Most all-purpose cleaners in a shop are either strong enough to strip wax and risk your trim, or weak enough to be safe on sensitive surfaces but ineffective on real-world road grime, grease, and organic soiling. A citrus-based APC built around d-limonene finds a practical middle ground — effective enough to cut through bug splatter, brake fluid, grease, and engine contamination at full strength, but dilutable to a gentle multi-surface cleaner for carpet, vinyl, and painted surfaces. One chemistry, calibrated by concentration to the task at hand.
Citra Clean 5 Gallon from Polishing Systems Inc is the bulk-volume format for operations where Citra Clean is the primary cleaning chemistry across multiple surfaces and multiple technicians. At 5 gallons, the per-diluted-ounce cost drops to the level that makes it economically appropriate for high-volume detail shops, fleet cleaning operations, and car washes that go through APC consistently. A 5-gallon pail with a drum pump dispenses cleanly into spray bottles without mess or handling difficulty.
What Citra Clean Is
Citra Clean is a citrus-based all-purpose cleaner and degreaser formulated around natural d-limonene and surfactants. D-limonene is a naturally derived terpene solvent extracted from citrus rinds — effective at dissolving petroleum-based grease, adhesive residue, bug splatter, and road film without the harsh alkaline chemistry that can strip sensitive surfaces. The formula is concentrated and designed to be diluted for different tasks: full strength for heavy engine degreasing, 10:1 for wheel cleaning, 30:1 or higher for interior surface wiping and general detailing.
Key Features and Why They Matter
- D-limonene citrus chemistry — natural terpene solvent that dissolves grease and organic contamination effectively without the harshness of strong caustic degreasers. Works on a wider range of surfaces safely when properly diluted.
- Highly dilutable concentrate — one product handles multiple cleaning tasks at different dilution rates. Reduces the number of separate cleaning products needed in a shop.
- Biodegradable formula — citrus-based chemistry breaks down more readily in the environment than petroleum solvent cleaners. Relevant for shops managing wash water runoff.
- Pleasant citrus fragrance — leaves a clean scent rather than the harsh chemical smell of solvent degreasers. Preferred for interior cleaning tasks.
What Citra Clean Is NOT For
At full or high concentrations, Citra Clean can affect uncoated leather, raw aluminum (the citrus solvent can dull unprotected aluminum over time with repeated full-strength exposure), and some rubber compounds. Always dilute appropriately for the surface being cleaned, and test in an inconspicuous area on unfamiliar materials. Do not use on hot surfaces or in direct sun without rinsing promptly.
Who Uses This
High-volume detail shops running Citra Clean as their primary APC. Fleet maintenance operations cleaning large numbers of vehicles on a regular cycle. Car washes adding citrus APC to their chemical lineup. Any operation where 1-gallon containers need to be ordered more than twice per month. Also see the 1-gallon size for smaller operations.
How to Use
- Use a drum pump or pour spout to dispense from the 5-gallon pail into working spray bottles or dilution containers.
- Dilute at appropriate ratio for each task: interior 30:1 to 50:1; wheels and tires 10:1 to 15:1; heavy degreasing 5:1 to 10:1.
- Apply, dwell, agitate where needed, rinse or wipe clean.
Why Buy 5 Gallon vs. Multiple 1-Gallon Containers
For shops consuming 2 or more gallons of Citra Clean per month, the 5-gallon pail is the more economical option on a per-gallon basis and eliminates the logistics of frequent small orders. One pail with a pump dispenser is more efficient than managing multiple individual jugs on a busy shop floor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 5 gallons include a pump dispenser?
The 5-gallon pail does not include a pump dispenser — pump dispensers are available separately. A standard drum pump or pour spout is recommended for clean, accurate dispensing from a 5-gallon pail without spillage.
What is the shelf life of Citra Clean in a 5-gallon pail?
Stored properly — lid sealed, away from extreme temperatures — Citra Clean retains full effectiveness for 12-24 months in an unopened or properly resealed pail. Citrus-based products can lose some fragrance potency over extended storage but retain cleaning performance.
Can a 5-gallon pail be used for foam cannon concentrate?
Yes — Citra Clean at appropriate foam cannon dilutions (typically 10:1 to 20:1 depending on cannon design and foam quality preference) works in foam cannon applications for exterior pre-wash foam. The 5-gallon volume is appropriate for operations doing foam washing on multiple vehicles per day.
Is there a 30-gallon or drum size available?
Contact Polishing Systems Inc directly for bulk drum availability on Citra Clean. High-volume operations can often arrange drum pricing for standard pallet quantities.
