Photographic stabilizing bath containing hydrolyzed polymaleic anhydride

A stabilizing bath which provides reduced stain and enhanced dye stability for photographic color elements which are processed therein is comprised of a dye stabilizing agent, an alkanolamine, and a hydrolyzed polymaleic anhydride or water-soluble salt thereof. The stabilizing bath is used as a final processing bath which follows treatment of the element in a fixing or bleach-fixing bath containing a thiosulfate fixing agent. The alkanolamine functions to prevent the precipitation of sulfur resulting from carryover of the thiosulfate fixing agent into the stabilizing bath, while the hydrolyzed polymaleic anhydride or water-soluble salt thereof functions to avoid the formation of unwanted precipitates.