Choosing the right industrial degreaser is not as simple as it seems: the market offers dozens of formats, compositions, and concentration levels, and using the wrong product can mean poor results, unnecessary costs, or even damage to the surfaces you intend to clean. In this guide, we review the main types of industrial degreasers, their formats, and how to choose the most suitable one depending on the dirt, the surface, and the sector you work in.
What an industrial degreaser is and what it is used for
An industrial degreaser is a chemical product formulated to dissolve and remove grease, oils, waxes, and organic residues attached to surfaces, machinery, or equipment. Unlike a generic cleaner or detergent, a degreaser acts specifically on this type of dirt, penetrating its structure to facilitate its removal.
What is an industrial degreaser used for? It is used in mechanical workshops, professional kitchens, production plants, industrial floors, heavy machinery, and any environment where grease and oil are the main dirt. It is also an essential prior step to disinfection: if the grease is not removed first, the disinfectant cannot reach the microorganisms hidden beneath it.
Types of industrial degreasers according to their composition
The first important classification when choosing an industrial degreaser is its chemical composition, which determines both its power and its compatibility with different surfaces.
Alkaline degreasers
Alkaline degreasers have a pH above 7 and are the most effective against stubborn grease, oils, and organic residues. They are the most common choice in industrial kitchens, workshops, and production areas. If you want to delve deeper into how they work, their composition, and applications, we have covered it in detail in our article on alkaline detergents in industry.
Neutral degreasers
Neutral degreasers have a pH close to 7, making them milder and safer for delicate surfaces such as plastics, lacquered finishes, or alkali-sensitive metals. Their degreasing power is lower than that of an alkaline one, but they are the safest option when the surface is more important than cleaning speed.
Biodegradable and eco-friendly degreasers
Biodegradable degreasers are formulated with plant-based surfactants or those with rapid environmental degradation, reducing the ecological impact without compromising adequate efficacy for most industrial applications. They are increasingly in demand by companies with sustainability commitments or working under strict environmental regulations.
Multipurpose degreasers
Multipurpose degreasers or universal degreasers are formulated to work on multiple surfaces and applications without the need for a different product for each task. They are the most practical option when a facility has varied cleaning needs and aims to simplify product stock.
Degreaser formats, which one to choose according to use
Beyond composition, the product format directly influences its ease of application and the type of task for which it is most practical.
- Spray degreaser: ready-to-use format, ideal for spot cleaning, hard-to-reach areas, or vertical surfaces. Does not require dilution or prior preparation.
- Foam degreaser: the foam adheres better to vertical or irregular surfaces, increasing the contact time of the product with the grease and improving its effectiveness on complex-shaped parts.
- Liquid degreasers: the most versatile format, suitable for direct application, dilution, immersion, or use in pressure washing machines.
- Concentrated degreaser: diluted as needed, allowing power adjustment for each task and proving more economical on a large scale, as a single container makes many liters of diluted product.
- Powder degreaser: less common format, mainly used in specific industrial processes where highly precise dosing or longer storage life is required.
How to choose a degreaser according to the dirt level
Not all grease requires the same level of power. Using a heavy-duty industrial degreaser for daily maintenance cleaning is an unnecessary expense, while using a mild product on heavily encrusted grease will yield poor results and force you to repeat the process.
As a general reference:
- Light dirt and daily maintenance: a ready-to-use neutral or multipurpose degreaser is sufficient.
- Multi-day accumulated grease: a medium-concentration alkaline degreaser solves most cases.
- Carbonized grease, heavy oils, or deeply ingrained dirt: a powerful industrial degreaser with a high alkaline concentration and longer action time is required.
Industrial degreasers according to application
The sector and type of facility also determine which degreaser is most suitable.
Engines and mechanic workshops
Engine degreasers must be powerful enough to remove oil residue, chain grease, and road dirt without damaging gaskets, rubber, or plastic motor components. For workshop floors, a concentrated alkaline degreaser applied with an industrial scrubber or pressure washer is recommended, capable of lifting oil residue that seeps into porous pavement.
Kitchens and hospitality
In industrial kitchens and hospitality, the priority is an effective degreaser against animal and vegetable fats, safe for food-contact surfaces, and preferably fast-acting so as not to interrupt service. A ready-to-use and lightly scented degreaser, such as Totgras, is ideal for frequent cleaning in visible areas or areas in contact with the public.
Food industry
The food-grade degreaser must meet specific regulatory food hygiene requirements, ensuring it leaves no residue that could contaminate products or food handling surfaces.
Industrial floors
Floors in production areas and warehouses constantly accumulate grease and oil. A floor degreaser for frequent use must combine good effectiveness with quick rinsing to minimize downtime in the treated area.
Metal surfaces
The metal degreaser must remove cutting oils, lubricants, and machining grease without promoting corrosion. Products with built-in corrosion inhibitors are preferable in this type of application, especially on sensitive metals such as aluminum.
What is the best industrial degreaser
There is no single “best” industrial degreaser: the right choice depends on the surface, the type of grease, and the frequency of use. That said, for most demanding industrial applications, a professional alkaline-based degreaser with adjustable concentration offers the best balance between effectiveness and cost.
At CH Química we have a range designed to cover the different scenarios discussed in this guide:
- DG10, concentrated alkaline degreaser, ideal for ingrained grease in industrial kitchens, workshops, and production areas.
- Totgras, ready-to-use alkaline degreaser, designed for quick and frequent cleaning in visible areas.
- Ecogras, dilutable neutral degreaser, suitable for delicate surfaces that do not tolerate high alkalinity.
If you are concerned about the impact of these products on the health of those who handle them, we have dedicated an entire article to addressing that question: degreaser products, are they good for health?
Where to buy quality industrial degreaser
When it comes to buying industrial degreaser, it is important to work with a supplier that provides safety data sheets, technical advice on proper dilution, and a product adapted to your specific sector, whether automotive, hospitality, food, or heavy industry.
At CH Química we manufacture and distribute industrial degreasers for all types of professional applications. Contact us and we will help you choose the product and format best suited to your needs.
Frequently asked questions about industrial degreasers
What is an industrial degreaser?
An industrial degreaser is a chemical product formulated to dissolve and remove grease, oil, and organic residue from surfaces, machinery, and equipment in professional environments. It differs from a generic cleaner in that its formulation is specifically designed to target this type of dirt, penetrating and breaking down grease to facilitate its removal.
What is the best industrial degreaser?
There is no single degreaser that is best for all cases: it depends on the surface, the type of grease, and the frequency of use. For heavily ingrained grease, a concentrated alkaline degreaser like DG10 offers the highest effectiveness. For delicate surfaces, a neutral degreaser like Ecogras is the safest option. For quick and frequent cleaning, a ready-to-use product like Totgras is more practical.
What is the difference between an alkaline degreaser and a neutral one?
An alkaline degreaser has a pH above 7 and offers greater power against ingrained grease and organic residue, although it can damage sensitive surfaces like aluminum or certain plastics if used without proper precautions. A neutral degreaser has a pH close to 7, is gentler and safer for delicate surfaces, but requires more time or repeated applications to remove highly stubborn dirt.
Which degreaser format is better, spray or concentrated?
It depends on the use. Spray degreaser is more convenient for spot cleaning or hard-to-reach areas, as it requires no prior preparation. Concentrated degreaser is more economical and versatile for frequent or large-scale use, as it allows adjusting the dilution according to the intensity of the dirt and yields many more liters of final product per container.
Can an industrial degreaser be used in a home kitchen or workshop?
Yes, many professional-use degreasers are equally suitable for domestic applications, provided that the dilution and precautions indicated on the label are respected. In fact, their higher concentration and effectiveness compared to conventional household products make them a very practical option for occasional heavy cleaning tasks at home, such as in kitchens, garages, or private workshops.