US3920565A

US3920565A - Fabric softener composition and method

Info

Publication number: US3920565A
Application number: US335194A
Authority: US
Inventors: David Russell Morton
Original assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
Current assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
Priority date: 1973-02-23
Filing date: 1973-02-23
Publication date: 1975-11-18
Anticipated expiration: 1992-11-18
Also published as: NL189473C; GB1456913A; NL7402367A; BE811441A; NL189473B; CA1110015A; FR2219270B1; IT1008886B; DE2407708A1; FR2219270A1; DE2407708C2

Abstract

Liquid fabric softener composition containing a cationic fabric softener and a soap having from 16 to 22 carbon atoms in an aqueous vehicle; and a method of softening which comprises rinsing laundered textiles in an aqueous bath of said composition.

Description

United States Patent [191 Morton 5] Nov. 18, 1975 I FABRIC SOFTENER COMPOSITION AND [56] References Cited METHOD UNITED STATES PATENTS Inventor: David Ru on, ington, 3,325,414 6/1967 lnamorato 252/110 x Canada 73 Assignee; The Procter & Gamble Company Primary Examiner-Stephen J Lecher t, In I Ci i i Ohio Attorney, Agent, or FirmLou1s G. Xlarhos; George W. Allen; Richard C. Witte [22] Filed: Feb. 23, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 335,194 [57] ABSTRACT Liquid fabric softener composition containing a cati- [52] US. Cl. 252/8.75; 252/8.8; 252/8.9; onicfabric softener and a soap having from 16 to 22 252/110; 252/117; 117/139.5 F carbon atoms in an aqueous vehicle; and a method of [51] Int. Cl. D06M 13/46 Softening which comprises rinsing laundered textiles in [58] Field of Search 252/8.8, 8.75, 8.9, 117, an aqueous bath of said composition.

9 Claims, No Drawings BACKGROUND OF. THE INVENTION This invention relates to fabric softener compositions AND - and to a method of softening textile materials. More particularly, it relates to fabric softening compositions having resistance to the adverse effects of anionic detergent materials and adapted to use in the repetitious but generally discontinuous laundering process which involves soiling, laundering, rinsing, soiling, etc.

The use of fabric softening compositions in household laundering operations to improve the softness or hand" of laundered textiles has become a widespread practice. These compositions have for the most part been liquid f abric softener compositions containing ina water vehicle a quaternary ammonium salt component havingan affinity for negatively-charged fibers and having at least one long chain alkyl moiety of from l6 to 20 carbon atoms. These compositions have been largely adapted for use in the final rinsing bath of the home laundering process. It has been found that the treatment of textile materials in such manner improves the softness Or feel of the treated fabrics, prolongs the useful life of the textile materials and reduces the tendency of the fabrics to accumulate electrical charges.

The quaternary ammonium salts of the prior art softener compositions, being cationic in form, have been considered to be incompatible with anionic species. Thus, the prior art has included numerous references to the adverse effects of anionic materials on quaternary ammonium softeners and to the loss of potential benefits of such softeners. Such references, and attempts to mitigate the effects of anionic compounds on quaternary ammonium softeners can be found,'for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,003,954 to Brown (Oct. 10, 1961); U.S. Pat. No. 3,178,366 to Du Brow et al. (Apr. 13, 1965); U.S. Pat. No. 3,329,609 to .Blomfield July 4, 1967); and in Canadian Pat. No. 818,419 (July 22, 1969). Inasmuch as the final rinsing bath of an automatic wa'shingmachine usually contains traces of anionic materials carried over from a preceding washing step, i.e. the intermediate rinses usually do not remove all of the cleaning or washing agents or water softeners, an incompatibility problem has been recognized. More- Over, the tendency toemploy higher levels of detergent active, ejg. anionic surfactant, in no-phosphate detergent compositions has in turn resulted in a greater concentration of anionic material in the rinse than has normally' been encountered.

it is an object of this invention to provide compositio'nsiuseful for imparting softness to fabrics.

It is another object of this invention to provide fabric softener compositions containing quaternary ammonium salts and which are compatible with anionic materials.

Another object of the invention, is to provide fabric softener compositions effective to impart softness to fabrics in the presence of anionic compounds encountered in laundry rinsing operations.

These and other objectsof the invention will become apparent from the description appearing hereinafter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is based in part upon the discovery that fabrics can be improved in feel by treating the fabrics in an aqueousrinsing bath containing residual anionic materials and a fabric softener composition comprising a cationic fabric softener compound and a I min'oramount of a fatty soap of'from 16 to 22 carbon atoms. in its composition apect, the present invention provides an aqueous fabric softener composition consis'ting. essentially of: v r

A. from 2 to 15% of; a cation-active fabric softening ,-c ompound having from-one to.two straight chain organic groups of from;8 to 22 carbon-atoms;

B. from 0.5. to4.0f7 pf an alkali metal salt of a fatty 'acid of from.l6 to 22 carbon atoms; .C from 0 to about 2% of anemulsifier selected from the group consisting of l the condensation product of 1 .mole of alkylphenol wherein the alkyl chain contains from about 8 to about-l8 carbon atoms with from about i to about l00 moles of ethylene oxide,.(2) the condensation product of 1, mole of an aliphatic alcohol wherein the alkyl chain contains from about 10 to about 24 carbon atoms with from about 1 to about moles ofethylene oxide, (3) polyethylene glycols having a molecular weight of from about l,400 to. about 30,000, and (4) mixtures thereof; and

D. the balance water.

In its method aspect, the present invention provides a method of imparting softening properties to washed textiles which comprises treating previously-washed textiles in an aqueous rinsing bath containing minor amounts of anionic compounds from said previous washing and an .amount effective to soften the fabrics of a composition hereinbefore defined.

The fabric softening compositions of this invention provide softening properties to treated textiles notwithstanding the presenceof residual anionic compounds carried over into the rinse from 'a previous detergent wash. At low levels of softener agent usage, the presence of soap permits an improved level of fabric softening which could be obtained from the same composition free of the soap component or from a compositioncontaining additional softener agent in place of the soap.

' DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The cation-active organic fabric-softener compounds, which are the principal fabric-softening components of the compositions of the invention, are known fabric-softening compounds. Generally. these comprise cationic nitrogen-containing compounds such as quaternary ammonium compounds and amines and have one or two straight-chain organic groups of at least eight carbon atoms. Preferably, they have one or.

two such groups offrom 12 to 22 carbon atoms. Preferred cation-active softener compounds include the quaternary ammonium softener compounds corresponding to the formula wherein R is hydrogen or an aliphatic group of from 12 to 22 carbons; R is an aliphatic group having from 12 to 22 carbon atoms; R and R are each alkyl groups of from I to 3 carbon atoms; and X is an anion selected from halogen, acetate phosphate, nitrite and methyl sulfate radicals.

Because of their excellent softening efficacy and ready availability, preferred cationic softener compounds of the invention are the dialkyl dimethyl ammonium chlorides, wherein the alkyl groups have from 12 to 22 carbon atoms and are derived from long-chain fatty acids. such as hydrogenated tallow. As employed herein, alkyl is intended as including unsaturated compounds such as are present in alkyl groups derived from naturally occurring fatty oils. The term tallow" refers to fatty alkyl groups derived from tallow fatty acids. Such fatty acids give rise to quaternary softener compounds wherein R and R have predominantly from l6 to 18 carbon atoms. The term coconut refers to fatty acid groups from coconut oil fatty acids. The coconutalkyl R and R groups have from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms and predominate in C to C alkyl groups. Representative examples of quaternary softeners of the invention include tallow trimethyl ammonium chloride; ditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride; ditallow dimethyl ammonium methyl sulfate; dihexadecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride; di(hydrogenated tallow) dimethyl ammonium chloride; dioctadecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride; dieicosyl dimethyl ammonium chloride; didocosyl dimethyl ammonium chloride; di(hydrogenated tallow) dimethyl ammonium methyl sulfate; dihexadecyl diethyl ammonium chloride; dihexadecyl dimethyl ammonium acetate; ditallow d'ipropyl ammonium phosphate; ditallow dimethyl ammonium nitrite; di(coconutalkyl) dimethyl ammonium chloride.

Anjespecially preferred class of quaternary ammonium softeners of the invention correspond to the formula wherein R.and R, are each straight chain aliphatic groups of from l2 to 22 carbon atoms and X is halogen, e.g., chloride. Especially preferred are ditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride and di(hydrogenated tallow-alkyl) dimethyl ammonium chloride and di(- coconut-alkyl) dimethyl ammonium chloride. these compounds being preferred from the standpoint of excellent softening properties and ready availability.

Suitable cation-active amine softener compounds are the primary. secondary and tertiary amine compounds having at least one straight-chain organic group of from 12 to 22'carbon atoms and l ,3-propylene diamine compounds having a straight-chain organic group of from 12m 22 carbon atoms. Examples of such softener actives include primary tallow amine; primary hydrogenated-tallow amine; tallow 1,3-propylene diamine; oleyl 1,3-propylene diamine; coconut l,3-propylene diamine; soya 1,3-propylene diamine and the like.

Other suitable cation-active softener compounds herein are the quaternary imidazolinium salts. Preferred salts are those conforming to the formula atoms,

wherein R is an alkyl containing from 1 to 4, preferably from 1 to 2, carbon atoms. R, is an alkyl containing from I to 4 carbon atoms or a hydrogen radical, R is an alkyl containing from 8 to 22, preferably at least 15, carbon atoms. R is hydrogen or an alkyl containingfrom 8 to 22, preferably at least 15, carbon atoms, and X is an anion, preferably methyl sulfate or chloride ions. Other suitable anions include those disclosed with reference to the cationic quaternary ammonium fabric softeners described hereinbefore. Particularly preferred are those imidazolinium compounds in which both R and R are alkyls of from 12 to 22 carbon e.g., 2-heptadecyl-l,l-methyl [(2- stearoylamido)ethyl] imidazolinium methyl sulfate.

Other cationic quaternary ammonium fabric softeners, which are useful herein include, for example, alkyl (C to C )-pyridinium chlorides, alkyl (C to C alkyl (C, to C )-morpholinium chlorides, and quaternary derivatives of amino acids and amino esters.

The cationic fabric softeners mentioned above can be used singly or in combination in the practice of the present invention. The cationic fabric softener comprises from about 2 to about 15% by weight of the total composition. If more than about 15% is used, product stability problems may occur, e.g., thickening and the possible formation of an undesired gel and if less than about'2% is used, the softener will betoo dilute and desired softening of the fabrics will not be achieved when conventional amounts of the composition are added to the wash water. Within the above range. the actual amount of fabric softener which is contained in the composition depends upon the desired usage concentration of the composition in a laundering process. A desired concentration of the fabric softener in the washing solution is from about 25 ppm to abou t I00 ppm. To achieve the desired results of the present invention the preferred range of cationic fabric softener is from about 2.5% to about 6% by weight of the total composition.

The alkali metal soap component suitable for use in the compositions of the present invention include the sodium and potassium soaps of higher fatty acids of from 16 to 22 carbon atoms or mixtures thereof. These soaps can be incorporated into an aqueous cationic fabric softening composition with the provision of a composition which still effectively softens fabrics in a laundry rinsing cycle containing residual anionics. Whereas such soaps can be compatibly combined with cationic softeners, soaps of fatty acids having less than 16 carbon atoms tend to mitigate the fabric-softening effects of the cationic softener.

Commercial soaps are generally based upon mixtures of fatty acid compounds obtained from natural sources such as tallow, coconut oil, palm kernel oil or babassu kernel oil; other commercial soaps are synthetically manufactured to simulate the fatty acids from natural materials such as tallow. Soaps from any of these commercial sources can be suitably employed so long as they contain or are altered or modified to contain at least 50%, and preferably at least by weight of fatty acids having from 16 to 22 carbon atoms. Thus, tallow soaps which include the sodium or potassium salts of the mixtures of fatty acids derived from tallow can be suitably employed. Tallow soaps predominate in C /C fractions and can be suitably employed in a cationic-containing fabric-softening composition. In contrast, coconut soaps, which predominate in {In/C fractions, mitigate the softening effects, for example, of

quaternary ammonium softener and are not suitable herein. It will be appreciated that fatty acid soaps derived from mixtures of natural fatty acid sources can be employed, where desired, so long as the resulting soap mixtures predominate in soaps of C or higher fatty acids as described hereinbefore. A preferred soapmixture is a tallow/coconut soap blend of proportion 90: 10. This mixture is preferred from the standpoints of providing desirably optimum performance and aesthetic characteristics.

The term tallow as used herein refers to a mixture of soaps having an approximate chain-length distribution of; 2% C 32% C rand 66% C The term coconut as used herein in connection with soap or free fatty acid mixtures refers to materials having an approximate carbon chain length distribution of: 8% C 7% C 48% C 17% C 9% C 11% C The amount of alkali metal soap employed to provide effective resistance of the softener to the adverse effects of anionic substances will depend on such factors as the particular softening agent employed,the kind of soap, the nature of the anionic substance and the desired viscosity or physical appearance, As little as 0.5% of the soap bascd on the weight of composition may be enough in some instance, whereas up to about 4% of the soap may-be required in others. The relative proportions of the cation-active fabric softener compound and soap will be based more on physical stability considerations than on performance considerations. While amounts of fabric softener and soap components within the ranges hercinbefore defined will permit the preparation of softening compositions having resistance to the residual anionics in a rinsing operation, certain ratios will be preferred to assure that the hydrophilic/- lipophilic balance allows for the provision of a composition of stable physical form. Thus, compositions containing, for example, distearyl dimethyl ammonium chloride and alkali metal 90/10 tallow/coconut soaps, respectively, in relative weight proportions of about 1 :1 or about 5:1 are preferred. These compositions are uniform in appearance and do not separate into discrete phases. Fabric softening effects are observed notwithstanding the admixture of both cationic and anionic substances. The percentages of fabric softener and soap may be adjusted within the above defined limits to suit the requirements of each case andto combine softening and stability effects.

The compositions of the invention can be formulated in a convenient manner by admixture of the softener and soap components and addition to water. A preferred method of preparing the compositions involves the preparation of an aqueous soap solution and addition to an aqueous dispersion of the softening agent. It

believed that a water-soluble or. dispersible complex or.

mixed micelle may be'formed whenthc anionic substance is a higher fatty soap as hereinbefore described.

It has been discovered that the presence of'soap in the compositions of the invention, rather than having than is obtained where one fluid ounce of fabric softener having'5% of the-quaternary compound'is employed. The same softening contribution is not observed with higher usage levels, e.g. two fluid ounces. in which case the compositions of the invention will have their greater attraction to users whocustomarily or ha-- bitually employ low levels of softening composition in laundering operations. The compositions of the invention are additionally characterized by a pearlescent appea'rance which may be attractive to users of fabricsoftening compositions.

The compositions of the invention will preferably contain an emulsifying agent. Suitableemulsifiers which can be utilized in the compositions of the present.

invention include those selected from the group consisting of 1 the condensation product of 1 mole of alkylphenol wherein the alkyl chain contains from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms with from about 1 to about moles of ethylene oxide. Specific examples of these nonionics are the condensation product of 1 mole of nonylphenol with 9.5 moles of ethylene oxide; the condensation product of 1 mole of decylphenol with 40 moles of ethylene oxide; the condensation product of 1 mole of dodecylphenol with 35 moles of ethylene oxide; the condensation product of 1 mole of nonylphenol with 1.5 moles of ethylene oxide; the condensation product of 1 mole of tetradecylphenol with 35 moles of ethylene oxide; and the condensation product of 1 mole of hexadecylphenol with 30 moles of ethylene oxide; (2) the condensation product of 1 mole of an aliphatic alcohol wherein the alkyl chain contains from 10 to about 24 carbon atoms with from about 1 to about 100 moles of ethylene oxide. Specific examples are the condensation product of 1 mole of coconut alkyl alcohol with 45 moles of ethylene oxide; the condensation product of 1 mole of tallow-alkyl alcohol with 30 moles of ethylene oxide; the product sold by Union Carbide under the tradename Tergitol 15-8-9" which is the condensation product of 1 mole of secondary alkyl alcohol with alkyl chain lengths of from 1 l to 15 with 9 moles of ethylene oxide; and the product sold by Union Carbide under the tradename "Tergitol 15-8-37" which is the condensation product of 1 mole of secondary alkyl alcohol with alkyl chain lengths of from 1 1 to 15 with 3 moles of ethylene oxide; (3) polyethylene glycols having a molecularweight of from about 1,400 to about 30,000. For example, Dow Chemical Company manufactures these nonionics in molecular weights of 20,000, 9,500, 7,500. 4,500. 3,400 and 1,450. All of these nonionics are wax-like solids which melt between 100 and 200F, and (4) mixtures thereof.

These emulsifiers function as solubilizing agents to prevent precipitation and maintain excellent freezethaw characteristics of the liquid compositions. These emulsifier s further act as stabilizers to promote shelf stability and maintain the desired viscosity. The emulsifiers are present in the composition of the present invention from about 0 to about 2% by weight, preferably from about 0.25% to about 1%. If more than about 2% by weight is used no advantages are achieved and product stability problems can arise. Small amounts of emulsifier are usually necessary to achieve-the desired stability and freeze-thaw characteristics while maintaining the desired viscosity of the composition.

Miscellaneous materials such as optical brighteners such as the anionic stilbenes, coloring agents. perfumes. and other materials which are well known as constituents in fabric softener compositions and which are compatible in the compositions of the presnt invention can also be present in minor amounts.

The following examples illustrate the manner in which the present invention can be practiced. However. the invention is not confined to the specific limitations set forth in .the examples, but rather, to the scope of the appended claims.

EXAMPLE I Component Parts by Weight Sodium tallow soap 3.2 Potassium tallow soap 0.82 Sodiumcoconut soap 0.36 Potassium coconut soap 0.09

Optical Brightener. perfume.

and miscellaneous 0.05

Water Balance to l Tothe warm soap solution prepared as described were added with gentle stirring 1,000 ml. ofa commercially available aqueous fabric softening composition having the following approximate composition:

Component Parts by Weight Ditallow Dimethyl Ammonium Chloride 5.2 Emulsifier (mixture of nonyl- 0 1' phenol ethoxylates) lsopropanol. optical brightener. dye. perfume. miscellaneous Water l .3 Balance to I00 The resulting soap/softener composition had the following approximate composition:

Component Parts by Weight Ditallow Dimethyl Ammonium Chloride 2.6 Soap (90/l0 tallow/coconut) 2.3 Emulsifier 0.3

lsopropanol. ethanol. optical brightener. dye. perfume. and miscellaneous .7 Water Balance to I00 The composition was characterized by a pearleseent appearance upon cooling and was physically stable, i.e. did not separate upon standing.

The composition of Example I was used as follows: Five terry wash cloths were washed in a miniature-size,

top loading washing machine containing 1 /2 gals. of water having a temperature of 130F, and a hardness of 7 grains. using 6.1 grams of a commercially-available anionic-based laundry detergent. The washing process lasted ten minutes. The cloths were then rinsed using l'/2 gals. of F. water and 2.6 cc. or 5.2 cc. of the composition of Example I (corresponding, respec tively, to l or 2 fluid ounces in 17 gal. of water). This cycle of washing and rinsing was then repeated. The composition of Example I gave noticeable softening effects at levels of l and 2 ounces on the terry wash cloths. Whereas. the commercially-available softener composition described hereinbefore provided a greater softening effect at the two-ounce level than the composition of Example I, the composition of Example I provided a greater effect at the 1 ounce level.

Substantially the same results in softening are obtained with the composition of Example I when any of the following cationic fabric softeners is substituted on an equal weight basis for the ditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride in Example I, (coconut as used below has the following chain length distribution: 2% C 66% C 23% C and 9% C ditallowalkyl dimethyl ammonium chloride,

dioctadecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride,

tallowalkyl dimethyl (3-tallowalkoxy-2-hydroxypropyl) ammonium chloride, 2-heptadecyll-methyll 2- stearoylamino)ethyl]imidazolonium methyl sulfate,

eieosyl dimethyl benzylammonium chloride,

eieosyl trimethyl ammonium chloride,

tetradecyl-tri-(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium methyl sulfate,

octadecyl-tri-(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium methyl sulfate,

di(2-benzyloetadecyl)dimethyl ammonium ethyl sulfate,

di(3-oxa-heptadecyl) di(3-hydroxypropyl) ammonium bromide,

di(2-dodecoxyethyl)dimethyl ammonium chloride,

di(2-stearoyloxyethyl)dimethyl ammonium chloride,

2-stearoyloxyethyl triethyl ammonium chloride, di(4-hydroxyoctadecyl)dimethyl ammonium ethyl sulfate,

2,4-dihydroxyoctadecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride,

di( Z-stearamidopropyl) dimethyl ammonium chloride,

ditallowalkyl dimethyl ammonium bromide,

ditallowalkyl dimethyl ammonium methyl sulfate,

ditetradecyl diethyl ammonium chloride, ditetradecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, coconutalkyl triethyl ammonium chloride, and dicoconutalkyl diethyl ammonium chloride- Substantially the same results in softening are obtained with the compositions of Example I when any of the following emulsifiers are substituted on an equal weight basis for the n onyl phenol ethoxylate of Example l. (coconut as used below has the following chain length distribution: 2% C 66% C 23% C and 9% The condensation product of 1 mole of decylphenol with 40 moles of ethylene oxide; the condensation product of l mole of dodecylphenol with 35 moles of ethylene oxide; the condensation product of 1 mole of tetradecylphenol with 35 moles of ethylene oxide; the condensation product of l mole of heptadecyl-phenol 9 with 30 moles of ethylene oxide; the condensation product of coconut-alkyl alcohol with 45 moles of ethylene oxide; the condensation product of tallow-alkyl alcohol with 30 moles of ethylene oxide; the condensation product of 1 mole of secondary alkyl alcohol with 9 moles of ethylene oxide, the alkyl group containing alkyl chain lengths from J l to (Tergitol l5-S-9); the condensation product of 1 mole secondary alkyl alcohol with 3 moles of ethylene oxide, the alkyl group containing alkyl chain lengths from 1 l to l5 (Tergitol l5- S-3 polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 20,000; polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 9,500; polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 7,500; polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 4,500; polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 3,400; polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 1,450; and mixtures thereof.

EXAMPLE II A fabric softener composition was prepared according to the procedure of Example I containing the following ingredients:

The fabric softener composition thus formulated was stable. When tested according to the procedure of Example the clothes utilized were soft to the touch.

EXAMPLE III A fabric softener composition is prepared according to the procedure of Example I and contains the following ingredients:

Component Parts by Weight Distearyl dimethyl ammonium chloride 5.5 Sodium and potassium tallow soap 1.0 Sodium and potassium coconut soap 0.l Emulsifier (mixture of secondary C alcohol ethoxylates) 0.4

lsopropanol. ethanol, optical brighteners. dye. perfume. miscellaneous [.6 Water Balance to I00 In addition to the preferred embodiments described herein, other arrangements and variations within the spirit and scope of the present invention and the appended claims will occur to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:

l. A liquid softener composition consisting essentially of A. from about 2 to about 15% by weight of a cationactive fabric softener compound having two straight-chain organic groups of from 8 to 22 carbon atoms;

B. from about 0.5 to about 4% of an alkali metal salt of a fatty acid of from 16 to 22 carbon atoms or a mixture of fatty acid soaps. at least 50% of said mixture having l6 or more carbon atoms;

c. from 0 to about 2% of an emulsifier selected from the group consisting of l. the condensation product of 1 mole of alkylphenol wherein the alkyl chain contains from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms with from about 1 to about 100 moles of ethylene oxide,

2. the condensation product of I mole of an aliphatic alcohol wherein the alkyl chain contains from about 10 to about 24 carbon atoms with from about 1 to about 100 moles of ethylene oxide,

3. polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of from about 1400 to about 30,000,

4. mixtures thereof; and

D. the balance water.

2. The composition of claim 1 wherein the cationicactive fabric softener compound is a quaternary ammonium softener compound having the formula wherein R is an aliphatic group of from 12 to 22 carbons; R is an aliphatic group having from 12 to 22 carbon atoms; R and R are each alkyl groups of from 1 to 3 carbon atoms; and X is ananion selected from the group consisting of halogen, acetate, phosphate, nitrite and methylsulfate.

3. The composition of claim 2 wherein R and R are each stearyl, R and R are each methyl and X is chloride.

4. The composition of claim 1 wherein the soap is a mixture of alkali metal soaps, at least 50% of such soaps having from 16 to 22 carbon atoms.

5. The composition of claim 1 wherein the soap is a mixture of alkali metal tallow and coconut soaps. the ratio of tallow to coconut soaps being from :5 t 50:50.

6. The composition of claim 1 wherein the soap is tallow soap.

7. The composition of claim 1 wherein the emulsifier ranges from 0.25% to 1% and is a mixture of nonylphenol ethoxylates.

8. The composition of claim 5 wherein the emulsifier ranges from 0.25% to 1% and is a mixture of secondary C alcohol ethoxylates.

9. The composition of claim 1 wherein the cationic fabric softener ranges from 2.5% to about 6%.

Claims

1. A LIQUID SOFTENER COMPOSITION CONSISTING ESSENTIALLY OF A. FROM ABOUT 2 TO ABOUT 15% BY WEIGHT OF A CATIONACTIVE FABRIC SOFTENER COMPOUND HAVING TWO STRAIGHT-CHAIN ORGANIC GROUPS OF FROM 8 TO 22 CARBON ATOMS; B. FROM ABOUT 0.5 TO ABOUT 4% OF AN ALKALI METAL SALT OF A FATTY ACID OF FROM 16 TO 22 CARBON ATOMS OR A MIXTURE OF FATTY ACID SOAPS, AT LEAST 50% OF SAID MIXTURE HAVING 16 OR MORE CARBON ATOMS; C. FROM 0 TO ABOUT 2% OF AN EMULSFIER SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF

1. THE CONDENSATION PRODUCT OF 1 MOLE OF ALKYLPHENOL WHEREIN THE ALKYL CHAIN CONTAINS FROM ABOUT 8 TO ABOUT 18 CARBON ATOMS WITH FROM ABOUT 1 TO ABOUT 100 MOLES OF ETHYLENE OXIDE,

2. THE CONDENSATION PRODUCT OF 1 MOLE OF AN ALIPHATIC ALCOHOL WHEREIN THE ALKYL CHAIN CONTAINS FROM ABOUT 10 TO ABOUT 24 CARBON ATOMS WITH FROM ABOUT 1 TO ABOUT 100 MOLES OF ETHYLENE OXIDE,

2. The composition of claim 1 wherein the cationicactive fabric softener compound is a quaternary ammonium softener compound having the formula

3. POLYETHYLENE GLYCOL HAVING A MOLECULAR WEIGHT OF FROM ABOUT 1400 TO ABOUT 30,000.

3. The composition of claim 2 wherein R and R1 are each stearyl, R2 and R3 are each methyl and X is chloride.

4. MIXTURES THEREOF; AND D. THE BALANCE WATER.

4. mixtures thereof; and D. the bAlance water.

5. The composition of claim 1 wherein the soap is a mixture of alkali metal tallow and coconut soaps, the ratio of tallow to coconut soaps being from 95:5 to 50:50.

6. The composition of claim 1 wherein the soap is tallow soap.

8. The composition of claim 5 wherein the emulsifier ranges from 0.25% to 1% and is a mixture of secondary C11-15 alcohol ethoxylates.