SK130393A3 - Liquid detergent composition - Google Patents

Abstract

The liquid detergent composition of the present invention from a liquid organic phase containing amine oxide with 10 to 18 carbon atoms, a polyalkylene glycol with a molecular from 150 to 500, and from the solid phase, which contains a carrier, for example a condensed phosphate alkali metal, zeolite, silicate or hydroxycarboxylic acid optionally a polycarboxylic acid, e.g. citric acid or tartaric acid, at least water and optionally a bleaching agent.

Description

Technical field

The invention relates to a liquid detergent composition.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Detergent compositions are known which consist of a suspension of a carrier in an organic liquid containing a wetting agent. Non-aqueous compositions of this type having good stability are described in European Patent Nos. 30096 and 120 659.

Perfect removal of water from detergents is difficult and it is desirable that their hygroscopicity be as low as possible.

It is believed that the reduction in hygroscopicity and dispersibility of these materials, i. dispersion in the washing liquid.

it can make it easier to support

The detergent compositions can be introduced into the washing machine by placing them in a reservoir through which water flows and which carries the detergent into the wash zone. Compositions with insufficient dispersibility can form solid deposits that remain in the container. In some cases, detergent containers are placed in the wash zone. If the access is poor, solid residues remain in it, especially if it was not dry before loading with detergent. It is believed that the dispersibility will be improved especially in the latter case if the hygroscopicity of the composition is reduced.

when they put them in the reservoir

It has surprisingly been found that small amounts of water can be tolerated in such amine oxide-containing compositions.

In general, the amount of water should be at most δ mol, preferably less than 3, and more preferably less than 2 mol, based on 1 mol. mol of amine oxide. By water is meant water which is not contained as crystalline water in solids, which is irrelevant in this context.

Anhydrous amine oxides are usually commercially available in the form of aqueous solutions, which may contain, for example, 65% water. Obviously, such solutions are not suitable for the aforementioned purposes. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, means are provided by which these solutions can be converted into compositions suitable as part of liquid laundry detergent compositions.

The essence of the invention

The invention relates to a liquid detergent composition which is a composition

i) ii) iii) an amine oxide-containing liquid organic phase, solid carrier, at most 5 and preferably less than 2, for example 0.5 to at most 2 and preferably 1.0 to 1.7 moles of water / other than crystalline water, of any solid present / per mole of amine oxide.

The carrier may be water-soluble and, if desired, the liquid detergent composition may contain a bleaching composition.

The invention also relates to a composition which is suitable as an additive to a liquid detergent and which also comprises an amine oxide, a polyalkylene glycol, which preferably contains ethylene glycol residues and optionally propylene glycol residues and even more preferably polyethylene glycol; with a maximum of 5 and preferably less than 2 mol, for example 0.5 to a maximum of 2 mol and preferably 1.0 to 1.7 mol of water, based on 1 mol of the amine oxide.

The composition allows the preparation of liquid detergents with good stability, which, when a suitable carrier is added, facilitate ironing. An effective weight ratio of polyalkylene glycol to amine oxide is from 0.5 to 1 to 2 to 1.

The composition can be produced by distillation of the amine oxide in the presence of polyolefin, with ethylene glycol, preferably under reduced pressure, at 30 ° C and preferably from 55 to 75 ° C.

% of an aqueous solution preferably of a polyethylene terpote of from 40 to 40

Surprisingly, it has been found that the presence of polyalkylene glycol diminishes the problem of gel formation which occurs when distilling an aqueous amine oxide solution, when distilled as such, and makes it more difficult.

It has been found that amine oxides, when used in conjunction with a carrier, with polyoxyethylene, and preferably with another nonionic surfactant, appear to facilitate ironing of the fabrics washed therein.

The invention also relates to a detergent composition, for example, a laundry detergent composition comprising an amine oxide, a carrier, a polyolefin having a molecular weight of from 100 to 1500, preferably polyethylene glycol and preferably a nonionic wetting agent other than an amine oxide and preferably a bleaching composition. .

in many parts of the world, the concentration of phosphates in waste water is required for environmental reasons. The use of phosphates, and in particular condensed phosphates, such as sodium tripolyphosphate, has been common in detergents for many years. However, in some cases it is currently restricted by law for environmental reasons. It is therefore desirable to formulate detergent compositions with good efficacy that do not contain phosphates.

The invention thus relates to phosphate-free detergent compositions useful as laundry detergent compositions and comprising an amine oxide, a hydroxycarboxylic acid having 2 to 8 hydroxyl groups and 1 to 5 hydroxyl groups, and a polycarboxylic acid group, which has at least 10, preferably at least 100, for example 150 to 2000 and preferably 200 to 1000 carboxyl groups, and which contains at most 5 and preferably less than 2 moles of water relative to 1 mol of amine oxide / except water optionally present as crystalline water /.

The polycarboxylic acid may be a polyacrylic acid, for example a meleinized polyacrylic acid or, more preferably, a carboxymethylcellulose having suitably 100 to 1000, for example 100 to 500 linked glucose units per molecule and suitably having a degree of substitution / number of hydroxyl groups which have been converted to carboxymethyl % of from 35 to 85% and preferably from 45 to 80%.

The carboxyl group may be, for example, tartaric or preferably citric acid.

the composition expediently comprises 2 to 10% by weight of the aforementioned component (3) and preferably comprises 3 to 9% by weight, most preferably 5 to 8% by weight. It further preferably contains 25 to 40% by weight of said component (2).

Preferably, the composition has a drug reaction and preferably is amino-ionic if it is substantially neutral or alpha and the acidic substances are neutralized or preferably by alkali metal ions. At least 1 part by weight of component (3) is present.

It is preferred that the liquid compositions contain 25 to 70% by weight and more preferably 30 to 60% by weight, for example 40 to 60% by weight of all solids. The solids preferably form a carrier, which may be present in an amount of 25 to 60% by weight based on the weight of the total composition. A bleaching agent, for example an alkali metal perborate or percarbonate, for example sodium, may also be present in an amount of 0 to 25% by weight, for example 1 to 20% by weight and preferably 5 to 20% by weight. at least by weight of the total composition. Optionally polycarboxylic acid having at least 10 100 or 150 to 2000 and preferably 200 to 1000 carboxylic acid groups, preferably carboxymethylcellulose.

Suitably, the liquid phase comprises polyalkylene glycol, preferably polyethylene glycol, for example in an amount of 5 to 55% by weight based on the total composition, preferably 10 to 40% by weight based on the total composition, and a nonionic wetting agent, suitably in an amount of 5 to 55%. 25 wt% and preferably 7 to 20 wt%, based on the weight of the total composition.

The amine oxide is present in an amount of 5 to 100% by weight, and more preferably in an amount of 5 to 50% by weight, based on the weight of the organic substances in the liquid phase.

The carrier can be, for example, a condensed phosphate, silicate or zeolite or a hydroxycarboxylic acid containing 2 to 6 carboxyl groups and 1 to 5 hydroxy groups, which may be citric acid or tartaric acid. However, it is more preferred that the carrier is a condensed phosphate, which may be an alkali metal salt, preferably sodium, for example 1 '/ sodium phosphate.

The molecular weight of the polyethylene glycol may be from 100 to 1500 and preferably from 150 to 500.

In the composition of the compositions of the invention, miscible liquids are preferred. Therefore, it is preferred that the liquid detergent composition comprises a dispersion of solids in the liquid medium. The solids should have an average particle size of not more than 10 microns. Suitably, the composition has a pour point below 10 ° C. The pour point should be measured by the ASTM test method D 97-6S, approved in r. It is desirable that at least 90% by weight of the particles have a diameter of less than 10 microns. The average particle size may be determined by either the average number method or the average weight method. Preferably, the range is from 1.2 to 8 microns.

components in the wetter1 o.

For example, a nonionic alkylene oxide, and / or propylene oxide.

The composition may preferably be a derivative and the alkylene oxide is preferably ethylene oxide. Most preferably it is the product of the reaction of an amino, alkylphenol or alkanol with ethylene oxide and / or propylene oxide. The alkyl group in the alkylphenol may be straight or branched chain and may contain from 6 to 20 carbon atoms, for example from 8 to 12 carbon atoms. The alkanol may contain from S up to 20 carbon atoms and preferably from 10 to 16 carbon atoms. The alkanol is preferably a primary or secondary alkanol having a straight or simply branched alkyl chain. Suitably, the nonionic 1 to 10, preferably 3, wetting agent comprises a chain of up to 8 alkylene glycol residues, which in turn is an average value.

The wetting agent may consist essentially of an amine oxide which may have an alkyl group having 10 to 13 carbon atoms and preferably 12 to 16 carbon atoms and two other groups individually selected from alkyl or hydroxyalkyl groups having 1 to 3 carbon atoms. If desired, the composition may comprise two non-ionic surfactants or even more surfactants. The pour point can be adjusted by varying the liquid impact in the composition, for example by adding wetting agents and / or low flow polyethylene glycol. The presence of 10 to 50% by weight and preferably 15 to 30% by weight of wetting agent is expedient. The wetting agent may be either anionic or cationic.

Such anionic or cationic wetting agents are known. Anionic wetting agents include, for example, soaps, sulfonates of alkylbenzenes or olefins, sulfates of alcohols or alkoxy alcohols; from cationic wetting agents. They may conveniently be used ammonium salts or hydroxides d iC a - c ca 1 s 1 - and preferably C iC and much ion-a1ky1 -, lower slide 1 s 1 ammonium, s salts or hydroxides for example chlorides or sulphates or textiles of C _io -is -alkyl-, lower dimethyl-, substituted ethylammonium salts. The substituent on the ethyl group may be -OOCR in which R is an alkyl group which may have 13 to 22 carbon atoms; and the anion in the salt may be an RSO group and - in which R represents a lower alkyl group, for example a methyl group. Said lower alkyl groups are expediently methyl groups.

for example plasticizers d 1 and 1 k y 1 -, for example

It is preferred that the composition comprises a polyalkylene glycol, for example, poly (ethylene- / poly-propylene glycol), or preferably a polycomposite composition.

Polyalkylene glycols with ethylene glycol. This contributes to the effectiveness of textiles and in terms of biodegradability with an average molecular weight of from 100 to 400 and preferably from 150 to 300, they are preferable because they tend to lower the pour point of the liquid compositions, thereby increasing their usefulness at low temperatures. Suitably they comprise from 10 to 50% by weight, preferably from 25 to 45% by weight, of polyalkylene glycol.

It is highly preferred that the composition comprises a bleaching agent which is preferably an alkali metal perborate or per carbonate. If desired, bleach activators may be added, preferably a content of 1 to 20% by weight and preferably 2 to 15% by weight of the bleaching composition.

The composition may also contain additives customary in detergent compositions, for example, optical brighteners, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, colorants, perfumes, and / or enzymes.

In the compositions of the present invention, the solid dispersions in non-ionic wetting agents are remarkably stable, especially when the solid particles have a size of at most 10 microns. However, although the solids are sometimes separated, the resulting phase is usually loose flocculated and readily dispersible because, when the relative amounts of solids, polyethylene glycol and wetting agent in the composition are precisely selected, only a slight phase separation occurs because the liquid fills the space between released particles of solids.

The compositions according to the process of the present invention comprise co-milling the components preferably.

produced

The weight by weight of the parts referred to herein are compositions unless the context relates to anything else.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Example 1

Dehydration of alkyldimethylamine oxide% / w / w. / solution with chains containing 2 methyl groups which are s u b in polyethylene glycol

The following procedure gives a 50 amino acid having an alkyl group of its nitrogen atom (D M A 0), (molecular weight 200), (PEG 200).

equivalent of PEG 200 is added to 4 equivalents of DMAO in aqueous solution (about 33% by weight of DMAO).

The water is removed by distillation under reduced pressure from a 20 liter Quickfit vessel equipped with a nitrogen inlet to the bottom and a 70 cm long foam column or foam disposal head, then through a water cooler to the collector and vacuum gauge.

The cooker is filled up to 1/3 to 1/2 of its volume (to leave room for foam). The contents are mixed with a paddle stirrer at 100 rpm and the nitrogen flow is reported. The pressure is reduced and the nitrogen supply is adjusted to the smallest amount. Once the vacuum has stabilized, the temperature is slowly raised to 60-75 ° C. The foaming can be controlled by gently adjusting the vacuum, and optionally a 0.05 to 0.1 equivalent silicone antifoam can be added to the reaction mixture.

Distillation conditions

200 20 1 i t r o v 1 i t r o v container container 12 hours 3 Hours 50 mm 4 5 mm Hg pr Hg pr 150 ° C 75 ° C. At these conditions when is obtained mixture comprising weight % DMAO / with a smaller one by adding P t G 200 /, Οθ ukt pri t ep1ote m i estnost i solid, at content 50

p r (weight% amine oxide is a liquid mass.%

Amino d Free Amino Water

PEG 200

1.0 0.7 3.5

Aminox i d Free amine Water PEG 200 o 0, 0 0, 6 5,0, 5

Example 2 Composition A was prepared as follows:

The liquid ingredients were mixed and 7 parts by weight of this mixture were mixed with the enzyme and bentonite, and the residue was mixed with the other solids in the homogenizer and the product was ground to an average particle size of 3 microns (weight average). The two mixtures were then mixed together using a homogenizer.

Composition B was produced as follows:

The ingredients except the enzyme were mixed in a homogenizer and ground to an average particle size of 3 microns (weight average). The enzyme was then added and mixed using a homogenizer.

Table 1

AND IN

Sodium tronate

Sodium tripolyphosphate

Carbonate 5

Carboxymethylcellulose '1

Sodium silicate 2

Leukophor'OUK optical brightener 0.3

Enzyme / Protease and Amylase / 0.3

S y n e r o n i c A 3 2.5

S y n p e r o n i c 7

Polyethylene glycol, molecular weight 200 / PEG 200/32

DMAO / as 100% / 10

Sodium perborate, monohydrate

Tetraacetyl-ethylenediamine with thiophen 3

Water 1 /% /, 3 0, 3 1, 3 3, 3

7, 5

0

0.75 * Commercial product named Courlose A 610, degree of substitution 0.5 to 0.7, estimated molecular weight 60,000 to 100,000.

S Yperperonic A 3 and S Yperperonic 87 K are condensation products of 3 moles of ethylene oxide with 7 moles of a mixture containing 92% ethylene oxide and 3% petroleum oxide with 2 parts of Cis-primary alkanol with 1 part of Cis-primary alkanol, both having several methyl groups in the 2-position.

1

All the above amounts are by weight. The compositions were tested as laundry detergents as follows

1030 and 90 ppm Ca. Used using a Zanussi FL washing machine and 60 ° C in water with hardness

The performance of compositions A and 6 was compared with that of commercial detergents as follows:

The wash tests were carried out at 40 ° C with standard substances from EMPA or Krefeld to determine the efficacy of each product. The washing machine was filled with four test pieces (10 x 10 cm) of each type of test substance, at the same time as 2 kg of pure substance as a load for each wash handle. Each test piece was measured at ten different locations to determine the increase in luminous intensity. The detergent dose size was compositions A set.

and 3, and for a commercial product of 130 g g per unit, the following results are obtained;

grain s

Commercial product

coupon 40 ° C 60 ° C 40 ° C 60 ° C 40 ° C 60 ° C EMPA 101 37.3 50.4 40, 0 5 1,0 29.5 45.9 KREFELD 10C 46, 7 52.2 23.8 43, 9 33, 7 49.7 EMPA 104 33.6 53.1 33, 3 52, 4 27.9 46, 3 KREFELD 20C 55, 3 5 9,6 37, 4 54.2 3 1,0 49, 1 EMPA 111 / Blood / 77, 1 78, 9 31.5 49, 3 77.7 80.9 EMPA 112 / cocoa / 25, 1 47.8 34, 9 47, 6 23.3 5 1,4 EMPA 1: 4 / red v í n o / 3 1,7 3 5,6 49, 1 67.2 4 1,0 43, 9 K E F E L D 10K / coffee / 5 6,2 59, 9 6 6,9 72.3 5 6,5 6 1,4

Numerical values of light imagery after washing.

in percent

2

The above results show good efficiency when compared to a commercial product used in triple weight.

Ironing features:

After using Composition A for 14 days, 27 out of 29 people answered positively: Ironing better?

A composition that is substantially equivalent to a composition

A, but is modified according to of greater interest consumer can be prepared as follows: mass οχ * '0 k g / t e S y n e r o n i c A 3 23,323 2, 4 Synperonic 37K 71.567 7.2 P E G 2 0 0 320, 452 32, 1 DMAO / as 100% / 97.447 9.7 Sodium carbonate 47,958 4.3  C o u r 1 o s e A 6 10 9,967 1.0 Sodium dipartrate 18,954 1, 9 Sodium lipolyphosphate 366.251 3 6,5 Ethyleneaminaminetetra- acid 2,002 0.2 Optical brightener 2,993 0, 3 M o d r i d 1 o 0,029 0, 0 Si 1 icon antifoam 0, 583 0, 1 B e n t o n i t 23,956 2.9 T i t d i o x i d 2,492 0.2 Par fém 3, 000 0, 3 Enzyme (protease and amylase) 3,000 0, 3 999.500 100.0

EXAMPLE 1 a d 3

Liquid suspensions were prepared with the ingredients listed in the following table containing about 50% by weight

3 solids. Composition C was milled to an average particle size of 3 microns. Other compositions were prepared by mixing the solid pre-ground particles with the liquid components, without detecting the particle size.

A A / B A / C A / Dequest 2016 D a rosinate carrier - - 5 Sodium citrate 3 2 32 32 Sodium carbonate 10 - 1 0 carboxymethylcellulose * 6 WITH r> C. Sodium starch or tanning 1 1 1 T inopa 1 CBS-X optical brightener 0, 2 0, 2 0, 2 Enzyme (protease and amylase) 0, 3 0, 3 0, 3 Synperonic A 3 3.75 3.75 3.75 Synperoni c 37K 11.25 11.25 11.25 Polyethylene glycol, molecular weight 200 2 5,5 25.5 34.5 Tetraacetylethylenediamine - n ABOUT - Synprolam 35 DMQ 1 0 10 - Sodium perborate, monohydrate - 7 - * Commercial product sold under mark en m Co u r 1 o s  A 161, degree of substitution 0.5 to 0.7, pr anticipated mo 1 e k u 1 o v weight 60,000 to 10.0,000. Synperonic A 3 and Synperonic 37 K are products konaen- 3 moles of ethylene oxide with 7 mol of the mixture containing 92 % ethyl 1 é- NOXIDE and 8% propylene oxide with a mixture 2 parts Ci3-primary alkanol with 1 part C · ₅ Pr Imari him alkanol with both have several groups of groups position 2; Synprolam 35 DMQ is an amine oxide having an alkyl group corresponding to the mentioned mixtures of C 13- and C 18 -alkanols and 2 methyl groups, kt o r m m is

substituted by its nitrogen atom.

The amounts are expressed in percent by weight.

4

The compositions were tested as detergents as follows:

The efficacy of compositions A, B and C was compared to that of commercial detergents. Washing tests were performed using Miele W 451 washing machines, at 40 and 60 ° C in hard water (36 ° French). Standard substances from EMPA or Krefeld were used to determine the efficacy of each product. Three scrubbers were each filled with four test specimens (10 x 10 cm) of each type of test substance at the same time as 2 kg of pure substance as a load for each wash handle. Each test sample was measured at twelve different locations to determine the increase in light reflectance for each substance. The detergent dose per batch was a C to 30 g for a commercial product.

g for compositions 1, B

The following results were achieved

composition

Commercial product

substance 40 ° C 60 ° C 40 ° C 60 ° C 40 ° C 60 ° C 40 ° C 60 ° C EMPA 10 i 34.7 30.5 32.8 32.7 24.5 22.1 19.8 18.9 KREFELD 10C 41.1 53.2 35.9 5 6,4 29.2 46 42, 4 55.3 EMPA 104 46.5 42, 4 46.9 42.8 18.8 19.5 17.1 17.5 KREFELD 20C 39.8 50, 2 52, 4 49, 7 19.3 20.7 29.5 46, 3 EMPA 11i 67.2 67.8 23.9 54.9 78.3 76.3 74.2 73.7 EMPA 112 40.8 4 5,6 40, 3 35.6 39.3 43, 7 3 3,6 37.2 EMPA 114 2 1,7 3 1,2. 3 1,3 65.0 26.4 29.3 33.2 40, 3 KREFELD 101C 49.3 53, 3 52.8 6 5,3 5 1,3 53 53.2 57, 1 KREFELD AS12 36.9 36.6 43, 7 44.8 49 43, 8 KREFELD PC 12 4 6,4 43, 2 5 0,8 5 1,4 44.9 42, 1 stated figures values express from NCREASE: e s v e te 1 ne j

reflectance in percent after washing.

These results indicate good comparative efficacy

5 with a commercial product which was used in a triple excess by weight.

The commercial product contained about one-third of its weight of water and, by comparison, the total content of chemical compounds was about 1: 2.

Example 4

Have been tested / containing solid compositions:

two liquid substances suspended detergent compositions in liquids / followed by

A B materials. % materials. % Sodium tripolyphosphate 36.7 40,15 B e n t o n i t 2, 3 - Sodium carbonate 4.3 5, 00 Sodium silicate 1.9 2, 00 carboxymethylcellulose 1, o i, 00 Sodium ethylenediamine tetraacetate 0, 2 0.2 Optical brightener 0, 3 0, 3 enzymes 0, 3 0.3 Titanium dioxide 0.25 0.25 Synperonic A 3 2, 4 2.4 Synperoníc 37K 7.2 7, 5 Polyethylene glycol, molecular weight 200 32.0 40.0 Coconut dimethylamine oxide 9, 8 - P a n f é m 0.25 0, 3

Then amount of T%, 1, water was added to both compositions weight C ho / J / 0 j á. / 0 j i 2.5 / a and 3 / o. viscosity Mon 45 minutes and after 1 day / where it is to stated / at 20 ° C it is zirc e j m á z data given in the following In the table:

6

Water addition

B viscosity / poise / viscosity / po / se /

wt.% 4 5 min day 4 5 0, 0 43, 0 4 6 1, 0 50.3 70 2, 0 60, 2 139 3, 5 90.4 70.9 304 3, 0 300,000, 0 706,000

m i n day

140

These data show that amine oxide containing compositions better resist water degradation.

Compositions A and B were also tested for dispersibility by a pump dispenser. In the dosing case of composition B in a commercial Zanussi washing machine, a larger residue remained at the beginning of the wash than in the case of composition A.

Industrial usability

The detergent compositions of the present invention represent a novel type stable over a wide range of temperatures, vigor in laundered fabrics and with ironing.

which is the subject of this means with good illumination improvement properties

Claims (14)

PATENT N A R O K Y A liquid detergent composition consisting of a liquid organic phase comprising an amine oxide and a solid phase comprising a carrier, wherein water is present in an amount of at most 5 moles relative to 1 mole of amine oxide, excluding water optionally present as crystalline water of any solid present substances. 2. A composition useful as an additive to a liquid detergent comprising an amine oxide and a polyalkylene glycol further comprising at most 5 moles of water, based on 1 mol of amine oxide. 3. A detergent composition comprising an amine oxide, a carrier, and a polyalkylene glycol having a molecular weight of from 100 to 1,500. 4. A substantially phosphate-free liquid detergent composition comprising an amine oxide, a hydroxycarboxylic acid having 2 to 6 carboxylic groups and 1 to 5 hydroxyl groups, and a polycarboxylic acid having at least 10 carboxylic groups, further comprising at most 5 moles of water relative to 1 mol of amine oxide. water optionally present as crystalline water of any solid present. The composition according to any of the water is present in an amount of from 0.5 to 1 mole of the amine oxide, excluding the crystalline water of the optionally present claims 1 to at least water or the solid. 4, in which 2 mol, in z t is present as 1 sec The composition according to claim 5, wherein the water is present in an amount of from 1.0 to 1.7 mol, based on 1 mol of the amine oxide, excluding water optionally present as crystalline water or a solid present. A composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the amine oxide has an alkyl group of 1 to 10 carbon atoms and two other groups individually selected from alkyl or hydroxyalkyl groups of 1 to 3 carbon atoms. A composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the carrier is a condensed phosphate, zeolite, silicate or hydroxycarboxylic acid having 2 to 6 carboxyl groups and 1 to 5 hydroxyl groups. The composition of claim 8, wherein the carrier is condensed alkali metal phosphate. The composition according to any of the carriers is citric acid or tartaric claims. to 9, wherein A polyethylene glycol composition according to any one of the claims having a molecular weight of up to 10, comprising 150 to 500. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the weight ratio of 1 to 1 to 1 to 1 to 1 to 1 to 2 to 1. A composition according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising a bleaching agent. 1 9 A pourable liquid detergent composition comprising a dispersion of solids in a liquid medium, wherein the solids have an average particle size of no more than 10 microns, further comprising an amine oxide, a polyalkylene glycol having a molecular weight of from 100 to 1500 and a carrier containing no more than 2 moles of water. %, based on 1 mol of amine oxide, excluding water, which is optionally present as crystalline water of any solid present. 15. A pourable liquid detergent composition comprising a dispersion of solids in a liquid medium, wherein the solids have a particle size of no more than 10 microns, further comprising an amine oxide, a polyalkylene glycol having a molecular weight of 150 to 500, and a carrier containing no more than 2 moles water. 1 mole of amine oxide, excluding water, which is optionally present as crystalline water of any solid present.