Is Ammonia Safe to use in Utrasonic??

[kgwen]

Hi--
I''m sure this has been discussed before, as it seems a little controversial. I just purchased the Gem Oro sparkle spa Ultrasonic. It says in the instructions NOT to use ammmonia in the cleaning solution. Why is this?? Would it damage the machine?
Also what about using really hot water in the Ultrasonic? Would this harm the machine?

Thanks!

 

[WinkHPD]

Ammonia probably would not hurt the ultrasonic, neither would hot water, it will become quite hot enough if you leave the machine on long enough.

Ammonia can tarnish the silver in your gold alloy though if left in too long. This may be why they are recommending not using ammonia in your ultrasonic, not to mention the toxic fumes if your room is not proplerly ventillated.

Wink

 

[ChargerGrrl]

Just curious, kgwen. What do they indicate is SAFE to use in the machine? I'm thinking that they have their own brand of cleaning solution and therefore don't want you making your own concoction!

It's a heck of a read (long), but check this post out: https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/can-you-use-an-ultrasonic-cleaner-to-often.34606/
you'll learn what "cleaning solutions" PSers have discovered!

 

[oldminer]

Ammonia in the ultrasonic can make pretty bad vapor. It is not a great thing to use in a strong mixture for cleaning without a ventilator running. We have used Top Job or Mr. Clean both well diluted with water for years with no harmful results. THey smell a lot nicer and do the job rapidly. The "special" cleaning solutions are best for particular uses sometimes, but for general jewelery cleaning they are not necessary.

If one is putting watch parts into an ultrasonic for cleaning, one uses a special solution suitable for watch parts. That''s when it counts.

 

[Tool Guy]

Date: 7/24/2006 4:53:54 PM
Author:kgwen
Hi--
I''m sure this has been discussed before, as it seems a little controversial. I just purchased the Gem Oro sparkle spa Ultrasonic. It says in the instructions NOT to use ammmonia in the cleaning solution. Why is this?? Would it damage the machine?
Also what about using really hot water in the Ultrasonic? Would this harm the machine?

Thanks!

Hi Kgwen,

Gemoro does make there own cleaner to be used in any ultrasonic but it does say on there directions you can use just water in the sparkle spa. Like the others have said you don''t want to start using any chemicals that are not safe or listed in the manual of this product.

 

[klavigne]

"It says in the instructions NOT to use ammmonia in the cleaning solution." If this is what it says in your instructions word for word then it makes sense. They might use some chemicals in their solution that don''t mix so well with ammonia. Please remember that mixing certain chemicals can have disastrous results!!!! I think if your using an off the shelve cleaner then don''t mix it with anything. But warm/hot water with Windex or ammonia is fine.

 

[Richard Sherwood]

A chemist once explained to me that the ammonia molecule (like the chlorine molecule) combines with something in gold to slowly eat away at it over time.

It might take twenty years, but hey, why not use something that doesn''t have that proclivity?

I use non-ammonia Mr. Clean. 3 parts Mr. Clean, 1 part water. Warm to hot is fine, as long as you''re not putting in stones with liquid inclusions (like emerald).