The invention relates to transparent softening agents containing: (a) ester quaternaries, which are obtained by reacting alkanolamines with a mixture consisting of fatty acids and of dicarboxylic acids, whereby the resulting esters are optionally alkoxylated and subsequently quaternized in a known manner, and containing; (b) auxiliary agents selected from the group formed by: (b1) fatty acid amidoamines and/or quaternization products thereof; (b2) betaines; (b3) nonionic surfactants; (b4) polyols and/or derivatives thereof; (b5) alcohols and/or; (b6) hydrotropes.