solution of demulsifier and chelating agent in this connection it is noted that if the ph of the alkaline cleaning solution generally within the range of about 8 to about 12 is lowered the cleaning effect of the solution is adversely affected and there is an aggravated tendency for precipitates to form in the alkaline cleaning solution acidic materials that are dragged into the cleaning solution by cans or other metal surfaces treated with the aqueous solution of demulsifier and chelating agent can tend to lower the ph of the alkaline cleaning solution to an extent that the aforementioned problems are encountered in applications where the aqueous solution of chelating agent and demulsifier is too acidic in order to avoid or mitigate such problems it is recommended that the ph of the aqueous solution containing demulsifier and chelating agent be within the range of about 5 to about 8 for use in applications where the cleaning solution is acidic the ph of the aqueous solution of demulsifier and chelating agent can be substantially lower for example as low as about 2 the demulsifier and chelating agent may be added separately to the wash water in the pre wash stage or they may be added in the form of an aqueous concentrate containing both the demulsifier and chelating agent the aqueous concentrate comprises about 5 to about 30 wt of the.