Solid Fabric Care Formulations

Abstract

A solid particle formulation for softening textile fabrics comprises a softening agent, a solidifying / dispersing aid, a super-disintegrant, a microenvironment pH adjuster, a bulk material, and optionally a fluidization aid / anti-caking agent, the components being in a ratio of 1:3:0.1:1:1 to 1:3:2:2:2. The softening agent is preferably a plant-derived, non-tallow-based ammonium ester quaternary ammonium compound, and the ingredients used to prepare the formulation are also environmentally friendly. The fabric softening formulation is biodegradable, stable, non-drip, and easily dispersible.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to fabric care compositions, and more particularly to biodegradable solid softening compositions comprising a non-tallow-based ammonium ester quaternary ammonium compound (quat), preferably a plant-derived non-tallow-based ammonium ester quaternary ammonium compound, which in synergistic combination with the other components of the composition enhances the beneficial properties of instant dissolution and stability of the composition. [Background technology]

[0002] Quaternary ammonium compounds are known to impart "softness" to fabrics. Conditioning compositions containing quaternary ammonium compounds are generally liquid dispersions that are dispensed into rinse baths via dispensers in automated processes or directly in manual processes. Fabric softener (i.e., finishing) compositions are generally used to deposit fabric-softening compounds onto fabrics. Typically, such compositions contain cationic fabric softeners dispersed in water. However, cationic surfactants are non-biodegradable, raising significant concerns for the environment, particularly the aquatic environment. Unfortunately, liquid detergent compositions tend to be at odds with softening compositions.Usually, anionic surfactants are used in liquid detergent compositions to help laundry clean, while cationic surfactants are the main component for softening agents.The use of anionic surfactants and cationic surfactants in a single package can combine to form solid precipitates.This causes problems with the stability of the combination when packaged together in liquid form or in a washing solution, and causes a decrease in cleaning performance compared to a cleaning composition that does not contain softening compositions.This conflict is one of the reasons why cleaning compositions and fabric softening compositions are added and applied separately.In addition, liquid formulations may be unstable when stored for a long period of time under extreme weather conditions, such as freezing point temperatures or extremely warm storage temperatures, and may cause separation of components. In contrast, the advantages of solid compositions include stability, compactness of the composition, which allows for less weight to be transported, thereby enabling more economical shipping, less packaging is required, allowing for the use of smaller and more easily disposable containers, less chance of contamination due to leakage, and less shelf space requirement at retail stores.Solid formulations are also more stable during storage and in extreme weather conditions.Attempts have been made to provide fabric softeners in granular or powder form.

[0003] EP 111074 discloses a silicon carrier-based powder rinse finish for fabric softeners. The disadvantage of using a carrier such as silica is that it can cause the product to bulk up and does not appear to provide any function beyond making the powder compatible with other ingredients that may be included in powder detergents. WO92 / 18593 describes a granular fabric softening composition comprising a nonionic fabric softener and a single long-chain alkyl cationic material. The specification teaches that effective cationic softening compositions exhibit poor dispersion properties when used in granular form, and therefore commercial use of waterless powder rinse finishes is unclear, despite the advantages of being environmentally friendly and saving transportation costs.

[0004] EP0568297B1 discloses a powder rinse finish containing a water-insoluble cationic activator and a nonionic dispersant. A problem with powder rinse finishes is that once dissolved or dispersed in the rinse liquid, it is difficult to achieve good deposition of the softener on the treated fabric. Deposition aids have been proposed for depositing clay softeners. For example, WO-A1-00 / 60039 discloses a solid rinse finish containing clay, a surfactant, a solid carrier, and a flocculating agent that aids in the deposition of the clay. A preferred flocculating agent is an organic polymer, such as polyethylene oxide. JP62057639 discloses the preparation of cationic surfactant granules in which dialkyl quaternary ammonium powder is granulated with an alkali metal chloride or alkaline earth metal chloride, where the chloride is used to improve flexibility.

[0005] In addition to efforts to increase the level of fabric softener activity in liquid compositions or ready-to-use solid formulations, another important improvement in fabric softener technology is the development of rapidly biodegradable fabric softening activators to improve the environmental friendliness of fabric softener products. The new activators consist primarily of cationic quaternary ammonium compounds containing long-chain alkyl groups, with at least one ester functional group incorporated into some or all of the long-chain alkyl groups. Despite the many advantages and approaches listed above, developing a solid fabric softener formulation with performance comparable to that of a liquid fabric softener with the same type and amount of activator remains challenging. A major challenge in manufacturing a solid fabric softener is developing a formulation that does not melt, "drip," or separate at typical storage and shipping temperatures. Some fabric softener activators, such as dimethyl distearyl ammonium chloride, are already solids at room temperature, making it less difficult to formulate them into non-drip compositions. While these solid fabric softener activators are effective at softening, they are not biodegradable and are not considered environmentally friendly. Preferred fabric softener activators, such as triethanolamine diester quaternary ammonium compounds, are biodegradable; one example is methylbis(tallow fatty acid ethyl)-2-hydroxyethylammonium methyl sulfate. These biodegradable activators are typically low-melting solids that are semi-solid at room temperature, making them very difficult to formulate into non-drip products.

[0006] Object of the invention A primary object of the present invention is to provide a stable, non-drip, solid fabric finishing, softening, and rinse-off aid in particulate form. Another object of the present invention is to provide a stable, non-drip, solid fabric finishing, softening, and rinse-off aid based on monocationic alkylammonium salts that is comprised of non-tallow, vegan, or plant-based ingredients. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a solid fabric finishing, softening, rinse-off aid that will achieve rapid dispersion in water at ambient temperatures. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a solid finishing, softening and rinse-off aid that is environmentally friendly and may be biodegradable. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a solid finishing, softening, rinse-off aid in powder or particulate form, the particle size of which should be less than 300 μm for rapid dissolution in water. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a solid finishing, softening and rinse-off aid having a bend length of 4.0 cm or less, a moisture content of 5% or less and suspended particles of 5% or less. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a cost-effective and easily scalable method for preparing solid finishing, softening and rinse-off aids.

[0007] Summary of the Invention The present invention provides a biodegradable solid finish softening rinse-off formulation in granular form, comprising a non-tallow-based cationic softening ammonium ester quaternary ammonium compound, preferably a plant-derived non-tallow-based cationic softening ammonium ester quaternary ammonium compound. The formulation includes selected proportions of a solidifying dispersing aid, a superdisintegrant, a microenvironment pH adjuster, a bulk material, and a fluidization aid or anti-caking agent. The average particle size of the granules is less than 300 μm, thus providing faster, rapid dispersion in water at ambient temperature. The superdisintegrant used in the formulation also aids in the rapid dissolution of the granules, where salts of strong acids and weak bases are used as microenvironment pH adjusters while dispersing in water to adjust the pH to a value less than 5.5. The resulting composition is in the form of a non-drip, stable powder and is available as a packaged product.

[0008] Detailed Description of the Invention Definitions of some terms used in the present invention are provided herein. The "bend angle," also known as the "bend length," is half the length of a rectangular strip of fabric that will bend under its own weight to an angle of 41.5°. The bend length is measured in centimeters. Fabrics with large bend lengths are stiffer, lack good drapeability, and lack flexibility. Therefore, the optimum bend length is 4.0 cm or less. As stated above, the present invention provides a formulation for a solid fabric softening composition comprising a biodegradable, non-tallow-based, preferably plant-derived, ammonium ester quaternary ammonium compound, available as a packaged product. The present invention provides a biodegradable solid fabric softening formulation comprising a cationic softening agent, a solidifying dispersing aid, a superdisintegrant, a microenvironment pH adjuster, a bulking agent, and a fluidization aid or anti-caking agent, wherein the cationic softening agent of the present invention is a non-tallow-based ammonium compound, a biodegradable monocationic alkylammonium salt.

[0009] The first embodiment of the present invention provides a solid, biodegradable, stable, and non-drip fabric softening formulation. As mentioned above, the non-biodegradability of cationic surfactants raises serious concerns for the environment, especially for the aqueous environment. Triethanolamine-based diester quaternary ammonium compounds or ester quaternary ammonium compounds have been reported to biodegrade in nature. Therefore, the present invention provides a fabric softening agent containing dialkyl ester ammonium methosulfate, preferably mainly C 16 / 18Triethanolamine ester quaternary ammonium compounds, such as methosulfate (e.g., di(palm-derived carboxyethyl)hydroxyethylmethylammonium methylsulfate), based on saturated and unsaturated plant-derived fatty acids are used. The cationic fabric softeners typically have low melting points or are waxy solids at room temperature. Monosaccharides, disaccharides, and oligosaccharides, such as glucose, fructose, sucrose, galactose, and ketose, are used alone or in combination as solidifying and dispersing aids.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a solidifying dispersing aid, superdisintegrant, microenvironment pH adjuster, bulk material, fluidization aid, or anticaking agent is used in a solid fabric formulation to provide the cationic fabric softener with easy dispersion, free-flowing properties, and bulk. The solidifying dispersing aid used in the present invention can be selected from the group including monosaccharides, disaccharides, and oligosaccharides, such as glucose, fructose, sucrose, galactose, ketose, etc. The superdisintegrant used in the present invention can be selected from the group including value-added products, such as cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone, sodium starch glycolate, magnesium aluminum silicate, cross-linked starch, cross-linked alginic acid, calcium silicate, and cross-linked cellulose. The superdisintegrants were obtained as commercially packaged products for experimental purposes. Salts of strong acids and weak bases are used as microenvironment pH adjusters while dispersed in water to adjust the pH to less than 5.5. The microenvironment pH adjuster may be selected from ammonium chloride, diethanolamine hydrochloride, N-butyl-diethanolamine hydrochloride, triethanolamine hydrochloride, and ammonium sulfate. Further, the one or more bulk materials may be selected from cyclodextrin, maltodextrin, sodium sulfate, sodium chloride, and potassium chloride. Fluidization aids or anti-caking agents for use in the present invention include precipitated silica, clay, and modified starch, or mixtures thereof.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the biodegradable solid fabric softening formulation comprises a softening agent, a solidifying dispersion aid, a superdisintegrant, a microenvironment pH adjuster and a bulk material in a ratio of 1:3:0.1:1:1 to 1:3:2:2:2. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the biodegradable solid fabric softening formulation comprises 5-14.9 wt. % softening agent, 5-40 wt. %, preferably 15.5-39.9 wt. % solidifying dispersion aid, 0.5-23.5 wt. % superdisintegrant, 5-35 wt. % microenvironment pH adjuster, 5-29 wt. % bulk material, and optionally 0.1-5 wt. % fluidization aid or anti-caking agent. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the biodegradable solid fabric softening formulation comprises 2-5% by weight of a superdisintegrant along with other ingredients to achieve greater than 95% biodegradability.

[0012] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the granular softening formulation comprises: i. mixing the softening agent with the solidifying and dispersing aid; ii. heating the mixture at 60-80°C with stirring until the ingredients are uniformly dispersed in a liquid state; iii. heating a super disintegrant at 60-80°C, adding the heated super disintegrant to the mixture obtained in step (ii), and heating at 60-80°C while continuing to stir to obtain a uniform mixture; iv. heating the mixture of the solid microenvironment pH adjuster and the bulk material at 60-80°C; v. adding the heated mixture from step (iv) to the homogeneous mixture from step (iii) and stirring until homogeneity is achieved, and then cooling the mixture to ambient temperature (25°C); vi. Breaking the solidified mass obtained in step (v) using a grinder; and vii. Passing the crushed material from step (vi) through a screening sieve to obtain a solid fabric softening composition having a size of less than 300 μm. It is prepared by a simple and easy method comprising: The yield of the particulate formulation is 90% by weight or more, based on the weight of granules having a size of 4 mm or less after step v of the process, giving a particulate formulation containing 75% by weight or more of particles having a D(4,3) value of 275 μm or less. The inclusion of a superdisintegrant in the range of 0.5% to 23.5% and an average particle size of less than 300 μm promotes faster dissolution in water at 25° C.

[0013] The present invention will be more readily understood from the following non-limiting examples illustrating the formulation of solid fabric softening compositions and methods for their preparation. Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and intended to provide further explanation of the claimed invention, but should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. Various fabric softeners, such as STEPANTEX® SP-90 (purchased from Stepan) and Arquad® 2 HT-75 (purchased from Merck), were investigated to evaluate the effectiveness of the formulations of the present invention. The desired application amount is less than 5 g per kg of dry fabric. 12% by weight of Arquad® 2 HT-75 resulted in high particle size and a large bending length. STEPANTEX® SP-90 showed excellent results in terms of softening and was therefore used as the preferred softening agent in the examples described below.

[0014] Example 1 A fabric softening formulation was prepared according to an example of the present invention, comprising 5% by weight of STEPANTEX® SP-90, 37.3% by weight of sugar, 20.2% by weight of cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone, 7% by weight of NH4Cl, 29% by weight of maltodextrin, and 1.5% by weight of precipitated silica. Example 2 A fabric softening formulation was prepared according to an example of the present invention, comprising 14.9% by weight of STEPANTEX® SP-90, 36.1% by weight of sugar, 11.5% by weight of cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone, 7% by weight of NH4Cl, 29% by weight of maltodextrin, and 1.5% by weight of precipitated silica. Example 3 A fabric softening formulation was prepared according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprising 3% by weight of STEPANTEX® SP-90, 31% by weight of sugar, 10% by weight of cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone, 28% by weight of NH4Cl, 26.5% by weight of maltodextrin, and 1.5% by weight of precipitated silica.

[0015] Example 4 A fabric softening formulation was prepared according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprising 18% by weight of STEPANTEX® SP-90, 21% by weight of sugar, 10% by weight of cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone, 23% by weight of NH4Cl, 26.5% by weight of maltodextrin, and 1.5% by weight of precipitated silica. Example 5 A fabric softening formulation was prepared according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprising 14% by weight of STEPANTEX® SP-90, 13% by weight of sugar, 12% by weight of cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone, 32.3% by weight of NH4Cl, 27% by weight of maltodextrin, and 1.5% by weight of precipitated silica. Example 6 A fabric softening formulation was prepared according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprising 14% by weight of STEPANTEX® SP-90, 45% by weight of sugar, 12% by weight of cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone, 19.5% by weight of NH4Cl, 8% by weight of maltodextrin, and 1.5% by weight of precipitated silica.

[0016] Example 7 A fabric softening formulation was prepared according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprising 14% by weight of STEPANTEX® SP-90, 39% by weight of sugar, 5% by weight of cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone, 25% by weight of NH4Cl, 15.5% by weight of maltodextrin, and 1.5% by weight of precipitated silica. Example 8 A fabric softening formulation was prepared according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprising 14% by weight of STEPANTEX® SP-90, 25% by weight of sugar, 27% by weight of cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone, 25% by weight of NH4Cl, 7.5% by weight of maltodextrin, and 1.5% by weight of precipitated silica. Example 9 A fabric softening formulation was prepared according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprising 14% by weight of STEPANTEX® SP-90, 39% by weight of sugar, 15% by weight of cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone, 3% by weight of NH4Cl, 27.5% by weight of maltodextrin, and 1.5% by weight of precipitated silica.

[0017] Example 10 A fabric softening formulation was prepared according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprising 14% by weight of STEPANTEX® SP-90, 20% by weight of sugar, 10% by weight of cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone, 40% by weight of NH4Cl, 15% by weight of maltodextrin, and 1.5% by weight of precipitated silica. Example 11 A fabric softening formulation was prepared according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprising 14% by weight of STEPANTEX® SP-90, 31.5% by weight of sugar, 20% by weight of cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone, 30% by weight of NH4Cl, 3% by weight of maltodextrin, and 1.5% by weight of precipitated silica. Example 12 A fabric softening formulation was prepared according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprising 14% by weight of STEPANTEX® SP-90, 32.5% by weight of sugar, 10% by weight of cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone, 5% by weight of NH4Cl, 37% by weight of maltodextrin, and 1.5% by weight of precipitated silica. Example 13 A fabric softening formulation was prepared according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprising 14.7% by weight of STEPANTEX® SP-90, 24.8% by weight of sugar, 2% by weight of cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone, 28% by weight of NH4Cl, 29% by weight of maltodextrin, and 1.5% by weight of precipitated silica.

[0018] Moisture content (%) analysis was performed using a Mettler Toledo Halogen Moisture Analyzer (Model HE53). A 0.5 g sample was placed on a pan, the instrument lid was closed, and the sample was heated from 50°C to 160°C at a rate of 40°C / sec. Moisture content (%) was estimated by calculating the weight loss of the sample after analysis. Particle size analysis (PSA) was performed using a Malvern Mastersizer 3000 equipped with an Aero S. A 2-3 g powder sample was placed in the Aero S powder feeder. A blank measurement was then taken. The sample was then passed through the Aero S instrument under an air pressure of 22-24 psi with an obscuration ratio of 6-14 to obtain particle size (D(4,3)) values. Suspended particle rate analysis: A dispersion of the sample was prepared by adding 2.5 g of sample to a beaker containing 1000 ml of water and stirring for 60 seconds at 400 rpm using a Heidolph magnetic stirrer with a magnetic needle (8 x 50 mm). The dispersion was immediately filtered through a small steel mesh with a sieve size of 240. The water present on the steel mesh was gently squeezed off and the weight was measured (W1). The washed steel mesh was dried and then immersed in the filtered solution for 5 minutes. The water present on the steel mesh was gently squeezed off and the weight of the sieve was measured again (W2). The suspended particle rate was calculated as shown below: Suspended particle rate = ((W1-W2)g / 2.5g) x 100%

[0019] The softening evaluation was carried out as follows. Fabric softening formulations were prepared as shown in Examples 1-13. Examples 2 and 4-12 were prepared by adding 2.5 g of sample to a beaker containing 1000 ml of water and stirring with a Heidolph magnetic stirrer (8 x 50 mm) at 400 rpm for 60 seconds to form a dispersion. The fabric softening formulations shown in Examples 1 and 3 were prepared using 7.45 g and 12.42 g, respectively, to achieve formulations equivalent to the softener formulation in Example 2. A pH electrode was added to the solution to measure the pH. Strips of washed and dried cotton fabric were cut to a size of 2.5 x 20 cm (6 strips, 0.39 ± 0.02 g each), immersed in the above solutions for 15 minutes, and allowed to dry under normal conditions. The dried strips were used to measure the bend length at a 41.5° bend angle using ASTM D1388-18. This bend length value is used as a basis for determining the best range of bend lengths for the various components in the formulation. The water content (%), particle size (μm), suspended particle ratio and bending length of the formulations prepared in Examples 1 to 13 are shown in Table 1. They affect the effect of providing flexibility to the fabric.

[0020] [Table 1]

[0021] Table 1 reveals properties such as moisture content, particle size, suspended particle content, and bending length for Examples 1 and 2. The optimum ranges for achieving the desired free-flowing, dissolving, and fabric softening effects are 4-5% moisture, 250-300 μm particle size, 5% or less suspended particles, and 4.0 cm or less bending length. Using lower amounts of softener, i.e., less than the desired range of 5-14.9% by weight, in the fabric care formulation as shown in Example 3, results in higher moisture content and therefore a lack of free-flowing effect. Using increased amounts of softener in the formulation results in granules with particle sizes greater than 500 μm, which take longer to dissolve, as shown in Example 4. Use of reduced or increased amounts of solidifying dispersing aid in fabric care formulations, i.e., amounts less than or greater than the desired range of 15.5-39.9% by weight, as shown in Examples 5 and 6, respectively, results in granules having a particle size greater than 400 μm, thereby increasing the suspended particle fraction to values ​​greater than 5%.

[0022] Use of reduced or increased amounts of superdisintegrant in fabric care formulations, i.e., amounts less than or greater than the desired range of 10-23.5% by weight, as shown in Examples 7 and 8, respectively, results in granules having a particle size greater than 350 μm, thereby increasing the suspended particle fraction to values ​​greater than 5%. Use of reduced or increased amounts of microenvironment pH adjuster in fabric care formulations, i.e., less than or greater than the desired range of 5-35% by weight, as shown in Examples 9 and 10, respectively, results in granules having a particle size greater than 350 μm, thereby increasing the suspended particle fraction to values ​​greater than 5%. As shown in Example 11, the use of bulk material in an amount less than the desired range of 5-29% by weight in a fabric care formulation resulted in granules having a particle size greater than 400 μm, thereby increasing the suspended particle fraction to values ​​greater than 5%. As shown in Example 12, the use of increased amounts of bulk material in a fabric care formulation caused an increase in the bending length of the fabric, thereby reducing the softening effect on the fabric.

[0023] Various embodiments of the biodegradable solid fabric softening formulation of the present invention comprise a softening agent, a solidifying and dispersing aid, a super-disintegrant, a microenvironment pH adjuster, and a bulk material in a ratio of 1:3:0.1:1:1 to 1:3:2:2:2. The composition may optionally further comprise a flow aid or anti-caking agent. The softening agent is a non-tallow, vegan, or plant-derived monocationic alkylammonium salt; the solidifying and dispersing aid is a monosaccharide, disaccharide, or oligosaccharide; the super-disintegrant is selected from cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone, sodium starch glycolate, magnesium aluminum silicate, cross-linked alginic acid, calcium silicate, cross-linked starch, and cross-linked cellulose; the pH adjuster is ammonium chloride, diethanolamine hydrochloride, N-butyl-diethanolamine hydrochloride, triethanolamine hydrochloride, or ammonium sulfate; the bulk material is cyclodextrin or maltodextrin; and the flow aid or anti-caking agent is silica, clay, or modified starch. The solid fabric care formulations, having particle size less than 300 μm, bending length less than or equal to 4.0, moisture regain less than or equal to 5% and suspended particle fraction less than or equal to 5%, are biodegradable, stable, non-drip, rapidly dispersible in water at room temperature, cost effective and easily scalable. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited by any means to techniques and procedures not specifically described, and that any changes and modifications to the techniques and procedures can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as described.

Claims

1. i. softening agent; ii. solidifying and dispersing aid; iii. Superdisintegrants; iv. microenvironment pH adjusters; v. bulk materials; vi. Optionally, a fluidization aid or anti-caking agent may be included; vii. A solid fabric care formulation wherein components (i)-(v) are in a ratio of 1:3:0.1:1:1 to 1:3:2:2:

2.

2. 10. The solid fabric care formulation of claim 1, wherein the softening agent used is a non-tallow, vegan or vegetable derived monocationic alkylammonium salt.

3. 10. The solid fabric care formulation of claim 1, wherein the solidifying dispersing aid is a monosaccharide, disaccharide, or oligosaccharide selected from glucose, fructose, sucrose, galactose, and ketose.

4. 10. The solid fabric care formulation of claim 1, wherein said super-disintegrant is selected from the group consisting of cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone, sodium starch glycolate, magnesium aluminum silicate, cross-linked starch, cross-linked alginic acid, calcium silicate, and cross-linked cellulose.

5. 10. The solid fabric care formulation of claim 1, wherein the microenvironment pH adjuster is selected from the group consisting of ammonium chloride, diethanolamine hydrochloride, N-butyl-diethanolamine hydrochloride, ammonium sulfate, and triethanolamine hydrochloride.

6. 10. The solid fabric care formulation of claim 1, wherein said bulk material is selected from cyclodextrin, maltodextrin, sodium sulfate, sodium chloride, and potassium chloride.

7. 10. The solid fabric care formulation of claim 1, wherein said fluidization aid or anti-caking agent is selected from the group consisting of silica, clay, and modified starch.

8. 10. A solid fabric care formulation according to claim 1, wherein the formulation is in powder or granular form having a particle size of less than 300 μm.

9. 10. The solid fabric care formulation of claim 1, wherein the formulation is biodegradable, stable, non-drip, and disperses quickly in water.

10. 10. The fabric care formulation of claim 1, wherein the formulation is a finish or softener or rinse-off aid formulation.

11. 10. The solid fabric care formulation of claim 1, wherein the formulation dispersed in water causes treated fabric to exhibit a bend length of 4.0 cm or less.

12. 10. The solid fabric care formulation of claim 1, wherein the formulation has a moisture content of 5% or less.

13. 10. The solid fabric care formulation of claim 1, wherein the formulation has a suspended particle content of 5% or less in an aqueous dispersion.

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