Abstract: This invention relates to bleaching compositions that provide effective and efficient surface bleaching of textiles over a wide range of bleach solution temperatures. Surface bleaching of textiles is bleaching wherein the bleaching mechanism takes place on the textile surface and, thereby, removes stains and/or soils. The bleaching compositions within the invention contain peroxygen bleaches capable of yielding hydrogen peroxide in aqueous solutions and specific bleach activators at specific molar ratios of hydrogen peroxide to bleach activator. In a highly preferred embodiment the bleaching compositions within the invention are detergent compositions.