Abstract: Fabric conditioning compositions comprising at least 10% by weight free fatty acid are useful in softening fabrics.

Abstract: The invention relates to detergent compositions comprising from 10-60 wt % of a surfactant system and having a maximum Residues Index of 25 and a maximum Secondary Residues Index of 15. The detergents claim provide good performance in the wash based on the quantities of detergent components in the compositions.

Abstract: The present invention provides the combination of a granular detergent composition containing a percarbonate bleaching agent with packaging system containing said composition, characterized in that said composition has an Equilibrium Relative Humidity below 30% at 35° C., and that the packaging system contains at least one unit having a Moisture Vapour Transfer Rate of from 1 g/m2/day to less than 20 g/m2/day.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a substantially anhydrous effervescent particle, having an average particle size of from 75 microns to 2 cm, comprising an anhydrous particle core, which comprises one or more components of an effervescence system intimately mixed with a substantially anhydrous stabilizing agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to detergent compositions or components thereof containing a detersive enzyme and one or more cationic surfactants of the formula:R.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3 R.sup.4 N.sup.+ X.sup.-in which R.sup.1 is a hydroxyalkyl group having no greater than 6 carbon atoms; each of R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 is independently selected from C.sub.1-4 alkyl or alkenyl; R.sup.4 is a C.sub.5-11 alkyl or alkenyl; and X.sup.- is a counterion.

Abstract: A cationic ester surfactant comprising at least one ester linkage and at least one cationically charged group, characterized in that said cationically charged group is an ammonium group substituted by at least one hydrodyalkyl group. Surfactant systems and detergent compositions containing the cationic surfactant which are suitable for use in laundry and dishwashing are provided, as are methods of use.

Abstract: A granular detergent composition comprising an alkali metal percarbonate, characterized in that percarbonate has a mean particle size of from 250 to 900 micrometers, and that said compositions comprise a hydrophobic material, selected from silica, talc, zeolite DAY and hydrotalcit, in a weight ratio of alkali metal percarbonate to a hydrophobic material, of from 4:1 to 40:1, preferably 7:1 to 20:1. Both laundry detergent compositions including laundry additives and automatic dishwashing compositions are encompassed by the term "detergent composition" herein. Making processes thereof are also described.

Abstract: There is provided a detergent composition comprising: a) from 1% to 95% by weight of a surfactant system comprising an anionic surfactant and a cationic ester surfactant, other than N,N-di(2-stearoyloxyethyl)-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-methyl ammonium chloride, present in a weight ratio of said anionic surfactant to said cationic ester surfactant of 2.5:1 to 25:1; and b) from 0.0001% to 5% by weight of a proteolytic enzyme, wherein the % weight of proteolytic enzyme in the formulation is based on an enzyme activity of 4 Knpu/g of the enzyme particle, and wherein the weight ratio of said anionic surfactant to said proteolytic enzyme is at least 1.5:1.

Abstract: There is a provided a detergent composition containing: (a) a heavy metal ion sequestrant; and (b) an organic peroxyacid bleaching system wherein a means is provided for delaying the release to a wash solution of said peroxyacid bleach relative to the release of said heavy metal ion sequestrant. Preferably said composition additionally contains (c) a water soluble builder wherein a means is provided for delaying the release to a wash solution of said peroxyacid bleach relative to the release of said water soluble builder. A pretreat wash method is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to detergent compositions comprising lipases, a lipase compatible anionic surfactant system, and a gemini polyhydroxy fatty acid amide. The anionic surfactant system comprises alkyl alkoxylated sulphates having specific ratios of mono-, di- and tri-alkoxylated sulphates. The detergent compositions provide improved greasy soil removal over a wide range of temperatures.

Abstract: Detergent compositions comprise, by weight, from 0.01% to 10% of a nonionic polysaccharide ether having a degree of polymerization of at least 100, and from 0.01% to 5% of a soil release agent. The soil release agent comprises at least one oxyalkylene unit and at least one terephthalate or substituted terephthalate unit and has a molecular weight of less than 10,000. The detergent composition comprises the polysaccharide ether and the soil release agent in a weight ratio of from 0.1:1 to 20:1.

Abstract: There is provided a non-phosphate builder-containing detergent composition formulated with a surfactant, a water-soluble organic polymeric polycarboxylic compound, a chelant, an amylase and a source of alkalinity, wherein (a) said water-soluble organic polymeric polycarboxylic compound is in amount less than 3% by weight, (b) said chelant is in amount from 0.1% to 10% by weight, (c) said amylase is in amount from 0.001% to 5% by weight, and (d) said alkalinity source has the capacity to deliver alkalinity to a wash solution as measured by the alkalinity release test described herein, such that the % weight NaOH equivalent of the composition is greater than 8.0% by weight of the composition. Also provided herein is a method for reducing fabric encrustation which comprises contacting the fabric with an effective amount of an aqueous solution of said detergent composition.

Abstract: A non-phosphate builder-containing detergent composition comprising a surfactant, and a) at least 0.5% by weight of a source of hydrogen peroxide; b) from 0.01% to 10% by weight of an organic peroxyacid bleach precursor; c) from 0.001% to 5% by weight of a proteolytic enzyme; d) an alkalinity source having the capacity to deliver alkalinity to a wash solution as measured by the alkalinity release test described herein, such that the % weight of NaOH equivalent of the composition is greater than 10.6% by weight of the composition, and wherein the detergent composition has a Hydrogen peroxide Precursor Proteolytic enzyme (HPP) Index of at least 0.35 as defined by the formula: ##EQU1## wherein the % weight of proteolytic enzyme in the formulation is based on an enzyme activity of 13 knpu/g of the enzyme particle, and wherein the % AvO.sub.2 is the total amount of available oxygen present in the composition is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a detergent composition which comprises a nonionic polysaccharide ether, a surfactant, a dye transfer inhibition agent, a cellulase enzyme and a chelating agents. In addition the invention further relates to a method of treating fabrics with the detergent composition.

Abstract: There is a bleaching composition comprising alkali metal percarbonate as an oxygen releasing compound, and alkali metal carbonate particles or bicarbonate particles of defined size (mean particle size of 300 .mu.m or greater) wherein fewer than 10% of the particles have a particle size below 250 .mu.m. The said composition comprises discrete particles of said alkali metal percarbonate salt and said alkali metal carbonate or said alkali metal bicarbonate. The particle bleaching composition may form a component of a machine dishing composition, a bleach booster composition or in particular a laundry detergent composition. The percarbonate has increased storage stability in the composition of the invention.

Abstract: The present invention relates to detergent compositions comprising an anionic surfactant system. The anionic surfactant system comprises alkyl alkoxylated sulphate having specific ratios of mono-, di- and trialkoxylated sulphate. The anionic surfactant system provides improved oily and greasy soil removal over a wide temperature range.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a detergent composition comprising an amylase enzyme in combination with a nonionic polysaccharide ether for improved stain removal performance.

Abstract: There is provided a granular, silicate-built, phosphate free laundry detergent composition comprising fine alkali metal percarbonate particles having mean particle diameter below 450 .mu.m, preferably below 400 .mu.m, wherein no more than 20%, preferably no more than 10%, of the particles have a diameter above 710 .mu.m, said particles having a coating comprising one or more soluble inorganic salts. The salts may be selected from alkali or alkaline earth metal carbonates, sulphates, chlorides and nitrates. The coated percarbonate particles have improved stability to storage and are capable of dissolving quickly in wash liquor.

Abstract: A granular detergent composition comprising an alkali metal percarbonate, characterized in that percarbonate has a mean particle size of from 250 to 900 micrometers, and that said compositions comprise a hydrophobic material, selected from silica, talc, zeolite DAY and hydrotalcit, in a weight ratio of alkali metal percarbonate to hydrophobic material, of from 4:1 to 40:1, preferably 7:1 to 20:1. Both laundry detergent compositions including laundry additives and automatic dishwashing compositions are encompassed by the term "detergent composition" herein. Making processes thereof are also described.

Abstract: Granular laundry detergents are formulated with percarbonate bleach and oxidation-sensitive ingredients such as brighteners, enzymes, perfumes and the like. The storage stability of such compositions is improved by the presence of silicate. For example, the tendency of stilbene-type brighteners to form undesirable yellow shades in the presence of percarbonate is diminished by the corporation of silicate materials into the granules.