is a linear or branched alkylene group of 1 to 5 carbon atoms t is an ester linkage in either orientation i e and p is 0 or is an integer from 1 to 5 di tallowoxyloxyethyl dimethyl ammonium chloride and or its hardened tallow analogue is especially preferred a second preferred type of quaternary ammonium material can be represented by the formula r 1 3 n u2014 ch 2 p ch tr2 ch 2 tr 2 wherein r 1 p t and r 2 are as defined above preferred materials of this class such as 1 2 bis hardened tallowoyloxy 3 trimethylammonium propane chloride and their methods of preparation are for example described in u s pat no 4 137 180 lever brothers co preferably these materials comprise small amounts of the corresponding monoester as described in u s pat no 4 137 180 for example 1 hardened tallowoyloxy 2 hydroxy 3 trimethyl ammonium propane chloride other useful cationic softening agents are alkyl pyridinium salts and substituted imidazoline species also useful are primary secondary and tertiary amines and the condensation products of fatty acids with alkylpolyamines the compositions may alternatively or additionally contain water soluble cationic textile softeners as described in gb 2 039 556b unilever the compositions may comprise a cationic textile softening compound and an oil for example as disclosed in ep a.