An aqueous alkaline cleaning composition and process for cleaning aluminum container surfaces in a manner to inhibit objectionable white-etch staining during prolonged cleaning cycles and brown oxide discoloration during prolonged rinse cycles in which the cleaning solution contains an alkalinity agent or agents present in an amount sufficient to remove aluminum fines from the surfaces thereof, a complexing agent present in an amount to complex at least some of the metal ions in the cleaning solution which tend to form insoluble precipitates and at least one surfactant present in an amount sufficient to remove organic soils from the surfaces being cleaned and to suppress the formation of white-etch staining of the surfaces during prolonged cleaning cycles. The surfactant or blend of surfactants employed are further characterized by at least one having a Hydrophile-Lipophile Balance (HLB ratio) of at least about 12. The aqueous cleaning composition can optionally further contain an antifoaming agent to suppress objectionable foaming.
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