Abstract: The invention concerns a process for washing fibrous materials, skins, textile materials or the like using an aqueous, surfactant containing washing liquid obtained by adding washing agents to water. The minimal dispensed amounts as determined in subsequent washing tests are always obtained automatically, without the cleaning power and the cleaning efficiency being reduced to unacceptable levels. To this end, the surface tension of the washing liquid is measured during the washing process using a tensiometer. The actual washing agent concentration is derived from these measured values and an initial concentration is derived from the quantity of washing agent added. The detergency is calculated from this initial concentration. The addition of a washing agent is discontinued when no further increase occurs in the detergency. The invention also concerns a device for carrying out the process. The device has capillaries connected to constant gas flow sources and immersed to the same depth in the washing liquid.

Abstract: Phosphate-free builder combinations containing zeolite, crystalline layer silicates corresponding to formula (I) NaMSi.sub.x O.sub.2x+1..sub.y H.sub.2 O, in which M is sodium or hydrogen, x is a number of 1.9 to 4 and y is a number of 0 to 20, and polymeric polycarboxylates may be used separately as water softeners or in detergents. Their primary and secondary detergent properties are so favorable that there is little or no need to use phosphonates.

Abstract: The process of producing a detergent in the form of portioned pressings by extrusion of a homogeneous premix containing a plasticizer or lubricant into strands through a perforated die under a pressure of from about 25 to about 200 bar and forming compacted granules thereof, and then pressing the compacted granules into portioned pressings such as tablets.

Abstract: A process for the production of compacted granules for use in a detergent composition by providing a homogeneous, solid, free-flowing premix to which a plasticizer or lubricant is added, and extruding the mixture through a perforated die under a pressure of from about 25 bar to about 200 bar to form strands of the mixture. The perforated die has an opening width corresponding to a predetermined size of the granules. After emerging from the perforated die, the strands are cut to the predetermined size of the granules by means of a cutting unit. The process enables the preparation of detergent compositions containing increased contents of surfactant components.

Abstract: A phosphate-free liquid detergent containing anionic and nonionic surfactants, zeolite, and electrolyte system selected from carbonates, sulfates, chlorides, acetates and citrates with the proviso that the electrolyte system contain at least one carbonate and one sulfate, and water.

Abstract: When used in a washing machine, a particulate detergent packed in portions in a flexible bag of a flat, water-permeable textile material leads to an improved detergency performance and/or saving of detergent by comparison with the conventional addition of detergent via the dispensing compartment of the washing machine if the bag material satisfies certain criteria in regard to the nature of the fibers used for its production and, optionally, the permeability to air and the adsorption capacity of the bag material, the geometric dimensions of the bag and its filling level.

Abstract: Soiled textile articles are washed by the addition of a determined amount of a detergent concentrate containing surfactants to the textile articles to be cleaned while the textiles are dry or only damp. The aqueous washing liquor is formed by the gradual addition of water to the textile articles while they are rotated. At room temperature, the detergent concentrate is to a substantial extent a paste-to dough-like substance, stable in form, and is applied to the textile articles in such an amount that the major portion of the surfactants together with further detergent constituents, if desired, are applied to the textiles or on an article of textile provided with markings for the correct detergent dose, as a dosing aid.

Abstract: The invention provides a substantially anhydrous gas-free liquid detergent based on non-ionic surfactants containing a liquid surfactant component comprising adducts of from 2 to 8 moles ethylene oxide with 1 mole C.sub.10-20 - fatty alcohol, anionic surfactant, and low molecular weight polyethylene glycol. The liquid surfactant component makes up at least 20% by weight of the detergent as a whole; the ratio of fatty alcohol ethoxylate to anionic surfactant is from 1:1 to 2:1; and the detergent has a density of from 1.4 to 1.8. Typically, the detergent includes a particulate solids component which is incorporated with the liquid components as separate component fractions of differing particle size.

Abstract: Detergents on the basis of anionic and nonionic surfactants contain as laundering power-enhancing additives an aliphatic amine compound which is selected such that its pK.sub.b value is at least equal to 14, minus the initial pH value of a 1% aqueous solution of the detergent containing the amine compound. Laundering power-enhancing amine compounds selected according to the rule mentioned are certain ether amines, amidoamines, glucamine derivatives or morpholine derivatives.

Abstract: A liquid, readily pourable detergent concentrate having fabric-softening properties is free from builder salts and contains the following constituents: (a) from about 5 to about 15% by weight of sodium alkylbenzene sulfonate, (b) from about 7 to about 20% by weight of ethoxylated alcohols containing from 12 to 18 carbon atoms in the alcohol residue and from 5 to 10 glycol ether groups, (c) from about 6 to about 16% by weight, based on the weight of the fatty acids used to form the soap, of saturated or monounsaturated fatty acids containing from 12 to 18 C-atoms, present as a water-soluble soap, (d) from about 7 to about 15% by weight of a fatty acid diethanolamide derived from C.sub.16 -C.sub.18 fatty acids of which at least 50% are monounsaturated, (e) from about 0.2 to about 3% by weight of sequestering agents, (f) from about 5 to about 15% by weight of low molecular weight alcohols and from about 25 to about 45% by weight of water.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing bleach activator granulates comprising from about 90 to 98 percent by weight of bleach activator and from about 10 to 2 percent by weight of granulating adjuvant, based on the weight of the anhydrous components, which comprises the steps of:(a) mixing powdered bleach activator which has a mean particle size of from about 0.01 to 0.8 mm with from about 50 to 100 percent by weight of the total granulating adjuvant to be used, which granulating adjuvant comprises a water-soluble cellulose ether, starch, or starch ether in the form of a free-flowing powder having a mean particle size of from about 0.01 to 0.8 mm;(b) moistening the mixture from step (a) with water or an aqueous solution containing the remainder of the granulating adjuvant in a solution of from about 0.