This invention relates to fabric conditioning formulations containing as thickeners a cross-linked cationic polymer of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer or blend of monomers, wherein the cross-linking agent is 5-45 ppm of a cross-linking agent comprising polyethylenic functions. An example of such a cross-linking agent is methylene bisacrylamide. Such thickeners do not contribute to the opacity of the formulations and have a relatively good viscosity stability.