Sodium "Tetrine", soap, and alkali, in combination, prevent the precipitation of calcium and magnesium soaps to a much higher degree than would seem possible from consideration of the equivalent quantities involved. In many instances, the precipitation of calcium and magnesium soaps is prevented by the presence of as little as one tenth of the quantity of sodium "Tetrine" that would appear to be necessary from stoichiometric calcuulation. The calcium and magnesium chelates formed by "Tetrine" are much more stable than the compounds formed when these same metallic elements combine chemically with the complex phosphates. For this reason, the "Tetrines" are much more effective at extreme dilutions than are the complex phosphates. Sodium "Tetrine" is stable under all conditions of temperature, concentration, alkali, and acid that may be encountered in laundering practice. Thus, when sodium "Tetrine" is added to a stock soap tank, it remains fully effective, even after several days at or just under the b