The short answer: Besides glasses, an ultrasonic cleaner can clean jewelry (rings, earrings, chains), watch straps, watches labelled water-resistant, coins, dentures and retainers, razor heads, small tools, and more. Avoid soft or porous gemstones (pearls, opals, emeralds), anything glued, and non-water-resistant watches. When in doubt, leave it out.
Great things to clean ultrasonically
- Rings and gold/silver jewelry — cavitation reaches behind stones and into settings where grime hides, restoring sparkle in minutes.
- Earrings and chains — clasps and links that are impossible to clean by hand come out spotless.
- Watch straps and metal bracelets — the gaps between links trap skin oil and dirt; ultrasonic clears them.
- Coins (non-collectible) — removes built-up grime. Note: never clean collectible coins, it lowers their value.
- Retainers, dentures, mouthguards — reaches grooves a brush misses.
- Razor heads, combs, small metal tools, jewelry-making bits.
What to keep OUT of the tank
- Soft or porous gemstones — pearls, opals, emeralds, turquoise, and amber can crack or dull.
- Anything glued — vibrations can loosen glued-in stones or parts.
- Non-water-resistant watches — water will get in. Only clean the strap, or a watch rated water-resistant.
- Fracture-filled or treated gemstones — the treatment can be damaged.
- Soft metals and antiques/heirlooms — when the value is high and you’re unsure, ask a jeweler first.
Can you clean jewelry and glasses in the same device?
Yes — just not at the same time, and rinse the tank between very different items. Run your glasses in clean water, then do a separate cycle for jewelry. It’s one of the reasons a home ultrasonic cleaner earns its place on the shelf: it replaces several cleaning routines with one.
If you want to understand the technology first, see what is an ultrasonic cleaner and how does it work.
A note on glasses
Glasses remain the everyday hero use-case. They’re delicate, coated, and worn for ~14 hours a day — exactly what ultrasonic cleaning handles best. Lensio is built and tested for eyewear (AR, HEV, and UV coatings), and the same tank happily cleans your rings and watch strap too.
Frequently asked questions
Can I clean my wedding ring in an ultrasonic cleaner? Plain gold or platinum with diamonds: yes. With pearls, opals, emeralds, or glued settings: no — clean those by hand.
Can I put my watch in? Only the metal strap, or a watch clearly rated water-resistant. Never a leather strap or a non-water-resistant watch.
Do I need different solution for jewelry vs glasses? Plain water works for both. A cleaning tablet helps; avoid harsh chemicals.