Ultrasonic Restoration & Contents Cleaning
Coping with a fire or flood can be traumatic and disruptive for any business. Restoring or replacing equipment is costly and can delay the recovery process.
Many restoration companies are turning to ultrasonic contents cleaning as the most efficient and cost-effective disaster recovery solution:
- Cleaning damaged items takes minutes instead of weeks
- Insurance companies love that the cost is far lower than buying new items
- Homeowners and businesses can speed up the recovery process, knowing their property has been thoroughly cleaned – however complex, delicate, or damaged it was!
At UPC, we know how important restoration and contents cleaning work is for helping people recover from disasters. We offer a range of ultrasonic cleaners and products that can make this difficult time a whole lot easier.
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Restoration Ultrasonic Cleaners
Trusted by the Best
Meeting the Challenges of a Disaster
Contact with fire and water can cause severe damage to industrial and professional equipment:
- Soot particles from fire or silt from floods can penetrate deep into crevices, blind holes, and recessed areas
- Smoke residue and water damage can leave stubborn deposits and odors
- Water from floods or fire extinguishers can cause discoloration, rusting, and other physical damage
- Toxic chemicals can contaminate equipment
- Damaged items can retain moisture and turn into breeding grounds for molds and bacteria
An aqueous ultrasonic cleaning system quickly removes contamination and returns equipment to operational use
Why Ultrasonic Cleaning Works for Restoration
Ultrasonic cleaners use ultrasound waves to create microscopic cavitation bubbles in a cleaning solution. The bubbles implode, creating a scrubbing action that removes contaminants from objects. The tiny bubbles reach hard-to-access areas, ensuring every part of an item is cleaned.
The ultrasound frequency determines the size and power of the bubbles – smaller bubbles are gentle and can reach tiny spaces, larger bubbles are more powerful.
Configuring parameters such as the ultrasound frequency, power, temperature, and cleaning fluid ensures optimum results for any cleaning challenge.
Ultrasonic cleaning is an incredibly efficient, effective, and versatile solution for restoration and contents cleaning work.
Contents Cleaning Guidelines
Ultrasonic contents cleaning is highly effective for disaster restoration work, but proper guidelines ensure the best results while protecting valuable and sentimental items.
Table 1: Items Suitable for Ultrasonic Contents Cleaning
| Item Type | Temperature | Chemistry | Cycle Time | Important Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brass Components | <110°F | 132B detergent | 3-5 minutes | Follow brass instrument cleaning protocols |
| Ceramics (bare/undecorated) | 100°F max | SP Degreaser | 15-60 seconds | Do NOT clean items with metal filigree, inlay, or painted decoration |
| Chandeliers (brass components) | <110°F | 132B detergent | 3-5 minutes | Best results when deconstructed into individual pieces |
| Chandeliers (glass components) | 120°F max | SP Degreaser | 3-5 minutes | Best results when deconstructed into individual pieces |
| China (bare/undecorated) | 100°F max | SP Degreaser | 15-60 seconds | Do NOT clean items with metal filigree, inlay, or painted decoration |
| Glass and Glassware | 120°F max | SP Degreaser | 3-5 minutes | Effective for smoke residue and water damage |
| Metal Figurines (certain types) | 100°F max | SP Degreaser | 15-60 seconds | Most pre-1970s figurines contain lead composite—do NOT clean ultrasonically |
| Plastics | 100°F max | SP Degreaser | 15-60 seconds | Durability varies by type; test cleaning recommended |
Important: For anything collectible, antique, or vintage, or with sentimental value, always err on the side of caution. Test a small, inconspicuous area first—similar to spot cleaning clothing—before cleaning the entire item.
For guidance on cleaning specific items or materials, please contact us for expert recommendations tailored to your restoration needs.
Table 2: Items Requiring Manual Cleaning or Special Care
| Item Type | Recommendation | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Chandeliers (lead components) | Do not clean ultrasonically | Lead-containing metals not suitable |
| Collectibles, antiques, vintage items | Manual cleaning or test small area first | Risk of damage to valuable/sentimental items |
| Lead-containing metals (pre-1970s figurines) | Do not clean ultrasonically | Lead composite not suitable |
| Painted or decorated items | Manual cleaning or extreme caution | Ultrasonic energy can remove paint/decoration |
| Silver | Manual or electrochemical cleaning | Too soft for ultrasonic cleaning |
| Stuffed animals & textiles | Manual cleaning only | Soft materials not suitable for ultrasonics |
Ultrasonic Cleaners for Rent
We offer a range of our most popular ultrasonic cleaners for rent on a 30-day try-before-you-buy basis or as a long-term rental option.
Add Ultrasonics to Your Existing Tank
Already have a restoration cleaning tank? Upgrade it with UPC's immersible transducers. Our sealed transducer modules add ultrasonic power to your existing equipment without replacing your entire system.
Available in multiple mounting configurations and custom sizes to fit your tank.
What items can be safely cleaned with ultrasonic contents cleaning?
Ultrasonic contents cleaning is effective for bare china, ceramics, glass, plastics, brass components, and certain metal items. However, items with painted decoration, metal inlay, or filigree should not be cleaned ultrasonically, as the ultrasonic energy can damage or remove these elements.
Soft materials like stuffed animals are better suited for manual cleaning. For collectibles, antiques, or items with sentimental value, always test a small area first or consult with our experts.
Contact us for guidance on your specific contents cleaning needs
What size cleaner do I need for restoration cleaning?
UPC ultrasonic cleaners come in a range of sizes to suit most applications. Our benchtop ultrasonic cleaners fit into any work station, While our large capacity ultrasonic cleaners can meet your large project needs We can also build custom cleaners for extra-large parts or to suit specialized cleaning processes. We can advise on the most suitable size and type of cleaner for your application.
What’s the best detergent for restoring damaged items?
We’ve scientifically designed our own detergents to work with our cleaners. The right detergent depends on the type of material and the contaminants that need to be removed. For example, alkaline cleaning solutions remove heavy oils, greases, carbon deposits, and other stubborn contaminants. Acidic cleaning solutions are effective for descaling and removing rust.
We can advise on the best cleaning solution for your application.
Read about choosing the right detergent for an ultrasonic cleaner
What’s the right way to set up an ultrasonic cleaner for restoration and remediation cleaning?
A number of factors determine how an ultrasonic cleaner performs. These factors include the ultrasound frequency, the detergent and temperature of the cleaning solution, the power applied, and the way the load is positioned in the tank. With the right combination of factors, the cleaning process is as effective for delicate medical instruments as for industrial machinery, despite the difference in size, materials, and structure of the components.
Tuning an ultrasonic cleaning process to deliver the highest quality results can be complicated. It’s important to take expert advice to determine the right factors for your application.
Read our series of articles about the factors affecting the ultrasonic cleaning process
What are the benefits of ultrasonic cleaning for restoration and remediation work?
One of the main benefits of ultrasonic cleaning is the speed of the process – what can take weeks for other types of restoration and remediation services can be done in minutes, with far less labor required. The cost is usually significantly lower than replacing equipment and the reliability is higher than for other cleaning methods.
Ultrasonic cleaning is precise and thorough yet gentle and non-abrasive, preserving the integrity of the items being cleaned and prolonging their lifespans. The process is sustainable, safe, and supports the environmentally friendly work practices that are a must for industries and professions today.
Why choose a UPC ultrasonic cleaner for restoration and remediation work?
Ultrasonic cleaning is an effective and versatile solution for cleaning damaged items. Using a cleaner from a reputable manufacturer will ensure optimum results for this important work. At UPC, we have years of field experience in ultrasonic cleaning applications. All the vital components in our cleaners benefit from tried-and-tested production tooling and facilities to ensure consistent product quality control.
We are committed to delivering high quality, reliable results with all our ultrasonic cleaning systems.