Industrial solvent products are used for parts washing, heavy degreasing, surface preparation and thinning where water-based cleaners are not aggressive enough.

Solvents work by dissolving the soil rather than lifting it with alkalinity, which is why they cut carbon, tar, wax, adhesive and cured grease so effectively. That performance comes with real handling obligations: most are flammable and give off vapour, so they need ventilated work areas, ignition sources kept well away, correct gloves and eye protection, sealed and labelled storage out of direct sun, and disposal through a licensed waste route rather than a drain.

Where a water-based degreaser will do the job, it is usually the better choice on both safety and cost. Keep solvent for the work that genuinely needs it, and read the safety data sheet before first use.