Ethylene glycol monoethyl ether is a medium boiling, colorless stable liquid having a mild odor. Ethyl glycol is a completely miscible with water & organic liquid. Ethyl glycol is used as a solvent in nitrocellulose and cellulose ether lacquers due to its pleasant odor. Ethyl cellosolve is also not slow down the drying time dispite its low volatility.

The addition of small quantity of ethylene glycol monoethyl ether to alkyd resin and cellulose ether lacquers considerably reduce their viscosity & thus improves their brushability. Ethyl glycol is also used as an ingredient in cleaning agent and paints stippers. The some vegetable oils can be dispersed in water with the help of ethylne glycol monoethyl ether. This product is also used in latex paint industries as a solvent & covering agent.

Ethylene glycol monoethyl ether tends to absorb water rapidly and therefore always mixed with carbitol, methoxybutanol or butanol, in order to prevent “blushing” of the lacquer film on drying. Cellulose lacquers containing ethyl glycol are applied to stained wood, the solvent dissolves part of the stain out of the wood, giving slightly colored lacquer films. Ethyl glycol may also be used in the dying of leather.