Abstract: Aqueous cleaning compositions, especially effective in dissolving soap curd, are provided which comprise in aqueous solution an ammonium, alkylamine or hydroxy-alkylamine salt of nitrilotriacetic acid, an alkylene polyamine polycarboxylic acid, or mixtures thereof, and one or more nonionic surfactants, wherein the alkylamine and hydroxy-alkylamine have a chain length of from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, the composition is substantially free of alkali metal ions, and the alkylene polyamine polycarboxylic acid has the formula(HOOCCH.sub.2).sub.2 N[(CH.sub.2).sub.x NCH.sub.2 COOH].sub.y CH.sub.2 COOHwherein x and y may each independently be from 1 to 4.

Abstract: There is described an improved separation membrane-liquid barrier system of the type containing complex-forming, metal-containing ionic components, and an improved separation process in which the membrane-liquid barrier is employed. The membrane is in contact with an aqueous liquid barrier containing cuprous ions, such as a cuprous salt or a cuprous salt complex, e.g. a CuCl complex, preferably a CuCl--NH.sub.4 Cl--HCl complex, and the barrier is in contact with a reducing agent that retards the complexing Cu.sup.+ ion from being oxidized to Cu.sup.+.sup.2. The reducing agent is relatively stable when positioned in the membrane and is not unduly oxidized by air nor does it unduly interfere with the essential function of the cuprous ions during the separation process. Elemental copper may function as a reducing agent that retards oxidation of Cu.sup.+ ion to Cu.sup.+.sup.2.