The invention provides a method and formulation for cleaning a soiled substrate, the method comprising the treatment of the moistened substrate with a formulation comprising a multiplicity of polymeric particles, wherein the polymeric particles comprise at least one antimicrobial agent. Preferably, the substrate is wetted so as to achieve a substrate to water ratio of between 1:0.1 to 1:5 w/w. Optionally, the formulation additionally comprises at least one additional cleaning agent and, in this embodiment, it is preferred that the polymeric particles are mixed with the at least one additional cleaning agent. Preferably, the additional cleaning material comprises a surfactant, which most preferably has detergent properties. Most preferably, the substrate comprises a textile fibre. Typically, the polymeric particles comprise particles of polyester or nylon, most preferably in the form of beads. The results obtained are very much in line with those observed when carrying out conventional aqueous cleaning processes and the method provides the significant advantage that the use of antimicrobial agents in or on the polymer bead greatly improves the overall hygiene in the washing machine by preventing mould and bacterial growth on the polymer particle surfaces, particularly at low temperatures.La présente invention concerne un procédé et une composition destinés à nettoyer un substrat souillé, ledit procédé impliquant le traitement dudit substrat humidifié au moyen dune composition comprenant une multiplicité de particules polymères contenant au moins un agent antimicrobien. Le substrat est de préférence humidifié pour obtenir un rapport substrat sur eau denviron 1/0,1 à 1/5 en poids. La composition comprend en outre éventuellement au moins un agent de nettoyage supplémentaire et, selon le présent mode de réalisation, les particules polymères sont de préférence mélangées audit agent de nettoyage supplémentaire. Le matériau de nettoyage supplémentaire comprend de préférence
