Q
  1. Home
  2. Parts Washer
  3. Parts Washing 101: What Cleaners are Used in Parts Washers?

Parts Washing 101: What Cleaners are Used in Parts Washers?

Industrial parts washers provide a highly efficient way to perform general parts cleaning and precision parts cleaning. The end result is a combination of a washer’s cleaning process and the solvent that removes the soils. If you’re in the market for an industrial parts washing system, and you need on what cleaners are used in parts washers, the information below is for you.

What Cleaners are Used in Parts Washers?

There are several possible answers to the question, “What cleaners are used in parts washers?” To offer a meaningful response, we classify parts washer cleaners by moving from their most basic characteristics to ones that are highly specific, starting with the base the cleaners use.

Cleaner Base

Cleaners for parts washers have one of two bases: solvent or water. Solvent-based cleaners contain a solvent that dissolves two or more cleaning agents to create a homogenous formulation. Aqueous-based cleaners use water to dissolve an application of detergent and commonly use a heating process to speed the detergent dissolving and cleaning processes.

Hot or Cold     

Aqueous-based cleaners commonly require heat to achieve the best detergent dispersal and remove tough accumulations. By the same token, solvent-based cleaners often require no heat to perform efficaciously. Whether you should choose a cleaner that uses heat or one that stays cold is determined by the technology of the parts washer.

“Hot tank” washers are intended for cleaners that need heat to generate the best cleaning action. “Cold tank” washers are designed for solvents that exhibit proper efficacy at room temperature or below.

Jet Spray or Power Wash

Most parts washers use a jet spray cleaning process or a power wash process. Wikipedia provides an excellent description of each type of washer.

“A jet spray washer cleans by flooding the parts with warm chemical solution and high chemical concentration to clean the parts. In the power wash process the parts are blasted with hot chemical solution… A parts washer utilizing the power washer process operates at a very low concentration of cleaning detergent.”

Because they involve markedly different concentrations of cleaning agents, jet spray cleaners and power wash cleaners are often labeled and sold separately. The exception is when the cleaners are offered in undiluted form, and the user will create the correct formulation.

Type of Cleaning

Last, we come to why the cleaner is used: degreasing, adhesive removal, tar removal, etc. As long as the proper solvent is applied, parts washers can remove almost any type of accumulation. It’s simply a matter of choosing the right cleaner for the job, and choosing it in a form the works for your parts washer.

Contact Us Today

Now that you know what cleaners are used in parts washers, do you need to place an order or receiving help selecting the right cleaner for your requirements? If so, call us today at (800) 563-1305, or send us an email through our contact form. We offer a wide selection of eco friendly, highly efficacious parts washing cleaners. Get your greener cleaner from Ecolink!

Search here

Don’t forget to share this post!

Categories

Suggested Blog Posts

View all News
By EcolinkIntern
Acetone Alternatives
Oct 01 2025

What Are the Best Acetone Alternatives? A Complete Guide

What Are the Best Acetone Alternatives? A Complete Guide  Have you ever wondered if there are any good acetone alternatives?   Acetone is a powerful yet popular solvent...
By Ecolink Team
Ecolink & Care Camps Foundation
Sep 18 2025

Ecolink Launches “Caring Chemicals” to Support Pediatric Oncology Camps

(9/15/2025) FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   Ecolink Launches “Caring Chemicals” to Support Children with Cancer Through Care Camps Foundation   (TUCKER, GA) -...
By Ecolink Team
WHAT IS BLEACH CHEMICAL FORMULA
Sep 16 2025

Bleach Chemical Formula: How It Works and Why It Matters

What is the bleach chemical formula? When people think about what to use for heavy-duty cleaning jobs, bleach is often one of the first chemicals that comes to mind.  ...
By Industrial Degreasers
Jul 11 2025

Reliable Isopar G Suppliers – Buy Isopar G Direct from Ecolink

Looking for reliable Isopar G suppliers? Ecolink provides high-quality isoparaffinic hydrocarbon solvents with expert technical support, competitive pricing, and...
By Ecolink Team
Safe Solvent Options
Jun 27 2025

What are the top environmentally safe solvent options with Ecolink?

Making the switch to environmentally preferred solvents is a great way to protect the environment and your team’s health. But with an array of products labeled as...
By Ecolink Team
Industrial Degreasers Available
Jun 25 2025

What Are the Best Eco-Preferred Industrial Degreasers Available?

Choosing the right eco-friendly degreaser for your business can be tough—from finding suppliers to combing through page after page of products, it’s hard to know which...
By Ecolink Team
Ecolink - Chemical Solvent Supplier
Jun 04 2025

Chemical Solvent Suppliers: Why Businesses Choose Ecolink!

Looking for new chemical solvent suppliers? You’re not alone.  Considering that just about every industry requires chemicals, having a chemical supplier you can trust...
By Ecolink Team
Semiconductor vs Electronic Grade
May 30 2025

Semiconductor Grade Chemicals vs. Electronic Grade Chemicals 

Chemical grades can be confusing—do I need an ACS grade chemical? A USP? How about a technical grade?  Simply put, chemical grades refer to a chemical’s level of...
By Ecolink Team
Semiconductor Grade
May 27 2025

What are Semiconductor Grade Chemicals?

Semiconductor grade chemicals are a great way to clean delicate electronic surfaces without causing irreversible damage. But which chemical is right for your unique...
By Ecolink Team
Electronic Grade
May 23 2025

What is Electronic Grade Chemicals?

Find yourself wondering what electronic grade chemicals are? Whether you’re trying to figure out the best chemical for cleaning your cell phone or need bulk chemical...
View all News