Ultrasonic Cleaning Detergents & Solutions: The Complete Guide
Grease, oil, carbon, dirt, soot, rust, ink, wax or solder flux? Learn what ultrasonic cleaning chemistry does, how to choose a compatible detergent and which Omegasonics solutions to consider for your application.
Why the Right Ultrasonic Cleaning Solution Matters
Ultrasonic cleaning uses high-frequency sound energy in liquid to produce cavitation: microscopic bubbles that form and collapse, helping loosen contamination from wetted surfaces. The detergent is not an afterthought. A properly selected chemistry helps wet the surface, loosen or emulsify the soil, keep removed contamination from redepositing and protect compatible materials during cleaning.
The best ultrasonic cleaner soap depends on two things: what you need to remove and what the item is made of. A product that removes heavy carbon from stainless steel may be inappropriate for aluminum. A detergent suited to fire-damaged household contents may not be the correct choice for electronic circuit boards.
Cleaning results depend on the combination of chemistry, concentration, temperature, time, ultrasonic energy, water quality, part orientation and rinsing/drying. Always test sensitive materials and follow the current product label and Safety Data Sheet (SDS).
Tell us what you’re cleaning and what needs to come off. This guide identifies Omegasonics products worth considering, shows why they fit and links directly to the relevant product or store page.
Select your application and click “Show Recommended Solutions.”
Recommendations are a starting point, not a guarantee of compatibility. Final chemistry should be confirmed for the exact item, coating, contamination and cleaning process.
Important: Do not immerse batteries, powered equipment, displays, or sealed/porous assemblies unless the specific manufacturer and validated cleaning process permit it. Do not use flammable solvents in a standard ultrasonic bath.
These are the key products and uses described on Omegasonics’ detergent and store pages. Product availability, package sizes and formulations can change; the links take visitors to current information.
EZClean • Soap 5
General industrial cleaning of oil, light grease, dirt, grime and carbon. Omegasonics lists compatibility with aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, steel and plastics.
OmegaClean • Soap 10
Versatile industrial detergent for oil, grease, carbon and contaminants on compatible metals. Includes buffers intended to protect aluminum finishes and silicates for flash-rust protection.
OmegaSmoke • Soap 13
Developed for smoke and soot on fire-damaged, water-compatible contents including ceramics, glass, plastics, rubber and metals. Test sensitive finishes and fabrics.
AquaClean LPH • Soap 14
Reduced-pH chemistry for suitable electronic/electrical components, delicate contents and certain solder-flux residues. Item construction and drying procedure still determine whether immersion is appropriate.
DeScaler • Soap 15
Organic-acid descaler for rust, corrosion, heat scale and mineral deposits on compatible metals; product listing identifies carbon steel. Not a universal cleaner for every metal or finish.
Citrus Degreaser • Soap 6
For oily residue and dirt on general contents and compatible blinds/window coverings; useful where a citrus-based commercial cleaning chemistry fits the application.
OmegaWash II • Soap 1
Concentrated powdered detergent for non-oily contamination on compatible hard window coverings, including metal/vinyl blinds and various shades.
OmegaRinse • Soap 2
Rinse/drying aid rather than a primary soil-removal detergent. Helps water sheet off compatible metal surfaces and can reduce visible water spotting.
Specialty Formulations
OmegaBlue for ink, OmegaFinish for wax/heavy carbon, OmegaResin for extrusion residue, OmegaChem for paint residue, OmegaZyme for light oils/cutting fluids, and CleanMor 706 for specified 3D-print supports.
| What are you removing? | Products to consider | What to check first |
|---|---|---|
| Oil, grease, coolant | EZClean, OmegaClean; OmegaZyme for suitable specialty degreasing | Metal/alloy compatibility, oil loading, filtration and rinsing |
| Dirt and grime | EZClean, OmegaClean; OmegaWash II for applicable blinds | Surface finish and whether contamination is oily |
| Carbon deposits | EZClean, OmegaClean; OmegaFinish for specialized heavy carbon | Heavy-duty products may not suit aluminum or coatings |
| Smoke and soot | OmegaSmoke; AquaClean LPH for compatible delicate/electronic applications | Material, finish, electrical assembly and drying procedure |
| Rust and mineral scale | DeScaler | Exact metal, plating, finish and acid compatibility |
| Solder flux | AquaClean LPH | Flux type, board construction, component sensitivity and validated drying |
| Ink / roller residue | OmegaBlue | Roller and coating compatibility |
| Wax / heavy burnt residue | OmegaFinish | Not recommended for aluminum |
| Plastic/resin residue | OmegaResin | Resin type and mold/die base material |
| Paint residue | OmegaChem | Coating and substrate compatibility; consult manufacturer |
| Soluble 3D-print supports | CleanMor 706 | Support chemistry: specifically listed for Stratasys 706 and 3ntr SSU01 |
| Water spotting after washing | OmegaRinse plus appropriate rinse water | Water hardness, rinse quality and drying method |
How Ultrasonic Detergents Work
Surfactants reduce liquid surface tension and improve wetting. Other ingredients can help break up oily deposits, disperse particles, control foam, inhibit corrosion or manage the cleaning solution’s pH. The exact formulation determines how a detergent behaves.
1. Wet the Surface
Surfactants help cleaning liquid reach fine features, recesses and the surfaces of contamination.
2. Loosen the Soil
Ultrasonic cavitation and chemistry work together to disrupt and release contamination.
3. Carry It Away
Proper chemistry and rinsing help keep removed residue from settling back onto the part.
Overconcentration can increase costs, create residue or foaming and complicate rinsing. The correct mixture is product-specific. Follow the current label, SDS and Omegasonics’ instructions.
pH helps describe how acidic or alkaline a cleaning bath is, but it does not independently establish material compatibility. Temperature, inhibitors, concentration and exposure time matter too.
Illustrative categories, not a graph of product pH or cleaning strength. Actual working-solution pH must be confirmed from product documentation or testing.
Often selected for oils, grease and general industrial soils, when compatible with the substrate.
Often selected for mineral scale, rust and oxide removal on compatible metals.
May be useful for sensitive contents or electronics when the entire cleaning process is approved.
Material Compatibility: Avoid These Common Mistakes
Aluminum
Do not assume every strong alkaline degreaser is safe. Use a formulation explicitly listed for aluminum, such as EZClean or OmegaClean, and confirm finish compatibility.
Stainless Steel & Carbon Steel
Industrial cleaners may be appropriate for oils and carbon. Acid descaling and passivation are separate, application-specific processes.
Brass & Copper
Some chemistries can discolor or attack these alloys. Verify compatibility before choosing high-pH or acidic products.
Plastics, Rubber & Coatings
Test for discoloration, softening, swelling, finish loss or distortion. Water-compatible does not mean compatible with every detergent.
Electronics
Only clean assemblies designed and approved for aqueous ultrasonic cleaning. For suitable circuit-board processes, Omegasonics recommends AquaClean LPH; use controlled rinse and drying procedures.
Household Contents
Separate delicates, mixed materials, painted items and heavily sooted contents. Check finishes and adhesives before cleaning.
Prewashing can remove heavy loose contamination before ultrasonics. Ultrasonic cleaning then works on the remaining soils. Depending on the application, one or more rinses remove detergent and suspended contamination; drying and corrosion protection complete the process.
Degassing a freshly filled bath helps remove entrained gases that can interfere with stable cavitation. Always follow the equipment manufacturer’s procedure and observe safe operating practices.
Residue left by detergent, dissolved minerals or loosened contamination can undermine an otherwise successful cleaning cycle. For precision or electronics applications, the final rinse may be as important as the wash.
Water Quality Changes the Cleaning Result
Hard water contains elevated calcium and magnesium. Those minerals can contribute to scale, spotting and unpredictable detergent performance. Softened water reduces hardness but may still contain dissolved salts. Reverse-osmosis (RO) and deionized (DI) water are options where reduced mineral content and more controlled rinsing are needed.
Tap Water
May be adequate for some general cleaning applications when hardness and contaminants are controlled.
Softened Water
Helps reduce hardness-related scaling but does not remove all dissolved solids.
RO / DI Water
Can improve consistency and reduce mineral spotting. DI water is especially relevant to validated circuit-board cleaning and rinsing workflows.
Omegasonics’ product pages and soap calculator provide published starting ratios for many products. These examples illustrate why you should not use the same dilution for every soap.
| Product | Published guidance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| EZClean / OmegaClean | 10:1 water-to-soap ratio | Confirm how your bath volume is measured and use the current label. |
| OmegaSmoke | 1–4 fl oz per gallon | Adjust within manufacturer guidance for soil load and material. |
| Citrus Degreaser | 3–5 fl oz per gallon | For compatible commercial and contents applications. |
| AquaClean LPH | 10:1 water-to-soap ratio | Confirm process requirements for sensitive items. |
| DeScaler | 20:1 water-to-soap ratio | Only for verified compatible materials. |
| OmegaWash II | 1 cup per bath | Follow bath and equipment-specific instructions. |
Troubleshooting: When Ultrasonic Cleaning Isn’t Working
| Problem | Possible causes | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Grease remains on parts | Wrong chemistry, exhausted bath, poor wetting, excessive load | Soap selection, concentration, temperature, cycle, basket loading |
| White spots after drying | Hard water or rinse residue | Water hardness, final rinse, rinse aid, drying |
| Rust after cleaning | Moisture retention, no corrosion protection, inappropriate chemistry | Drying speed, rinse procedure, inhibitors, storage |
| Discoloration | Incompatible pH, alloy, plating or coating | Stop and verify material, product SDS, concentration and exposure |
| Soil redeposits | Dirty bath, saturated detergent, poor filtration/rinsing | Bath maintenance, filtration, prewash and rinse quality |
| Too much foam | Wrong detergent or concentration, contamination | Ultrasonic-compatible low-foam chemistry and mix ratio |
| Parts look clean but fail inspection | Residual detergent, oils or particles | Validation method, final rinse, drying, cleanliness specification |
Not Sure Which Ultrasonic Soap to Use?
Tell us what you’re cleaning, what it’s made from and what contamination needs to be removed. Omegasonics can help evaluate the detergent, bath concentration, water quality and process requirements for your application.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ultrasonic Cleaning Detergents
Can I use regular dish soap in an ultrasonic cleaner?
It is generally better to use a detergent formulated and approved for ultrasonic cleaning. Household dish soaps can foam excessively, leave residue or be unsuitable for certain materials and equipment.
Does an ultrasonic cleaner work with plain water?
Ultrasonic cavitation can occur in water alone, but the right detergent often improves wetting and soil removal. The appropriate chemistry depends on the contamination and material.
What is the best ultrasonic cleaning solution for grease?
For compatible industrial metal parts, EZClean and OmegaClean are common Omegasonics options. The exact alloy, coating, grease and cleaning goal determine final selection.
Which ultrasonic detergent removes soot after a fire?
OmegaSmoke is formulated for fire-related smoke and soot on compatible contents. AquaClean LPH may be considered for suitable sensitive items and electronics.
What solution removes rust or hard-water scale?
Omegasonics DeScaler is formulated for rust, corrosion, heat scale and mineral deposits on compatible metals. Acid chemistry is not safe for every substrate or finish.
Can I clean aluminum with an ultrasonic detergent?
Yes, when the item is suitable for immersion and the chemistry is explicitly compatible. Omegasonics lists aluminum compatibility for EZClean and OmegaClean. Always check coatings and finishes.
What should I use to clean circuit boards?
For circuit boards that are specifically approved for aqueous ultrasonic cleaning, Omegasonics lists AquaClean LPH. Appropriate DI-water rinsing, complete drying and assembly-specific precautions are essential. Not all electronic assemblies can be safely immersed.
Can I use a stronger concentration to speed up cleaning?
Not necessarily. More concentrate may increase foaming, residue, cost or material risk. Use the recommended range and adjust only within the product’s approved process guidance.
What causes parts to rust after ultrasonic cleaning?
Residual moisture, incompatible chemistry, inadequate rinsing or lack of corrosion protection may contribute. Rapid drying and suitable corrosion-inhibition steps may be required.
How often should I change the cleaning solution?
There is no single schedule for every bath. Soil loading, chemistry, filtration, cleaning performance and process validation determine when a bath needs maintenance or replacement.
Do I need a separate rinse solution?
Many applications require rinsing to remove detergent and suspended contamination. A rinse aid such as OmegaRinse can help with water sheeting on compatible surfaces, but it is not a replacement for selecting the correct primary cleaner.
Where can I buy Omegasonics ultrasonic cleaning soap?
Visit the Omegasonics soaps store, use the soap calculator or contact the team for application help.
Additional Ultrasonic Cleaning Resources
Soap Recommendation & Mixture Calculator →Shop Ultrasonic Soaps →Complete Product List →Cleaning Chemistry Explained →Cleaning Process Guide →
Find the Right Ultrasonic Cleaning Solution
Whether you’re removing machining oil, fire soot, rust, ink or industrial residue, Omegasonics can help you match the equipment, detergent and cleaning process to the job.