Plastics

Plastics can warp, scratch, or react with harsh chemicals if the wrong method is used. Effective cleaning protects the base material while restoring cleanliness and function.

Common methods

  • Dry ice blasting: Cleans plastic molds, packaging equipment, conveyors, and housings without eroding the plastic or leaving abrasive grit behind.

  • Soda blasting: At controlled pressures, removes coatings, graffiti, and heavy staining from rigid plastic items such as playground equipment and panels.

  • Sponge blasting: Uses fine sponge media to clean industrial plastic components and composite parts while controlling dust and limiting media embedment.

  • Ultrasonic cleaning: Removes oils, particles, and residues from small plastic parts and assemblies using sound waves in a liquid bath instead of mechanical scrubbing.

  • Dry vapor steam cleaning: Degreases plastic guards, covers, machine housings, and interior components with very little water and reduced chemical usage.

  • Chemical cleaning/stripping: Plastic-safe products are used to remove labels, adhesives, and certain coatings where blasting or high heat is not suitable.

Typical applications

  • Cleaning plastic tooling, molds, and trays in manufacturing lines.

  • Restoring and de-graffitiing playground equipment, guards, and panels.

  • Precision cleaning of plastic parts for medical, electronics, and packaging uses.

  • Removing labels, films, and adhesives from plastic containers and components.

  • General maintenance cleaning of plastic housings and machine covers.

Rubbers

Rubber parts can tear under aggressive impact or swell with incompatible chemicals. Cleaning methods must protect flexibility, shape, and sealing surfaces.

Common methods

  • Dry ice blasting: Cleans rubber molds, belts, tires, rollers, and seals in place by removing baked-on rubber, release agents, and process residues without cutting the surface.

  • Dry vapor steam cleaning: Uses high-temperature, low-moisture steam to remove grease, food residues, and soils from rubber gaskets, mats, and sanitary seals.

  • Ultrasonic cleaning: Cleans small rubber parts such as O‑rings, seals, and medical components, removing fine contamination from grooves and cavities.

  • Foam cleaning: Applies clinging foam detergents to rubber flooring and matting, allowing longer contact time on vertical or textured surfaces.

  • Chemical cleaning: Uses carefully selected detergents and sanitizers to break down fats, oils, and biofilms on rubber where mechanical methods are not ideal.

Typical applications

  • Cleaning rubber belts, rolls, and seals in production and conveying systems.

  • Sanitation of rubber gaskets, mats, and contact surfaces in food and beverage plants.

  • Precision cleaning of rubber seals and components for medical and industrial equipment.

  • Deep cleaning of rubber floors and mats in commercial and industrial facilities.

  • Removing built-up rubber and contamination from mold and tooling surfaces.