A method for producing a granular, powdered detergent comprising combining a first portion of a flowable powder detergent builder with a liquid surfactant, followed by addition of an effective amount of a finely divided barrier particle material to the first portion of builder and liquid surfactant. The resulting blend is then combined with a second portion of flowable powder detergent builder, such that the first portion of detergent builder comprises from about 10% to about 90% of the total amount of detergent builder in the resulting composition.