Abstract: A detergent composition contains a combination of two different surfactants, one micellar phase and one lamellar phase, at least one of the surfactants being a glycolipid biosurfactant. Preferred micellar phase biosurfactants are rhamnolipids, sophoroselipids and cellobioselipids, advantageously used in combination with non-glycolipid anionic or nonionic surfactants; while preferred lameilar biosurfactants are trehaloselipids, glucoselipids, and rhamnolipids, advantageously used in combination with micellar biosurfactants. The detergent compositions show enhanced oily soil detergency in fabric washing even when the glycolipid biosurfactants used individually are poor detergents.

Abstract: Certain polymeric polycarboxylic acids and salts containing hydroxyl or hydroxymethyl groups in close proximity to carboxyl groups, especially poly(2-hydroxymethylacrylic) acid and its salts, are effective sequestrants of divalent and polyvalent metal ions and are useful as builders in detergent compositions.

Abstract: Detergent powders built with sodium carbonate and having improved flow properties are prepared by a process in which a selected acid, for example, succinic acid or alkylbenzene sulphonic acid, is added to a slurry in order to transform sodium carbonate into needle-like crystals of sodium sedquicarbonate, and the slurry is then dried, preferably spray-dried, to form a powder.

Abstract: Peroxy compound bleaching is activated by a catalytic amount of a transition metal complex of a transition metal (Mn, Co, Fe or Cu) with a non-(macro)-cyclic ligand of the formula: ##STR1## preferably 2,2'-bispyridylamine. Bleaching agent and bleach detergent compositions are also disclosed comprising a peroxy compound bleach and said transition metal complex. The transition metal complex is an effective catalyst for activating hydrogen peroxide compounds, peroxyacids and peroxyacid bleach precursors on removing a wide class of stains from substrates, especially texiles and fabrics.