Combination of crosslinked cationic and ampholytic polymers for personal and household applications

1. A cleansing composition for cosmetic or household use, comprising:

about 0.2 wt. % of an ampholytic polymer comprising about 40 mol % of methacrylamidopropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (MAPTAC), about 50 mol % of acrylamide and 10 mol % of acrylic acid;

about 0.1 wt. % of a crosslinked cationic polymer comprising about 10 mol % N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate diethyl sulfate quaternary salt, about 90 mol % N,N-dimethylacrylamide, and about 0.002-5 wt % polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate copolymer;

a surfactant component selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, cationic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, and zwitterionic surfactants; and

an aqueous and/or organic carrier.

2. The composition of claim 1 , wherein said anionic surfactant is selected from the group consisting of lauryl sulfate, lauryl ether sulfate, α-olefin sulfonates, and their ammonium, sodium and amine salts; said nonionic surfactant is selected from the group consisting of fatty di or mono ethanol amides, mono or di fatty esters of polyethylene or polypropylene glycol, and mono or di fatty esters of C 1 -C 6 glycols; said zwitterionic surfactants are selected from the group consisting of alkyl betaines and sulfobetaines.

3. A method of treating a surface comprising applying the composition of claim 1 to a household surface, an industrial surface, a hard surface, a carpet, a fabric, wood, vinyl or a plastic containing composition.

4. A method of treating a surface comprising applying the composition of claim 1 to hair, skin, nails, or a keratin containing substrate.

5. A method for treating keratin substrate comprising contacting hair with the composition of claim 1 .