Laundry sanitizing and softening composition

Abstract

A laundry composition comprising (a) at least one cationic biocidal active; (b) at least one emulsifier; and (c) at least one cationic fabric softener; wherein the emulsifier is an unsaturated fatty a

Description

The present invention relates to a laundry sanitizing and softening composition to be added to a laundry washing process to provide improved reduction in bacteria and viruses on fabrics being laundered during a laundry washing process while also providing fabric softening benefits. Background Consumers have increased interest in washing laundry under energy and water efficient conditions due to environmental concerns, and also washing with laundry compositions with reduced environmental impact, such as less environmentally harmful laundry detergents. Consumers are therefore interested in washing laundry at cooler temperatures, with less water and with milder laundry detergents. Washing laundry under these conditions raises concerns that the resulting items may be visibly clean but may be unhygienic because they may still harbour pathogens, especially when using cooler temperatures, with less water and with milder laundry detergents. Therefore, there is a growing demand for laundry sanitizing compositions to ensure that clean laundry harbours fewer pathogens. However, laundry sanitizing compositions are added to the fabric softener drawer of the washing machine, making it difficult to use both laundry sanitizing compositions and fabric softener compositions in the same wash cycle. Liquid fabric softener (also known as fabric conditioner) compositions are typically a dispersion of cationic quaternary ammonium surfactants in an aqueous carrier. These cationic quaternary ammonium surfactants form positively charged vesicles dispersed in the carrier. Adding further cations to the system may affect the stability of the vesicles, leading to flocculation and thus instability of the composition. Thus, it has been difficult to combine in a single composition the actives used in laundry sanitizing compositions, typically cationic biocidal agents, with the cationic quaternary ammonium surfactants used as fabric softening agents in liquid fabric softeners. WO 96 / 21715 seeks to provide a means for stabilizing dispersions of cationic fabric softeners in liquid carriers, particularly those containing added electrolytes, by using certain polymers incorporated into concentrated fabric softener compositions to enhance stability. In particular, when formulating fabric softeners with higher concentrations of cationic surfactant it is usually desirable to incorporate materials such as inorganic electrolytes, e.g. to de-water the softener vesicles and to incorporate perfume with the cationic vesicles to stabilise the perfume. It is suggested that the polymers interact with the cationic softener vesicles, inhibiting their coalescence in the presence of high ionic strength, such as when adding further cations to the system. Suggested polymers are water-soluble polyesters that can be formed from: (1) ethylene glycol, 1,2-propylene glycol or a mixture thereof; (2) a polyethylene glycol (PEG) capped at one end with a Ci-4 alkyl group; and (3) a dicarboxylic acid (or its diester). US 3,349,033 relates to microbiologically active softeners. It discusses how mixtures of germicidal quaternary ammonium salts with fabric softeners are unstable, remaining homogeneous for at most a few weeks. This instability is allegedly overcome by adding a small amount of an emulsifier (e.g. a long chain fatty alcohol) to the mixture causing the mixture to remain homogenously emulsified for longer and under successive freeze-thaw cycles. The long chain fatty alcohol emulsifiers are disclosed to be Cio-is fatty alcohols, such as “topped fatty alcohols” like “Lorol 5”, disclosed to have an alkyl chain distribution of 3% Cw, 61% C12, 23% Ci4, 11% Ci6 and 2% Cis. The cationic quaternary ammonium softeners discussed are of the formula NR’R”R”R”’X, where R and R’ are C10-20 alkyl groups; R” is methyl; R’” is methyl, ethyl or (CH2-CHO)nH where w>0, and X is chlorine, bromine, sulfate, methosulfate or ethosulfate. An example of a common contemporaneous cationic quaternary ammonium softener is di-(hydrogenated tallow) dimethyl ammonium methosulfate, which has since been superseded by more biodegradable compounds, such as esterquats. The germicidal quaternary ammonium salts used in US 3,349,033 are of the single-chain variety, such as Alkyl Dimethyl Benzyl Ammonium Chloride (“ADBAC” or “BKC”). Germicidal quaternary ammonium salts have developed considerably since US 3,349,033 with Alkyl Dimethyl EthylBenzyl Ammonium Chloride (“ADEBAC” or “EBC”) and Dialkyl Dimethyl Ammonium Chloride (“DDAC”, a twin-chain quat) becoming available, as well as mixtures of these quaternary ammonium salts. DDAC is the most efficacious germicidal quaternary ammonium and has improved tolerance for anionic surfactants, organic loads and hard water compared with the single-chain quats BKC and EBC. EBC is typically used in combination with BKC. Both the germicidal quaternary ammonium salts and the fabric softener actives have therefore advanced considerably since US 3,349,033. US 4,476,030 relates to concentrated masterbatches of fabric softeners, for instance containing distearyl-dimethylammonium chloride. However, US 4,476,030 is not concerned with reduction of bacteria and viruses during a laundry washing process. WO2002 / 072745A1 provides a rinse added composition for the conditioning of fabric in a rinse, the composition comprising a fabric softener active, a suds suppressing system and a surfactant scavenger. WO2006 / 094582A1 discusses how consumers prefer liquid fabric conditioners that appear thick and creamy, which is indicated by having a high viscosity and a high opacity. Thin, translucent, or watery liquid fabric conditioners are perceived as cheap and / or ineffective. WO2006 / 094582A1 suggests that polymeric viscosity modifiers may be used to impart a high viscosity and opacity to the composition and uses water-soluble polysaccharide polymers to this effect. WO97 / 47716A2 describes aqueous softening dispersions containing 0.5 to 20 wt% of at least one non-ionic fat, 0.2 to 10 wt % of a water-soluble or insoluble cationic emulsifier and possibly up to 10 wt% of a non-ionic emulsifier, in which the weight ratios between fat and emulsifiers is between 10:1 and 0.5:1, and which are alleged to exhibit a good soft-care effect if the zeta potential of the dispersion is at least +30 mV at 25°C and a pH of 7. GB2207446 relates to aqueous fabric softening compositions based on cationic fabric softeners and fatty alcohols. The weight ratio of cationic softening agent to fatty alcohols is in the range of from about 6:1 to 2.8:1. WO02 / 20706A1 describes a method of preparing an aqueous dispersion of a fabric conditioning composition comprises mixing 7.5 to 60 wt% of a cationic fabric softening compound with 0.01 % - 1.5 wt% of a non-ionic surfactant viscosity modifier and up to 1.4 % by weight of a fatty alcohol, the combination of (b) and (c) being no more than 1.5 % by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. Saturated fatty alcohols are preferred as these were considered to deliver greater benefits in terms of stability, especially low temperature stability. WO03 / 022972A1 also describes a method of preparing an aqueous, liquid fabric conditioning composition wherein saturated fatty alcohols are preferred as these were considered to deliver greater benefits in terms of stability, especially low temperature stability. WO23 / 105205A1 describes a laundry composition comprising a cationic biocidal active, a cationic fabric softener and an emulsifier, wherein the emulsifier is an unsaturated fatty alcohol. In this document, unsaturated fatty alcohols are considered to deliver greater benefits in terms of stability compared to saturated alcohols. Dettol® Laundry Cleanser is one commercially available product that is used for sanitizing clean laundry. It contains the dialkyl (Cs-io) dimethylammonium chloride (DDAC) and benzyl-Ci2-i8-alkyldimethyl chloride (ADBAC). Typically, about 120ml of Dettol® Laundry Cleanser is added to the fabric softener drawer of the washing machine so that it is used in the washing machine rinse cycle. Dettol® Laundry Cleanser kills 99.9% of bacteria (i.e. a 3-log reduction in bacteria) in laboratory tests. However, this Laundry Cleanser does not contain cationic fabric softener ingredients and is not intended to provide fabric softening effects in addition to the sanitizing effect it provides. There remains a need for laundry softener compositions that also provide germ kill. It is an object of the invention to address one or more of the above-mentioned problems. It is a further object of the invention to provide a laundry softener composition that also provides germ kill during a laundry rinse cycle. Statement of invention In a first aspect, the invention provides a laundry composition comprising: a) about 0.2 to about 5 wt% of at least one cationic biocidal active; b) about 1 to about 25 wt% of at least one cationic fabric softener, and c) about 0.5 to about 4 wt% of at least one emulsifier, wherein the at least one emulsifier is an unsaturated fatty acid ester and wherein the at least one cationic fabric softener is a cationic quaternary ammonium surfactant containing ester linkages (esterquat). In a second aspect, the invention provides a method of sanitizing and softening laundry during a laundry washing process comprising adding from about 30 to about 180 ml, preferably about 120 ml, of the laundry composition according to the first aspect to the fabric softener compartment of an automatic washing machine and using the automatic washing machine to perform a laundry washing process. In a third aspect, the invention provides the use of an unsaturated fatty acid ester (such as those described herein) for stabilising a cationic liquid dispersion containing at least one cationic surfactant. Preferably, the use of an unsaturated fatty acid ester (such as those described herein) for preventing flocculation in a cationic liquid dispersion containing at least one cationic surfactant is provided. The at least one cationic surfactant may be a cationic biocidal active (such as a cationic quaternary ammonium surfactant, e.g. those described herein), a fabric softener (such as those described herein), and a combination of a cationic biocidal active and a fabric softener. The carrier liquid may be aqueous. The liquid dispersion may be a dispersion of vesicles. In fourth aspect, the invention provides a method of stabilising a cationic liquid dispersion containing at least one cationic surfactant, comprising adding an unsaturated fatty acid ester emulsifier (such as those described herein) to a liquid dispersion containing the at least one cationic surfactant. The unsaturated fatty acid ester prevents flocculation in the liquid dispersion, thus stabilising the cationic liquid dispersion. The cationic surfactant may be a cationic biocidal active (such as a cationic quaternary ammonium surfactant, e.g. those described herein), a cationic fabric softener (such as those described herein), and a combination of a cationic biocidal active and a cationic fabric softener. The carrier liquid may be aqueous. The liquid dispersion may be a dispersion of vesicles. Terms and Definitions As used herein: the terms “approximately” and “about” mean plus or minus 10% of the value stated; the term “a” or “an” means one or more; any and all ranges are inclusive of their endpoints, e.g. a range of from 1 wt% to 10wt% w / w includes lwt% and 10wt% and any concentration between lwt% and I0wt%; all amounts given in % are % by weight (wt%) based on the total weight of the composition unless otherwise stated; all amounts given in % refer to the active amounts, unless otherwise stated;the term “benzyl group” is C6H5CH2-; the term “comprising” means “includes” and encompasses the terms "consisting of and "consisting essentially of; i.e. the compositions of the invention comprising the components as herein defined may consist essentially of these components or may consist of these components. Detailed Description of the Invention Cationic Biocidal Active The at least one cationic biocidal active is a cationic surfactant. The at least one cationic biocidal active may be selected from one or more quaternary ammonium compounds. Quaternary ammonium compounds are compounds of the formula (NR'R2R3R4)X, where X' is a salt-forming anion which permits water solubility of the quaternary ammonium compounds, and is, for example, chloride, bromide or iodide or a methosulfate anion. Any quaternary ammonium compound with antimicrobial activity may be used in the invention. The at least one cationic biocidal active agent may be selected from one or more dialkyldimethyl ammonium chlorides (DDAC), where each alkyl group is independently selected from straight chain Cs-Cio alkyl. The at least one cationic biocidal active agent may be selected from one or more alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chlorides (ADBAC also known as BKC): if : N .-. i / \ piO h3c ch3 u 5 where n = 8-18, preferably n = 12-14 as these chain lengths are the most biocidal. The at least one cationic biocidal active agent may be selected from one or more alkyl dimethyl ethylbenzyl ammonium chlorides (ADEBAC also known as EBC), which are preferably Cs-n-alkyl [(ethylphenyl) methyl] dimethyl chlorides. Preferably, the at least one cationic biocidal active agent is selected from ADBAC, ADEBAC, DDAC and combinations thereof, such as ADBAC and DDAC, or ADBAC and ADEBAC, or ADBAC, ADEBAC and DDAC. More preferably, the at least one cationic biocidal active agent is BKC or DDAC or a combination of ADBAC and DDAC. Most preferably, the at least one cationic biocidal active agent is DDAC. These cationic biocidal agents are typically provided as solutions containing the cationic biocidal agent and solvents, typically selected from water, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, ethylene glycol and mixtures thereof. The at least one cationic biocidal active is present in the laundry composition at about 0.2 to about 5 wt% of the composition. Preferably, the at least one cationic biocidal active is present at about 0.3 to about 4 wt% of the laundry composition. More preferably, the laundry composition comprises about 0.4 wt% of the at least one cationic biocidal active. Cationic Fabric Softener The at least one cationic biocidal active is a cationic surfactant. The at least one cationic fabric softener is different to the at least one cationic biocidal agent as described above. The at least one fabric softener is a cationic quaternary ammonium surfactant containing ester linkages, commonly called an esterquat. The term ‘esterquat’ is also used herein to describe these types of cationic quaternary ammonium surfactant containing ester linkages. Preferably, the at least one fabric softener is a cationic quaternary ammonium surfactant derivable from the reaction of triethanolamine with fatty acids or with fatty alcohols. When a fatty acid is used, preferably the fatty acid is cis-9-octadecenoic acid. In this case, the cationic fabric softener may be dioleoylethyl hydroxyethylmonium methosulfate (such as Tetranyl® CO-40 available from Kao), which is a reaction product of cis-9-octadecenoic acid triethanolamine and then quatemized with dimethyl sulfate. When a fatty alcohol is used, preferably the fatty alcohols are partially hydrogenated. The fatty alcohols may be derived from plant oils (e.g. palm, palm kernel or coconut oil) or animal sources (e.g. tallow). The cationic fabric softener may be a partially hydrogenated palm esterquat (such as Tetranyl® L6 / 90 available from Kao) or a partially hydrogenated tallow esterquat (e.g. dihydrogenerated tallowethyl, ditallowethyl hydroxyethylmonium methosulfate, such as Tetranyl® AT7590 available from Kao)). The at least one cationic fabric softener is present in the laundry composition at about 1 to about 25 wt% of the composition. Preferably, the at least one cationic fabric softener is present at about 1 to about 10 wt% of the laundry composition, more preferably at about 1 to about 5wt%, yet more preferably at about 2 to about 4 wt% of the laundry composition. More preferably, the laundry composition comprises about 3.5 wt% to about 4 wt% of the at least one cationic fabric softeners. Alternatively, the at least one cationic fabric softener may preferably be present in the laundry composition at about 3 to about 15 wt% of the laundry composition, more preferably at about 3 to about 10wt%. Emulsifier The at least one emulsifier is an unsaturated fatty acid ester. Preferably, the at least one unsaturated fatty acid ester contains at least one cis double bond. More preferably, the at least one unsaturated fatty acid ester is a monounsaturated fatty acid ester. The inventors have surprisingly found that the inclusion of an unsaturated fatty acid ester emulsifier in a laundry composition comprising a cationic fabric softener and a cationic biocidal agent produced stable laundry fabric softeners compositions that provide germ kill during a laundry process. The at least one unsaturated fatty acid ester may be an unsaturated fatty acid monoester, an unsaturated fatty acid diester, or a combination of an unsaturated fatty acid monoester and an unsaturated fatty acid diester, for example: an unsaturated fatty acid monoester derivable from the reaction of glycerol with an unsaturated fatty acid, an unsaturated fatty acid diester derivable from the reaction of glycerol with at least one unsaturated fatty acid, or a combination of an unsaturated fatty acid monoester derivable from the reaction of glycerol with an unsaturated fatty acid and an unsaturated fatty acid diester derivable from the reaction of glycerol with at least one unsaturated fatty acid. The at least one unsaturated fatty acid ester may be derivable from the reaction of glycerol with at least one unsaturated fatty acid selected from a Cx-26 unsaturated fatty acid, or a Cio-26 unsaturated fatty acid, preferably the at least one unsaturated fatty acid is a C12-26 unsaturated fatty acid, more preferably a C16-22 unsaturated fatty acid. The unsaturated fatty acid may be oleic acid (cis-9-octadecenoic acid), palmitoleic acid (cis-9-hexadecenoic acid), erucic acid (cis-13-docosenoic acid), preferably oleic acid (cis-9-octadecenoic acid). The at least one emulsifier is present in the laundry composition at about 0.5 to about 4 wt% of the composition. Preferably, the at least one emulsifier is present at about 1 to about 3 wt% of the laundry composition. More preferably, the laundry composition comprises about I wt% of the at least one emulsifier. The weight ratio of the at least one cationic biocidal active : at least one cationic fabric softener : at least one emulsifier may be 1 : 1-40 : 1-10, preferably, aboutl :10:2.5. Additional components The laundry composition may contain chelating agents. In particular, the laundry composition may contain one or more of aminopolycarboxylates (such as EDTA); nitrilotriacetic acid (NT A); iminodi succinic acid (IDS); polyaspartic acid; S,S-ethylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinic acid (EDDS), methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA); and L-Glutamic acid N,N-diacetic acid, tetrasodium salt (GLDA). The laundry composition may contain organic acids and / or salts thereof. In particular, the laundry composition may contain organic acids that have antimicrobial activity, such as glycolic acid, citric acid, formic acid, sorbic acid, lactic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, malic acid and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the organic acid is glycolic acid or a salt thereof. The laundry composition may contain antifoam agents. In particular, the laundry composition may contain silicone antifoam emulsions such as those available from Wacker as SILFOAM®. The laundry composition may contain pH adjusting agents. In particular, the laundry composition may contain sulfuric acid. The laundry composition may contain enzymes. In particular, the laundry composition may contain cellulase enzymes, such as those available from Novozymes as Carezyme®, and / or phosphodiesterase enzymes, such as those available from Novozymes as Pristine®. The laundry compositions may contain one or more of the following solvents: water, ethanol, propanol, isopropyl alcohol, glycerine and / or propylene glycol. The laundry composition may contain perfumes and colourants or colouring agents. The above ingredients may be included in conventional amounts by weight. In one embodiment, the laundry composition comprises: i. about 0.4wt% of at least one dialkyldimethyl ammonium chloride (DDAC), where each alkyl group is independently selected from straight chain Cs-Cio alkyl; ii. about 3.5wt% to about 4wt% of cationic fabric softeners, and iii. about 1.00wt% oleyl alcohol. The laundry composition may further comprise: iv. about 0.25wt% enzymes, such as cellulase and / or, phosphodiesterase. The laundry composition may optionally further comprise a pH adjuster, such as sulphuric acid. In one embodiment, from about 30 to about 180 ml, preferably about 120 ml, of the laundry composition of the invention at about 1:159 dilution with water achieves at least a 4-log reduction according to the ENI276:2009 protocol, under clean conditions in no more than 22 minutes at 20°C. Preferably, from about 30 to about 180 ml, preferably about 120 ml, of the laundry composition of the invention at about 1:159 dilution with water achieves at least a 5-log reduction according to the EN1276:2009 protocol, under clean conditions in no more than 22 minutes at 20°C. In a second aspect, the invention provides a method of sanitizing laundry during a laundry washing process comprising adding from about 30 to about 180 ml, preferably about 120 ml, of the laundry composition described according to the first aspect to the fabric softener compartment of an automatic washing machine and using the automatic washing machine to perform a laundry washing process. In a third aspect, the invention provides the use of an unsaturated fatty acid ester emulsifier as described above in stabilising a laundry composition comprising at least one cationic biocidal active and a cationic fabric softener. Preferably, the use of an unsaturated fatty acid ester (such as those described herein) for preventing flocculation in a cationic liquid dispersion containing at least one cationic surfactant is provided. The at least one cationic surfactant may be a cationic biocidal active (such as a cationic quaternary ammonium surfactant, e.g. those described herein), a fabric softener (such as those described herein), and a combination of a cationic biocidal active and a fabric softener. The carrier liquid may be aqueous. The liquid dispersion may be a dispersion of vesicles. The inventors have surprisingly found that the inclusion of an unsaturated fatty acid ester emulsifier in a laundry composition comprising a cationic fabric softener and a cationic biocidal agent produced stable laundry fabric softeners compositions that provide germ kill during a laundry process. In particular, the inventors have surprisingly found that an unsaturated fatty acid ester improves the stability of a laundry composition comprising a cationic fabric softener and a cationic biocidal agent, in particular with respect to using a saturated fatty alcohol. In a fourth aspect, the invention provides a method of stabilising a cationic liquid dispersion containing at least one cationic surfactant, comprising adding an unsaturated fatty acid ester emulsifier (such as those described above) to a liquid dispersion containing the at least one cationic surfactant. The unsaturated fatty acid ester prevents flocculation in the liquid dispersion, thus stabilising the cationic liquid dispersion. The cationic surfactant may be a cationic biocidal active (such as a cationic quaternary ammonium surfactant, e.g. those described above), a cationic fabric softener (such as those described above), and a combination of a cationic biocidal active and a cationic fabric softener. The carrier liquid may be aqueous. The liquid dispersion may be a dispersion of vesicles. Examples The foilowing examples illustrate exemplary formulations as well as preferred embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood that these examples are provided by way of illustration only and that further useful formulations falling within the scope of the present invention and the claims may be readily produced by one skilled in the art without deviating from the scope and spirit of the invention. Samples In the following examples, the biocidal active used was DDAC. This biocide is typically provided as solutions containing DDAC and solvents, typically selected from water, ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, ethylene glycol and mixtures thereof. In the following examples the DDAC used was Acticide® DDQ80 (Thor) or Didecyl Dimethyl Ammonium Chloride 80% (Kenoor Organics), both are twin chain dimethyl ammonium chloride compositions comprising 80% DDAC actives. In Acticide® DDQ80 (Thor), the balance comprises water and ethanol. In Didecyl Dimethyl Ammonium Chloride 80% (Kenoor Organics), the balance comprises isopropyl alcohol and water. In the foilowing examples the fabric softening active used was Tetranyl® CO-40 (Kao), which contained 70-80% active matter (cis-9-octadecenoic acid reaction products with triethanolamine, dimethyl sulfate-quatemized), with the balance comprising propylene glycol. In the following examples the emulsifier is Monegyl GO-60 (Mohini Organics) which is a mixture of glyceryl monooleate and glyceryl dioleate. In the foilowing examples the solvent was glycerine, the enzymes were Carezyme ® Essential 100L (a cellulase, Novozymes) and Pristine ® 100L (a phosphodiesterase, 5 Novozymes). Sample Preparation The following formulations were made by preparing a pre-mix of the following components: cationic biocidal compound, cationic fabric softener, emulsifier, glycerin, enzymes and fragrance. These components are added to water and mixed until homogeneous. The dye 10 solution and an encapsulated fragrance are then added to the formulation. Ingredient Function A B C D Deionized Water Solvent 90.5245 90.5240 89.8415 89.8390 Tetranyl CO-40 Cationic Softener 5.0000 (active amount 3.500-4.000) 5.0000 (active amount 3.500-4.000) 5.0000 (active amount 3.500-4.000) 5.0000 (active amount 3.500-4.000) DDAC 80% -Acticide® DDQ80 or Didecyl Dimethyl Ammonium Chloride 80% Cationic Biocidal Agent 0.5000 (active amount 0.4000) 0.5000 (active amount 0.4000) 0.5000 (active amount 0.4000) 0.5000 (active amount 0.4000) Monegyl GO-60 Emulsifier 1.0000 1.0000 1.0000 1.0000 Glycerine Solvent 1.8000 1.8000 1.8000 1.8000 Carezyme ® Essential 100L Enzyme 0.1500 0.1500 0.1500 0.1500 Pristine ® 100L Enzyme 0.1000 0.1000 0.1000 0.1000 Blue Colourant Colourant 0.0005 N / A 0.0005 N / A Yellow Colourant Colourant N / A 0.0010 N / A 0.0010 Fragrance Fragrance 0.6750 N / A 0.10080 N / A Fragrance Fragrance N / A 0.6750 N / A 1.1100 Encapsulated Fragrance Encapsulated Fragrance 0.2500 0.2500 0.5000 0.5000

Claims

1. A laundry composition comprising:a) about 0.2 to about 5 wt% of at least one cationic biocidal active;b) about 1 to about 25 wt% of at least one cationic fabric softener, andc) about 0.5 to about 4 wt% of at least one emulsifier, wherein the at least one emulsifier is an unsaturated fatty acid ester and wherein the at least one cationic fabric softener is a cationic quaternary ammonium surfactant containing ester linkages (esterquat).

2. A laundry composition according to claim 1, wherein the at least one emulsifier is an unsaturated fatty acid ester containing at least one cis double bond, or, wherein the at least one emulsifier is a monounsaturated fatty acid ester.

3. A laundry composition according to claim 1, wherein the at least one unsaturated fatty acid ester is selected from an unsaturated fatty acid monoester, an unsaturated fatty acid diester, or, a combination of an unsaturated fatty acid monoester and an unsaturated fatty acid diester, for example:an unsaturated fatty acid monoester derivable from the reaction of glycerol with an unsaturated fatty acid,an unsaturated fatty acid diester derivable from the reaction of glycerol with at least one unsaturated fatty acid, or,a combination of an unsaturated fatty acid monoester derivable from the reaction of glycerol with an unsaturated fatty acid and an unsaturated fatty acid diester derivable from the reaction of glycerol with at least one unsaturated fatty acid.

4. A laundry composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one emulsifier is derivable from the reaction of glycerol with at least one unsaturated fatty acid selected from a Cs-26 unsaturated fatty acid, or a Cio-26 unsaturated fatty acid, preferably the at least one unsaturated fatty acid is a C12-26 unsaturated fatty acid, more preferably a C16-22 unsaturated fatty acid, for example: oleic acid (cis-9-octadecenoic acid), palmitoleic acid (cis-9-hexadecenoic acid), erucic acid (cis-13-docosenoic acid), particularly oleic acid (cis-9-octadecenoic acid).

5. A laundry composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one cationic biocidal active is selected from one or more quaternary ammonium compounds, for example, wherein the at least one cationic biocidal active agent is selected from:- one or more dialkyldimethyl ammonium chloride (DDAC), where each alkyl group is independently selected from straight chain Cs-Cio alkyl;one or more alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (ADBAC):fi V N ~h3c ch3 uwhere n = 8-18, preferably n = 12-14;one or more alkyl dimethyl ethylbenzyl ammonium chloride (ADEBAC also known as EBC), which are preferably Cs-n-alkyl [(ethylphenyl) methyl] dimethyl chlorides;combinations of ADBAC, ADEBAC, DDAC, such as ADBAC and DDAC, or ADBAC and ADEBAC, or ADBAC, ADEBAC and DDAC.

6. A laundry composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one cationic biocidal active is DDAC or ADBAC, or, a combination of ADBAC and DDAC, preferably DDAC.

7. A laundry composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one cationic fabric softener is a cationic quaternary ammonium surfactant containing ester linkages (esterquat) derivable from the reaction of triethanolamine with fatty alcohols or fatty acids, preferably the fatty acid is ci s-9-octadecenoic acid, preferably, the fatty alcohols are partially hydrogenated, more preferably the cationic fabric softener is a partially hydrogenated palm esterquat or a partially hydrogenated tallow esterquat (e.g. dihydrogenerated tallowethyl, ditallowethyl hydroxyethylmonium methosulfate).

8. A laundry composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the laundry composition comprises:- about 0.3 to about 4 wt% of the at least one cationic biocidal active;- about 1 to about 10 wt% of the at least one cationic fabric softeners, preferablyabout 1 to about 5 wt%, more preferably about 2 to about 4 wt%, andabout 1 to about 3 wt% of the at least one emulsifier.

9. A laundry composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the laundry composition comprises:- about 0.4wt% of the at least one cationic biocidal active;- about 3.5 wt% to about 4 wt% of the at least one cationic fabric softeners, and about lwt% of the at least one emulsifier.

10. A laundry composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the weight ratio of the at least one cationic biocidal active : at least one cationic fabric softeners : at least one emulsifier is 1 : 1-40 : 1-10.

11. A laundry composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the weight ratio of the at least one cationic biocidal active: at least one cationic fabric softeners: at least one emulsifier is aboutl :10:2.5.

12. A laundry composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the laundry composition comprises:i. about 0.4wt% of at least one dialkyldimethyl ammonium chloride (DDAC), where each alkyl group is independently selected from straight chain Cg-Cio alkyl;ii. about 3.5wt% to about 4wt% of cationic fabric softeners, andiii. about 1.00wt% oleyl alcohol.

13. A laundry composition according to claim 12, wherein the laundry composition further comprises:iv. about 0.25wt% enzymes, such as cellulase and / or phosphodiesterase enzymes.

14. A method of sanitizing and softening laundry during a laundry washing process comprising adding from about 30 to about 180 ml, preferably about 120 ml, of the laundry composition according to any preceding claim to the fabric softener compartment of an automatic washing machine and using the automatic washing machine to perform a laundry washing process.

15. Use of an unsaturated fatty acid ester emulsifier in stabilising a laundry composition comprising at least one cationic biocidal active and a cationic fabric softener.5 16. A method of stabilising a cationic liquid dispersion containing at least one cationicsurfactant, comprising adding an unsaturated fatty acid ester emulsifier to a liquid dispersion containing the at least one cationic surfactant, preferably wherein the at least one cationic surfactant is a mixture of at least one cationic biocide and at least one cationic fabric softener.10ClaimsAmendments to the Claims have been filed as follows:-1. A laundry composition comprising:a) 0.2 to 5 wt% of at least one cationic biocidal active;b) 1 to 25 wt% of at least one cationic fabric softener, andc) 0.5 to 4 wt% of at least one emulsifier,wherein the at least one emulsifier is an unsaturated fatty acid ester and wherein the at least one cationic fabric softener is a cationic quaternary ammonium surfactant containing ester linkages (esterquat).

2. A laundry composition according to claim 1, wherein the at least one emulsifier is an unsaturated fatty acid ester containing at least one cis double bond, or, wherein the at least one emulsifier is a monounsaturated fatty acid ester.

3. A laundry composition according to claim 1, wherein the at least one unsaturated fatty acid ester is selected from an unsaturated fatty acid monoester, an unsaturated fatty acid diester, or, a combination of an unsaturated fatty acid monoester and an unsaturated fatty acid diester.

4. A laundry composition according to claim 3, wherein the at least one unsaturated fatty acid ester is selected from an unsaturated fatty acid monoester derivable from the reaction of glycerol with an unsaturated fatty acid, an unsaturated fatty acid diester derivable from the reaction of glycerol with at least one unsaturated fatty acid, or, a combination of an unsaturated fatty acid monoester derivable from the reaction of glycerol with an unsaturated fatty acid and an unsaturated fatty acid diester derivable from the reaction of glycerol with at least one unsaturated fatty acid.

5. A laundry composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one emulsifier is derivable from the reaction of glycerol with at least one unsaturated fatty acid selected from a Cs-26 unsaturated fatty acid or a Cio-26 unsaturated fatty acid.

6. A laundry composition according to claim 5, wherein the at least one unsaturated fatty acid is a Cl2-26 unsaturated fatty acid.

7. A laundry composition according to claim 6, wherein the at least one unsaturated fatty acid isa Ci 6-22 unsaturated fatty acid.

8. A laundry composition according to claim 7, wherein the at least one unsaturated fatty acid is oleic acid (cis-9-octadecenoic acid), palmitoleic acid (cis-9-hexadecenoic acid), or erucic acid (cis-13-docosenoic acid).

9. A laundry composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one cationic biocidal active is selected from one or more quaternary ammonium compounds.

10. A laundry composition according to claim 9, wherein the at least one cationic biocidal active agent is selected from:one or more dialkyldimethyl ammonium chloride (DDAC), where each alkyl group is independently selected from straight chain Cs-Cio alkyl;one or more alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (ADBAC):H3C CHywhere n = 8-18;one or more alkyl dimethyl ethylbenzyl ammonium chloride (ADEBAC also known as EBC);combinations of ADBAC, ADEBAC, and DDAC.

11. The laundry composition according to claim 10, wherein the at least one cationic biocidal active agent is Cs-i2-alkyl [(ethylphenyl) methyl] dimethyl chloride.

12. A laundry composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one cationic biocidal active is DDAC or ADBAC, or, a combination of ADBAC and DDAC.

13. A laundry composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one cationic fabric softener is a cationic quaternary ammonium surfactant containing ester linkages (esterquat) derivable from the reaction of triethanolamine with fatty alcohols or fatty acids.

14. A laundry composition according to claim 13, wherein the fatty acid is cis-9-octadecenoic acid, the fatty alcohols are partially hydrogenated, and the cationic fabric softener is a partially hydrogenated palm esterquat or a partially hydrogenated tallow esterquat.

15. A laundry composition according to claim 14, wherein the cationic fabric softener is dihydrogenerated tallowethyl, ditallowethyl hydroxyethylmonium methosulfate.

16. A laundry composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the laundry composition comprises:0.3 to 4 wt% of the at least one cationic biocidal active;1 to 10 wt% of the at least one cationic fabric softeners, and1 to 3 wt% of the at least one emulsifier.

17. A laundry composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the laundry composition comprises:0.4wt% of the at least one cationic biocidal active;3.5 wt% to 4 wt% of the at least one cationic fabric softeners, and lwt% of the at least one emulsifier.

18. A laundry composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the weight ratio of the at least one cationic biocidal active : at least one cationic fabric softeners : at least one emulsifier is 1 : 1-40 : 1-10.

19. A laundry composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the weight ratio of the at least one cationic biocidal active: at least one cationic fabric softeners: at least one emulsifier is 1:10:2.5.

20. A laundry composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the laundry composition comprises:i. 0.4wt% of at least one dialkyldimethyl ammonium chloride (DDAC), where each alkyl group is independently selected from straight chain G-Cin alkyl;ii. 3.5wt% to 4wt% of cationic fabric softeners, andiii. 1 wt% oleyl alcohol.

21. A laundry composition according to claim 20, wherein the laundry composition further comprises:iv. 0.25wt% enzymes.

22. A laundry composition according to claim 21, wherein the enzyme is cellulase and / or phosphodiesterase.

23. A method of sanitizing and softening laundry during a laundry washing process comprising adding from 30 to 180 ml of the laundry composition according to any preceding claim to the fabric softener compartment of an automatic washing machine and using the automatic washing machine to perform a laundry washing process.

24. Use of an unsaturated fatty acid ester emulsifier in stabilising a laundry composition comprising at least one cationic biocidal active and a cationic fabric softener.

25. A method of stabilising a cationic liquid dispersion containing at least one cationic surfactant, comprising adding an unsaturated fatty acid ester emulsifier to a liquid dispersion containing the at least one cationic surfactant.