For Examples I-XV, about one-third to all of the total alkyl sulfate surfactant (ammonium laureth-3 sulfate (added as a 26% solution) and/or ammonium lauryl sulfate (added as a 25% solution)) is added to a jacketed mix tank and heated to about 74° C. with slow agitation to form a surfactant solution. Sodium sulfate and fatty alcohol, as applicable, are added to the tank and allowed to disperse. Ethylene glycol distearate (EGDS) is then added to the mixing vessel, and melted. After the EGDS is well dispersed (usually about 5 to 20 minutes) polyethylene glycol and the preservative, if used are added and mixed into the surfactant solution. This mixture is passed through a heat exchanger where it is cooled to about 35° C. and collected in a finishing tank. As a result of this cooling step, the ethylene glycol distearate crystallizes to form a crystalline network in the product. The remainder of the ammonium laureth sulfate, lauryl sulfate and other ingredients including the silicone premix, if included in the formula, are added to the finishing tank with ample agitation to insure a homogeneous mixture. A sufficient amount of the silicone premix is added to provide the desired level of dimethicone in the final product Polyquaternium 10, if added, is typically dispersed in water as a 0 1% solution before addition to the final mix. Once all ingredients have been added, ammonium xylene sulfonate or additional sodium sulfate can be added to the mixture to thin or thicken respectively to achieve a desired product viscosity. Preferred viscosities range from about 2500 to about 6000 cS at 25° C. (as measured by a Wells-Brookfield cone and plate viscometer at 15/s).
