| abstract |
The softening performance of a water-insoluble cationic fabric softener, such as dimethyl distearyl ammonium chloride, in a nonionic surfactant detergent composition is improved by increasing the fabric substantivity of the cationic fabric softener using a polyfunctional additive selected from (i) diquaternary ammonium compounds, (ii) polymers of dimethyldiallyl ammonium chloride, (iii) cationic guar gum, (iv) poly(methylvinylether/maleic acid) and (v) diimidazolinium compounds. An example of a diquaternary ammonium compound is N-tallow pentamethyl propane diammonium chloride. The detergent-softener compositions provide improved softening and cleaning at washing temperatures as high as 60 DEG C to 100 DEG C. Amphoteric surfactants can be included to increase the cloud point of the composition to above the wash water temperature. |