Abstract: Polyacetals useful as reduced-phosphate or phosphate-free detergent and cleaner additives are obtainable by cationically initiated polyaddition of(a) divinyl ethers and(b) dihydroxy compounds and also, optionally,(c) monohydroxy compoundsand have K values of from 8 to 100.

Abstract: Polyurethane vinyl ethers are obtainable by reactingA) 1 NCO equivalent of one or more isocyanurate-containing polyisocyanates withB) 0.01-1.0 OH equivalent of one or more monohydroxyvinyl ethers andC) 0-0.99 equivalent of functional groups of further compounds, which groups are reactive with OCN.

Abstract: Polyesters obtainable by condensation of(a) an at least dicarboxylic acid, or an ester or anhydride or a mixture thereof,(b) an at least dihydric alcohol or an addition product of from 1 to 5 mol of at least one alkylene oxide of 2 or 3 carbon atoms with 1 mol of an at least dihydric alcohol, or a mixture thereof, and(c) a water-soluble addition product of from 5 to 80 mol of at least one alkylene oxide with 1 mol of a C.sub.8 -C.sub.24 -alcohol, a C.sub.8 -C.sub.18 -alkylphenol or a C.sub.8 -C.sub.24 -alkylaminein a molar ratio of (a):(b):(c) of 100:(25-2500):(5-110) at not less than 120.degree. C. up to a weight average molecular weight of from 2000 to 50000, are used in amounts of from 0.05 to 15% by weight as grayness inhibitors and soil release promoters in detergents.

Abstract: A stable liquid detergent composition having improved clay soil detergency, clay soil anti-redeposition, oily soil anti-redeposition and soil release properties is disclosed. The detergent composition is comprised of an anionic surfactant, a nonionic surfactant, a hydrotrope, a graft copolymer of polyalkylene oxide and an ester monomer, and a nonionic cellulosic anti-redeposition agent. The graft copolymer is comprised of (a) a polyalkylene oxide based upon an alkylene oxide having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms having a molecular weight of 300 to 100,000 and, (b) at least one vinyl ester derived from a saturated monocarboxylic acid containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and/or methyl or ethyl ester of acrylic or meth-acrylic acid in a weight ratio of (a):(b) of from 1:0.2 to 1:10. The nonionic cellulosic anti-redeposition agent is preferably hydroxypropyl methylcellulose.

Abstract: Pulverulent or water-free liquid detergents each essentially contain surfactants, builders, bleaching agents and effective amounts of compounds of the formula ##STR1## where R.sup.1 is for example C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 -alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or C.sub.3 -C.sub.8 -alkenyl, and R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are each for example H or C.sub.1 -C.sub.16 -alkyl, as bleach activators for peroxides.

Abstract: Long-chain alkylglucosides are purified by extraction with water from reaction mixtures obtainable by reacting monosaccharides and alcohols of 8 or more carbon atoms or by transacetalating short-chain alkylglucosides with alcohols of 8 or more carbon atoms, adjusted to a pH above 6 in either case.