Carbonate built laundry detergent composition containing a delayed release polymer

A laundry detergent composition, wherein the solids content comprises an active surfactant, at least about 70 wt. % of a water soluble alkaline carbonate, e.g., sodium carbonate, and, a minor amount, for example, about 0.05 to 5 wt. % of a polymeric polycarboxylate, e.g., an acrylic acid polymer, based on the total weight of solids in the composition, the polymeric polycarboxylate being in a form such that its complete release into wash water is delayed to at least about 60 seconds after the complete dissolution of the alkaline carbonate. For example, the polymeric polycarboxylate may be present in slow dissolving granules which also contain a diluent salt such as sodium carbonate and a binder such as a low molecular weight polyethylene glycol. The delayed release of the polymeric polycarboxylate reduces fabric encrustation during washing, i.e., the precipitation of CaCO3 onto fabric surfaces due to the presence of soluble alkaline carbonate.