Composition and process for preparing a phosphonate and phosphate-free automatic dishwashing powder

A method for producing a detergent composition, the method comprising:

• (a) neutralizing phosphonic acid as a result of mixing a neutralization composition comprising the phosphonic acid and a source of alkalinity to provide phosphonate in a solid form without a step of drying;
• and
• (b) mixing components to form the detergent composition, the components comprising:
• (i) at least 10 wt. % of the phosphonate;
• (ii) source of alkalinity in an amount sufficient to provide a use composition at a 1 wt. % concentration of the detergent composition having a pH of greater than 7.0;
• and
• (iii) wherein the composition contains less than about 0.1 wt. % phosphate.

A method for producing a detergent composition, the method comprising:

• (a) neutralizing phosphonic acid as a result of mixing a neutralization composition comprising the phosphonic acid, a source of alkalinity, and silicate to provide phosphonate in a phosphonate composition provided as a gel;
• and
• (b) mixing components to form the detergent composition, the components comprising:
• (i) at least 10 wt. % of the phosphonate;
• (ii) source of alkalinity in an amount sufficient to provide a use composition at a 1 wt. % concentration of the detergent composition having a pH of greater than 7.0;
• and
• (iii) wherein the composition contains less than about 0.1 wt. % phosphate.

A solid detergent composition comprising:

• (a) at least about 9 wt. % phosphonate;
• (b) at least about 10 wt. % source of alkalinity;
• (c) at least about 0.5 wt. % surfactant;
• and
• (d) wherein the composition is substantially free of phosphate.

A gel detergent composition comprising:

• (a) at least about 3 wt. % phosphonate;
• (b) at least about 2 wt. % source of alkalinity;
• (c) at least about 2 wt. % silicate;
• (d) at least about 0.5 wt. % surfactant;
• and
• (e) wherein the composition is substantially free of phosphate.