Laundry composition

Abstract

A solid fabric conditioning composition comprising: a fabric softening active; 3 to 12 wt% of crosslinked cellulose; and a water-soluble carrier.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to solid fabric conditioning compositions. Background Art

[0002] Solid fabric conditioners provide consumers with easy-to-use concentrated fabric conditioning compositions. These compositions have various benefits, including that they can contain high levels of active ingredients and have a very low water content, resulting in easier storage and transportation.

[0003] There is a need to improve the softening provided by solid fabric conditioners while maintaining a good dissolution time. Summary of the Invention

[0004] It has been found that adding 3-12 wt% of crosslinked cellulose to solid fabric conditioners improves fabric softening while maintaining a suitable dissolution time.

[0005] Accordingly, a first aspect of the present invention provides a solid fabric conditioning composition comprising:

[0006] a 5-80 wt% of a fabric softening active;

[0007] b 3-12 wt% of crosslinked cellulose; and

[0008] c 2-80 wt% of a water-soluble carrier selected from polysaccharides.

[0009] The present invention also relates to a method for preparing a solid fabric conditioning composition, the method comprising the steps of:

[0010] a. preparing a premix of the water-soluble carrier and water;

[0011] b. adding the fabric softening active, crosslinked cellulose, and any remaining ingredients to the premix;

[0012] c. casting the resulting mixture onto a surface or into a mold; and

[0013] d. removing the water, preferably by evaporation. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0015] These and other aspects, features, and advantages will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description and the appended claims. For the avoidance of doubt, any feature of one aspect of the invention can be used in any other aspect of the invention. The word "comprising" is intended to mean "including" but not necessarily "consisting of" or "constituted by". In other words, the listed steps or options need not be exhaustive. It should be noted that the embodiments given in the following description are intended to illustrate the invention and are not intended to limit the invention to those embodiments themselves. Similarly, unless otherwise specified, all percentages are weight / weight percentages. Unless in the operating examples and comparative examples, or otherwise explicitly stated, all numbers in this specification indicating amounts of materials or reaction conditions, physical properties of materials, and / or uses should be understood to be modified by the word "about". A numerical range expressed in the form "from x to y" should be understood to include x and y. When multiple preferred ranges are described for a particular feature in the format from x to y, it should be understood that all ranges combining different endpoints are also covered.

[0016] All ingredient contents are in weight % of the final solid fabric conditioner product.

[0017] Fabric softening active

[0018] The compositions described herein contain a fabric softening active. The fabric softening active can be any material known to soften fabrics. These can be polymeric materials or compounds of known softening materials. Examples of suitable fabric softening actives include: quaternary ammonium compounds, silicone polymers, polysaccharides, clays, amines, fatty esters, dispersible polyolefins, polymer latexes, and mixtures thereof.

[0019] The fabric softening active is preferably a cationic or nonionic material. Preferably, the fabric softening active is a cationic material. More preferably, the fabric softening active comprises a quaternary ammonium compound.

[0020] The quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) preferably contains at least one chain derived from a fatty acid, more preferably at least two chains derived from a fatty acid. Generally, a fatty acid is defined as an aliphatic monocarboxylic acid having a chain of 4 to 28 carbons. Fatty acids can be derived from various sources, such as animal fats or plant sources. Preferably, the fatty acid chain is derived from plants. Preferably, the fatty acid chains of the QAC contain 10 - 50 wt% saturated C18 chains and 5 - 40 wt% monounsaturated C18 chains based on the weight of the total fatty acid chains. In another preferred embodiment, the fatty acid chains of the QAC contain 20 - 40 wt%, preferably 25 - 35 wt% saturated C18 chains and 10 - 35 wt%, preferably 15 - 30 wt% monounsaturated C18 chains based on the weight of the total fatty acid chains.

[0021] Preferred quaternary ammonium fabric softening active agents for the compositions described herein are the so-called "ester quats" or ester-linked quaternary ammonium compounds. Particularly preferred materials are ester-linked triethanolamine (TEA) quaternary ammonium compounds which comprise a mixture of monoester-, diester- and triester-linked components.

[0022] Typically, TEA-based fabric softening compounds comprise a mixture of the monoester, diester and triester forms of the compound, wherein the diester-linked component comprises no more than 70% by weight, preferably no more than 60% by weight, such as no more than 55%, or even no more than 45% of the fabric softening compound, and at least 10% by weight of the monoester-linked component.

[0023] A first group of quaternary ammonium compounds (QAC) suitable for use in the compositions is represented by formula (I):

[0024]

[0025] wherein each R is independently selected from C5-C35 alkyl or alkenyl; R 1 represents C1-C4 alkyl, C2-C4 alkenyl or C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl; T can be O-CO (i.e., an ester group bonded to R through its carbon atom), or alternatively can be CO-O (i.e., an ester group bonded to R through its oxygen atom); n is a number selected from 1 to 4; m is a number selected from 1, 2 or 3; and X- is an anionic counterion such as a halide ion or an alkyl sulfate, for example a chloride ion or a methyl sulfate. The diester variant of formula I (i.e., m = 2) is preferred and generally has monoester and triester analogs associated therewith. Such materials are particularly suitable for the compositions described herein.

[0026] A second group of QAC suitable for use in the compositions described herein is represented by formula (II):

[0027]

[0028] wherein each R 1 group is independently selected from C1-C4 alkyl, hydroxyalkyl or C2-C4 alkenyl; and wherein each R 2 group is independently selected from C8-C28 alkyl or alkenyl; and wherein n, T and X- are as defined above.

[0029] Preferred materials of this second group include 1,2-bis[behenoyloxy]-3-trimethylammonium propane chloride, 1,2-bis[stearoyloxy]-3-trimethylammonium propane chloride, 1,2-bis[oleoyloxy]-3-trimethylammonium propane chloride and 1,2-bis[stearoyloxy]-3-trimethylammonium propane chloride. Such materials are described in US4,137,180 (Lever Brothers). Preferably, these materials also contain a certain amount of the corresponding monoester.

[0030] A third group of QACs suitable for the composition is represented by formula (III):

[0031] (R 1 )2-N * -[(CH2) n -T-R 2 2X - (III)

[0032] wherein each R 1 group is independently selected from C1-C4 alkyl or C2-C4 alkenyl; and wherein each R 2 group is independently selected from C8-C28 alkyl or alkenyl; and n, T and X- are as defined above. Preferred materials of this third group include bis(2-tallowoyloxyethyl)dimethylammonium chloride, in its partially hardened and hardened forms.

[0033] Specific examples of the fourth group of QACs are represented by formula (IV):

[0034]

[0035] A fifth group of QACs suitable for the composition is represented by formula (V)

[0036]

[0037] R1 and R2 are independently selected from C10-C22 alkyl or alkenyl, preferably C14-C20 alkyl or alkenyl. X- is as defined above.

[0038] The iodine value of the quaternary ammonium fabric conditioning material is preferably from 0 to 80, more preferably from 0 to 60, and most preferably from 0 to 45. The iodine value can be appropriately selected. Substantially saturated materials having an iodine value of from 0 to 5, preferably from 0 to 1, can be used in the compositions described herein. Such materials are referred to as "hardened" quaternary ammonium compounds.

[0039] Another preferred range for the iodine value is from 20 to 60, preferably from 25 to 50, more preferably from 30 to 45. This type of material is a "soft" triethanolamine quaternary ammonium compound, preferably triethanolamine dialkyl ester methyl sulfate. Such ester-linked triethanolamine quaternary ammonium compounds contain unsaturated fatty chains.

[0040] If a mixture of quaternary ammonium materials is present in the composition, the above iodine value represents the average iodine value of the parent fatty acyl compounds or fatty acids of all the quaternary ammonium materials present. Similarly, if any saturated quaternary ammonium materials are present in the composition, the iodine value represents the average iodine value of the fatty acid parent acyl compounds of all the quaternary ammonium materials present.

[0041] In the context of the compositions described herein, the iodine value refers to the iodine value of the fatty acids used to produce the QAC, which measures the degree of unsaturation present in a substance by NMR spectroscopy, as described by Johnson and Shoolery in Anal. Chem., 34, 1136 (1962).

[0042] Another type of quaternary ammonium compound can be a non-ester quaternary ammonium material represented by formula (VI):

[0043]

[0044] where each R 1 group is independently selected from C1 to C4 alkyl, hydroxyalkyl or C2 to C4 alkenyl; R 2 groups are independently selected from C8 to C28 alkyl or alkenyl, and X- is as defined above.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment, the fabric softening active includes a mixture of a cationic quaternary ammonium compound having more than one long carbon chain and a second surfactant selected from single-chain cationic surfactants and / or nonionic surfactants. Preferably, the cationic quaternary ammonium compound having more than one long carbon chain and the second surfactant are present in a ratio of 1:10 to 10:1, more preferably 1:5 to 5:1. The combination of the cationic quaternary ammonium compound having more than one long carbon chain and the second surfactant selected from single-chain cationic surfactants and / or nonionic surfactants provides a solid composition that can be diluted with water to form a stable liquid fabric softener and provides excellent softening. The cationic quaternary ammonium compound having more than one long carbon chain is as described above.

[0046] Suitable single-chain cationic surfactants preferably have the following general formula:

[0047] (R1)3-N + -R2X -

[0048] where each R1 independently contains 1 to 6 carbon atoms and is selected from alkyl, alkenyl, aryl or combinations thereof. Each R1 can independently contain a hydroxyl group. Preferably, at least two of the R1 groups correspond to methyl.

[0049] where R2 contains at least 10 carbon atoms. The carbon atoms can be in the form of alkyl, alkenyl, aryl or combinations thereof. Preferably, the single-chain cationic surfactant contains at least 12 carbon atoms, preferably at least 14, most preferably at least 16. R2 can further contain additional functional groups such as ester groups or hydroxyl groups.

[0050] X- is an anionic counterion such as a halide ion or an alkyl sulfate, such as chloride ion or methyl sulfate.

[0051] Preferred cationic surfactants include hydroxyethyl lauryldimethyl ammonium chloride, cetyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (CTAC), behenyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (BTAC), alkyl dimethyl hydroxyethyl ammonium chloride, such as Praepagen HY, which is derived from Clariant GmbH.

[0052] Suitable nonionic surfactants include addition products of ethylene oxide and / or propylene oxide with fatty alcohols, fatty acids and fatty amines. Any specific type of alkoxylated material described below can be used as a nonionic surfactant.

[0053] Suitable surfactants are essentially water-soluble surfactants of the general formula (VII):

[0054] R-Y-(C2H4O)z-CH2-CH2-OH (VII)

[0055] wherein R is selected from primary, secondary and branched alkyl and / or acyl hydrocarbyl groups; primary, secondary and branched alkenyl hydrocarbyl groups; and primary, secondary and branched alkenyl-substituted phenol hydrocarbyl groups; said hydrocarbyl groups having a chain length of from 8 to about 25, preferably from 10 to 20, for example from 14 to 18 carbon atoms.

[0056] In the general formula of ethoxylated nonionic surfactants, Y is usually:

[0057] -O-, -C(O)O-, -C(O)N(R)- or -C(O)N(R)R-

[0058] wherein R has the meaning given above for formula (VII) or can be hydrogen; and z is at least about 8, preferably at least about 10 or 11.

[0059] Preferably, the nonionic surfactant has an HLB of from about 7 to about 20, more preferably from 10 to 18, for example from 12 to 16. Genapol TM C200 (Clariant) is an example of a suitable nonionic surfactant.

[0060] One class of preferred nonionic surfactants includes addition products of ethylene oxide and / or propylene oxide with fatty alcohols, fatty acids and fatty amines. These are preferably selected from the addition products of (a) alcoholates selected from ethylene oxide, propylene oxide and mixtures thereof with (b) fatty substances selected from fatty alcohols, fatty acids and fatty amines.

[0061] A second class of preferred nonionic surfactants are the polyethylene glycol ethers of glycerol. For example, glycerol polyether-6 cocoate, glycerol polyether-7 cocoate and glycerol polyether-17 cocoate.

[0062] Preferably, the nonionic surfactant is selected from the addition products of ethylene oxide and / or propylene oxide with polyethylene glycol ethers of fatty alcohols, fatty acids, fatty amines, and glycerol.

[0063] Suitable nonionic surfactants are Lutensol commercially available from BASF TM AT25, which is based on C16:18 chains and 25 EO groups, is an example of a suitable nonionic surfactant. Other suitable surfactants include Renex 36 (Trideceth-6), from Croda; Tergitol 15-S3, from Dow Chemical Co.; Dihydrol LT7, from Thai Eetylate ltd; Cremophor CO40, from BASF, and Neodol 91-8, from Shell; F-200, C-301 and C-201, from Kao.

[0064] The compositions described herein contain greater than 5 wt% of a fabric softening active, more preferably greater than 10 wt% of a fabric softening active, and most preferably greater than 20 wt% of a fabric softening active, based on the weight of the composition. The fabric conditioners described herein contain less than 80 wt% of a fabric softening active, more preferably less than 70 wt% of a fabric softening active, and most preferably less than 65 wt% of a fabric softening active, based on the weight of the composition. The fabric conditioner contains 5 to 80 wt% of a fabric softening active, preferably 10 to 70 wt% of a fabric softening active, and more preferably 20 to 65 wt% of a fabric softening active, based on the weight of the composition.

[0065] Crosslinked cellulose

[0066] The compositions described herein contain crosslinked cellulose, preferably the crosslinked cellulose contains microcrystalline cellulose, and preferably the crosslinked cellulose is microcrystalline cellulose.

[0067] Preferably, the water absorption rate (WAR) of the crosslinked cellulose is greater than 1, more preferably greater than 1.5. The water absorption rate (WAR) is a measure of how much water a material absorbs under controlled and defined conditions. The water absorption rate is expressed as the percentage increase in the weight of the specimen:

[0068] % weight increase = [(wet weight - conditioned weight) / conditioned weight] x 100

[0069] The method described in ASTM D570 is applicable to measuring the water absorption rate.

[0070] Specifically, the water absorption rate can be measured by the following steps:

[0071] - Produce a dry sample of the material to be tested

[0072] - Then weigh the sample to be tested, place it in a container of boiling distilled water for 120 minutes, and then completely immerse it.

[0073] - Remove the sample and use filter paper to remove the remaining water

[0074] - Immediately weigh the sample (wet weight)

[0075] - Dry the sample at 105 °C for 20 minutes.

[0076] - Reweigh the sample (conditioned weight)

[0077] The composition contains 3-12% by weight of crosslinked cellulose, more preferably 4.5-12% by weight, and most preferably 6-11% by weight of crosslinked cellulose.

[0078] Water-soluble carrier

[0079] The composition described herein contains a water-soluble carrier. The water-soluble carrier provides a solid structure for the solid fabric conditioner. The composition may contain one carrier material or a combination of different carrier materials.

[0080] Suitable water-soluble carrier materials are selected from polysaccharides (e.g., starch, xanthan gum, cellulose or its derivatives).

[0081] Examples of suitable carrier materials include: starch, xanthan gum, carboxymethyl cellulose.

[0082] More preferably, the water-soluble carrier is selected from cellulose derivatives. Most preferably cellulose ether derivatives. Generally, cellulose ether derivatives are obtained by substituting one or more hydrogen atoms of the hydroxyl groups in the anhydroglucose units of cellulose with alkyl or substituted alkyl groups. The degree of substitution (DS) is one of the factors defining the properties of cellulose ether derivatives, especially solubility in water. It is defined as the number of substituted hydroxyl groups per glucose molecule between 0 and 3. For example, cellulose ether derivatives with a degree of substitution of 1.2 to 2.4 are soluble in cold water. Examples of cellulose ether derivatives suitable for the compositions described herein include methylcellulose (MC), hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC), hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC), hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and sodium carboxymethylcellulose (SCMC).

[0083] Preferably, the cellulose ether derivative is selected from hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose and combinations thereof. The most preferred cellulose ether derivative is hydroxypropylmethylcellulose.

[0084] The compositions described herein comprise from 2 to 80% by weight, preferably from 5 to 70% by weight, more preferably from 7.5 to 50% by weight, and most preferably from 10 to 40% by weight of a water-soluble carrier material, based on the weight of the composition.

[0085] The water-soluble carrier preferably has a solubility of at least 0.5% by weight in distilled water at 25 °C. The solubility is preferably at least 1.0% by weight in distilled water at 25 °C, more preferably at least 2% by weight, and most preferably at least 3% by weight. In other words, the solubility is at least 5 mg / ml distilled water at 25 °C, preferably at least 10 mg / ml distilled water at 25 °C, more preferably at least 20 mg / ml distilled water at 25 °C, and most preferably 30 mg / ml distilled water at 25 °C.

[0086] Carbonaceous material

[0087] The compositions described herein preferably comprise a carbonaceous material. The carbonaceous material results in an increase in the strength of the solid composition. A carbonaceous material refers to a material having a 2D carbon lattice nanostructure. The 2D lattice can be flat, such as graphene, or can be shaped into a 3D shape, such as a carbon nanotube. The carbonaceous material can be part of a larger structure, such as a composite material, such as a clay-carbonaceous material composite. Preferably, the carbonaceous material includes materials selected from carbon nanotubes, graphene, activated carbon, and combinations thereof. More preferably, the carbonaceous material preferably comprises graphene and / or its derivatives, and most preferably comprises graphene oxide.

[0088] Graphene is an allotrope formed by a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice structure. Graphene can be obtained in two ways. The first is by peeling layers from graphite until a graphene monolayer is obtained. The second is known as chemical vapor deposition (CVD), and large-scale uniformity can be obtained and controlled therein.

[0089] Preferably, the graphene derivative suitable for the compositions described herein is graphene oxide. Graphene oxide can be manufactured by the Hummer method. Graphene oxide is also commercially available and can be obtained from suppliers such as Platonic Nanotech.

[0090] The compositions described herein preferably comprise from 0.001 to 2% by weight of a carbonaceous material, more preferably from 0.0025 to 1% by weight of a carbonaceous material, even more preferably from 0.005 to 0.5% by weight of a carbonaceous material, and most preferably from 0.01 to 0.25% by weight of a carbonaceous material.

[0091] Other components

[0092] The compositions described herein may contain additional ingredients common in the field of solid fabric conditioners, such as fragrances, fragrance microcapsules, dyes, defoamers, insect repellents, color - adjusting or color - compensating dyes, preservatives (such as fungicides), pH buffers, fragrance carriers, hydrotropes, anti - redeposition agents, detergents, polyelectrolytes, anti - shrinkage agents, anti - wrinkle agents, antioxidants, colorants, sunscreens, anti - corrosion agents, drape aids, antistatic agents, polyvalent chelating agents, and ironing aids. The compositions described herein may contain pearlescent agents and / or opacifying agents.

[0093] Preferably, the composition contains a fragrance, more preferably 0.1 to 25% by weight of the fragrance, even more preferably 1 to 20% by weight of the fragrance, and most preferably 2 to 15% by weight of the fragrance.

[0094] Water

[0095] The solid fabric conditioners described herein are preferably "water - free" when manufactured, however they may absorb moisture during storage. Thus, preferably the composition contains 0 to 20% by weight, more preferably 0 to 15% by weight, and most preferably 0 to 12% by weight of water. The water content can be measured by thermogravimetry, such as moisture balance.

[0096] Methods for preparing and using the compositions

[0097] The solid fabric conditioner compositions described herein can be in any suitable form. A single dose of the composition can be a single article (such as a tablet or sheet), a part of a single article (i.e., a part of a sheet separated by tearing off a portion from a larger sheet), or can consist of multiple articles (such as multiple granules of the composition). Preferably, the solid composition is in the form of an article having a minimum linear dimension greater than 1 mm in any direction. The solid fabric conditioner composition does not include powders. Preferably, the solid composition is in a form suitable for use as a single article such as a tablet or sheet. These can be referred to as 'unit doses'.

[0098] The solid fabric conditioner can be prepared by any suitable method. Preferred methods include the following steps:

[0099] a) Prepare a premix of a water - soluble carrier and water;

[0100] b) Add the fabric softening active, cross - linked cellulose, and any remaining ingredients to the premix;

[0101] c) Cast the resulting mixture onto a surface or into a mold; and

[0102] d) Remove the water, preferably by evaporation.

[0103] Step a) preferably includes mixing and / or heating.

[0104] Step b) preferably comprises mixing the fabric softening active, the carbonaceous material and any remaining ingredients with water before addition to the premix.

[0105] In step c), if casting is used, it is preferred to use an applicator to control the thickness. The resulting mixture is preferably cast onto a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) surface, such as a PTFE sheet, a PTFE-coated foil or a PTFE-coated fabric.

[0106] Step d) is preferably carried out at a temperature above room temperature (above 25 °C), preferably below 100 °C, more preferably at a temperature below 95 °C. Most preferably, water is removed at a temperature of 70 - 90 °C. Water is preferably removed to achieve a water content in the composition of 0 - 20 wt%, more preferably 0 - 15 wt%, more preferably 0 - 10 wt%, even more preferably 0 - 5 wt%, and most preferably 0 - 2 wt%.

[0107] More specifically, a homogeneous premix of water and a water-soluble carrier is prepared by mixing. Subsequently, the fabric softening active, the cross-linked cellulose and any remaining ingredients are mixed with water under high shear and then added to the premix. On this, the premix is cast as a sheet or film of a certain thickness onto a surface. Detailed Description

[0108] Examples

[0109] Example 1: Comparison with other materials

[0110] Table 1: Example Formulations

[0111]

[0112] Quaternary ammonium compound 1 -TEA palm quaternary ammonium compound

[0113] Microcrystalline cellulose 2 -KEVICEL PH102, from Keval Exports

[0114] Polyvinylpyrrolidone polymer particles 3 -Disintex 75, from Ashland

[0115] Calcite 4 -Forcal U, from Saurashtra Solid Private Ltd, India

[0116] The formulation was prepared by dispersing hydroxypropyl methylcellulose in hot water to prepare a 10% polymer solution. Separately, the quaternary ammonium compound and the fragrance were mixed in the remaining water under high shear to prepare an emulsion. The remaining ingredients were added to the emulsion and mixed. The final mixture was added to the polymer solution at room temperature and mixed well under high shear until a stable foam was formed. The foam was cast onto a smooth hard surface and dried at 80 - 90 °C for 2 hours. The dried sheet was separated from the substrate upon cooling.

[0117] The Terry knitted fabric monitor was washed in a 15 - minute quick wash cycle. No detergent was added, and 10 g of the dried sheet (1, A, B, C, or D) was added in the rinse cycle. Then the fabric was dried. The dynamic coefficient of friction of the dried fabric was measured using a coefficient of friction (COF) tester sourced from Packtest.

[0118] Table 2: Results

[0119] 1 A B C D Coefficient of friction 0.63 0.76 1.49 0.86 1.23

[0120] Microcrystalline cellulose provided the lowest coefficient of friction among the various materials tested.

[0121] Example 2: Quantitative feeding study

[0122] Table 3: Example formulations

[0123]

[0124]

[0125] Quaternary ammonium compound 1 - TEA palm quaternary ammonium compound

[0126] Microcrystalline cellulose 2 - KEVICEL PH102, sourced from Keval Exports.

[0127] The formulation was prepared as in Example 1.

[0128] The coefficient of friction was measured as in Example 1.

[0129] The dissolution time was measured as follows. 300 ml of water was placed in a 500 ml beaker at room temperature. The beaker was placed on a magnetic stirrer with a 1.5 - inch magnetic bead. The stirring was set at 300 RPM. A 1 - inch × 1 - inch sheet (prepared as above) was added to the stirred water & the timer was started. The dissolution time was the time when no visible residue of the sheet remained.

[0130] Table 4: Results

[0131] E F 2 3 4 G Dissolution time > 5 minutes > 5 minutes 4 minutes <2.5 minutes <3 minutes > 5 minutes Coefficient of friction 0.8 0.7 0.5 0.4 0.38 0.35

[0132] 3-12% by weight of crosslinked cellulose provides an improved coefficient of friction while maintaining an improved dissolution time.

Claims

1. A solid fabric conditioning composition comprising: a 5 - 80% by weight of a fabric softening active; b 3 - 12% by weight of a crosslinked cellulose; and c 2 - 80% by weight of a water - soluble carrier selected from polysaccharides.

2. The solid fabric conditioning composition according to claim 1, wherein the water absorption rate (WAR) of the crosslinked cellulose is greater than 1.

3. The solid fabric conditioning composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the crosslinked cellulose comprises microcrystalline cellulose.

4. The solid fabric conditioning composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fabric softening active comprises a quaternary ammonium compound.

5. The solid fabric conditioning composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fabric softening active comprises a mixture of a cationic quaternary ammonium compound having more than one long carbon chain and a second surfactant selected from a single - chain cationic surfactant and / or a non - ionic surfactant.

6. The solid fabric conditioning composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the water - soluble carrier is selected from: cellulose derivatives and combinations thereof.

7. The solid fabric conditioning composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition further comprises a carbonaceous material having a 2D carbon lattice nanostructure.

8. The solid fabric conditioning composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition further comprises a fragrance.

9. A method for preparing a solid fabric conditioning composition, comprising the steps of: a. preparing a premix of the water - soluble carrier and water; b. adding the fabric softening active, the crosslinked cellulose, and any remaining ingredients to the premix; c. casting the resulting mixture onto a surface or into a mold; and d. removing the water, preferably by evaporation.

Images