Liquid crystal compositions

A liquid crystal detergent composition which comprises by weight:

• (a) about 1% to about 20% of at least one nonionic surfactant containing ethylene oxide groups;
• (b) about 1% to about 30% of a magnesium salt of a C.sub.8 -C.sub.16 alkyl benzene surfactant;
• (c) about 0.1% to about 10% of an amorphous silica abrasive having a particle size of 8 .mu.m to 300 .mu.m;
• (d) about 0.1% to about 15% of a cosurfactant which is tripropylene glycol n-butyl ether;
• (e) about 0.02% to about 6% of a water insoluble organic compound selected from the group consisting of perfumes, essential oils and water insoluble hydrocarbons having about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms;
• (f) the balance being water, said liquid crystal detergent composition has a storage modulus measured at a temperature between 4.degree. C. to 50.degree. C., at a strain of 0.1% to 5% and a frequency of 1 radians/second of at least about one Pascal and is one phase at a temperature of 8.degree. C. to 43.degree. C., wherein the composition is not a microemulsion and the composition does not contain builder salt.