Power Cleaner
- What it is: A concentrated, biodegradable industrial degreaser and wax remover built to dissolve grease, oil, tar, tire marks, gum, and old acrylic sealer from concrete, tile, stone, and industrial floors.
- Best for: Heavy grease and oil contamination in automotive, manufacturing, and construction settings — and as the oil/grease prep step before any SEMCO sealer, stain, or waterproofing product.
- Stands out because: Industrial-strength degreasing power from a 100% biodegradable formula, safe enough for confined spaces without sacrificing performance on tough petroleum-based contamination.
- Keep in mind: It's applied as two separate dilutions in sequence (a stronger first pass, a lighter second pass) — not a single one-and-done mix.
Shipped From USA
100% Biodegradable
Low Odor & Low VOC
Made in USACleaning Performance
- Heavy-duty degreasing action on grease, oil, tar, tire marks, and gum.
- Proficient industrial wax remover; removes most water-based acrylic sealers.
- Effectively degreases commercial kitchens.
- Water-softening agents and nonionic surfactants penetrate, suspend, emulsify, and dissolve contaminants.
Health & Environmental
- 100% biodegradable.
- Can be safely used in confined areas.
- Safer alternative to harsher, solvent-based industrial cleaning chemicals.
Practical Use
- Applied as two sequential dilutions — a stronger first pass, then a lighter second pass — for thorough contaminant removal.
- Applies with a standard pump sprayer; agitate with a scrub machine or nylon brush.
- Works alongside Nu-Lift Cleaner in SEMCO's combined oil/grease-plus-mineral-deposit prep routine.
- Cuts through heavy grease and oil. Dissolves grease, oil, tar, tire marks, and gum from concrete and other surfaces — built for the contamination a routine cleaner won't budge.
- Doubles as an industrial wax remover. Removes most water-based acrylic sealers and old wax buildup, in addition to its core degreasing job.
- Advanced surfactant chemistry. Water-softening agents plus nonionic surfactants penetrate, suspend, emulsify, and dissolve contaminants at the molecular level.
- 100% biodegradable. Delivers industrial cleaning power without the environmental tradeoffs of harsher solvent-based degreasers.
- Confined-space safe. Can be used safely in tighter, less-ventilated areas where solvent fumes would be a problem.
- One of SEMCO's founding products. Part of the original three-product lineup from 1991 — decades of field use behind the formula.
- Concrete surfaces — driveways, garage floors, and slabs contaminated with grease, oil, or tire marks.
- Ceramic tile and grout — commercial kitchen floors and other tile surfaces with grease buildup.
- Natural and cultured stone — pool decks and patios with oil or petroleum-based staining.
- Commercial and industrial floors — automotive, manufacturing, and construction environments with heavy grease and oil contamination.
- Prep before SEMCO Liquid Membrane, Titan Shield Gloss, Natural Shield, PreStain Color, or Sealer Matte — the standard oil/grease prep step, typically paired with Nu-Lift Cleaner (and Stone Soap) ahead of any SEMCO coating.
For general grease, oil, tar, and wax removal:
- Gather materials and ensure the surface is free of debris.
- Mix Solution 1: 1 part Power Cleaner to 4 parts water.
- Slightly dampen the surface with water before applying.
- Apply Solution 1, let it sit for 2–3 minutes, then scrub with a scrub machine or nylon brush.
- Rinse thoroughly, making sure no residue is left.
- Mix Solution 2: 1 part Power Cleaner to 9 parts water. Apply, let sit 2–3 minutes, scrub, and rinse again for a final, lighter pass.
For combined oil/grease + mineral deposit prep (with Nu-Lift Cleaner):
- Mix Power Cleaner Solution 1 (1:4) and Solution 2 (1:9), and mix Nu-Lift Cleaner 1:1 with water.
- Slightly dampen the surface with water first.
- Apply Power Cleaner Solution 1, let sit 2–3 minutes, scrub, and rinse thoroughly.
- Apply the Nu-Lift Cleaner solution and repeat the same sit/scrub/rinse steps.
- Apply Power Cleaner Solution 2 and repeat the procedure once more.
In both cases: Let the surface dry completely before applying any sealer. Getting a surface fully degreased and pH-balanced before coating is critical for adhesion and performance.
PRODUCT INFO
SEMCO Power Cleaner is a highly concentrated, industrial-grade degreaser, wax remover, and surface cleaner built for the toughest contamination jobs: grease, oil, petroleum-based stains, tar, tire marks, gum, and old acrylic sealer buildup. Formulated with water-softening agents and nonionic surfactants, it penetrates, suspends, emulsifies, and lifts contaminants that a general-purpose cleaner can't touch — while remaining 100% biodegradable and safe enough to use in confined spaces.
It's one of SEMCO's three founding products — Power Cleaner, Stone Soap, and Nu-Lift Cleaner were the original lineup the company launched with in 1991 — and today it's the standard oil-and-grease prep step ahead of applying SEMCO Liquid Membrane, Titan Shield Gloss, Natural Shield, PreStain Color, or Sealer Matte, typically paired with Nu-Lift Cleaner for mineral deposits and efflorescence.
- Type – Concentrated industrial degreaser and wax remover with water-softening agents and nonionic surfactants
- Coverage – Up to 250 sq ft/quart, up to 1,000 sq ft/gallon, up to 5,000 sq ft/5-gallon pail
- Dilution — Solution 1 (first pass) - 1 part Power Cleaner to 4 parts water
- Dilution — Solution 2 (second pass) - 1 part Power Cleaner to 9 parts water
- Rinse requirement - Rinse thoroughly after each pass; let surface dry completely before applying any sealer
- Biodegradability - 100% biodegradable
- Application tools – Pump sprayer, scrub machine or nylon brush
- Shelf life – 2 years in controlled ambient storage (60–72°F)
- Also removes - Most water-based acrylic sealers and old wax buildup
How Power Cleaner Compares to a Solvent-Based Degreaser
Power Cleaner is positioned by SEMCO as a safer alternative to harsher industrial cleaning chemicals. Here's how a water-based, surfactant-driven degreaser compares to a traditional solvent-based degreaser as a category, based on general, sourced information (not a specific named competing product).
| SEMCO Power Cleaner (Water-Based Surfactant Degreaser) |
Solvent-Based Degreaser | |
|---|---|---|
| VOC content | Formulated as a biodegradable, water-based cleaner | Typically high — solvent evaporation drives VOC emissions |
| Flammability / fire hazard | ✗ Water-based; not a flammability concern |
✓ Often flammable, requiring extra storage precautions |
| Respiratory / fume risk | Low Safe for confined spaces per SEMCO |
Higher Fumes shouldn't be inhaled; ventilation typically required |
| Biodegradable | ✓ 100% |
✗ Typically not biodegradable |
| Cleaning speed on heavy grease/oil | Effective, may need dwell time to fully penetrate stubborn contamination | Fast — solvents are known for cutting through heavy grease and grime quickly |
| Residue risk affecting coating adhesion | Low when rinsed per instructions | Can leave oily residue if not fully rinsed |
| Safe for finished/delicate surfaces | ✓ Per SEMCO's application guidance |
Varies — can dull, discolor, or degrade some finishes |
This comparison reflects general, publicly available information about water-based versus solvent-based degreasing chemistries as a category, not a specific competing branded product.
SEMCO Liquid Membrane™ is trusted by professional waterproofing contractors, builders, pool service companies, property managers, and facilities teams across the country. We offer dedicated support and volume pricing for businesses.
Benefits List
- Volume discount pricing on 5-gallon pails and case ordersPriority technical support from application experts
- Fast reorder history and account management
- Co-branded project documentation and spec sheets available
- Suitable for: waterproofing contractors, pool builders, property maintenance, HOAs, facility managers
CTAs
- Enquire About Pro Pricing → CONTACT US
- Call Us: 1-833-211-2297
The full version
Detailed application instructions.
Pick your project. Every step, with the detail you’ll want while you’re actually doing it.
01 Mix both cleaners
You’ll need: Power Cleaner · Stone Soap · nylon brush · pump sprayer
Prep B is for grease, oil, weathering and tough build-up — and for EPDM, TPO, shingle and bitumen roofs, and for re-prepping cured SEMCO membrane before an extra coat.
- Power Cleaner: 1 part to 4 parts water.
- Stone Soap: 1 part to 4 parts water.
02 Degrease with Power Cleaner
- Lightly dampen the surface with water.
- Apply the Power Cleaner mix with a pump sprayer and let it sit 2–3 minutes.
- Scrub with a nylon brush or scrub machine.
- Rinse well until no residue is left.
03 Follow with Stone Soap
Repeat the same steps with the Stone Soap mix. It lifts the chemical residue Power Cleaner leaves behind and rebalances the surface pH.
04 Dry, then coat
Let the surface dry completely — below 3% residual moisture — before coating.
| Use for | Grease, oil, weathering · EPDM, TPO, shingle, bitumen |
| Products | Power Cleaner, then Stone Soap |
| Mix | Each 1 part : 4 parts water |
| Dwell time | 2–3 minutes each |
| Before coating | Fully dry · under 3% moisture |
01 Mix three solutions
You’ll need: Power Cleaner · Nu-Lift Cleaner · nylon brush · pump sprayer
Prep C is for surfaces with a non-water-based coating, or one you can’t identify.
- Power Cleaner solution 1: 1 part to 4 parts water.
- Nu-Lift solution: 1 part to 1 part water.
- Power Cleaner solution 2: 1 part to 9 parts water.
02 Wash in three passes
- Lightly dampen the surface with water.
- Apply Power Cleaner solution 1, let it sit 2–3 minutes, scrub, and rinse well.
- Repeat with the Nu-Lift solution.
- Finish with Power Cleaner solution 2, then rinse until no residue is left.
03 Test, dry, then coat
Let it dry completely, then coat a small test patch before the full job.
| Use for | Unknown or non-water-based coatings |
| Products | Power Cleaner, then Nu-Lift |
| Mix | 1:4 Power · 1:1 Nu-Lift · 1:9 Power |
| Dwell time | 2–3 minutes each pass |
| Before coating | Test patch · fully dry |
Need a hand? Call 1-833-211-2297 or email info@semcoworks.com — the team will check prep, coverage and cure timing before you start.
Before you buy
The questions worth asking.
What is SEMCO Power Cleaner?
Power Cleaner is a highly concentrated, commercial-strength cleaner, degreaser, and wax remover for surface preparation before sealing or waterproofing.
What is Power Cleaner used for?
It removes oil, grease, and wax from concrete, ceramic tile, pool decks, driveways, and natural stone, and is a key surface-prep step before applying SEMCO coatings.
How much does Power Cleaner cover?
One quart covers up to about 250 sq ft, one gallon up to about 1,000 sq ft, and a 5-gallon up to about 5,000 sq ft, diluted per the instructions.
Is Power Cleaner safe for the environment?
It is a water-based cleaner intended for professional and industrial cleaning; follow the label for dilution and safe handling.
More questions? Browse every SEMCO FAQ.
