Abstract: The present invention relates to a detergent composition comprising a gel wholly or predominantly in hexagonal liquid crystal phase, said gel comprising:(a) from about 15% to about 50% ethoxylated alkyl sulfate surfactant by weight of the gel, wherein the alkyl group of the ethoxylated alkyl sulfate surfactant has an average from about 8 to about 20 carbon atoms, and wherein the ethoxylated alkyl sulfate surfactant has an average degree of ethoxylation from about 0.5 to about 15;(b) from about 1% to about 20%, by weight of the gel, secondary sulfonate surfactant selected from the group consisting of alkylbenzene sulfonates, alkyltoluene sulfonates, paraffin sulfonates, olefin sulfonates, alpha-sulfonated fatty acid alkyl esters, and mixtures thereof;(c) optionally from 0% to about 15% other surfactants by weight of the gel;(d) from about 40% to about 80% water by weight of the gel;(e) from about 0.

Abstract: Thickened liquid detergent compositions are prepared using N-hydroxyalkyl succinimide compounds as the thickening agent. Stable compositions at acidic pH's are used to remove lime scale from bathroom tile surfaces. Thus, octyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-succinimide is prepared by the reaction of N-octylsuccinic anhydride and monoethanolamine and combined with magnesium C.sub.12 alkyl sulfate and citric acid at a pH around 2 in a water carrier and used to remove lime scale from environmental surfaces.

Abstract: A process for improving the color and purity of dark-colored potassium or magnesium alkyl ester sulfonate surfactant compositions, and particularly alpha-sulfo fatty acid methyl ester compositions, without the need for bleaching or other process steps. The process comprises the steps of (1) forming a mixture comprising (i) an alkyl ester sulfonate surfactant composition containing impurities including dark-colored impurities, organic and inorganic salts, and disalts, and (ii) water, and (2) separating the ester sulfonate surfactant from the mixture. The process may further comprise step (3) recovering the alkyl ester sulfonate surfactant. Methyl ester sulfonate surfactant compositions are most preferred. After processing in accordance with the invention, the alkyl ester sulfonate surfactant composition has improved color, purity, and odor properties.

Abstract: A detergent composition comprising a gel wholly or predominantly in hexagonal liquid crystal form comprising: (a) 15% to 70% surfactant system, wherein at least 40% by weight of the surfactant system is an ethoxylated alkyl sulfate surfactant, wherein the alkyl group of the ethoxylated alkyl sulfate surfactant has an average of from 8 to 20 carbon atoms, and wherein the ethoxylated alkyl sulfate surfactant has an average degree of ethoxylation of from 0.5 to 15; (b) 1% to 45% additive which is a water-soluble non-micelle-forming or weakly micelle-forming material capable of forcing the surfactant system into hexagonal phase, the additive being anionic or nonionic and having at most 6 aliphatic carbon atoms, and the additive being selected from the lower amides or mixtures thereof; and (c) 20% to 70% water. The detergent gel has excellent viscosity, overall consistency, foaming, stability and appearance, and provides good cleaning ability. Dishcare gels are preferred.