A stable microemulsion cleaning composition is described, which, in the absence of opacifying component, appears clear to the eye, and which is especially useful for cleaning surfaces having oily or greasy soils thereon, which comprises synthetic organic detergent, water, co-surfactant of the described type, and perfume, which is the only "solvent". The concentrated detergent composition may be employed as is, or may be easily diluted with water to form a similarly clear and stable microemulsion. In process aspects of the invention both the concentrated and the diluted compositions may be employed to remove oily and greasy stains from substrates, such as normally shiny bathroom fixture and floor and wall surfaces, including tiles, by a "spray and wipe" process, which leaves the surface shiny. When the invented compositions are acidic they are useful for removing lime scale and soap scum from hard surfaces.
Also described are processes for manufacturing and diluting the invented compositions.