  Fabric conditioners are household products used to impart softness and
fragrance to tex-tiles. They are colloidal dispersions of cationic double chain
surfactants that self-assemble in vesicles. These surfactants are primarily
derived from palm oil chemical modification. Reducing the content of these
surfactants allows to obtain products with lower environmental impact. Such a
reduction, without adverse effects on the characteristics of the softener and
its performance, can be achieved by adding hydrophilic biopolymers. Here, we
review the role of guar biopolymers modified with cationic or hydroxyl-propyl
groups on the physicochemical properties of the formulation. Electronic and
optical microscopy, dynamic light scattering, X-ray scattering and rheology of
vesicles dispersion in absence and in presence of guar biopolymers are
analyzed. Finally, the deposition of the new formulation on cotton fabrics is
examined through scanning electron microscopy and a new protocol based on
fluorescent microscopy. With this methodology it is possible to quantify the
deposition of surfactants on cotton fibers. The results show that the approach
followed here can facilitate the design of sustainable home-care products.
