A cleaning composition containing: (a) from about 1.0 to about 15.0% by weight of an anionic surfactant; (b) from about 3 to about 50% by weight of a C₆-C₁₄ methyl ester primary solvent; (c) from about 1.0 to about 15.0% by weight of a short-chain cosurfactant; (d) from about 1 to about 25% by weight of a polar solvent having a water solubility of from about 1 to 5 g/100 ml; (e) up to about 10.0% by weight of a nonionic surfactant; (f) from about 0.05 to about 3.0% by weight of a thickening agent selected from the group consisting of hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, and mixtures thereof; and (g) remainder, water, all weights being based on the total weight of the composition, and wherein the composition is terpene-free.