Sectors and industries which make frequent use of degreasers in their cleaning routines include agriculture, utility companies, the transport sector, food manufacturing, and many more (you can find out more in our previous article, What is Degreaser Used For?)!
 
Did you know that there are two main groups of degreaser- aqueous and non-aqueous? Knowing the difference in how they work and the benefits they offer can help to improve the efficiency and results of your commercial and industrial cleaning routines.
 

What is Aqueous Degreaser?

Aqueous degreaser is a water based product which removes oil and greases. It contains detergents and surfactants within water and performance can often be improved by adding alkalinity or acidity, heat, ultrasonics, or agitation. Aqueous degreasers have non-flammable properties and are non-combustible, but can cause corrosion when used on certain metals.

How does aqueous degreaser work?

Aqueous degreaser works by forming a weak bond with the contaminant, i.e. the grease or oil. Surfactant molecules have a hydrophilic end and a hydrophobic end- the former is attracted to water, whereas the latter is attracted the oil or grease- meaning that contaminants can be removed from surfaces by rinsing and/or wiping.

What is non-aqueous degreaser?

Non-aqueous degreaser, sometimes known as solvent degreaser, is a solvent based product which lifts oils, greases and other contaminants from surfaces. They can be very powerful and are often available in an aerosol form. Some solvent degreasers are flammable, but non-corrosive.

How does non-aqueous degreaser work?

There are a number of methods by which non-aqueous degreasers are applied. This includes spraying, immersion and vapour degreasing. In each of these methods, contaminants are broken down and can be easily wiped off with minimal waiting time.

Should I use aqueous or non-aqueous degreaser for industrial and commercial cleaning applications?

The type of degreaser you choose depends on the level of soiling and the material of the surface to be degreased. Aqueous degreasers are commonly used in the medical and food industries, due to their typically safer and more environmentally friendly properties. Non- aqueous degreasers are best suited to surfaces which can rust or corrode easily, or for hard to clean components, due to the effective and penetrating nature of solvent degreasers. Furthermore, you might want to consider using non-aqueous degreasers for quick glue removal, engineering applications and in places where highly refined oils and heavy greases are used.
 
 

Our top aqueous and non-aqueous degreaser picks:

 
  • Ultrasol 200 EP6 – A heavy duty solvent degreaser, ideal for engineering, plant, depot and garage uses.
  • Trisol 100 EP2 – A wax pattern, VOC-free non-aqueous degreaser, with biodegradable emulsifiers. Great for prime coat adhesion and surface finishes.
  • Easy Off EP10 – A low hazard, non-aqueous adhesive label remover.
  • SuperClean EP50- A very low hazard, water based degreaser. Biodegradable and suitable for most hard surfaces.
 
Here at Eco-Point, we have a wide range of commercial and industrial degreasing products, suitable for a wide range of applications. To find out more about our tailored and general cleaning solutions, please call us on +44(0)14 9479 2803, or fill out a contact form for friendly, expert advice on your cleaning routine!