Abstract: A solid detergent composition in the form of briquettes of compressed granular detergent material is provided, said composition comprising from 0.1 to 10% by weight of a polycarboxylated polymer and from 0.1 to 20% by weight of a watersoluble inorganic carrier material for said polymer, the bulk density of said composition ranging from 1000 to 2100 kg/m.sup.3. This composition was found to exhibit excellent compactibility and good anti-scaling properties.

Abstract: A combined floor cleaning and floor polishing machine comprises a motor housing (1), an inclined operator handle (2), a base (3) with castors (4) and a motor-operated shaft (5) for a rotating disc (7) supporting interchangeably a cleaning pad or polishing pad, so that the machine weight is carried partly on the pad and partly on the castors (4). If the handle (2) is tilted the machine moves laterally to one side or other in dependence upon the direction of tilt. The use of elastomeric torsion blocks (8) to connect the motor housing (1) to the base (3) provides an elastic resistive force in either tilt direction and thus improves controllability of the cleaning/polishing movement in either lateral direction, by a simple, robust and inexpensive construction.

Abstract: A substantially non-aqueous liquid detergent composition is provided comprising a liquid phase and a particulate solid phase dispersed therein, said solid phase comprising from about 10% to about 60% by weight based on the total weight of the composition of substantially amorphous sodium metasilicate containing less than 6% by weight of water.

Abstract: In a process for dosing detergent compositions, which either are in the form of pastes or gels, or render such compositions when they are brought into contact with water, into a washing machine, the detergent composition is transported from a container for holding the composition to the washing machine via a conduit, whereafter said conduit is purged by means of a pressurized gas, preferably steam or air.