EP0724624A1

EP0724624A1 - Fabric conditioner composition

Info

Publication number: EP0724624A1
Application number: EP94930946A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Kevin Ronald Franklin; William Frederick Soutar Neillie
Original assignee: Unilever PLC; Unilever NV
Current assignee: Unilever PLC; Unilever NV
Priority date: 1993-10-22
Filing date: 1994-10-12
Publication date: 1996-08-07
Anticipated expiration: 2014-10-12
Also published as: BR9407876A; ES2119233T3; DE69411282T2; DE69411282D1; AU7990894A; WO1995011292A1; EP0724624B1

Abstract

A solid fabric conditioner composition, for example in the form of a powder or of tablets, contains a lipase. By including a lipase in a solid, rather than a liquid composition, the storage stability of the enzyme may be improved. Additionally, the hydrolysis of fabric conditioning compounds which are prone to hydrolytic degradation, for instance esters, may be reduced.

Description

FABRIC CONDITIONER COMPOSITION

The present invention relates to a fabric conditioner composition and, in particular, to a solid fabric conditioner composition, for instance in the form of a powder or tablet.

It is known to include enzymes in so-called "biological" detergent compositions to enhance the detergent's cleansing efficacy. For example, proteases, amylases-, upases, cellulases and mixtures thereof have previously been included in such detergent compositions. The use of lipase;.- in detergents has been reviewed by Hans .Andree et al in Journal of Applied Biochemistry, 2.,218-229 (1980) . Examples of the use of upases in detergent compositions may be found in EP-A-0130064 and EP-A- 0214761, both of Novo Industri A/S.

It has also been proposed to incorporate enzymes, including lipases, into fabric conditioner compositions for use in the rinse stage of fabric washing. Thus, W091/13136 (Novo Nordisk A/S) discloses liquid fabric conditioner compositions comprising a lipase and/or a cellulase and/or a protease and/or an amylase. This document makes a passing reference to the possibility that enzymes may be included in solid rinsing agents.

In general, more effective lipase deposition may be achieved from the rinse than from the wash. For example, the rinse is unbuilt and free calcium and magnesium enhance lipase adsorption. Also, typical rinse conditioner cationic actives are less inhibitory to lipase adsorption than are the anionic and nonionic actives found in main wash products. Despite these advantages there remain problems associated with liquid (aqueous) fabric softener compositions including lipase. For instance liquid rinse conditioners must have a pH of at least 5 to ensure satisfactory ^• lipase stability. When the compositions are stored at pHs close to neutral then there can be problems with bacterial growth. Also, lipases promote the hydrolysis of certain fabric conditioner compounds, such as those containing ester groups, so that formulations of such fabric conditioners will be prone to decomposition through hydrolysis.

With a view to ameliorating such problems the present inventors have developed solid fabric conditioner compositions containing lipase. Thus, according to the present invention there is provided a solid fabric conditioner composition for use in the rinse step of a fabric washing process comprising a fabric conditioning compound, a lipase and a dispersing aid. Suitable fabric conditioning compounds will be apparent to those of skill in the art. Preferred compounds are cationic materials having a solubility in water at pH 2.5 and 20°C of less than lOg/1. Highly preferred materials are cationic quaternary ammonium salts having two long hydrocarbyl chains, for instance two -8-28' preferably -12-24' hydrocarbyl chains. Preferably the hydrocarbyl groups are alkyl or alkenyl groups, which are optionally substituted or interrupted by other groups.

Well-known species of substantially water- insoluble quaternary ammonium compounds have the formula:

wherein each of R-_^ and R₂ is independently selected from hydrocarbyl groups of from about 8 to about 28, preferably about 12 to about 24 carbon atoms; R₃ and

R₄ represent hydrocarbyl groups containing from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms; and X is an anion, preferably selected from halide, methosulphate and ethyl sulphate radicals. Representative examples of these quaternary softeners include ditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride; ditallow dimethyl ammonium methyl sulphate; dihexadecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride; di(hydrogenated tallow) dimethyl ammonium methyl sulphate; dihexadecyl diethyl ammonium chloride; di (coconut) dimethyl ammonium chloride.

Ditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride, di (hydrogenated tallow) dimethyl ammonium chloride, di(coconut) dimethyl ammonium chloride and di(coconut) dimethyl ammonium methosulphate are preferred.

Suitable materials also include dialkyl ethoxyl methyl ammonium methosulphate based on soft fatty acid, dialkyl ethoxyl methyl ammonium methosulphate based on hard fatty acid, and a material in which R₃ and R₄ represent methyl, R_x is C-_L3_₁₅, R₂ is CH₂CII₂OCOR, where R is stearyl, and X is methosulphate.

The quaternary ammonium compound may be an ester- linked quaternary ammonium compound represented by the formula:

wherein each R₅ group is independently selected from ^cι-₄ hydrocarbyl, such as alkyl, alkenyl or hydroxyalkyl groups; and wherein each R₆ group is independently selected from C₈_₂₈ hydrocarbyl, such as alkyl or alkenyl groups; 0 0

II II

T is -0—C- or -C—0—; n is an integer from 0-5; and

Y" is an anion, preferably selected from halide, methosulphate and ethylsulphate radicals.

A preferred material of this type is that of formula:

(

wherein each R₇ is a long chain alkyl or alkenyl group such as tallow and Y^~ is as defined above and, in particular, is methosulphate. A material having R₇ of tallow and Y^" of methosulphate is available from

Stepan under the trade name Stepantex VRH 90. .Another example of a suitable material of formula (III) has R₇ of partially hardened tallow and Y^" of methosulphate.

.Another .preferred class of compounds containing two ester groups is:

wherein R17 is a long chain alkyl or alkenyl group such as tallow, or partially hardened tallow. Preferred choices of Y^" are chloride or methosulphate. Other ester-linked quaternary ammonium compounds which may be used in the compositions of the present invention are those of formula:

R₈ OOCRg

\ / (IV) R₈ N⁺ (CH₂)_JI CH

R₈ CH₂00CR₉

wherein each R₈ is independently selected from C-^ hydrocarbyl, such as alkyl, alkenyl or hydroxyalkyl groups; and each R₉ is independently selected from C₈_ ₂₈ hydrocarbyl, such as alkyl and alkenyl groups; n is an integer of from 0-5; and Y^" is an anion preferably selected from halide, methosulphate and ethylsulphate radicals. Preferred materials of this class and their method of preparation are, for example, described in US-4137180 (LEVER BROTHERS) . Preferably, these materials comprise small amounts of the corresponding monoester as described in US-4137180 for example 1- tallowoxy, 2-hydroxy trimethyl ammonium propane chloride.

Another class of preferred water-insoluble cationic materials are the hydrocarbylimidazolinium salts believed to have the formula:

14

wherein R₁₃ is a hydrocarbyl group containing from 1 to 4, preferably 1 or 2 carbon atoms, R_X1 is a hydrocarbyl group containing from 8 to 25 carbon atoms, R₁₄ is a hydrocarbyl group containing from 8 to 25 carbon atoms and R₁₂ is hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and A^" is an anion, preferably a halide, methosulphate or ethosulphate.

Preferred imidazolinium salts include 1-methyl-l- (tallowylamido-) ethyl -2-tallowyl-4,5-dihydro imidazolinium methosulphate and 1-methyl-l-

(palmitoylamido) ethyl 2-octadecyl-4,5- dihydro- imidazolinium chloride. Other useful imidazolinium materials are 2-heptadecyl-1-methyl-1 (2- stearylamido) -ethyl-imidazolinium chloride and 2- lauryl-1-hydroxyethyl-l-oleyl-imidazolinium chloride.

Compositions of the present invention preferably include 10 to 95% by weight of a quaternary ammonium fabric conditioning compound, particularly preferably

20 to 80% by weight. The amount of fabric conditioning compound included in the composition may vary depending on the particular type of softener employed and on whether it is for use as a powder or tablet. For example, where the conditioning compound is ester linked, for example having one of formulae

(II) , (III) or (IV) above, it may be included in powders in relatively large amounts, for instance between 60 and 95% by weight, preferably 70 to 90%. Where the fabric softener is of more conventional type, for instance as shown in formula (I) above, or where the ester-linked softener is included in a tablet composition, it will generally be included in smaller amounts such as 10 to 40% by weight, preferably 15 to 30% by weight. Fabric softeners which are readily dispersible in water may be included in larger proportions than those which are less readily dispersible.

Compositions of the invention preferably contain, in addition to a cationic material having a solubility in water at pH 2.5 and 20°C of less than lOg/1, an amount (preferably less than 50% by weight) of a cationic surfactant whose solubility in water at pH 2.5 and 20°C exceeds lOg/1. Examples of such cationic surfactants include quaternary ammonium compounds in which the quaternary nitrogen atom carries a single long hydrocarbyl (e.g. alkyl or alkenyl) group, for example containing from 8 to 28, preferably about 12 to 24 carbon atoms. Examples include compounds of formula (VI) :

where each R₁₅ is independently selected from substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or alkenyl groups having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, R₁₆ is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or alkenyl group having from 8 to 28 carbon atoms, and B^" is an anion, preferably a halide, methosulphate or ethosulphate. Cationic materials having solubilities in excess of lOg/1 under the conditions specified above assist in the dispersion of the less soluble cationic component. Preferred examples of such compounds include cocobenzyldimethylammonium chloride, cocot rimethyl ammonium chl oride , tallowtrimethylammonium chloride and dodecylbenzyldimethylammonium chloride (sold under the trade name .Arquad 12) . These "high solubility" cationic materials are preferably included in amounts not greater than 50% by weight of the composition, especially not greater than 30% by weight of the composition, and particularly preferably are included in amounts of from 5 to 20% by weight. Preferably the cationic having a solubility of less than lOg/l and the cationic having a solubility in excess of lOg/l are present in a ratio by weight in the range 20:1 to 1:1, preferably 10:1 to 2:1 and particularly preferably 5:1 to 3:1.

The amount of lipase enzyme in the fabric conditioning composition may be chosen such that, on dilution, the concentration of enzyme in the rinse liquor is in the range of 0.0002 to 5mg preferably 0.002 to 2mg pure enzyme protein per litre of rinse liquor. Consequently, the concentration of enzyme in the composition prior to dilution generally lies in the range 2xl0^"8 to 1 weight percent, preferably 2xl0^"7 to 10^"1 weight percent, particularly preferably 2xl0^"6 to 10^"2 weight percent.

Compositions of the invention also include a dispersing agent for assisting the dispersion of the fabric conditioner compound in water. Suitable dispersing agents will be apparent to those of skill in the art and include nonionic materials such as alkoxylated fatty alcohols, preferably containing a fatty alcohol having from 8 to 28 carbon atoms, the alcohol being ethoxylated with 2 to 50, preferably from 4 to 40 ethoxy groups. One example of a suitable nonionic is cocoalcohol 20E0; this is particularly suitable for use in conjunction with ester-linked fabric conditioning compounds such as those of formula (IV) above.

Another possible dispersing aid is an electrolyte, of which sodium bicarbonate is a preferred example. Electrolytes are suitable, for example, for use- in conjunction with fabric conditioning compounds of formula (I) above.

The amount and type of dispersing agent used will depend on the amount and type of fabric conditioner compound employed as well as on the form of the composition (eg. whether powder or tablet) . Thus, the amount of dispersing agent, where present, may vary between about 1 and about 90%, preferably 4 to 80%. In general, electrolytic dispersing agents, which are preferably employed to disperse the less readily dispersible cationic fabric conditioning compounds, will be present in larger proportions such as 50 to 90% by weight, preferably 60 to 80% by weight, than will dispersing aids of the nonionic type which are typically employed in dispersions of the more readily water dispersible conditioning compounds, and are generally present in amounts of 2 to 15% preferably 4 to 10% by weight.

Solid fabric softener compositions currently on the market contain urea as a dispersing aid. However, the present inventors have found that this material is unsuitable as a dispersing aid in solid fabric softener compositions containing enzymes, because of adverse effects on storage stability of the enzyme. Consequently, compositions of the invention preferably contain not more than 10% by weight urea, especially preferably not more than 5% by weight and most preferably not more than 1% by weight. Ideally, the compositions contain substantially no urea. In order to ensure that the composition of the invention is solid, it is preferable that little or no solvent, in particular little or no water be included in the composition. In general, compositions may contain not more than 10% by weight solvent, preferably not more than 5% by weight solvent, particularly preferably not more than 1% and, most preferably contain substantially no solvent. Examples of solvents which may be present in compositions of the present invention, because of incidental presence in raw materials, deliberate addition, or absorption from the surroundings include water and alcohols such as isopropyl alcohol and ethanol, glycerol, propylene glycol.

The compositions of the invention may be in the form of powders (e.g. granules) or tablets. Such compositions may be prepared by conventional techniques. For example, powders may be prepared by sieving and mixing the components. Components which are included in small amounts, such as the enzyme, are preferably added on an inert carrier, for example on a silicate such as Microsil™. The carrier may account for up to 10% by weight of the composition, preferably not more than 5% by weight.

Tablets may be prepared by compression of a powdered composition. Tablets preferably contain at least 60% of an electrolyte such as sodium bicarbonate as a dispersing aid.- The compositions of the invention may also contain other optional ingredients such as perfumes, perfume carriers, fluorescers, colourants, hydrotropes, antifoaming agents, antiredeposition agents, optical brightening agents, anti-shrinking agents, anti-wrinkle agents, fabric crisping agents, anti-spotting agents, soil-release agents, germicides, linear or branched silicones, fungicides, anti- oxidants, anti-corrosion agents, preservatives such as Proxel, ascorbic acid, Bronopol (Trade Mark) , a commercially available form of 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-

1,2-diol, dyes, bleaches and bleach precursors, drape imparting agents, antistatic agents and ironing aids.

These optional ingredients, if added, preferably are present .at levels up to 5% by weight of the composition.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated below by way of example only and with reference to the figures of which: Fig 1 is a plot of lipase activity on the y- axis against storage time (days) on the x- axis, for powder fabric softener compositions with either urea (*) or bicarbonate (■) as dispersing aid; Fig 2 shows reflectance values against wash number in multi-cycle soil wash experiments employing white cotton (Fig 2A) and blue cotton (Fig 2B) pieces and powder fabric softener compositions with (■) and without (*) lipase; Figs 3A and 3B show visual ranking scores on a scale of 4 for dirtiest to 1 for cleanest for white cotton (Fig 3A) and blue cotton (Fig 3B) pieces, washed in multi-cycle soil wash experiments employing powder fabric softener compositions with (hatched shading) and without (solid shading) lipase.

Examples Example 1

The storage stability of Lipolase™ (100T encapsulate) a lipase from Novo Nordisk A/S, in the following solid (powdered) compositions was investigated. The 100T material is a non-dusty encapsulate comprising a binder/filler and Lipolase enzyme at an activity level of 100 NOLU/mg. (The NOLU is a lipase activity unit defined and determined by Novo according to a method described in their document AF95/5 available on request from Novo Nordisk A/S, Novo alle, DK-2880 Bagsvaerd, Denmark) . Composition A

5% Lipolase 100T encapsulate 95% Rinse conditioner comprising:

5 parts dimethyl dihardened tallow ammonium chloride

3 parts cocobenzyldimethyl ammonium chloride

5 parts urea

1 part water

Composition B

5% Lipolase 100T encapsulate 32% dimethyl dihardened tallow ammonium chloride 63% sodium bicarbonate

When diluted to a concentration of lg/litre each composition gives a lipase concentration of 5 NOLU/ml.

Each of the compositions was stored at 25°C for at least 42 days and the stability of the enzyme in the composition was assessed by measuring the variation of enzyme activity with time. Lipase activity was determined by measurement of fatty acid production on olive oil soiled polyester according to the following method. 0.4g of olive oil was pipetted onto a 2.5cm² piece of polyester fabric. The cloth was allowed to stand overnight to allow the oil to spread evenly through the fabric. 3g of rinse conditioner containing Lipolase was then dissolved/dispersed in 97ml water. 1ml of this solution was added to 30ml of a buffer solution containing 5xl0^"3 M trishydroxymethylaminomethane, 4xl0^"2 M sodium chloride and lxlO^"3 M calcium chloride and adjusted to pH9 with sodium hydroxide. The olive oil covered polyester was added to the solution and the amount of fatty acid produced by Lipolase catalysed hydrolysis of the olive oil was measured over a 30 minute period by a ph-stat titration with sodium hydroxide solution.

The results of the experiment are shown in Fig. 1. After 42 days only 20% of enzyme activity remained in the composition containing urea. By contrast, in the lipase composition containing bicarbonate instead of urea there was still around 60% residual activity after 42 days. In fact, the residual activity remained around 60% even after storage for 56 days.

These results indicate the desirability of avoiding use of urea as a dispersing aid in the compositions of the invention.

Example 2

In order to evaluate the performance of solid compositions . containing lipase, both in terms of cleaning and softening, the following experiments were carried out.

The following powder compositions were prepared three days prior to use: Composition C (with lipase)

30.15% dimethyl dihardened tallow ammonium chloride 60.25% sodium bicarbonate 9.6 % Lipolase 100T

(4.15g in 40 litre rinse give a concentration of 1 NOLU/ml lipase)

Composition D (without lipase)

33.3% dimethyl dihardened tallow ammonium chloride 66.7% sodium bicarbonate

(used at a level of 3.75g to a 40 litre rinse)

The cleaning efficacy of these compositions was tested as follow.

The evaluation was carried out under Japanese wash conditions in a Japanese washing machine with Kao's Attack™ (lg/L) as the main wash product. Thus, a ten minute wash cycle with 35 litres of water, and a five minute rinse cycle with 40 litres of water were employed. The water employed was of 6°FH and had a temperature of 20°C.

A five cycle multi-cycle soil wash (MCSW) procedure was used as evaluation method with one day between wash cycles.

The wash load contained the following test pieces: 5 white (24 x 12 cm) and 5 blue (16 x 11 cm) soiled cotton pieces. 1 piece (30 x 22 cm) of AS8 cloth, a new piece for each wash cycle. The load v.^r s made up to 1.1 kg with ballast containing a 50:50 mixture of cotton sheet and terry towelling. The white and blue cotton was soiled with standard multi cycle soil solution, which is a complex mixture containing olive oil, protein and an inorganic pigment. Soiling was performed by the following method. 3 days prior to starting the multi cycle test the fabric was soaked for 1 hour in a beaker of multi cycle soil. Excess soil was then removed by passing the fabric through a padder. After drying, additional soil was rollered on using the padder and the fabric dried again and then left to age. Additional soil was added between each wash cycle by rollering on with the padder.

Cleaning performance was determined by measuring the reflectance (R460) of white and blue soiled cotton after each cycle, and by panel visual assessment and by residual fat measurement at the end of five wash cycles.

Figures 2a and 2b show the reflectance data obtained for the powder rinse conditioner with and without Lipolase. The reference values obtained can be compared with the R460 value for clean white cotton, which is 88.75, and that for clean blue cotton, which is 24.15. The product with Lipolase is seen to give significant cleaning benefits en white cotton, which benefits increase in size as the number of wash cycles is increased. Perhaps most surprising is the size of the benefit obtained with the Lipolase containing powder after a single cycle. This benefit cannot be attributed to any between-wash action and must occur simply as a result of Lipolase action and consequent soil removal during the rinse. On blue cotton, the reflectance data is less clear but in general both Lipolase products performed as well as, or better than, the controls.

At the end of the test, 8 panellists were asked to rank the white and blue cloths which had been washed in the 2 products (1 with, 1 without Lipolase) in order of cleanness. A score of 1 was given to the cleanest and 4 to the dirtiest. A clear win for the Lipolase products on white cotton and an equal or a win for the Lipolase products on blue cotton was obtained (Figure 3) . This is broadly in line with the reflectance results.

The level of residual fat on the test cloths was determined at the end of the 5 wash cycles by solvent extraction (dry cleaning method) . In all cases, the test cloths which had been treated with the Lipolase containing products had lower residual fats than the corresponding controls (Table 1) . The reduction in fat being 21.9% on white cotton with the 2HT/Bicarbonate Powder. 5.7% on blue cotton with the 2HT/Bicarbonate Powder. The trends in the residual fat data are clearly in line with the reflectance data (Figure 2) .

Table 1

Residual Fat Levels after Five Soil - Wash Cycles WHITE COTTON BLUE COTTON

+LIP -LIP +LIP -LIP 2HT/Bicarb.

Powder 6.73% 8.62% 4.94% 5.24%

As well as cleaning performance, it is desirable that the incorporation of Lipolase into a rinse conditioner does not greatly reduce softening. This could result from the Lipolase affecting the stability of the cationic dispersion or as a consequence of the Lipolase reducing the fat content of the fabric.

Two softening tests were carried out; first of all terry towelling was included in the five machine cycle cleaning test described above and in the second case, a single tergotometer rinse was carried out. In all cases, the softening was assessed by a standard paired comparison technique. Thus, two tests were employed, one in a clean system and one in a soiled system, where there were different fat levels on the cloths depending whether they were rinsed with or without Lipolase.

In the multi cycle soil wash system, there was a small, but significant, benefit for the product without Lipolase. However, in the clean system the softening results were more comparable and this would suggest that the major negative effect of Lipolase on softening is due to- the reduction of fat content. Nevertheless, even with Lipolase present in a soiled system good positive softening was obtained.

Table 2 below sets out examples of suitable base formulations of composition according to the present invention, and containing dimethyl dihardened tallow ammonium chloride (Arquad 2HT) as a cationic fabric softener.

Table 2

A B C D E

Arquad 2HT 20 25 20 20 15

Cocobenzyldimethyl 5 - - - 4 ammonium chloride

Tallowtrimethyl - - - 5 - ammonium chloride

Hardened tallow - - 2 - - fatty acid

Sodium bicarbonate 75 75 78 75 81

These compositions are suitable for use as powders or may be formed into tablets.

Table 3 exemplifies formulations containing 1,2 ditallowoxytrimethyl ammonium propane chloride (HEQ) as cationic fabric softener.

Table 3

F G H J K L

HEQ 89 75 75 18 17 80

Cocobenzyldimethyl - 14 20 - - - ammonium chloride

Cocotrimethyl - - - - 3 16 ammonium chloride

Genapol C-100 4 4 5 1 1 4

Hardened tallow 7 7 - 1 1 - fatty acid

Sodium bicarbonate - - - 80 78 -

Compositions J and K may be powders or tablets. Other compositions are more suitable for use as powders.

Table 4 exemplifies three further solid formulations containing ester-linked cationic fabric softeners: Table 4

M N 0

DEEDMAC 86 - -

NDEQ - 86 -

DEQ - - 86

Genapol C-100 4 4 4

Sodium Chloride 10 10 10 by weight Microsil™ carrying a total of 5% by weight perfume and lipase may be added. Other optional ingredients such as antifoam, dye, and preservative may, of course, also be added.

Notes to tables:

Arquad 2HT dimethyl dihardended tallow ammonium chloride

HEQ 1,2 ditallowoyloxytrimethyl ammonium propane chloride

Genapol C-100 coco alcohol 20EO

DEEDMAC is

O

CH₃ CH₂ - CH₂ - O - C - R

N+ cr

/ \

CH₃ CH₂ - CH₂ - 0 - C - R

II

0

NDEQ is the corresponding methosulphate salt of HEQ

DEQ is

O II

CH₃ CH₂ - CH₂ - 0 - C - R

\ N+ CH₃ . S0₄ -

HO CH₂ CH₂ CH₂ - CH₂ - O - C - R

O

in each case R is a partially hardened tallow group.

Claims

1. A solid fabric conditioner composition for use in the rinse step of a fabric washing process comprising a fabric conditioning compound, a lipase, and a dispersing aid.

2. A solid fabric conditioner composition according to claim 1 in the form of a tablet or powder.

3. A solid fabric conditioner composition according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the fabric conditioning compound is a cationic quaternary ammonium compound having a solubility in water at pH 2.5 and 20°C of less than lOg/1.

. A solid fabric conditioner composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the fabric conditioning compound has the formula (I)

wherein R-_L and R₂ are, independently, hydrocarbyl groups of from 8 to 28 carbon atoms; R₃ and R₄ are, independently, hydrocarbyl groups containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and X is an anion.

5. A solid fabric conditioner according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the fabric conditioning compound is selected from compounds of formula (I)

R₅ (CH₂)_n-T-R₆

N⁺ ^ -

R_* (CH₂)_n-T-R₆

wherein each R₅ group is independently selected from C-_L.₄ alkyl, alkenyl or hydroxyalkyl groups; and wherein each R₆ group is independently selected from C₈_₂₈ alkyl or alkenyl groups;

0 0

II II

T is - O - C - or - C - 0 - ;

n is an integer from 0-5; and Y^" is an anion.

6. A solid fabric conditioner composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the fabric conditioning compound is selected from compounds of formula (IV)

R₈ OOCRg R₈ N⁺ - (CH₂)n - CH

R₈ CH₂OOCR₉

wherein each R₈ is independently selected from C _₄ alkyl, alkenyl or hydroxyalkyl groups; each R₉ is independently selected from C₈.₂₈ alkyl or alkenyl groups; n is an integer from 0-5; and Y^" is an anion.

7. A solid fabric conditioner composition according to any one of the preceding claims substantially free of urea.

8. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the dispersing aid is selected from electrolytes and nonionic materials.

9. A composition -according to any one of the preceding claims comprising the dispersing aid in an amount of 1-90% by weight of total composition.

10. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims additionally comprising a cationic surfactant whose solubility in water at pH 2.5 and 20°C exceeds lOg/1.

11. A composition according to claim 10 comprising a cationic surfactant whose solubility in water at pH 2.5 and 20°C exceeds lOg/1 in an amount of not more than 50% by weight.

12. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims containing 10-95% by weight of a quaternary ammonium fabric conditioning compound.