Stain and soil removal release in the laundering of textile fabrics

A method of removing soil from textile fabrics by contacting said fabrics with a light coloured crystalline clay material prior to soiling and subsequently washing said fabrics.

Use or method according to any preceding claim, wherein the light coloured crystalline clay material is selected from one or more clays selected from bi-layer clays, e.g. china clay and halloysite, dioctahedral clays such as kaolinite, trioctahedral clays such as antigorite and amesite, smectite and hormite clays such as bentonite (montmorillonite), beidelite, nontronite, hectorite, attapulgite, pimelite, mica, muscovite and vermiculite clays, as well as pyrophyllite/talc, willemseite and minnesotaite clays.

Use or method according to any preceding claim, wherein the light coloured crystalline clay mixed has a reflectance of at least 60, preferably at least 70, more preferably at least 80 at a wavelength of 460 nm.

Use or method according to any preceding claim, wherein the number average particle size of the light coloured crystalline clay mineral does not exceed 2 μm, preferably not exceeding 1 μm.

Use or method according to any preceding claim, wherein the laundering is carried out by hand.

A laundry wash bar comprising a light coloured crystalline clay mineral and preferably also comprising a non-soap detergent.