Abstract: There is disclosed a detergent composition containing, as an essential ingredient, at least one member selected from three types of .alpha.-sulfo-fatty acid derivatives as represented by following formulas (1), (2) and (3): ##STR1## where R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are each an alkyl group or an alkenyl group, each having from 6 to 24 carbon atoms;R.sub.5 is an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms;M.sub.1, M.sub.2, M.sub.3 and M.sub.4 are each a hydrogen atom or a cation capable of forming a salt;AO is an oxyalkylene group or a polyvalent alcohol residue; andp, m and n are each a positive number.The detergent compositions are very low in irritability to the body and have a low critical micelle concentration and a low Krafft point. Further, they are highly soluble in water and they can be used in the form of powder or liquid.

Abstract: An additive composition for a granular detergent comprising:(a) a cationic surfactant having the general formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 independently represent an alkyl group having 12 to 26 carbon atoms, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 independently represent an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a benzyl group, a hydroxyalkyl group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, or a polyoxyalkylene group having 1 to 5 mole oxyalkylene units, and X represents a halogen atom, CH.sub.3 SO.sub.4, C.sub.2 H.sub.5 SO.sub.

Abstract: An additive composition for a granular detergent comprising:(a) a cationic surfactant having the general formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 independently represent an alkyl group having 12 to 26 carbon atoms, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 independently represent an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a benzyl group, a hydroxyalkyl group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, or a polyoxyalkylene group having 1 to 5 mole oxyalkylene units, and X represents a halogen atom, ##STR2## and (b) a nonionic cellulose derivative, the ratio of component (a)/component (b) in a weight basis of 99.9/0.1 to 50/50.This additive composition can provide an excellent soft finish or touch to fabrics, especially cotton fabrics to be washed while simultaneously washing the fabrics during a fabric laundering operation when this additive composition is incorporated into a granular detergent.

Abstract: An improved liquid detergent composition having a markedly decreased tendency toward film formation on the liquid surface when exposed to open air, without loss in detergency and foaming power.This includes a magnesium .alpha.-olefinsulfonate, an alcohol-ethylene oxide addition product and magnesium sulfate, all in limited concentrations, the balance being an aqueous solvent and optional additives.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing granular detergents having good biodegradability, mildness to the skin, an appropriate breaking strength of the granules, a desired bulk density and a satisfactory free-flowability, by heating a detergent slurry and atomizing it in an ambient or cold atmosphere, wherein the detergent slurry employed is a mixture consisting of 10 to 30 wt.% of olefin sulfonate having 10 to 22 carbon atoms, 60 to 90 wt.% of sodium carbonate, sodium silicate and water and 0 to 30 wt.% of other well-known additives, and the ratio of said sodium carbonate, sodium silicate and water is in a specific range.

Abstract: A neutralized product containing salt of .alpha.-sulfofatty acid ester in high concentration can be produced by the method comprising the steps of (1) sulfonating fatty acid ester by contacting a gaseous mixture of sulfur trioxide (SO.sub.3) and an inert gas containing 1 - 15% by volume of SO.sub.3 with a film of a fatty acid ester, said ester having the formula RCH.sub.2 COOR' (wherein R is alkyl having 8 - 18 carbon atoms and R' is alkyl having 1 - 5 carbon atoms), under the conditions that the molar ratio of SO.sub.3 to said fatty acid ester is in the range of 1.0 - 1.5, the temperature is in the range of 50.degree. - 85.degree.C and the time of contact is in the range of 0.5 - 30 seconds; (2) contacting a film of the reaction product obtained by step (1) into contact with said gaseous mixture, under the conditions of a temperature in the range of 95 - 150.degree.