There is provided a substantially anhydrous self-emulsifying biodegradable chemical softener composition comprising a mixture of an ester-functional quaternary ammonium compound and a polyhydroxy compound. Preferred biodegradable ester-functional quaternary ammonium compounds include diester diesters such as diester ditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride, diester di (touch hydrogenated) tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride and diester di (hydrogenated) tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride. Alkyldimethylammonium salts. Preferred polyhydroxy compounds are selected from the group consisting of glycerol, polyglycerols having a weight average molecular weight of about 150 to about 800, and polyoxyethylene glycols and polyoxypropylene glycols having a weight average molecular weight of about 200 to about 4000 . Substantially anhydrous self-emulsifying biodegradable chemical softener compositions are prepared by mixing an ester-functional quaternary ammonium compound with a polyhydroxy compound at a certain temperature range where the polyhydroxy compound is miscible with the ester-functional quaternary ammonium compound . The resulting stable solids or thick fluid mixture can then be economically transported to the consumer or end user. The end user of the chemical softener composition simply dilutes the mixture with a liquid carrier (e.g., water) to form an aqueous dispersion suitable for treating with a fibrous cellulosic material. The substantially anhydrous self-emulsifying biodegradable chemical softener compositions of the present invention are primarily used to soften disposable paper products such as tissues and towels.
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