Particulate detergent compositions and manufacturing processes

Abstract

A particulate detergent composition, preferably of relatively high bulk density, comprises agglomerate particles of clay, such as bentonite, and anionic synthetic organic detergent, of particle sizes in a certain desired range, with each particle thereof comprising individual particles of such clay of a smaller size and anionic detergent absorbed into said particles, on the surfaces thereof and between them, whereby a relatively high bulk density fabric softening detergent composition is obtainable. Such detergent composition is very desirably manufactured by a process in which bentonite or other suitable clay powder is agglomerated into detergent composition particles of desired size by agglomerating such powder with an aqueous medium containing a detersive proportion (for such detergent composition or for a built laundry detergent composition which may be made from it) of anionic synthetic organic detergent, in a process in which excess water from such aqueous medium, which could cause the agglomerate to be sticky and poorly flowing, is removed from the surfaces of the agglomerate particles by absorption, hydration and/or drying during and/or after the agglomeration process. The agglomerate particles are useful in making built detergent compositions by being blended with particulate builder particles, which are often spray dried and can be of relatively high bulk density too.