Concentrated, stable, preferably clear, fabric softening composition

2, The aqueous, stable, fabric softener composition of claim I comprising:

• A. from about 13% to about 75% of said fabric softener active having the formula:
• 20
• wherein each R1 is a C14-C20, but no more than one being less than about C12 and then the other is at least about 16, hydrocarbyl, or substituted hydrocarbyl substituent, and where the Iodine Value of a fatty acid containing this R1 group is from about 80 to about 130) with a cis/trans ratio of from about 2:1 to about 40:1. more preferably from about 3:1 to about 30:1, and each R1 can also be a branched chain C16-C18 group;
• each R is H or a short chain C1-C3 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group, benzyl, or (R2 O)0-4H group;
• and A− is a softener compatible anion selected from the group consisting of:
• chloride, bromide, methylsulfate, ethylsulfate, sulfate, and nitrate;
• each R2 is a C1-6 alkylene group,;
• and G is an oxygen atom or an —NR— group;
• B. from about 12% to about 35% by weight of the composition of said principal solvent, said principal solvent having a ClogP of from about 0.40 to about 0.60;
• C. optionally, from about 2% to 8%, and sufficient to improve clarity, of low molecular weight water soluble solvents like ethanol, isopropanol, propylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, propylene carbonate;
• D. optionally from about 0.2% to about 5%, of perfume;
• E. optionally, from 0.035% to about 0.01%, of stabilizer;
• F. optionally, an effective amount to improve clarity, of water soluble calcium and/or magnesium salt, preferably chloride;
• and
• G. the balance being water, or, said composition being clear and comprising:
• A. from about 13% to about 75% by weight of the composition, of said fabric softener:
• said fabric softener compound having the formula:
• 21
• wherein each R1 is a C14-C20, but no more than one being less than about C12 and then the other is at least about 16, hydrocarbyl, or substituted hydrocarbyl substituent, and where the Iodine Value of a fatty acid containing this R1 group is from about 80 to about 130) with a cis/trans ratio of from about 2:1 to about 40:1, more preferably from about 3:1 to about 30:1, and each R1 can also be a branched chain C16-C18 group;
• A− is a softener compatible anion selected from the group consisting of:
• chloride, bromide, methylsulfate, ethylsulfate, sulfate, and nitrate;
• each R2 is a C1-6 alkylene group,;
• and G is an oxygen atom or an —NR— group;
• B. from about 14% to about 35% by weight of the composition of said principal solvent, said principal solvent having a ClogP of from about 0.40 to about 0.60;
• C. optionally, from about 2% to 8%, and sufficient to improve clarity, of low molecular weight water soluble solvents selected from the group consisting of:
• ethanol, isopropanol, propylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, and propylene carbonate;
• D. optionally from 0% to about 15% of perfume;
• E. optionally, from 0% to about 2%, of stabilizer;
• F. optionally, an effective amount to improve clarity, of water soluble calcium and/or magnesium salt, preferably chloride;
• and
• G. the balance being water.

The composition of any of the above claims wherein at low water levels of from about 5% to about 15%, the softener active-to-principal solvent weight ratio is from about 55:45 to about 85:15;

• at water levels of from about 15% to about 70%, the softener active-to-principal solvent weight ratio is from about 45:55 to about 70:30;
• and at high water levels of from about 70% to about 80%, the softener active-to-principal solvent weight ratio is from about 30:70 to about 55:45 and preferably wherein at low water levels of from about 5% to about 15%, the softener active-to-principal solvent weight ratio is from about 60:40 to about 80:20;
• at water levels of from about 15% to about 70%, the softener active-to-principal solvent weight ratio is from about 55:45 to about 70:30;
• and at high water levels of from about 70% to about 80%, the softener active-to-principal solvent weight ratio is from about 35:65 to about 45:55.

The composition of any of the above claims which contains one, or more, of the following optional ingredients:

• (a) brightener at a level of from about 0.005% to about 5%;
• (b) dispersibility aid at a level of from about 2% to about 25%;
• (c) soil release agent at a level of from 0% to about 10%;
• (d) scum dispersant at a level of from about 2% to about 10%;
• (e) stabilizer selected from the group consisting of antioxidant, reducing agent, chelator, and mixtures thereof, at a level of from 0% to about 2%;
• (f) bactericide at a level of from about 0.005% to about 5%;
• and
• (g) chelating agent in addition to any chelator in (e), at a level of from about 0.5% to about 10%.

An aqueous, stable clear fabric softener composition containing:

• A. from about 2% to about 80% of fabric softener active containing at least two C6-C22 hydrocarbyl groups, but no more than one being less than C12 and the the other is at least C16, the groups having an IV from about 70 to about 140, or branched;
• and
• B. less than about 40% by weight of the composition of principal solvent having a ClogP of from about 0.15 to about 0.64, and at least some degree of asymmetry, said principal solvent containing insufficient amounts of solvents selected from the group consisting of:
• 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentane diol;
• the ethoxylate, diethoxylate, or triethoxylate derivatives of 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentane diol;
• and/or 2-ethylhexyl-1,3-diol, to provide an aqueous stable composition by themselves, said principal solvent being sufficient to make the compositions clear.