Abstract: A wash additive combination is provided which is loaded into a washing machine at the start of a wash cycle, and which releases a wash additive, such as a fabric softener, into the rinse solution. The combination comprises a wash additive packet of a foam substrate material having a first and a second stable conformation of differing surface area, and a wash additive deposited thereon. A dispenser is provided for mounting atop a washing machine agitator, and into which the packet may be releasably placed, after arranging the packet in its lesser surface area conformation. The packet is retained by the dispenser during initial phases of the wash cycle, and ejected during the spin phase, whereupon it regains its greater surface area conformation for rapid and complete dispersion of active. Embodiments are provided for dual, sequential release of active in the rinse and the dryer.

Abstract: A thickened aqueous bleaching cleanser has a viscosity of at least 100 centipoise, provides a cleaning-effective residence time on non-horizontal surfaces, and maintains viscosity and bleach stability over a typical shelf life. In one embodiment the cleanser comprises a source of a halogen bleach, a copolymer thickener including a hydrophobic comonomer and a hydrophilic comonomer, and a mixed surfactant system including an uncharged surfactant and an anionic surfactant.