DEA-free pot and pan cleaner for hard water use

The present invention relates to novel cleaning compositions that are substantially free of cocamide diethanolamine. In an aspect of the invention, the compositions utilize a surfactant system and coupling agents as a replacement for the rheology modifier cocamide diethanolamine. The combination of a surfactant system and coupling agents can be used as a replacement for traditional rheology modifiers and foaming agents which are under regulatory pressure while providing concentrated liquid cleaning compositions with a viscosity of 400 cps or less. In another aspect the invention relates to novel cleaning compositions such as pot and pan soaking compositions, dishwashing compositions, food and beverage foaming cleaners, vehicle cleaning and the like suitable for use in hard water, which can be solid or liquid. The invention further relates to methods of making these compositions, and to methods employing these compositions.