Methyl esters (soy and canola-based) are highly effective solvents on a wide variety of soil types. Readily soluble, they are easily combined with other more expensive petrochemical-based solvents to improve performance and reduce costs and volatile organic compound levels. Methyl esters are not water soluble and leave a very fine protective coating after cleaning that protects metal surfaces from flash rusting. The very same non drying characteristic of the methyl ester acts as a natural emollient when used in hand cleaning or fingernail polish removal applications.