......DE..ESFRGB..IT..............................JDIM360 - Ver 2.7 (17 Nov 1997) 2100000/00503221EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATIONB119980211EP91870187.1199111221993030819951208enenen9120050719910308EP9187010519910703EP199802111998071992091619923819980211199807199611076 6C 11D 3/00 A 6C 11D 1/835 B 6C 11D 3/37 BdeKonzentrierte TextilweichmacherzusammensetzungenenConcentrated fabric softening compositionsfrCompositions concentrées d'adoucissants textilesEP-A- 0 167 382EP-A- 0 234 717EP-A- 0 309 052EP-A- 0 330 261FR-A- 2 298 600FR-A- 2 457 336FR-A- 2 637 620GB-A- 2 177 108Hubesch, Bruno Albert JeanSint-Pauluslaan 6B-3080 TervurenBETHE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY00200173CM-363FM2PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY, THEOne Procter & Gamble PlazaCincinnati, Ohio 45202USCanonici, Jean-Jacqueset al00057861Procter & Gamble European Technical Center N.V. Temselaan 1001853 Strombeek-BeverBEDEESFRGBIT19920916199238 Technical field

The present invention relates to fabric softeners. The compositions according to the invention are concentrated aqueous fabric softening compositions which retain viscosity upon dilution.

Background

Concentrated aqueous fabric softening compositions have been extensively described in the art, and one aspect which has often been discussed is the viscosity of these concentrated compositions; indeed these concentrated compositions are typically extremely viscous and the prior art has often described means by which the viscosity of these concentrated compositions could be controlled or decreased. One aspect which has been much less dealt with is the viscosity of these concentrated compositions upon dilution; indeed it has been observed that the viscosity of such concentrated compositions dramatically drops upon dilution, and this viscosity loss is clearly undesirable, essentially in terms of consumer acceptance.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a concentrated aqueous fabric softening composition which has an acceptable viscosity in the concentrated form, and which retains acceptable viscosity after it has been diluted.

This technical problem was discussed in GB 2 007 734 which proposes to use a combination of a fatty quaternary ammonium salt having two long chain alkyl groups together with an oily substance.

Concentrated aqueous fabric softeners have been described for instance in EP 56 695, EP 13 780, DE 26 31 114 and EP 60 003, and a process for the preparation of concentrated fabric softening compositions is disclosed in EP-A-316 996.

EP 0,309,052 discloses concentrated aqueous fabric softening compositions comprising a fabric softener component and a linear fatty ethoxylated alcohol.

Summary of the invention

It has now been found that the above object can be achieved by formulating a concentrated aqueous fabric softening composition comprising from 10% to 35% by weight of a cationic fabric softening active or mixtures thereof, said composition further comprising:

The present invention also encompasses a method for the softening of fabrics, wherein the above concentrated compositions are diluted in water before they are contacted with said fabrics in the rinse water.

Detailed description of the invention

The compositions according to the invention are concentrated fabric softeners; by concentrated, it is meant that the compositions comprise from 10% to 35% by weight of the total composition of a cationic fabric softening active or mixtures thereof, preferably 15% to 25%. By cationic, it is meant any softening compound which is in cationic form in the concentrated softening composition. Suitable cationic fabric softening actives include

Examples of Component (i) are the well-known dialkyldimethylammonium salts such as ditallowdimethylammonium chloride (DTDMAC), ditallowdimethylammonium methylsulfate, di(hydrogenated tallow) dimethylammonium chloride, dibehenyldimethylammonium chloride.

Examples of Component (ii) and (iii) are methylbis(tallowamidoethyl) (2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium methylsulfate and methylbis(hydrogenated tallowamidoethyl) (2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium methylsulfate, wherein R1 is an acyclic aliphatic C15-C17 hydrocarbon group, R2 is an ethylene group, R5 is a methyl group, R8 is a hydroxyalkyl group and A is a methylsulfate anion; these materials are available from Sherex Chemical Company under the trade names Varisoft 222 R and Varisoft 110 R, respectively.
Examples of Component (iv) are l-methyl-1-tallowamido-ethyl-2-tallowimidazolinium methylsulfate and 1-methyl-1-(hydrogenated tallowamidoethyl)-methylsulfate.

Other suitable fabric softening actives include the following amines, provided they are present in the concentrated softening composition in a protonated form; such amines are of the formula : wherein n is 2 or 3, preferably 2; R1 and R2 are, independently, a C8-C30 alkyl or alkenyl, preferably C12-C20 alkyl, more preferably C15-C18 alkyl, or mixtures of such alkyl radicals. Examples of such mixtures are the alkyl radicals obtained from coconut oil, "soft" (non-hardened) tallow, and hardened tallow. Q is CH2 or N, preferably N, X is wherein T is O or NR5, R5 being H or C1-C4 alkyl, preferably H, and R4 is a divalent C1-C3 alkylene group or (C2H4O)m, wherein m is an integer of from 1 to 8; or X is R4.

Most preferred softening agents according to the above formula are imidazolines of the following formula : wherein R1 is a tallow group.

The softening amines described herein above are suitable for the purpose of the present invention provided they are present in the concentrated softening composition in a protonated form; a suitable means to protonate these amines is described for instance in EP 199 383.

A preferred softening active mixture for use herein is a mixture of 20% to 70% by weight of the softening active of ditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride (DTDMAC) and 30% to 80% ditallow imidazoline. Preferably, the concentrated compositions according to the invention comprise from 15% to 25% by weight of the finished product of such a mixture.

In an alternative preferred embodiment of the present invention, the softening active comprises a ditallow imidazoline ester such as described herein above (i.e. when T is O and R1 and R2 are both tallow in the formula above). This embodiment is particularly preferred for environmental reasons.

The compositions according to the invention further comprise from 0.3% to 3% by weight of the total composition of a linear fatty alcohol ethoxylate of the formula RO(Etox)n, wherein R is a linear C8-18 alkyl chain, and n representing the weighted average ethoxylation degree is of from 3 to 35, or mixtures thereof. Preferred are linear fatty alcohol ethoxylates wherein R is a linear chain having from 10 to 13 carbon atoms, and wherein n is from 5 to 10, preferably 8. Preferably, these compounds, or mixtures thereof are present at levels of from about 1 to about 1.5% by weight of the total composition. These compounds are commercially available from BASF under the trade name LUTENSOL TO®.

The compositions according to the present invention further comprise from 0.5% to 6% , preferably from 1.5% to 2.5% by weight of the composition of a nonionic hydrophylic polymer, or mixtures thereof. Such suitable polymers include polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polyvinylalcolhol and the like. Particularly preferred is a polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of from 300 to 50000, preferably 2000 to 10000. In the preferred embodiment herein where the softening active is a mixture of DTDMAC and ditallow imidazoline, it is preferred to use a polyethylene glycol with a molecular weight of about 4000. In the alternative preferred embodiment where the softening active comprises ditallow imidazoline ester, it is preferred to use a polyethylene glycol with a molecular weight of about 8000.

The compositions according to the present invention further comprise from 0% to 2%, preferably from 0% to 0.1% by weight of the total composition of a highly branched fatty alcohol having from 8 to 18 carbon atoms, preferably 12 to 14, or mixtures thereof, most preferably 13. Branched compounds similar to said highly branched fatty alcohols are often present in perfumes; thus, the level of said highly branched fatty alcohol to be added to the composition must be adjusted depending on the perfume which is used, if any. Such highly branched fatty alcohols suitable for use in the compositions according to the present invention are commercially available from EXXON under the trade name EXXAL®.

The compositions according to the invention may further comprise from 0% to 0.5% by weight of the total composition of a linear or cyclic polydialkylsiloxane of the formula: where R is a C1-C5 alkyl group and m is an integer of 1 to 500, or mixtures thereof. Said polydialkylsiloxanes components are not essential ingredients in the compositions according to the invention, as the compositions will retain viscosity upon dilution even in the abscence of such polydialkylsiloxanes. However, several benefits can be obtained from these polydialkylsiloxanes, including improved stability of the finished product, improved water absorbancy of the treated fabrics. Said polydialkylsiloxanes can also be helpful in avoiding the formation of fabric softener residues which may occur in the dispenser of the washing machine. Thus, preferred compositions according to the present invention comprise from 0.05% to 0.5%, most preferably from 0.1% to 0.3% by weight of the total composition of the above polydialkylsiloxanes, or mixtures thereof. In the compositions according to the present invention where the softening active comprises the ditallow imidazoline ester described herein above, it is preferred to use a polydialkylsiloxane where R is methyl and m is about 200. In other compositions, it is preferred to use a polydialkylsiloxane where R is methyl and m is 7. Suitable polydialkylsiloxanes are commercially available from DOW CORNING under the trade name 200 fluid, and the preferred polydialkylsiloxanes for use herein are DOW CORNING's 200 fluid 350 CS (R is methyl and m is 203) and 5 CS (R is methyl and m is 7).

The compositions according to the invention may additionally comprise such conventional ingredients as perfumes, preservatives, germicides, colorants, fungicides, stabilizers, brighteners, opacifiers and the like, at conventional levels, i.e. up to about 5% by weight of the composition.

The compositions in their concentrated form have a viscosity of from 40 to 400 mPa.s (cps) at 60 RPM shear rate. The compositions according to the invention can be used directly in the concentrated form, or they can preferably be diluted before they are used. The compositions according to the present invention are meant to be diluted in water, preferably in 2 to 3 times their weight of water. In diluted form, the compositions have a viscosity of from 20 to 60 mPa.s (cps) at 60 RPM shear rate, preferably 30 to 50 mPa.s (cps) at 6o RPM shear rate.

Thus, the present invention also encompasses a method for the softening of fabrics wherein the concentrated fabric softening compositions described herein above are diluted in water before they are contacted with said fabrics. In a preferred embodiment of said method, a concentrated softening composition as described hereinabove, which has a viscosity of from 40 to 400 mPa.s (cps) at 60 RPM shear rate, is diluted in two times its weight of water so as to obtain a diluted fabric softening composition having a viscosity of from 20 to 60, preferably 30 to 50 mPa.s (cps) at 60 RPM shear rate, and said diluted fabric softening composition is contacted with said fabrics in the rinse water.

The compositions according to the present invention are illustrated by the following examples.

Example 1

A composition according to the present invention is made, which comprises :

silicone oil 5 CS is a polydialkylsiloxane as defined in the description. Lutensol® TO 8 is a linear fatty alcohol ethoxylate, and EXXAL® 13 is a highly branched fatty alcohol, both according to the description hereinbefore.

The above composition was made by adding the HCl to a water seat at 60°C-65°C. To this solution, a molten permix of ditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride, ditallowimidazoline and Lutensol TO 8 is added at about 80°C-85°C, under agitation during about 10 minutes. An aqueous solution of CaCl2 is then injected for about 5 minutes. A mixture of perfume and the silicone oil is then added. The composition is then cooled to room temperature. Finally a 50% solution of the polyethylene glycol 4000 MW is added.
The composition thus obtained has a viscosity of about 65 mPa.s (cps) before dilution, and 50 mPa.s (cps) after dilution in 2 times its weight of water.

Example 2

A composition is made which contains:

Example 3

A composition is made which contains:

A concentrated aqueous fabric softening composition comprising from 10 to 35 % by weight of a cationic fabric softening active or mixtures thereof, - from 0.3% to 3% by weight of the total composition of a linear fatty alcohol ethoxylate of the formula RO(Etox)n, wherein R is a linear C8-C18 alkyl chain, and n representing the weighted average ethoxylation degree is of from 3 to 35, or mixtures thereof; characterised in that said composition further comprises: - from 0.5% to 6% by weight of the total composition of a nonionic hydrophilic polymer, or mixtures thereof; - from 0 to 2% by weight of the total composition of a highly branched fatty alcohol having from 8 to 18 carbon atoms, or mixtures thereof; - from 0 to 0.5 %by weight of the total composition of a linear or cyclic polydialkylsiloxane of the formula: wherein R is a C1-C5 alkyl chain, and m is an integer of from 1 to 500, or mixtures thereof. A composition according to claim 1 which comprises from 15 % to 25% by weight of the total composition of said cationic fabric softening active, or mixtures thereof. A concentrated fabric softening composition according to the preceding claims wherein said cationic softening active is a mixture of ditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride and ditallow imidazoline. A concentrated fabric softening composition according to claim 3 which consists of from 20% to 70% by weight of said softening active of ditallowdimethyl ammonium chloride and from 30% to 80% by weight of said softening active of ditallow imidazoline. A concentrated fabric softening composition according to claims 3 and 4 which comprises from 1.5% to 2.5% by weight of the total composition of a polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 4000. A concentrated fabric softening composition according to claims 3-5 which comprises from 0.05% to 0.5 %, preferably 0.1% to 0.3% by weight of the total composition of said linear or cyclic polydialkylsiloxane of the formula wherein R is methyl, and m is 7. A concentrated fabric softening composition according to claims 1 and 2 wherein said softening active comprises ditallow imidazoline ester. A concentrated fabric softening composition according to claim 7 which comprises a polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of 8000. A concentrated fabric softening composition according to claims 7-8 which comprises from 0.05% to 0.5 %, preferably from 0.1% to 0.3% by weight of the total composition of said linear or cyclic polydialkylsiloxane of the formula: wherein R is a methyl, and m is 203. A concentrated fabric softening composition according to the preceding claims which comprises from 1% to 1.5% by weight of the total composition of said fatty alcohol ethoxylate of the formula RO(Etox)n, wherein R is a linear C10-C13 alkyl chain, and n representing the weighted average ethoxylation degree is from 5 to 10, preferably 8. A concentrated fabric softening composition according to the preceding claims which comprises from 0% to 0.1% by weight of the total composition of said highly branched fatty alcohol, said highly branched fatty alcohol having from 12 to 14 carbon atoms, preferably 13. A concentrated fabric softening composition according to any of the preceeding claims, said composition having a viscosity of from 40 to 400 mPa.s (cps) at 60 RPM shear rate before dilution, and said composition having a viscosity of from 20 to 60 mPa.s (cps) at 60 RPM shear rate after it has been diluted in 2 times its weight of water. A concentrated fabric softening composition according to claim 12 which has a viscosity of from 30 to 50 mPa.s (cps) at 60 RPM shear rate after it has been diluted in 2 times its weight of water. A method for the softening of fabrics wherein a concentrated fabric softening composition according to claims 1 to 10 and having a viscosity of from 40 to 400 mPa.s (cps) at 60 RPM Shear rate is diluted in 2 times its weight of water so as to obtain a diluted fabric softening composition having a viscosity of 20 to 60 mPa.s (cps) at 60 RPM shear rate, and wherein said diluted fabric softening composition is contacted with said fabrics in the rinse water. A method according to claim 14 wherein the concentrated fabric softening composition having a viscosity of from 40 to 400 mPa.s (cps) at 60 RPM shear rate is diluted in 2 times its weight of water so as to obtain a diluted fabric softening composition having a viscosity of from 30 to 50 mPa.s (cps) at 60 RPM shear rate. Konzentrierte, wäßrige Textilweichmacherzusammensetzung, umfassend - 10 bis 35 Gew. -% eines kationischen Textilweichmacherwirkstoffs oder Mischungen hiervon - 0,3 bis 3 Gew. -% der gesamten Zusammensetzung eines linearen Fettalkoholethoxylats der Formel RO(Etox)n, worin R eine lineare C8-C18-Alkylkette ist und n, das den gewichtsmittleren Ethoxylierungsgrad darstellt, 3 bis 35 ist, oder Mischungen hiervon; dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Zusammensetzung weiterhin - 0,5 bis 6 Gew.-% der gesamten Zusammensetzung eines nichtionischen hydrophilen Polymeren oder Mischungen hiervon; - 0 bis 2 Gew.-% der gesamten Zusammensetzung eines hochverzweigten Fettalkohols mit 8 bis 18 Kohlenstoffatomen und Mischungen hiervon; - 0 bis 0,5 Gew.-% der gesamten Zusammensetzung eines linearen oder cyclischen Polydialklysiloxans der Formel worin R eine C1-C5-Alkylkette ist, und m eine ganze Zahl von 1 bis 500 ist, oder Mischungen hiervon,
umfaßt. Zusammensetzung nach Anspruch 1, umfassend 15 bis 25 Gew.-% der gesamten Zusammensetzung des kationischen Textilweichmacherwirkstoffs oder Mischungen hiervon. Konzentrierte Textilweichmacherzusammensetzung nach den vorangehenden Ansprüchen, wobei der kationische Weichmacherwirkstoff eine Mischung aus Ditalgdimethylammoniumchlorid und Ditalgimidazolin ist. Konzentrierte Textilweichmacherzusammensetzung nach Anspruch 3, bestehend aus 20 bis 70 Gew.-% des Weichmacherwirkstoffs aus Ditalgdimethylammoniumchlorid und 30 bis 80 Gew.-% des Weichmacherwirkstoffs aus Ditalgimidazolin. Konzentrierte Textilweichmacherzusammensetzung nach den Ansprüchen 3 und 4, umfassend 1,5 bis 2,5 Gew. -% der gesamten Zusammensetzung eines Polyethylenglykols mit einem Molekulargewicht von 4.000. Konzentrierte Textilweichmacherzusammensetzung nach den Ansprüchen 3 bis 5, umfassend 0,05 bis 0,5 Gew.-%, vorzugsweise 0,1 bis 0,3 Gew. -% der gesamten Zusammensetzung des linearen oder cyclischen Polydialkylsiloxans der Formel worin R Methyl ist und m 7 ist. Konzentrierte Textilweichmacherzusammensetzung nach den Ansprüchen 1 und 2, wobei der Weichmacherwirkstoff Ditalgimidazolinester umfaßt. Konzentrierte Textilweichmacherzusammensetzung nach Anspruch 7, umfassend ein Polyethylenglykol mit einem Molekulargewicht von 8.000. Konzentrierte Textilweichmacherzusammensetzung nach den Ansprüchen 7-8, umfassend 0,05 bis 0,5 Gew.-%, vorzugsweise 0,1 bis 0,3 Gew.-% der gesamten Zusammensetzung des linearen oder cyclischen Polydialkylsiloxans der Formel worin R Methyl ist und m 203 ist. Konzentrierte Textilweichmacherzusammensetzung nach den vorangehenden Ansprüchen, umfassend 1 bis 1,5 Gew.-% der gesamten Zusammensetzung des Fettalkoholethoxylats der Formel RO(Etox)n, worin R eine lineare C10-C13-Alkylkette ist, und n, das den gewichtsmittleren Ethoxylierungsgrad bedeutet, 5 bis 10, vorzugsweise 8, ist. Konzentrierte Textilweichmacherzusammensetzung nach den vorangehenden Ansprüchen, umfassend 0 bis 0,1 Gew.-% der gesamten Zusammensetzung des hochverzweigten Fettalkohols, wobei der hochverzweigte Fettalkohol 12 bis 14, vorzugsweise 13 Kohlenstoffatome aufweist. Konzentrierte Textilweichmacherzusammensetzung nach mindestens einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Zusammensetzung eine Viskosität von 40 bis 400 mPa·s (cps) bei einer Scherrate von 60 UPM vor der Verdünnung aufweist, und wobei die Zusammensetzung eine Viskosität von 20 bis 60 mPa·s (cps) bei einer Scherrate von 60 UPM aufweist, nachdem sie mit dem zweifachen ihres Gewichts an Wasser verdünnt worden ist. Konzentrierte Textilweichmacherzusammensetzung nach Anspruch 12, welche eine Viskosität von 30 bis 50 mPa·s (cps) bei einer Scherrate von 60 UPM aufweist, nachdem sie mit dem zweifachen ihres Gewichts an Wasser verdünnt worden ist. Verfahren zum Weichmachen von Textilien, bei dem eine konzentrierte Textilweichmacherzusammensetzung nach den Ansprüchen 1 bis 10, welche eine Viskosität von 40 bis 400 mPa·s (cps) bei einer Scherrate von 60 UPM aufweist, mit dem zweifachen ihres Gewichts an Wasser verdünnt wird, um so eine verdünnte Textilweichmacherzusammensetzung mit einer Viskosität von 20 bis 60 mPa·s (cps) bei einer Scherrate von 60 UPM zu erzielen, und wobei die verdünnte Textilweichmacherzusammensetzung mit den Textilien im Spülwasser kontaktiert wird. Verfahren nach Anspruch 14, wobei die konzentrierte Textilweichmacherzusammensetzung mit einer Viskosität von 40 bis 400 mPa·s (cps) bei einer Scherrate von 60 UPM mit dem zweifachen ihres Gewichts an Wasser verdünnt wird, um so eine verdünnte Textilweichmacherzusammensetzung mit einer Viskosität von 30 bis 50 mPa·s (cps) bei einer Scherrate von 60 UPM zu erzielen. Composition aqueuse concentrée d'adoucissant textile comprenant de 10 à 35% en poids d'une substance active adoucissante textile cationique ou de mélanges de ces substances, - de 0,3% à 3%, en poids de la composition totale, d'un éthoxylate d'alcool gras linéaire de formule RO(Etox)n, dans laquelle R est une chaîne alkyle linéaire en C8-C18, et n, qui représente le degré moyen pondéré d'éthoxylation, vaut de 3 à 35, ou leurs mélanges; caractérisée en ce que ladite composition comprend, en outre: - de 0,5% à 6%, en poids de la composition totale, d'un polymère hydrophile non ionique, ou de mélanges de ceux-ci; - de 0 à 2%, en poids de la composition totale, d'un alcool gras hautement ramifié comportant de 8 à 18 atomes de carbone, ou de mélanges de ceux-ci; - de 0 à 0,5%, en poids de la composition totale, d'un polydialkylsiloxane linéaire ou cyclique de formule: dans laquelle R est une chaîne alkyle en C1-C5 et m est un nombre entier de 1 à 500, ou leurs mélanges. Composition selon la revendication 1, qui comprend de 15% à 25%, en poids de la composition totale, de ladite substance active adoucissant textile cationique, ou d'un mélange de ces substances. Composition concentrée d'adoucissant textile selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle ladite substance active adoucissante cationique est un mélange de chlorure de disuifdiméthylammonium et de disuifimidazoline. Composition concentrée d'adoucissant textile selon la revendication 3, qui se compose de 20% à 70% en poids de ladite substance active adoucissante chlorure de disuifdiméthylammonium et de 30% à 80% en poids de ladite substance active adoucissante disuifimidazoline. Composition concentrée d'adoucissant textile selon les revendications 3 et 4, qui se compose de 1,5% à 2,5%, en poids de la composition totale, d'un polyéthylèneglycol ayant une masse moléculaire de 4 000. Composition concentrée d'adoucissant textile selon les revendications 3-5, qui se compose de 0,05% à 0,5%, de préférence de 0,1% à 0,3%, en poids de la composition totale, dudit polydialkylsiloxane linéaire ou cyclique de formule: dans laquelle R est un groupe méthyle et m est égal à 7. Composition concentrée d'adoucissant textile selon les revendications 1 et 2, dans laquelle ladite substance active adoucissante comprend un ester de disuifimidazoline. Composition concentrée d'adoucissant textile selon la revendication 7, qui comprend un polyéthylèneglycol ayant une masse moléculaire de 8 000. Composition concentrée d'adoucissant textile selon les revendications 7-8, qui comprend de 0,05% à 0,5%, de préférence de 0,1% à 0,3%, en poids de la composition totale, dudit polydialkylsiloxane linéaire ou cyclique de formule: dans laquelle R est un groupe méthyle et m est égal à 203. Composition concentrée d'adoucissant textile selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, qui comprend de 1% à 1,5%, en poids de la composition totale, dudit éthoxylate d'alcool gras linéaire de formule RO(Etox)n, dans laquelle R est une chaîne alkyle linéaire en C10-C13, et n, qui représente le degré moyen pondéré d'éthoxylation, vaut de 5 à 10, de préférence 8. Composition concentrée d'adoucissant textile selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, qui comprend de 0% à 0,1%, en poids de la composition totale, dudit alcool gras hautement ramifié, ledit alcool gras hautement ramifié comportant de 12 à 14 atomes de carbone, de préférence 13. Composition concentrée d'adoucissant textile selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, ladite composition possédant une viscosité de 40 à 400 mPa.s (cP) à une vitesse de cisaillement de 60 tours/min avant dilution, et ladite composition possédant une viscosité de 20 à 60 mPa.s (cP) à une vitesse de cisaillement de 60 tours/min après avoir été diluée dans 2 fois son poids d'eau. Composition concentrée d'adoucissant textile selon la revendication 12, qui possède une viscosité de 30 à 50 mPa.s (cP) à une vitesse de cisaillement de 60 tours/min après avoir été diluée dans 2 fois son poids d'eau. Procédé pour adoucir le linge avec une composition concentrée d'adoucissant textile selon les revendications 1 à 10 et ayant une viscosité de 40 à 400 mPa.s (cP) à une vitesse de cisaillement de 60 tours/min après avoir été diluée dans 2 fois son poids d'eau, de manière à donner une composition diluée d'adoucissant textile ayant une viscosité de 20 à 60 mPa.s (cP) à Une vitesse de cisaillement de 60 tours/min, et dans lequel ladite composition diluée d'adoucissant textile est mise en contact avec ledit linge dans l'eau de rinçage. Procédé selon la revendication 14, dans lequel la composition concentrée d'adoucissant textile ayant une viscosité de 40 à 400 mPa.s (cP) à une vitesse de cisaillement de 60 tours/min est diluée dans 2 fois son poids d'eau de manière à donner une composition diluée d'adoucissant textile ayant une viscosité de 30 à 50 mPa.s (cP) à une vitesse de cisaillement de 60 tours/min.