Process for making a low density detergent composition by agglomeration with an inorganic double salt

A process for preparing a low density detergent composition comprising the steps of:

• (a) spray drying an aqueous mixture of sodium sulfate, sodium carbonate and from about 0.1% to about 15% by weight of a surfactant so as to form spray dried granules containing an inorganic double salt having the formula Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4 .multidot.Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3 and said surfactant;
• (b) agglomerating a liquid acid precursor of anionic surfactant, said spray dried granules and a detergent builder selected from the group consisting of sodium carbonate, aluminosilicates, crystalline layered silicates, phosphates, and mixtures thereof in a high speed mixer to obtain detergent agglomerates;
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• (c) cooling said detergent agglomerates so as to form said detergent composition having a density of from about 300 g/l to below about 500 g/l.

A process for preparing a low density detergent composition comprising the steps of:

• (a) spray drying an aqueous mixture of sodium sulfate, sodium carbonate and from about 0.1% to about 15% by weight of a C.sub.12-15 alkyl ethoxylated sulfate surfactant having an average degree of ethoxylation of about 3 so as to form spray dried granules containing an inorganic double salt having the formula Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4 .multidot.Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3 and said alkyl ethoxylated sulfate surfactant;
• (b) agglomerating said spray dried granules with a detergent surfactant paste or precursor thereof and a detergent builder selected from the group consisting of sodium carbonate, aluminosilicates, crystalline layered silicates, phosphates, and mixtures thereof initially in a high speed mixer and subsequently in a moderate speed mixer to obtain detergent agglomerates;
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• (c) drying or cooling said detergent agglomerates so as to form said detergent composition having a density of from about 300 g/l to below about 500 g/l.