A process for preparing a high-density granular detergent product by dry neutralizing alkylbenzene sulfonic acid with a particulate mixture of a water-soluble alkaline inorganic material, for example, sodium carbonate, and a hydratable inorganic detergent builder in an apparatus which provides both mixing and shearing of the particulate mixture, e.g. a V-Blender, thereby forming the granular detergent product. The process includes the addition of particles of pH sensitive detergent surfactant, such as alkyl sulfate, into the particulate mixture prior to the addition of the alkylbenzene sulfonic acid. The high-density product has good product homogeneity and surfactant solubility, and essentially no reversion of the alkyl sulfate to the corresponding fatty alcohol due to acid-catalyzed hydrolysis. Other pH sensitive detergent surfactants include alpha-sulfonated fatty acid alkyl ester and polyhydroxy fatty acid amides.