Liquid aqueous bleaching compositions are disclosed which comprise hypochlorite and a specific complexing agent or mixtures thereof selected from the group consisting of polycarboxylic acid derivatives of pyridine or the salts thereof. The compositions have a pH from 11-14 and preferably further comprise a calcium/magnesium precipitation system. The complexing agent counteracts the adverse affect which certain metal ions have on fabric strength and fabric color when hypochlorite bleaches are used in the presence of said ions.