Compositions described herein are aqueous detergent compositions, preferably hard surface cleaning compositions, which contain a flexible lamellar sheet phase dispersed in the aqueous phase. The compositions are viscous, provide excellent soap scum and hard water properties and are easy to rinse. Such compositions are formulated by using an alkylaryl detergent composition in combination with an alcohol and/or cationic surfactant, together with a hydrotropic solvent, in an acidic system further optionally comprising a peroxide.