Built granular detergent compositions containing from 0.015% to 0.2%, based on weight of magnesium, of a water-soluble magnesium salt and 0.05% to 0.4% (acid basis) of ethylenediaminetetra(methylene phosphonic acid), diethylenetriamine penta(methylene phosphonic acid) or water-soluble salts thereof. The compositions deliver improved detergency at low wash temperatures.

Aqueous enzymatic liquid cleaning compositions, especially built liquid enzymatic detergent compositions, are disclosed which contain as enzyme stabilizer an alkalimetal pentaborate, optionally with an alkalimetal sulphite and/or a polyol. Preferred alkalimetal pentaborate is sodium pentaborate (Na.sub.2 B.sub.10 O.sub.16.10H.sub.2 O).

In a process for removing stains from fabrics by washing in an aqueous medium containing a peroxygen compound and an acylamide activator, extremely small amounts of the activator, e.g., about 5 to 50 ppm., are effective if the medium contains about 100 to 300 ppm of trisodium nitrilotriacetate or ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid sodium salt and an amount of the peroxygen compound representing about 3 to 80 ppm of active oxygen and substantial excess of active oxygen over that stoichiometrically equivalent to the amount of activator.

Activator compounds for bleaching and/or detergent compositions comprising imides having an N-bonded grouping of the formula -- COOR wherein R represents lower alkyl or phenyl, typical compounds including e.g., N-methoxycarbonylphthalimide; N-methoxycarbonylsaccharide, N-phenoxycarbonyl succinimide, and N-methoxycarbonyl acetamide.

Activator compounds for bleaching and/or detergent compositions comprising imides having an N-bonded grouping of the formula -- COOR wherein R represents lower alkyl or phenyl typical compounds including e.g., N-methoxycarbonylphthalimide; N-methoxycarbonylsaccharide, N-phenoxycarbonyl succinimide, and N-methoxycarbonyl acetamide.