What Solution Should I Use With My Ultrasonic Cleaner?

April 19, 2019

Do you know that using ultrasonic cleaners can make your life way easier? - These small portable modern washing machines can wash not only your clothes but also a lot more items in your home.

For some of them like Sonic Soak, which is the most eco-friendly ultrasonic cleaner you can find on the market, you don't need a cleaning solution or a detergent.

However if your ultrasonic cleaner requires a solution, or if you want to use your tiny machine for some specific tasks, or simply want to add a nice smell to your laundry, you might need a solution!

Sonic Soak Ultrasonic Cleaner Solutions

Sonic Soak offers a range of ultrasonic solutions that won't damage your cleaning machine or your personal items.

Cut the chase, read further, and learn more!

Different Types of Ultrasonic Cleaning Solutions

There are different types of ultrasonic cleaning solutions. You can buy from acidic solutions, alkaline solutions, high caustic solutions, de-ionized water, enzymatic solution, neutral solution, and mildly alkaline solutions.

Confused? No worries! Let’s explore these options in detail so you can have a better knowledge of the solutions available.

Ultrasonic solution type	Characteristics
Acidic solutions	5.0 pH or lower, and formulated for removing lime deposits, scale, rust, and mineral from ferrous metals
Alkaline solutions	10 pH or above, and used for cleaning tin, brass, zinc, copper, stainless, steel, cast iron, and steel
Enzymatic solutions	Formulated to remove protein-based contaminants from plastics, glass, aluminum, brass, titanium, and stainless steel
High caustic solutions	Works well at removing heavy waxes, oils, and grease from steel, cast iron, and stainless steel
Neutral solutions	Helps to remove pigments, grease, dust, and other organic compounds
De-ionized water	It can be used on any material safely
Specialized cleaning solutions	Often used to remove resins and waxes, soot and smoke damage, and maintaining first-responder equipment and firearms

Acidic solutions – These solutions have a pH of 5.0 or lower. Formulated for removing lime deposits, scale, rust, and mineral from ferrous metals, you can use these for washing metal objects.

However, acidic solutions are not for machines that are susceptible to corrosion. If your ultrasonic cleaner tank is not protected, do not use acidic solutions. A better option is to use tank-less ultrasonic cleaners with these solutions, like Sonic Soak.

Alkaline solutions –This type of ultrasonic cleaning solution often has a pH of 10 or more. You can use it for cleaning tin, brass, zinc, copper, stainless steel, cast iron, and steel. This means it's a good option for washing jewelry. In addition, you can also use the ultrasonic cleaner solution to clean plastic materials, ceramics, and glass.
Enzymatic solutions – The enzymatic solutions are mostly used in the food and medical industries. They are formulated to remove protein-based contaminants from plastics, glass, aluminum, brass, titanium, and stainless steel.
High caustic solutions – If you have already used the moderate alkaline ultrasonic cleaning solution, and it doesn’t work, you can next opt for the high caustic solutions. The high caustic solutions work well at removing heavy waxes, oils, and grease from steel, cast iron, and stainless steel.
Neutral solutions – Next on our list are neutral solutions. You can use these solutions to remove pigments, grease, dust, and other organic compounds from rubbers, metals, glass, and plastic. They also work well with jewelry, precious metals, and ceramics.
De-ionized water – This ultrasonic cleaner solution can be used on any material safely. De-ionized water works well on rubber, plastics, glass, fabrics, and metals.
Specialized cleaning solutions – In some cases, the specialized cleaning solutions for an ultrasonic cleaner can be used to take care of certain cleaning tasks. You can use them to remove resins and waxes, soot and smoke damage, and maintaining first-responder equipment and firearms.

Furthermore, these solutions are available in two types, called demulsifying formulation and the emulsifying formulation.

Demulsifying formulation -
The demulsifying formulation is better if you want to remove stubborn oily contaminants from the items. However, using this kind of ultrasonic cleaning solution formulation will require that you drain the tank, clean it, and refill it after a single use as the water will get all oily.

Emulsifying formulation –
The way contaminants are removed with the emulsifying formulation is different. For example, the contaminants are held in suspension and accumulate in the solution over several cleaning cycles. As the accumulated contaminants often come out with your items when you bring them out of the tank, a rinsing cycle is required to ensure you achieve the level intended.

Can You Remove All Types of Contaminants With Ultrasonic Cleaning Solutions?

Well, yes, you can, at least, most common contaminants. Here is a quick list.

Old paint or tarnish on copper, brass and other surfaces
Dirt, soils, and fingerprints on optics
Contaminants on dental and surgical instruments
Lapping, polishing and grinding of items and parts that are fabricated
Contaminants such as powders and much more on firearms
Grime and grit on your valuable items such as jewelry and vinyl LP records
Salt, soldering residues, and other residues on scuba gear, PCBs, and other items
Grit, grime, and grease on drive train components, engine components, and other instruments, tools, or items
Stains and dirt from fabrics

Buying Guide: Choosing the Right Cleaning Solution

With the different types of cleaning solutions available, it can be confusing to select the one that is perfect for your machine and items. However, there is no need to worry. We will provide you with all the information you need to buy what you really need.

Before buying, consider some key factors. Here is the list of factors you need to look into before buying a cleaning solution for your ultrasonic machine.

1. What is the contaminant type you want to remove?

We have already listed the different types of contaminants ultrasonic cleaning solution can remove. However, do you know that one solution type cannot get rid of all the contaminants?

For example, there is a difference between removing coolant and chips from an item and removing tissue and blood residues from a surgical instrument. Simply put, you need to know the type of contaminant you want to deal with.

If you're using your ultrasonic cleaner for jewelry or metal, you may need a different solution compared to when washing clothes or vegetables.

2. The contaminants nature

You must use the ultrasonic cleaning solution according to the contaminant you want to remove. For example, if you want to get rid of contaminants like grease or any oily contaminants, you will need an emulsifying cleaning solution formulation.

This will cause the oily contaminants to float, so you can remove them from the solution easily without the need to drain the tank and clean it every time.

3. The item you want to clean

The next question is, what are you washing? The item you want to clean can also help you choose the right solution. Take note that you can use an ultrasonic cleaner with every item you can wash with water.

For example, you can clean polished surfaces, rubber, precious metals, fabricated metals, iron and steel casting, glass, clothes, ceramics, and plastics. However, do not clean items that are plated with chromium ultrasonically.

5. The steps involved in rinsing

Next, how to use an ultrasonic washing machine with a solution? Well, it's probably the easiest way to wash anything. You just have to immerse an item or product in the tank full of water.

Add a few drops of ultrasonic cleaning solutions to the tank, and leave the ultrasonic machine to work for a few minutes. For example, you can set the timer in modern machines like Sonic Soak and leave. Alternatively, you can also add rust inhibitors to the rinsing tank.

What Cleaning Solutions Should You Avoid?

cleaning solution

Can you use any liquid solution you want? Well, the answer is no. You should avoid using flammable liquids with your ultrasonic cleaner.

Do you know why?

The ultrasonic machines use a cavitation process. This process generates heat, which can result in dangerous reactions if you're using the wrong solutions.

For some products, like inkjet cartridges, medical and surgical instruments, printed circuit boards, and surgical implants, you need 100% removal of residue. To get the required end result, you may need flammable solvents such as toluene, MEK, and IPA.

However, make sure you are not using these with solvents with the ultrasonic cleaner, as it can result in an explosion.

On the other hand, a few explosion-proof ultrasonic cleaners are designed specifically for this cleaning task. The design ensures that the flammable ultrasonic cleaning solution does not come in contact with the internal electronics that can cause ignition in the tank.

How to Get the Best Result from Ultrasonic Cleaning Solutions

If you want to get the best results from your ultrasonic cleaner and cleaning solutions, some factors can help you. These factors include the perfect tank size, the cleaning cycle length, managing the ultrasonic cleaning solution type used, selecting the best operating temperature, and choosing the correct frequency for operation.

Some ultrasonic washing machines don't come with their own tanks, like the Sonic Soak. This means you have an option to turn any container into the tank. It is all up to you what type of ultrasonic machine you want to use with the solution you have.

Here are a few more things to consider to make sure you're getting the best cleaning result.

Allow the correct and right amount of cleaning time – If you want to achieve the desired level of cleaning with your cleaning solution and ultrasonic cleaner, make sure you are using it for the right time. There is no point in using a solution when you run a machine for just five minutes.

The best thing is, most of the modern ultrasonic cleaners come with timers. You can set them for half an hour and can do other stuff. Simply put, a solution works best only when you're using the ultrasonic cleaner for an appropriate time.

Maintain the proper operating temperature required by the cleaning solution and material – Are you using too hot water or cold water? The temperature of the water also affects the cleaning result. Make sure to maintain the optimal level of heat required so as not to degrade the cavitation process

Do not use fresh ultrasonic cleaning solutions for each cleaning – If you notice that the solution is degrading, use fresh solutions, as a degraded agent or solution can slow the cleaning process. However, you don't necessarily need to change the solution for each item.

Select the correct ultrasonic cleaning solution – As mentioned above, the type of contaminants, contaminants nature, the item you want to clean, and the level of cleaning will help you make the correct selection of solutions to use.

When Should You Change The Ultrasonic Cleaning Solutions?

Well, as mentioned before, there is a wide range of options available when it comes to cleaning solutions. Similarly, you may need different cleaning solutions for different things.

Similarly, if you're using a cleaning solution while washing, and wondering when should you change the cleaning solution, here is the answer. The cleaning solution can be changed when you notice that:

The cleaning cycle is no longer effective
There is a decrease in its effectiveness
The fluid contains debris or dirt

At this point, you need to fill the tank with fresh water and cleaning solution. Take note that you need to clean the tank after draining the solution and before filling it with another ultrasonic cleaning solution.

What Cleaning Solution Should You Use For Your Item?

You have an option to choose from an array of cleaning solutions made available by different manufacturers. However, knowing the exact and perfect one that fit your items and the contaminant you want to remove can give you the best, expected, and desired result.

One such cleaning solution is the Sonic soak Ultrasonic Cleaning Solution Pack.

Final Words:

Before making a purchase, make sure to go through the different types of ultrasonic cleaning solutions as listed in this article. Once you are convinced of what you want, explore and compare different solutions to make sure you're only buying the best ultrasonic cleaner out there.

Finally, we know that getting an ultrasonic cleaning solution can, most of the time, be expensive. Fortunately, you can make use of ingredients you already have at home to create a homemade cleaning solution. However, you still need to be sure of what you are mixing to make sure you're not damaging the ultrasonic machine or your items.

In some cases, like with Sonic Soak, you don't even have to use a detergent for basic washing.