Aqueous treatment compositions for crude oil and/or petroleum distillates to remove sulfur compounds therefrom and treatment methods using such compositions are disclosed. The composition has less than 0.5% wt/wt di- or tri-benzohydroxy compound, a strong base, less than 1% wt/wt divalent metal gluconate, a balance of water, and a pH that is 9 or greater. The treatment method includes adding said treatment composition to crude oil or a petroleum distillate to form a mixture having 0.001% to 0.02% wt di- or tri-benzohydroxy compound/wt oil and 0.001% to 0.03% wt divalent metal gluconate/wt oil and mixing the same together.