Abstract: Solvent type cleaner with quick breaking emulsion properties for cold cleaning of metal surfaces, concrete structures, brickwork etc. comprising essentially a hydrocarbon solvent and a cationic emulsifier and optionally a nonionic surfactant. The solvent type cleaners are used in cold immersion cleaning and mechanical spray cleaning.Suitable cationic emulsifiers are higher alkyl and alkenyl amines having the general formula: ##EQU1## in which R is an alkyl or alkenyl group containing 8-14 25 carbon atoms; n = 0-5; R.sup.1 is either (CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --O).sub.m H with m = 0-5, or an alkyl or alkenyl group having 8-25 carbon atoms.