Concentrated, stable, preferably clear, fabric softening composition

An aqueous, stable, clear fabric softener composition comprising:

• A. from about 2% to about 80% of fabric softener active selected from the group consisting of:
• (1) softener having the formula:
• R4-m—N(+)—R1m A−
• wherein each m is 2 or 3, each R1 is a C6-C22, but no more than one being less than about C12 and then the other is at least about 16, hydrocarbyl, or substituted hydrocarbyl substituent, where the Iodine Value is from about 70 to about 140 with a cis/trans ratio of from about 1:1 to about 50:1;
• each R is H or a short chain C1-C6 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group, benzyl, or (R2O)0-4 wherein R2 is a C1-6 alkylene group;
• and A− is a softener compatible anion;
• (2) softener having the formula:
• wherein each R, R1, and A− have the definitions given above;
• each R2 is a C1-6 alkylene group;
• and G is an oxygen atom or an —NR— group;
• (3) softener having the formula:
• wherein R1, R2 and G are defined as above;
• (4) reaction products of substantially unsaturated and/or branched chain higher fatty acids with dialkylenetriamines in a molecular ratio of about 2:1;
• (5) softener having the formula:
• [R1—C(O)—NR—R2—N(R)2—R3—NR—C(O)—R1] A−
• wherein R, R1, R2, R3 and A− are defined as above;
• (6) the reaction product of substantially unsaturated and/or branched chain higher fatty acid with hydroxyalkylalkylenediamines in a molecular ratio of about 2:1, said reaction products containing compounds of the formula:
• R1—C(O)—NH—R2—N(R3OH)—C(O)—R1
• wherein R1, R2 and R3 are defined as above;
• (7) softener having the formula:
• wherein R, R1, R2, and A− are defined as above;
• and
• (8) mixtures thereof;
• B. about 3% to about 40% by weight of the composition of principal solvent having a ClogP of from about 0.15 to about 0.64, and at least some degree of asymmetry, said principal solvent containing insufficient amounts of solvents selected from the group consisting of:
• 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentane diol;
• the ethoxylate, diethoxylate, or triethoxylate derivatives of 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentane diol;
• and 2-ethylhexyl-1,3-diol, to provide an aqueous stable composition by themselves, said principal solvent being sufficient to make the compositions at least translucent;
• C. optionally, an effective amount, sufficient to improve clarity, of low molecular weight water soluble solvents, said water soluble solvents being at a level that will not form clear compositions by themselves;
• D. optionally from 0% to about 15% of perfume;
• E. optionally, from 0% to about 2%, of stabilizer;
• F. optionally, an effective amount to improve clarity, of water soluble calcium and/or magnesium salt;
• and
• G. the balance being water.