A unit dose wash cycle fabric softening composition for softening or conditioning fabrics in the wash cycle of an automatic washing machine, said unit dose comprising (a) a compacted granular fabric softener composition, the amount of (a) being sufficient to form a unit dose capable of providing effective softening or conditioning of fabrics in the wash cycle of said washing machine, and wherein said fabric softener composition comprises a treated montmorillonite-containing clay selected to have initial properties as follows: (i) a montmorillonite content of at least 85%; and (ii) when said clay is activated with sodium ions, dried and ground to particles, said ground particles do not swell more than about 2.5 fold over a period of 24 hours when added to deionized water at room temperature; and wherein said montmorillonite-containing clay is treated by the process comprising the following sequential steps: (a) drying said clay to a moisture content of from about 25 to about 35%, by weight; (b) extruding the dried material through a die to form a paste; (c) drying said paste to a moisture content of from about 10% to about 14% by weight; and (d) calcining at a temperature of about 120° C. to about 250° C.