If you’ve ever faced a greasy engine, grimy tools, or a garage floor that looks like a disaster zone, you know how important a good cleaner is.

Purple Power and Super Clean are two of the most popular options out there, and both promise to make cleaning fast and easy. But which one should you pick?

In this Purple Power vs Super Clean guide, I’ll break down their ingredients, cleaning power, uses, smell and number of other factors.

You’ll read everything you need to know to decide which cleaner deserves a spot in your garage.

#1 Main Active Ingredients

Let’s start with what’s inside these cleaners.

Both are water-based degreasers that rely on alkaline chemistry to eat through grease. But their main active ingredients are slightly different.

Purple Power uses a combo of 2-butoxyethanol (a solvent that dissolves oils and grime) and sodium metasilicate (a strong base that breaks down organic buildup).

Super Clean leans heavier on sodium hydroxide, making it a bit more caustic. It also uses sodium metasilicate.

#2 Cleaning Power

This is the big one. You want something that works, and both of these do. The difference comes down to how aggressive you want your cleaner to be.

Super Clean has a reputation for being faster and more brutal. It slices through engine sludge, baked-on oil, and shop grime like it’s nothing.

People often say it’s so strong it can even strip paint or wax if you’re not careful!

Purple Power, on the other hand, gets the job done too - just a little slower, and with less risk of damaging surfaces. It’s strong enough for engines, tools, concrete floors, and greasy garage messes, but not as wild as Super Clean.

So if you’re cleaning something delicate or coated, Purple Power is the safer bet. But if your project looks like it just came out of an oil rig, Super Clean is a great option.

#3 What It’s For

This is where these Purple Power and Super Clean overlap a lot.

Both are made for all the same stuff like engines, tires, wheels, tools, driveways, and anything grimy in your garage or backyard. You can even use them around the house if you dilute them enough.

The difference? Super Clean is better suited for industrial or hardcore automotive use.

It’s that “serious work” cleaner for when you don’t care about fancy finishes.

Purple Power is more of a versatile, do-it-all cleaner that you can reach for without panicking about ruining things. It still packs a punch, but it’s just easier to trust around painted parts or coated surfaces.

So think of it like this: Purple Power is the all-rounder you use most of the time, and Super Clean is the heavy-hitter you pull out when things get really nasty.

#4 Smell

Neither of these cleaners is going to smell like a bouquet of flowers.

Purple Power has that classic industrial cleaner scent, with a noticeable chemical/solvent edge thanks to 2-butoxyethanol. It’s sharp, but many people find it tolerable if you’re working outside or in a well-ventilated garage.

You might even get a faint citrusy hint in some batches, though it’s subtle.

Super Clean, on the other hand, smells more intense and chemical-heavy because of its higher pH and stronger alkalis. Some users describe it as “biting” or “stingy” in the nose.

It tends to linger longer than Purple Power, so if you’re spraying indoors, you’ll definitely notice it.

That said, a quick rinse and proper ventilation usually knock down most of the lingering odor.

#5 Prices

Price differences between these two are usually small, but Purple Power tends to be a little cheaper per gallon.

Because both are concentrates, your real cost depends on how much water you mix in.

Super Clean might cost more upfront, but it’s so potent that a gallon can go a long way. Purple Power is still the better deal for most people, especially if you’re using it on a regular basis.

If you’re the type to buy in bulk for your garage or detailing business, that small price difference can actually add up. But both are affordable compared to fancy “brand name” cleaners that basically do the same thing.

Should I Get Super Clean Or Purple Power

#6 Ease Of Use

Both are simple to use and you just have to spray, scrub, rinse.

But Super Clean demands a little more respect. Because it’s so strong, you really have to dilute it correctly. Go too strong and you could dull paint or stain aluminum.

Purple Power, on the other hand, is more forgiving if you forget to rinse right away or overdo the concentration a little.

They both rinse off cleanly, though Super Clean might need an extra pass to fully remove residue, especially on smooth surfaces.

Neither foams up much, and both cut through oil fast.

#7 Safety

Now for the part most people skip: safety.

Both products are highly alkaline, which means they can burn skin, irritate eyes, and damage surfaces if left on too long. You definitely want gloves, and maybe goggles if you’re doing a big job.

Super Clean’s higher pH makes it riskier for skin and softer materials, so treat it like you would a strong chemical.

Purple Power can still cause irritation but gives you a little more margin for error.

If either one splashes on your skin, rinse it off right away with water. And definitely don’t mix these cleaners with anything else, like bleach or acid-based products. That’s a recipe for dangerous fumes.

Both are safe when used properly, but don’t underestimate how strong they are.

#8 Eco-Friendliness

On the eco side, both brands market themselves as biodegradable and phosphate-free.

That sounds nice, and it’s better than some older formulas, but these are still strong industrial cleaners. You shouldn’t dump them down the drain in big quantities or let runoff go into the soil or waterways.

Super Clean makes more noise about its biodegradability, but in real-world terms, both are pretty similar.

If you use them responsibly, rinse thoroughly, and don’t let concentrated runoff go into storm drains, you’re fine. Just remember that “biodegradable” doesn’t mean “harmless.” These are powerful degreasers - great for your engine bay, not so great for fish.

Should I Get Super Clean Or Purple Power?

If you’re still stuck, here’s how to decide.

Super Clean is your pick for heavy-duty cleaning where power matters more than surface safety. Think engines, construction equipment, greasy shop floors, or anything caked in oil.

It’s the brute-force option.

Purple Power is what you want for regular maintenance or general-purpose cleaning. It’s tough but more forgiving, especially on painted or coated parts. It’s the kind of product you can reach for without stressing too much about ruining something expensive.

So if you’re working on your car every weekend and need a reliable go-to, Purple Power fits the bill. But if you occasionally tackle nightmare jobs and want something that cuts through anything, keep a bottle of Super Clean around too.

They actually complement each other pretty well.

Bottom Line

The main difference between Purple Power and Super Clean is that Purple Power is better for general cleaning, versatility, surface safety, ease of use, and everyday garage or home tasks. Plus it’s slightly cheaper and more forgiving.

Super Clean, on the other hand, is better at tackling heavy-duty grease, engine grime, and industrial-strength messes, with faster cleaning power and a slightly stronger eco-friendly marketing claim, but it’s harsher on surfaces, has a stronger chemical smell, and requires more careful handling.

Purple Power Vs Super Clean (What Degreaser Is Better?)