Understanding the difference between an industrial cleaner vs degreaser is important when selecting the right chemistry for metal cleaning and corrosion prevention. Industrial cleaners, degreasers, and rust inhibitors each serve a distinct purpose in manufacturing. Furthermore, choosing the correct solution helps ensure parts are properly cleaned, protected, and prepared for assembly, storage, or shipment.
Find the Right Industrial Cleaner or Degreaser
Explore ZERUST® AxxaWash™ Industrial Cleaners and Degreasers designed for different metals, contaminants, equipment, and cleaning requirements.
Industrial Cleaner vs Degreaser: What’s the Difference?
Industrial cleaners and degreasers
remove oils, grease, machining fluids, dirt, and other contaminants from metal surfaces. Although the terms are often used interchangeably, degreasers are typically formulated to break down heavier hydrocarbon-based soils such as lubricants, oils, and greases. Industrial cleaners are often designed to remove a broader range of contaminants. For example, these may include water-soluble residues, particulate matter, and light soils. However, the appropriate cleaner depends on several factors. These include the type of contamination, the metal substrate, the cleaning method, and the required level of cleanliness. To address these different requirements, ZERUST® AxxaWash™ Industrial Cleaners and Degreasers include water-based formulations for a wide range of metal types, soil levels, application methods, and operating conditions.
How to Choose the Right Industrial Cleaner vs Degreaser
Learn how to select the best industrial cleaning solution based on your metal type, contaminants, cleaning equipment, and corrosion protection requirements in our comprehensive guide.
Rust inhibitors serve a different purpose. Rather than removing contamination, rust inhibitors protect clean metal surfaces from corrosion. They deposit a thin corrosion-inhibiting layer that shields the metal from moisture, oxygen, and other corrosive elements. This protective layer helps prevent flash rust immediately after cleaning. It also provides continued corrosion protection during manufacturing, assembly, in-process storage, warehousing, and shipment. ZERUST® Axxatec™ Water-Based Rust Inhibitors provide clean, easy-to-apply corrosion protection for ferrous, non-ferrous, and multimetal applications. Formulations are available for a variety of protection durations and operating environments.
Protect Metal Parts with Water-Based Rust Inhibitors
Explore ZERUST® Axxatec™ Water-Based Rust Inhibitors designed to help prevent flash rust and corrosion during manufacturing, storage, and shipment.
For processes that require both light cleaning and corrosion protection, ZERUST® also offers Axxatec™ Dual-Action Rust Inhibitors with Light-Duty Cleaning. These water-based formulations remove light hydrocarbon soils while simultaneously depositing a corrosion-inhibiting layer on the metal surface. Dual-action products combine cleaning and corrosion protection into a single process step. This can simplify manufacturing operations, reduce handling, and improve production efficiency. Depending on the product and storage environment, they can also provide corrosion protection for up to three months‡.
Need More Than an Industrial Cleaner or Degreaser?
Discover how ZERUST® Axxatec™ Dual-Action Rust Inhibitors with Light-Duty Cleaning combine light cleaning and temporary corrosion protection into a single process step, helping reduce handling and improve manufacturing efficiency.
When comparing an industrial cleaner vs degreaser, there isn’t a single product that’s best for every application. The best solution depends on several factors. These include the type and amount of contamination, the metal or metals being processed, the cleaning method, downstream manufacturing requirements, and the required corrosion protection period. In many applications, manufacturers use an industrial cleaner followed by a rust inhibitor. This approach maximizes both cleaning performance and corrosion protection. When only light cleaning and temporary protection are required, dual-action products offer an efficient alternative. If you are unsure which solution is best for your process, contact a ZERUST®/EXCOR® representative. Our technical team can help you select the appropriate cleaner, degreaser, rust inhibitor, or dual-action product.
Need Help Selecting the Right Cleaning & Corrosion Protection Solution?
Every metal cleaning application is different. The ZERUST® technical team is here to help. We can recommend the right industrial cleaner, rust inhibitor, dual-action product, or complete corrosion protection system for your application. Contact us for application-specific recommendations tailored to your metals, equipment, contaminants, and production process.
AxxaWash™ KF-121 is a low foam, alkaline, water-based metal cleaner that effectively removes light to medium-duty hydrocarbon soils from ferrous substrates. Additionally, it also serves as the ideal metal cleaner for applications requiring low temperatures.
AxxaWash™ KF-122 is a low-foaming, heavy-duty alkaline, water-based cleaner compatible with very hard water in a wide range of operating temperatures. Additionally, it also maintains low foaming under spray conditions.
ZERUST®/EXCOR® AxxaWash™ KF-123 is a low-foaming, mildly alkaline, high-performance water-based industrial parts washer that is designed for cleaning ferrous substrates. In addition, AxxaWash™ KF-123 provides flash-rust inhibition.
AxxaWash™ KF-124 is a low-foaming, mildly alkaline, water-based degreaser & cleaner with low operating temperatures. In addition to cleaning, AxxaWash™ KF-124 provides flash-rust inhibition.
AxxaWash™ KMS-220 is a low foam, low temperature, mildly alkaline water-based part cleaner with excellent oil-splitting capabilities. In addition, AxxaWash™ KMS-220 provides flash-rust inhibition.
AxxaWash™ KMS-305AL is a low foam, low temperature, alkaline water-based aluminum part cleaner designed for use with aluminum and ferrous metals in spray systems with its excellent oil-splitting capabilities.
AxxaWash™ KMS-310AL is a low-foaming, alkaline, water-based aluminum and ferrous cleaner that’s designed to be used in immersion, ultrasonic, spray, or drum washer processes.
AxxaWash™ NW-10C is a mildly alkaline, water-based preservation cleaner with a wide range of operating temperatures. In addition to flash-rust inhibition, it also removes and deactivates sources of corrosion such as chlorides, oils, and contaminants.
AxxaWash™ NW-12C is a mildly alkaline, water-based ultrasonic cleaning solution with a wide range of operating temperatures. In addition, it can be used in immersion and spray cleaning modes.
Axxatec™ 30C is a water-based rust Inhibitor designed to provide short-term indoor storage and in-transit protection. In addition to the corrosion protection offered, Axxatec™ 30C may also be used as a light-duty cleaner-rust preventative combination product.
Axxatec™ 48C is a water-based aluminum rust preventative liquid concentrate that also protects ferrous and yellow metals during indoor storage, shipping, and assembly.
Axxatec™ 80C is a water-based liquid concentrate rust preventative designed to provide long-lasting protection during indoor storage, shipping, and assembly.
Axxatec™ DA-23C is a dual-action water-based rust preventative and cleaner with low or no foaming that is designed to provide short-term rust protection and light-duty cleaning.
Axxatec™ DA-24C is a dual-action water-based yellow metal rust preventative and cleaner with low or no foaming that is designed to provide short-term rust protection and light-duty cleaning.
Axxatec™ DA-40AL is a dual-action aluminum rust preventative and cleaner with low foaming that is designed to provide short-term rust protection and light-duty cleaning.
