Petroleum solvents such as diesel and turpentine are conventionally being used for metalworking cleaning and storing processed metals in metal working industries. This adds to the existing pressure on fossil fuels and also, is not environmentally viable. Thus, an alternative must be found. The study aims at proving that Biodiesel can be a better alternative to petroleum solvents for metal cleaning and storing. Considering the application as a metalworking fluid, the following properties of Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (Biodiesel) and a petroleum solvent (Diesel) like Viscosity, Flash Point, Sulphur content, Solubility in all types oils and Anti-Corrosive action. It was found that the properties of Biodiesel were similar or more favourable to that of Diesel and thus, is a better metal cleaner and storing fluid. © 2016, Global Research Online. All rights reserved.