Abstract: A particulate agglomerate of cationic/anionic surfactant complex and bentonite is provided, for addition to the wash water in the wash cycle operation of automatic washing machines, to make washed and dried laundry softer to the touch and static-free, after rinsing and automatic tumble drying. Among the various advantages of the invention are increased stability of the cationic/anionic surfactant complex in such agglomerate form and during storage before use, the fabric softening effect of the betonite, and the ready dispersion of the complex in the wash water, so that it does not deposit on the laundry as greasy stains of the type that are obtained when a sufficient antistatic and fabric softening proportion of cationic surfactant or an antistatic and fabric softening proportion of an essentially pure cationic/anionic surfactant complex is added to a control wash in which the wash water contains a detersive proportion of synthetic organic anionic detergent.

Abstract: Bentonite agglomerates are made which are suitable for use as a particulate fabric softener for softening washed laundry, especially when incorporated in detergent compositions by mixing with spray dried beads containing essential detergent composition components. Such agglomerates are in the Nos. 10-100 sieve range and are agglomerates of finely divided bentonite. The agglomerates are of a bulk density in the range of 7.0 to 0.9 g./ml., a moisture content of 8 to 13% and a frangibility less than 30, and includes 1 to 5% of a binder (sodium silicate). Also disclosed is a method for making the bentonite agglomerates by spraying an aqueous solution of the binder onto moving surfaces of finely divided bentonite until the moisture content thereof is elevated and the amount of binder for the agglomerate is sufficient, and drying the agglomerated particles to their "equilibrium moisture range".

Abstract: A fabric softening heavy duty liquid detergent composition of controlled viscosity, which does not thicken excessively on aging, includes certain proportions of sodium linear higher alkylbenzene sulfonate, sodium alkyl polyethoxy sulfate, builder salt (highly preferably a mixture of sodium tripolyphosphate and sodium carbonate), finely divided swelling bentonite, low molecular weight polyacrylate and water. Such product is a stable pourable liquid of desired viscosity, density and pH, convenient for use in washing machines, for hand washing of laundry and for pre-treatment of badly soiled portions of items to be laundered. The presence of a small percentage of the polyacrylate in the composition prevents the viscosity thereof from increasing on storage to such an extent as would interfere with pourability.

Abstract: Bentonite agglomerates are made which are suitable for use as a particulate fabric softener for softening washed laundry, especially when incorporated in detergent compositions by mixing with spray dried beads containing essential detergent composition components. Such agglomerates are in the No's. 10-100 sieve range and are agglomerates of finely divided bentonite. The agglomerates are of a bulk density in the range of 0.7 to 0.9 g./ml., a moisture content of 8 to 13% and a frangibility less than 30, and include 1 to 5% of a binder (sodium silicate). The described bentonite agglomerates are manufactured by spraying an aqueous solution of the binder onto moving surfaces of finely divided bentonite until the moisture content thereof is elevated and the amount of binder for the agglomerate is sufficient, and drying the agglomerated particles to their "equilibrium moisture range".

Abstract: A non-caking, non-tacky and free-flowing particulate bleaching detergent composition includes a synthetic organic nonionic detergent, such as a polyethoxylated higher fatty alcohol or alkylphenol, a builder for the nonionic detergent, such as sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium silicate, sodium carbonate or a cation-exchanging sodium aluminosilicate (zeolite), or mixtures thereof, together with a sodium perborate hydrate bleaching agent, the degree of hydration of which corresponds to that of the monohydrate or less, such as 12 to 15%. The described composition, unlike similar compositions wherein the sodium perborate hydrate is the tetrahydrate, are non-caking, non-tacky and free-flowing after storage in a sealed container at elevated temperature, e.g., four weeks at 43.degree. C., whereas a similar product in which the sodium perborate hydrate is the tetrahydrate is caked solid after such treatment.

Abstract: A process is described in which a particulate detergent composition which is speckled in appearance is made by spraying an aqueous coloring medium, such as dye solution, containing polyacrylic acid, onto the surface of a moving bed of detergent composition particles containing an alkaline builder, thereby forming a coherent colored surface section or "skin" of detergent composition particles. The coherent section or skin of particles is next broken up and the colored particles are mixed with uncolored particles from the bed to make the speckled detergent composition. Normally, the bed of detergent composition particles is on a moving conveyer belt, which conveyer belt is preferably a weigh-belt, and the amount of coloring medium being sprayed onto the moving bed is automatically regulated by the weight of detergent composition particles on the belt passing under the spray nozzle(s), and the belt speed.

Abstract: A fabric softening heavy duty liquid detergent composition of controlled viscosity, which does not thicken excessively on aging, includes certain proportions of sodium linear higher alkylbenzene sulfonate, sodium alkyl polyethoxy sulfate, builder salt (highly preferably a mixture of sodium tripolyphosphate and sodium carbonate), finely divided swelling bentonite, low molecular weight polyacrylate and water. Such product is a stable pourable liquid of desired viscosity, density and pH, convenient for use in washing machines, for hand washing of laundry and for pre-treatment of badly soiled portions of items to be laundered. The presence of a small percentage of the polyacrylate in the composition prevents the viscosity thereof from increasing on storage to such an extent as would interfere with pourability.

Abstract: A fabric softening particulate synthetic organic detergent composition is made by mixing together a minor proportion of a finely divided bentonite powder and a major proportion of larger sized built synthetic organic detergent composition particles, spraying onto the surfaces of the moving mixture a dilute sodium silicate solution so that a small proportion of sodium silicate and a larger proportion of moisture are deposited on the mixing materials, and continuing mixing of the materials after cessation of the spraying of the silicate solution onto them.

Abstract: A stabilized built single-phase enzyme-containing liquid detergent composition is provided comprising:(a) from about 3 to 10%, by weight, of a surface active nonionic detergent compounds;(b) from about 3 to 15%, by weight, of a surface active amphoteric detergent compound;(c) from about 5 to 25%, by weight, of a water-soluble non-phosphate detergent builder salt;(d) an effective amount of an enzyme or enzyme mixture selected from the group consisting of alkaline protease enzymes and alpha-amylase enzymes;(e) from about 3 to 15%, by weight, of an enzyme stabilizing system consisting essentially of (i) glycerine and (ii) a boron compound selected from the group consisting of boric acid, boric oxide and alkali metal borates capable of reacting with said glycerine; and(f) from about 30-85%, by weight, water; said liquid detergent composition being substantially free of cross-linked polyacrylate polymers.

Abstract: An improved bleaching and laundering composition is provided comprising monoperoxyphthalic acid and/or a water-soluble salt thereof, a chelating agent capable of forming a substantially water-soluble complex with metal ion in aqueous solution, a peroxygen compound and an activator for said peroxygen compound comprising phthalic anhydride. A method of bleaching and laundering soiled and/or stained materials with the aforesaid bleaching composition is also described.

Abstract: A stabilized built single-phase enzyme-containing liquid detergent composition is provided comprising:(a) from about 8 to 20%, by weight, of one or more surface active anionic detergent compounds;(b) from about 5 to 25%, by weight, of a water-soluble non-phosphate detergent builder salt;(c) an effective amount of an enzyme or enzyme mixture selected from the group consisting of alkaline protease enzymes and alpha-amylase enzymes;(d) an enzyme stabilizing system containing, based on the weight of the detergent composition, (i) from about 12 to 25% of propylene glycol and (ii) from about 1 to 5% of a boron compound selected from the group consisting of boric acid, boric oxide and alkali metal borates; and(e) from about 25 to 75%, by weight, water.

Abstract: A fabric softening heavy duty liquid detergent, useful for both cleaning and softening laundry, includes certain proportions of sodium linear higher alkylbenzene sulfonate, sodium alkyl polyethoxy sulfate, builder salt (highly preferably a mixture of sodium tripolyphosphate and sodium carbonate), finely divided swelling bentonite and water. Such product is a stable pourable liquid, convenient for use in washing machines, for hand washing of laundry and for pre-treatment of badly soiled portions of items to be laundered. Preferably, the liquid detergent comprises about 9% of sodium linear tridecylbenzene sulfonate, about 2% of sodium alkyl polyethoxy sulfate wherein the alkyl is of 12 to 15 carbon atoms and the polyethoxy is of 3 ethylene oxide groups, 10 to 17% of sodium tripolyphosphate, e.g., 12% and 15%, 2 to 6% of sodium carbonate, e.g., 2% and 6%, about 12% of Wyoming bentonite, and 55 to 65% of water.

Abstract: A concentrated aqueous single-phase built liquid detergent composition is provided comprising:(a) from about 15 to 18%, by weight of a water-soluble non-phosphate detergent builder salt;(b) from about 15 to 23%, by weight, of a surface active nonionic detergent compound which is the condensation product of 5 to 9 moles of ethylene oxide with one mole of an aliphatic alcohol containing 12 to 15 carbon atoms;(c) from about 1 to 6%, by weight of at least one amphoteric detergent compound selected from among a group of described betaine detergent compounds;(d) from about 5 to 8%, by weight, of a solubilizer consisting essentially of an alkali metal salt of octyl phosphonate; and(e) from about 35 to 65%, by weight, water.