Which cleaning agent is primarily used for degreasing?

The choice of a solvent or degreaser as the primary cleaning agent for degreasing is accurate because these substances are specifically formulated to break down and dissolve oils, greases, and other stubborn residues. Degreasers work by lowering the surface tension of oils and allowing them to be suspended in water or easily wiped away. This makes them highly effective in industrial and maintenance contexts where machinery and tools often accumulate grease.

On the other hand, while water can clean surface dirt, it is not effective on oily substances due to its inability to mix with oil. Soap also serves a cleaning purpose by encapsulating dirt and grease, but it is less effective than dedicated degreasers for heavy-duty grease removal because its primary action relies on emulsification rather than direct dissolution. Bleach is mainly used for disinfecting and whitening, not for breaking down fats and oils, thus making it unsuitable for degreasing tasks.