Cleaning Products

What are cleaning products?

Cleaning products are the degreasers, solvents, hand cleaners, wipes, and sprays used to remove oil, grease, dirt, and grime from parts, machinery, tools, surfaces, and hands. In engineering, maintenance, workshop, and garden work, components quickly become coated in lubricants, dust, and debris. Cleaning them properly is an important part of maintenance, as dirt can hide wear and damage, contaminate new parts and lubricants, and stop adhesives, sealants, and fittings from working properly.

Using the right cleaning product for each job makes cleaning faster and more effective, while protecting the parts, surfaces, and people involved.

Common cleaning products include:

• Degreasers - break down heavy oil and grease on machinery, engines, floors, and parts
• Parts and brake cleaners - fast-evaporating sprays that remove oil, grease, and brake dust from metal parts, leaving no residue
• Contact cleaners - clean electrical contacts, connectors, and switches without leaving a residue
• Hand cleaners - heavy-duty gels and creams, often with scrubbing beads, that remove oil, grease, and dirt from hands
• Hand and surface wipes - pre-soaked wipes for quick, water-free cleaning of hands, tools, and surfaces
• Adhesive and label removers - remove sticky residues, labels, and old adhesives
• General purpose cleaners - for cleaning workbenches, equipment, and work areas

Key features:

• Cuts through oil and grease - removes stubborn lubricants and grime quickly
• Fast-acting - many products work in seconds and evaporate quickly
• Residue-free options - parts and contact cleaners leave surfaces clean and ready for assembly, bonding, or painting
• Kind to skin - hand cleaners are designed to remove heavy soiling while caring for the skin
• Convenient formats - available as sprays, liquids, gels, and wipes for different jobs
• Suitable for workshops and on site - wipes and sprays make cleaning possible even without running water

In simple terms, cleaning products help remove oil, grease, and dirt from parts, tools, surfaces, and hands, so work can be done cleanly and properly.

Why are cleaning products essential?

Cleaning products are essential because clean parts and surfaces are the starting point for good maintenance. Dirt and old grease can contaminate new bearings, seals, and lubricants, shortening their life. Oily surfaces stop adhesives, thread lockers, and sealants from bonding properly. Built-up grime can hide cracks, leaks, and wear, and greasy floors and tools are a slip and handling hazard. Regular cleaning helps machinery last longer, work more reliably, and stay safer to use.

Their main benefits are:

• Better maintenance results - clean parts are easier to inspect, repair, and reassemble correctly
• Longer component life - removing dirt and old lubricant helps protect new bearings, seals, and parts from contamination
• Stronger bonds - degreased surfaces allow adhesives, sealants, and thread lockers to bond properly
• Easier inspection - clean parts make it easier to spot cracks, leaks, wear, and damage
• Safer workplaces - removing oil and grease reduces slips and improves grip on tools and parts
• Healthier skin - proper hand cleaners remove oil and grease without harsh scrubbing or solvents
• Professional finish - clean equipment and work areas look better and are easier to work in

These products are useful for a wide range of users and tasks, including:

• Engineering and maintenance teams - cleaning parts, machinery, and equipment
• Workshops and garages - degreasing engines, brakes, and components
• Bearing and component fitting - cleaning shafts, housings, and seats before fitting new parts
• Electrical maintenance - cleaning switches, contacts, and connectors
• Agriculture and grounds maintenance - cleaning tractors, mowers, and garden machinery
• Manufacturing and production - keeping machines, tools, and work areas clean
• Home and DIY users - cleaning tools, bikes, mowers, and hands after dirty jobs

The main types of cleaning products

Cleaning products are usually grouped by what they clean and how they work.

Degreasers:

• Solvent degreasers - fast-acting products that dissolve heavy oil and grease, ideal for metal parts and machinery
• Water-based degreasers - safer, low-odour products that can often be diluted for different jobs, suitable for floors, engines, and equipment
• Citrus degreasers - use natural citrus-based ingredients to break down grease with a fresher smell

Parts and specialist cleaners:

• Parts cleaners - quick-drying sprays that remove oil, grease, and dirt from metal components, leaving no residue
• Brake cleaners - remove brake dust, fluid, and grease from brake parts, evaporating quickly
• Contact cleaners - clean electrical contacts and components, evaporating without leaving a residue
• Adhesive and label removers - dissolve sticky residues, labels, and old adhesives

Hand cleaners:

• Heavy-duty hand cleaners - gels and pastes, often with scrubbing beads, designed to remove oil, grease, and heavy dirt
• Light-duty hand cleaners - gentler cleaners for lighter soiling and frequent use
• Hand cleaning wipes - pre-soaked wipes for cleaning hands without water, ideal for site work and vans

Wipes and general cleaners:

• Multi-surface wipes - clean tools, surfaces, and equipment quickly
• General purpose cleaners - for workbenches, equipment, and everyday cleaning tasks
• Cleaning cloths and rolls - for wiping down parts, spills, and surfaces

How to choose the right cleaning products?

Choosing the right cleaning products means matching them to what you are cleaning, the type of dirt, and where you are working. Work through these points in order:

• What you are cleaning - choose degreasers for heavy machinery, parts cleaners for metal components, contact cleaners for electrical parts, and hand cleaners for skin
• Type of soiling - choose stronger products for heavy oil, grease, and grime, and gentler products for light dirt
• Surface compatibility - check that the product is safe for the material, as some solvents can damage plastics, rubber, seals, and painted surfaces
• Residue - choose residue-free parts or contact cleaners before assembly, bonding, painting, or electrical work
• Evaporation speed - choose fast-evaporating cleaners when parts need to be reused quickly
• Water availability - choose wipes or waterless hand cleaners for site work where water is not available
• Skin care - choose hand cleaners that remove heavy soiling while protecting the skin, and avoid using solvents or degreasers on hands
• Ventilation and safety - use solvent-based products in well-ventilated areas, away from heat and ignition sources, and follow the safety data sheet
• Environment - consider water-based or biodegradable products where suitable
• Format - choose sprays for targeted cleaning, liquids for larger jobs, and wipes for quick, convenient cleaning
• Quality and brand - choose products from reputable suppliers for reliable, consistent results

FAQ - All you need to know about cleaning products

What is the difference between a degreaser and a parts cleaner?

A degreaser is designed to break down heavy oil and grease on machinery, engines, and surfaces. A parts cleaner is usually a fast-evaporating spray that removes oil and dirt from metal components and leaves no residue, ready for reassembly.

Can I use brake cleaner on other parts?

Brake cleaner is often used to degrease other metal parts, but it can damage some plastics, rubber, and painted surfaces. Always test it on a small area first and check the product label.

What is contact cleaner used for?

Contact cleaner removes dirt, oil, and oxidation from electrical contacts, switches, and connectors. It evaporates quickly without leaving a residue, helping restore good electrical contact.

Why should parts be cleaned before fitting new bearings or seals?

Dirt, grit, and old lubricant can contaminate new bearings and seals, causing early wear and failure. Cleaning shafts, housings, and seats first helps new parts last as long as they should.

Why should surfaces be degreased before using adhesives?

Oil and grease stop adhesives, sealants, and thread lockers from bonding properly. Degreasing first gives a stronger, more reliable bond.

What is the best way to clean oil and grease from hands?

Use a heavy-duty hand cleaner designed for oil and grease. Apply it to dry hands first, rub it in to break down the grime, then rinse with water. Avoid using solvents or degreasers on skin.

Are hand cleaning wipes as good as hand cleaner?

Wipes are ideal when water is not available, such as on site or in a van, and work well for light to moderate soiling. For very heavy grease, a heavy-duty hand cleaner with water usually works best.

Are cleaning products safe to use?

They are safe when used as directed. Read the label and safety data sheet, wear gloves and eye protection where recommended, use solvent products in well-ventilated areas, and keep them away from heat and ignition sources.

Can cleaning products damage rubber seals and plastics?

Some solvent-based cleaners can soften, swell, or crack rubber and plastics. Check the product’s compatibility, and choose a suitable cleaner when working near seals, hoses, and plastic parts.

How should I store cleaning products?

Store them in their original containers, tightly closed, in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place away from heat, sunlight, and ignition sources, and out of reach of children.