Composition for improving softness of tissue and/or towel products

A method of improving softness of tissue and/or towel products, said method comprising the steps of:

• A. providing lignocellulosic fibers;
• B. providing water;
• C. providing a hydrophobic softener;
• D. combining the lignocellulosic fibers, the water, and the hydrophobic softener;
• and
• E. creating the tissue and/or towel products using the combination of the lignocellulosic fibers, the water, and the hydrophobic softener;
• wherein the hydrophobic softener comprises the reaction product of reactants consisting of:
• (1) at least one di- and/or poly-amine;
• (2) at least one chain extender having at least two carboxyl groups;
• and
• (3) at least one hydrophobic end-capper chosen from a fatty acid, an ester of a fatty acid, a fatty acid chloride, a fatty alkyl halide, an epoxide of a hydrocarbon, a carboxylic acid anhydride of a hydrocarbon, and combinations thereof, any one or more of which has from 4 to about 40 carbon atoms, and
• wherein the reaction product comprises a hydrophobic substitution of at least about 25 mole percent of the hydrophobic end-capper based on a total number of moles of active amine sites of the reaction product.

A method of improving softness of tissue and/or towel products, said method comprising the steps of:

• A. providing lignocellulosic fibers;
• B. providing water;
• C. providing a hydrophobic softener;
• D. combining the lignocellulosic fibers, the water, and the hydrophobic softener;
• and
• E. creating the tissue and/or towel products using the combination of the lignocellulosic fibers, the water, and the hydrophobic softener;
• wherein the hydrophobic softener comprises the reaction product of reactants consisting of:
• (1) at least one di- and/or poly-amine;
• (2) at least one chain extender having at least two carboxyl groups;
• and
• (3) at least one hydrophobic end-capper chosen from a fatty acid, an ester of a fatty acid, a fatty acid chloride, a fatty alkyl halide, an epoxide of a hydrocarbon, a carboxylic acid anhydride of a hydrocarbon, and combinations thereof, any one or more of which has from 4 to about 40 carbon atoms,
• wherein the reaction product comprises a hydrophobic substitution of at least about 25 mole percent of the hydrophobic end-capper based on a total number of moles of active amine sites of the reaction product, and
• wherein the hydrophobic softener further comprises an imidazoline cyclization adduct that is present in an amount of about 5 to about 95 mol % based on a total number of moles of the reaction product.