Abstract: A particulate composition useful in the softening of fabrics from a wash liquor, the composition comprising a fabric softening clay material and a nonionic surfactant system which consists of one or more nonionic surfactants, wherein the nonionic surfactant system exists as a cloudy phase, at 1% concentration in water, somewhere in the range of 0.degree. C. to 80.degree. C., the weight ratio of the clay to the nonionic surfactant system is from 2:3 to 20:1, and the moisture content of the composition, as measured by the water loss at 135.degree. C., is from 7.5% to 12% by weight.

Abstract: In a process for preparing a granular detergent composition or component having a bulk density of at least 650 g/l, which comprises the steps of treating a particulate starting material(i) in a first step in a high-speed mixer/densifier, the mean residence time being from about 5-30 seconds;(ii) in a second step in a moderate-speed granulator/densifier, whereby it is brought into, or maintained in, a deformable state, the mean residence time being from about 1-10 minutes and(iii) in a final step in drying and/or cooling apparatus,the amount of oversize particles can be effectively reduced by adding 0.1 to 40% by weight of a powder in the second step or between the first and the second step. Preferably, the deformable state is induced in the first step.

Abstract: An antifoam ingredient suitable for incorporation into a detergent powder comprises an antifoam material, for example, a hydrocarbon and/or a polysiloxane together with hydrophobic silica, enclosed within a matrix formed of a mixture of fatty acid and fatty acid soap.