This invention is related to a process for the controlled release into a cleaning environment of an active ingredient of a detergent or detergent additive composition wherein the cleaning environment, to which the detergent or detergent additive composition has been delivered, is exposed to an electric, magnetic or electromagnetic field at an appropriate point in time and for an appropriate time period wherein the release is effective by chemical and/or physical modification, initiated by said field, of at least one specific compound, the modified compound not being directly involved in bleaching; a detergent or detergent additive component with such functionality; a detergent or detergent composition comprising such detergent or detergent additive component; processes for cleaning dishes in an automatic dishwashing machine or for washing fabrics in a laundry washing machine using such detergent compositions; as well as the use of an electric, magnetic or electromagnetic field to control the release of an active detergent ingredient from a source thereof by selectively exposing the environment to which the source has been delivered to such a field.