Photographic stabilizing bath containing polyarcylic acid

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 polyacrylic acid or a 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 thiousulfate 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 polyacrylic acid or water-soluble salt thereof functions to avoid the formation of unwanted precipitates.