Automotive · Head-to-head
Simple Green Pro HD Heavy-Duty Cleaner vs Oil Eater Cleaner & Degreaser Original Formula
Which should you buy? Our verdict on both, pulled from our full The Best Engine Degreasers: 4 Compared (and One to Skip) comparison.
Pro HD is the only one here whose maker states outright that it works on aluminum, stainless steel and chrome and is non-degrading to plastics, which is exactly the mix of materials under a modern hood. Oil Eater does the same job for less outlay per diluted gallon, provided you respect a concentrate that sits at pH 12.4 in the jug.
Simple Green Pro HD Heavy-Duty Cleaner
Buy itA water-based alkaline concentrate built around silicate and phosphate builders rather than caustic soda, which is why the maker will say it works on aluminium.
- Simple Green states it is optimized for use on metals and works on aluminum, stainless steel and chrome.
- Printed dilution ladder of 1:3 heavy, 1:5 medium and 1:10 light means one jug covers light wipedowns and serious grease.
- No sodium hydroxide on the ingredient list; the alkalinity comes from triethanolamine, tetrapotassium pyrophosphate and potassium silicate.
- The non-corrosive claim comes with conditions attached: do not dilute beyond 1:10, do not exceed 109F, do not let it dry on the surface.
- Classified as an eye irritant 2B on the SDS, so eye protection is sensible.
- The SDS restricts use to rinseable surfaces, so it is a hose-and-bucket job rather than a wipe-and-walk-away one.
Oil Eater Cleaner & Degreaser Original Formula
Buy itA silicate-built water-based concentrate that dilutes hard, cleans hard, and is strongly alkaline enough that you should treat the undiluted jug with respect.
- Kafko's own dilution chart runs from 1:1 for engines to 1:25 through a pressure washer, so a single jug goes a long way.
- Ingredient list is short and disclosed: water, sodium silicate, dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether, alcohol ethoxylates, sodium xylene sulphonate and tetrasodium EDTA.
- Listed by the maker as water-based, biodegradable, low VOC and meeting Boeing D6-17487 rev. p.
- SDS pH is 12.4 in the concentrate, which is a strong alkali and needs gloves.
- Classified skin irritant category 2 on the safety data sheet.
- The maker gives no engine-specific dwell time, so you are judging it by eye.
Side by side
| Simple Green Pro HD Heavy-Duty Cleaner | Oil Eater Cleaner & Degreaser Original Formula | |
|---|---|---|
| Our verdict | Buy | Buy |
| Best for | The person cleaning a modern engine bay full of aluminium castings and plastic covers who wants a written metal claim rather than a vague one. | Someone who degreases more than one engine, mower or parts tray a year and would rather buy concentrate than pay to ship water. |
| Price tier | $$ · mid-range | $ · budget |
The bottom line
Our overall pick is the Simple Green Pro HD Heavy-Duty Cleaner - A water-based alkaline concentrate built around silicate and phosphate builders rather than caustic soda, which is why the maker will say it works on aluminium. Choose the Oil Eater Cleaner & Degreaser Original Formula instead if someone who degreases more than one engine, mower or parts tray a year and would rather buy concentrate than pay to ship water.
Want the full picture, including the other options we compared and the popular one we'd skip? Read the complete The Best Engine Degreasers: 4 Compared (and One to Skip).