MXPA05009365A - Fabric conditioning composition and use - Google Patents

Abstract

The use of a non-ionic ethoxylated surfactant having an EO value of at least about 20, preferably at least 25, more preferably at least 30, in a fabric conditioning composition used in the rinse liquor in a domestic wash process comprising washing-by-hand or non-automatic washing machine, to improve the appearance of the rinse liquor at the end of the rinse.

Description

ACON COMPOSITION OF FABRICING AND USE TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to fabric conditioning compositions added to the fabric rinse and in particular to compositions for use during the hand-rinse of fabrics as well as the rinsing of fabrics in non-automated top-loading washing machines, after the fabrics they have been washed with a detergent composition.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In developed countries, the washing tendency is through the use of an automatic washing machine whereby the laundry detergent and the softening composition are dispensed from the washing machine via two separate compartments, thus ensuring the automated release of the detergent into the washing machine. the start of the washing process and the release of the softening composition in the rinsing process, usually in the last rinse cycle. In underdeveloped countries, the consumer washing habit is to wash their clothes with either a top-loading, non-automatic washing machine (ie, the appliance comprising two separate cubicles, one for washing or rinsing and one for spinning), or a stack or bucket. Washing in piles or buckets involves a manually operated process with the multiple heavy steps of wetting the goods, washing with detergent, squeezing and deep rinsing. Similarly, in non-automatic top-loading washing machines, washing requires placing the goods with detergent in the cubicle containing water and providing agitation. The genres are then removed from the cubicle containing the detergent liquor, placed in the centrifuge cubicle where they are centrifuged to remove the largest portion of detergent and dirt. The detergent liquor is removed from the other cubicle and replaced with clean water. The genres are transferred again for rinsing. The centrifugation and rinsing steps are frequently repeated several times to obtain goods that are acceptably rinsed. An aspect of washing by hand and / or washing in a top-loading, non-automatic washing machine is the high proportion of detergent to water and / or the high proportion of fabric to water. The fabrics treated with such detergent compositions usually carry residual detergent to the rinsing step. Compared with modern (automatic) washing machines, this problem of remaining detergent is even more acute with manual washing and / or washing in a top-loading washing machine, not automatic, since it is due to the poor efficiency of centrifugation and / or squeezing between washing and rinsing steps. Conventional detergent products which are currently used for hand laundry and / or non-automatic top-loading washing machine treatments are the so-called "high sudsing detergents". A commonly known feature of these detergent products is that a significant amount of suds appears at the top of the wash solution upon agitation. A problem encountered by the consumer is that a significant portion of these suds is reserved in the rinse solution, requiring heavy removal of rinse and centrifuging / squeezing with successive water. The use of a fabric conditioning composition in conjunction with such detergent compositions can create additional problems. The fabric softening actives can interact with the residual detergent surfactants as anionic surfactants present in the rinse solution. As a result, poorly soluble flocose masses are formed which then float on top of the rinsing solution. It is speculated that the presence of flocose masses arises from the insolubility in water of the softening compound and / or the interaction of the softening compound with the anionic detergent liquor. Notably, the formation of such flocculent masses is particularly problematic where a high suds-forming detergent composition is used to wash the fabrics during the wash cycle. further, the softening compounds tend to form a turbid or slightly cloudy rinse bath solution. The clarity of the rinse solution is often perceived by the consumer as a sign of when the goods are completely rinsed. In this way, the rougher the rinse solution, the more rinses the consumer will make. Therefore one concern is that the use of a fabric conditioning composition that gives a hazy rinse bath solution can mislead consumers to deal with excessive rinsing of their goods. A further problem with the use of fabric conditioning compositions in conjunction with such detergents is that the interaction between the softening active and the residual detergent surfactant can lead to a remarkably reduced terminal effect. Genres treated with conventional conditioning compositions in the presence of residual detergent surfactants may not have the preferred soft touch that is normally delivered by the fabric conditioning composition, when used in the absence of surfactant. It is believed that the interaction between the softening active and the detergent surfactant reduces the efficiency of said softening active. Accordingly, there is a need for a fabric conditioning composition which will reduce the formation of suds, provide a clean rinse solution and deliver the normal soft touch for the fabric conditioning composition used in the absence of detergent surfactant, when the The composition is applied in a rinse solution under conditions of residual detergent. Additionally, there is a need for processes or compositions that will alleviate or facilitate the loading of hand-washing and non-automated washing while allowing the consumer to enjoy the benefits of using fabric conditioning compositions in combination with high-sudsing detergent compositions. Therefore, there is a need for an effective rinse composition for use in the hand treatment of fabrics while simultaneously providing softness to the treated fabrics. WO 02/072745 discloses a fabric treatment composition comprising an active fabric softener, a suds suppressor system and a surfactant cleaner, in which the composition has a suds reduction value of at least about 90%, not It forms flocculent masses and delivers a soft feel to the genus when added to a rinse solution containing residual detergent surfactant. The compositions preferably comprise a fabric softening active, a suds removal agent, a surfactant cleaner and optional auxiliary ingredients. The compositions may comprise dispersing agents, such as non-ionic ethoxylated surfactants, to suspend materials in the rinse and inhibit their deposition in washed fabrics. It has now been found that certain surfactants improve the appearance of the rinse liquor, in particular at the end of the rinse and therefore discourage the consumer from dealing with excessive rinsing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided the use of a nonionic ethoxylated surfactant having an EO value of at least about 20, preferably at least 25, more preferably at least 30, in a fabric conditioning composition used in the rinse liquor in a domestic washing process comprising washing by hand or in a non-automatic washing machine, to improve the appearance of the rinse liquor at the end of the rinse. According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a fabric conditioning composition comprising: (i) a quaternary ammonium softening compound, (ii) a water-soluble monoalkyl quaternary ammonium compound of the formula: R3-N + - (CH2) - Y - R 'X "in which: each substituent R is independently either hydrogen, a short chain of dC6, preferably alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group of dC3, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, hydroxyethyl and the like, poly (C2-3 alkoxy), preferably polyethoxy, benzyl or mixtures thereof, n is from 1 to about 4, preferably 2, Y is a bond; -O- (O) C- , -C (O) -O-, -NR-C (O) -, or -C (O) -NR-; R 'contains at least 8 carbon atoms, preferably 8 to 25, and is a hydrocarbyl group or substituted hydrocarbyl, preferably alkyl or alkenyl of 8 to 25, preferably 8 to 20 carbon atoms, and X "may be any anion compatible with softener, preferably, oruro, bromide, methylisulfate, etiisulfate, sulfate and nitrate, more preferably chloride or methyl sulfate; (iii) a non-ionic ethoxylated surfactant having an EO of at least 20, preferably at least 25, more preferably at least 30, (iv) a pH adjuster, which is a polycarboxylic acid in an amount to make the rinsing liquor at a pH below 8, (v) a silicone antifoam compound, (vi) a fatty-complexing agent selected from C8 to C22 fatty alcohols and C8 to C22 fatty acids.

It has been found that the use of a nonionic ethoxylated surfactant with an EO value of at least 20, preferably at least 25, more preferably at 30, provides a significant improvement to the appearance of the rinse liquor at the end of the rinse. In many cases, the end of the rinse liquor will be a translucent dispersion without flocculation or web, which provides a visual indication to the consumer of proper rinsing and discourages excessive rinsing. The effect is intensified in particular when the fabric conditioning composition contains a polycarboxylic acid, such as citric acid in an amount to make the rinse liquor below 8. This pH reduction has the advantage of decreasing the possibility of irritation of the skin both during rinsing and when the garment is worn.

Cationic softening compound The cationic softening compound is generally one which is capable of forming a lamellar phase dispersion in water, in particular a dispersion of liposomes. The cationic softening agent is usually a quaternary ammonium compound ("QAC"), in particular one having two groups of C12-28 connected to the nitrogen head group which can independently be alkyl or alkeniion groups, being connected to the head group. of nitrogen preferably by at least one ester bond, and more preferably by two ester bonds. The average chain length of the alkyl and / or alkenyl groups is preferably at least C14 and more preferably at least C6. In particular it is preferred that at least half of the groups have a chain length of C1 8. In general , the alkyl and / or alkenium groups are predominantly linear. A first group of QACs suitable for use in the present invention is represented by formula (I): [(CH2) n (TR)] m I R1-N + - [(CH2) n (OH)] 3-m X- (I) wherein each R is independently selected from an alkyl or alkenyl group of C5-35; R 1 represents an alkyl group of C 1-4, alkenyl of C 2-4 or hydroxyalkyl of C 1-; T is usually O-CO. (ie, an ester group attached to R via its carbon atom), but may alternatively be CO.O (i.e., an ester group attached to R via its oxygen atom); n is a selected number from 1 to 4; m is a selected number of 1, 2 or 3; and X "is an anionic counter-ion, such as a halide or alkyl sulfate, for example, chloride or methylisulfate The di-ester variants of formula I (ie, m = 2) are preferred and usually have mono analogues and tri-ester associated with them Such materials are particularly suitable for use in the present invention The especially preferred agents are triethanolammonium methylisulfate di-esters, otherwise referred to as "TEA ester quats." Commercial examples include Tetranyl AHT-1, eg Kao, (a di- [hardened tallow ester] of triethanolammonium methylisulfate), AT-1 (di- [tallow ester] of triethanolammonium methylisulfate), and L5 / 90 (di- [ester of palm] of triethanolammonium methylisulfate), both eg Kao and Rewoquat WE1 8 (a triethanolammonium methylisulfate), eg Degussa The second group of QACs suitable for use in the invention is represented by formula (II): (R1) 3N + - (CH2) n-CH-TR2 X "(I I) CH2TR wherein each R1 group is independently selected from alkyl, hydroxyalkyl groups of C4-4 or C2-4 alkenyl groups; and wherein each R2 group is independently selected from C8-28 alkyl or alkenyl groups; and wherein n, T and X "are as defined above.The preferred materials of this second group include 1,2-bis [tallowoyloxy] -3-trimethylammonium propane chloride, hardened 1,2-bis-diphosiloxypropane chloride] - 3-trimethylammonium, 1,2-bis [oleoyloxy] -3-trimethylammonium propane chloride and 1,2-bis-stearoxyloxy] -3-trimethylammonium propane chloride, such materials are described in US 4, 1 37, 1 80 (Lever Brothers) Preferably, these materails also comprise a corresponding amount of the mono-ester A third group of QACs suitable for use in the invention is represented by the formula (III): (R1) 2-N + - [(CH2) n-T-R2] 2 X- (I I I) wherein each R1 group is independently selected from C1-4 alkyl or C2- alkenyl groups; and wherein each R2 group is independently selected from C8-28 alkyl or alkenyl groups; and n, T and X "are as defined above The preferred materials of this third group include bis (2-tallowoyloxyethyl) dimethylammonium chloride and hardened versions thereof A fourth group of QACs suitable for use in the invention is represented by the formula (IV): (R1) 2-N + - (R2) 2 X '(IV) wherein each R1 group is independently selected from C4 alkyl or C2- alkenyl groups; and wherein each R2 group is independently selected from C8-28 alkyl or alkenyl groups; and X "is as defined above.The preferred materials of this fourth group include di (hardened tallow) dimethylammonium chloride, commercially available under the trademark Arquad 2HT.The iodine value of the softening agent is preferably from 0 to 1. , more preferably from 0 to 100 and most preferably from 0 to 90. Essentially saturated material, i.e., having an iodine value from 0 to 1, is used in compositions of particularly high yield.A low iodine values, the softening performance It is excellent and the composition has improved resistance to oxidation and associated odor problems on storage.The iodine value is defined as the number of grams of iodine adsorbed per 1 00 g of test material.NMR spectroscopy is a technique suitable for determining the iodine value of the softening agents of the present invention, using the method described in Anal. Chem., 34, 1136 (1962) by Johnson and Shoolery and in EP 593,542 (Unilever, 1993). References to the levels of cationic softening agent in this specification are at the total level of cationic softening agent, including all the cationic components of a complex feedstock that could enter the aqueous lamellar phase together. With a di-ester softening agent, it includes any associated mono-ester or tri-ester components that may be present. For ease of formulation, the amount of softening agent is generally 50% or less, in particular 40% or less and especially 30% or less by weight of the total composition. Preferred compositions contain from 0.5 to 8% by weight of softening agent.

Water-soluble monoalkyl quaternary ammonium compound The fabric conditioning composition contains one or more water-soluble monoalkyl quaternary ammonium compounds (monoquat). These materials have a small molecule size and a higher diffusion potential than cationic softening compounds. The function of the monoquat is to neutralize the effect of the detergent active, usually sodium lauryl alkyl sulphate, carried by the clothes in the rinsing stage, thus leaving the desired softening function. The residue formed by the interaction between the detergent and monoquat is finely dispersed by the presence of the non-ionic ethoxylated surfactant and pH additive. The water-soluble monoquat compounds have the formula: R3-N + - (CH2) nYR 'x- in which each substituent R is independently either hydrogen, a short chain alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group of d-C6 l, preferably d-C3, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl , hydroxyethyl and the like, poly (C2-3 alkoxy), preferably polyethoxy, benzyl or mixtures thereof; n is from 1 to 4, preferably 2; Y is a bond, -O- (O) C-, -C (O) -O-, or -C (O) -NR-; R 'contains at least 8 carbon atoms, preferably 8 to 25, and is a substituted hydrocarbyl or hydrocarbyl group, preferably alkyl or alkenyl of 8 to 25, preferably 8 to 20 carbon atoms; and X "can be any anion compatible with softener, preferably, chloride, bromide, methylisulfate, etiisulfate and nitrate, more preferably chloride or methyl sulfate; A preferred monoquat is benzalkonium chloride.Monquat is generally present in an amount from 0.25 to 2%, preferably 0.3 to 1.0% by weight of the fabric conditioning compositions.

Non-ionic Ethoxylated Surfactant A non-ionic ethoxylated surfactant is present in order to improve the appearance of the rinse liquor. It prevents the formation of telilla, which can potentially lead to the deposition of cloth deposits in the washed cloth. In particular, it disperses the reaction product of the anionic surfactant from the wash and monoquat compound which prevents flocculation and cell formation resulting in a translucent dispersion. Suitable nonionic surfactants are alkoxylated materials, in particular addition products of ethylene oxide and / or propylene oxide with fatty alcohols, fatty acids and fatty amines. The preferred materials are of the general formula: R-Y- (CH2CH2O) zH where R is a hydrophobic portion, usually being an alkyl or alkenyl group, said group being linear or branched, primary or secondary and preferably having from 8 to 25, more preferably from 1 to 20, and most preferably from 10 to 18 atoms; carbon; R may also be an aromatic group, such as a phenolic group, substituted by an alkyl or alkenyl group as described above; And it is a linker group, being normally O, CO.O or CO. N (R1), where R1 is H or an alkyl group of C1-4; and z represents the average number of ethoxylate units (TO) present, said number being 20 or more, preferably at least 25, more preferably at least 30. Examples of suitable nonionic surfactants include the ethoxylates of mixed natural or synthetic alcohols in the "coconut" or "sebum" chain length. The preferred materials are condensation products of coconut fatty alcohol with 20-50 moles of ethylene oxide and condensation products of tallow fatty alcohol with 20-50 moles of ethylene oxide. Ethoxylates of secondary alcohols, such as 3-hexadecanol, 3-octadecnaol, 4-eicosanol and 5-eicosanol may also be used. Exemplary ethoxylated secondary alcohols have the formulas C12-EO (20); C14-EO (20); C14-EO (25); and 'C16-EO (30). Suitable commercially available nonionic surfactants include Lutensol AT25, Lutensol AT50 and Unitol CE 200F. Optionally, the composition comprises an emulsifier having an HLB of from 7 to 20, more preferably from 1 to 20 and most preferably from 1 to 20. A particular surfactant may be useful in the present compositions alone or in combination with other surfactants. The preferred amounts of nonionic surfactant indicated below refer to the total amount of such materials that are present in the composition. The non-ionic surfactant is generally from 0.05 to 10%, usually 0. 1 to 5%, and frequently 3 to 4% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

PH control additives It has been found that the pH of the rinse liquor after contact with the laundry of the washing should be kept below pH = 8, in order to prevent flocculation and the formation of telilla. Suitable pH control additives are organic acids, in particular polycarboxylic acids, preferably citric acid or succinic acid, which is generally present in the fabric conditioning composition in an amount in the range of 0.25 to 1%, preferably 0.3. up to 0.8% by weight of the composition.

Antifoam Compounds The compositions comprise one or more antifoaming compounds for suppressing the foaming or sudsing produced by the detergent of the wash liquor, in particular during the presence of agitation. Particularly preferred antifoam compounds are silicone antifoam compounds defined herein as any antifoam compound that includes a silicone component. Such silicone antifoam compounds also typically contain a silica component. The term "silicone", as used herein, and generally throughout the industry, encompasses a variety of relatively high molecular weight polymers containing siloxane units and hydrocarbyl group of various types such as polyorganosiloxane oils, such such as polydimethylsiloxane, dispersions or emulsions of polyorganosiloxane oils or resins, and combinations of polyorganosiloxane with silica particles, wherein the polyorganosiloxane is chemoabsorbed or fused onto the silica. Silicone suds suppressors are well known in the art and are described in US 4265779, 3455839, 3933672 and 4652392. Preferred antifoam compounds are polydimethyl siloxanes. The antifoam compounds are generally present in an amount from 0.1 to 1%, preferably 0.3 to 0.7% by weight of the fabric conditioning composition.

Aqueous base The compositions of the invention are usually aqueous. The aqueous base usually comprises 80% or more by weight of water; sometimes this figure can rise to 90% or more, or 95% or more. The water in the aqueous base usually comprises 40% or more by weight of the total formulation; preferably this figure is 60% or more, more preferably 70% or more. The aqueous base may also comprise water soluble species, such as mineral salts or short chain alcohols (C1-). The mineral salts can help to achieve the desired viscosity for the composition as can water soluble organic salts and cationic deflocculating polymers, as described in EP 41, 693 A2 (Unilever). Such salts may be present at from 0.001 to 1% and preferably from 0.005 to 0.1% by weight of the total composition. Examples of mineral salts suitable for this purpose include calcium chloride, magnesium chloride and potassium chloride. The short chain alcohols that may be present include primary alcohols, such as ethanol, propanol and butane, secondary alcohols such as sodium propane and polyhydric alcohols, such as propylene glycol and glycerol. The short chain alcohol can be added with cationic softening agent during the preparation of the composition.

Fat Complexing Agent A preferred additional component in the compositions of the present invention is a fatty complexing agent. Such agents typically have a hydrocarbyl chain of C8 to C22, as part of their molecular structure. Suitable fat complexing agents include C8 to C22 fatty alcohols and C8 to C22 fatty acids; of these the C8 to C22 fatty alcohols are more preferred. A fatty-complexing agent is particularly valuable in compositions comprising a QAC having a single group of C12.28 connected to the nitrogen head group, such as mono-ester associated with a TEA ester quat. or a softening agent of formula I I, for reasons of stability and product effectiveness. Preferred fatty acid complexing agents include hardened tallow fatty acid (available as Pristerene, eg Uniqema). Preferred fatty alcohol complexing agents include C16 / C18 fatty alcohols (available as Stenol and Hydrenol, eg Cognis and Laurex CS, eg Albright and Wilson) and behenyl alcohol, a C22 fatty alcohol, available as Lanette 22, eg Henkel. The fatty complexing agent can be used at from 0.1% to 10%, in particular from 0.2% to 5%, and especially from 0.3 to 0.4% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

Perfume The compositions of the invention usually comprise one or more perfumes. The perfume of preference is present in an amount from 0.01 to 10% by weight, more preferably 0.05 to 5% by weight, most preferably 0.5 to 4.0% by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

Co-softener Co-softeners can be used together with the cationic softening agent. When used, they are usually present at from 0.1 to 20% and in particular from 0.5 to 10%, based on the total weight of the composition. Preferred co-softeners include fatty esters and N-fatty oxides. Fatty esters which may be employed include fatty monoesters, such as glycerol monostearate, fatty sugar esters, such as those described WO 01/46361 (Unilever).

Additional optional ingredients The compositions of the invention may contain one or more different ingredients. Such ingredients include preservatives (e.g., bactericides), pH buffering agents, perfume carriers, fluorescers, dyes, hydrotropes, antifoaming agents, anti-redeposition agents, soil release agents, polyelectrolytes, enzymes, optical brightening agents, anti-redeposition agents. - shrinkage, anti-wrinkle agents, anti-stain agents, antioxidants, sun blockers, anti-corrosion agents, drapery-imparting agents, anti-static agents, ironing aids and dyes. A particularly preferred optional ingredient is an opacifier or pelletizer. Such ingredients may serve to further increase the creamy appearance of the compositions of the invention. Suitable materials can be selected from the Aquasol 0P30X range (eg Rohm and Haas), the PuriColour White range (eg Ciba) and the LameSoft TM range (eg Cognis). Such materials are normally used at a level from 0.01 to 1% by weight of the total composition.

Product Use The compositions of the present invention are rinse conditioner compositions and can be used in the rinse cycle of a domestic laundry process. The composition is used in the rinse cycle of a homemade textile laundry operation, where it can be added directly in an undiluted state directly to the drum of a top-loading washing machine. The compositions can also be used in a domestic hand-washing laundry operation. The invention will be illustrated by the following Examples: Examples The formulations reported in the following Table were prepared: fifteen BKC is benzalkonium chloride. SAG470 and DSP are anti-foam silicon additives. SCMC is an anionic polymeric dispersing agent. HPMC is a nonionic polymeric dispersing agent.

The compositions additionally comprised perfume (0.4-0.8%), dye (0.001 to 0.0025%), formaldehyde (0.05 to 0.1%), the rest being water. The formulations are subjected to tests in a hand washing protocol.

TEST CONDITIONS Load Washing: 1 kg of woven cotton t-shirts 1 00% plus sponge fabric monitors. Rinsing: 1 00 g of 100% woven cotton t-shirt plus sponge fabric monitors.

Monitors 6 monitors of uncoated sponge fabric (20 cm x 20 cm) Washing conditions Wash bowl: Basin Water hardness: Demin / US @ 6 ° FH Proportion Ca: Mg water: 2: 1 Water temperature: 22 +/- 1 C Water volume: 10 liters Proportion of water treatment: 1 0: 1 Product: OMO Multi Acao Powder Product Dosage: 3.6 g / l Product Application: Add heavy powder and stir until dissolved. Product soaking time: 30 min. Stirring: Mixed load in basin for 10 minutes. Action of squeezed: Squeeze the excess water to approximately 150% pick-up Rinse conditions Water hardness: Demin / US @ 6 ° FH Proportion of Ca / Mg of water: 2: 1 Water temperature: 22 +/- 1 C No. of rinse: 1 Volume of water: 1 liter Rinse ratio of licoptela: 10: 1 Product dosage: 9.0 g / l (unless stated otherwise) Product application: Add heavy fabric (rinse the waste from the weighing container) during the filling of the basin and shake with your hands until that is dispersed. Add load and soak. Soaking time of product: 7 min Squeezing action: Hand squeeze excess water up to ~ 150% pick-up The remaining rinse liquor after the test was visually assessed by a panel using a residue result scale of 0 to 3, where 0 represents a liquor in which significant precipitates, flocs and / or telilla were present, and 3 represents a good translucent dispersion. The results are reported in the following Table: (1) Tested at 4.8 g / l Downy FR, Suavitel RF and Vivere are fabric conditioning products commercially available in Mexico.

The results indicate that the formulations according to the invention comprising the nonionic ethoxylated surfactant provide improved results compared to the use of polymeric anionic or nonionic dispersants. The formulations of the invention provide improved results compared to the commercially available, current rinse conditioner compositions, Downy RF (new product), Suavitel RF and vivere, all of which produce clear telilla and / or precipitates.

Claims (9)

1 . The use of a non-ionic ethoxylated surfactant having an EO value of at least about 20, preferably at least 25, more preferably at least 30, in a fabric conditioning composition used in the rinse liquor in a domestic washing process , which comprises hand washing or non-automatic washing, to improve the appearance of the rinse liquor at the end of the rinse.

2. The use as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fabric conditioning composition comprises a polycarboxylic acid, preferably citric acid, in an amount such that the rinse liquor has a pH of less than 8.

3. The use as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the fabric conditioning composition comprises a water-soluble monoalkyl quaternary ammonium compound of the formula: R3 - N + - (CH2) - Y - R 'X "in which: each substituent R is independently either hydrogen, a short chain of d-C6, preferably alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group of d-C3, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, hydroxyethyl and the like, poly (C2.3 alkoxy) ), preferably polyethoxy, benzyl or mixtures thereof, n is from 1 to approximately 4, preferably 2, Y is a bond, -O- (O) C-, -C (O) -O-, -NR -C (O) -, or -C (O) -NR-; R 'contains at least 8 carbon atoms, preferably 8 to 25, and is a hydrocarbon group ilo or substituted hydrocarbyl, preferably alkyl or alkenyl of 8 to 25, preferably 8 to 20 carbon atoms; and X "can be any anion compatible with softener, preferably, chloride, bromide, methylisulfate, etiisulfate, sulfate and nitrate, more preferably chloride or methyl sulfate

4. The use as claimed in claim 3, wherein the compound of water-soluble monoalkyl quaternary ammonium is benzalkonium chloride

5. The use as claimed in any preceding claim to conserve water and reduce the work in a domestic washing process by limiting the number of rinses of the sorts. fabric conditioning composition comprising: (i) a quaternary ammonium softening compound, (ii) a water-soluble monoalkyl quaternary ammonium compound of the formula: R3 - N + - (CH2) - Y - R 'X "in the which: each substituent R is independently either hydrogen, a short chain of d-C6, preferably alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group of d-C3, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, hydroxyethyl and the like, poly (C2.3 alco) xi), preferably polyethoxy, benzyl or mixtures thereof; n is from 1 to about 4, preferably 2; And it is a link; -O- (O) C-, -C (O) -O-, -NR-C (O) -, or -C (O) -NR-; R 'contains at least 8 carbon atoms, preferably 8 to 25, and is a substituted hydrocarbyl or hydrocarbyl group, preferably alkyl or alkenyl of 8 to 25, preferably 8 to 20 carbon atoms; and X "can be any anion compatible with softener, preferably, chloride, bromide, methylisulfate, etiisulfate, sulfate and nitrate, more preferably chloride or methyl sulfate; (iii) a nonionic ethoxylated surfactant having an EO of at least 20, preferably at least 25, more preferably at least 30, (iv) a pH adjuster, which is a polycarboxylic acid in an amount to make the rinse liquor at a pH below 8, (v) an anti-foam compound of silicone, (vi) a fatty acid-forming agent selected from C8 to C22 fatty alcohols and C8 to C22 fatty acids 7. A composition as claimed in claim 6, comprising 2.0 to 4.0 wt. i) 0.3 to 1.0% by weight of (ii) 0.2 to 0.5% by weight of (iii) 0.3 to 0.8% by weight of (iv) 0.3 to 0.7% by weight of (v) 0.3 to 0.5% by weight of (vi) 8. A composition as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, wherein (i) is selected from compounds of f formulas (I) to (IV) as defined herein. 9. A composition as claimed in claim 8, wherein (i) is dehydrogenated tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride. 1 0. A composition as claimed in any of claims 6 to 9 wherein (ii) is benzalkonium chloride. eleven . A composition as claimed in any of claims 6 to 10, wherein (iv) is citric acid. 12. A composition as claimed in any of claims 6 to 11, wherein (vi) is tallow alcohol.