Abstract: A heavy duty fabric softening laundry detergent composition, in liquid form, which has been found to be especially effective in cleaning dirty laundry and in leaving washed laundry feeling softer to the touch, comprises certain proportions of a certain amphoteric detergent, such as is marketed under the trade name Ampholak 7TX, anionic surfactant of the higher alkyl ether sulfate type, nonionic surfactant of the polyethoxylated higher fatty alcohol type, inorganic builder and bentonite, in an aqueous medium. Also within the invention are washing processes in which such laundry detergent compositions or components thereof are employed.The liquid detergent described is of a pH in the range of 7 to 8 and of a viscosity in the range of 1,500 to 2,500 cps. at 25.degree. C., and it is stable on storage. The surfactants, bentonite, builder and enzyme (optional) are dissolved, emulsified or suspended therein, and the enzyme retains enzymatic activity even after normal storage.

Abstract: An aqueous heavy duty liquid detergent composition of controlled viscosity is disclosed. The composition comprises a homogeneous mixture of at least one water soluble anionic organic detergent, at least one detergent builder, an oxidized polysaccharide viscosity control agent, an optional salt of an acrylic polymer as a supplementary viscosity control agent, an optional clay fabric softener and water. The composition is characterized as having a considerably lower initial viscosity than compositions which do not contain the viscosity modifier and exhibit a stability or even a diminution of the initial low viscosity after prolonged storage. As a result, heavy duty liquid detergent compositions having good flowability and stability are provided.

Abstract: A three component enzyme stabilization system including boric acid, citric acid and calcium ions helps maintain the enzyme activity of aqueous built detergent compositions in accelerated aging (multiple freeze-thaw cycles). The preferred detergent compositions are "softergents" and also include a clay softener, a mixture of anionic, nonionic and amphoteric surfactants, and detergent builder(s).

Abstract: Lecithin or certain other phosphate esters are added to a non-aqueous liquid heavy duty laundry detergent composition in the form of a suspension of builder salt in liquid nonionic surfactant containing small amounts of low density filler, such as hollow plastic or glass microspheres to provide stabilization against phase separation and further containing a small amount of organophilic modified clay, such as a water-swellable smectite clay, in which the metal cations are totally or partially exchanged with mono- or di-long chain quaternary ammonium compound to provide a viscoelastic network structure. The lecithin reduces plastic viscosity and helps maintain the viscoelastic network structure over extended periods of time.

Abstract: A non-aqueous liquid heavy duty laundry detergent composition in the form of a suspension of builder salt in liquid nonionic surfactant is stabilized against phase separation by the addition of small amounts of low density filler, such as hollow plastic or glass microspheres. The low density particulate filler is added in an amount to equalize the densities of the continuous liquid phase and the dispersed phase. Further stabilization against phase separation under strong vibration conditions is provided by addition of a small amount of organophilic modified clay, such as a water-swellable smectite clay in which the metal cations are total or partially exchanged with mono- or di-long chain quaternary ammonium compound.