Degreasers are cleaning products specifically designed to remove grease, oils, corrosion inhibitors lubricants, grime and other contaminants from an object or surface. They contain chemicals or solvents that work by breaking down and cleaning stubborn soils left behind which need to be erased. RS offer a range of specialist degreasers from leading brands including Ambersil, Loctite, Rocol, Zep, WD-40 and of course RS PRO. You can find out more in our comprehensive guide to degreasers.

Where are degreasers used?

Degreasers are used in a wide range of industrial, commercial and domestic cleaning applications and environments.The two most common types of degreasers are solvent-based degreasers water-based degreasers.Solvent degreasers or cleaners contain chemicals effective in removing tough contaminants. Some of the most common applications for industrial degreasers and heavy-duty degreasers are:Automotive and transportRailMechanical and toolingOil and gasMarineWater-based degreasers, while still containing some chemicals, are not as harsh as solvent-based degreasers. These types of degreasers are more suited to applications where heavy-duty contaminant removal is unnecessary. They are kinder to the environment, eco-friendly or biodegradable and are usually used in lighter applications such as:Food and beverage productionAgricultureManufacturing

Why do I need a degreaser?

Degreasers are important as dirt, grease, dust and other contaminants can cause issues with machinery and equipment. The build-up of oxidation and contaminants can lead to overheating, increase electrical resistance and may even cause slipping hazards.

Degreaser V’s Contact Cleaners

As we all know a degreaser is designed to clean, degrease and remove stubborn oils, greases and oxides from machinery, assemblies and equipment. A contact cleaner works in the same way, but they are specifically for use on electrical contacts, switches. Contact cleaners are also known as switch cleaner, electrical contact cleaner or electrical cleaner.Our range of cleaning degreasers are supplied in various package types including aerosols, cans, spray bottles and ready-to-use wipes.When selecting a degreaser for your application, it is advisable to check them carefully. Some chemicals used in degreasers may be flammable, such as IPA (Isopropyl Alcohol). Please refer to the datasheets for a list of ingredients and recommendations for each product.