---
title: [What is Cleaning? Basic Edition ②] Types of Cleaning Agents - Aqueous, Non-Aqueous, Semi-Aqueous
description: Learn the differences between Aqueous, Non-Aqueous, and Semi-Aqueous cleaning agents in this guide. We explain the characteristics, pros, and cons of each type, including acidic vs. alkaline solutions and solvent-based options for industrial cleaning processes.
image: https://th.jfe-shoji-ele.co.jp/hubfs/assets/images/ogp.jpg
---

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[Top](https://th.jfe-shoji-ele.co.jp/) [All Articles](https://th.jfe-shoji-ele.co.jp/thai-blogs/all) \[What is Cleaning? Basic Edition ②\] Types of Cleaning Agents - Aqueous, Non-Aqueous, Semi-Aqueous

# \[What is Cleaning? Basic Edition ②\] Types of Cleaning Agents - Aqueous, Non-Aqueous, Semi-Aqueous

 Jan 29, 2026

Cleaning | Basic Knowledge Cleaning | General

![【洗浄とは?基礎編2】洗浄剤の種類〜水系、非水系、準水系(英語版)_キービジュアル](https://th.jfe-shoji-ele.co.jp/hs-fs/hubfs/%E3%80%90%E6%B4%97%E6%B5%84%E3%81%A8%E3%81%AF%3F%E5%9F%BA%E7%A4%8E%E7%B7%A82%E3%80%91%E6%B4%97%E6%B5%84%E5%89%A4%E3%81%AE%E7%A8%AE%E9%A1%9E%E3%80%9C%E6%B0%B4%E7%B3%BB%E3%80%81%E9%9D%9E%E6%B0%B4%E7%B3%BB%E3%80%81%E6%BA%96%E6%B0%B4%E7%B3%BB(%E8%8B%B1%E8%AA%9E%E7%89%88)_%E3%82%AD%E3%83%BC%E3%83%93%E3%82%B8%E3%83%A5%E3%82%A2%E3%83%AB.png?width=894&height=499&name=%E3%80%90%E6%B4%97%E6%B5%84%E3%81%A8%E3%81%AF%3F%E5%9F%BA%E7%A4%8E%E7%B7%A82%E3%80%91%E6%B4%97%E6%B5%84%E5%89%A4%E3%81%AE%E7%A8%AE%E9%A1%9E%E3%80%9C%E6%B0%B4%E7%B3%BB%E3%80%81%E9%9D%9E%E6%B0%B4%E7%B3%BB%E3%80%81%E6%BA%96%E6%B0%B4%E7%B3%BB(%E8%8B%B1%E8%AA%9E%E7%89%88)_%E3%82%AD%E3%83%BC%E3%83%93%E3%82%B8%E3%83%A5%E3%82%A2%E3%83%AB.png)In the previous article, we introduced that cleaning plays a very important role in the cleaning process. In this article, we will introduce the cleaning agents used for that "cleaning." We will discuss what types of cleaning agents exist and what characteristics they have.

 Table of Contents 

　[1. Aqueous Cleaning Agents](https://th.jfe-shoji-ele.co.jp/thai-blogs/types-of-cleaning-agents-aqueous-non-aqueous-semi-aqueous#T1)  
　[2. Non-Aqueous Cleaning Agents](https://th.jfe-shoji-ele.co.jp/thai-blogs/types-of-cleaning-agents-aqueous-non-aqueous-semi-aqueous#T2)  
　[3. Semi-Aqueous Cleaning Agents](https://th.jfe-shoji-ele.co.jp/thai-blogs/types-of-cleaning-agents-aqueous-non-aqueous-semi-aqueous#T3)

 

 

 

##  1. Aqueous Cleaning Agents

![【洗浄とは?基礎編2】洗浄剤の種類〜水系、非水系、準水系(英語版)_画像1](https://th.jfe-shoji-ele.co.jp/hs-fs/hubfs/%E3%80%90%E6%B4%97%E6%B5%84%E3%81%A8%E3%81%AF%3F%E5%9F%BA%E7%A4%8E%E7%B7%A82%E3%80%91%E6%B4%97%E6%B5%84%E5%89%A4%E3%81%AE%E7%A8%AE%E9%A1%9E%E3%80%9C%E6%B0%B4%E7%B3%BB%E3%80%81%E9%9D%9E%E6%B0%B4%E7%B3%BB%E3%80%81%E6%BA%96%E6%B0%B4%E7%B3%BB(%E8%8B%B1%E8%AA%9E%E7%89%88)_%E7%94%BB%E5%83%8F1.png?width=916&height=515&name=%E3%80%90%E6%B4%97%E6%B5%84%E3%81%A8%E3%81%AF%3F%E5%9F%BA%E7%A4%8E%E7%B7%A82%E3%80%91%E6%B4%97%E6%B5%84%E5%89%A4%E3%81%AE%E7%A8%AE%E9%A1%9E%E3%80%9C%E6%B0%B4%E7%B3%BB%E3%80%81%E9%9D%9E%E6%B0%B4%E7%B3%BB%E3%80%81%E6%BA%96%E6%B0%B4%E7%B3%BB(%E8%8B%B1%E8%AA%9E%E7%89%88)_%E7%94%BB%E5%83%8F1.png)

Aqueous cleaning agents are cleaning agents that use "water" as a solvent, contain surfactants, and are acidic or alkaline. Those that are acidic are called "acidic cleaning agents," and those that are alkaline are called "alkaline cleaning agents." Some have a pH near 7 and are called "neutral cleaning agents."

"Acidic cleaning agents" have a pH of 6 or lower, so they are cleaning agents that specialize in cleaning rust on metal surfaces. They are used for rust removal from substrates and pre-cleaning before plating. The caution is that there is a risk that the acid used will corrode the surface of the metal workpiece being cleaned, so it is necessary to select an appropriate cleaning agent.

"Alkaline cleaning agents" are cleaning agents that have a pH of 8 or higher. They specialize in cleaning oil and grease components such as sebum and processing oils. The alkali reacts with the oil and grease components, changing them into water-soluble compounds that dissolve in the cleaning solution. This reaction is called a "saponification reaction," and cleaning is performed using this principle. The caution is that depending on the metal being cleaned, it may react with alkali and corrode, so like acidic cleaning agents, it is necessary to select an appropriate cleaning agent.

 

## 2. Non-Aqueous Cleaning Agents

 

![【洗浄とは?基礎編2】洗浄剤の種類〜水系、非水系、準水系(英語版)_画像2](https://th.jfe-shoji-ele.co.jp/hs-fs/hubfs/%E3%80%90%E6%B4%97%E6%B5%84%E3%81%A8%E3%81%AF%3F%E5%9F%BA%E7%A4%8E%E7%B7%A82%E3%80%91%E6%B4%97%E6%B5%84%E5%89%A4%E3%81%AE%E7%A8%AE%E9%A1%9E%E3%80%9C%E6%B0%B4%E7%B3%BB%E3%80%81%E9%9D%9E%E6%B0%B4%E7%B3%BB%E3%80%81%E6%BA%96%E6%B0%B4%E7%B3%BB(%E8%8B%B1%E8%AA%9E%E7%89%88)_%E7%94%BB%E5%83%8F2.png?width=912&height=513&name=%E3%80%90%E6%B4%97%E6%B5%84%E3%81%A8%E3%81%AF%3F%E5%9F%BA%E7%A4%8E%E7%B7%A82%E3%80%91%E6%B4%97%E6%B5%84%E5%89%A4%E3%81%AE%E7%A8%AE%E9%A1%9E%E3%80%9C%E6%B0%B4%E7%B3%BB%E3%80%81%E9%9D%9E%E6%B0%B4%E7%B3%BB%E3%80%81%E6%BA%96%E6%B0%B4%E7%B3%BB(%E8%8B%B1%E8%AA%9E%E7%89%88)_%E7%94%BB%E5%83%8F2.png)

 

Cleaning agents whose main components are organic solvents are called non-aqueous cleaning agents or solvent-based cleaning agents. Because they contain no water and do not have liquid properties such as acids or alkalis, they have the advantage of not corroding metals. They are also characterized by having excellent solubility with oils and fats.

 

However, as a caution, there are non-aqueous cleaning agents that are flammable. These are alcohol-based cleaning agents and hydrocarbon cleaning agents. Both are excellent cleaning agents with low toxicity and high oil solubility, but they require careful handling because they are flammable.

 

There are also cleaning agents that are toxic. These are halogen-based chlorinated and brominated cleaning agents. They have been valued as cleaning agents with high oil solubility and the ability to be regenerated by distillation, but there is an active movement to avoid their use due to their toxicity and carcinogenicity. However, among halogen-based agents, fluorinated solvents have low toxicity and are environmentally friendly cleaning agents.

 

## 3. Semi-Aqueous Cleaning Agents

 

![【洗浄とは?基礎編2】洗浄剤の種類〜水系、非水系、準水系(英語版)_画像3](https://th.jfe-shoji-ele.co.jp/hs-fs/hubfs/%E3%80%90%E6%B4%97%E6%B5%84%E3%81%A8%E3%81%AF%3F%E5%9F%BA%E7%A4%8E%E7%B7%A82%E3%80%91%E6%B4%97%E6%B5%84%E5%89%A4%E3%81%AE%E7%A8%AE%E9%A1%9E%E3%80%9C%E6%B0%B4%E7%B3%BB%E3%80%81%E9%9D%9E%E6%B0%B4%E7%B3%BB%E3%80%81%E6%BA%96%E6%B0%B4%E7%B3%BB(%E8%8B%B1%E8%AA%9E%E7%89%88)_%E7%94%BB%E5%83%8F3.png?width=912&height=513&name=%E3%80%90%E6%B4%97%E6%B5%84%E3%81%A8%E3%81%AF%3F%E5%9F%BA%E7%A4%8E%E7%B7%A82%E3%80%91%E6%B4%97%E6%B5%84%E5%89%A4%E3%81%AE%E7%A8%AE%E9%A1%9E%E3%80%9C%E6%B0%B4%E7%B3%BB%E3%80%81%E9%9D%9E%E6%B0%B4%E7%B3%BB%E3%80%81%E6%BA%96%E6%B0%B4%E7%B3%BB(%E8%8B%B1%E8%AA%9E%E7%89%88)_%E7%94%BB%E5%83%8F3.png)

 

Semi-aqueous cleaning agents are cleaning agents positioned between aqueous cleaning agents and non-aqueous cleaning agents. They are used in fields where relatively advanced cleaning performance is required, such as for removing flux after soldering electronic components.

Semi-aqueous cleaning agents have ether groups and hydroxyl groups in molecules such as glycol ethers and alcohols, and because they have polarity, they are water-soluble. For this reason, they are characterized by high solubility not only for oil stains but also for water-soluble contaminants.

However, as a caution, because water is used, there is a risk of rust on metal surfaces. Also, drainage costs are high, and maintenance difficulty is high.

 

 

Aqueous Cleaning Machine  
Specializes in Degreasing Cleaning and Contamination Cleaning for Water-Soluble Processing Fluids  
[\[→ View Solutions\]](https://www.jfe-shoji-ele.co.jp/en/solution/waterbased-cleaning-machine/)

![水系洗浄機 r2](https://th.jfe-shoji-ele.co.jp/hs-fs/hubfs/%E6%B4%97%E6%B5%84%E9%96%A2%E9%80%A3/%E3%83%96%E3%83%AD%E3%82%B0%E7%94%A8/%E6%B0%B4%E7%B3%BB%E6%B4%97%E6%B5%84%E6%A9%9F/%E6%B0%B4%E7%B3%BB%E6%B4%97%E6%B5%84%E6%A9%9F%20r2.png?width=394&height=441&name=%E6%B0%B4%E7%B3%BB%E6%B4%97%E6%B5%84%E6%A9%9F%20r2.png)

Hydro Carbon Cleaning Machine  
Specializes in degreasing process to remove oil based Pressing oil  
[\[→ View Solutions\]](https://www.jfe-shoji-ele.co.jp/en/solution/hydro-carbon-cleaning-machine/)

![炭化水素系洗浄機](https://th.jfe-shoji-ele.co.jp/hs-fs/hubfs/%E7%82%AD%E5%8C%96%E6%B0%B4%E7%B4%A0%E7%B3%BB%E6%B4%97%E6%B5%84%E6%A9%9F.jpg?width=401&height=267&name=%E7%82%AD%E5%8C%96%E6%B0%B4%E7%B4%A0%E7%B3%BB%E6%B4%97%E6%B5%84%E6%A9%9F.jpg)

 

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