Importance

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Abstract

The present invention relates to a detergent composition containing one or more surfactants, an alkali carbonate and an acid, and in which detergent composition the acidic and the alkaline constituent are separately present, the acidic constituent having a higher rate of solubility in a wash liquor than the alkaline constituent, and the total amount of alkali being present in excess relative to the amount of acid. Characteristic of the invention is that the acidic constituent of the detergent composition contains 5 to 30 per cent by weight, calculated on the total amount of detergent composition, of one or more acids having the formula: HOOC--(CH.sub.2).sub.n --COOH, where n is 2,3, or 4 It is preferred that the acidic constituent should contain a mixture consisting of 20 to 40 per cent by weight of adipic acid, 20 to 40 per cent by weight of succinic and 20 to 60 per cent by weight of glutaric acid.

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First Claim