GB1346227A - Detergent compositions - Google Patents

Abstract

1346227 Non-phosphate detergent composition DESOTO Inc 6 May 1971 [18 May 1970 9 April 1971] 13586/71 Heading C5D A dry free-flowing powder detergent composition (free of phosphates, sequestering agents and anionic surfactants) comprises a mixture of at least partially hydrated sodium carbonate, sodium silicate and at least 6% by wt. of a nonionic surfactant, the sodium carbonate, on an anhydrous basis, being present in an amount of at least 45% and the sodium silicate being present in an amount to provide at least 8À5 parts by wt. of soluble SiO 2 in said sodium silicate per 100 parts by wt. of sodium carbonate on an anhydrous basis. The nonionic surfactant is preferably a liquid e.g. ethoxylated C 8 -C 18 linear alkyl alcohol or nonyl phenol. The powder is produced by tumbling granules of essentially anhydrous sodium carbonate in a mixer and slowly spraying an aqueous solution of sodium silicate on to the tumbling granules to coat them, the rate of spray and water content of the sodium silicate solution being insufficient to cause significant agglomeration, adding the non-ionic surfactant before or after the addition of the sodium silicate solution and continuing tumbling after all the silicate has been added until the product is substantially dry. Particles of detergent adjuncts, e.g. perfumes, fluorescent whitening agents and bleaches, may be incorporated prior to the sodium silicate spray. These are of small particle size and adhere to the nonionic-surfactant-coated sodium carbonate.