Abstract: A biodegradable fabric softening composition or article is provided for softening laundry and is essentially free of a quaternary ammonium compound softener. The composition or article comprises a clay carrier, a defined polyphosphonate compound, and a defined PEC which is a fabric softening compound selected from among esters of pentaerythritol, oligomers of pentaerythritol or alkylene oxide derivatives of such esters and oligomers.

Abstract: A biodegradable fabric softening composition or article is provided for softening laundry and is essentially free of a quaternary ammonium compound softener. The composition or article comprises a clay carrier, a defined polyphosphonate compound, and a defined PEC which is a fabric softening compound selected from among esters of pentaerythritol, oligomers of pentaerythritol or alkylene oxide derivatives of such esters and oligomers.

Abstract: Anionic microemulsions of hydrophobic, normally liquid, oxygenated, long chain hydrocarbons have been found to provide nitrogen-free rinse cycle fabric softener compositions. Fatty acid esters of polyols, such as triglycerol diisostearate and sorbitan isostearate, are preferred softeners especially when microemulsified with an anionic surfactant, a cosurfactant and optionally a nonionic surfactant.

Abstract: Anionic microemulsions of hydrophobic, normally liquid, oxygenated, long chain hydrocarbons have been found to provide nitrogen-free rinse cycle fabric softener compositions. Fatty acid esters of polyols, such as triglycerol diisostearate and sorbitan isostearate, are preferred softeners especially when microemulsified with an anionic surfactant, a cosurfactant and optionally a nonionic surfactant.

Abstract: The physical stability of liquid gel-like automatic dishwasher detergent compositions based on montmorillonite, attapulgite, hectorite or other inorganic colloid-forming clay or other thixotropic thickener is greatly improved by incorporating in the composition small amounts, such as 0.1 or 0.2 weight percent, of aluminum or zinc stearate or other polyvalent metal salt of long chain fatty acid. The aqueous compositions containing inorganic builder salts and other functional inorganic salts, chlorine bleach, bleach-stable detergent, thixotropic thickener and polyvalent metal salt of a fatty acid as a physical stabilizer remain stable against phase separation for periods in excess of six weeks under a wide range of temperatures. The thixotropic properties can be retained or improved using smaller levels of the clay thixotropic thickener than in the absence of the physical stabilizer.