Fabric softening formulation

Abstract

A fabric softening formulation is provided including 50 to 98.45 wt%, based on weight of the fabric softening formulation, of water; 1.5 to 30 wt%, based on weight of the fabric softening formulation, of an esterquat; and 0.05 to 5 wt%, based on weight of the fabric softening formulation, of a softening agent; wherein the softening agent is a dextran base polymer functionalized with morpholine groups; wherein the dextran base polymer has a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 to 3,000,000 Daltons and wherein the morpholine groups are of formula (I) bound to a pendent oxygen on the dextran base polymer wherein is a pendent oxygen on the dextran base polymer; and wherein A is a divalent linking group.

Description

FABRIC SOFTENING FORMULATION

[0001] The present invention relates to a fabric softening formulation. In particular, the present invention relates to a fabric softening formulation comprising: 50 to 98.45 wt%, based on weight of the fabric softening formulation, of water; 1.5 to 30 wt%, based on weight of the fabric softening formulation, of an esterquat; and 0.05 to 5 wt%, based on weight of the fabric softening formulation, of a softening agent; wherein the softening agent is a dextran base polymer functionalized with morpholine groups; wherein the dextran base polymer has a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 to 3,000,000 Daltons and wherein the morpholine groups are of formula (I) bound to a pendent oxygen on the dextran base polymerwherein r ? is a pendent oxygen on the dextran base polymer; and wherein A is a divalent linking group.

[0002] Use of cationic carbohydrate polymers in laundry detergents is known, as in, e.g., U.S. Patent No. 6,833,347. However, this reference does not suggest the use of the modified polymers described herein.

[0003] A modified carbohydrate polymer having quaternary ammonium groups has been disclosed for use in fabric care by Sikarskie, et al. in WO Patent Application Publication No. 2022203868. Sikarski, et al disclose a fabric care formulation comprising water; an esterquat; and a deposition aid polymer, wherein the deposition aid polymer is a dextran polymer functionalized with quaternary ammonium moieties.

[0004] Notwithstanding, there remains a continuing need for fabric softening formulations having a desirable balance of performance properties, including fabric softening properties. There is also a continuing need for new fabric softening formulations having an increased natural origin index (ISO 16128) when compared with conventional fabric softening formulations and which are readily biodegradable.

[0005] The present invention provides a fabric softening formulation comprising: 50 to 98.45 wt%, based on weight of the fabric softening formulation, of water; 1.5 to 30 wt%, based on weight of the fabric softening formulation, of an esterquat; and 0.05 to 5 wt%, basedon weight of the fabric softening formulation, of a softening agent; wherein the softening agent is a dextran base polymer functionalized with morpholine groups; wherein the dextran base polymer has a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 to 3,000,000 Daltons and wherein the morpholine groups are of formula (I) bound to a pendent oxygen on the dextran base polymerwhereinpendent oxygen on the dextran base polymer; and wherein A is a divalent linking group.

[0006] The present invention provides a method of treating an article of laundry, comprising: providing an article of laundry; selecting a fabric softening formulation according to the present invention; providing a bath water; and applying the bath water and the fabric softening formulation to the article of laundry to provide a treated article of laundry.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0007] It has been found that a fabric softening formulation including a combination of (preferably a synergistic combination of) an esterquat and a softening agent, wherein the softening agent is a dextran base polymer functionalized with morpholine groups; wherein the dextran base polymer has a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 to 3,000,000 Daltons and wherein the morpholine groups are of formula (I) bound to a pendent oxygen on the dextran base polymerwhereinpendent oxygen on the dextran base polymer; and wherein A is a divalent linking group; provides a surprisingly favorable balance of performance propertiesincluding fabric softening and antiredeposition performance; while the softening agent is also being readily biodegradable.

[0008] Unless otherwise indicated, ratios, percentages, parts, and the like are by weight. Weight percentages (or wt%) in the composition are percentages of dry weight, i.e., excluding any water that may be present in the composition.

[0009] As used herein, unless otherwise indicated, the phrase "molecular weight" or Mw refers to the weight average molecular weight as measured in a conventional manner with gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and conventional standards, such as polyethylene glycol standards. GPC techniques are discussed in detail in Modern Size-Exclusion Liquid Chromatography - Practice of Gel Permeation and Gel Filtration Chromatography, Second Edition, A.M. Striegel, W. W. Yau, J. J. Kirkland, D. D. Bly; John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2009. Molecular weights are reported herein in units of Daltons, or equivalently, g / mol.

[0010] Preferably, the fabric softening formulation of the present invention, comprises: 50 to 98.45 wt% (preferably, 60 to 98.175 wt%; more preferably, 75 to 97.9 wt%; most preferably, 80 to 97 wt%), based on weight of the fabric softening formulation, of water; 1.5 to 30 wt% (preferably, 1.75 to 25 wt%; more preferably, 2 to 20 wt%; most preferably, 2.5 to 10 wt%), based on weight of the fabric softening formulation, of an esterquat; and 0.05 to 5 wt%, (preferably, 0.075 to 4.5 wt%; more preferably, 0.1 to 4 wt%; most preferably, 0.5 to 2 wt%), based on weight of the fabric softening formulation, of a softening agent; wherein the softening agent is a dextran base polymer functionalized with morpholine groups; wherein the dextran base polymer has a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 to 3,000,000 Daltons and wherein the morpholine groups are of formula (I) bound to a pendent oxygen on the dextran base polymerwhereinpendent oxygen on the dextran base polymer; and wherein A is a divalent linking group (preferably, wherein the softening agent has a Kjeldahl nitrogen content corrected for ash and volatiles, TKN, of > 0.5 wt% (preferably, 0.5 to 4.0 wt%; more preferably, 0.6 to 2.5 wt%; most preferably, 0.7 to 2 wt%) (preferably, wherein the esterquatand the softening agent synergistically enhance softness of a treated fabric)(preferably, wherein the fabric softening formulation of the present invention contains a synergistic combination of the esterquat and the softening agent)(preferably, wherein the fabric is selected from the group consisting of cotton interlock, cotton and cotton terry; more preferably, wherein the fabric contains cotton; most preferably, wherein the fabric is cotton).

[0011] Preferably, the fabric softening formulation of the present invention is a liquid formulation. More preferably, the fabric softening formulation of the present invention is an aqueous liquid formulation.

[0012] Preferably, the fabric softening formulation of the present invention, comprises: 50 to 98.45 wt% (preferably, 60 to 98.175 wt%; more preferably, 75 to 97.9 wt%; most preferably, 80 to 97 wt%), based on weight of the fabric softening formulation, of water. More preferable, the fabric softening formulation of the present invention, comprises: 50 to 98.45 wt% (preferably, 60 to 98.175 wt%; more preferably, 75 to 97.9 wt%; most preferably, 80 to 97 wt%), based on weight of the fabric softening formulation, of water; wherein the water is at least one of distilled water and deionized water. Most preferably, the fabric softening formulation of the present invention, comprises: 50 to 98.45 wt% (preferably, 60 to 98.175 wt%; more preferably, 75 to 97.9 wt%; most preferably, 80 to 97 wt%), based on weight of the fabric softening formulation, of water; wherein the water is distilled and deionized.

[0013] Preferably, the fabric softening formulation of the present invention, further comprises: 1.5 to 30 wt% (preferably, 1.75 to 25 wt%; more preferably, 2 to 20 wt%; most preferably, 2.5 to 10 wt%), based on weight of the fabric softening formulation, of an esterquat. More preferably, the fabric softening formulation of the present invention, comprises: 1.5 to 30 wt% (preferably, 1.75 to 25 wt%; more preferably, 2 to 20 wt%; most preferably, 2.5 to 10 wt%), based on weight of the fabric softening formulation, of an esterquat; wherein the esterquat is a compound comprising a cationic nitrogen (N+) atom, at least one fatty carbon chain containing 4 to 36 carbon atoms, and at least one ester function. The fatty carbon chain may optionally comprise hetero atoms other than carbon atoms (e.g., Si atoms). The cationic nitrogen atom may be linked to the at least one fatty carbon chain via ester functions, for example via: -(CH2)fl-O-C(=O)- chains in which a is 0 to 5 and / or =C(-O-C(=O)-(CH2)fe-CH3)2 in which b is 4 to 36. Various types of esterquats may be suitable for use in the fabric softening formulations of the present invention, including, for example, monoesterquats (EQ), triester-quaternary ammonium compounds (TEQ) and diester-quaternary ammonium compounds (DEQ). These compounds may also comprise amixture of mono-(I), di-(II) and tri-(III) ester components. Preferably, the esterquat is a partially hydrogenated tallow esterquat.

[0014] Preferably, the fabric softening formulation of the present invention comprises: 0.05 to 5 wt%, (preferably, 0.075 to 4.5 wt%; more preferably, 0.1 to 4 wt%; most preferably, 0.5 to 2 wt%), based on weight of the fabric softening formulation, of a softening agent; wherein the softening agent is a dextran base polymer functionalized with morpholine groups; wherein the dextran base polymer has a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 to 3,000,000 Daltons and wherein the morpholine groups are of formula (I) bound to a pendent oxygen on the dextran base polymerwherein r ? is a pendent oxygen on the dextran base polymer; and wherein A is a divalent linking group.

[0015] Preferably, the dextran base polymer has a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 to 3,000,000 Daltons (preferably, 50,000 to 2,500,000 Daltons; more preferably, 100,000 to 2,000,000 Daltons; still more preferably, 125,000 to 1,000,000 Daltons; most preferably, 150,000 to 600,000 Daltons). More preferably, the dextran base polymer has a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 to 3,000,000 Daltons (preferably, 50,000 to 2,500,000 Daltons; more preferably, 100,000 to 2,000,000 Daltons; still more preferably, 125,000 to 1,000,000 Daltons; most preferably, 150,000 to 600,000 Daltons); and the dextran base polymer is a branched chain dextran polymer comprising a plurality of glucose structural units; wherein 90 to 98 mol% (preferably, 92.5 to 97.5 mol%; more preferably, 93 to 97 mol%; most preferably, 94 to 96 mol%) of the glucose structural units are connected by a-1,6 linkages and 2 to 10 mol% (preferably, 2.5 to 7.5 mol%; more preferably, 3 to 7 mol%; most preferably, 4 to 6 mol%) of the glucose structural units are connected by a- 1,2 linkages, a- 1,3 linkages and / or a- 1,4 linkages. Most preferably, the dextran base polymer has a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 to 3,000,000 Daltons (preferably, 50,000 to 2,500,000 Daltons; more preferably, 100,000 to 2,000,000 Daltons; still more preferably, 125,000 to 1,000,000 Daltons; most preferably, 150,000 to 600,000 Daltons); and the dextran basepolymer is a branched chain dextran polymer comprising a plurality of glucose structural units; wherein 90 to 98 mol% (preferably, 92.5 to 97.5 mol%; more preferably, 93 to 97 mol%; most preferably, 94 to 96 mol%) of the glucose structural units are connected by a-D-1,6 linkages and 2 to 10 mol% (preferably, 2.5 to 7.5 mol%; more preferably, 3 to 7 mol%; most preferably, 4 to 6 mol%) of the glucose structural units are connected by a- 1,3 linkages according to formula Iwherein R1is selected from a hydrogen, a Ci-4 alkyl group and a hydroxy C1-4 alkyl group; and wherein the average branch off the dextran polymer backbone is 1 to 3 anhydroglucose units.

[0016] Preferably, the dextran base polymer contains less than 0.01 wt%, based on weight of the dextran base polymer, of alternan. More preferably, the dextran base polymer contains less than 0.001 wt%, based on weight of the dextran base polymer, of alternan. Most preferably, the dextran base polymer contains less than the detectable limit of alternan.

[0017] Preferably, < 0.1 mol% (preferably, < 0.01 mol%; more preferably, < 0.001 mol%; most preferably, < detectable limit) , of the glucose structural units in the dextran base polymer are connected by P-1,4 linkages.

[0018] Preferably, < 0.1 mol% (preferably, < 0.01 mol%; more preferably, < 0.001 mol%; most preferably, < detectable limit) , of the glucose structural units in the dextran base polymer are connected by P-1,3 linkages.

[0019] Preferably, the fabric softening formulation of the present invention, comprises: 0.05 to 5 wt%, (preferably, 0.075 to 4.5 wt%; more preferably, 0.1 to 4 wt%; most preferably, 0.5 to 2 wt%), based on weight of the fabric softening formulation, of a softening agent; wherein the softening agent is a dextran based polymer functionalized with morpholine groups;wherein morpholine groups are of formula (I) bound to a pendent oxygen on the dextran base polymerwhereinpendent oxygen on the dextran base polymer; wherein A is a divalent linking group (preferably, wherein A is selected from divalent alkyl groups, which may optionally be substituted with a hydroxy group, an alkoxy group and / or an ether group; more preferably, wherein A is selected from the group consisting of a -(C H 2 )v- group and a -CH2CH(OR)CH2- group, where y is 2 to 5 (preferably, 2 to 4; more preferably, 2 to 3; most preferably, 2) and where R is selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen and a linear or branched C1-4 alkyl group; still more preferably, wherein A is selected from the group consisting of a -CH2CH2- group and a -CH2CH(OH)CH2- group; most preferably, wherein A is a -CH2CH2- group) (preferably, wherein the degree of substitution, DS®, of the morpholine groups of formula (I) on the cationic dextran polymer is 0.01 to 3 (preferably, 0.03 to 2; more preferably, 0.05 to 1.5; still more preferably, 0.06 to 1; yet more preferably, 0.07 to 0.5; most preferably, 0.08 to 0.25). More preferably, the fabric softening formulation of the present invention, comprises: 0.05 to 5 wt%, (preferably, 0.075 to 4.5 wt%; more preferably, 0.1 to 4 wt%; most preferably, 0.5 to 2 wt%), based on weight of the fabric softening formulation, of a softening agent; wherein the softening agent is a dextran based polymer functionalized with morpholine groups; wherein the morpholine groups are of formula (la) bound to a pendent oxygen on the dextran base polymerwhereinpendent oxygen on the dextran base polymer (preferably, wherein the degree of substitution, DS®, of the morpholine groups of formula (la) on the cationic dextran polymer is 0.01 to 3 (preferably, 0.03 to 2; more preferably, 0.05 to 1.5; still more preferably, 0.06 to 1 ; yet more preferably, 0.07 to 0.5; most preferably, 0.08 to 0.25).

[0020] Preferably, the softening agent has a Kjeldahl nitrogen content, TKN, of 0.5 to 5 wt% (preferably, 0.5 to 4 wt%; more preferably, 0.6 to 2.5 wt%; most preferably, 0.7 to 2 wt%) measured using a Buchi KjelMaster K-375 automated analyzer, corrected for volatiles and ash measured as described in ASTM method D-2364.

[0021] Preferably, the softening agent comprises < 0.001 meq / gram (preferably, < 0.0001 meq / gram; more preferably, < 0.00001 meq / gram; most preferably, < detectable limit) of aldehyde functionality.

[0022] Preferably, the softening agent has a quaternary ammonium degree of substitition, DSquat, of < 0.0005 (preferably, < 0.0001 ; more preferably, < 0.00001 ; most preferably, less than detectable limit).

[0023] Preferably, the fabric softening formulation of the present invention comprises < 0.01 wt% (preferably, < 0.001 wt%; more preferably, < 0.0001 wt%; most preferably, less than detectable limit) , based on weight of the fabric softening formulation, of a cationic polysaccharide.

[0024] Preferably, the fabric softening formulation of the present invention comprises < 2 wt% (preferably, < 1 wt%; more preferably, < 0.5 wt%; still more preferably, < 0.1 wt%; yet more preferably, < 0.01 wt%), based on weight of the fabric softening formulation, of an anionic surfactant.

[0025] The fabric softening formulation of the present invention optionally further comprises an additive selected from the group consisting of fragrance, preservatives, antimicrobial agents, rheology modifiers, suspension agents, foam control agents, other fabric softening compounds and mixtures thereof.

[0026] Preferably, the fabric softening formulation of the present invention, optionally further comprises a fragrance. More preferably, the fabric softening formulation of the present invention, further comprises: 0.05 to 10 wt% (preferably, 0.1 to 5 wt%; most preferably, 0.1 to 3 wt%), based on weight of the fabric softening formulation, of fragrance. Still more preferably, the fabric softening formulation of the present invention, optionallyfurther comprises: 0.05 to 10 wt% (preferably, 0.1 to 5 wt%; most preferably, 0.1 to 3 wt%), based on weight of the fabric softening formulation, of fragrance; wherein the fragrance is selected from the group consisting of benzyl alcohol, citronellol, linalool, limonene and mixtures thereof. Most preferably, the fabric softening formulation of the present invention, optionally further comprises: 0.05 to 10 wt% (preferably, 0.1 to 5 wt%; most preferably, 0.1 to 3 wt%), based on weight of the fabric softening formulation, of fragrance; wherein the fragrance includes citronellol.

[0027] The present invention provides a method of treating an article of laundry, comprising: providing an article of laundry; providing a fabric softening formulation of the present invention; providing a bath water; and applying the bath water and the fabric softening formulation to the article of laundry (preferably, wherein the article of laundry is cotton; more preferrably, wherien the article of laundry is a fabric selected from the group consisting of cotton interlock, cotton and cotton terry) to provide a treated article of laundry. More preferably, the present invention provides a method of treating an article of laundry, comprising: providing an article of laundry (preferably, wherein the article of laundry is cotton; more preferrably, wherien the article of laundry is a fabric selected from the group consisting of cotton interlock, cotton and cotton terry); providing a fabric softening formulation of the present invention; providing a bath water; and applying the bath water and the fabric softening formulation to the article of laundry to provide a treated article of laundry; wherein the softening agent in combination with the esterquat enhances softness of the treated article of laundry (preferably, wherein the esterquat and the softening agent synergistically enhance softness of the treated article of laundryXpreferably, wherein the article of laundry is cotton; more preferrably, wherien the article of laundry is a fabric selected from the group consisting of cotton interlock, cotton and cotton terry). Most preferably, the present invention provides a method of treating an article of laundry, comprising: providing an article of laundry (preferably, wherein the article of laundry is cotton; more preferrably, wherien the article of laundry is a fabric selected from the group consisting of cotton interlock, cotton and cotton terry); providing a fabric softening formulation of the present invention; providing a bath water; applying the bath water and the fabric softening formulation to the article of laundry to provide a treated article of laundry; and removing the bath water from the treated article of laundry; wherein the softening agent in combination with the esterquat enhances softness of the treated article of laundry (preferably, wherein the esterquat and the softening agent synergistically enhance softness of the treated article of laundryXpreferably, wherein the article of laundry is cotton; morepreferably, wherien the article of laundry is a fabric selected from the group consisting of cotton interlock, cotton and cotton terry).

[0028] Some embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail in the following Examples.Example SI: Synthesis of softening agent

[0029] A 500 mL, four necked, round bottom flask fitted with a rubber septum cap, a nitrogen inlet, a pressure equalizing addition funnel, a stirring paddle and motor, a subsurface thermocouple connected to a J-KEM controller and a Friedrich condenser connected to a mineral oil bubbler was charged with dextran (67.50 g; Ultradex 530 from Fermworx), deionized water (162.26 g) and 2-chloroethyl morpholine hydrochloride (15.51 g). The contents of the flask were stirred for 1 hour. Then a 50% aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide (14.0 g) was added dropwise to the flask contents with continued stirring for 180 minutes at 70 °C. The flask contents were then cooled to room temperature and glacial acetic acid was added with continued stirring over 10 minutes. The product was characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy for structural analysis to determine the degree of substitution, DSmorp, of 0.12. The product comprised 26 wt% softening agent active in water.Synthesis S2: Synthesis of Cationic Dextran Polymer

[0030] A 500 ml, four-necked, round-bottomed flask was charged with 129.83 g of dextran solution (30% in water). The flask was fitted with a stirring paddle and electric motor and 20.88 g of QU AB 151 (glycidyl trimethylammonium chloride from QU AB Chemicals) was added to the flask. The flask contents were then stirred under nitrogen for one hour to remove any entrained oxygen in the system. After the one-hour nitrogen purge was completed, 6.35 g of 25% aqueous sodium hydroxide solution was added to the flask and heat was applied. The heating set-point was adjusted to 70 °C. When the flask contents reached 70 °C, the timer was started, and the flask contents were allowed to react for four hours under nitrogen.

[0031] After four hours at 70 °C, the flask contents were cooled in a water bath while maintaining a positive nitrogen pressure in the flask. The flask contents were neutralized by adding 2.5 g of glacial acetic acid using a syringe and allowing the flask contents to stir for 10 minutes at which point a 1% EUXYL PE 9010 preservative was added to the flask contents. A portion of the product polymer was isolated by nonsolvent precipitation in methanol; the isolated polymer was obtained as a white solid (26.68 g), with a volatiles content of 3.89%, an ash content (as sodium chloride) of 0.09%, and a Kjeldahl nitrogencontent (corrected for ash and volatiles) of 1.61%, corresponding to a CS value of 0.225. The remainder of the polymer product was used without purification (30% active polymer).Synthesis S3: Synthesis of Cationic Dextran Polymer

[0032] A 1000 mL, four necked, round bottom flask fitted with a rubber serum cap, a nitrogen inlet, a pressure equalizing addition funnel, a stirring paddle and motor, a subsurface thermocouple connected to a J-KEM controller and a Friedrich condenser connected to a mineral oil bubbler was charged with dextran polymer (400 g Ultradex 530 from FermWorx). The weight average molecular weight of the dextran polymer was 200,000 to 500,000 Daltons. The addition funnel was charged with a 65% aqueous solution of 3-chloro-2- hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride (63.8g; QUAT® 188 available from Dow Chemical). While the flask contents were stirring, the apparatus was purged with nitrogen to displace any oxygen entrained in the system for one hour. The nitrogen flow rate was about 1 bubble per second.

[0033] Using a plastic syringe, a 50% aqueous sodium hydroxide solution (24.7 g) was added over a period of a couple minutes to the flask contents with stirring under nitrogen. The flask contents were then allowed to stir under nitrogen for one hour. The contents of the addition funnel were then charged to the flask contents dropwise over a few minutes under nitrogen with continued stirring. After the contents of the addition funnel were transferred to the flask contents, the mixture was allowed to stir for 20 minutes. Then heat was applied to the flask contents with a heating mantle controlled using the J-KEM controller set at 55 °C. The flask contents were heated to and maintained at 70 °C for 4 hours.

[0034] The flask contents were then cooled in an ice water bath while maintaining a positive nitrogen pressure in the flask. When the flask contents reached room temperature, glacial acetic acid (5.7 g) was added to the flask contents. The flask contents were then stirred for 10 minutes under nitrogen. The product solution was used without further purification. The product polymer was characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy for structural analysis to determine the degree of substitution, DSqUat, of 0.171. The product comprised 28 wt% polymer active in water.

[0035] The product comprised 28 wt% polymer active in water.Comparative Examples CF1-CF3 and Example Fl; Fabric softening formulation

[0036] Fabric softening formulations were prepared in each of Comparative Examples CF1-CF3 and Example Fl having the formulation as described in TABLE 1.TABLE IFabric Softness

[0037] Fabric softening performance of the fabric softening formulations of Comparative Examples CF1-CF3 and Example Fl were assessed in a Speed Queen TR7 (Model number AWNE9RSN116TW01) top load washing machine. Three cotton terry washcloths were added to each machine with all washcloths being stripped prior to use to remove any treatments applied during manufacturing. Washes were carried out using the heavy-duty cycle with light soil level and the medium load size. The temperature was set to cold / cold. The water was hardened to 115 ppm with a 2: 1 Ca2+:Mg2+molar ratio. A fabric softener formulation as noted in TABLE 2 was dosed at 0.5 g fabric softener / liter of water. After the wash cycle was complete, 25 g of the fabric softener formulation as noted in TABLE 3 was added to the machine at the start of the rinse cycle. When the cycle was completed, the cloths were tumble dried in an industrial dryer on the high heat setting until dry. Additional ballast was added to the dryers to equal six pounds. After drying, the cloths were hung in a constant temperature and humidity chamber to condition for 24 hours at 21 °C and 65% relative humidity. After the cloths were conditioned, they were tested using the PhabrOmeter® Model 3 10 kg instrument to evaluate softness. The results are provided in TABLE 3.TABLE 2TABLE 3

Claims

We claim:

1. A fabric softening formulation comprising:50 to 98.45 wt%, based on weight of the fabric softening formulation, of water;1.5 to 30 wt%, based on weight of the fabric softening formulation, of an esterquat; and0.05 to 5 wt%, based on weight of the fabric softening formulation, of a softening agent; wherein the softening agent is a dextran base polymer functionalized with morpholine groups; wherein the dextran base polymer has a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 to 3,000,000 Daltons and wherein the morpholine groups are of formula (I) bound to a pendent oxygen on the dextran base polymerwhereinpendent oxygen on the dextran base polymer; and wherein A is a divalent linking group.

2. The fabric softening formulation of claim 1 , wherein the softening agent has a quaternary ammonium degree of substitition, DSquat, of < 0.0005.

3. The fabric softening formulation of claim 2, wherein the fabric softening formulation comprises < 0.01 wt%, based on weight of the fabric softening formulation, of a cationic polysaccharide.

4. The fabric softening formulation of claim 3, wherein the softening agent has a Kjeldahl nitrogen content corrected for ash and volatiles of 0.5 to 5.0 wt%.

5. The fabric softening formulation of claim 4, wherein the dextran polymer has a weight average molecular weight of 50,000 to 3,000,000 Daltons.

6. The fabric softening formulation of claim 5, wherein the branched chain dextran polymer comprises a plurality of glucose structural units; wherein 90 to 98 mol% of the glucose structural units are connected by a-D-1,6 linkages and 2 to 10 mol% of the glucose structural units are connected by a- 1,3 linkages.

7. The fabric softening formulation of claim 6, wherein the fabric softening formulation comprises < 2 wt%, based on weight of the fabric softening formulation, of a anionic surfactant.

8. The fabric softening formulation of claim 7, wherein the softening agent comprises < 0.001 meq / gram of silicone containing functionality.

9. The fabric softening formulation of claim 8, further comprising a fragrance.

10. A method of treating an article of laundry, comprising: providing an article of laundry; selecting a fabric softening formulation according to claim 1 ; providing a bath water; and applying the bath water and the fabric softening formulation to the article of laundry to provide a treated article of laundry.

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