Abstract: A composition effective for removing contaminates from an electronic device either as a concentrated material or when diluted with water. The composition designed for effective removal of undesirable contaminates from an electronic device, including but not limited to, solder flux and polymeric residues. The composition contains butylpyrrolidone and an alkali and has a pH of greater than 7.1 and a pKa less than 12. The composition may contain additional optional solvents and additives to enhance cleaning of articles or to impart other properties to the composition. The composition can be contacted with a surface to be cleaned in a number of ways and under a number of conditions depending on the manufacturing or processing variables present.