Clear/translucent formulations comprise polyquaternary ammonium actives with lower, or no, solvent levels except the solvent which is normally present in the polyquaternary raw material stocks by choosing highly efficient principal solvents within a specific Clog P range, employing higher levels of polyquaternary ammonium actives, and/or augmenting the bilayer with surfactants and/or polar oils. Compositions with lowered solvent levels have at or below about 5% by volume of secondary dispersed phases, preferably below about 3% by volume of secondary dispersed phases, and more preferably below about 1% by volume of secondary dispersed phases. The most preferred compositions are essentially free of secondary dispersed phases. High-speed centrifugation easily and quickly reveals the % volume of secondary phase(s).