ES2398430T3 - Compositions for washing clothes - Google Patents

Abstract

Liquid detergent composition comprising: (a) from 6 to 40% by weight of non-ionic surfactant; (b) from 6 to 20% by weight of anionic surfactant; (c) from 2 to 14% by weight of fatty acid or salt thereof; (d) from 0.2 to 1.5% by weight of cationic polysaccharide-based polymer; and, wherein the weight ratio of (a) to (c) is from 2.5:1 to 6:1, and wherein the total level of surfactant present in the composition is at least 25% by weight, wherein the % by weight of fatty acid or salt thereof present is not included in the total amount of surfactant present.

Description

Compositions for washing clothes

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a composition for washing clothes. More particularly, the invention relates to a softening system in the laundry composition for laundry.

Background of the invention

Textile fabrics, including fabrics, have traditionally been cleaned with laundry detergents. After cleaning, fabrics can often feel rough and will wear out and lose color with repeated wash cycles. To avoid the inconvenience that the fabrics give a feeling of being rough after cleaning and those experienced by multiple washing cycles, technologies have been developed to increase the softness of the fabrics, including conditioner compositions that are added in the rinse and cleaning systems. smoothing added to the detergent composition.

A softening system of this type comprises a cationic polysaccharide and an anionic surfactant. Such systems are known from WO 2004/069979 which discloses particular combinations of cationic polymers and anionic surfactant. Exemplary surfactant levels are generally low. For cleaning purposes, it is preferred to provide detergent compositions with higher surfactant concentrations. However, a problem with prior art formulations at higher surfactant levels is that they can be unstable formulations.

WO 2008/022838 discloses compositions for washing liquid clothes comprising anionic surfactant, non-ionic surfactant, fatty acid and a cationic polymer. The compositions are raised to provide both effective cleaning and softening.

WO 2007/107215 discloses a process for the preparation of a non-aqueous liquid composition. The composition comprises anionic surfactant, nonionic surfactant, fatty acid and a cationic polymer.

Therefore, there is a need for detergent compositions for washing fabric softeners with higher surfactant levels that have improved stability.

Summary of the invention

In a first aspect, this invention relates to a liquid detergent composition comprising:

(to)

 from 6 to 40% by weight of non-ionic surfactant;

(b)

 from 6 to 20% by weight of anionic surfactant;

(C)

 from 2 to 14% by weight of fatty acid or salt thereof;

(d)

 from 0.2 to 1.5% by weight of polymer based on cationic polysaccharide; and, in which,

the weight ratio of (a) with respect to (c) is from 2.5: 1 to 6: 1, and in which the total level of surfactant present in the composition is at least 25% by weight, wherein the% by weight of fatty acid or salt thereof is not included in the total amount of surfactant present.

Preferably the weight ratio of (a) with respect to (c) is from 2.5: 1 to 5: 1, more preferably from 3: 1 to 4.5: 1.

In a second aspect, this invention relates to a method of providing softness to a textile material, comprising the steps of:

(to)

 providing a liquid detergent composition as defined in the first aspect of the invention; Y,

(b)

 contacting one or more textile articles with the composition at one or more times during the main wash of a washing and ironing process; Y,

(C)

 allow textile items to dry or mechanically dry them in a drum.

Detailed description of the invention

As used herein, the term "comprising" means that it includes, is constituted by, is composed of, consisting of and / or consisting essentially of.

All percentages cited are% by weight unless otherwise stated.

Except in the comparative and operational examples, or when explicitly stated otherwise, it is understood that all numbers in this description that indicate quantities or reasons of material or reaction conditions, physical properties of materials and / or use are modified by the word "approximately".

As used herein, a formula will be considered physically "stable" when after 1 week at 21 degrees Celsius it shows no signs of phase separation.

The present invention relates to laundry compositions containing fatty acid or salt thereof, a cationic polymer based on polysaccharide, a non-ionic surfactant and an anionic surfactant, in which the ratio of non-ionic surfactant with respect to fatty acid or salt thereof is from 2.5: 1 to 6: 1, and in which the total level of surfactant is at least 25% by weight. The composition has improved stability with respect to the prior art, and also provides excellent smoothing.

Smoothing Benefits

The main benefit of the conditioning offered by these products is smoothing. Smoothing includes, but is not limited to, an improvement in the handling of a garment treated with the compositions of this invention with respect to an article washed and ironed in identical conditions but without the use of this invention. Consumers will often describe an article that has been softened as "silky" or "fluffy", and generally prefer the feel of treated garments with respect to those that have not been softened.

However, the conditioning benefits of these compositions are not limited only to smoothing. They can also provide, depending on the particular embodiment of the selected invention, an antistatic benefit. In addition to softening, it is further believed that the cationic polymer / anionic surfactant compositions of this invention lubricate the fibers of textile articles, which can reduce wear, ball formation and color fading, and provide a retention retention benefit. shape. It is also believed that this lubricating layer provides a substrate on the tissue to retain fragrances and other beneficial agents.

Invention Form

The present invention can take any of several forms that are included as main wash products. It can take the form of a treatment agent for washing clothes for the main wash, which can be diluted or not diluted. The treatment agent for washing clothes can for example be an isotropic liquid, or a structured liquid with surfactant. Particularly preferred forms of this invention include the combination of detergent / softener products to provide a "wash softener".

Smoothing in the wash

By the term "softening in washing" is meant a composition that provides a benefit of fabric softening as well as providing cleaning to the washed and ironed fabric. Such a composition can be added as part of a main wash product, or as a separate product for use in combination with another. However, for the purposes of this description, the composition is proposed for use in the main wash cycle. Preferably, the softening system in the washing composition of the invention is incorporated as part of a single product for use in the main wash.

The pH range of the composition is 7-12, preferably 8.5 to 9.5. It is desirable to buffer the formulation at whatever the target pH of the composition.

Method of use

The liquid detergent composition provides a softness benefit to washed and ironed fabrics by a method comprising the steps of:

(to)

 providing a liquid detergent composition as defined in the first aspect of the invention; Y,

(b)

 contacting one or more textile articles with the composition at one or more times during the main wash of a washing and ironing process; Y,

(C)

 allow textile items to dry or mechanically dry them in a drum.

Fatty acid or salt thereof

Liquid detergent compositions include fatty acid or salt thereof, a term used herein interchangeably with the term "soap." Both terms are defined herein as an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt of a natural or synthetic fatty acid containing between 6 and 30 carbon atoms. Preferably, the soap contains between C8-C26, more preferably C8-C24, still more preferably C8-C18 carbon atoms. The level of incorporation of the soap is from 2 to 14%, preferably from 2.5 to 10%, more preferably from 3 to 9% by weight of the total composition. Particularly preferred forms of soap are explained below.

Salts of carboxylic acids

R1COOM

wherein R1 is a primary or secondary alkyl group of 5 to 29 carbon atoms and M is a solubilizing cation. The alkyl group represented by R1 may represent a mixture of chain lengths and may be saturated

or unsaturated, although it is preferred that at least two thirds of the R1 groups have a chain length of between 7 and 17 carbon atoms. Non-limiting examples of suitable alkyl group sources include fatty acids derived from coconut oil, tallow, bogol oil and palm kernel oil. However, for the purpose of minimizing odor, it is often desirable to use mainly saturated carboxylic acids. Those skilled in the art know these materials well and are available from many commercial sources, such as Uniqema (Wilmington, Del.) And Twin Rivers Technologies (Quincy, Mass.). The solubilizing cation, M, is an alkali or alkaline earth metal cation. Preferred examples of cations include alkali metals such as sodium and potassium. Although, when used, most of the fatty acid should be incorporated into the formulation in the form of a neutralized salt, it is often preferred to leave a small amount of free fatty acid in the formulation, since this can help in maintaining the viscosity. of the product.

Surfactants

The liquid detergent composition comprises nonionic surfactant and anionic surfactant other than soap. For the avoidance of doubt, the soap present in the composition is not included in the calculation of anionic surfactant for inclusion of weight or weight ratios present in the composition. Therefore, the wt% soap present is not included in the total amount of surfactant present.

Liquid detergent compositions have a high level of present surfactant defined as a level of surfactant of at least 25% by weight of the composition.

They can be chosen from the surfactants described in "Surface Active Agents" vol. 1, by Schwartz & Perry, Interscience 1949, vol. 2 by Schwartz, Perry & Berch, Interscience 1958, in the current edition of "McCutcheon's Emulsifiers and Detergents" published by Manufacturing Confectioners Company or in "Tenside-Taschenbuch", H. Stache, 2nd ed., Carl Hauser Verlag, 1981. Preferably The surfactants used are saturated.

Suitable nonionic detergent compounds that can be used include, in particular, the reaction products of compounds having a hydrophobic group and a reactive hydrogen atom, for example, alkylphenols, amides, acids or aliphatic alcohols with alkylene oxides, especially oxide of ethylene either alone or with propylene oxide. Specific non-ionic detergent compounds are condensates of C6 to C22 alkyl phenol-ethylene oxide, generally 5 to 25 OE, that is 5 to 25 units of ethylene oxide per molecule, and the condensation products of C8 to aliphatic alcohols. C18 linear or branched, primary or secondary, with ethylene oxide, generally 5 to 40 OE.

Suitable anionic detergent compounds that can be used are usually water soluble alkali metal salts of organic sulfates and sulphonates having alkyl radicals containing from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms, the term alkyl being used to include the alkyl part of higher acyl radicals . Examples of suitable synthetic anionic detergent compounds are sodium and potassium alkyl sulfates, especially those obtained by sulfating higher C8 to C18 alcohols, produced for example from coconut or tallow oil, C9 to C20 alkyl-sodium and potassium benzenesulfonates, particularly C10 alkyl to C15-linear secondary sodium benzenesulfonates; and sodium alkyl glyceryl ether sulfates, especially the ethers of the higher alcohols derived from coconut or tallow oil and synthetic petroleum-derived alcohols. Preferred anionic detergent compounds are C11 to C15 alkyl sodium benzenesulfonates and C12 to C18 alkyl sodium sulfates. Salts of sulphonates included as hydrotopes can additionally be considered as anionic surfactants as defined herein. Surfactants such as those described in EP-A-328 177 (Unilever), which show resistance to salt precipitation, the alkyl polyglycoside surfactants described in EP-A-070 074 and alkyl monoglycosides can also be applied.

The non-ionic detergent is present in amounts of from 6 to 40% by weight, preferably from

7.5 to 35% by weight, more preferably from 10 to 25% by weight.

The anionic surfactant is present in amounts of from 6 to 20% by weight, preferably from 6.5 to 17.5% by weight, more preferably from 7.5 to 15% by weight.

The total amount of surfactant present in the liquid composition is at least 25% by weight. Preferably, the total amount of surfactant is from 25 to 65% by weight, preferably from 25.5 to 50% by weight.

Other surfactants such as amphoteric, zwitterionic and cationic surfactants may also be present in addition to the nonionic and anionic surfactants mentioned above.

Cationic Polysaccharide Based Polymer

The term "cationic polysaccharide based polymer" refers to polymers having a main polysaccharide structure and a global positive charge. Polysaccharides are polymers made up of monosaccharide monomers linked together by glycosidic bonds.

The cationic polysaccharide-based polymers present in the compositions of the invention have a modified polysaccharide main structure, modified in those additional chemical groups that have been reacted with any of the free hydroxyl groups of the main polysaccharide structure to give a charge positive overall with respect to the modified cellulosic monomer unit.

A preferred class of cationic polysaccharide polymers suitable for this invention are those having a modified polysaccharide main structure to incorporate a quaternary ammonium salt. Preferably the quaternary ammonium salt is attached to the main polysaccharide structure by a hydroxyethyl or hydroxypropyl group. Preferably, the nitrogen charged from the quaternary ammonium salt has one or more alkyl group substituents.

Preferred cationic polysaccharide based polymers have a main cellulose based or guar gum based structure. Cationic cellulose-based polymers are the most preferred. Guar gum is a galactomannan that has a main structure of β-1,4 linked hands with bifurcation points relative to α-1,6 linked galactose units. An example of a cationic polymer based on guar gum is 2-hydroxy-3- (trimethylammonium) propyl ether salt of guar gum.

Cellulose is a polysaccharide with glucose as its monomer, specifically it is a linear chain polymer of D-glucopyranoside units linked by glycosidic bonds in β-1,4 and is a nonbranched, linear polymer. Typical examples of preferred cationic cellulosic polymers include cocodimethylammonium hydroxypropyloxyethyl cellulose, lauryl dimethyl ammonium hydroxypropyloxyethyl cellulose, stearyldimethylammonium hydroxypropyloxyethyl cellulose and stearyldimethylammonium hydroxyethyl cellulose; 2-hydroxyethyl-2-hydroxy-3- (trimethylammonium) propyl ether cellulose salt, polyquaternium 4, polyquaternium 10, polyquaternium 24 and polyquaternium 67 or mixtures thereof.

More preferably, the cationic cellulosic polymer is polyquaternium 10. Products of commercial cationic cellulosic polymers suitable for use according to the present invention are marketed by the Amerchol Corporation, a subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company, under the trade name UCARE Polymer LR-400.

The term cationic cellulosic polymer may include a single polymer or a mixture of different polymers.

The counterion of the cationic polymer is freely chosen from the halides: chloride, bromide and iodide; or of hydroxide, phosphate, sulfate, hydrosulfate, ethyl sulfate, methyl sulfate, formate and acetate.

Without wishing to restrict the theory, it is believed that the species responsible for providing a softening benefit in these formulations is a polymer / surfactant complex, especially a cationic polymer / soap complex.

The cationic polysaccharide based polymer is present at a level of from 0.2 to 1.5% by weight, preferably from 0.25 to 1% by weight.

Many of the cationic polymers mentioned above can be synthesized in, and are commercially available in, several different molecular weights. Preferably, the molecular weight of the cationic polysaccharide based polymer is from 10,000 to 850,000 Daltons, more preferably from 10,000 to

500,000 Dalton.

Optional components

The liquid detergent composition may additionally comprise one or more of the following components

optional

Complexing agents or adjuvants

The composition optionally comprises from 1 to 50% by weight of an adjuvant. Preferably, the adjuvant is present at a level of from 1 to 40% by weight.

The adjuvant materials may be selected from 1) calcium sequestrant materials, 2) precipitating materials, 3) calcium ion exchange materials and 4) mixtures thereof.

It is preferred that when using an insoluble inorganic adjuvant, for example, zeolite, the size is in the range of 0.1 to 10 micrometers (as measured by the The Mastersizer 2000 particle size analyzer using laser diffraction, above Malvern ™).

Examples of calcium sequestering adjuvant materials include alkali metal polyphosphates, such as sodium tripolyphosphate and organic sequestrants, such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid.

Examples of precipitating adjuvant materials include sodium orthophosphate and sodium carbonate.

Examples of calcium ion exchange adjuvant materials include the various types of water-insoluble amorphous or crystalline aluminosilicates, of which zeolites are the best known representatives, for example zeolite A, zeolite B (also known as zeolite P) , zeolite C, zeolite X, zeolite Y, and also the type P zeolite as described in EP-A-0.384.070.

The composition may also contain 0-50% by weight of an adjuvant or complexing agent such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, alkyl- or alkenyl succinic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid or the other adjuvants mentioned below. Many adjuvants are also bleaching stabilizing agents by virtue of their ability to complex metal ions.

Preferred adjuvants are zeolite and carbonate (carbonate (including bicarbonate and sesquicarbonate)).

The composition may contain as an adjuvant a crystalline aluminosilicate, preferably an alkali metal aluminosilicate, more preferably a sodium aluminosilicate. This is normally present at a level less than 15% by weight. Aluminosilicates are materials that have the general formula:

0.8-1.5 M2O. Al2O3. 0.8-6 SiO2

wherein M is a monovalent cation, preferably sodium. These materials contain some bound water and are required to have a calcium ion exchange capacity of at least 50 mg of CaO / g. Preferred sodium aluminosilicates contain 1.5-3.5 SiO2 units in the above formula. They can be easily prepared by the reaction between sodium silicate and sodium aluminate, as described extensively in the literature. The ratio of surfactants to aluminosilicate (when present) is preferably greater than 5: 2, more preferably greater than 3: 1.

Alternatively or additionally to aluminosilicate adjuvants, phosphate adjuvants can be used. In this technique the term "phosphate" encompasses species of diphosphate, triphosphate and phosphonate. Other forms of adjuvant include silicates, such as soluble silicates, metasilicates, stratified silicates (for example SKS-6 from Hoechst).

Preferably, the laundry detergent formulation is a laundry detergent formulation with non-phosphate adjuvant, that is, it contains less than 1% phosphate by weight.

Matting Agent

The treatment composition for washing clothes preferably comprises a blue or violet mattifying agent in the range of from 0.0001 to 0.01% by weight. Matting agents reduce the perception of damage in many colored clothing and increase the whiteness of white clothing.

The matting agents are preferably selected from blue and violet dyes of the acid, direct and basic dispersed type of solvent listed in the color index (Society of Dyers and Colors and American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists 2002).

Preferably a direct violet or direct blue dye is present. Preferably the dyes are bis-azoic, tris-azoic or trifendioxazine dyes. Dyes based on carcinogenic benzidene are not preferred.

Fluorescent agent

The composition preferably comprises a fluorescent agent (optical brightener). Fluorescent agents are well known and many such fluorescent agents are commercially available. Typically, these fluorescent agents are supplied and used in the form of their alkali metal salts, for example, sodium salts. The total amount of the fluorescent agent or agents used in the composition is generally from 0.005 to 2% by weight, more preferably 0.01 to 0.1% by weight. Preferred classes of fluorescent agents are: diestyrylbiphenyl compounds, for example Tinopal (trademark) CBS-X, diaminoestylbenodisulfonic acid compounds, for example Tinopal DMS pure Xtra and Blankophor (trademark) HRH, and pyrazoline compounds, for example Blankophor SN. Preferred fluorescent agents are: 2- (4-Styryl-3sulfophenyl) -2H-naphthol [1,2-d] triazole sodium, 4,4'-bis {[(4-anilino-6- (N-methyl) -N-2-hydroxyethyl) amino-1,3,5-triazin-2il)] amino} stilbene-2-2'-disulfonate disodium, 4,4'-bis {[(4-anilino-6-morpholino- 1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)] amino} stilbene-2-2 disulfonate disodium and 4,4'-bis (2-sulfoestyl) biphenyl disodium.

Fragrance

Preferably the composition comprises a perfume. The perfume is preferably in the range of from 0.001 to 3% by weight, most preferably from 0.1 to 1% by weight. Many suitable examples of perfumes are provided in the CTFA (Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association) 1992 International Buyers Guide, published by CFTA Publications and OPD 1993 Chemicals Buyers Directory, 80th Annual Edition, published by Schnell Publishing Co.

It is quite common for a plurality of perfume components to be present in a formulation. In the compositions of the present invention it is anticipated that there will be four or more, preferably five or more, more preferably six or more or even seven or more different perfume components.

In perfume mixtures, preferably 15 to 25% by weight are output notes. The output notes are defined by Poucher (Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists 6 (2): 80 [1955]). Preferred output notes are selected from citrus oils, linalool, linalyl acetate, lavender, dihydromyrcenol, rose oxide and cis-3-hexanol.

Perfume and release note can be used to boost the fabric care benefit of the invention.

It is preferred that the laundry laundry treatment composition does not contain a peroxygen bleach, for example, sodium percarbonate, sodium perborate and peracid.

Polymers

The composition may comprise one or more polymers. Examples are carboxymethyl cellulose, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, polycarboxylates such as polyacrylates, maleic / acrylic acid copolymers and lauryl methacrylate / acrylic acid copolymers.

Hydrotrope

The liquid detergent composition may optionally include a hydrotrope, which can prevent the formation of liquid crystal. Therefore, the addition of the hydrotrope helps the clarity / transparency of the composition. Suitable hydrotopes include but are not limited to propylene glycol, ethanol, urea, benzenesulfonate salts, toluenesulfonate, xylenesulfonate or cumenesulfonate. Suitable salts include but are not limited to sodium, potassium, ammonium, monoethanolamine, triethanolamine. Sulfonate salts can also be considered as an anionic surfactant as defined herein. Preferably, the hydrotrope is selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, xylene sulphonate, ethanol and urea to provide optimum performance. The amount of the hydrotrope is generally in the range of from 0 to 30%, preferably from 0.5 to 30%, more preferably from 0.5 to 30%, most preferably from 1 up to 15%

Examples

Method of production

Water, fluorescent agent and hydrotropes are mixed together at room temperature (approximately 22 ° C) for 2-3 minutes at a shear rate of 130 rpm using an IKA RW20 top mixer from Janke & Kunkel. Salts and alkalis are added and mixed for 5 minutes before the addition of surfactants and fatty acid. At this time the temperature of the mixture rises to approximately 50-60 ° C. After allowing to cool to <30 ° C, the solution of LR400, PVP or PVP / PVI and the remaining components such as perfume, preservatives, opacifier and dyes are added.

Sample Formulations

Table 1

Component

I% by weight II% by weight III% by weight IV% by weight

LAS acid (surfactant)

10 10 10 10

NEODOL 25-7E (surfactant)

twenty 27 twenty twenty

PRIFAC 5908 (fatty acid)

6 6 6 6

Propylene Glycol (Hydrotope)

9 9 9 9

Glycerol (hydrotope)

5 5 5 5

Sodium Hydroxide (Alkali)

2.2 2.2 2.2 2.2

Triethanolamine (alkali)

6 6 6 6

TINOPAL CBS-X (fluorescent agent)

0.1 0.1 - -

Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP K15)

0.35 0.35 0.35 -

PVP / PVI (polyvinylpyrrolidone-co-polyvinylimidazole)

- - - 0.65

LR400 (cationic polymer)

0.45 0.45 0.43 0.43

PROXEL GXL (preservative)

0.04 0.04 0.01 0.01

Sodium Chloride (Salt)

0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5

ACUSOL OP31 (opacifying)

0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05

Patent blue V85 (dye)

0.00068 0.00068 0.00068 0.00068

Acid Yellow 23 (dye)

0.0001 0.0001 0.0001 0.0001

Fragrance

1-1.3 1.1 1.39 1.39

Water

Up to 100 Up to 100 Up to 100 Up to 100

Stability experiment formulations

The anionic surfactant used was LAS acid. This is neutralized in the formulation to give linear sodium alkylbenzenesulfonate (NaLAS). The actual weight of anionic surfactant used is based on this neutralized form, and therefore, is slightly greater than the weight of the LAS acid formulation. LAS acid has an average molecular weight of 326.5 based on a formula of (CH3 (CH2) 11C6H4SO3H). NaLAS has a molecular weight of 348.5 based on a formula of (CH3 (CH2) 11C6H4SO3Na). An exemplary value of 10 g of LAS acid will have a total anionic surfactant weight of 10.67 g (based on the calculation (10 g / 326.5) x 348.5).

Comparative examples A and B were prepared as described above. Example A has a weight ratio of non-ionic surfactant with respect to soap (NI: soap) of 0.5: 1, while example B has an NI: soap ratio of 10: 1, i.e. outside the lower range and higher present in claim 1. Example A proved to be unstable during processing.

A comparative example (comparative C) was prepared according to examples 1-3 of WO 2008/022838. According to the definitions herein, these examples comprise a 12% by weight non-ionic surfactant, 10.5% by weight anionic surfactant (consisting of 7.5 g of NaLAS (rounded up from 10.47 g) is say the neutralized form of the acid + 3 g of sodium xylenesulfonate (which is classified herein as both surfactant and hydrotope), 10 g of fatty acid and 0.5 g of cationic polymer.The total level of surfactant is 22, 5 g, the level of surfactant as defined herein is not inclusive of the fatty acid or salt thereof.Therefore, this example has a weight ratio of non-ionic surfactant with respect to soap of 1.2: 1 Comparative example D was similar to C, but with the nonionic and anionic surfactant increased to ~ 30% in total, all examples 1-4 and comparative examples AD in Table 2 comprised 0.45% by weight of cationic polymer (LR400).

Stability experiment

100 ml samples are stored in transparent plastic containers for a period of up to 12 weeks. Storage was carried out at room temperature (22 ° C) and the samples were evaluated to determine their physical instability in terms of phase separation, defined as the development of two or more phases present in the sample. Therefore, it is possible to evaluate the products in relation to whether or not they show instability, or indeed if they can be processed up to a completed product in any case. The following table shows the physical stability characteristics of a series of formulations prepared according to the production method mentioned above.

Table 2 As is clear from the table, it is shown that formulations with a weight ratio of nonionic surfactant to fatty acid within the range of 2.5: 1 to 6: 1 are more stable.

Formula Code

Nl Reason: AG NI wt% AG% by weight % by weight of An Total surfactant,% by weight Stability

Comparative A

1: 2 10 twenty 10.7 20.7 Unstable (could not prepare)

Comparative B

10: 1 40 4 10.7 50.7 Unstable (phase separation)

Comparative C

1.2: 1 12 10 10.5 22.5 Unstable (phase separation)

Comparative D

1.6: 1 16 10 13.4 29.4 Unstable (phase separation)

Invention 1

2.5: 1 fifteen 6 10.7 25.7 Stable (after 12 weeks)

Invention 2

3: 1 18 6 10.7 28.8 Stable (after 12 weeks)

Invention 3

3.3: 1 twenty 6 10.7 30.7 Stable (after 12 weeks)

Invention 4

4,5: 1 27 6 10.7 37.7 Stable (after 12 weeks)

Claims (6)

1. Liquid detergent composition comprising: 5 (a) from 6 to 40% by weight of non-ionic surfactant; (b) from 6 to 20% by weight of anionic surfactant; (c) from 2 to 14% by weight of fatty acid or salt thereof; 10 (d) from 0.2 to 1.5% by weight of polymer based on cationic polysaccharide; and, in which, the weight ratio of (a) with respect to (c) is from 2.5: 1 to 6: 1, and in which the total level of surfactant present in the composition is at least 25% by weight, wherein the wt% fatty acid or salt thereof present is not included in the total amount of surfactant present. 2. Composition according to claim 1, wherein the non-ionic surfactant is present at a level of from 7.5 to 35% by weight, preferably from 10 to 25% by weight. Composition according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the anionic surfactant is present at a level of from 6.5 to 17.5% by weight, preferably from 7.5 to 15% in weigh. 4. Composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the cationic polysaccharide based polymer is present at a level of from 0.25 to 1% by weight. 25 5. Composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the fatty acid or salt thereof is present at a level of from 2.5 to 10% by weight, preferably from 3 to 9% by weight. 6. Composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the weight ratio of non-ionic surfactant with respect to fatty acid or salt thereof is from 2.5: 1 to 5: 1, preferably from 3: 1 to 4 , 5: 1. 7. Composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the cationic polysaccharide based polymer is a cationic cellulose based polymer.

35 8. Method for providing softness to a textile material, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a liquid detergent composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7; Y,

(b)

 contacting one or more textile articles with the composition at one or more times during the main wash 40 of a washing and ironing process; Y,

(c) allow textile items to dry or mechanically dry them in a drum.