A process for forming a low density detergent granule has the steps of
providing from about 0.1% to about 6% of a hydrotrope, providing from
about 22% to about 50% crutcher mix moisture, providing from about 0.2%
to about 8% of a water-soluble polymer with a molecular weight of at
least about 10,000 g/mol, providing from about 2% to about 20% sodium
silicate having a SiO.sub.2:Na.sub.2O ratio of at least about 2:1, and
the balance of adjunct crutcher ingredients, mixing the hydrotrope,
crutcher mix moisture, polymer, silicate, and adjunct crutcher
ingredients in a crutcher to form a slurry, injecting a gas into the
slurry at a pressure of from about 6,000 kPa to about 13,000 kPa, and at
a rate of from about 0.01% to about 0.25% and forming the slurry into a
detergent granule. The slurry is substantially free of zeolite builder
and phosphate builder and the crutcher temperature is maintained at from
about 40.degree. C. to about 95.degree. C.