Solid detergent compositions comprising from 8-60 wt. % of a surfactant system and having a Grand Compatibility Index of at least 0.5, preferably at least 0.6, are claimed. The use of these detergent compositions in a washing process for soiled laundry is also claimed.

Particulate peroxygen compounds selected from alkali metal percarbonates, perpyrophosphates, pertripolyphosphates and peroxymonosulphates are stabilized by coating the particles with a mixed salt selected from sesquicarbonate having the formula Na.sub.2 CO.sub.3.NaHCO.sub.3.2H.sub.2 O and mixed compounds obtained by crystallization of sodium sulfate and sodium carbonate of formula Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4.nNa.sub.2 CO.sub.3 where n is a number from 0.3 to 3.

Conversion of sodium sesquicarbonate particles to particles of lower bulk density, as low as 180 grams per liter, with high absorption property capable of absorbing as much as 40 percent of wetting agent and with good resistance to breakage and attrition and with mild alkalinity of less than 9.9 pH to a pH approaching 9.4 without loss of particulate identity, by passing the particles through a reaction zone at a temperature of 70.degree. to 105.degree. C. and introducing a gas mixture containing...

Improved yields of fire-extinguishing compounds having the empirical formula MC.sub.2 N.sub.2 H.sub.3 O.sub.3 where M is Na or K, and made by heating urea with carbonates, bicarbonates, sesquicarbonates or hydroxides of sodium or potassium at temperatures below 150.degree. C., are obtained by having water vapor present in the atmosphere in contact with the reaction system. The preferred proportion of water vapor is 15% to 35% by volume and the preferred reaction temperature 120.degree. C. to 140...