A PASTE-FORM,LOW-FOAMING NON-PHOSPHATE DETERGENT

PCT No. PCT/EP89/01371 Sec. 371 Date May 24, 1991 Sec. 102(e) Date May 24, 1991 PCT Filed Nov. 15, 1989 PCT Pub. No. WO90/05773 PCT Pub. Date May 31, 1990.A paste-form, non-phosphate detergent which is particularly suitable for the washing of heavily soiled working apparel and which generates no troublesome foam essentially contains (A) 1 to 3% by weight sodium alkyl benzene sulfonate having linear C9-13 alkyl chains, (B) 14 to 18% by weight of a linear or 2-methyl-branched, saturated, primary C12-15 alcohol containing 2 to 4 ethylene glycol ether groups, (C) 12 to 16% by weight of a linear or 2-methyl-branched, saturated, primary C12-15 alcohol containing 6 to 8 ethylene glycol ether groups, (D) 50 to 65% by weight sodium silicate having the composition Na2O:SiO2=1:0.8 to 1:1.5, (E) 2 to 8% by weight, based on sodium salt, of at least one complexing agent from the group consisting of nitrilotriacetic acid and polyphosphonic acids, (F) 0.5 to 2.5% by weight water-soluble polymers having a redeposition-inhibiting effect, (G) 0 to 5% by weight other nonsurfactant and non-builder detergent constituents and (H) less than 4% by weight water. The paste can be introduced into washing machines by automatic dispensing systems.