Abstract: An aqueous treatment solution for increasing the cleaning capability of a treated copper surface comprising: a) an organic compound selected from the group consisting of organic acids, alcohols, ketone, nitriles and combinations of one or more of the foregoing; and b) an oxidizing agent. The aqueous treatment solution is usable in a process for metallizing the walls of holes within a printed wiring board substrate having metallic and non-metallic regions, wherein the printed wiring board is treated with a reducing agent and then contacted with an aqueous dispersion of carbonaceous particles to term a coating of the dispersion over the substrate. The process comprises the step of contacting the metallic regions of the printed wiring board substrate with the aqueous treatment solution to remove deposited carbonaceous particles therefrom. The aqueous treatment solution provides a clean copper surface while providing a low microetch rate.