A cleaning or personal care composition containing at least one of 1,4-pentanediol and a ketal alcohol of formula (1) wherein R2 is hydrogen or C1-3 alkyl, each R3, R4, and R5 is independently hydrogen or C1-6 alkyl, R6 and R7 are each independently hydrogen or C1-6 alkyl, a=0-3, and b=0-1. R2 is hydrogen or C1-3 alkyl, each R3, R4, and R5 is independently hydrogen or C1-6 alkyl, each R6 and R7 is independently hydrogen, C1-6 alkyl optionally substituted with at least one hydroxyl groups, a=1-6, and b=0-2.