Can You Put Print Heads in an Ultrasonic Cleaner?

Using an ultrasonic cleaner to clean printer components sounds promising—but when it comes to printheads, this question sparks debate among professionals, technicians, and DIY enthusiasts alike. On one hand, ultrasonic cleaning offers precision and power that traditional methods can’t match. On the other, certain printhead designs make them vulnerable to damage. So, can you safely put a printhead in an ultrasonic cleaner?

Let’s explore the science behind ultrasonic cleaning, its potential effects on printheads, and the precautions you need to consider before attempting this method.

1. How Ultrasonic Cleaning Works

Ultrasonic cleaners use high-frequency sound waves, typically between 20 kHz and 80 kHz, to generate millions of microscopic bubbles in a cleaning solution. These bubbles collapse in a process called cavitation, creating brief but intense pressure waves that dislodge dirt, ink residue, and debris from all kinds of surfaces—even those that are difficult to access by hand.

The cavitation process is very effective and generally safe for many materials. It’s used widely in industries such as medical instrument sterilization, automotive part degreasing, and electronics maintenance. However, cavitation is also a form of physical stress, and its effect varies depending on the item being cleaned.

2. Why Printheads Are Tricky

Printheads, especially those using pigment-based inks, are prone to clogging, and ultrasonic cleaning can indeed help clear blockages. However, printheads are not just simple nozzles—they often contain delicate membranes, microchannels, piezoelectric actuators, and ink-divider layers that are vulnerable to vibration or water penetration.

For example, some Epson printheads such as the DX7 are known to contain fragile membrane structures. When exposed to intense cavitation, these membranes can rupture, rendering the printhead permanently unusable. In such cases, the ultrasonic cleaner can do more harm than good.

That said, not all printheads are created equal. Canon’s PG-245 integrated cartridges, for example, do not contain internal membranes, making them significantly more resilient to ultrasonic treatment.

3. The Role of Frequency and Power

Frequency matters. Lower frequencies like 28–40 kHz produce larger cavitation bubbles with stronger implosions—great for removing tough contaminants, but potentially damaging to fragile structures. Higher frequencies (e.g., 68–80 kHz) produce smaller, gentler bubbles, ideal for sensitive surfaces such as micro-nozzles.

The cleaner’s power output (watts) affects how many cavitation bubbles are generated—not their intensity. A higher wattage cleaner may clean faster, but it doesn’t necessarily clean more harshly. In tests, even low-power units cleaned Canon cartridges 40 times without degradation.

If you’re working with nozzles under 50 microns, using a cleaner with 75 kHz or higher is preferred for true internal cavitation. However, cleaners at this frequency are often expensive. For home or light professional use, a 40 kHz ultrasonic cleaner is a practical compromise—as long as it’s used cautiously and with compatible printhead types.

Granbo ultrasonic cleaners offer a significant advantage with a wide frequency range spanning from 20 kHz to 200 kHz, allowing users to perform everything from heavy-duty degreasing to ultra-precise micro-cleaning with exceptional accuracy. This versatility makes them suitable for a broad spectrum of industrial and laboratory applications. Granbo is committed to innovation and market-driven solutions, continuously evolving its technology to solve cleaning challenges for users worldwide. The company’s flagship brand, Granbo has earned widespread recognition across both domestic and international markets, with products exported to over 100 countries and regions. Granbo’s multi-frequency ultrasonic technology, combined with strict quality control and standardized production, ensures that each unit meets high performance and reliability standards. With a reputation for premium products, advanced engineering, and comprehensive support services, Granbo strives to deliver not just machines—but long-term value and global partnership opportunities.

4. How to Clean a Printhead with an Ultrasonic Cleaner

If you’ve determined that your printhead type is safe for ultrasonic cleaning, follow these general steps to minimize risk:

1. Fill the tank with warm distilled water (not hot) and a small amount of non-corrosive cleaning fluid if needed.
2. Remove ink cartridges and disconnect electronics if possible. Avoid submerging any circuit boards.
3. Use a basket or holder to suspend the printhead slightly above the bottom of the tank.
4. Fill the nozzle area with cleaning fluid to eliminate trapped air pockets that would block cavitation.
5. Set the cleaner to 40 kHz or higher, and limit each cleaning cycle to 1–2 minutes. Let it rest before repeating, if needed.
6. After cleaning, rinse thoroughly with distilled water and allow to dry completely before reinstalling.

5. When Not to Use Ultrasonic Cleaning

You should not use ultrasonic cleaning for:

• Printheads with delicate internal membranes or unknown construction (e.g., Epson DX7, PrecisionCore heads).
• Cartridges with unremovable electronic components unless they are specifically rated as waterproof or sealed.
• Situations where the manufacturer explicitly warns against ultrasonic treatment in documentation or support guidance.

Also avoid drawing conclusions from dramatic demonstrations like the aluminum foil test, which can exaggerate ultrasonic intensity. While that test shows extreme effects under controlled conditions, it’s not an accurate representation of standard use.

6. Conclusion: Yes—Ultrasonic Cleaning Is Effective for Printheads

Ultrasonic cleaning is a proven and effective method for unclogging and maintaining many types of printheads. When used with the right frequency and cleaning procedure, it can restore ink flow, remove dried pigment, and extend the usable life of cartridges—especially for models such as Canon’s integrated cartridges, which have demonstrated excellent compatibility with ultrasonic treatment. With its ability to clean both external surfaces and internal nozzles, ultrasonic technology offers a convenient and efficient solution for users in the printing industry or at home.

By selecting the appropriate equipment, using distilled water or gentle cleaning agents, and applying moderate cleaning cycles, users can enjoy the full benefits of ultrasonic cleaning without compromising the performance of their printheads. As long as the printhead model is suitable, ultrasonic cleaning is not only safe but also highly recommended for maintaining print quality and avoiding costly replacements.