Fabric softening composition
A liquid fabric softening composition comprising an aqueous base, a cationic fabric softening agent, and an emulsified oil which has a refractive index at 25° C. of 1.45 or greater in an amount such that the weight ratio of oil to cationic fabric softening agent is from 1:12 to 1:1, characterised in that the D[4,3] droplet size of the emulsified oil is from 0.4 to 8 microns.
1. A method of manufacturing a liquid fabric softening composition comprising an aqueous base, a cationic fabric softening agent, an emulsified oil which has a refractive index at 25° C. of 1.45 or greater in an amount such that the weight ratio of oil to cationic fabric softening agent is from 1:12 to 1:1, wherein the D[4,3] droplet size of the emulsified oil is from 0.4 to 8 microns, and a fatty complexing agent which is a C 8 to C 22 fatty alcohol, characterized in that an emulsion of the oil is prepared independently of a dispersion of the cationic fabric softener and the two are then mixed.
2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the D[4,3] droplet size of the emulsified oil is from 0.4 to 4 microns.
3. A method according to claim 1 , in which the composition additionally comprises an emulsifier.
4. A method according to claim 3 , in which the composition comprises a nonionic surfactant.
5. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the cationic fabric softening agent comprises a di-ester of triethanolammonium methylsulphate.
6. A method according to claim 1 , in which the composition comprises an emulsified non-silicone oil.
7. A method according to claim 6 , in which the composition comprises an ester oil.
8. A method according to claim 7 , in which the composition comprises a sugar polyester oil.
9. A method according to claim 1 , in which the composition comprises a thickener.
10. A method according to claim 9 , in which the composition comprises an associative thickener.
11. A method according to claim 1 , in which the composition comprises an opacifier or pearlescer.
12. A method according to claim 1 , in which the composition has a viscosity of from 100 to 1000 mPas.
13. A method as claimed in claim 1 , in which the emulsified oil is subject to high shear milling to obtain the required D[4,3] droplet size prior to mixing with the dispersion of the cationic fabric softener.