Abstract: A dye composition contains as indispensable ingredients a water-insoluble dye and 10-150% by weight, based on the dye, of a nonionic surfactant of the general formula:HO--C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O).sub.l (C.sub.3 H.sub.6 O).sub.m (C.sub.2 H.sub.4 O).sub.n Hwherein l, m and n each represent an integer of one or more l+m+n being in the range of 100-350 and (l+n)/m being two or more.

Abstract: The invention relates to an aqueous disperse dye or optical brightener formulation which comprises(a) from 5 to 55 percent by weight, based on (a+c), of one or more finely divided dyes, optical brighteners or mixtures of these,(b) from 10 to 200 percent by weight, based on (a), of a water-soluble surfactant of the formula ##STR1## where X is from 0 to a mean value of 125, Y is from a mean value of 37 to a mean value of 250, but if X is >37, Y:X is at least 1:1, Z is 0 or 1 and Me.sym. is an alkali metal ion, or mixtures of such surfactants,(c) from 45 to 95 percent by weight, based on (a+c) of water or of a mixture of water and a water-retaining agent, with or without(d) further additives conventionally present in aqueous formulations.