alcohols compare ep 312 493 of the formula r represents c 12 c 22 alkyl c 12 c 22 alkenyl or c 12 c 22 cycloalkyl r 1 represents alkyl or alkenyl having in each case 12 to 22 carbon atoms r 2 represents c 1 c 8 alkyl which is optionally substituted by hydroxyl carboxyl lower carbalkoxy or carboxamide x and y independently of one another represent a number from 5 to 50 preferably 15 to 50 and a sup u2296 represents an anion preferably cl sup u2296 or the methylsulphate anion 4 surface active compounds containing sulphuric acid ester groups or sulphonic acid groups such as see also german auslegeschrift 1 920 357 c amides of higher molecular weight fatty acids and aminoalkylsulphonic acids d sulphated higher molecular weight fatty acids or esters thereof and e alkylsulphates such as sodium dodecylsulphate alkyl ether sulphates for example such as 3a and alkyl polyether sulphates possible sulphated higher molecular weight fatty acids and esters thereof are sulphation products of oleic or elaidic acid or of ricinoleic acid and alkyl esters thereof for example the methyl ethyl propyl or butyl ester or of the glycerol ester of these fatty acids for example of castor oil 5 sulphonated aromatic condensation products for example of naphthalene formaldehyde and sulphuric acid 6 compounds of the formula compare auslegeschrift 2 945 102 str6 wherein r represents c 4 c 12 alkyl c 1 c 12 alkoxy phenyl cyclohexyl or c 2 c 8 hydroxyalkyl 7 a compounds of the formula compare german auslegeschrift 1 444 267 b a weakly cationic complexing agent such as for example polyvinylpyrrolidone or a condensation product of ethylene oxide with.