an acidic , aqueous cleaning composition comprising a surfactant ; up to about 50 % of a higher boiling solvent , typically in alkyl ether of an alkylene glycol , said solvent introducing impurities into the composition in an amount and of a nature normally chemically incompatible with oxidizable dye chromophores ; a dye in an amount to provide a desired tinctorial value , and oxalic acid or a salt thereof in an amount effective to retard fading of the dye . in another aspect of the invention , the oxalic acid incorporated into compositions containing a solvent , a surfactant , and water , and optionally a dye provides a beneficial cleaning result . in yet another aspect of the invention , the oxalic acid beneficially retards the development of malodors when the compositions of the present invention are contained in a pvc container . broadly , the incorporation of oxalic acid in said solvent can be employed to neutralize said impurities .