Tips for Choosing an Effective Degreaser

Choose Your Formulation Wisely

By choosing the right formulation, you’ll spend less time and money on degreasing in the long-run. Degreasers play a vital role in a wide variety of industries. Whether it's in manufacturing, industrial wash bays, or aviation, degreasers help maintain a safe and clean work environment. They are also vital in general residential and commercial cleaning. These powerful degreasers are composed of chemicals that are specifically formulated to clean grease, oil, and dirt from a variety of surfaces, and can be divided into several categories such as water-based, acids, alkaline, disinfectants, solvents, and green.

Some degreasers can leave behind a residue that attracts contaminants and causes the previously clean surface to become dirty more quickly. When choosing a residue-free formula, you’ll save money by extending your supply of degreaser and using a lesser-quantity over time. Using less degreaser also means you’re wasting less time cleaning which usually translates to an increase in productivity. Choosing a highly evaporative formulation is the most efficient route to go. A highly evaporative degreaser dissipates quickly and doesn’t leave behind a residue. You’ll spend less time cleaning surfaces because it doesn’t attract dirt and grime, and you’ll use less product over time.

Image of wall during washing with a degreaser

Consider the Safety of Users and the Environment

Safety is paramount when it comes to cleaning agents and chemicals in general. When it comes to the safety of the user, degreasers may become a health hazard if the proper safety equipment isn’t used or the ‘right conditions’ are met. Is the degreaser flammable? Consider the flashpoint of the product you’re using, and pay attention to where you’re using it. Always wear personal protective equipment (PPE) when degreasing a surface to avoid contact with the chemicals by accident. Use eye protection, and respiratory protection, cover your skin, and work in a well-ventilated area whenever possible.

Improperly used degreasers can be costly for a business. Aside from hefty fines, you can receive additional penalties for improper use/storage of degreasers that are harmful to the environment depending on your state, local, and regional codes. To avoid damaging the ecosystem around you and your bottom line, try to implement the following if it isn’t already one of your SOPs. Hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) are not only dangerous to the environment but can have significant adverse effects on short-term and long-term health. When selecting a degreaser, try and minimize the harm done to the environment by choosing a variety with low HAPs. Utilizing exhaust hoods within a facility, air filtration systems, chemical collection systems, and secure storage closets will significantly reduce the chance of preventable accidents and contamination from happening.

Know Your Application

Degreasers and other cleaning agents can be formulated for specific uses, so it's important to know if you need a general degreaser or something for a particular application.

  • Concrete – Concrete can be very difficult to clean due to its porousness. Concrete degreasers are alkaline cleaners used to remove oil, grease, and hydrocarbon-based stains. Moderate applications usually require dilution while heavy stains will not with old or stubborn stains requiring multiple wash applications.
  • Kitchens – Cleaning a kitchen often involves a wide variety of hard-to-remove stains, splatter, grease, grime, and baked-on food found on various surfaces. Not all stains are created equal, even the difference between removing vegetable oil or animal fat oil, which is why specific degreasing formulations have been developed to break down the everyday messes encountered in a kitchen. Browse the extensive lineup of GCE, Inc industrial kitchen degreasers.
  • Transportation – Keeping a fleet clean and equipment clear of debris requires heavy-duty, industrial-strength chemicals. Carbon stains, magnetic road film, engine and hydraulic grease, and other surfactants not only affect the operation of vehicles and equipment but the safety of employees as well. Remove grease with ease when using GCE’s industrial transportation cleaners.

Comply with Industry Regulations

Industry standards and regulations are not only meant to protect businesses and their employees but consumers and the environment as well. This is especially relevant when choosing the proper degreaser. Many industries regulate the types of chemicals and degreasers that can be used when producing products or performing a service. For example, the food and beverage industries require degreasers to be NSF A1 certified. This means that the degreaser is suitable for use within food processing areas. With this in mind, it is generally easier to select degreasers after figuring out which are acceptable within a specific industry and then choose from those.

Georgia Chemical Can Help

It's simple. We offer everything customers need. Georgia Chemical carries an extensive product mix, and you can get almost anything you need from single gallons to bulk. Whether you need an industrial-strength detergent or degreaser or need a product for routine maintenance, our goal is to get you exactly what you need at an affordable price.