quite by accident i have stumbled across a citrus based solvent that is highly effective for removing the silicone grease and coffee residue from LONDINIUM lever espresso machines
until now i have always assumed i needed a petroleum based solvent that did not leave any oily residue, i.e. kerosene is no good, but white spirits or surgical alcohol was OK. even using these solvents i found i had to really work them to remove the silicone grease
with the grease removed i would then wash them thoroughly with dish washing detergent and lots of hot water, and then finally just lots of hot water
so you can imagine my surprise when i needed to remove some grease from my father’s L1 and was handed a bottle of citrus based solvent. i had never heard of such a thing before and i was highly skeptical that it would be of any use whatsoever – my experience of products that proclaim they are environmentally friendly has almost always been that they are simply ineffective and you hurl it in the bin and reach for the nasty stuff and you get the job done
so you can imagine my surprise when i discovered this stain remover from Di-solv-it that just made the silicone grease that i had fouled the shower screen with and the coffee residue trapped between the gauze and the backing plate of the shower screen just disappear with a simple spray on and a rub with the thumb – i didnt even get an old toothbrush out for the job
im sure this reads like an ad, but im not bothered – if you have ever tried to remove silicone grease you will know it doesnt lift easily. this citrus base solvent just made it vanish
my father has since told me that citrus based solvents have been around for decades as an alternative to petroleum based solvents but they have struggled to gain traction in the market. i think their time has come and i have no hesitation in recommending this product. it is also an excellent product for removing marks left on products by sticky labels and the like. it is a major plus that the item has a pleasant smell of citrus orange after it has been cleaned, rather than the more industrial odours that white spirits and the like leave
i hope you find this product makes the maintenance of your espresso equipment just that little bit more pleasant
relevant websites are;
Australia: http://www.rcr.com.au/desolvit (the exact product i am using)
New Zealand: http://www.desolvit.co.nz (the exact product i am using)
http://www.mitre10mega.co.nz/shop/laundry_cleaning/cleaning_chemicals/desolvit_sticky_spot_stain_remover_750ml_trigger_pack_325524/
– google for other stockists in New Zealand too
USA http://www.de-solv-it.com/all-products/de-solv-it/
UK http://www.desolvit.co.uk/products/decorating–diy/desolvit – probably this product, although it is a bit difficult to make an exact match off the website
reiss.