The invention relates to a method for removing films and deposits from stainless surfaces, especially from stainless metallic surfaces such as they are used in process stations and production units in the pharmaceutical, food and biotechnological industries, and to an aqueous cleaning solution comprising a reducing agent, in particular dithionite and/or disulfite, and at least two different complexing agents, wherein one of these complexing agents is a compound comprising diacetic acid groups or a salt thereof, for removing rouging on surfaces of stainless steels that come into contact with media selected from the group of chromium/nickel and chromium/nickel/molybdenum steels in the neutral pH range.