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How to choose a solvent for a cleaning job
Industrial solvent degreasing is used to remove grease, fats, oils, wax, and soil from items made of metals, glass, and plastics. Those broad material categories are not compatibility guarantees: a solvent that cleans a metal part may damage its coating, plastic components, seals, or other materials in the assembly. Confirm suitability for the actual part and process before use. The EPA’s technical description of solvent degreasing identifies contaminant solubility, toxicity, flammability, flash point, evaporation rate, boiling point, and cost among the relevant selection factors. EPA: Solvent Degreasing
- Identify what must be removed. Specify the contaminant and the cleaning result required. Cleaning performance depends on whether the chosen solvent can dissolve the material being removed.
- Identify what must remain intact. Check compatibility with the substrate, coating, finish, seals, and any other exposed materials. If the part is an assembly, consider every material the solvent may contact.
- Match solvent properties to the process. Consider how quickly the solvent evaporates, its boiling point, and whether those characteristics suit the cleaning method and equipment.
- Evaluate hazards and controls. Review toxicity and flammability, then establish suitable controls for the people, equipment, and workplace involved.
- Account for emissions, waste, and operating cost. Include how the solvent is contained, recovered or disposed of, and the equipment and handling the process requires.
Solvent classes used in industrial cleaning
Solvent names describe broad chemical families, not ready-made recommendations. The EPA’s technical description lists petroleum distillates, chlorinated hydrocarbons, ketones, and alcohols as examples used in nonaqueous solvent degreasing. EPA substitute listings also include terpenes, petroleum hydrocarbons, esters, ethers, and other oxygenated organic solvents. Suitability still depends on the contaminant, materials, equipment, safety controls, and applicable rules. EPA: Solvent Degreasing EPA: Metals Cleaning EPA: Precision Cleaning
Alcohols and oxygenated solvents
Alcohols are among the oxygenated solvent classes addressed by EPA’s Safer Choice solvent criteria. That does not establish that every alcohol, concentration, or formulation is suitable for a particular cleaning task. Check the product’s current safety data sheet (SDS), concentration, material compatibility, and process requirements. EPA also notes that oxygenated organic solvents—including esters, ethers, alcohols, and ketones—are flammable and require necessary precautions. EPA: Safer Choice Criteria for Solvents EPA: Substitutes in Solvent Cleaning
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- Cuts Through Cutting Oil, Motor Oils and Grease
- Leaves Parts Residue Free
- High Flashpoint Formula 145-Degrees F
- Safe for Use on All Metals, Most Plastics and Painted Surfaces
Chlorinated and halogenated solvents
Do not treat a solvent’s cleaning strength as a reason to overlook compatibility or exposure. OSHA’s decontamination guidance describes halogenated solvents as generally toxic and incompatible with personal protective equipment (PPE), and says they should be used only in extreme cases where other cleaning agents will not remove the contaminant. It recommends that chemical decontamination be advised by an industrial hygienist or another qualified health professional. This guidance concerns decontamination; it is not a general product recommendation for routine parts cleaning. OSHA: Chemical Decontamination
Compare options on the factors that affect the job
| Factor | What to assess |
|---|---|
| Cleaning performance | Whether the solvent dissolves the specific grease, oil, wax, or soil to be removed. |
| Material compatibility | Whether it affects the part, coating, finish, seals, or other exposed materials. |
| Worker health | Toxicity and the exposure controls needed for the task. |
| Fire risk | Flammability, flash point, and the precautions needed in the work area. |
| Process fit | Evaporation rate, boiling point, cleaning equipment, and operating method. |
| Environmental and waste handling | Emissions, waste, and the requirements that apply to the site and process. |
| Cost | Solvent cost alongside equipment and operating requirements. |
EPA’s solvent criteria also identify health and environmental endpoints—including carcinogenicity, acute toxicity, reproductive and developmental toxicity, repeated-dose toxicity, neurotoxicity, and environmental fate and toxicity. These are considerations for evaluating products and processes, not a claim that all solvents share the same hazards. EPA: Safer Choice Criteria for Solvents
Rank #2
- Professional Grade Formula: Specifically designed as a dry-cleaning solvent to safely remove oil-based stains, grease, and grime without using water.
- Safe for Delicate Fabrics: The ideal choice for cleaning fine silks, wool, velvet, rayon, and other "Dry Clean Only" materials that water-based cleaners might ruin.
- No Residue or Rings: Evaporates quickly and completely, leaving no soapy residue or unsightly water rings behind on your fine upholstery or clothing.
- Versatile Spot Treatment: Effectively treats stains on neckties, scarves, delicate apparel, and high-end furniture fabric where traditional cleaners fail.
- Easy to Use: Simply apply to a clean white cloth and blot the stain; the powerful solvent breaks down soils on contact for instant results.
Safety, ventilation, and the SDS
Do not infer safety from a product name or a “green” claim. OSHA states that “the word ‘green’ in a name or on a bottle does not ensure that a chemical is safe.” Review the cleaning product and its current SDS to understand its hazards and the protective measures needed. OSHA: Protecting Workers Who Use Cleaning Chemicals
Controls depend on the workplace and applicable rules. For toxic solvents in shipyard work, OSHA’s standard requires one or more specified measures: complete enclosure, natural or mechanical exhaust ventilation, or suitable respiratory protection under the applicable requirements. Suitable clothing or equipment is also required where skin or eye exposure is a concern, and the standard addresses precautions for flammable solvents. This is a shipyard employment regulation, not a universal rule for every industry; check the standards that apply to your work and location. OSHA: 29 CFR 1915.33, Solvents
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Rank #3
- CRC INDUSTRIES- A market leader that offers impeccably designed chemical solutions to maintain, protect and repair different marine, heavy-duty motor vehicles, industrial-grade engines, household tools, and electrical equipment
- GENERAL PURPOSE DEGREASER- Quick Clean Safety Solvent and Degreaser effectively removes contaminants, oil, grime, sludge, grease, and tar from industrial and electrical equipment.
- FORMULA- The Quick Clean Degreaser has a chlorinated base with fast evaporating action. The non-flammable, VOC exempt formula leaves no residue and contains no Class I or Class II Ozone Depleting Chemicals.
- IDEAL APPLICATIONS- Use this solvent degreaser on motors, air tools, mechanical brakes, clutches, chains, wire rope, machinery, parts, bearings, generators, compressors, pumps, hoists, lifts, dies, and molds.
- PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS- The Quick Clean Safety Solvent and Degreaser is available in a 19 WT OZ spray can. This product is NSF K1 Registered.
Consider substitutes and cleaning equipment
EPA materials identify alternatives for metals and precision cleaning, including organic solvent options and semi-aqueous cleaning. EPA also recommends equipment designed, where applicable, to minimize solvent losses, emissions, and worker exposure. A listed substitute is not automatically suitable for a particular part, site, discharge, air-quality limit, or safety program: evaluate it against the actual process and local requirements. EPA: Metals Cleaning EPA: Precision Cleaning EPA: Solvent Alternatives
Check current requirements before choosing
EPA’s solvent-degreasing technical report dates to 1994, and EPA substitute listings include historical decision dates. Treat them as technical background, not confirmation of current product formulations or local requirements. Before choosing a solvent, check the current SDS, the rules for your industry and jurisdiction, and any applicable state or local limits on emissions or volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
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Rank #4
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