A process for preparing esterquats with asymmetric side chains, including the steps of: (a) reacting one or more alkanolamines with a mixture, including: (i) 30:70% b.w. of one or more C6-C10 monocarboxylic acids, and (ii) 70:30% b.w. of one or more C12-C22 monocarboxylic acids, and (b) quaternizing the resulting esters with one or more alkylation agents is provided.A process for preparing esterquats with asymmetric side chains, including the steps of: esterifying a mixture of carboxylic acids with one or more alkanolamines to form a mixture of mono-, di- and trialkanolamine esters, where the mixture of carboxylic acids comprises (i) 30:70% b.w. of one or more C6-C10 monocarboxylic acids, and (ii) 70:30% b.w. of one or more C12-C22 monocarboxylic acids; and quaternizing the esters with one or more alkylation agents is also provided.