Dual polymer self-sealing detergent compositions and methods

Abstract

Disclosed are thickened single phase detergent compositions for cleaning the body which have modified pseudoplastic characteristics because they contain a combination of two polymers which make them especially suitable for dispensing from containers which impart shear to the composition during dispensing and to methods for making such compositions. The compositions contain from about 1-20% anionic, nonionic and/or amphoteric surfactants and preferably contain anionic surfactants. The polymer imparting pseudoplastic characteristics is about 0.3 to 1.5% of an addition polymer of a C.sub.3 -C.sub.8 alpha, beta-monoethylenically unsaturated mono- or dicarboxylic acid, at least one monoethylenically unsaturated copolymerizable monomer lacking surfactant capacity and at least one monomer possessing surfactant capacity which is the reaction product of a monoethylenically unsaturated monomer with a nonionic surfactant compound. The pseudoplastic characteristics of the addition polymer are modified by the inclusion of from about 0.05-0.3% of a water soluble cellulosic polymer rheology modifying agent which is hydroxyethyl cellulose or hydroxypropyl cellulose. The compositions are neutralized to a pH of from 5.5 to 8.5 to render the addition polymer water soluble and result in a viscosity of at least 500 centipoise at 25.degree. C.