Stable aqueous surfactant compositions

A stable, aqueous surfactant containing composition, comprising:

• a. at least one anionic, zwitterionic, amphoteric, nonionic, or cationic surfactant, or combinations thereof;
• b. at least one substantially crosslinked alkali-swellable acrylate copolymer rheology modifier;
• c. water;
• d. an effective amount of at least one alkaline material to yield a composition having a pH of from about 5 to about 14;
• and
• e. an effective amount of a subsequently added acidic material to yield a composition having a reduced pH of from about 1 to about 12;
• wherein said at least one crosslinked alkali-swellable acrylate copolymer comprises:
• f. about 20% to about 80% by weight of at least one carboxylic acid monomer comprising acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, itaconic acid, fumaric acid, crotonic acid, aconitic acid, or maleic acid, or combinations thereof;
• g. about 80% to about 15% by weight of at least one α,β-ethylenically unsaturated monomer, wherein said monomer has the formula:
• CH2═CXY, i)
• where X is H and Y is —COOR, —C6H4R′, —CN, —CONH2, —Cl, —NC4H6O, NH(CH2)3COOH, —NHCOCH3, —CONHC(CH3)3, —CO—N(CH3)2,
• or X is CH3 and Y is —COOR, —C6H4R′, —CN;
• or —CH═CH2;
• or X is Cl and Y is Cl, and R is C1-C18 alkyl, or hydroxy C2-C18 alkyl,
• R′ is H or C1-C18 alkyl,
• or having the formula:
• CH2═CH (OCOR1);
• ii)
• where R1 is C1-C18 alkyl;
• or having the formula:
• CH2═CH2 or CH2═CHCH3;
• iii)
• h. from about 0.01 to about 5% by weight of at least one polyunsaturated compound useful in forming a partially or substantially crosslinked three dimensional network;
• and
• i. at least one substantially insoluble material requiring suspension or stabilization.