Substrates are cleaned by contacting the substrate with a cleaning composition, particularly an aqueous composition, including at least one compound of the formula (I): (R²)_p—Ph—(CH₂)_m—COO—(AO)_n—R¹ (I) where R¹, AO, n, M, Ph, R² and p have defined meanings, particularly to give alkyl benzoates. Such compounds provide useful solvency to the cleaning formulations while having a relatively benign environmental profile.