The invention relates to a water-based cleaning agent for high-speed railway maintenance. The water-based cleaning agent comprises, by weight, a main material and the balance of water, wherein the main material comprises, by weight, 1-5% of isomeric alcohol polyoxyethylene ether, 1-5% of sodium hydroxide, 1-5% of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, 3-5% of a surfactant Berol 226, 2-3% of coconut oilfatty acid diethanolamide, and 3-5% of isohexanediol. The preparation method comprises: dissolving, stirring and standing. According to the present invention, the water-based cleaning agent has advantages of scientific and reasonable components, scientific and reasonable component ratio, high decontamination and cleaning ability, low use cost, non-toxic and harmless raw materials, no irritating odor, no harm to human body, no atmospheric pollution and no environment pollution, and can be widely used for maintenance or flaw detection and equipment maintenance and cleaning of high-speed rail electrical power, bogies, gearboxes, axles and other equipment perennially exposed to wind and sand, salt mist and dampness-heat and humid harsh environments.