7 Factors to Consider When Choosing an Ultrasonic Cleaner

Your jewelry pieces are what finish your outfits. Without the right jewelry, your outfit might not look as put together or stylish. But even with the right jewelry pieces, your outfit can look dull and sloppy if the pieces aren't properly maintained.

Without cleaning your jewelry, your pieces can become worn out and damaged. But that doesn't mean you should grab the soap and water just yet. There is a right way and a wrong way to clean your jewelry to maintain its beauty.

If you aren't using an ultrasonic cleaner to maintain the look of your jewelry, then you're potentially damaging the integrity of your pieces. But before you purchase your jewelry cleaner, read about these seven factors you should consider.

1. Consider the Ultrasonic Cleaner Tank Sizes

Depending on the model, the size of ultrasonic cleaner tanks can vary widely. It's important to pay close attention to the dimensions to get a cleaner that best works for your needs.

When considering the size of the tank, keep in mind the kind of jewelry you want to clean. If you're looking to clean smaller pieces such as rings, earrings, and delicate jewelry, you'll want a smaller tank.

Conversely, if you have larger pieces like statement stones and intricate metalwork, you will want to consider a larger cleaning tank. And if you're washing various sizes of jewelry together, you'll want to consider a larger size.

Choose a cleaning tank with dimensions that allows your jewelry enough room that the pieces are not bunched together. This will prevent damage and provide a better cleaning result.

2. Compare the Cost of Cleaners

Cost often goes hand in hand with the size of the tank. Larger ultrasonic jewelry cleaners will cost more. But if you're on a budget, this doesn't mean that an ultrasonic cleaner is out of reach.

Smaller tanks get the jobs done just as well, often at a more cost-effective price. This would work best if your jewelry collection is comprised of mostly smaller pieces. But if you do have larger pieces that don't fit, you can still use the small tank to clean them.

You can clean larger pieces of jewelry by putting it in the cleaning solution one area at a time. This will take more time and isn't as convenient. So if you have a lot of larger jewelry, it's probably best to invest in an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner with a large tank.

3. Don't Forget the Power of the Cleaner

In an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner, power is typically measured in watts per gallon. The gallon refers to the cleaning solution in the tank. Usually, cleaning power has a limit relative to the ultrasonic power, so an increase above that is a waste of energy.

Typically, the bigger the tank, the ultrasonic cleaning machine, the lower the power required for a gallon of the cleaning solution. In general, you will need 50-100 watts per gallon of cleaning solution for the most effective cleaning.

You also have to keep in mind what you're looking to remove from your jewelry. Routine daily cleaning will require less power than heavy removal of rust or tarnishing.

4. Look at the Frequency

Ultrasonic jewelry cleaners use sound waves as a key component in the cleaning. Frequency—often called cycle per second—is measured in Hertz (Hz). This is the equivalent of one sound wave every second.

The frequency of ultrasonic cleaners ranges from 15 kilohertz (kHz) to 400 kilohertz (kHz). 40 kilohertz (kHz) is a good frequency for most jewelry cleaning needs.

When choosing the right frequency, keep in mind that you will want a higher frequency if your jewelry has sensitive materials, typically between 80-130 kHz. You should also consider a higher frequency if your jewelry has a complex shape or cracks.

For more general jewelry styles, a frequency between 35-45 kHz can get the cleaning done. If you have an extensive collection with various jewelry characteristics, you may want a cleaner with a dual-frequency option.

5. Check Out the Features of the Cleaner

Many cleaners will come with different bonus features that make cleaning easier. Here are a few of the most common features.

A degassing function can help get rid of air that is trapped in the cleaning solution that may interfere with the cleaning performance.

A sweep function can help keep the delicate parts of your jewelry from being damaged during the ultrasonic operation. It does this by creating uniform cavitation energy and shifting the frequency at regular intervals.

Many ultrasonic cleaners have the ability to adjust the power to clean a variety of surfaces, set a timer for longer cycles, and a digital display to easily read and operate the machine.

6. What To Clean With

What you use to clean your jewelry is just as important as all the features of the ultrasonic cleaner. Most cleaners can handle using deionized water as a cleaning solution. But this is best when you are doing light maintenance.

Heavier cleaning will need the help of a soap, detergent, or a mild solvent to get the job done. But some soaps and detergents can leave an oily residue. Using harsh chemicals aren't always advised as it can damage your jewelry pieces.

If you're trying to clean a particular contaminant, you will probably need a solvent that's specific to have an effective cleaning performance.

7. Does the Cleaner Use Heat

If you're looking to remove heavy contamination, then you may want to consider an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner that uses heat. This can help soften the deposits and make the material easier to remove.

Heating just below the boiling point helps speed up the process and ensures that all contamination is removed. Be sure that that the cleaner heats up at temperatures of 100 Celsius for the best use.

How to Clean Jewelry the Right Way

An ultrasonic cleaner for your jewelry is the best way to maintain your pieces. These cleaning machines can restore the shine and get rid of stains, dirt, and grime. With an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner, you can get a professional clean look right from home.

With this cleaner, your jewelry will continue to look fresh and straight from the box. Our variety of cleaning kits will allow you to find the one that's perfect for your needs. Gentle and all-natural options are great for even the most delicate jewelry pieces.

Ready to find the best ultrasonic jewelry cleaning kit? Check out all our cleaning options to find the one that's right for you.