The Chlorocarbons on the list, with the exception of methyl chloride, are all transparent and colorless liquids that are heavier than water and have distinct odors. These are used in a wide range of industrial applications, including cleaning and degreasing purposes, because they possess the superior characteristics listed below.
 

(1) They are nonflammable and therefore do not catch fire or explode under normal conditions of use.
(2) They have high degreasing power and dissolve organic materials well.
(3) They have low viscosity and surface tension, which allows them to penetrate into materials.
(4) Chlorocarbons contained in waste liquids can be easily recovered through an evaporation process and reused.
(5) They have high vapor density.
(6) They have low mutual solubility with water.
 

Chlorocarbons generally have high mutual solubility with other organic solvents and also dissolve oils and grease very well. However, care is necessary when using plastics and rubber as they tend to dissolve or swell them.
Normally, stabilizers are added to methylene chloride, trichloroethylene, and tetrachloroethylene used for cleaning purposes to suppress their decomposition during usage, neutralize the acids produced by their decomposition, and prevent corrosion of metals.
Under normal conditions of temperature and pressure, methyl chloride is a colorless gas with an ether-like odor. It is shipped in the form of high-pressure liquefied gas in steel cylinders and is classified as a flammable/toxic gas by the High Pressure Gas Safety Law.