Abstract: A process for preserving a liquid laundry starch concentrate containing starch or starch derivatives suspended in an aqueous xanthan solution by adding to the concentrate ethanol and a quaternary ammonium compound corresponding to general formula (I): R1R2(CH3)2N+A−  (1) In which R1 and R2 independently of one another represent a linear or branched alkyl group containing 8 to 18 carbon atoms and A− is a charge equalizing anion.

Abstract: A paste-form detergent composition containing (A) 20% to 58% by weight of a liquid surfactant component consisting primarily of a nonionic surfactant, (B) 2% to 40% by weight of solid builders, and (C) 2% to 40% by weight of a solid bleaching component consisting of a peroxygen-containing oxidizing agent and a bleach activator, based on the weight of the composition.

Abstract: A process for producing detergent tablets containing more than 10% by weight of anionic surfactant wherein the detergent tablets contain detergent components which are at least partly in hydrated form and the anionic surfactant is present in the form of one or more compounds containing up to 95% by weight of surfactants, by exposing a mixture of the detergent components and the anionic surfactant to microwaves in the frequency range from 3 to 300,000 MHz.

Abstract: A granular, storable bleach mixture suitable for addition to a detergent composition or to a wash liquor comprising a mixture of (a) from 5 to 35% by weight sodium perborate, preferably as monohydrate, (b) from 5 to 30% by weight tetra-acetyl ethylene-diamine and (c) from 90 to 50% by weight of a carrier material. The latter comprises a salt optionally containing water of crystallization or urea or mixtures thereof with anhydrous sodium sulfate, wherein the salt containing water of crystallization should not undergo any phase transformation between 1.degree. C. and 45.degree. C. In addition, the mixture may contain up to 15% of detergent constituents, such as surfactant and sequestering agent. The average particle size of the individual component is from 0.1 to 0.6 mm, less than 1% by weight being larger than 1.6 mm in size.

Abstract: Heavily soiled fabrics are pretreated before the actual washing process by applying a paste containing a mixture of a nonionic surfactant, at least one nitrogen containing compound selected from certain quaternary ammonium compounds, fatty amine ethoxylates and substituted aminocarboxylic acids, and also an antigel agent and a viscosity regulator to the fabrics and subsequently washing the fabrics in a wash liquor. In one preferred embodiment of the process, a distributing aid trimmed in particular with bristles is used to apply the paste.

Abstract: A cleaning preparation containing from 2 to 40% by weight ethoxylated fatty alcohol and/or oxoalcohol and from 10 to 90% by weight of a fatty acid ester. In addition, the cleaning preparation may contain water, a monohydric alcohol and liquid hydrocarbons. The cleaning preparation is used for the pretreatment of heavily soiled fabrics before washing.

Abstract: Solid fabric-care preparations showing a tendency towards troublesome interactions, or constituents thereof, are coated by application of dissolved or dispersed organic film-forming polymers soluble in alkaline medium. Suitable polymers contain in particular carboxyl groups and are preferably derived from vinyl esters. The carboxyl groups emanate from copolymerized carboxylic acids which make up from about 2 to 10 mole % of the copolymer. The copolymers are best prepared in the form of finely divided dispersions and optionally contain a protective colloid and/or an emulsifier.

Abstract: A free-flowing granulate of a powder-form or fine-grained component and a liquid component; the granulate containing at least 20% by weight of the liquid component, is prepared by moving the powder-form or fine-grained component in a mixer-granulator, adding the liquid component while mixing until a moist granulate having a particle size of at most 1.5 mm is obtained, subsequently coarsening the granulate thus obtained with an increase in temperature to a particle size of from 0.4 to 4 mm and optionally coating this coarse granulate with another powder-form and/or fine-grained component at 60.degree. to 90.degree. C. The optionally coated granulate is converted by lowering the treatment temperature into a dry-looking, free-flowing, coarse-grained product, which if desired, may be coated with another powder-form and/or fine-grained material. Despite the high percentage of a liquid component, the granulate thus obtained appears as a dry granulate and is free-flowing.

Abstract: Delicate fabrics of wool or silk are hand-washed or machine-washed using an aqueous detergent which is free from inorganic builder salts and optical brighteners and which shows a substantially neutral reaction, comprising (a) from 5 to 25% by weight of an alkyl glycol ether sulfate containing primary C.sub.12 -C.sub.18 -alkyl groups and from 1 to 3 ethylene glycol ether groups, (b) from 0.5 to 5% by weight of monoethanolamides of C.sub.12 -C.sub.18 -fatty acids, (c) from 0.1 to 1.0% by weight of an emulsified silicone defoamer, and water. In addition, the detergent may contain (d) up to 5% by weight of non-surface-active detergent additives, such as sequestrants, preservatives, dyes and perfumes. The treated fabrics have a soft feel.

Abstract: A powdery activator for per compounds is granulated by, at the same time, mixing it together with nonionic surface-active compounds certain nitrogen-containing compounds and, optionally, the water-soluble salt of an alkane polyphosphonic acid. The granulate thus obtained is powdered with a powdery absorbent and the powdered granulate is sprayed with a liquid binder and dried to a water content of at most 6% by weight. After the addition of a tablet disintegrating agent, the dried granulate is formed by compression under special conditions into tablets having special properties. When added to a wash liquor containing a standard detergent containing a per compound, the tablets improve the removal of fatty/oily stains, pigment-containing soil and bleachable stains.

Abstract: A condensate of fatty acid and hydroxyalkyl polyamine is used as an opacifier and thickener in liquid washing preparations free from anionic surfactants and containing fabric-softening quaternary ammonium compounds and at least 10% by weight of nonionic surfactants. The use of this condensate provides for excellent viscosity/temperature behavior during the storage and handling of the liquid washing preparations over a wide temperature range.

Abstract: A washing additive consisting of a bag, filled with a detergent composition, of a polyvinyl-alcohol-based film readily soluble in borate-containing aqueous solutions. The detergent composition is a mixture of a nonionic surfactant, a quaternary ammonium compound containing a long-chain radical, which may be completely or partly replaced by a fatty amine ethoxylate or by a .beta.-aminoalkyl propionic acid derivative, an activator for per compound, an antigel agent, and a viscosity regulator, wherein the mixture has a viscosity of from 1000 to 100,000 mPas for a shear gradient of from 5 to 500 s.sup.-1.

Abstract: A spray cleaner composition for use with a propellant that is gaseous at room temperature, for the spot treatment of textiles before washing, consisting essentially of, without propellant,(a) from 6% to 16% by weight of ethoxylated C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 -alcohols selected from the group consisting of alkanols and alkenols, having an average of from 4 to 8 ethylene glycol ether groups, wherein the content of saturated C.sub.8 -alkanol is at least 50% by weight,(b) from 6% to 10% by weight ethoxylated C.sub.12 -C.sub.18 -alcohols selected from the group consisting of alkanols and alkenols, having an average of from 2 to 4 ethylene glycol ether groups, wherein the content of C.sub.16 -C.sub.18 -alkanols is not more than 50% by weight,(c) from 6% to 10% by weight of ethoxylated of C.sub.16 -C.sub.