in the form of two or more blocks in any order, n is an integer in the range from 4 to 8 x is a number in the range from 0 to 25 y is a number in the range from 0 to 10 and x+y is at least 3.