Ultrasonic cleaners, also known as sonic cleaners or ultrasonic washers, are electronic devices that use sound waves to clean objects.

Ultrasonic cleaners were first used as far back as the early 1900s, but it was not until the 1950s that the first commercial models were developed.
How do ultrasonic cleaners work?

Ultrasonic cleaners use high-frequency soundwaves, which are produced by a transducer, to create special bubbles called ‘cavitation bubbles’ in a cleaning liquid. When these special bubbles collapse, they release energy that dislodges and removes dirt and contaminants from the objects.

The majority of ultrasonic cleaners operate at a frequency between 20kHz and 400kHz. Most cleaners use either just water or a water-based solution as the cleaning fluid.

What can ultrasonic cleaners be used on?

The range of items that can be cleaned is vast. There are two main criteria that the items need to meet: they need to be able to be immersed in liquid with no damage, and they need to be easy to dry.

What are the typical applications for ultrasonic cleaners?

Ultrasonic cleaners are used in a number of industries. Examples of specific uses include cleaning watches/jewellery, cleaning industrial parts/components, and sterilising and cleaning medical instruments and devices.

A large ultrasonic cleaner can be used for cleaning bigger items, such as larger automotive parts. If you feel you could benefit from a large ultrasonic cleaner, industrial equipment suppliers such as https://www.hilsonic.co.uk have online resources.

What contaminants can ultrasonic cleaners remove?

Ultrasonic cleaners can remove a significant range of contaminants, including lubricants, grease, buffing/polishing compounds, and oils. They can lift contaminants in a matter of minutes that might otherwise take hours with traditional cleaning methods, which is why they are a popular choice for disaster restoration firms amongst others.