Discover the real cost of industrial parts cleaning

Don’t I just need a parts washer?

A state-of-the-art industrial parts washer (also known as a hotwash, clean-in-place (CIP) machine or cleaning bath) or ultrasonic cleaner might seem like a really obvious purchase. After all, it’s got to be quicker, better and more consistent than cleaning with a bucket of solvent and some rags, right?

There are certainly plenty of machine options out there, but…

…Having a machine is just part of the solution

The truth is, a parts washer is all but useless if it doesn’t provide the cleaning quality you need, if you can’t keep it filled with cleaning fluids or if it keeps breaking down.

So before you set your budget and even think about buying a machine, consider these six things:

What you’re cleaning

This will help you select a washer that can clean your largest parts, and multiple parts at once. You can also find flexible machines that can be customised to fit your needs, but they are typically more expensive. The best option here is to start with expert advice.

Cleaning frequency

Consider how often you will clean your parts and equipment, and how many items need to be cleaned each time. The more frequent your cleaning, the more an automatic solution will help drive business efficiency.

Cleaning quality

You should easily be able to achieve the cleaning quality you need so long as you have a machine and chemical cleaning fluid that’s specifically matched to your needs.

Regulatory compliance

You’ll want to ensure that any parts washer and cleaning chemicals you use are safe to use, whilst complying with the regulations and standards relevant to your business and/or the businesses you supply in order to avoid additional costs to achieve compliance.

Supplies & maintenance

The most commonly overlooked costs associated with choosing an industrial parts washer are those related to supplies and maintenance. Where will you source the cleaning chemicals you will need if your package does not include them, what you will do if prices change unexpectedly between restocks, and where and how much cleaning product you can safely store on site. You’ll need to plan an MRO process to keep the machine running and negate the impact of machine breakdown on your business. A service based around machine hire should include regular cleaning fluid replacement and machine maintenance, as well as access to emergency support and quick repair or replacement if your parts washer does break down.

Waste management

The final thing to consider is how the waste from cleaning will be handled, and stored until it’s removed from your site. Waste management services need to comply with any regulations related to the type of soil and cleaning chemicals you have been using.

All your problems solved, with parts cleaning from Safetykleen

Operating in 19 countries, with 1000+ industrial clients and 50 years of expertise, our all-in-one service could reduce your parts cleaning time by up to 70%. We have Parts washers, fast manual, automatic & ultrasonic machines that can handle large items and large loads, or to fit into small workspaces for every type of business, from commercial to industrial.

For a predictable monthly fee, and no up-front costs, we provide: