Abstract: A cleaner or degreaser composition with enhanced performance characteristics comprises a surfactant combination consisting of a) a water soluble ethoxylate selected from the group consisting of at least one linear primary or branched secondary alcohol of C9 to C15 chain length and 6 to 13 ethylene oxide groups/mole of alcohol; b) a water insoluble ethoxylate selected from the group consisting of at least one linear primary or branched secondary alcohol of C9 to C15 chain length and 2.5 to 5 ethylene oxide groups/mole of alcohol; and c) a component selected from the group consisting of amphoteric surfactants, couplers and mixtures thereof; the composition containing alkylphenol ethoxylate or glycol ether solvent.