Degreasers Explained: Which Trade Chem Degreaser Do You Need?

Quick Ranking: Mild to Very Strong

Why We Sell Four Different Strengths

Not every grease and grime problem is the same, and using the wrong strength product either wastes time and money, or risks damaging a surface that didn't need something so powerful. We build our degreaser range around this simple idea: match the strength to the job, not the other way around.

Each of our four degreasers uses a different level of alkaline cleaning power. In plain terms, alkaline cleaners work by breaking down grease and oil chemically, and the more alkaline a product is, the faster and more aggressively it does that. That's great news for a stubborn oil stain on concrete, but it's exactly why we don't recommend using our strongest product on a kitchen benchtop.

1. Citrus Multi Cleaner, Mild

This is our gentlest degreaser, and the one built for everyday use around the home, kitchen and workshop. It gets its cleaning power from a citrus solvent rather than heavy alkalinity, which is why it's comfortable to use on a wider range of surfaces without the same handling precautions as our stronger products.

Best for: rangehoods, benchtops, bathrooms, tiles, kitchens, general vehicle cleaning, and everyday workshop grime.

Avoid on: unsealed timber, natural stone, and aluminum, always test an inconspicuous area first.

Worth knowing: it's genuinely gentler on skin than our other degreasers, but it can still cause eye irritation and, for some people, skin sensitization with repeated contact, so gloves and eye protection are still sensible.

2. Industrial Strength Degreaser, Moderate to Strong

This is our everyday trade workhorse, a genuine step up in cutting power from Citrus Multi Cleaner, built for the jobs a citrus cleaner won't touch. It's a strong all-round degreaser for the workshop and garage.

Best for: concrete floors, driveways, machinery, tools, and general grease, oil and grime around the workshop.

Avoid on: aluminum, polished metals, and painted surfaces, test before use.

Worth knowing: this one is corrosive to skin and eyes at full strength, so proper gloves and eye protection matter here in a way they don't for Citrus Multi Cleaner. It's not classified as corrosive to metal, which is part of why it's safe to use near drains and metal fixtures.

3. HD Engine Degreaser, Strong

Our strongest ready-to-use degreaser, no dilution needed for tough jobs. This is the one to reach for when Industrial Strength Degreaser isn't cutting through stubborn, baked-on grease.

Best for:

• Driveways, garage and workshop floors, and pavers, can be used at full strength on these tough surfaces
• Engine bays, under bonnet, wheels and guards, dilute 1 part to 4 parts water for heavy soiling
• Hand tools, mower decks, trailers and tow bars, dilute around 1 part to 10 parts water for general equipment

Avoid on: aluminium, zinc, polished alloys, and bare magnesium, this product is corrosive to these metals specifically, so care is needed around them even though it's designed for the engine bay itself.

Worth knowing: don't let it dry on the surface, it may streak paintwork. Always rinse thoroughly after use.

4. Extreme Chassis Degreaser, Very Strong

This is our most powerful product by a wide margin, a genuine industrial concentrate, not a ready-to-use spray like the rest of the range. It's built specifically for the toughest job in the lineup.

Best for: chassis and undercarriage grime, heavy industrial degreasing. Must be diluted before use, using it undiluted for anything short of serious chassis buildup is both wasteful and unnecessarily hazardous.

Avoid on: aluminum, painted surfaces, glass, and other sensitive finishes.

Worth knowing: because this is a concentrate, dilution instructions matter more here than with any other product in our range. Always follow the label's dilution guidance rather than treating it like our other degreasers.

Still Not Sure Which One You Need?

A simple rule of thumb: start with the mildest product that could realistically do the job, and move up in strength only if you need to. It's far easier to step up to something stronger than to undo damage from using something too aggressive on a surface that didn't need it.

If your job doesn't clearly fit one of the four above, get in touch and we're happy to help you pick the right one.

IMPORTANT: Always read the label and Safety Data Sheet before use, and wear the recommended protective equipment. It is the user's responsibility to read, understand, and follow this information before and during use.