To obtain a detergent having excellent removing properties, low skin irritation and volatility and no environmental pollution.

The metal detergent comprises a branched alkyl alcohol represented by formula (1) X-R-OH (1) (X is a hydrogen atom, a hydroxy group, an alkoxy group or an ester group; R is an 8-30C branched carbon chain comprising isobutylene or 2-methyl-1-pentene as a constituent unit). The metal detergent comprises 10-95 wt.% of the branched alkyl alcohol and 90-5 wt.% of a hydrocarbon.