CZ290296A3 - Cloth softening preparation - Google Patents

Abstract

Patent application that covers the concept of solubilised rinse conditioners comprising a fabric softening compound and a zwitterionic surfactant. All product forms are covered. The invention works particularly well with HEQ.

Description

Technical field

The present invention relates to fabric softening compositions. In particular, it relates to fabric softening compositions having excellent stability and release and dispersion properties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fabric softening compositions added to the rinse solution are well known. Such compositions typically comprise a water-insoluble fabric softening agent dispersed in water in an amount of up to 7 weight percent of the softening agent, in which case the compositions are considered dissolved or in an amount of 7 to 30 weight percent. % at which time the compositions are considered as concentrates. The fabrics may be softened using sheets coated with a softening agent for use in tumble dryers. More specifically, commercially available fabric softening agents in water generally form layered lamellar structures having characteristic transition temperatures of 1β to La phase.

Previously known fabric softening compositions added to the rinse solution soften by depositing dispersed colloidal softener particles in fabrics, while dryer sheets soften fabrics by directly transferring the non-melted softener, as described in the review article of RG Laughlin: Surfactant Science Series 2, vol. 37, Cationic Surfactants Physical Properties, pp. 449-465 (Marcel Decker inc, 1991)

Conventional liquid fabric softening compositions are in the form

- 2 dispersed colloidal fabric softener particles. Fabric softening agents have also been described, including a fabric softening agent dissolved in an organic solvent, as well as powdered or granular compositions.

Fabric softening compositions consisting of scattered colloidal particles have complex, unstable structures. Because of this volatility, many problems are encountered with conventional fabric softening compositions. The main problems are: physical instability at high and low temperature storage, irreversible conversion to freezing gels, difficulty in obtaining compositions with good dispersibility in the wash solution, storage in fabrics, and the ability to disengage from the drawer of the machine. Due to poor scattering properties, the fabric may become unevenly covered with a fabric softener and, in some cases, may stain. These difficulties are exacerbated with concentrated fabric softening compositions and activated by the addition of perfume.

Physical instability is manifested by thickening of the composition upon storage to such an extent that the composition is no longer liquid and may even lead to irreversible gel formation. Gel formation can also occur in the dispenser drawer of the washing machine if the tank temperature is increased by the inflow of hot water. Thickening is highly undesirable since the composition can no longer be used satisfactorily. Physical instability can also manifest itself as phase separation into two or more separate layers.

However, the customer wants concentrated products, good dispersibility and release, and storage stability at low or high temperatures.

The difficulties associated with commonly dispersed colloidal particles are

3 shows prior art. U.S. Patent 4,789,491 (Chang) discloses a specific process for preparing aqueous dispersions of cationic softeners. This process allegedly overcomes the problems of product viscosity and poor release and dispersion during storage.

EP 0 239 910 (Procter and Gamble) discloses compositions containing dispersions of either a diester or a monoester of quaternary ammonium compounds in which nitrogen has either two or three methyl groups, stabilized by maintaining a critically low pH.

The physical stability of the fabric softening agents added to the rinse solution was improved by the addition of viscosity control agents or anti-gel agents. For example, in EP 13 780 (Procter and Gamble) viscosity control agents are added to certain concentrated compositions. The agents may include long chain aliphatic C ₁₀ -C ₁₈ alcohols. Later, it has been proposed in EP 280 550 (Unilever) to add nonionic surfactants to improve the physical stability of dilute compositions containing biocompatible, quaternary ammonium compounds and fatty acids. EP 507 478 (Unilever) discloses physically stable fabric softening compositions comprising water-insoluble, biodegradable, ester-bound quaternary ammonium compounds and a nonionic stabilizing agent.

Various suggestions have been made to provide fabric softener in granular or powder form. EP 111074, using silica as the plasticizer carrier, is typical. A disadvantage of using a carrier such as silica is that it increases the volume of the product and has no function other than making the powder compatible with other ingredients that may be included in the laundry powder.

EP 569 184 (Unilever) discloses the use of a granular composition to form a pre-diluted composition which is then

- 4 added to the washing machine tank.

WO 92/18593 (Procter and Gamble) discloses a granular fabric softening composition that can be added to water to form an aqueous emulsion. The composition comprises a non-ionic fabric softener such as a sorbitan ester and a single long alkyl chain cationic surfactant.

WO 93/23510 (Procter and Gamble) discloses liquid and solid fabric softeners comprising biodegradable fabric softeners based on quaternary ammonium diester and a viscosity and / or scatter modifying agent; the application also proposes specific methods of manufacturing such products. The viscosity and / or scattering modifying agent may be. a long chain alkylated cationic or nonionic surfactant. The solid composition forms an emulsion or dispersion when added to water.

The co-pending application of the present authors, GB 9323268.4, discloses the use of tegobetaine to overcome the problem of instability caused by concentrated fabric softeners by the presence of perfume.

In an effort to overcome the difficulty associated with dispersed colloidal particles, previous work has turned to fabric conditioners (fabric conditioners) in the form of solutions of fabric softening compounds in organic solvents. Compositions of this type are disclosed in co-pending application GB 9301811.7. However, dispersed colloidal particles are still formed upon contact with water.

Another way of forming fabric conditioner solutions is by creating specific structural modifications.

- 5 I}

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U.S. Patent 3,892,669 (Lever Brothers) discloses a clear, homogeneous a liquid aqueous softening composition and is limited to solubilized tetraalkyl quaternary ammonium salts having two short chain alkyl groups and two long chain alkyl groups, the long chain groups having some methyl and ethyl branches. Solubilizing agents include arylsulfonates, diols, ethers, low molecular weight quaternary compounds, sulfobetaines, and nonionic surfactants. The disclosures disclose that nonionic surfactants and phosphine oxides are not suitable for use alone and are useful as solubilizing aids.

The present inventors have surprisingly found that a novel fabric softening composition can be made without the disadvantages of the prior art. AND

The present invention provides fabric softening compositions having excellent softening properties that exhibit excellent storage stability at both low and high temperature, good freezing and thawing balance and excellent scattering and release properties even when the composition is concentrated and even if the fabric softening agent is thickened to a level of greater than 30% by weight.

The formulations prepared according to the invention do not even suffer from the loss of softening ability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the invention is to provide a fabric softening composition comprising:

i) a substantially water-insoluble fabric softening compound comprising a compound having two C, ₂ . _An alkyl or alkenyl group attached to the main quaternary ammonium group via at least one ester bond, or a quaternary ammonium compound comprising a single chain of average length

- 6 chains of C ₂₀ or greater; and ii) a solubilizing agent, comprising an amphoteric surfactant and optionally a non-surfactant solubilizing agent;

characterized in that when the fabric softener is diluted with water to a concentration of 5 wt. % of components (i) and (ii) is at least 70 wt. % of a fabric softening compound in solution.

In another aspect, the invention provides the use of molecular aggregates of uniformly sized size (as set forth below) as a fabric softening agent.

Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the fabric conditioning agent of the present invention is not in the conventional lamellar form and, when in contact with water, may be partially solubilized in the form of molecular aggregates of uniformly defined size , such as micelles or micellar solutions with solid or liquid interiors, or mixtures thereof. When the composition is in a water-containing form, the composition may itself be present, at least in part, in the form of molecular aggregates of uniformly defined size. This new structure of fabric softening compositions is believed to overcome the difficulties of the prior art.

Suitably, the fabric softener and the solubilizing agent form a transparent mixture. However, the following tests can be used to definitively determine whether or not the composition is within the scope of the invention.

Test I

(a) Dilute the fabric softener to a concentration of 5 with water

- 7 wt. % (fabric softening agents and total solubilizing agent, i.e. nonionic surfactant and any non-surfactant solubilizing aid). The diluted solution is heated to 60-80 ° C, then cooled to room temperature and stirred for 1 hour to ensure equilibration (equilibration). The first portion of the resulting test liquid is removed and any material that is insoluble in the aqueous phase is separated by sedimentation or filtration until a clear aqueous layer is obtained. (Ultracentrifuges or ultrafilters can be used for this purpose). Filtration can be performed by passing through successive membrane filters with pores of 1 μπι, 0.45 μπι and 0.2 μιη.

b) The concentration of the fabric softening agent in the clear layer was measured by titration with a standard anionic surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS) using a diminium sulfide-disulfinic blue indicator in two-phase titration with chloroform as the extraction solvent.

c) The titration with the anionic surfactant is repeated with the second part of the fabric softening agent which has been diluted but not separated.

d) A comparison of the results of (b) and (c) should show that the concentration of the fabric softener in (b) is at least 70% by weight. % (preferably 80% by weight) of the fabric softening agent concentration in (c). This indicates that the fabric softener was in solution.

Test II

a) Dilute fabric softener as for Test I.

- 8 (b) The viscosity of the diluted substance is measured at a shear rate of 110 s ^-1 .

(c) The diluted substance is heated to 60 ° C and held at that temperature for 1 day;

d) The diluted substance is cooled to 20 ° C and the viscosity is again measured at a shear rate of 110 s ^-1 .

e) The comparison between (b) and (c) should show that it differs by less than 5 mPa.

It is preferred that the fabric softening compositions of the present invention meet the following test:

Test III

a) Dilute fabric softener as for Test I.

(b) The viscosity of the diluted substance is measured at a shear rate of 110 s ^-1 .

(c) The diluted substance is frozen and thawed.

d) Viscosity is again measured at a shear rate of 110 s ^-1 .

e) Comparison between (b) and (c) should show that they differ by less than 10 mPa.

The fabric softening compositions of the invention may be translucent. Translucent means, in the context of the present invention, that if a 1 cm thick cell (cuvette) is filled with a fabric softening agent, the 12-point Courier font is readable through it.

A further advantage of the present invention is that softening with this composition is increased at the same levels of fabric softening agent

9 compared to prior art devices.

The present invention also has the advantage that high perfume levels can be tolerated without adversely affecting product stability.

The fabric softening agent is suitably a water-insoluble quaternary ammonium compound comprising one C ₂₀ or greater alkyl or alkenyl chain, or more preferably a softening compound comprising a major polar group and two C ₁₂ or greater alkyl or alkenyl chains each of an average length , such as a quaternary ammonium compound having two _C12 . ₂₂ alkyl or alkenyl groups attached to the front quaternary ammonium group via at least one ester bond.

The fabric softening compound of the invention preferably has two long alkyl or alkenyl chains with an average chain length of C ₁₄ or longer. More preferably, the average length of each chain is greater than or equal to C, _e . Most preferably, at least 50% of each long chain alkyl or alkenyl group has a chain length of C _1a .

It is preferred that the alkyl or alkenyl groups of the fabric softening agent be predominantly linear.

The fabric softening agents used in the compositions of the invention are excellent softening molecules characterized by a transition temperature of the Lp chain to La of greater than 25 ° C, preferably greater than 35'C and preferably greater than 45'C. This transition from Lp to La can be measured by DSC (Comparative Scan Colorimetry) as described in Handbook of Lipid Bilayers, D. Marsh, CRC Press, Boca Raton Florida, 1990, pp. 137 and 337.

Substantially insoluble fabric softening agents in the context of this invention are defined as fabric softening compounds having a solubility of less than 1 x 10 ^-3 wt. % in demineralised water at r

Noc: 18 ° C. Preferably, the fabric softening compounds have solubility;

less than 1 x 10 ^4, and most preferably a solubility in demineralized water at 20 ° C of from 1 x 10 ³ to 1 x 10 ^3rd

Preferred fabric softening compounds are quaternary ammonium compounds.

Particularly preferred that when the fabric softening agent for water-insoluble quaternary ammonium material which comprises a compound having two C _{t2. The} alkyl or alkenyl group is attached to the molecule via at least one ester bond.

A particularly preferred ester-linked quaternary ammonium material for use in the invention may be represented by the formula:

R ¹ - ( _{CH 2} ) _{n - t -} R ² (CH ₂ ) _n - TR ² wherein each R ¹ is independently selected from C 1-4 alkyl, hydroxyalkyl or C 2-4 alkenyl groups; and wherein each R ² is independently selected from C 8. ₂₈ alkyl or alkenyl groups;

O O

II II

T is -O-C- or-C-O-; and n is an integer from 0 to 5.

Particularly preferred are di (oxyethyl tallow fat) -dimethylammonium chloride, available from Hoechst.

The second preferred type of quaternary ammonium material may be represented by the formula:

OGCR ²

I (R ¹ ) ₃ N * - (CH ₂ ) _n -CH

CH ₃ OOCR ² where R ¹ , on R ² are as previously defined.

With respect to the environment, it is preferred that the quaternary ammonium material is biodegradable.

Preferred materials of this class, such as 1,2-bis [oxy] group from hardened tallow fat-3-trimethylammonium propane, and methods for their preparation are described, for example, in U.S. Patent 4,137,180 (Lever Brothers). These materials preferably include small amounts of the corresponding monoester as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,137,180, for example, 1- (oxyfatted tallow fat) 2-hydroxy-3-trimethylammonium propane chloride.

Amphoteric solubilizing agent

The solubilizing agent is an amphoteric (zwitterionic) surfactant, characterized by data on its phase behavior. Suitable solubilizing agents are amphoteric surfactants in which, when in contact with water, the first lyotropic liquid-crystalline phase formed is a normal cubic (11) phase, or a normal cubic-bicontinuous phase

- 12 (V1), hexagonal (H1), nematic (Ne1) or intermediate (int1) phase as defined in G.J.T. Tiddy et al., J. Chem. Soc. Faraday Trans.1 (79), 975, 1983 and in G.J.T. Tiddy's Modem Trends of Colloid Science in Chemistry and Biology, ed. H.-F. Eicke, Birkhauser Verlag Base, 1985. La phase-forming surfactants at concentrations below 20 wt. % are not appropriate.

In the context of this invention, amphoteric surfactants are defined as having molecular structures composed of a hydrophilic and a hydrophobic moiety. The hydrophobic moiety consists of a hydrocarbon and the hydrophilic moiety consists of both positive and negative groups. Preferred amphoteric surfactants include amine oxides, betaines including sulfobetaine and tegobetaine, phosphine oxides and sulfoxides.

Mixtures of solubilizing agents may also be used.

In solid form compositions, particularly powders, the solubilizing agent is preferably a solid at room temperature, as this ensures crispy (brittle) particles of the composition.

It is particularly preferred that the solubilizing agent further comprises a non-surfactant solubilizing agent. Preferred solubilizing auxiliaries include propylene glycol, urea, acid amides up to _and including chain C _s , citric acid and other polycarboxylic acids disclosed in EP 0 404 471 (Unilever), glycerol, sorbitol and sucrose. Particularly preferred are polyethylene glycols (PEG) having molecular weights of from 200 to 6000, and more preferably from 1000 to 2000.

It is preferred that the ratio of the auxiliary solubilization

The 13 against amphoteric surfactant was 2: 1 to 1:40. The ratio of solubilizing agent to nonionic surfactant is preferably less than 1: 1 and more preferably 1: 5.

It is preferred that the weight ratio of the solubilizing agent (including the solubilizing aid) to the fabric softening agent exceeds 1: 6, more preferably 1: 4, and is preferably equal to or greater than 2: 3. It is preferred that the ratio of the solubilizing agent to the fabric softening compound be equal to or less than 4: 1 and even more preferably less than 3: 2.

It is beneficial if the solubilizing agent and / or the solubilizing agent is present in an amount greater than 5 wt. % of the total composition and more preferably in an amount greater than 10 wt. %.

The solubilizing agent and / or the solubilizing agent may be present in an amount greater than 20 wt. % or more than 30 wt. %. Such high amounts are particularly preferred when the fabric softening agent is a solid.

PH of the composition

The compositions of the invention preferably have a pH of greater than 1.5 and more preferably less than 5.

Other ingredients

The composition may also contain fatty acids, for example

C ₈ -C ₂₄ alkyl or alkenyl monocarboxylic acids or polymeric carboxylic acids. Saturated are preferably used

- C14 fatty acids, especially C _i -C ₁₈ fatty acid, hardened tallow fat.

The amount of fatty acid substances is preferably greater than 0.1 wt. % and preferably greater than 0.2 wt. %. Particularly preferred are concentrates comprising 0.5 to 20 wt. % fatty acid and preferably 1 to 10 wt. %. The weight ratio of the fabric softening agent to the fatty acid substance is preferably from 10: 1 to 1:10.

The compositions of the present invention may contain, as desired, detergency builders and / or inorganic surfactants. However, it is particularly preferred that the composition be substantially free of builders. It is also preferred that the composition be substantially free of anionic surfactant.

Suitably, the composition is substantially free of nonionic hydrophobic organic materials such as hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon fatty acid esters.

The composition may further comprise one or more optional ingredients selected from non-aqueous solvents, pH buffering agents, perfumes, perfume carriers, fluorescent agents, colorants, hydrotropes, antifoams, antifouling agents, polymeric and other fillers (thickeners), enzymes, optical brighteners, opacifying agents, anti-clotting agents, anti-wrinkle agents, anti-wrinkle agents, anti-staining agents, germicides, fungicides, antioxidants, anticorrosive agents, anti-wrinkle agents, antistatic agents and ironing aids.

Product form

The product may be in any form of product. Particularly preferred forms are liquid and solid compositions and compositions suitable for coating the sheets of a dryer. Solid compositions in this context include compositions in the form of tablets, gel, paste and preferably granules or powders.

The composition may be used in a tumble dryer, but it is preferred to use it in a washing machine, for example, to divide the composition from the container of the washing machine, optionally with dilution, prior to dosing into the storage drawer.

Preparation of resources

The invention further provides a method of making a conditioner used in rinse as described above, comprising the steps of:

i) mixing the substantially water-insoluble fabric softening agent and the solubilizing agent, preferably by melting together;

ii) adding the resulting mixture to conventional additives such as water.

Another possibility is to manufacture the composition by independently adding a water-insoluble fabric softening agent and a solubilizing agent to conventional additives.

Solid form compositions can be made by spray drying, freeze-drying, grinding, extraction, cryogenic crushing, or any other suitable means.

The invention will now be illustrated by the following non-limiting examples. In the examples, all percentages are expressed in percent by weight.

Comparative examples are indicated by letters, while examples of the invention are numbered.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Production of tested devices

The compositions for the following examples were made by one of the following methods:

1) co-dissolving the fabric softening agent in the solubilizing agent and adding the resulting dispersion with the required amount of hot water.

2) Successively adding the fabric softening agent and the solubilizing agent to the hot water.

In the comparative examples in which a solubilizing agent is not present, the cationic substance is dispersed in hot water (liquid formulations).

In the examples:

HT TMAPC = 1,2-bis [oxo group of hardened tallow fat] -3-trimethylammonium propane

DEQA = di (oxyethyl tallow fat) dimethylammonium chloride

Determination of softness

The softening capacity was determined by adding 0.1 g of fabric softener (2 ml of a 5% dispersion in distilled water) for liquids, at room temperature, to 1 L of tap water of hardness 1. 10 ' ³ mol.l' ¹ M ** (10 ° FH) and 0.001% (w / w) sodium alkylbenzene sulphonate content

- 17 (ABS), in tergotometer. ABS was added to mimic the transfer of anionic detergent from the wash solution. Three pieces of loop fabric (8x8 cm, total weight 40 g) were placed in a tergotometer vessel. The fabrics were treated at 65 rpm for 5 minutes, rotary dried to remove excess liquid, and string dried overnight.

Softening was judged by an expert group of five people using a circularly written paired test comparison protocol. Each group member assessed four sets of tested fabrics. Each test fabric set contained one fabric from each test system that was evaluated. Members of the group were required to determine the softness in the 8-point range. Softness values were calculated using a deviation analysis procedure. Lower values characterize better softening.

Examples 1 to 3

The following examples were prepared according to one of the standard procedures:

Examples (weight in g) ingredient 1 2 3 HT TMAPC 1,2 1,2 0.9 C ₁₀ sulfobetaine 0.3 - - C ₁₄ sulfobetaine - 0.3 0.6 water 8.5 8.5 8.5

Dispersion and release were good for all Examples.

Examples 4 to 7 and A and B

Compositions containing a range of different ratios of fabric softener to solubilizing agent were prepared by one of the methods described above in the Manufacture of Test Compositions. The softening capacity was determined.

Softening results

example HT TMAPC: ^X L5351 (w / w) value softening A - 5 - 0 2.5 4 That made the score 4 - 1 2.75 5 3 - 2 3.0 6 2 - 3 3.25 7 1: 4 5.5 (B) 0 - 5 7.25

* amidoalkylbetain fatty acids from Th. Goldschmidt.

All formulations 4 to 7 showed good softening ability and good stability. Formulation A falls under the freezing and thawing test described previously as Test III.

Examples 8 to 14 and C to F

The compositions were made by one of the procedures described in the Production of Test Compositions.

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The storage stability of formulations 8 to 14 was determined by storing the formulations under various conditions, including freezing and thawing regimes, and measuring their viscosity using a Carri-med rheometer at a shear rate of 110 s ^-1 . The results are shown below.

Comparative compositions, whether whole assembly or separate components, showed poor stability.

^ 4 12.5 ... .111 ·· about σ \ what and \ cm cm m m »—4 r4 r-4 12.9 13.2 12.7 14.1 ao cn σ »cn CM m CM tj · i-4 r-4 r-4 r-i m r4 O\ CM «—4 CN O O <—t η r-4 r-4 »-4 i-4 \ O Η O (N m tj »m tj <r-4» - <i-4 i-4 ιη CM r-3 n n ie · in ^ 3 r4 r4 r4 H 12 03 / co m tn <n 00 CM in rj »f — 4 i — 4 r-4 ΙΠ in tn what σ \ va r- vn o cm m no cn CN CN ri Γ » ko tn r-t m tj · ι-t tj · tn 11 m m i — 4 tn αο ν 'in cm cm m σ> i — 1 i-4 r-4 cm C CO r-t Ν ' CM CM TJ · σ> r — 4 c-4 r-4 r * 4 12.7 12.3 14. 1 16.1 ; 10 00 CM Π W lf Η Φ CM CM tn KOr-4r-4r-4 m tn> n o r * CM CM tn oo — — 4 1—4 r4 r-4 what n · a tn CM CM KO i — 4 1— * r-4--H CM σ> Cl CM ri ® <Ί (N n * tn o o CN CN (N r - t tn, -i cn * · · m CN CN · CN CN CN CN * - «Γ - CO cn r> o r-i r * CN H co what 19.7 CN 'CN Γ »<-t tn r ~ ca and CN CN CN rH cn o n · o c-t co m cn CN CN CN -1 cn or cn ca CO what N · 1-1 Η N> starting viscosity O CJ O and o and _ Ν »CN Γ <. cn m Lu > C σ >> CN CJ CJ CJ a a a _ N · CN Γ CN CN LU > x C •and >> » N CJ CJ CJ i_ and o Li N · CN C u_ CN (N · □ C T3 • CN O T—

All of the compositions of the invention exhibited acceptable storage stability and did not freeze under the freezing and thawing regimes.

The compositions were analyzed according to Test I described above and were filtered by sequential passage through 1 gm, 0.45 μιτι and 0.2 gm pore size filters to achieve separation. The remaining cationic material was measured by standard titration.

used nonionic agent % cation remaining. substances 0.2 gm filter 8 85 9 '95 10 97.1 11 94.9 12 86.3 13 84.6 14 94.1 C 50 D 56 E 16 F too viscous for filtration

The compositions were analyzed in Tests II and III described above. Viscosities were measured with a Carri-med rheometer at a shear rate of 110 s ^-1 .

product starting viscosity (mPa) test II, 24h @ 70 ° C (mPa) test III M.p. 8 3.2 3.4 3.8 9 6.8 4.1 2.7 10 2.7 1.9 2.8 11 2,6 2,0 1,8 12 2,0 4.2 3.5 13 2.6 2.5 2.1 14 1,8 4.7 2,3 C 7.4 separated I D separate separate E 57 95 F 111 separate *

The softening effect of the compositions was determined. The results are shown below. A 5% fabric softener solution and solubilizing agent (3: 2 ratio) was used.

sample softening 5% HEQ 5: 0 3.0 10 2.75 13 3.75

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Represented by:

Claims (10)

A fabric softening composition comprising: (i) a substantially water-insoluble fabric softening agent comprising a compound having two _C12 . _An alkyl or aikenyl group attached to the main quaternary ammonium group via at least one ester bond, or a quaternary ammonium compound containing one chain of average chain length C ₂₀ or greater; and ii) a solubilizing agent, comprising an amphoteric surfactant and optionally a non-surfactant solubilizing agent; characterized in that the weight ratio of (ii) the solubilizing agent and (i) the fabric softening compound is greater than 1: 6 and when the fabric softening agent is diluted with water to a concentration of 5 wt. % of components (i) and (ii), at least 70 wt. % of a fabric softening compound in solution. 2. A fabric softening composition according to claim 1 wherein the quaternary ammonium compound comprises a substantially water-insoluble fabric softening agent comprising a compound having two C1-C22 alkyl or alkenyl groups attached to the main quaternary ammonium group via at least one ester linkages. 3. A fabric softening composition according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the solubilizing agent comprises an amphoteric surfactant and a non-surfactant solubilizing aid. 4. A fabric softening composition according to any of the above - 25 of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ratio of the solubilizing agent and the fabric softening agent is in the range of 2: 3 to 4: 1. A fabric softening composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fabric softening agent has a solubility of less than 1 χ 10 ^-3 weight. % in demineralized water at 22 ° C. A fabric softening composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fabric softening agent is selected from 1,2-bis [oxyhardened tallow fat] -3-trimethylammonium propane chloride and di (ethyleneoxy tallow fat) chloride. dimethylammonium. The fabric softening composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the amount of solubilizing agent is greater than 10 wt. % of the total composition. The textile softening composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition is in the form of molecular aggregates of uniformly defined size. A fabric softening composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is in liquid form. 10. A fabric softening composition according to any one of claims 1 to 9 which is granular or powdered.