Bob Beckley Project Leader
Citrus-based cleaning products are commonly found in residential and commercial settings. The ingredients in these products vary widely (figure 1). While some of MTDC these products can cause corrosion or rust, others do not. The difference is based on the ingredients. Hundreds of cleaning products claim to be citrus based, even though some products include less than 1-percent citrus.
Figure 1—Citrus-based cleaners are commonly used in
residential and commercial settings, but users often are
unaware of the difference between citrus oil-based
cleaning
products
and water-based products.
Fire crews from the Boise National Forest noticed that the citrus-based cleaning product they were using pitted the metal on their chain saws. The crew stopped using citrus-based products because they believed citric acid was causing the damage. However, the damage probably was caused by a water-based citrus cleaning product.
What To Look for in a Citrus-Based Cleaning ProductThe Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) for chemical products list their ingredients. The MSDS for a citrus-based cleaner should list D-Limonene among the ingredients. D-Limonene is in the terpene family, which includes citrus and pine oils. Terpenes are generally not corrosive or harmful to metals or most plastics and polymers. Terpenes won't cause rusting, pitting, etching, or staining. Citrus-based terpenes can dissolve heavy petroleum greases and residues in about 30 minutes when they are used at ambient temperatures.
A citrus oil-based cleaning product will not cause corrosion or rust. Such products are made from the oil found in the orange peel, rather than the pulp and juice of the orange.
Some products contain citric acid (found in the pulp and juice of oranges), so read the label to find out exactly what you're getting. If the product contains citric acid, or is a water-based product, wash and dry the saw or other tool after cleaning and wipe the tool with oil or a water-displacement product to prevent rust (figure 2).
Figure 2—After cleaning a saw or other tool, it's a
good
idea to dry it and wipe it with light oil or a
water-
displacement
product, especially if the tool
is going to be stored.
Citrus-based cleaning products offer an efficient and generally environmentally friendly way to clean deposits—including heavy residues of grease—from a wide variety of materials.
When looking for a noncorrosive citrus-based cleaning product, read the label and make sure that the product is citrus oil based, not water based.
Special Safety ConsiderationsTerpenes are highly flammable when they are sprayed and have a flash point of 119 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are using citrus-based cleaners to clean or degrease chain saws or other motorized equipment, wait until the motor has cooled.
Various citrus oil-based cleaning products are available. Read the label to make sure you are purchasing the product that works best for your needs. Follow all the manufacturer's safety warnings. Some manufacturers recommend wearing gloves when using citrus-based cleaning products.
About the AuthorBob Beckley eceived a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Montana in 1982. He began his Forest Service career as a timber technician on the Nez Perce National Forest. Beckley was a smokejumper when he came to the Missoula Technology and Development Center in 1990. He assists in the explosives program and works as a project leader and public affairs specialist.
For further technical information, contact Bob Beckley at MTDC.
Phone: 406–329–3996
Fax: 406–329–3719
E-mail: rbeckley@fs.fed.us
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