Abstract: Liquid and gel dishwashing detergent compositions which exhibit good cleaning performance and desirable skin feel and rinsability aesthetics are disclosed. Such compositions comprise detergent surfactants, a nonionic surfactant- and hydrotrope-containing skin feel/rinsability enhancing system and small amounts of selected skin conditioning protease enzymes. Such compositions additionally will preferably contain suds boosters and divalent metal cations.

Abstract: Cleaning compositions comprise a builder material which has substantially improved performance and is significantly less expensive than previous builders. The builder material has improved performance in that it unexpectedly has a high calcium ion exchange capacity and rate, and is easy to handle, process and disperse in washing solutions. The cleaning compositions contain a builder material having at least one crystalline microstructure including a carbonate anion, calcium cation and at least one water-soluble cation, wherein the builder has a particle size diameter within selected ranges for optimal performance. The microstructure should have a sufficient number of anions and cations so as to be "balanced" or "neutral" in charge.

Abstract: Improved aqueous bleaching solutions formed by reacting a bleach activator having a perhydrolysis selectivity coefficient of 5 or greater and a low-pH perhydrolysis-efficiency coefficient of 0.15 or higher are provided. More specifically, the invention relates to bleaching solutions which provide enhanced cleaning/bleaching benefits though the selection of bleach activators at mildly alkaline washing solutions or in the presence of reduced-levels of hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: Detergents, especially automatic dishwashing detergents, comprising a stain removal system especially adapted for removal of tea stains, coffee stains and the like. The compositions comprise monopersulfate bleach such as 2KHSO.sub.5 .cndot.KHSO.sub.4 .cndot.K.sub.2 SO.sub.4 in combination with perborate or percarbonate at specific ratios, in combination with certain cationic or quaternary-substituted bleach activators.

Abstract: Bleach boosters comprising zwitterionic imines and anionic imine polyions having a net negative charge are disclosed. The bleach boosters increase bleaching effectiveness in lower temperature solutions and demonstrate superior color safety profiles. The bleach boosters are ideally suited for inclusion into bleaching compositions including those with detersive surfactants and enzymes. Also provided is a laundry additive product including zwitterionic imines and anionic imine polyions with a net negative charge as bleach boosters. A method for laundering a fabric employing the bleach boosters of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: Laundry and cleaning compositions which comprise large pore size redox catalysts.

Abstract: Automatic dishwashing detergents are provided in convenient, compact form without chlorine bleaches or phosphate builders. Thus, monopersulfate bleach such as 2KHSO.sub.5.KHSO.sub.4.K.sub.2 SO.sub.4 is used in combination with protease or amylase enzymes and acrylate organic dispersants to provide good cleaning of tableware. Weak builders such as citrate and pH-adjusting agents such as carbonate, bicarbonate and silicate can be present in the composition.

Abstract: Improved detergent compositions, especially granular automatic dishwashing detergents, comprising multiquaternary bleach activators are provided. The bleach activators contain multiple quaternary nitrogen groups, preferably at least three such groups and preferably have at least one quaternary nitrogen group in the peracid-forming portion of the bleach activator as well as at least one quaternary nitrogen group in the leaving-group portion.

Abstract: Fabric softening is provided by water-soluble di-c.sub.6-10 quaternary ammonium salts and clay. Through-the-wash fabric softening is achieved concurrently with fabric cleaning by means of clays and water-soluble quaternaries. Compositions and sheet-form articles embodying soluble quaternary softeners are described.

Abstract: Copolymers of maleic anhydride and vinyl ethers are derivatized by C.sub.8-20 alkyl amines to form alkyl amide-substituted copolymers that exhibit fiber and fabric softening properties. The derivatized copolymers are formulated in a variety of laundry and shampoo compositions.