Abstract: An article for use in an enzymatic fabric cleaning process, said article containing one or more types of harmless micro-organisms capable of excreting enzymes useful in said fabric cleaning process. Furthermore, there is provided an enzymatic method of cleaning fabrics, whereby soiled fabrics are soaked with water in the presence of said article.

Abstract: The invention relates to catalytically bleaching substrates, especially laundry fabrics, with atmospheric oxygen and a peroxyl species. A method of bleaching a substrate is provided that comprises applying to the substrate, in an aqueous medium, a specified organic substance which forms a complex with a transition metal, the complex catalysing bleaching of the substrate by atmospheric oxygen and a peroxyl species. Also provided is a bleaching composition comprising, in an aqueous medium, atmospheric oxygen and an organic substance which forms a complex with a transition metal, the complex catalysing bleaching of the substrate by the atmospheric oxygen, wherein the aqueous medium is provided with a peroxygen bleach or a peroxy-based or peroxy-generating bleach system.

Abstract: Detergent composition comprising fusion protein comprising a cellulose binding domain and a domain having a high binding affinity for another ligand. Preferably, the domain having a high binding affinity is directed at a Benefit Agent.

Abstract: The invention relates to polysaccharide graft polymers useful for incorporation as benefit agents in laundry detergent and fabric treatment compositions, and their preparation. The invention also relates to substituted polysaccharides useful as macroinitiator intermediates for the preparation of the polysaccharide graft polymers, and the preparation of the macroinitiators. The polysaccharide graft polymers may be used, for example, to impart soil release and/or fabric care benefits to laundry detergent or fabric treatment compositions.

Abstract: A process of making a liquid laundry detergent composition comprising a polyanionic ammonium surfactant, the process comprising: forming the polyanionic ammonium surfactant by mixing a liquid carrier with: (a1) from about 0.03% to about 85%, by weight of the composition, of a conjugate acid of an anionic surfactant; and (a2) from about 10% to about 50%, based on the molar equivalent of the amount of the conjugate acid, of a polyamine; (a3) wherein the mixing of (a1) and (a2) is carried out in the substantial absence of bases other than the polyamine. Also included is a process wherein the monoanionic surfactant is formed along with the polyanionic ammonium surfactant, in which case a base other than the polyamine may be present but than the amount of such base should be no greater than the required stoichiometric amount of the base to form the monoanionic surfactant.

Abstract: Particulate laundry detergent compositions, especially high bulk density powders and tablets, contain low levels of aloe vera. The aloe vera is preferably present in the form of colored, preferably, green, speckles having a 1% solution pH not exceeding 9. The detergent compositions preferably contain a mild surfactant system.

Abstract: A particulate detergent composition, which comprises a minor amount of a herbal extract beneficial to human skin, the herbal extract being present in the form of granules comprising an aqueous solution of the herbal extract absorbed into and/or adsorbed onto a granular clay carrier is provided.

Abstract: Particulate laundry detergent compositions, especially high bulk density powders and tablets, contain low levels of aloe vera or other herbal extract beneficial to the skin. The herbal extract is preferably present in the form of coloured, preferably, green, speckles having a 1% solution pH not exceeding 9. The detergent compositions preferably contain a mild surfactant system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid laundry detergent composition, comprising surfactant material other than fatty acid soap, an effective amount of a water-soluble dye, an enzyme and from 1% to 20% wt of fatty acid soap having from 12 to 20 C atoms, wherein at least 1% by weight (based on the liquid composition) of the fatty acid soap is unsaturated. In addition said composition comprises from 0.01% to 3% wt of a perfume composition and from 0.001% to 2% by weight of an antioxidant. It was found that the color characteristics of said composition do not deteriorate during storage.

Abstract: The present invention provides a shear thinning, transparent, gel laundry detergent composition, comprising a surfactant system containing surfactant material selected from an anionic surfactant, a nonionic surfactant or a mixture thereof, and from 1 to 8% by weight of a fatty alcohol gelling agent having the formula wherein R1, R2 and R3 are independently selected from hydrogen and saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched C1–C16 alkyl groups, whereby the total number of carbon atoms in the gelling agent is between 8 and 17. It has been found that this gel laundry composition can stable suspend particles or capsules either for improving visual appearance or for practical reasons.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of detergent granules, the process comprising: (i) a first step of admixing in a mechanical granulator, a solid component and a first liquid binder, to produce a powder; and (ii) a second step of admixing in a low shear granulator, the powder produced in step (i), and a second liquid binder, to produce the detergent granules; the second liquid binder having a different composition from the first liquid binder and the weight ratio of the first liquid binder to the second liquid binder being from 15:1 to 1:1, preferably from 10:1 to 1:1, more preferably from 5:1 to 1:1, most preferably from 3:1 to 2:1.

Abstract: According to the inventive method of making gels, the main mixture comprising most of the ingredients with the exception of a fatty alcohol is mixed, using at least one in-line mixer, with the gelling post-mix comprising the fatty alcohol. The preferred process includes the mixing of the main mixture and the gelling post-mix just prior to either filling or storing the composition.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of detergent granules, the process comprising: (i) a first step of admixing in a mechanical granulator, an aluminosilicate and a first liquid binder comprising at least one surfactant, to produce a powder; and (ii) a second step of admixing in a low shear granulator, the powder produced in step (i), a water soluble salt and a second liquid binder, to produce the said detergent granules; wherein in step (ii), no more than 2%, preferably 0% by weight of the aluminosilicate based on the weight of the detergent granules is introduced into the low shear granulator of step (ii).

Abstract: A liquid laundry detergent composition comprising: (a) from about 0.1% to about 80%, by weight of the composition, of a polyanionic ammonium surfactant; (b) a liquid carrier; (c) wherein the composition is substantially free of bases having pKa equal to or greater than 10, other than nitrogen-based bases.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aqueous effervescent liquid cleaning composition which upon contact with water provides effervescent action, and which comprises at least 5% wt of a surfactant and a dissolved gas in a sufficient amount to provide the effervescent action, said gas having a higher solubility in an aqueous surfactant-containing composition than in water. It has been found that this composition is easy to produce at affordable cost and gives consumer perceivable benefits.

Abstract: A colored speckle composition for use in particulate laundry detergent compositions comprising a porous granular carrier and at least 0.01 wt % photobleach, preferably at least 0.05 wt %, more preferably at least 0.1 wt %, based on the active ingredient, the composition having an average bulk density of at most 600 g/l, preferably at most 500 g/l, most preferably at most 400 g/l. The carrier system reduces the staining tendency of the photobleach. The most preferred carrier is spray dried detergent base powder. The most preferred photobleach is a blend of Zn and Al sulphonated phthalocyanine.

Abstract: A shear-thinning lamellar gel detergent composition containing suspended particles, employing a non-neutralized fatty acid as a structuring agent, in a specific amount, depending on the total surfactant level. The weight % ratio of non-neutralized fatty acid to the total surfactant within a specific range, defined by the Gelling Index equation, results in gels with the desired properties. The inventive product offers an advantage of laundry pre-treater and a detergent in a single product and also provides a visual cue of suspended particles.

Abstract: A liquid laundry detergent composition comprising from about 0.1% to about 80%, by weight of the composition, of a polyanionic ammonium surfactant; a substantially non-aqueous carrier; and a solid inorganic base having pKa equal to or greater than 10.

Abstract: Capsules for protecting a benefit ingredient and/or a colorant usefull in detergent or personal care compositions. The benefit agent and/or colorant within the capsule is surrounded by a continuous phase based on a mixture of thermoplastic-type co-polymer and hydrocarbon oil. The continuous phase is preferably transparent. Detergent and personal care compositions containing the capsules are also described.

Abstract: Fusion protein comprising a cellulose binding domain and a domain having a high binding affinity for another ligand and detergent compositions comprising such fusion proteins.