Cleaning methods you might not have heard of

When most people think of cleaning, they picture water, detergent, and a bit of elbow grease. In reality, cleaning has evolved far beyond buckets and brushes.

Across industries, heritage restoration, and specialist maintenance, unconventional cleaning methods are being used to remove dirt, grease, and contamination more effectively than traditional techniques. Some of these methods sound unusual at first, but they are surprisingly efficient, precise, and often more environmentally friendly.

Dry ice blasting

One of the most innovative techniques is dry ice blasting. This cleaning method uses small pellets of dry ice, which is solid carbon dioxide, propelled at high speed using compressed air. When the pellets strike a surface, they instantly sublimate, meaning they turn directly from a solid into a gas. This rapid change lifts contaminants such as grease, paint, glue, and residue away from the surface without abrasion or moisture.

Because the dry ice disappears on impact, there is no secondary waste to clean up, making it especially attractive in industrial and sensitive environments. Dry ice blasting is commonly used on machinery, electrical components, food processing equipment, and even in restoration projects where surfaces must not be damaged.

Ultrasonic cleaning

Another lesser-known approach is ultrasonic cleaning, a technique that relies on sound rather than friction.

Items are submerged in a liquid bath while high-frequency sound waves create microscopic bubbles that collapse with enough force to dislodge dirt. This process reaches into tiny crevices that brushes or cloths cannot access, making it ideal for intricate objects.

Although commonly associated with jewelry and precision tools, ultrasonic cleaning is increasingly used for mechanical parts and medical equipment where absolute cleanliness is critical.

Sawdust

In workshops and industrial spaces, sawdust is still used as a practical cleaning material, despite its old-fashioned reputation. Its absorbent nature makes it highly effective for soaking up oil, grease, and liquid spills on hard floors. Once the material has absorbed the spill, it can be swept away, leaving the surface ready for further cleaning. This simple technique remains popular in environments where quick containment is more important than polished results.

Electrolyzed water

Electrolyzed water cleaning represents a more high-tech shift toward chemical-free sanitation.

By passing an electric current through water, it can be separated into solutions with strong cleaning and disinfecting properties. These solutions are capable of breaking down grease and killing bacteria while reverting back to ordinary water after use. This makes electrolyzed water especially appealing in food preparation areas, healthcare facilities, and settings where residue-free cleaning is essential.

Ozone 

Ozone cleaning is sometimes used to eliminate persistent odors and organic contamination. Ozone molecules react with odor-causing compounds, breaking them down at a molecular level. This makes it effective for smoke damage, mold smells, and other deeply embedded odors.

Because ozone can be harmful if inhaled, it is typically used only in unoccupied spaces under controlled conditions.