The use of quality brake cleaner from time to time is a cost-efficient way to ensure your brakes stay in good condition. As a brake cleaner removes harmful contaminants from your brake drums, rotors, or pads, it is able to prolong their lifespan. As well as removing that gunk lodged in your brakes, these cleaners can often fix brake squeals.
Furthermore, it is not difficult to clean brakes from the comfort of your own garage or driveway. The majority of brake cleaners are designed to penetrate, so you don’t have to disassemble your brakes in order to clean them thoroughly.
Top 5 Brake Cleaners: Editor Recommended
This article explains some of the factors you should consider when shopping for brake cleaners, in addition to looking at the best brake cleaners on the market. Our table of contents provides more information on brake cleaners.
The 10 Best Brake Cleaners Review:
1. CRC BRAKLEEN Brake Parts Cleaner
- The original brake parts cleaner
- Formulated to quickly & effectively remove grease, brake dust, brake fluids,...
- Cannot be sold for use in ca or nj
- Non-flammable
- This item is not for sale in catalina island
Our top pick is CRC’s Brakleen, one of the most popular brake cleaners on the market. In this chlorinated version, grease, brake dust, oil, brake fluids, and other contaminants are quickly and effectively removed from brake parts, linings, and pads. Since this is a chlorinated brake cleaner, it cannot be sold in California, New Jersey, or Catalina Island. The product is safe to use on all brake systems, including Springs and Wedge brakes.
The brake cleaner comes in a 20-ounce size.
Product features:
- Extremely reputable brand/product
- Powerful brake cleaner
- Chlorinated
- Non-flammable
- Quickly removes grease, brake dust, brake fluids, oils, and other contaminants
- Safe to use on all brake systems
- Cannot be sold for use in California, New Jersey, and Catalina Island
- Cleans and dries fast
- Leaves no residue
2. CRC 05084 Brakleen Non-Chlorinated Brake Parts
- BRAKLEEN: Using a brake parts cleaner for cleaning and degreasing is a great way...
- EXCELLENT FORMULA: This non-chlorinated Brakleen formula offers the best...
- EFFECTIVE BRAKE CLEANING: Brakleen cleans and dries fast to remove contaminants...
- DEEP CLEANING, LESS PRODUCT: Our formula is designed for power and requires less...
- PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS: Brakleen is available in a 14 wt. oz. aerosol can.
The CRC’s Brakleen non-chlorinated version is here if you’re looking for that. CRC’s chlorine-free version of Brakleen comes in a green bottle, while the chlorinated version comes in a red one. The brake cleaner removes brake fluid, grease, oil, and other contaminants from brake linings, pads, and parts quickly. It contains less than 45% volatile organic compounds.
This is our top pick for a non-chlorinated product that cleans and dries quickly, leaving no residue behind.
The brake cleaner comes in a 14-ounce size.
Product features:
- Non-chlorinated
- Designed to quickly remove brake fluid, grease, oil, and other contaminants
- Less than 45% VOC
- Cleans and dries fast
- Leaves no residue
3. 3M 08179 High Power Brake Cleaner
Another highly reputable brand in the automotive industry is 3M. This company’s high power brake cleaner is available on Amazon in 3 different options with varying levels of VOC. Multi-purpose formula removes brake dust, solvents, greases, dust, oil, and tar with ease thanks to a high-pressure flushing action.
Cleaning brake pads, linings, shoes, drums, caliper units, cylinders, and other brake parts are all possible with this cleaner. This product comes with a small straw, which makes it easier to target small, hard-to-reach places. This brake cleaner from 3M has low odor, dries quickly, and leaves no residue as a result of its chemistry. Besides reducing brake chatter and squeal, this product also provides noise reduction.
The brake cleaner comes in three sizes, each of which holds 14 ounces.
Product features:
- Automotive brand with a good reputation
- Three options available with varying VOC levels
- Cleans brake dust, tar, oil, solvents, greases, and dust
- Flushing at high pressure
- Suitable for most brake components
- Small straw for hard-to-reach areas
- Low odor, fast drying, no residue
- Helps eliminate brake squeal and chatter
4. Permatex 82220 Non-Chlorinated Brake and Parts Cleaner
- Penetrates, dissolves and removes dirt and oil from brake systems and metal...
- Safer for aluminum; helps manage EPA halide limits
- Leaves no contaminant-attracting residue or chlorinated solvent run-off
- Can be applied without disassembling the brake unit since Brake & Parts Cleaner...
- Suggested Applications: All brake systems, C.V. joints, machinery, tools, and...
The 14.5 ounce bottle of Permatex’s brake cleaner (as well as the aerosol version) comes in a single unit or as a 12-pack. This brake cleaner penetrates, dissolves, and removes oil and dirt deposits from brake systems, and leaves no residue that attracts contaminants. Aside from brake systems, it is suitable for CV joints, machinery, and tools, as well as farm equipment.
Product features:
- Non-chlorinated
- Available in single unit or pack of 12
- Penetrates, dissolves, and removes dirt and oil
- Safer for aluminum
- Helps manage EPA halide limits
- Leaves no residue
- Works on all brake systems, C.V. joints, machinery, tools, and farm equipment
5. Gunk M720 Chlorinated Brake Parts Cleaner
Another popular brand when it comes to cleaners and degreasers is Gunk, and its brake cleaner won’t disappoint. There are two versions of this product available: a single unit and a 12-pack in a 19-ounce capacity. Clean brake parts with this cleaner to remove brake fluid, dust, oil grease, and grime from CV joints. Guk’s brake cleaner is extremely easy to use, and it dries quickly without leaving a residue.
The chlorinated material is non-flammable, but you have to check if it’s legal for use in your state before buying.
Product features:
- Popular brand for cleaners and degreasers
- Chlorinated brake cleaner
- Available as a single unit or 12-pack
- Removes brake fluid, dust, oil grease, and grime
- Cleans brake parts or C.V. joint assemblies
- Dries quickly with no residue
- Non-flammable
6. Gunk M715 Non-Chlorinated Brake Cleaner
Gunk’s non-chlorinated brake cleaner is also available as a single unit or 12-pack in a 14-ounce size. This variant dissolves brake fluid, grease, and oil instantly without chlorinated solvents. The spray pattern speeds up cleaning, and it dries quickly with no residue. This substance is extremely flammable since it is not chlorinated.
Product features:
- Non-chlorinated brake cleaner
- Available as a single unit or 12-pack
- Instantly dissolves brake fluid, grease, and oil
- Powerful spray pattern
- Cleans faster
- Dries quickly
- No residue
- Extremely flammable
7. Throttle Muscle TM8487 – Brake Parts Cleaner
- Extremely fast drying
- High power spray with included nozzle
- Ultra low VOC - 50 staate compliant formula with no chlorinated solvents, not...
- Cleans and degreases brake linings, cylinders, drums, rotors, clutches, CV...
- Leaves no residue
Throttle Muscle offers a 13-ounce bottle of non-chlorinated brake cleaner. This brake cleaner is compliant with 50 states, although it is not compliant with the SCAQMD. The high power spray removes brake fluid, grease, road grime, and oil instantly, leaving no residue behind. Whenever you need a quick-drying grease, you can use it on brake linings, cylinders, drums, rotors, clutches, CV joints, and more.
Product features:
- Non-chlorinated
- Ultra low VOC
- 50-state compliant (not SCAQMD compliant)
- High power spray removes brake fluid, grease, road grime, and oil
- Leaves no residue
- Dries extremely fast
- Safe to use on brake linings, cylinders, drums, rotors, clutches, C.V. joints
8. Mag 1 409 Non-Chlorine Re-formulated Brake Cleaner
Non-chlorinated brake cleaner from MAG 1 dissolves and removes brake fluid, oil, grease, and other contaminants from brake systems. The cleaner evaporates rapidly and will not contaminate recycled fluid. This 14-ounce spray has a powerful cleaning action and degreases instantly. In addition to not being chlorinated, it is non-carcinogenic, and does not deplete the ozone layer.
Product features:
- Chlorine-free
- For removing brake fluid, oil, grease, and other contaminants
- Rapid evaporation
- The fluid won’t contaminate recyclables
- A powerful spray for fast cleaning
- Instantly degreases
- This substance is both non-carcinogenic and ozone-friendly
9. Johnsen’s 2417 OTC Compliant Non-Chlorinated Brake Cleaner
- Removes oil, grease, brake fluid and contaminants quickly and with no residue.
- For use on all ABS, disc and drum brakes.
- Original Formula Non-Chlorinated
- Non-Flammable
Johnsen’s non-chlorinated brake cleaner is available as a single unit or in a 12-pack of 14-ounce containers. The aerosol product removes oil, grease, brake fluid, and other contaminants quickly without leaving any residue behind. The product is safe for use on ABS, disc, and drum brakes. Versions containing 45% or less VOC are available for sale in areas with 45% or less VOC restrictions.
Johnsen’s offers several other types of brake cleaners: Original Formula Non-Chlorinated, 50 State Formula, Non-Flammable, and SCAQMD.
Product features:
- Non-chlorinated
- Available as a single unit or 12-pack
- Removes oil, grease, brake fluid, and other contaminants
- Leaves no residue
- Safe on all ABS, disc, and drum brakes
- OTC compliant (45% VOC)
- Other versions available
10. Penray 4620-12PK Non-Chlorinated Brake Cleaner
Our final brake cleaner option comes from Penray, and it is available in either a single or a 12-pack. This 14-ounce aerosol brake cleaner is designed to remove grease, oil, brake fluid, and other contaminants quickly and effectively. The product is safe to use on brake shoes, drums, cylinders, rotors, disc brakes, CV joints, and clutch components. It degreases instantly without leaving any residue. The brake squealer won’t require disassembly and it can even help improve brake performance.
Product features:
- Non-chlorinated
- Available in a single unit of case of 12
- Quickly and effectively removes grease, oil, brake fluid, and other contaminants
- Safe to use on brake shoes, drums, cylinders, rotors, disc brakes, C.V. joints, and clutch components
- Degreases instantly
- Leaves no residue
- No disassembly required
- Helps stop brake squealing
- Can improve braking performance
Chlorinated vs. Non-Chlorinated: What’s the Difference?
The following is a list of the best brake cleaners as recommended by us. If you’ve looked over our recommendations, or have done some shopping on your own, you’ll have noticed there are two types: chlorinated and non-chlorinated. The first thing you need to know about chlorinated brake cleaners is that they are not legal in everyone’s state. To make sure you can use a chlorinated product before purchasing a brake cleaner, make sure you check with your local law enforcement. In case of doubt, choose a non-chlorinated brake cleaner. Generally, chlorinated products state which states they can’t be sold in, particularly California and New Jersey.
The chlorinated solvents in chlorinated brake cleaners are nonflammable and extremely fast drying. Chlorinated cleaners are said to be the best for cleaning brake parts, but you may not even be able to use them in your state.
Despite the fact that non-chlorinated cleaners do not contain chlorinated solvents, that does not mean they are safer or more environmentally friendly. It’s because non-chlorinated products may contain chemicals that are just as or more hazardous than chlorinated ones.
What is VOC?
Some brake cleaners will advertise that they contain low VOC levels, or a certain percentage of VOC. These include unchlorinated and chlorinated brake cleaners. They stand for Volatile Organic Compounds. Several chlorinated cleaners contain perchloroethylene, methylene chloride, and trichloroethylene, all of which are hazardous to the environment and emit strong fumes. Non-chlorinated cleaners replace these chemicals with low VOC chemicals that are less toxic and better for the environment.
Considering that some states have banned the use of chlorinated cleaners, your only option may be non-chlorinated cleaners. Whenever you shop, choose products with low VOC content, so your brakes will be safer to use.
