GB802302A - Detergent compositions - Google Patents

Abstract

A detergent composition comprises (a) a water-soluble anionic sulphate or sulphonate synthetic detergent; (b) at least an equal amount by weight of alkali metal polyphosphate; and (c) a suds depressant mixture comprising at least 3 compounds having acyl groups of different carbon atom content and in the form either of (i) saturated fatty acids having 16-31 carbon atoms, or (ii) alkali metal soaps thereof, or (iii) mixtures of such acids and soaps, at least 50 per cent of the suds depressant mixture having at least 16 carbon atoms, and at least 5 per cent having at least 20 carbon atoms. The alkali metal polyphosphate and the suds depressant mixture should be present in amounts of 1-5 times and 0.1-1 times weight of detergent, respectively. Anionic detergents which may be used are, for example, the alkyl sulphates, alkylbenzene sulphonates, alkyl glyceryl ether sulphonates, coconut oil fatty acid monoglyceride sulphates and sulphonates, and the sulphuric acid esters of the reaction products of 1 mol. of a higher fatty alcohol with about 3 moles of ethylene oxide. Although the suds depressant mixture must have the minimum constitution above, unsaturated acids such as deic and linoleic, and saturated acids with less than 16 carbon atoms such as myristic acid may advantageously also be present. Preferred mixtures generally include palmitic, stearic, arachidic, and behenic acids. The compositions, which may be produced in flake, granule, or powder form, may also include sodium carbonate, sulphate, and silicate, carboxymethylcellulose, perfume, colour, and brightening agents, and are said to be particularly useful in washing-machines where excessive foaming is to be avoided. Specifications 416,379, 596,560, 614,044, 645,129 and 654,991 are referred to.