Stable, dual-function, phosphate-, metasilicate- and polymer-free low-alkali detergent tablets for dishwashing machines and a process for their production

A process for making a stable, dual-function, phosphate-, metasilicate- and polymer-free low alkali detergent tablet comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a starting formulation consisting essentially of:
• (i) from 5 to 50% by weight of sodium citrate;
• and
• (ii) from 3 to 10% by weight of water, all weights being based on the weight of said starting formulation wherein mono-, di- and triglycerides of c.sub.12-18 fatty acids are added to said water of step (a) prior to moistening soad sodium citrate;
• (b) moistening said sodium citrate with said water to form a moistened sodium citrate component;
• (c) dusting said moistened sodium citrate in combination with said triglycerides component with anhydrous sodium carbonate to form a dusted sodium citrate component;
• (d) adding sodium hydrogen carbonate and a bleach activator to said dusted sodium citrate component to form a mixture;
• (e) adding to said mixture with minimal introduction of energy an active oxygen agent selected from the group consisting of sodium perborate monohydrate, sodium percarbonate, and mixtures thereof;
• and
• (f) tabletting the mixture to form a detergent tablet.