Abstract: The invention relates to catalytically bleaching substrates, especially laundry fabrics, with atmospheric oxygen or air. A method of bleaching a substrate is provided that comprises applying to the substrate, in an aqueous medium, a specified ligand from a selected class which forms a complex with a transition metal, the complex catalysing bleaching of the substrate by atmospheric oxygen. Also provided is an aqueous bleaching composition substantially devoid of peroxygen bleach or a peroxy-based or -generating bleach system. Also provided is a method of treating a textile such as a laundry fabric whereby a complex catalyses bleaching of the textile by atmospheric oxygen after the treatment. The catalyst may be used in dry form, or in a liquor that is then dried, such as an aqueous spray-on fabric treatment fluid or a wash liquor for laundry cleaning, or a non-aqueous dry cleaning fluid or spray-on aerosol fluid. The method can confer cleaning benefits to the textile after the treatment.

Abstract: A method of reducing dye fading of fabrics in laundry bleaching compositions is provided, comprising contacting stained fabric, in a wash liquor, with a bleaching composition that comprises a specified bleach catalyst. The bleach catalyst comprises a ligand which forms a complex with a transition metal, the complex catalysing bleaching of stains by atmospheric oxygen, and the composition is substantially devoid of peroxygen bleach or a peroxy-based or —generating bleach system. The bleaching composition provides effective bleaching performance on fabric stains without causing unacceptable dye damage or dye fading of the fabrics after repeated washes.