Oil Eater

What Oil Eater does

Oil Eater (legal entity Kafko International Ltd.) is a family-owned U.S. manufacturer of industrial and household cleaning products, founded in 1989 by a U.S. Marine veteran and headquartered in Skokie, Illinois. The company designs and produces water-based, biodegradable alkaline cleaners and degreasers, supported by a proprietary Bacillus-based bioremediation platform (Cleaning Critters, Overnight Stain Remover microbes) and acid-free Rust-Soak technology. Its ultra-concentrated formulations (diluting up to 30:1 or 100:1) are free of hazardous fluorinated and chlorinated solvents and meet Boeing D6-17487 Rev. P and VOC requirements across all 50 states.

The portfolio spans six revenue streams: industrial cleaners and degreasers, parts washing equipment and consumable fluids, spill control absorbents and kits, glass treatment products, specialty cleaners (rust, drain, graffiti, stain removal), and household cleaning SKUs. Products are sold in sizes from 32oz retail containers through 275-gallon industrial totes, with pricing not publicly disclosed and B2B customers directed to sales contact or sample requests.

Commercially, Oil Eater operates a dual-channel model: national industrial MRO distributors (Grainger, MSC Industrial Supply, Service Champ, RelaDyne, Highline Warren, Keller-Heartt) serve enterprise and industrial accounts, while online and mass-market retailers (Amazon, Walmart, Home Depot, Autozone, Zoro, Tractor Supply Co.) capture SMB and consumer demand. The company also recruits regional distributors and accepts international distributor inquiries. Customer segments are horizontal — spanning industrial/commercial facilities, automotive shops, food processing, fleet maintenance, aerospace/military and residential consumers — with no single-customer concentration disclosed.

Name

Oil Eater

Legal name

Kafko International Ltd.

Website

https://oileater.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Oil Eater (Kafko International Ltd.) is a family-owned Skokie, Illinois manufacturer founded in 1989 that produces water-based, biodegradable industrial and household cleaners, degreasers, bioremediating parts washers and spill absorbents, distributed nationally via Grainger, MSC, Amazon, Walmart and Home Depot.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial & Household Cleaning Products

NAICS

Soap and Cleaning Compound Manufacturing (32561)

SIC

Specialty Cleaning, Polishing And Sanitation Preparations (2842), Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890)

akta.pro primary industry

Alkaline Cleaners & Heavy-Duty Degreasers (Caustic/Soda Ash) (CRAJAKAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Kitchen All-Purpose Cleaners & Degreasers (CRAJAMAC)

Keywords

• Industrial degreasers
• Household cleaners
• Spill absorbents
• Parts washing equipment
• Biodegradable cleaning products

Headquarters

HQ city

Skokie

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Industrial Cleaners & Degreasers: Sale of ultra-concentrated, biodegradable industrial cleaning and degreasing products in various sizes from 32oz bottles to 275-gallon totes. Products include Original Formula, Orange Cleaner, CLEAR Formula, Fleet Wash, Floor Cleaner, and All-Purpose Cleaner. Revenue is generated through one-time product purchases at various volume tiers, sold via distributors and direct channels.
2. Parts Washing Equipment & Fluids: Sale of bioremediating parts washer systems, flex line heated parts washers, parts washing fluids, and Cleaning Critters microbe pouches. Includes drum pumps, dilution control systems, and foam guns as accessories. Revenue from hardware sales with associated consumable refills.
3. Spill Control Products: Sale of industrial absorbent pads, rolls, spill kits, socks, booms, drum top pads, and accessories. Includes universal, oil-only, and natural absorbent products in various sizes. Revenue from product sales to industrial customers for OSHA compliance.
4. Glass Treatment Products: Sale of professional-grade glass treatment products including Rain Away windshield treatment, NoFog anti-fog treatment, and Clear Vision windshield washer concentrate. Ammonia-free formulations for aerospace, military, mining, and hospitality sectors.
5. Specialty Cleaners: Sale of specialty cleaning products including Overnight Stain Remover, Graffiti & Paint Scuff Remover, Overnight Rust Remover Soak, and Overnight Drain & Tank Treatment. Microbial and biodegradable formulations for targeted cleaning applications.
6. Household Cleaning Products: Sale of household cleaning products including Original Cleaner & Degreaser, Orange Cleaner, Multi-Surface Cleaner, and Ready-to-Use formulas for residential consumers. Sold through retail channels and direct-to-consumer.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Oil Eater manufactures and sells water-based, biodegradable alkaline cleaners, degreasers, and spill absorbents for industrial and household use. Core products include ultra-concentrated Original Formula, Orange Cleaner, CLEAR Cleaner, and Fleet Wash degreasers, alongside parts washing fluid, spill kits, absorbent pads, and specialty cleaners. The company also offers parts washing equipment (Flex Line II and Bioremediating Parts Washer systems) and glass treatment products, sold through national industrial distributors and major retail/online channels.

Product overview

Oil Eater is a family-owned manufacturer of industrial and household cleaning products founded in 1989, headquartered in Skokie, Illinois. The product portfolio centers on biodegradable, water-based cleaners and degreasers (Original Formula, Orange Cleaner, CLEAR Cleaner) as the core offerings, supplemented by specialty cleaners (Overnight Stain Remover, Graffiti Remover, Rust Remover, Drain & Tank Treatment). The company also offers a comprehensive line of absorbent products including Rapid Clean Absorbent, Universal and Oil-Only Pads & Rolls, Tuff Rug, Socks & Booms, and Spill Kits in various sizes for industrial and commercial use. Equipment offerings include the Flex Line II Parts Washer system (Basic, Premium, Professional) and Bioremediating Parts Washer System with microbe-based cleaning, plus Pumps & Accessories (Dilution Control System, Foam Gun, Drum Pump, Pail Pump). Glass treatment products include Rain Away, Clear Vision, and NoFog. Household products round out the portfolio with ready-to-use multi-surface cleaners. The company also offers OEM/industrial supply through national distributors like Grainger and MSC. All products feature biodegradable, non-toxic formulations aligned with EPA VOC regulations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ollie the Oil Eater: Mascot character representing the friendly, eco-friendly brand identity of Oil Eater products

Products and services

• Oil Eater Original Cleaner & Degreaser Ultra-concentrated, biodegradable alkaline-based cleaner and degreaser that dissolves grease and grime on virtually any surface. Concentrate dilutes up to 30:1 for light, medium, or heavy cleaning applications. Approved for food service facilities and meets Boeing D6-17487 rev. p aerospace specifications.
• Oil Eater Orange Cleaner & Degreaser

Quantifiable outcome

• Ultra-concentrated formula dilutes up to 30:1, providing significant cost savings per use
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Grainger (WW Grainger)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational industrial distributor offering Oil Eater products (cleaners, degreasers, equipment, absorbent pads, spill kits, odor control, and glass treatment) to industrial customers across the United States.
• MSC Industrial SupplycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational distributor of industrial supplies offering Oil Eater products to manufacturing and industrial customers.
• Service ChampcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndustrial distributor offering Oil Eater products to automotive and industrial service providers.
• RelaDynecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational distributor serving industrial businesses with Oil Eater cleaning and degreasing products.
• Highline WarrenminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional distributor offering Oil Eater products through their distribution network.
• Keller-Heartt OilminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOil distributor offering Oil Eater products through their customer network.
• AmazoncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary online retail marketplace for Oil Eater products including Original Cleaner & Degreaser, Overnight Stain Remover, and household cleaning products sold to consumers.
• AutozonecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAutomotive parts retailer offering Oil Eater products for automotive cleaning and maintenance to professional and DIY customers.
• Home DepotcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHome improvement retailer offering Oil Eater products for household and light industrial cleaning to consumers.
• WalmartcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMass retailer offering Oil Eater products including Rapid Clean Absorbent and household cleaners to consumers.
• ZorocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndustrial supplies marketplace offering Oil Eater products to industrial customers.
• Tractor Supply Co.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRural lifestyle retailer offering Oil Eater products for farm, automotive, and outdoor cleaning applications.
• Kafko International Ltd.coreOthersParent company of the Oil Eater brand. Family-owned business incorporated outside Chicago, Illinois. All rights reserved copyright 2025 Kafko International Ltd.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Jelmar (CLR): Manufacturer of specialty cleaning products including CLR Calcium, Lime & Rust Remover and similar household/industrial solutions. Competes in the household cleaning aisle and adjacent specialty categories where Oil Eater's rust remover and stain remover play.
• Simple Green: Direct competitor producing water-based, biodegradable, non-toxic industrial and household cleaners and degreasers. Overlaps directly with Oil Eater's Original Formula and eco-friendly positioning across automotive, industrial, and consumer channels.
• CRC Industries: Manufacturer of specialty chemical products for industrial, automotive, and maintenance use, including cleaners, degreasers, and parts washing fluids. Overlaps directly with Oil Eater's industrial degreaser and parts washer product lines.
• Spartan Chemical Company: Specialty chemical manufacturer producing industrial and institutional cleaners, degreasers, and sanitation products. Competes directly with Oil Eater in industrial distribution channels and shares a similar mid-sized, privately-held profile.
• Zep Inc. Large specialty chemical manufacturer focused on industrial and institutional cleaners, degreasers, and maintenance chemicals. Competes head-to-head with Oil Eater in the B2B industrial cleaning channel served through Grainger, MSC, and similar distributors.

Broad incumbents

• WD-40 Company: Iconic maintenance product company with broad penetration in industrial, automotive, and household channels. While primarily known for lubricants and penetrants, WD-40 has expanded into cleaners and degreasers and competes for the same shelf and distributor real estate as Oil Eater.
• Clorox (CloroxPro): Diversified cleaning products company with both consumer (Clorox, Formula 409) and institutional (CloroxPro) product lines. Competes for retail shelf space and institutional cleaning budgets where Oil Eater plays.
• SC Johnson (Professional / Consumer): Major CPG manufacturer of household and industrial cleaning products (Windex, Mr. Muscle, Scrubbing Bubbles). Competes with Oil Eater's household line in mass retail (Walmart, Home Depot) and offers institutional-grade degreasers in B2B channels.
• Reckitt (Professional / Lysol): Global consumer goods manufacturer with major cleaning and hygiene brands (Lysol, Resolve). Competes in household cleaning and operates an institutional/professional division overlapping with Oil Eater's B2B use cases.
• 3M (Industrial Adhesives & Tapes / Cleaning division): Diversified industrial and consumer products giant with cleaning, maintenance, and absorbent product offerings sold through the same Grainger/MSC industrial distribution channels as Oil Eater. Represents a much larger, broader competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/oileaterbrand
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@oileaterbrand
• Facebookfacebook.com/oileaterbrand
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/oil-eater-australia
• Instagraminstagram.com/oileaterbrand
• TikToktiktok.com/@oileaterbrand

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Oil Eater