Heavy duty fabric softening laundry detergent composition

A heavy duty fabric softening laundry detergent composition, in liquid form, which has been found to be especially effective in cleaning dirty laundry and in leaving washed laundry feeling softer to the touch, comprises certain proportions of a certain amphoteric detergent, such as is marketed under the trade name Ampholak 7TX, anionic surfactant of the higher alkyl ether sulfate type, nonionic surfactant of the polyethoxylated higher fatty alcohol type, inorganic builder and bentonite, in an aqueous medium. Also within the invention are washing processes in which such laundry detergent compositions or components thereof are employed. The liquid detergent described is of a pH in the range of 7 to 8 and of a viscosity in the range of 1,500 to 2,500 cps. at 25 DEG C., and it is stable on storage. The surfactants, bentonite, builder and enzyme (optional) are dissolved, emulsified or suspended therein, and the enzyme retains enzymatic activity even after normal storage.