Structuring

A process for preparing an external structuring system for liquid and gel-form detergents comprising the steps of:

• a) combining a structuring agent, wherein the structuring agent is a non-polymeric, crystalline, hydroxyl-containing structuring agent, and an acid at a temperature greater than the melting point of the structuring agent, to form an acidified structuring agent;
• and
• b) preparing a premix by adding about 5% to about 50% by weight of the external structuring system of an anionic surfactant or a mixture thereof into water and mixing;
• c) adding from about 2% to about 10% by weight of the external structuring system of the acidified structuring agent to the premix and mixing to form an emulsified, acidified structuring agent;
• wherein either the premix of step b) or the mixture of step c) is heated to a temperature above the melting point of the non-polymeric, crystalline, hydroxyl-containing structuring agent;
• d) and cooling the emulsified, acidified structuring agent to a temperature of less than about 40° C. to form the external structuring system.