Parts Washer Fluid: Types and How to Choose
Water-based and concentrated parts washer fluids compared by size, use and safety, plus an aerosol spot degreaser for parts the washer cannot reach.
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Parts washer fluid is the cleaning liquid that fills a parts washer so the washer can strip grease, oil and grime off dirty parts. The right fluid depends on the washer: a water-based fluid made for microbe washers, or a concentrated degreaser for a general washer. An aerosol solvent is a separate tool for spot cleaning a part by hand, not a fluid for filling a washer. Match the fluid to the washer first, then to the parts you clean.
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Below: the kinds of fluid, how to match one to your washer and your parts, and the gear that does the job.
| # | Product | Shop Score | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Oil Eater Parts Washer Fluid | 9.6/10 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |  Simple Green 19128 Crystal Industrial | 9.6/10 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |  CRC Quick Clean Safety Solvent And Degreaser 03180 | 9.5/10 | Buy on Amazon |
Oil Eater Parts Washer Fluid
A water-based, biodegradable, pH-neutral parts washer fluid in a 5-gallon pail, made for smart washers and microbe-based parts washers and heat tolerant for heated systems.
Pros
- 5-gallon pail, the largest size here
- Safe for smart washers and microbe-based parts washers
- pH neutral and non-corrosive, safe on parts and equipment
- Heat tolerant for heated systems, vats and processes
Cons
- No warranty term stated
- No certification stated
- Pail measures 12.5 in by 12.5 in by 15.0 in, so it needs shelf or floor space
- No weight stated
Simple Green 19128 Crystal Industrial
A concentrated, fragrance-free industrial cleaner and degreaser in a 1-gallon bottle, listed as excellent in parts washers.
Pros
- Concentrated formula for critical cleaning
- Excellent in parts washers, per the listing
- Non-toxic, biodegradable, non-hazardous, non-flammable, non-corrosive
- Fragrance-free with no added color
Cons
- No warranty term is stated
- Spec table dimensions of 1.22 in on each side are not credible for a 1-gallon bottle
- 1-gallon bottle, smaller than the 5-gallon pail
- No certification stated
CRC Quick Clean Safety Solvent And Degreaser 03180
A chlorinated, fast-evaporating aerosol safety solvent and degreaser in a 19 oz spray can, NSF K1 Registered, for spot cleaning parts and equipment.
Pros
- NSF K1 Registered
- Non-flammable, VOC exempt, leaves no residue
- Fast-evaporating chlorinated formula
- Listed for motors, brakes, clutches, chains, bearings and more
Cons
- 19 oz aerosol, too small to fill a parts washer
- No warranty term stated
- A spray can, not a fluid for filling a washer
- Spec table model 3180 differs from the title model 03180
Parts washer fluid: the kinds in this guide
A parts washer holds fluid that washes dirty parts, and the fluid does the work. The listings here show two kinds of washer fluid. A water-based fluid, like the Oil Eater, is made for a washer, including microbe-based washers that use living colonies to eat grease. A concentrated degreaser, like the Simple Green Crystal, is a general cleaner that the listing calls excellent in parts washers. The third listing, the CRC Quick Clean, is not a washer fluid at all: it is an aerosol solvent for cleaning a part by hand, not a fluid for filling a washer.
| Kind | What it is | Washer fit | Size here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water-based parts washer fluid | pH-neutral fluid made for washers | Smart washers and microbe-based washers | 5 gallons |
| Concentrated degreaser | Fragrance-free concentrate | General parts washers | 1 gallon |
| Aerosol solvent (not a washer fluid) | Chlorinated spray, fast evaporating | Spot cleaning by hand, not a washer fill | 19 oz |
The sizes here tell the story: the washer fluids in this guide come in a 5-gallon pail and a 1-gallon bottle, while the aerosol is a 19 oz can for spot work by hand.
How to match the fluid to the washer
Start with the washer, not the parts. If the washer is a microbe-based or smart washer, the listing must say the fluid is safe for it: the Oil Eater listing states exactly that, with a nutrient package for the microbe colonies. If the washer is a general parts washer, a concentrated degreaser that the listing calls excellent in parts washers fits. An aerosol solvent never fills a washer; it is for the part you pull out and spray on the bench.
Then match the fluid to the dirt. Heavy grease and grime call for a heavy-duty fluid; the Oil Eater listing calls itself pro strength and heavy duty. For critical cleaning that demands a fragrance-free solution, the Simple Green Crystal listing states it is formulated for that. For a part with oil, grime, sludge, grease and tar, the CRC listing states its solvent removes those contaminants by hand.
If the washer is heated, check the listing: the Oil Eater formula is heat tolerant and made for heated systems, heated vats and heated processing equipment. The other two listings say nothing about heated use.
The gear: parts washer fluid for the job
Each product below handles a different step of the same job: filling a microbe-safe washer, filling a general washer, or spot-cleaning a part the washer cannot reach.
Handling fluid safely
Fluids are chemicals, and the listings state the safety facts that matter. The Oil Eater fluid is water-based, biodegradable and pH neutral, and non-corrosive on parts and equipment. The Simple Green Crystal is non-toxic, biodegradable, non-hazardous, non-flammable and non-corrosive. The CRC solvent is non-flammable and VOC exempt, with no Class I or Class II ozone-depleting chemicals, and NSF K1 registered. Keep every fluid in its own container, follow the listing instructions, and keep fluids out of reach of children.
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FAQ: garage tools
What is parts washer fluid?
It is the cleaning liquid that fills a parts washer so the washer can strip grease, oil and grime off dirty parts. Water-based fluids suit microbe-based and smart washers, and concentrated degreasers suit general washers; an aerosol solvent is a separate spot cleaner, not a washer fluid.
Can I use a general degreaser in a parts washer?
Only if the listing says so. The Simple Green Crystal listing states it is excellent in parts washers, so that one fits a general washer. A degreaser with no such statement needs a check against the washer manual before it goes in a washer.
Is water-based fluid safe for a microbe parts washer?
The Oil Eater listing states its water-based, pH-neutral fluid is safe for smart washers and microbe-based parts washers, with a nutrient package that lets microbe colonies thrive. Check the washer manual too, since the listing is only one side of the match.
Can I use an aerosol solvent degreaser in a parts washer?
No. The CRC Quick Clean is a 19 oz spray can for cleaning a part by hand, and nothing in its listing describes filling a washer. Use it for spot work on motors, brakes, clutches, chains and bearings, and fill the washer with a fluid made for it.
Do I need a different fluid for a heated parts washer?
The Oil Eater listing states its formula is heat tolerant and works in heated systems, heated vats and heated processing equipment. The other two listings say nothing about heated use, so do not assume they suit a heated washer.
What does pH neutral mean for parts washer fluid?
It means the fluid is neither acidic nor alkaline, and the Oil Eater listing states its pH-neutral formula is non-corrosive and safe on parts, tools and equipment.
Related: best parts washer for home garage, the best parts cleaner for parts washer, our parts washer portable guide and safety clean parts washers. Also see the engine and shop equipment hub and engine degreaser vs brake cleaner.
