Abstract: A process for cleaning of tin-plated steel cans which comprises washing the surface of a tin-plated steel can with an alkaline solution comprising at least one of esters of myoinositol with 2 to 6 molecules of phosphoric acid and their alkali metal salts, alkaline earth metal salts, ammonium salts and amine salts in a concentration of at least 0.05 g/l and having a pH of 8 to 13, whereby oils and fats adhering to the said surface as well as the oxide film formed on such surface are eliminated without dissolution or corrosion of tin and substrate iron.