Abstract: A dishwashing and cleansing agent composition for manual dishwashing based upon anionic surface-active surfactants consists essentially of (A) from 20% to 90% by weight of a higher sulfonate or sulfate of the group of the alkyl sulfonates, olefin sulfonates, .alpha.-sulfofatty acid alkyl esters, dialkyl sulfosuccinic esters, alkylbenzene sulfonates and alkyl sulfates, each having 8 to 20 carbon atoms in the hydrophobic moiety, and (B) from 10% to 80% by weight of a mono- or polyglycol ether sulfate of a higher 1,2-alkanediol having 10 to 22 carbon atoms; as well as a dishwashing concentrate containing this composition and a method of using this composition.