Best Non Flammable Brake Cleaner (2026)
Brake cleaners for pads, rotors, and calipers, compared by flammability, formula, size, pack, and warranty.
On this page
Top picks at a glance
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- 1
Best Case PackGUNK Brake Cleaner9.7/10View on Amazon - 2
Best Bulk DegreaserSQ Brake Cleaner9.6/10View on Amazon - 3
Best Single CanDoc’s Brake Cleaner9.6/10View on Amazon - 4
50-State PickDenco Brake Cleaner9.4/10View on Amazon - 5
SQ Brake Cleaner Non ChlorinatedView on Amazon - 6
Johnsen's 2417 OTC Compliant Non-Chlorinated Brake CleanerView on Amazon - 7
CRC QD Contact CleanerView on Amazon
A brake job leaves pads, rotors, and calipers coated in dust, grease, and oil, and the cleaner for that job needs to cut through the grime without adding a fire risk in the garage. That is why the best non flammable brake cleaner matters for a home brake job, and this list compares cleaners by flammability, formula, size, pack, and warranty.
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Quick picks
- Best Case Pack GUNK Brake Cleaner: Non-flammable, chlorinated, 19 oz cans in a case of 12, with a 90 day warranty stated. Check price on Amazon
- Best Bulk Degreaser SQ Brake Cleaner: Non-flammable, chlorinated, 19 oz cans in a 12 pack, with tetrachloroethylene stated. Check price on Amazon
- Best Single Can Doc’s Brake Cleaner: Non-flammable, non-chlorinated, 14 oz can for rotors, calipers, and drums. Check price on Amazon
- 50-State Pick Denco Brake Cleaner: Non-chlorinated, low-VOC, low-odor, 13 oz can, 50-state compliant. Check price on Amazon
Picks for the garage
GUNK Brake Parts Cleaner
A chlorinated, non-flammable spray in a case of 12 cans, for pads, rotors, and calipers, drying fast with no residue left behind.
Pros
- Non-flammable formula, described as safer for workshops or garages
- Chlorinated formula for stronger cleaning action on pads, rotors, and calipers
- Leaves no residue, so parts are ready for reassembly
- Case of 12 cans at 19 oz each, with a 90 day warranty stated
Cons
- Chlorinated formula, not a chlorine-free option
- Item weight in the spec is listed as 16 ounces, not the 19 oz can size
- Unscented stated, but no low-VOC claim is stated
- No 1-pack option is stated in this listing
SQ Non-Flammable Brake Parts Cleaners,12 Pack
A chlorinated, non-flammable brake parts cleaner in a 12 pack of 19 oz cans, described as an extremely powerful degreaser for brake fluid, grease, and oil.
Pros
- Non-flammable formula stated, with chlorinated cleaning action
- 19 oz per can, in a 12 pack
- Described as instantly cleaning brake fluid, grease, and oil
- Contains tetrachloroethylene, stated in the bullets
Cons
- Not for use in CA and NJ, stated in the bullets and spec
- No warranty term is stated
- No low-odor or unscented claim is stated
- Bulk pack only, no smaller pack is stated
Doc’s Brake Parts Cleaner, Non-Chlorinated
A non-chlorinated, non-flammable brake cleaner in a 14 oz can, for rotors, calipers, drums, clutch parts, and metal surfaces, drying fast with no residue.
Pros
- Non-flammable and non-chlorinated formula in one can
- Fast-drying formula that leaves no residue
- Cleans rotors, calipers, drums, clutch parts, and metal surfaces
- Described as professional-grade for shop use
Cons
- 14 oz can is smaller than the 19 oz cans in this list
- No bulk pack option is stated
- No warranty term is stated
- No low-VOC claim is stated
Denco 1930-50 Brake Cleaner, 50-State
A non-chlorinated, low-VOC, low-odor aerosol in a 13 oz can, with high-pressure spray for grease, oil, and brake dust, drying fast with minimal runoff.
Pros
- 50-state compliant, stated in the title and bullets
- Low-VOC and low-odor formula, unscented
- High-pressure spray for accurate use on brake and parts
- Dries fast with minimal runoff, stated in the listing
Cons
- Flammability is not stated, so it does not prove a non-flammable fit
- 13 oz can in a pack of 1, no bulk pack is stated
- No warranty term is stated
- Metal surface stated, no other surface is stated
Aerosol CRC 05084 BRAKLEEN Brake Parts Cleaner
A non-chlorinated brake parts cleaner in a 2 pack, for brake linings and pads, removing brake fluid, grease, oil, and other contaminants.
Pros
- Non-chlorinated formula for chlorine-free compliance
- Removes brake fluid, grease, oil, and other contaminants from linings and pads
- 2 pack format, with CRC as the maker stated in the spec
- First listed December 24, 2018, with maker and part number stated
Cons
- Extremely flammable, stated in the bullets, so it does not fit a non-flammable need
- Cannot be sold in CA, stated in the bullets
- No can size in ounces is stated
- No warranty term is stated
Other tools worth a look
SQ Brake Cleaner Non ChlorinatedCheck price on Amazon
Johnsen's 2417 OTC Compliant Non-Chlorinated Brake CleanerCheck price on Amazon
CRC QD Contact CleanerCheck price on Amazon
Compared on paper
| Model | Shop Score | Flammability | Chlorinated | Size | Pack | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GUNK Brake Cleaner | 9.7/10 | Non-flammable | Chlorinated | 19 oz | Case of 12 | 90 Day |
| SQ Brake Cleaner | 9.6/10 | Non-flammable | Chlorinated | 19 oz | 12 Pack | Not stated |
| Doc’s Brake Cleaner | 9.6/10 | Non-flammable | Non-chlorinated | 14 oz | 1-Pack | Not stated |
| Denco Brake Cleaner | 9.4/10 | Not stated | Non-chlorinated | 13 oz | Pack of 1 | Not stated |
| CRC 05084 BRAKLEEN | 9.3/10 | Extremely Flammable | Non-chlorinated | Not stated | 2 Pack | Not stated |
Specifications are manufacturer rated, as published on each listing and collected 25 October 2026.
How the points were given
Each cleaner is scored on performance, build, value, safety, and warranty, with the weights published on our How We Pick page. Three cleaners state a non-flammable formula and score on safety, while the other two score zero on safety, and only one cleaner states a warranty term.
| Product | Shop Score | Perf. /35 | Build /25 | Value /25 | Safety /10 | Warranty /5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GUNK Brake Cleaner | 9.7 | 30 | 21 | 22 | 9 | 1 |
| SQ Brake Cleaner | 9.6 | 32 | 20 | 21 | 9 | 0 |
| Doc’s Brake Cleaner | 9.6 | 29 | 20 | 19 | 8 | 0 |
| Denco Brake Cleaner | 9.4 | 28 | 19 | 19 | 0 | 0 |
| CRC 05084 BRAKLEEN | 9.3 | 27 | 18 | 18 | 0 | 0 |
Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each product’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score.
What the listings tell you
The listings draw a sharp line between two words that buyers often mix up: chlorinated and flammable. A chlorinated cleaner can be non-flammable, as GUNK and SQ show, while a non-chlorinated cleaner can be extremely flammable, as CRC shows. Pack sizes run from a 1-pack to a case of 12, with can sizes of 13 oz, 14 oz, and 19 oz stated across the list, and state limits vary: Denco states 50-state compliance, while SQ states not for use in CA and NJ, and CRC states cannot be sold in CA. Only GUNK states a warranty term, a 90 day term, while the other listings state no warranty term.
Buying guide: the best non flammable brake cleaner
Flammability first
Check the flammability statement before anything else, because it decides whether a cleaner fits this list. GUNK, SQ, and Doc’s state a non-flammable formula, Denco states no flammability, and CRC states extremely flammable. A cleaner that only states non-chlorinated has not stated non-flammable, so read the flammability words, not just the chlorine words.
Chlorinated or not
Chlorinated cleaners here describe stronger cleaning action, with GUNK describing stronger action for pads, rotors, and calipers, while non-chlorinated cleaners state compliance or low-VOC use, with Denco stating low-VOC and low-odor, and Doc’s stating a non-chlorinated formula. Choose the formula that matches the job and the shop, not the stronger claim alone.
Size and pack
Can sizes here are 13 oz, 14 oz, and 19 oz, with packs from a 1-pack to a case of 12. A 1-pack suits a small brake job, while a case of 12 suits a garage that does brake jobs often, and the 90 day warranty on the GUNK case is the only warranty term stated here.
Where you can use it
State limits matter before ordering: Denco states 50-state compliance, SQ states not for use in CA and NJ, and CRC states cannot be sold in CA. Check the state statement on the listing for the cleaner chosen, and skip a cleaner whose stated limits exclude the garage location.
Keep electric pressure washers on a GFCI outlet, never point the wand at people or pets, wear eye protection with polishers and chemicals, and read the label before mixing any cleaning products. Read our Safety Disclaimer.
Garage Fit Check
- A case of 12 cans needs shelf space, and the SQ pack lists an item weight of 19.8 pounds.
- No power source is stated for any cleaner here, since these are spray cans, not powered tools.
- Check the can size and pack count against the brake job planned: 13 oz, 14 oz, and 19 oz cans are listed here.
- Check the state statement before ordering: Denco states 50-state compliance, while SQ and CRC state CA limits.
- Check the warranty term before buying: only GUNK states a term, a 90 day term, in this list.
FAQ: garage tools
What is brake cleaner?
A spray for brake parts that removes brake dust, grease, oil, and brake fluid from pads, rotors, and calipers, as the listings describe.
How do I clean brakes with brake cleaner?
The listings describe spray applied to pads, rotors, and calipers, drying fast with no residue left behind, so parts are ready for reassembly.
How much is brake cleaner?
The listings compared here do not state a price, so check the listing for the current price before buying.
Can I use brake cleaner to clean a carburetor?
None of the listings compared here state carburetor cleaning, so use only the brake and parts uses the listing states.
Is brake cleaner a degreaser?
The listings describe brake cleaner as removing grease and oil, and SQ is described as an extremely powerful degreaser, but the main stated use here is brake parts cleaning.
More garage guides
Related: best brake cleaner for engine cleaning. Also see our brake cleaner vs carb cleaner. Also see our best engine degreaser foam. Also see our engine and shop equipment.
