Improvements in detergent compositions

A soapless detergent composition having improved lathering properties contains an ionic organic soapless detergent and a compound of the general formula where R1 is an alkyl radical of from 8-14 carbon atoms, R2 is hydrogen or an alkyl radical of 1-4 carbon atoms, R3 is hydrogen or either an acyl or an alkyl radical of 1-4 carbon atoms, and where R2 and R3 may be joined to form a cyclic structure containing either 4 or 5 carbon atoms. Examples of such compounds are N-dodecyl acetamide, N,N-diacetyl dodecylamine, N-dodecyl pyrolidone, N-dodecyl succinimide, N-dodecyl piperidone, and N-dodecyl-N-methyl acetamide. The Provisional Specification also mentions the use of para-n-octyl acetanilide. If desired, these compounds may be further substituted by groups such as methoxyl, provided that these substituents do not inhibit the lather-improving properties. The compounds are used in amounts ranging from 1-50 per cent, preferably 4-20 per cent, of the organic detergent. The detergent is preferably anionic, e.g. an alkylaryl sulphonate, but cationic detergents, such as cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, may also be used. If desired, sulphates, silicates, carbonates, condensed phosphates, and salts of carboxymethylcellulose may be added as builders to the composition.