Solid cast fabric softening compositions for application in a washing machine

Abstract

The invention is based on the discovery of the fabric softening ability of fatty amines and dimethyl fatty amine oxides for washer based applications. These amine softeners are combined with other ingredients to form the softening compositions. The softeners will contain a second compound selected from the group consisting of acidic compositions, nonionic surfactants and anionic surfactants, and other ingredients can be added to enhance the character of the fabric softener. Solid cast fabric softeners within the invention include compositions having between 5 and 95 percent by weight citric acid. Citric acid has adventageous properties. These solid citric acid containing fabric softeners will include a cationic surfactant such as a quarternary ammonium salt. Other solid cast fabric softener compositions in the invention have a reducing agent for reducing any remaining hypochlorite bleach. This reducing agent is combined with a fabric softening compound in the composition. A novel method within the invention involves placing a fatty amine into a washing machine at or before a rinse cycle. The washing machine agitates the laundry in the presence of the fatty amine. The washing machine is then drained.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.