Diethylene glycol is a clear colorless, odorless and stable oily liquid. It is also slightly viscous, noncorrosive and nonvolatile. Because of its ether and alcohol group, diethylene glycol exhibits chemical properties characteristic of both primary alcohols and ethers. Its boiling point is considerably higher than that of ethylene glycol, and its solvent is greater. Diethylene glycol is miscible with water, ethers, lower aliphatic alcohols, aldehydes and ketones and is partially soluble in benzene, carbon tetrachloride, monobenzene, orthodichlorobenzene and toluene. It dissolves many dyes, resins, oils, nitrocellulose and many organic substances. Because of its solvent power, low volatility and hygroscopicity, it is used in textile lubricants, cutting oils, dry cleaning soap, printing inks, steam-set inks, and nongrain wood stains. In the textile industry diethylene glycol is used as a conditioning agent for wool, rayon, and cotton. As a solvent for dyes it makes a valuable assistant in dyeing and printing. The high hygroscopicity of diethylene glycol makes it an efficient softening agent for tobacco, paper, synthetic sponges, glues and casein. Diethylene glycol is especially useful in the dehydration of natural gas. A mixture of diethylene glycol and monoethanolamine will remove moisture, hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide from natural gas.

Diethylene glycol (DEG) is a commonly used solvent and ingredient in numerous commercial products. It is used as a dehydrating agent for natural gas processing; as a lubricating and finishing agent for textiles; a constituent in brake fluids, lubricants, antifreeze formulations, wallpaper strippers and in artificial fog solutions; a solvent for printing inks and textile dyes; and is used as an intermediate in the production of some resins, triethylene glycol, surfactants, and diethylene glycol esters and ethers.