JPH0447000B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to aqueous liquid detergent compositions, and more particularly to substantially unbuilt dishwashing detergent compositions incorporating a source of magnesium ions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The use of magnesium salts and magnesium surfactants in dishwashing detergent formulations is taught in the patent literature, and includes UK Patent Nos. 1524441 and 1551074 and UK Patent Application No. 2010893A. The disclosure of is a typical example of the prior art. The prior art teaches that these formulations have increased performance, especially when used in water of low mineral hardness. However, products prepared according to these teachings may be suboptimal in various respects, such as raw material cost, phase stability during storage, performance in hard water, hand impact, and foam properties. It's clear.

Accordingly, research continues in an effort to find compositions with improved economy, performance and use properties, and certain combinations of active ingredients are not previously available in one formulation. It has now been found that it confers good qualities that were never thought to be possible. More specifically, it has been found that it is possible to provide a thick, stable liquid dishwashing formulation with improved stain removal, foam properties, viscosity and freeze/thaw properties.

Applicant has proposed that a composition containing a ternary anionic surfactant mixture consisting of an alkyl benzene sulfonate, an alkyl ether sulfate, and an alkyl sulfate, in which a portion of the cationic system is magnesium, is capable of containing an alkyl sulfate in which an amount of magnesium is present. It has been found that the maximum suds properties (i.e. number of dishes washed) are given when corresponding to the amount of .

Furthermore, it has been found that, in one aspect of the present invention, these properties can be combined without adversely affecting the hands compared to the leading commercially available liquid dishwashing detergents.

The foaming performance is further increased by the addition of foaming agents such as alkyl alkanolamides. It was previously thought that high levels of performance could only be achieved by using either very large amounts of surfactants or large amounts of foaming agents, which are expensive and They are difficult to formulate and create phase stability problems during storage. Applicants have discovered that surprisingly small amounts of foaming agent, i.e. 3-4%, give significant foaming benefits to the formulations of the present invention, and that even amounts of 6-8% can be used. It has been found that it provides little or no performance advantage over small additions.

Although the mechanisms by which the compositions of the present invention confer improved performance are not fully understood, and Applicants do not wish to be limited to any theory, the ternary surfactants used within the compositions In the drug system, magnesium is thought to be mainly polar, that is, associated with alkyl sulfates through nonionic bonds,
Then, the bond between magnesium and alkyl sulfate is packed more densely within the foam (therefore,
It is thought that it provides a stable structure). The effect of the additional foaming agent is believed to be primarily foam stabilization.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention: (a) 6 to about 16% by weight of a primary _C10 to _C16 alkyl sulfate; (b) an average of 2 to 6 ethylene oxide groups per alkyl group in the alkyl ether sulfate; ( _c ) 10-28% by weight of a water-soluble substantially linear _{C10 -C16 alkylbenzene} sulfonate; and the ratio of the total weight of components (a) and (c) to the weight of component (b) is <33:1 and the composition is
An alkylbenzene sulfonate surfactant in a hydrotrope-water system, characterized in that it contains a molar amount of magnesium ions corresponding to 0.45 to 0.55X (where X is the number of moles of _C10 to _C16 alkyl sulfate present) , an alkyl ether sulfate surfactant, and a mixture of alkyl sulfate surfactants.

Preferably the ratio of the total weight of alkylbenzene sulfonate and alkyl sulfate to the weight of alkyl ethoxy sulfate is ≦14:1, and in some cases of the invention it is preferred that said ratio is ≦5:1.

Also, preferably the composition comprises _C10 - _{C16 monoC2-
C3} alkanolamides, _C10 - _C16 di- _C2 - _C3 alkanolamides, _C12 - _C14 alkyl amides condensed with up to 15 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of amide, and _C8 - _C18 alkyl di-C1 _- C 3-8% by weight, most preferably 3-4% by weight of a blowing agent selected from _3- alkylamine oxides.

In highly preferred compositions, at least 50%, and preferably 100%, of the counterions of components (b) and (c) are ammonium ions and the chill point (defined below) of the formulation is is lower than 0°C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The detergent composition of the present invention consists of a mixture of three anionic surfactants in carefully controlled proportions.

Surfactant components of major importance are primary alkyl sulfates in which the alkyl group is preferably a linear chain having an average of 10 to 16 carbon atoms, more preferably an average of 12 to 13 carbon atoms. Natural fats or _C10 - _C16 alcohols derived from Ziegler olefin synthesis or OXO synthesis are suitable starting sources for the alkyl groups. An example of a synthetically derived substance is Dobanol 23, sold by Shell Chemicals (UK) Ltd.
(RTM), Ethyl 24 sold by Ethyl Corporation, C ₁₃ 67% sold under the trade name Lutensol by BASF GmbH and Synperonic (RTM) by ICI Ltd, C ₁₃ ~ with a ratio of C ₁₅ 33%
A formulation of C ₁₅ alcohol, and Lial 125, sold by Liquitimica Italiana. Examples of natural products from which alcohols are derived are coconut oil and palm kernel oil and the corresponding fatty acids.

The alkyl sulfate component is from 6 to 16 of the composition.
Present in an amount of % by weight. In preferred aspects of the invention, the amount used is in the range of 8 to 12% by weight, most preferably in the range of 9 to 11% by weight.

For the purposes of this invention, an alkyl sulfate is associated with a source of magnesium ions. This source of magnesium ions is introduced as an oxide or hydroxide to neutralize acids, as described below, or added to the composition as a water-soluble base. However, the addition of significant amounts of magnesium salts to the dishwashing compositions of the present invention increases the temperature and causes inorganic salt crystals to form within the compositions upon cooling, and is therefore less preferred. The molar amount of magnesium ions in the composition is controlled to correspond to 0.20-0.70X, preferably 0.45-0.55X, where X is the number of moles of _C10 - _C16 alkyl sulfate present. Most preferably, the magnesium ion content is adjusted to provide stoichiometric equivalents of the alkyl sulfate present. In practice, magnesium ions will be from about 0.15 to about 0.70% by weight of the composition, preferably from 0.35 to 0.55%.
It will be present in an amount of % by weight.

The second anionic surfactant component consists of a primary alkyl ethoxy sulfate derived from a condensate of a _C10 to _C16 alcohol and an average of 2 to 6 ethylene oxide groups. The C ₁₀ -C ₁₆ alcohol itself is obtained from the starting sources mentioned above in the case of the alkyl sulfate component. However, it has proven preferable to use alkyl sulfates and alkyl ether sulfates which have the same distribution of carbon chain lengths. _C12 - _C13 alkyl ether sulfates are preferred and the amount of alkyl ethoxy sulfate within the composition ranges from 0.5 to 20%, generally from 4 to 14% by weight of the composition. In preferred aspects of the invention, the amount ranges from 9 to 12% by weight, most preferably from 9 to 11% by weight.

The usual average degree of ethoxylation is 3 per mole of alcohol, but since common ethoxylation processes yield a distribution of individual ethoxylates of 1 to 10 ethoxy groups per mole of alcohol, the average is can get. Blends result from materials with different degrees of ethoxylation and/or different ethoxylate distributions resulting from the particular ethoxylation method used and subsequent processing steps, such as distillation. In fact, foaming and oil removal performance equivalent to that provided by a blend of alkyl sulfate and alkyl triethoxy ether sulfate can be obtained by reducing the amount of alkyl sulfate and averaging about 2 per mole of alcohol. It has been found that this can be obtained by using an alkyl ether sulfate having an ethoxy group of

The counterion of alkyl ethoxy sulfate is
It may be sodium, potassium, ammonium or alkanol ammonium or a mixture thereof. However, in order to obtain the lowest possible chill point temperature (the temperature at which the inorganic salt crystals separate),
At least 50% of the alkyl ethoxy sulfate counterion should be ammonium. In highly preferred compositions of the invention, the alkyl ethoxy sulfate is completely neutralized by ammonium ions.

The alkylbenzene sulfonate constituting component (c) of the present invention has a substantially linear alkyl group with a carbon number of
It has 10 to 16 carbon atoms, preferably 11 to 13 carbon atoms. Most preferred are materials with an average carbon chain length of 11.8.
Although the phenyl isomer distribution, ie, the point at which the alkyl chain is attached to the benzene nucleus, is not critical, alkylbenzenes with a high content of 2-phenyl isomers are preferred. For the present invention, 10-28% by weight of the composition
of alkylbenzene sulfonate is required, generally between 12 and 26% by weight. In a preferred aspect of the invention, an alkylbenzene sulfonate content of 14 to 17% by weight is used, and highly preferred compositions of the invention have a C _11.8 alkylbenzene sulfonate of 15% to 17%. The counterion associated with the alkylbenzene sulfonate is independently selected as in the case of the alkyl ethoxy sulfate and is preferably at least 50% ammonium ion. In order for the compositions of the invention to have a chill point of ≦0°C, at least 70% of the neutralizing cations of the anionic surfactant should be ammonium ions, and most preferably ammonium is magnesium ion. It constitutes the only cation that exists in addition to

Most of the foaming and oil removal performance of the formulations of the present invention derives from the alkyl sulfate and alkylbenzene sulfonate components. The alkyl ether sulfate component provides phase stability of the formulation during storage and also prevents precipitation of insoluble surface active salts at use concentrations (0.05% to 0.2%) in water of high mineral hardness. To meet stability requirements during storage and use, the ratio of the total weight of alkylbenzene sulfonate and alkyl sulfate to the weight of alkyl ethoxy sulfate is
It should not exceed 33:1 and generally should not exceed 14:1. The profits for ratios above 14:1 are relatively lower than for ratios below.
A physically stable dishwashing liquid composition with excellent foaming and degreasing performance contains 8% to 12% alkyl sulfate, preferably 9% to 11%, and 4% to 8% alkyl ether sulfate, preferably 4% to 6% and alkylbenzene sulfonate 22% to 28%, preferably 24% to 26%.

The alkyl ether sulfate component also improves hand effects when incorporated into the formulation in amounts greater than the minimum required for phase stability. In a preferred aspect of the present invention, which formulates a liquid detergent composition to provide optimal mildness to the skin (hand effect) with increased lathering and oil removal, the total weight of alkylbenzene sulfonate and alkyl sulfate to alkyl ether The sulfate ratio should be less than 5:1 and preferably should be in the range 2.0:1 to 2.5:1.

A highly preferred component of the compositions of the present invention is a foaming agent, present in an amount of 2% to 8%, preferably 3% to 6%, most preferably 3% to 4%, by weight of the composition.

Blowing agents are _C10 - _C16 mono- _C2 - _C3 alkanolamides, _C10 - _C16 di _-C2 - _C3 alkanolamides, _C12 - _C14 alkyls condensed with up to 15 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of amide. Amides and _C8 - _C18
Any tertiary amine oxide containing an alkyl group may be used.

Examples of alkanolamides are coconut alkyl monoethanolamide, coconut alkyl diethanolamide and palm kernel and coconut alkyl mono- and diisopropanolamide. The palm kernel or coconut alkyl residue can be either a whole cut, including the C ₁₀ and C ₁₆ fractions, or a so-called narrow cut C ₁₂ to C ₁₄ fraction. Compounds of _C10 to _C16 alkyl groups can also be used.

Examples of ethoxylated amides are coconut alkylamide condensed with 6 moles of ethylene oxide, 8
laurylamide condensed with 1 mole of ethylene oxide, myristylamide condensed with 10 moles of ethylene oxide groups, and coconut amide condensed with 8 moles of ethylene oxide. Amine oxides useful in the present invention include one alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group having 8 to 18 carbon atoms, preferably 8 to 16 carbon atoms, and two selected from alkyl groups and hydroxyalkyl groups having 1 to 3 carbon atoms. It has two groups. Examples of substances of this type are dimethyloctylamine oxide, diethyldecylamine oxide, bis-(2-hydroxyethyl)dodecylamine oxide, dimethyldodecylamine oxide, dipropyltetradecylamine oxide,
They are methyl ethyl hexadecyl amine oxide and dimethyl-2-hydroxyoctadecyl amine oxide.

A highly preferred example of a tertiary amine oxide is
_C12 - _C14 alkyl group _derived from coconut oil
~ _C14 alkyldimethylamine oxide.

The remainder of the formulation consists of the hydrotrope-water system. The hydrotrope can be urea, a _C1 - _C3 alcohol, or a lower alkylbenzene sulfonate such as toluene sulfonate, cumene sulfonate or xylene sulfonate or a mixture of any of these. Although a single hydrotrope is usually adequate to provide the required phase stability and viscosity properties, compositions with a total concentration of surfactants greater than 45% may remain stable and pourable. mixture,
For example, urea - alcohol - water or alcohol -
Lower alkylbenzene sulfonate - requires water. For compositions having an organic active concentration of less than about 40% by weight, the preferred hydrotrope is ethanol;
10% by weight is used, preferably 7% to 9%. Of course, mixtures of hydrotropes can also be used in compositions with low concentrations of surfactants, and are used for cost, effectiveness reasons.

Optionally incorporated ingredients of the liquid detergent compositions of the invention include, for example, opacifiers such as ethylene glycol distearate, thickeners such as guar gum, fungicides such as glutaraldehyde and Bronopol (RTM), Corrosion inhibitors such as benzoxytriazole, heavy metal chelators such as EDTA or EDTMP, fragrances and dyes. The PH of the composition may be anywhere within the range of 6 to 7.5, but the composition at the time of manufacture is usually 6.6 to 7.3.
It has a PH in the range of . For colored products, the PH is preferably 6.6-6.9 to maintain color stability
is within the range of

The method of incorporating the magnesium ions is not limited, and the compositions can be prepared in a number of ways.

Individual anionic surfactants can be prepared as aqueous solutions of alkali metal or ammonium salts and then mixed together with foaming agents and hydrotropes, after which magnesium ions can be introduced as water-soluble salts, e.g. chlorides or sulfates. . Before adjusting the PH and viscosity, optionally added minor ingredients are added. Although this method has the advantage of utilizing conventional techniques and equipment, it is possible to further introduce chlorides or sulfates which increase the chill point temperature (the temperature at which the inorganic salt precipitates as crystals in the liquid). Can not.

Another method is to mix the alcohol and alcohol ethoxylate together and perform a single sulfation and neutralization. In this case, alcohol and alcohol ethoxylate should be mixed in a weight ratio ranging from 45:1 to 1:5.5. Sulfation takes place with conventional sulfating agents such as sulfur trioxide or chlorosulfonic acid. Neutralization of alkyl ether sulfates and alkyl sulfates is carried out using magnesium oxide slurry or magnesium hydroxide slurry (avoiding addition of chloride or sulfate ions). Although not necessarily required, the magnesium salt of the alkyl ether sulfate has a relatively greater water solubility than the alkyl sulfate component, so it is advantageous to use mixtures of these acids. Then add separately neutralized alkylbenzene sulfonate, and neutralized alkyl sulfate and neutralized alkyl ether sulfate and hydrotrope to the final mixing tank and adjust the PH as above. The foaming agent and any optional ingredients are added beforehand.

Although the preferred compositions of the invention are clear, single phase liquids, the invention also encompasses opaque products containing dispersed phases, provided they are physically stable (ie, do not separate) on storage.

Representative compositions of the present invention are as follows.

(a) C ₁₂ - C ₁₄ alkyl sulfate 8 - 9% C ₁₂ - C ₁₄ alkyl (EO) ₂ sulfate
10-11% C _11.8 alkylbenzene sulfonate 14-15% Narrow cut coconut alkyl ethanolamide 3-4% (b) C ₁₂ - C ₁₄ alkyl sulfate 11-12% C ₁₂ - C ₁₄ alkyl (EO) ₃ sulfate
11-12% C _11.8 alkylbenzene sulfonate 14-15% Narrow cut coconut alkyl ethanolamide 3-4% (c) C ₁₂ -C ₁₄ alkyl sulfate 9-11% C ₁₂ -C ₁₄ alkyl (EO) ₃ sulfate
9-11% C _11.8 alkylbenzene sulfonate 15-17% Whole coconut alkyl ethanolamide 3-4% (d) C ₁₂ -C ₁₄ alkyl sulfate 9-11% C ₁₂ -C ₁₄ alkyl (EO) ₃ sulfate
4-6% _C11 - _C13 alkylbenzene sulfonate
24-26% The invention is illustrated in the following examples. The percentages of ingredients in the examples are by weight based on the final composition.

example Prepare the following composition.

C _12-13 Alkyl Sulfate ₁ ⁾ 11.8 C _{12-13 Alkyl} (EO) ₃ Sulfate ²⁾ 11.4 C _11.8 Linear Alkyl Benzene Sulfonate ³⁾ 14.2 Narrow Cut Coconut Monoethanolamide
3.0 Ethanol 9.0 Fragrances, colorants and trace ingredients 1.0 Water balance 100 Contains 1.24 parts of NH ₄ ⁺ ions and 0.50 parts of Mg ⁺⁺ ions. The amount of Mg ⁺⁺ corresponds to 0.5X (X is the number of moles of alkyl sulfate).

1 Dovanol 23 (RTM) sold by Ciel Chemicals, derived from _C12 - _C13 primary alcohols.

2 Dovanol 23.3 (RTM), sold by Shell Chemicals, condensed with an average of 3 ethylene oxide groups per mole of alcohol.
Derived from _C12 - _C13 primary alcohols.

3 Sirone XL12, sold by SIR Italy, derived from linear alkylbenzenes.

Alkylbenzene sulfonates are produced by SO ₃ sulfonation of alkylbenzenes. The alkyl sulfates and alkyl ether sulfates were sulfated by _SO3 sulfation of a blend of alcohol and alcohol ether condensate, and the mixed sulfuric acid was combined with water, ethanol, all the required magnesium hydroxide and about 60% Neutralize in a heel of % ammonia. The sulfonic acid is then added to the mixture followed by the remaining ammonia to neutralize the PH. Minor ingredients are added to the mixture, then the PH of the composition is adjusted with citric acid to PH 6.6, and then the viscosity is adjusted to 200 cp.

EXAMPLE The following composition is prepared using the same materials as in the example.

C _{12-13 Alkyl} Sulfate 9.6 C _12-13 Alkyl (EO _{) 3} Sulfate 11.4 C _11.8 Linear Alkyl Benzene Sulfonate 14.2 Narrow Cut Coconut Monoethanolamide
4.0 Ethanol 8.0 Trace ingredients 1.3 Water 51.5 Contains 1.24 parts of NH ₄ ⁺ ions and 0.41 parts of Mg ⁺⁺ ions. The amount of Mg ⁺⁺ corresponds to 0.5X (X is the number of moles of alkyl sulfate).

The alkylbenzene is sulfonated and neutralized with a heel of ammonia, water and ethanol to produce ammonium alkylbenzene sulfonate. Pre-prepared alkylbenzene in which _C12 - _C13 alcohol and _C12 - _C13 alcohol ethylene oxide condensate are blended together, sulfated using chlorosulfonic acid, and magnesium hydroxide and additional water are added. Neutralize using sulfonate solution as a heel. After the reaction, the PH of the paste is approximately 2.0 and raised to 6.0 using additional ammonia. The coconut monoethanolamide is then added to the above mixture, followed by the remaining water and minor ingredients. Finally, P.H.
is adjusted to 6.6 using citric acid and the viscosity is adjusted to 200 cp.

EXAMPLE A composition having the following formulation is prepared using the methods and materials of the example.

C _{12-13 Alkyl} Sulfate 9.6 C _12-13 Alkyl (EO) ₃ Sulfate _9.6 C _11.8 Linear Alkyl Benzene Sulfonate 16.0 Whole Cut Coconut Monoethanolamide
4.0 Ethanol 8.0 Trace ingredients 1.3 Water 51.5 Contains 1.24 parts of NH ₄ ⁺ ions and 0.40 parts of Mg ⁺⁺ ions. The amount of Mg ⁺⁺ corresponds to 0.5X (X is the number of moles of alkyl sulfate).

EXAMPLE A composition having the following formulation is prepared using the methods and materials of the example.

C _{12-13 alkyl} sulfate _10.9 C _12-13 alkyl (EO) ₃ sulfate 4.9 C _11.8 linear alkylbenzene sulfonate 24.2 Ethanol 8.0 Minor components 1.5 Water 50.5 Contains 1.47 parts of NH ₄ ⁺ ions and 0.46 parts of Mg ⁺⁺ ions. The amount of Mg ⁺⁺ corresponds to 0.5X (X is the number of moles of alkyl sulfate).

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. (a) 6 to about 16% by weight of the composition of primary C ₁₀ to
C ₁₆ alkyl sulfate, (b) an average of about 2 per alkyl group in the alkyl ether sulfate from 0.5 to about 20% by weight of the composition;
a water-soluble _C10 - _C16 primary alkyl ethoxy sulfate containing about 6 ethylene oxide groups, and (c) a water-soluble substantially linear _C10-10 from about 10 to about 28% by weight of the composition. C ₁₆ alkylbenzene sulfonate, and the ratio of the total weight of components (a) and (c) to the weight of component (b) is ≦33:1, and the composition consists of 0.45 to 0.55X (formula In, X exists C ₁₀ ~
A physically stable builder-free aqueous liquid detergent composition characterized in that it contains a molar amount of magnesium ions corresponding to the number of moles of _C16 alkyl sulfate. 2. A liquid detergent composition according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the total weight of components (a) and (c) to component (b) is ≦14:1. 3 The weight of the above component (a) is about 8% to about 12%,
3. The liquid detergent composition of claim 2, wherein the weight of component (b) is from about 4% to about 8% and the weight of component (c) is from about 22% to about 28%. 4. The liquid detergent composition of claim 3, wherein at least about 50% of the counterions of components (b) and (c) are ammonium groups. 5 Substantially 100% of the counterions of components (b) and (c) above.
A liquid detergent composition according to claim 4, wherein % is ammonium groups. 6. A liquid detergent composition according to claim 2, wherein the ratio of the total weight of components (a) and (c) to component (b) is ≦5:1. 7 (a) 6 to about 16% primary C ₁₀ by weight of the composition.
C ₁₆ alkyl sulfate, (b) an average of about 2 per alkyl group in the alkyl ether sulfate from 0.5 to about 20% by weight of the composition;
a water-soluble _C10 - _C16 primary alkyl ethoxy sulfate containing ~6 ethylene oxide groups; (c) from about 10 to about 28% by weight of the composition of a water-soluble substantially linear _C10 -C; ₁₆ alkylbenzene sulfonate, and (d) _C10 to _C16 mono _C2 to _C3 alkanolamide,
_C10 to _{C16 diC2} to _C3 alkanolamides, _C12 to _C14 alkylamides condensed with up to about 15 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of amide, and _C8 to
consisting essentially of from about 2 to about 8% by weight of a blowing agent selected from the group consisting of C18 alkyl _diC2 - _C3 alkyl amine oxides, and consisting essentially of from about ₂ % to about 8% by weight of a blowing agent selected from the group consisting of C18 alkyldiC2-C3 alkylamine oxides, and the total weight of components (a) and (c) to component (b). the weight ratio of ≦33:1 and the composition is 0.45 to _0.55X , where X
A physically stable builder-free aqueous liquid detergent composition characterized in that it contains a molar amount of magnesium ions corresponding to the number of moles of _C16 alkyl sulfate. 8 (a) Primary C ₁₀ to C ₁₄ alkyl sulfate from about 8 to about
(b) from about 9 to about 11% by weight of a water-soluble _C12 - _C14 alkyl ether sulfate containing an average of about 2 to about 6 ethylene oxide groups per alkyl group in the alkyl ether sulfate, (c ) _{about 14 to} about _{17 wt .
C10} to _{C16 diC2} to _C3 alkanolamides, _C12 to _C14 alkylamides condensed with up to about 15 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of amide, and _C8 to
8. A builder-free liquid detergent composition according to claim 7, consisting essentially of from about _{2 to about 8% by weight of a foaming agent selected from the group consisting of C18 alkyldiC2} - _C3 alkylamine oxides. 9. The liquid detergent composition of claim 8, wherein at least about 50% of the counterions of components (b) and (c) are ammonium groups. 10 Substantially the counterions of components (b) and (c) above
10. A liquid detergent composition according to claim 9, which is 100% ammonium groups. 11 (a) Primary C ₁₂ -C ₁₄ alkyl sulfate from about 8 to
(b) from about 10% to about a primary _C12 - _C14 alkyl ether sulfate containing an average of about 2 ethoxy groups per alkyl group in the alkyl ether sulfate;
11%, (c) about 14 to about 15% of a substantially linear _C11 - _C12 alkylbenzene sulfonate, and (d) a _C10 - _C16 alkyl monoethanolamide and a _C12 - _C14 alkyldimethylamine oxide. and the composition consists essentially of about 3% to about 4% of a blowing agent in a molar amount corresponding to 0.45 to 0.55X, where X is the number of moles of _C12 to _C14 alkyl sulfate present. 8. A transparent single-phase liquid detergent composition according to claim 7, wherein substantially all of the counterions other than magnesium are ammonium groups. 12. A liquid detergent composition according to claim 11 having a chill point below 120°C.