| abstract |
A laundry detergent composition, wherein the solids content comprises an active surfactant, at least about 70 wt. % of a water soluble alkaline carbonate, e.g., sodium carbonate, up to about 12 wt. % of elemental magnesium in the form of a water soluble salt, e.g., magnesium sulfate or magnesium chloride, and about 0.05 to 5 wt. % of a polymeric polycarboxylate, e.g., an acrylic acid polymer, based on the total weight of solids in the composition. Incorporation of magnesium ions in the foregoing laundry detergent composition containing carbonate ions is intended to minimize negative interactions that will occur between the precipitation of calcium carbonate and the surfaces of the fabric being cleaned, e.g., fabric encrustation, with an enhancement of this effect due to the presence of the polymeric polycarboxylate. |