An alkaline, aqueous metal-cleaning composition capable of effectively removing industrial-type soil contaminants from a metal surface at temperatures as low as ambient temperature and in the absence of substantial agitation contains (A) an active-ingredient portion containing (1) an alkalinity-providing component, and (2) a surfactant mixture containing: (a) at least one first non-ionic, ethoxylated linear primary alcohol surfactant having a hydrophobic carbon chain length of from 9 to 11 carbon atoms and being ethoxylated with (i) an average of 2.5 moles of ethylene oxide or (ii) an average of 5.0 moles of ethylene oxide; and (b) at least one second non-ionic, ethoxylated linear primary alcohol surfactant having a hydrophobic carbon chain length of from 9 to 11 carbon atoms and being ethoxylated with an average of 6.0 moles of ethylene oxide; and (B) an aqueous portion.