Abstract: A detergent composition containing an inexpensive detergent builder in the form of a selected crystalline calcium carbonate is provided. Specifically, the crystalline calcium carbonate has a substantially rhombohedral crystal structure with {1,0-1,1} crystallographic indices. The crystalline calcium carbonate can be calcite that has been specially modified to a rhombohedral crystal structure with {1,0-1,1} indices. The crystalline calcium carbonate of the present invention is extremely inexpensive because it can be readily formed from inexpensive naturally occurring calcite, and it performs well even when used at large median particle sizes.

Abstract: A detergent composition containing an inexpensive detergent builder in the form of a selected crystalline calcium carbonate is provided. Specifically, the crystalline calcium carbonate has a substantially rhombohedral crystal structure with {1,0,-1,1} crystallographic indices. The crystalline calcium carbonate can be calcite that has been specially modified to a rhombohedral crystal structure with {1,0,-1,1} indices. The crystalline calcium carbonate of the present invention is extremely inexpensive because it can be readily formed from inexpensive naturally occurring calcite, and it performs well even when used at large median particle sizes.

Abstract: A granular detergent composition which includes a surfactant system containing linear alkylbenzene sulfonate, acyclic quaternary ammonium salt, alkyl sulfate and alkyl ethoxy sulfate surfactants in selected molar ratios is provided. The composition has improved performance in cold temperature (i.e., 5° C. to 30° C.) laundering operations.

Abstract: A convenient process for making builder material which has substantially improved performance and is significantly less expensive than previous builders is provided. The builder material has improved performance in that it unexpectedly has a high calcium ion exchange capacity and rate, and is easy to handle, process and disperse in washing solutions. In its broadest aspect, the invention is directed to a process involving converting starting materials (via any means including but not limited to heating and precipitating) to a builder material having at least one crystalline microstructure including a carbonate anion, calcium cation and at least one water-soluble cation. The microstructure should have a sufficient number of anions and cations so as to be "balanced" or "neutral" in charge.