The more carbon atoms, the higher the boiling point of typical blanket wash ingredients. Chlorinated compounds found in roller washes, such as methylene chloride, pose the highest health risks of all common wash ingredients. Detergents in washes are often glycol ethers. Naphtha refers to aromatic chemicals distilled from crude oil. Paraffin refers to aliphatic or saturated petroleum distillates.
Terpenes are oils extracted from citrus peels or pine bark, such as d-limonene.
Terpenes can be skin irritants and impurities can cause allergies and other health effects in some people. Vegetable esters are vegetable oil that has been treated so that it cuts ink better. This ingredient is also called fatty acid ester or emery oil. Unlike naphtha and paraffins, vegetable esters are weak emulsifiers. These can be used to judge the risks a blanket or roller wash poses to safety, health, and the environment.