Common Questions About Ultrasonic Cleaning—Answered with Real Insight

You finally got one. Maybe it’s for cleaning glasses, tools, or something more specialized, like carburetor parts or dental picks. You unbox it, fill the tank, hit the button—and boom, you’re hooked. Ultrasonic cleaning is kind of addictive. It makes things look new without scrubbing. But once the buzz wears off, real-world questions sneak in. Like: can I keep this running near my expensive PC? Should I dump the water every time? What can I actually clean in here without messing things up?

These might seem like small, even silly, questions. But they’re the kinds of questions people don’t usually answer in product manuals. And if you’re going to use your ultrasonic cleaner often—or want it to last longer than a few months—it pays to get them right.

Let’s walk through the quirks, precautions, and practical know-how of ultrasonic cleaning that only actual users and seasoned technicians will tell you.

Is It Safe to Run an Ultrasonic Cleaner Near Your Computer?

This is more than a hypothetical. A surprising number of people set up ultrasonic cleaners in home offices or workshops that also house laptops, hard drives, and other sensitive electronics. So, does the vibration travel through the desk and into your devices?

The answer: generally, no—at least not in a way that matters. Ultrasonic cleaners work through cavitation in liquid, not heavy external vibrations. While some cheaper models produce a light hum or buzz, it’s nothing like the kind of impact that would affect solid-state components or even mechanical hard drives from across a shared table.

That said, there’s one exception: liquid proximity. The real risk isn’t vibration—it’s splashes or leaks. Ultrasonic cleaning involves water (or cleaning solutions), and electronics hate moisture. The safest practice? Keep your cleaner a few feet away from anything electronic or place a spill mat under it. Better paranoid than short-circuited.

Should You Dump the Water After Every Use?

Here’s the honest answer: it depends on what you’re cleaning.

If you’re just refreshing your glasses or metal rings once a day, and the water still looks clear, you can probably stretch it for another use. But if you’re cleaning gunky carburetor parts, greasy tools, or dental instruments, the fluid quickly becomes a soup of oils, particles, and spent surfactants.

Used cleaning solution loses effectiveness and becomes potentially harmful—not just for the parts you’re cleaning but for the machine itself. Dirty solution recycles gunk, reduces cavitation effectiveness, and can lead to tank corrosion or build-up around seals.

As a rule of thumb:

• Change water daily for light use.
• Change after each cycle for heavy-duty or contaminated items.
• Always rinse the tank and wipe it dry if you’re not using it again the same day.

It’s not just about hygiene; it’s about making sure your $50–$500 device lasts more than one season.

What Should (and Shouldn’t) Go Into an Ultrasonic Cleaner?

Here’s where things get interesting—and nuanced. A lot of objects can go into an ultrasonic cleaner. But whether they should depends on materials, construction, and purpose.

Ultrasonic cleaners are amazing for things like:

• Metal parts (stainless steel, aluminum, brass)
• Jewelry (except porous stones or glued-in settings)
• Optical lenses (non-coated or AR-safe coatings)
• Small mechanical parts (watch gears, shaver heads)
• Dental or lab instruments

But be careful with:

• Carburetors with unsecured screws or set points: unless thread-locked, vibration can shift calibrated settings.
• Anything glued: frames with adhesive joints may fall apart.
• Electronics: unless professionally potted or disassembled, don’t submerge circuit boards casually.
• Soft plastics or wood: they can absorb water or warp.
• Organic gems like opal, pearl, or turquoise: they’re too delicate.

A good principle is: if it has microcavities and is made from non-porous, hard materials, it’s usually a great fit. If it’s soft, glued, or reactive—leave it out.

What Liquid Should You Actually Use?

Many beginners default to plain water. While that technically works, it misses the magic. Water alone doesn’t break oils or lift oxidation effectively.

You don’t need a lab-grade solvent. A drop or two of mild dish soap (like Dawn) helps reduce surface tension, allowing bubbles to form and collapse more evenly. For metals, you can use a mix of water and a small amount of alkaline cleaner.

But beware:

• Don’t use alcohol, acetone, or flammable liquids.
• Don’t use bleach or ammonia unless the tank is rated for it.
• Avoid strong acids unless you know what you’re doing.

And yes, it’s true—some manufacturers warn against distilled water. Why? Because while it’s ultra-clean, it may also be too reactive, accelerating corrosion in certain metals or tank materials without buffering agents.

Stick to mild, pH-balanced cleaning solutions designed for ultrasonic use. Or just water + a drop of soap.

Does Ultrasonic Cleaning Damage Things Over Time?

In rare cases, yes. Long cleaning cycles at high power can gradually wear away fine edges or loosen internal joints. Jewelry prongs may weaken after dozens of cycles. Paint or coatings can eventually fade or flake.

The key is moderation:

• Use the lowest effective cycle time—often 3–5 minutes is plenty.
• Don’t clean the same item every day unless truly necessary.
• Use holders or baskets to prevent metal-on-metal contact.

Most importantly, monitor results. If something starts looking worn, back off. Ultrasonic cleaning is powerful. Like sandblasting, it’s meant to assist, not replace, human judgment.

Why Do Some Machines Seem More Effective Than Others?

It’s not all marketing fluff. The quality of your ultrasonic cleaner matters a lot. Cheaper models may have:

• Inconsistent frequency output
• Hot spots or dead zones in the tank
• Poor insulation (noisy or wobbly base)
• Lower power-to-volume ratios

A good cleaner will distribute energy evenly and maintain stable cavitation without overheating. Look for models with solid build quality, clear frequency ratings (not just “ultrasonic”), and positive reviews from people who use it for similar purposes.

Final Thoughts: Small Questions, Big Payoff

What makes ultrasonic cleaning special isn’t just the result—it’s how it redefines the act of cleaning. You drop an object into a solution, press a button, and let invisible waves do the work. That sense of effortlessness, when done right, is incredibly satisfying.

And the questions you ask early on—the ones about vibration, fluid, placement, longevity—are the ones that help you move from casual user to confident operator. Because once you understand what your ultrasonic cleaner can and can’t do, it becomes more than a novelty. It becomes a reliable part of your toolkit.