Heavy duty fabric softening laundry detergent composition

Abstract

A heavy duty fabric softening laundry detergent composition, in liquid form, which has been found to be especially effective in cleaning dirty laundry and in leaving washed laundry feeling softer to the touch, comprises certain proportions of a certain amphoteric detergent, such as is marketed under the trade name Ampholak 7TX, anionic surfactant of the higher alkyl ether sulfate type, nonionic surfactant of the polyethoxylated higher fatty alcohol type, inorganic builder and bentonite, in an aqueous medium. Also within the invention are washing processes in which such laundry detergent compositions or components thereof are employed. The liquid detergent described is of a pH in the range of 7 to 8 and of a viscosity in the range of 1,500 to 2,500 cps. at 25.degree. C., and it is stable on storage. The surfactants, bentonite, builder and enzyme (optional) are dissolved, emulsified or suspended therein, and the enzyme retains enzymatic activity even after normal storage. Apparently due to synergism with the rest of the surfactant system, the amphoteric surfactant increases the cleaning activity of the liquid detergent composition on laundry to a greater extent than would have been expected, especially when the laundry is of fabrics made from cotton/polyester fiber blends, and the amphoteric surfactant, which is not a fabric softener, also synergistically increases the fabric softening activity of the bentonite.