Can you Clean Rocks in an Ultrasonic Cleaner?

A question I never thought I’d ask: can you clean rocks with an ultrasonic cleaner? Ultrasonic cleaners work to clean items using high frequency sound waves to remove contaminants. If they can do this, can they remove dirt from a rocks surface? In this video we find out! If this works you could even use it as a burnish cycle when tumbling rocks too! It was a pretty fun experiment!
There is a little glitchy spot at the beginning of the video. Not sure why, sorry about that!
Here is the cleaner I used if you are interested! 🙌 a.co/gFEfqKA
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Happy Hounding!

[@DerTou]

I have no particular interest in rocks or ultrasonic cleaners, yet the youtube algorithm thinks I should check out this video, so here I am.

[@AgateAriel]

Maybe you’ll find yourself a new hobby! Rockhounding and tumbling is so much fun! 😊

[@SustenanceNCovering]

I watched a man testing out different kinds of cleaning solutions in his ultrasonic cleaner last night. His conclusion was that Cascade Pods did the best job for the money.

[@LTGuitar51]

I bought the ultra-sonic cleaner you demonstrated and I get great results with just water. I cleaned finished rocks from stage 5 and stage 4. It surprised me how much stuff was removed and how much by rocks looked. Going to try Borax for my next test. Thank you so much for sharing this!! Happy tumbling!😊

[@westcoastSRT4]

I can't take credit for this idea but it works, put just straight water in the cleaner and then put any cleaning solutions you want to use in a plastic or glass container, peanut butter container or canning jar and then put that in machine, the sound waves travel through plastic and glass like they arent even there, much easier clean up as the water in the machine is still clean

[@4loops43]

I add a little soap and water in the ultrasonic cleaner for my rocks after polishing them and in between each tumbling stages (keeping them wet) it really gets the grit or polish out of cracks.

[@AgateAriel]

I will have to try that-thanks! 😊

[@preppy890]

If you want to make sure the sonicator is working properly, drop a small piece of aluminum foil on the water and turn the sonicator on. It should put holes in the aluminum foil.

[@AgateAriel]

Oh wow I’ve never heard of that!

[@TheManKnownAsJR]

Got large one, was supposed to be a parts cleaner. Used it once, didn't know what to do with it. Gonna test the crap out of it. Thanks for a more than eye opening video. Would recommend getting them as clean by hand from the get go and re-washing with new water. Maybe try soap? You gave me a ton of ideas, thank you so much!

[@nevadaminer5977]

I bought one of these after watching this. I’m looking forward to seeing how this batch comes out.

[@danahansen5651]

Adding a couple tablespoons of simple green and heat really make a difference

[@AgateAriel]

Yes-I am definitely going to experiment with both!

[@MNpicker]

Awesome stuff!! I also use this method works best if the rocks are soaked in water and a little soap for a few days before the ultrasonic machine.. citric acid works well as well👍🏻

[@AgateAriel]

Ohh good to know! I will have to try that next time!

[@sandmaker]

You never know until you try. It looked good for removing dirt but not stains. Great job. Keep the goodness coming. Maybe an update in the future.😷⚒🤗

[@AgateAriel]

Yes very true! I am hoping to try other cleaning products in the ultrasonic cleaner as well!

[@wyomingadventures]

I'm always wondering if that worked. Anything helpful for cleaning rocks is a bonus. I have to say for myself that's the part of collecting rocks I don't like doing. Cleaning them for tumbling or just displaying.

[@AgateAriel]

Very true! I noticed it definitely got into nooks that I wouldn’t be able to with a toothbrush!

[@susanjaeger9851]

I was just curious as to if it is worth the investment. Thanks for the video. I'm going to get one and give it a try.

[@rogerballoujr.6244]

Such an interesting idea... curious to see how effective it is 😁 Edit: It seemed to work pretty well...I wonder if this is an alternative to burnishing in between tumbler cycles to save some time?

[@AgateAriel]

Yes! That’s what I am hoping to try next with it!

[@inspiretodream3]

I just started my polish phase of rock tumbling!

[@AgateAriel]

Oh perfect! That’s the best part!!

[@nativewildman9335]

Cool video and awesome rocks!

[@AgateAriel]

Thank you! 😊

[@1sec2midnight]

Nice experiment. I can see that machine coming in handy for cleaning certain things. Thanks for giving it the ole college try.

[@AgateAriel]

Right! I definitely want to try it with different cleaning products or maybe even things like iron out to see if I can get different results!

[@benriccidjsprofessionaldis3246]

What model of Vevor is that you are using? What is the tank size?

[@elizabethlewis3509]

Do you think certain types of rocks by hardness clean better in vinegar & dish detergent or citric acid or ultrasonic cleaner? Love your experiments.

[@crystalwellnessstudio6171]

Are you planning on doing a video of how it gets caked in slurry out of the nooks and cranny's?

[@AgateAriel]

I am yes!! 😊

[@ashleybedgood]

I use the same one but smaller for in between stages. It certainly helps a bit but I still scrub them after as its not 100%

[@AgateAriel]

Yes I definitely noticed that! It’s not perfect but it seems to work pretty good!

[@CityRockhounding]

Super cool video and experiment! Awesome results, never thought about this before. I will have to get one of these soon, I'm sure it will clean my fossils really good. I wonder how it would work with iron out, if it would speed up the results vs just iron out.

[@AgateAriel]

Right! I was wondering that same thing! Definitely worth a try!

[@CityRockhounding]

@@AgateAriel nice, are you planning on trying it? Part 2 of the ultrasonic cleaner.

[@AgateAriel]

@@CityRockhounding I am yes! Stay tuned 🙌

[@vance7354]

I think I would try it with the standard ultrasonic jewerly cleaner that you can buy.

[@AgateAriel]

Oh good idea! I will have to look that stuff up!

[@ColeC700]

have you noticed any fractures in any of the rocks from the ultrasonic cleaner? i have been hesitant to try this with some of my nicer large lake superior agates just because i read they recommend not putting any stones in one softer than an emerald which has a mohs rating of 8.5 when agates range from like 6-7 usually..

[@mikek4443]

It loookeds like it worked pretty good, great idea, thanks

[@AgateAriel]

Right! It wasn’t too bad! It would be interesting to try with heat and/or longer run times!

[@gungnir8877]

@@AgateAriel Ultrasonic waves produce heat on their own. The water in the bath can raise its temperature up to 60 (or even more) degrees Celsius.

[@AgateAriel]

@@gungnir8877 good to know! Thanks!

[@gungnir8877]

@@AgateAriel You can also add a teaspoon dish washing liquid. Works perfect :)

[@Iambush78]

Compared to tumbling for weeks sounds great. How much did the vevo cost and where do I find one?

[@AgateAriel]

Yes! I am excited to try it out with different kinds of cleaners as well! Here’s the one I got! a.co/gFEfqKA

[@chrishebert7650]

I think it worked pretty good. I think I would try heat next time.

[@AgateAriel]

I just might have to do that!

[@mammabear9041]

Somehow I have fell down a rabbit hole and ended up here but I did just lead that gasoline is like the best cleaner and you can put it it a plastic or glass bottle and don’t have to fill the whole thing with gas for it to work

[@timheyden4908]

How many liters is your ultrasonic cleaner?

[@roman11469]

I almost ordered one the other day but held off because I just wasn’t sure how it worked. I am really glad you did this video. The way I will use it is after each stage in tumbling. Do you think it would work well with borax and water?

[@AgateAriel]

I think it’s definitely worth a try and I plan to experiment more with different cleaners! Here is the one I have: a.co/gFEfqKA

[@roman11469]

@@AgateAriel Sweet, I am ordering today.

[@AgateAriel]

@@roman11469 love it! Let me know what you think when you try it out! 😊

[@billywhitehorn6397]

have you tried citric acid to clean the scum? you can buy it in powered form in most grocery stores.

[@billywhitehorn6397]

with your jersey quartz the citric acid is more effective. tho i'm not sure how effective it would be. if you used citric acid with your ultrasonic cleaner. but you might try it

[@AgateAriel]

I have! I actually have a video comparing citric acid vs vinegar and dish soap for cleaning rocks! I also plan to try citric acid in the ultrasonic cleaner to see what happens as well!

[@AgateAriel]

I have! I actually have a video comparing citric acid vs vinegar and dish soap for cleaning rocks! I also plan to try citric acid in the ultrasonic cleaner to see what happens as well!

[@Meloooo415]

I tried it Awhile ago and it didn't work

[@robertmills538]

Dawn dish soap and heat

[@AgateAriel]

I will have to try that! I also heard borax works well!

[@PickwickTurtle]

Did you try with taking grit off? How did that work?

[@AgateAriel]

I haven’t-but plan to soon!

[@FCUK-]

update on this cleaner? Im trying to pick one out for my christmas gift and some reviews stated it stopped working or its very noisy have you experienced that?

[@user-dl1gg2wv7i]

Do you think this would work to clean off oxidized iron pyrite?

[@AgateAriel]

I’m not sure honestly! Worth a try!

[@bobs-rocks]

I have always wondered what would happen, hhmmmm wonder what iron out would do with some of my rocks. hhmmmmm

[@AgateAriel]

Right! I’d like to try it out with iron out as well!

[@chauffeurmarco]

Is that tap water or distilled water. Don't use tap water

[@cyberking8963]

Why is this in my feed

[@Rijaswaan]

Hi❤

[@timeout8057]

pretty sure a brush and water would do a better job. LOL

[@AgateAriel]

For some light dirt that would work, but the ultrasonic cleaner helps loosen stuck on dirt and lake scum especially in areas that you can’t reach with a brush. If you have ever seen an ultrasonic cleaner clean a ring or jewelry you can really see the difference! There are some cool videos about it here on KZbin 😊