The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a nonionic surfactant-containing powder detergent composition wherein a spray-dried sodium sulphate-free base powder containing a portion of the nonionic surfactant is obtained and the remaining portion of the nonionic surfactant is in part sprayed onto the base powder and in part added subsequently in a form obtained by granulation with a carrier containing a mixture of zeolite and alkali metal perborate monhydrate and wherein the other detergent components are added subsequently to the base powder. A detergent composition prepared in this manner has a high bulk density despite its high AD content.