Abstract: Granular laundry detergents are formulated with percarbonate bleach and oxidation-sensitive ingredients such as brighteners, enzymes, perfumes and the like. The storage stability of such compositions is improved by the presence of silicate. For example, the tendency of stilbene-type brighteners to form undesirable yellow shades in the presence of percarbonate is diminished by the corporation of silicate materials into the granules.

Abstract: Stable granular detergent compositions with good flow and dispensing properties are prepared using percarbonate bleach and selected sulfate salts. Thus, particles comprising builders and surfactants are prepared separately from percarbonate bleach particles of defined particle size. Water-soluble sulfate particles having a defined size range and no more than 40 ppm iron and no more than 5 ppm copper are used in the compositions. The specified moisture content of the ingredients and overall compositions improves stability and flow/dispensing properties.

Abstract: Laundry detergent compositions comprise at least 10% detergent surfactant or at least 10% detergent builder system. The detergent builder system comprises a copolymer of maleic acid and acrylic acid having a molecular weight of from 5,000 to 15,000 and a mole ratio of acrylic units to maleic units of from about 3:7 to 7:3. The copolymer has an Index Ratio (IR) of not less than 110, wherein IR=Binding Index (BI).times.Dispersing Index (DI)100.

Abstract: A cold water washing formula and a method of reducing the soil load on a textile by introducing the textile and cold water into an internal assembly within a washing machine. The method includes a first break wash wherein the textile, water, and a solvent are introduced into the washing machine to initiate soil removal. In a second break wash, a surfactant and an alkali are added to the first break wash to continue the washing cycle. The combined first and second break washes are drained from the internal assembly and the textile is rinsed with water. After draining the first rinse from the internal assembly, a second rinse including ozonated water and an acid is introduced into the internal assembly. The second rinse is drained from the internal assembly and a third rinse, which includes ozonated water, is introduced into the internal assembly to rinse the textile.

Abstract: A method of laundering soiled fabrics comprises contacting the fabrics in an aqueous laundering solution with a granular detergent composition comprising at least about 1% by weight of a surfactant, at least about 1% by weight of a builder, from about 6% to about 9% by weight of a particulate foam control agent, from about 1% to about 5% by weight of bleach activator, from about 0.3% to about 7% by weight of a peroxygen bleaching agent and from about 0.05% to about 0.2% by weight of a cellulase enzyme, wherein the detergent composition produces the low level of foam required for optimal cleaning in washing machines employing a low water wash process.

Abstract: A granular detergent component having a bulk density of less than 400 g/l comprises from 20% to 50%, by weight, of aluminosilicate, optionally up to 50%, by weight, of a co-filler, and 0.05% to 2%, by weight, of anionic surfactant, preferably C14-C20 alkyl sulphate. The low bulk density component is preferably mixed with other components such as percarbonate, silicate, layered silicate, carbonate, bicarbonate, sesquicarbonate, sulphate, citrate and mixtures thereof to provide a granular detergent composition.

Abstract: Detergent compositions were prepared which contain 1-10% of a fatty acid amide, in which the carbon is attached to a C.sub.15 -C.sub.17 hydrocarbon, and wherein one of the nitrogen substituents is a polyhydroxyhydrocarbyl having a linear hydrocarbon chain with at least three hydroxyl groups pendent therefrom. Said compositions further comprise 1-6% by weight of an insoluble ethoxylated C.sub.12 -C.sub.15 primary alcohol containing an average of three ethoxylate groups per mole.

Abstract: Laundry detergent compositions containing a detergent surfactant, a detergent builder, and from about 0.1% to about 50% by weight ethylene aspartate cysteate sequestrants or its acid form are disclosed. These compositions provide enhanced removal of organic stains, such as food and beverage stains particularly polyphenolic stains such as wine, blueberry, tea, coffee, morello juice and the like.

Abstract: A granular detergent composition having a bulk density of at least 650 g/l and comprising at least 5% by weight of anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, or mixtures thereof, and further comprising: i) from 2% to 50% by weight of granular alkalimetal percarbonate, ii) from 0.7% to 20% by weight of powdered silicate, and wherein silicate particles having a particle size diameter of less than 425 micrometers comprise at least 0.7% by weight of the composition.

Abstract: Disclosed is a detergent composition comprising a polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactant of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is H, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 hydrocarbyl, 2-hydroxy ethyl, 2 hyroxy propyl, or a mixture thereof, R.sup.2 is C.sub.5 -C.sub.31 hydrocarbyl, and Z is a polyhydroxy-hydrocarbyl having a linear hydrocarbyl chain with at least 3 hydroxyls connected directly to said chain, or an alkoxylated derivative thereof, and a non-borate, non-borate-forming bleaching agent such as the persulfates and especially the percarbonate bleaches. Mixtures of non-perborates with bleach activators such as tetraacetyl ethylene diamine are also used in the compositions. Also disclosed is a method for cleaning substrates, such as fabrics, fibers, textiles, hard surfaces, etc., at temperatures below about 50.degree. C., especially below about 40.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for making a granular detergent composition comprising the steps of adding to a detergent powder particles of percarbonate having a mean particle size in the range of from 250 to 900 micrometers and a powdery flow aid containing a partially hydrated crystalline sodium aluminosilicate having a moisture content of less than 15%, preferably from 5% to 12%.

Abstract: Polyaminoacid builders or co-builders having the general formula: ##STR1## that are useful in the formulations of detergents are disclosed. Preferred detergent formulations contain from 5 to 50 percent by weight of the polyaminoacid builder, preferably polyaspartic aicd or polyglutamic acid, together with surface-active agents, aluminosilicates and other detergent additives.

Abstract: A process for the production of a detergent composition having a predetermined relative humidity comprising forming a crude detergent composition having a relative humidity in excess of the predetermined level, for example in excess of 30% and contacting the said crude composition with a preconditioned gas having a relative humidity below the predetermined relative humidity wherein the temperature of the crude composition is maintained below the temperature at which the crude composition agglomerates thereby to form a low relative humidity detergent composition.

Abstract: A process for preparing high density detergent agglomerates having a density of at least 650 g/l is provided. The process comprises the step of continuously mixing detergent granules having a density of less than about 450 g/l in a moderate speed mixer/densifier wherein the granules are pulverized and densified to produce agglomerates having a density of at least 650 g/l . The mean residence time of the granules in the moderate speed mixer/densifier is at least about 12 minutes, and preferably from 12 to 15 minutes. The process further includes the step of either spraying a binder or adding a coating agent in the mixer/densifier to facilitate agglomeration of the granules. Thereafter, the agglomerates are dried to obtain the high density granular detergent agglomerates which are ready for packaging as a low dosage detergent.