In an industrial facility, machinery isn’t just equipment, it’s the backbone of production. Whether you’re running a manufacturing line, an oil and gas operation, or an automotive repair shop, your machines are under constant stress.
Over time, grease, oil, dust, and contaminants begin to accumulate. If not removed regularly, these residues can impair equipment function, increase the risk of breakdowns, and pose safety risks.
That’s where industrial degreasers from expert cleaners come in. But how often should you use them? The answer depends on several factors, including your industry, type of equipment, usage intensity, and working environment.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about setting the right degreasing schedule, from signs of grime buildup to cleaning frequency by sector, and how consistent maintenance can save you time, money, and liability.
Why Degreasing Matters In Industrial Environments
In industrial settings, machinery is constantly exposed to contaminants that interfere with its performance. Oil leaks, lubricant overuse, dust, and debris build up fast, especially in high-use environments. This buildup:
- Increases equipment friction and energy consumption
- Puts strain on moving parts, accelerating wear
- Can cause machinery to overheat or malfunction
- Poses fire hazards in facilities using flammable materials
- Violates safety and hygiene regulations in sensitive industries
By implementing a regular degreasing schedule, you can mitigate all of the above. Clean equipment doesn’t just look better, it runs better, lasts longer, and keeps your operation compliant and safe.
What Affects How Often Equipment Needs Degreasing?
There is no universal answer to how often you should degrease your equipment. The right schedule depends on several key variables.
1. Type Of Equipment
Some machines are naturally prone to faster buildup:
- Hydraulic presses, chains, and motors tend to attract heavy oils and require frequent cleaning.
- Enclosed or low-contact systems, on the other hand, may need only monthly or seasonal degreasing.
2. Operating Environment
Your workplace environment plays a major role in how fast grime accumulates:
- Dusty or dirty environments (e.g., construction or mining) increase the frequency of required cleaning.
- Wet or humid conditions can cause faster corrosion and buildup.
- Cleanrooms or labs may accumulate less grease but have stricter cleanliness requirements.
3. Equipment Usage
The more your equipment runs, the more often it needs cleaning:
- Machines operating 24/7 collect grease faster.
- Light-duty tools or part-time systems may have longer intervals between cleaning cycles.
4. Industry Regulations
Some industries have legal or health-related standards that dictate cleaning schedules:
- Food processing: Often requires daily degreasing of any surfaces that come into contact with consumables.
- Pharmaceutical manufacturing: Demands frequent, validated cleaning routines to ensure zero contamination.
- Automotive shops: Typically clean equipment weekly, with tools wiped down daily.
Recommended Degreasing Schedules By Industry
To make things easier, here’s a general guide for how often to degrease based on common sectors:
Manufacturing Plants
- Daily: Wipe exposed surfaces and handles.
- Weekly: Clean equipment used in heavy production.
- Monthly: Deep-clean high-touch or oil-intensive machinery.
Automotive Shops
- Daily: Wipe down tools and lift equipment.
- Weekly: Degrease engine bays, compressors, and shop floors.
- Monthly: Clean HVAC systems, exhausts, and undercarriage service bays.
Food Processing Facilities
- Daily: Clean all food-contact equipment and surfaces.
- Weekly: Disassemble and degrease motors, gears, and belt systems.
- Monthly: Inspect hard-to-reach parts and conduct a full sanitation audit.
Oil & Gas Facilities
- Daily: Degrease exposed piping and mechanical joints.
- Weekly: Clean heavy machinery, tools, and safety equipment.
- Monthly: Conduct a full maintenance and cleaning cycle for operational machinery.
Signs It’s Time To Degrease
If you’re not sure whether it’s time to degrease, there are a few red flags you can watch for. The most obvious is visible residue, grease, oil stains, or sludge around moving parts. However, more subtle indicators can include overheating, unusual noises, slower operation, or rising energy consumption.
Another clear sign is a spike in breakdowns or maintenance costs. In many cases, inadequate cleaning is the hidden cause behind worn-out bearings, motor strain, or failing seals. Addressing these issues proactively through proper degreasing can save thousands in repairs and downtime.
How To Degrease Equipment The Right Way
Degreasing is more than spraying and wiping, especially in industrial environments. Choosing the right cleaning product is the first step. Solvent-based industrial degreasers are typically more powerful, cutting through heavy buildup quickly.
Water-based versions are gentler and more eco-conscious, ideal for light to moderate cleaning or sensitive materials.
Always follow safety protocols during the cleaning process. That includes wearing appropriate PPE (gloves, goggles, aprons), ensuring good ventilation, and following product label instructions.
Train your staff on how to use industrial degreasers properly and implement checklists for consistent application.
Creating a formal cleaning schedule is also important. Document when each machine is cleaned, what product was used, and who performed the task.
This not only helps with compliance but also allows you to optimize the frequency over time.
Long-Term Benefits Of Routine Degreasing
When equipment is consistently cleaned and maintained, the results go far beyond just looking tidy:
- Increased lifespan of machinery by reducing wear and overheating
- Fewer emergency breakdowns, minimizing costly repairs
- Reduced energy consumption, which cuts operational costs
- Improved workplace safety and fewer compliance risks
- Higher productivity, with equipment running at full efficiency
Neglecting cleaning tasks, on the other hand, can quickly compound into lost production hours, failed inspections, or even workplace injuries.
About Us
Sunrise Industrial Cleaners is a Canadian-based manufacturer and supplier of industrial cleaning products, committed to helping businesses keep their operations clean, compliant, and efficient.
Our product line includes powerful solvent-based and water-based industrial degreasers, trusted across sectors including manufacturing, automotive, and food processing. Whether you’re dealing with heavy grease, oil, or chemical residue, we offer the right solutions to meet your needs.
Need help selecting a degreaser? Contact us today to view our full range of industrial cleaning products or connect with our team for expert advice.
