Abstract: A method is provided for washing of textiles in hard water under substantial exclusion of phosphates by combined use of an inorganic salt derived from carbondioxide, an acidic compound devoid of forming a precipitate with the calcium and magnesium ions in the washing liquor at usual dosage, and a surface active agent devoid of forming a precipitate under these conditions, maintaining the pH within the range of 5 to 8, and the temperature at at most 70.degree. C. Also provided is a detergent composition comprising the above mentioned components in such a ratio that the pH of a 0.5% by weight solution in a washing liquor is within the range of 5 to 8.