Described are block copolymers which have been prepared by controlled free radical polymerization. Also described is the use of said block copolymers as soil release agents in laundry processes and a process to produce said block copolymers. Further described is a method for easier releasing soil from textiles in laundry processes and a detergent containing said block copolymers.

An agent is provided which is to be used in the treatment of textiles, containing: i) at least one anionic, aromatic polyester, containing at least one structural unit of formula (I), at least one structural unit of formula (II) and at least one structural unit of formula (III) as described herein, and ii) at least one non-ionic, aromatic polyester containing at least one structural unit of formula (IV) and at least one structural unit of formula (V) as described herein, and iii) at least one surfactant. The agent has an excellent primary washing force and can be, in particular, more storage stable than single doses in a multi-chamber bag.

Linen treatment compositions and linen processes are disclosed which help to prevent iron deposition from wash water, and/or redeposition after iron containing stain (such as blood) removal by alkaline detergents. The linen treatment composition is a combination of a hydroxycarboxylic acid and an acid source, which may be organic or inorganic. The invention provides for effective iron control in a phosphorus-free formula that is also free of toxic or hazardous chemicals and includes sustainable, environmentally friendly ingredients, while still providing effective iron control.

Described herein, are fabric care compositions comprising: an aminofunctional polysiloxance; optionally a thickening agent; and optionally a non-ionic surfactant. Methods of making and using these compositions are also described.

Disclosed are polyesters comprising structural units of formula Ia and end groups of formulae II and III or end groups of formulae II and IV or end groups of formulae II, III and IV or comprising structural units of formulae Ia and Ib and end groups of formulae II and III or end groups of formulae II and IV or end groups of formulae II, III and IV

##STR00001## wherein R is C.sub.1-C.sub.4-alkyl, M is hydrogen or a mono- or divalent cation, i is 1 or 2, x is 0.5 or 1 and the product i.Math.x is equal to 1, and z is an integer from 3 to 35.

The polyesters of the invention show a significantly improved dirt removal ability and can be used as soil-release polymers in washing and cleaning agents and in textile care products.

The present invention provides an aqueous liquid non-phosphate built domestic laundry whitening and brightening composition comprising charged surfactant, uncharged alkoxylated polyarylphenol and perfume.

A sulfonate group-containing copolymer is provided which comprising a structural unit (a) derived from a sulfonate group-containing monomer (A); a structural unit (b) derived from a (poly)oxyalkylene monomer (B); a structural unit (c) derived from a carboxyl group-containing monomer (C). The sulfonate group-containing copolymer comprises from 20% to 90% by mass in an acid form equivalent of the structural unit (c) in 100% by mass of all the structural units constituting the sulfonate group-containing copolymer. The product (P×Mw×n) of the ratio by mass P of the structural unit (b) to the structural unit (a) multiplied by the weight average molecular weight Mw of the sulfonate group-containing copolymer multiplied by the value n is from 950,000 to 800,000,000.

The present invention improves greying inhibition in the washing of textiles by the use of urea derivatives comprising sulfonic or carboxylic acid groups.

Polyesters according to the following formula (I) are described ##STR00001##
wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 independently of one another are X—(OC.sub.2H.sub.4).sub.n—(OC.sub.3H.sub.6).sub.m wherein X is C.sub.1-4 alkyl, the —(OC.sub.2H.sub.4) groups and the —(OC.sub.3H.sub.6) groups are arranged blockwise and the block consisting of the —(OC.sub.3H.sub.6) groups is bound to a COO group or are HO—(C.sub.3H.sub.6), n is based on a molar average a number of from 12 to 120, m is based on a molar average a number of from 1 to 10, and a is based on a molar average a number of from 4 to 9. The inventive polyesters have an advantageous stability in alkaline environment, possess a beneficial solubility and advantageously are clearly soluble in alkaline compositions such as alkaline heavy duty washing liquids and also possess advantageous soil release properties.

The present invention relates to amphiphilic star-like polyether. The core molecule is an aliphatic hyperbranched polyether polyol, which is further alkoxylated, first with ethylene oxide or combinations of ethylene oxide and C.sub.3-C.sub.20 alkylene oxide, preferably propylene oxide, and/or glycidol, and then with a C.sub.3-C.sub.20 alkylene oxide, preferably propylene oxide, or combination of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, then optionally anionically modified. The resulting amphiphilic star-like polyether thus has an inner core based on an aliphatic hyperbranched polyether polyol, an inner shell predominantly containing polyethylene oxide units, the inner shell comprising at least 3 ethylene oxide units and an outer shell predominantly containing polypropylene oxide units, the outer shell comprising at least 3 propylene oxide units. They optionally contain anionic groups instead of hydroxyl groups on the periphery of the macromolecule. The invention further relates to their use as additive in laundry formulations and to their manufacturing process.