My Favorite Things: Ultrasonic cleaner

Here's how I set up my ultrasonic cleaner:  I put a small, glass jar of cleaning solution in the water bath.  Today I am using sumi ink, so the solution is 1/2 Simple Green, 1/2 water.  When I'm using acrylic inks, I use a cleaning solution with ammonia.  Sometimes, I use both in which case I have two little glass jars in the water bath.

To clean, I wipe the nib free of excess ink, remove it from the pen staff, plop it in the solution and let it go for 90 seconds or more.  Then I take the nibs out and run them under running water, dry it off and it's ready to go!  No scrubbing with toothbrushes, which can effect the tines.  No need to clean under the reservoir which can bend it.

I only use the ultrasonic cleaner for broad nibs; pointed nibs are easy enough to clean without it. 

Since I've been using the ultrasonic cleaner, my broad nibs are lasting a lot longer.  If the phone rings or someone comes to the door, it's a simple matter of plopping the nib into the cleaning solution and giving it an ultrasonic 'spin!'

How about you?  Do you use an ultrasonic cleaner?

Comments

[Donna McGowan]

Great idea! I always used to scrub with a toothbrush and only recently discovered pen cleaning solution. Now I can use it in the ultrasound gizmo like you suggested! thanks, and I love your gorgeous work.

[kim shenberger]

Thanks, Donna!