Abstract: A bleaching/cleaning composition is provided that includes a surfactant, a peroxy bleach compound and a ligand L which is a macrocyclic organic compound of formula: ##STR1## wherein: t is an integer from 2 to 3;s is an integer from 3 to 4;R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are each independently hydrogen, alkyl, aryl or a substituted alkyl or aryl.The preferred ligand is 1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane.

Abstract: A stable and effective manganese complex for use as a peroxy compound bleach catalyst is disclosed, the catalyst being a water-soluble complex of manganese (II), (III), or (IV) or mixtures thereof with a ligand which is a non-carboxylate polyhydroxy compound having at least three consecutive C--OH groups in its molecular structure. Bleaching composition comprising a peroxy compound and the catalyst, as well as process for bleaching substrates using said catalyst are also disclosed. Preferred ligand is sorbitol and preferred catalyst is Mn-sorbitol complex.