Abstract: A stable, homogenous and viscous softener formulation is claimed which contains less than 50% by weight of an esterquat compound of the formula wherein R1 is —C2H4OH or —C2H4OCOR2, R2 is C11-C21-alkyl or alkenyl and A is an anion, as methylsulfate, bromide, iodide and, preferably, chloride, said esterquat being prepared by esterification of methyldiethanolamine with fatty acids and subsequent quaternization, with preferably methylchloride, the fatty acids containing at least 50% by weight of saturated C18-fatty acid, comprising a final product containing at least 50 mol % of diester quat and at least 10 mol % of monoesterquat and having an acid value of less than 0.12 meq/g of esterquat active material, the rest being water and an organic solvent.