Industrial Undercover: The Dirt on Degreasers

In industrial environments, the buildup of substances such as grease, oil, dust, paint, lubricants, rust, minerals, fats, proteins and clay can be highly detrimental to machinery and precautions must be taken to ensure that vital components are kept free from such residue. Degreasers, consequently, play a critical role in proper maintenance routines, as they prevent the breakdown of equipment caused by contamination and help significantly lower repair costs. Comprised of a combination of surfactants (compounds that reduce the surface tension between two liquids or between a liquid and a solid), sequestering agents and alkaline builders, most degreasers operate on the same chemical principle. A long hydrophobic chain at one end of the molecule is attracted to oil and grease while the hydrophilic end is attracted to water. The hydrophobic molecules surround the oil particles and dislodge it from water allowing the surface to be rinsed clean of hazardous contaminants.

Depending on the kind of contaminant that you are trying to remove, there are many options available on the market today that can help you rid your parts of harmful impurities. Today's degreasers are formulated to tackle both inorganic and organic soils, or a mixture of both. Organic soils include, but are not limited to, fat, grease, protein, mold, yeast, bacteria and petroleum. Inorganic soils consist of rust, scale, minerals, clay, silt, sand and hard water deposits. Soils that consists of both inorganic and organic materials are often the most difficult to remove and, in the past, have necessitated the use of a highly concentrated, solvent-based formula. However, advances in surfactant technology have resulted in the development of environmentally friendly degreasers, such as the ones below, that are safe to use and just as effective. Lets uncover the dirt on these degreasers!

• Tri-Flow Foaming Citrus Degreaser: Cuts through and cleans the toughest grease, dirt and oil.  This biodegradable formula clings to vertical surfaces, does not leave a residue or require rinsing.

• Torque Drive (By Detroit Garage Works): Removes a wide variety of oils, grease, transmission fluid and other contaminates from concrete, shop floors and driveway surfaces. This water-based, ready to use, industrial strength cleaner contains no caustics, petroleum solvents or phosphates. Fast acting and effective, water-based degreasers, such as Torque Drive, provide an economical advantage to their solvent based counters, as they may be dilluted with water.

• Citrol (By Schaeffer): A biodegradable cleanser designed for use in almost any industrial transportation or general plant maintenance cleaning and degreasing operation. This citrus-based degreaser rapidly removes grease dirt, rubber, oil, inks and soils without rusting or corroding metal surfaces.

• Detroit B.A.D. Oil Degreaser: A multi-purpose cleaner free of harmful solvents, phenol, caustics, acids and phosphates! Ideal for use on metals, concrete, fabrics, engine parts, tires and wheels, decks, patio furniture and more. This concentrated formula may be diluted or RTU for extra-heavy soils.