| abstract |
A heavy duty laundry detergent in particulate form which washes well and softens textiles washed with it includes small proportions of mono- and di-higher alcohol polyethoxy phosphate ester salts, a washing proportion of synthetic anionic organic detergent, e.g., alkali metal higher alkyl benzene sulfonate, and supplementing quantities of alkali metal silicate and non-silicate builder salts, with alkali metal sulfate and moisture. Low foaming detergent compositions of this general type, for use in automatic washing machines such as horizontal drum washing machines, also include alkali metal higher fatty acid soap and similarly, low foaming or non-foaming detergent compositions may include a nonionic detergent or a mixture of detergents of the polyethoxylated higher alcohol or polyethoxylated alkyl phenol types and will produce curd-free wash waters. Methods of washing and softening textiles by using such compositions are also described. |