Abstract: A non-bleaching cleaning composition, e.g. laundry detergent, wherein the solids content comprises at least about 70 wt. % of sodium carbonate, and up to about 12 wt. % of elemental magnesium in the form of a water soluble salt, e.g., magnesium sulfate or magnesium chloride, based on the total weight of the solids composition. Preferably the composition also contains an active surfactant and, when used as a laundry detergent, a polymeric polycarboxylate, e.g., an acrylic acid polymer. Incorporation of magnesium ions in the foregoing cleaning composition containing carbonate ions is intended to minimize negative interactions that will occur between the precipitation of calcium carbonate and the substrate being cleaned, e.g., fabric encrustation when the composition is used as a laundry detergent.

Abstract: A powdered laundry detergent composition comprising an active surfactant, at least about 70 wt. % of a water soluble alkaline carbonate salt, e.g., sodium carbonate, about 0.1 to 2 wt. % of a phosphorus-containing sequestering agent, e.g., sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP), about 0.1 to 2 wt. % of a polymeric polycarboxylate, e.g., a polyacrylate or a polymaleate, and about 1-12 wt. % water. Use of the foregoing detergent composition provides excellent cleaning and whitening of fabrics while avoiding the problem of eutrophication which occurs when a substantial amount of a phosphorus containing builder such as STPP is present in the composition, and while minimizing the problem of fabric encrustation often present when the composition contains a large amount of carbonate builder.

Abstract: A powdered laundry detergent composition is provided comprising an active surfactant, at least about 70 wt. % of a water soluble alkaline carbonate salt, and about 0.1 to 5.0 wt. % of a terpolymer of acrylic acid, maleic acid, and acrylamide.Use of the foregoing detergent composition provides excellent cleaning and whitening of fabrics while avoiding any serious problem of eutrophication which occurs when a substantial amount of a phosphorus containing builder such as STPP is present in the composition, and while minimizing the problem of fabric encrustation often present when the composition contains a large amount of carbonate builder.

Abstract: A laundry detergent composition, wherein the solids content comprises an active surfactant, at least about 70 wt. % of a water soluble alkaline carbonate, e.g., sodium carbonate, up to about 12 wt. % of elemental magnesium in the form of a water soluble salt, e.g., magnesium sulfate or magnesium chloride, and about 0.05 to 5 wt. % of a polymeric polycarboxylate, e.g., an acrylic acid polymer, based on the total weight of solids in the composition. Incorporation of magnesium ions in the foregoing laundry detergent composition containing carbonate ions is intended to minimize negative interactions that will occur between the precipitation of calcium carbonate and the surfaces of the fabric being cleaned, e.g., fabric encrustation, with an enhancement of this effect due to the presence of the polymeric polycarboxylate.

Abstract: A laundry detergent composition, wherein the solids content comprises an active surfactant, at least about 70 wt. % of a water soluble alkaline carbonate, e.g., sodium carbonate, a minor amount of elemental strontium in the form of a water soluble salt, e.g., strontium chloride, and, optionally, a minor amount of a polymer polycarboxylate, e.g., an acrylic acid polymer, based on the total weight of solids in the composition. Incorporation of strontium ions in the foregoing laundry detergent composition containing carbonate ions is intended to minimize negative interactions that will occur between the precipitation of calcium carbonate and the surfaces of the fabric being cleaned, e.g., fabric encrustation, with an enhancement of this effect when polymeric polycarboxylate is present.

Abstract: A powdered laundry detergent composition is provided comprising an active surfactant, at least about 70 wt. % of a water soluble alkaline carbonate salt, e.g., sodium carbonate, about 0.1 to 2 wt. % of a phosphorus-containing sequestering agent, e.g., sodium tripolyphosphate, about 0.1 to 2 wt. % of a polymeric polycarboxylate, e.g., a polyacrylate, and about 1-12 wt. % water.Use of the foregoing detergent composition provides excellent cleaning and whitening of fabrics while avoiding the problem of eutrophication which occurs when a substantial amount of a phosphorus containing builder such as STPP is present in the composition, and while minimizing the problem of fabric encrustation often present when the composition contains a large amount of carbonate builder.