Abstract: This invention relates to a novel alkaline detergent and the use thereof in cleaning a variety of substrates either alone or with prior treatment with acidic detergent solutions. Specifically, the invention relates to a unique combination of surfactants with detergents and various builder salts and the use of the detergent solutions in a process for washing a variety of substrates. The alkaline detergent composition comprises a mixture of alkoxylated non-ionic surfactants in combination with high molecular weight anionic detergents comprising amine and alkali metal salts of sulfonic acids and sulfates together with tertiary amine oxides and/or alkanol amides and builder salts including the inorganic metal salts and salts of lower molecular weight polycarboxylic acids. The detergent compositions of this invention are particularly useful in spray equipment whereby dilute aqueous solutions are applied to the substrates under pressure.