It has the highest solvent power of any chlorinated hydrocarbon.

The interaction parameter χ 1 is a useful measure of the solvent power.

It is its solvent power that makes it a reasonably effective (but not too aggressive) choice to remove a stain or dirt.

Various chemicals may be used to increase the solvent power of water, such as the compounds in soaproot or yucca-root used by Native American tribes.

The Kauri-butanol value ("Kb value") is an international, standardized measure of solvent power for a hydrocarbon solvent, and is governed by an ASTM standardized test, ASTM D1133.