Microwave-dried amorphous alkali metal silicate powders and their use as builders in detergent compositions

摘要

A microwave-dried amorphous alkali metal silicate detergent builder is provided characterized by a surface area of at least 20 m.sup. 2 /gram and a water content of at least about 13%, by weight. The microwave-dried silicate provides effective complexation with hardness ion in wash water and more rapid solubility than conventional spray- dried silicate powders. The microwave-dried silicate can function as an efficient builder in laundry detergent compositions and over a broad range of laundry detergent applications.