Parts Washer Guide

A parts washer is a contained workshop cleaning system that uses solvent, aqueous chemistry, or bioremediation fluid to clean oil, grease and contamination from mechanical components. The right choice for any workshop depends on volume, parts size, contamination type, AS 1940 storage compliance, and whether you want to dispose of solvent waste every 4-12 weeks or run a self-regenerating bioremediation system that never needs disposal. This guide covers the four main parts washer categories, the SmartWasher and Purasolve product ranges stocked at AIMS, sizing by workshop type, ROI vs disposal cycles, the AS 1940 compliance picture, and the common mistakes that turn a $3,000 parts washer into a fire hazard or a hazardous waste accumulation problem.

AIMS Industrial stocks the full CRC SmartWasher bioremediation parts washer range (SW-23 through SW-37 plus 50+ accessory SKUs) and the Purasolve premium industrial parts washer range from $4,156 manual sink through to $49,104 commercial rotary basket. Contact the AIMS team or call (02) 9773 0122 for sizing, ROI assessment, or to discuss a workshop solvent recycling switchover.

Purasolve — Australian-made premium industrial range — Quick Reference

Purasolve is an Australian manufacturer of industrial parts washers and surface cleaning systems. The range at AIMS sits at the premium tier — single-step above CRC SmartWasher in price and capacity, designed for workshops with serious parts cleaning throughput.

What is a parts washer?

A parts washer is a self-contained workshop cleaning system designed for cleaning mechanical components — engine parts, brake assemblies, bearings, gearbox internals, machined components, fasteners, hand tools, and similar workshop items. It replaces three informal alternatives that workshops typically start with: a bucket of solvent in the corner, aerosol cans used at scale, or a kitchen sink converted to parts cleaning.

The defining features are: a containment tank holding several litres of cleaning fluid, a pump or basin arrangement that delivers fluid to parts being cleaned, filtration to capture particulate contamination, optional heating to improve solvent cleaning rate, and a closed or semi-closed system that limits operator exposure and prevents spillage. The contained design is what makes a parts washer legal under AS 1940 flammable storage requirements where a bucket of solvent in the corner is not.

⚠️ This guide is industrial parts washing equipment — not pressure washer spare parts

If you're searching for spare parts for a Ryobi, Karcher, Workzone, Gerni, Spitwater, Mechpro, Toolpro or Bunnings/Supercheap pressure washer — you're in the wrong place. This guide covers industrial parts WASHING equipment.

The two products share no overlap. A pressure washer is a high-pressure water spray system for cleaning surfaces (cars, patios, equipment exteriors). A parts washer is a contained chemistry-based system for cleaning mechanical components in a workshop. Different products, different audiences, different retailers. For pressure washer spare parts see the brand-specific service network — Karcher, Ryobi etc. — or check Bunnings, Supercheap and Repco for consumer-tier replacements.

The four parts washer categories — solvent, aqueous, bioremediation, ultrasonic

Parts washers fall into four chemistry classes, each with distinct economics, safety profile and best applications.

The category that fits your workshop depends on three questions:

1. What's your parts cleaning volume — occasional, daily, batch production?
2. Are you currently paying for solvent disposal? If yes, the bioremediation economics shift dramatically.
3. What's the parts size and geometry — single big components vs many small intricate parts?

Honest scope: AIMS stocks solvent + aqueous + bioremediation categories. Ultrasonic parts washers are a different product class — different manufacturers, different supply chain, different application focus. AIMS doesn't stock ultrasonic and can source on request through specialty suppliers.

Solvent vs bioremediation — the disposal economics

The single biggest decision in parts washer selection is whether to run a solvent system that needs periodic disposal or a bioremediation system that doesn't. The disposal economics shift the answer hard toward bioremediation for any workshop changing solvent more often than every six months.

A typical solvent parts washer holds 60-150 litres of mineral spirits or dedicated solvent. Under typical AU workshop use the solvent becomes contaminated and needs replacement every 4-12 weeks. Used solvent is classified as hazardous waste under NSW EPA (chlorinated solvent) or controlled waste (non-chlorinated) — disposal requires a licensed liquid waste contractor at approximately $200-$400 per drum. The contaminated solvent cannot go to bin, drain, or council waste. New solvent costs are added to disposal costs each cycle.

A CRC SmartWasher bioremediation system uses OzzyJuice fluid and an OzzyMat bioactive filter. Microbes in the filter media continuously consume hydrocarbon contamination from the fluid, converting oils and greases to water and carbon dioxide. Used OzzyJuice oil/grease level stays around 1,400 ppm (CRC technical data, cross-validated by US Marine Corps Lejeune SmartWasher evaluation), compared to 20,000+ ppm typical in standard aqueous cleaning systems. The result: the fluid is topped up rather than disposed of when maintained properly.

The critical maintenance rule: the OzzyMat FL-4 filter must be replaced minimum monthly. Without monthly filter changes the bioactive media fails, contamination accumulates, and the system degrades. Forum users on automotive forums (IH8MUD) describe the SmartWasher as "a good investment" but "spendy on ongoing maintenance" — the filter cost and monthly schedule are real recurring expenses.

For workshops paying $200-$400 per drum of solvent disposal every 6-8 weeks, the bioremediation payback runs around 12-18 months on the SmartWasher SW-23. Workshops disposing more frequently or in larger drums hit payback faster.

Manual sink vs rotary basket vs automatic

Beyond chemistry, parts washers split by mechanical design. Three layouts cover the AU industrial market.

Manual sink-on-drum: The classic configuration — flat sink with brush, hose or nozzle for spraying fluid, pump returning fluid to a holding tank below. Operator places parts on the sink, sprays or brushes, lets fluid drain. The CRC SmartWasher SW-23, SW-28 SuperSink, SW-37 Mobile Heavyweight and the Purasolve PS6 all use this layout. Suits one-component-at-a-time workshop work — engine bays, brake servicing, gearbox repairs, general fitting.

Rotary basket: Parts are loaded into a basket that rotates inside a closed wash chamber. Heated fluid sprays from multiple nozzles, the basket rotates to expose all surfaces, parts come out cleaned. The Purasolve Basket Rotary Part Washer is the AU-stocked example, available in 75L, 180L and 275L capacities at $20,357 / $32,633 / $49,104. Suits batch cleaning — multiple components processed simultaneously, mining workshop service work, production engineering.

Spray/conveyor automatic: Industrial production-line layout where parts move through a sealed wash tunnel on a conveyor, getting sprayed by fixed nozzles. Higher throughput, higher capital cost, lower flexibility. Not commonly stocked at workshop-tier suppliers including AIMS — these are production-engineering scale purchases through specialised vendors.

Hot tank vs cold-cleaning

Heating parts washer fluid increases cleaning rate significantly. Most heavy oil and baked-on grease comes off faster at 50-80°C than at ambient. The trade-off is electricity consumption, slower start-up (the heater needs to bring fluid up to temperature), and tank insulation requirements.

All AIMS-stocked parts washers (CRC SmartWasher and Purasolve) are heated systems. Cold-cleaning is a legacy approach typically associated with budget solvent parts washers from consumer retailers.

CRC SmartWasher — how the bioremediation system works

The CRC SmartWasher range uses a bioactive parts washing system that's fundamentally different from solvent or standard aqueous parts washers. Understanding how it works is what makes the ROI case obvious.

The mechanism:

1. OzzyJuice — the cleaning fluid — is an aqueous-based degreasing solution with a non-toxic, non-corrosive, biodegradable surfactant formulation.
2. The OzzyMat FL-4 filter is a multi-layer filter media containing bioactive microbes. As contaminated fluid passes through the filter, the microbes consume the hydrocarbon contamination (oils, greases, fuel residue).
3. The bioactive process converts hydrocarbon contamination into water and carbon dioxide. The cleaned fluid returns to the tank ready to clean more parts.
4. The 220V built-in heater warms fluid to around 40-50°C — optimal for bioactive microbe activity and improved cleaning rate.
5. Used OzzyJuice fluid stays at low contamination levels (around 1,400 ppm oil/grease) indefinitely when the filter is changed monthly.

What this means in practice:

• No solvent waste disposal cycle. The fluid is topped up rather than disposed of.
• No flammable storage — OzzyJuice is non-flammable, AS 1940 doesn't apply.
• No solvent vapour ventilation requirement — aqueous chemistry has minimal vapour load.
• Operator skin exposure to harsh solvents is eliminated — OzzyJuice is non-corrosive and skin-friendly under reasonable contact times.
• Recurring cost is fluid replenishment (top-up only) plus monthly filter at $38.69 per filter.

The CRC SmartWasher units available at AIMS:

Plus the consumables and accessory ecosystem: OzzyJuice SW-4 20L ($203.64), OzzyMat FL-4 Filter ($38.69), heaters ($149-$161), pump assemblies ($306), control box assemblies ($554-$2,034), casters ($33-$45), parts baskets ($24.87), nozzle kits ($83), replacement pumps, and 30+ further accessory SKUs. The full ecosystem is in the parts washers and cleaners collection.

Purasolve — Australian-made premium industrial range

Purasolve is an Australian manufacturer of industrial parts washers and surface cleaning systems. The range at AIMS sits at the premium tier — single-step above CRC SmartWasher in price and capacity, designed for workshops with serious parts cleaning throughput.

The Purasolve PS6 sits as the next-step-up from the SmartWasher SW-37 — comparable workshop manual sink layout, premium build quality, AU manufacture and support. The Basket Rotary range is a different product class entirely: enclosed batch cleaning with rotating parts basket, sized for production engineering and heavy industrial service work. The 275L Basket Rotary is a significant capital purchase but pays back fast in workshops processing 20+ components per day.

Sizing the right parts washer for your workshop

Sizing depends on parts cleaning volume per day, parts size, and workshop type. The rules of thumb:

The other dimension is parts size. The SW-23 sink is 1092 × 686mm — fits typical engine bay components, brake calipers, gearbox internals, hand tools. The SW-37 at 1219 × 885mm handles larger items — diff housings, axle assemblies, larger machinery components. The Purasolve Basket Rotary 275L handles entire small gearbox cases and mid-size mining service components in single batches.

Parts washer fluids and consumables

The fluid is what does the work. The wrong fluid in the wrong washer is the most common cause of unsatisfactory cleaning performance, equipment damage, or unsafe operation.

The fire risk warning from a firefighter on Grassroots Motorsports forum captures the petrol risk: a parts washer "is gonna atomize all that and turn your work area into something like a fuel-air bomb." Mineral spirits is the bottom of the acceptable solvent class. Petrol, avgas, lighter fluid, naphtha and similar low-flash hydrocarbons are not safe for any parts washer.

For workshops looking for the cheapest acceptable solvent option, the workshop default consensus across Practical Machinist, Home Shop Machinist BBS and Yesterday's Tractors forums is mineral spirits with periodic settling and decanting. Forum users describe multi-year reuse cycles: drain dirty solvent, let solids settle for 24-48 hours, pour off clean upper layer for reuse, dispose of sludge bottom. This works but doesn't eliminate the hazardous waste cycle entirely.

For specific cleaner applications alongside parts washer operation, see the Rust Remover Guide (rust removal options including chemical, mechanical and abrasive blasting) and the Penetrating Oil Guide (seized fastener and corrosion break-loose products that often pair with parts cleaning workflows).

AS 1940:2017 flammable storage compliance

Solvent parts washers using mineral spirits, kerosene or other flammable hydrocarbons are subject to AS 1940:2017 (The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids). The standard sets requirements for tank capacity limits, storage location, bunding, ventilation, ignition control, signage, and emergency response equipment.

The basic AS 1940 picture for a workshop parts washer:

• Total flammable liquid storage in the workshop (including parts washer tank + spare solvent drums) determines compliance class.
• Storage above threshold quantities triggers bunded storage requirements — spill containment around the unit.
• Ventilation must dilute solvent vapour to below WES (workplace exposure standard) and below LEL (lower explosive limit).
• Ignition control — no open flame, no spark sources, electrical equipment rated for hazardous area if required.
• Class 3 dangerous goods signage required at storage areas.
• Fire extinguisher (foam or dry chemical) accessible at the parts washer location.

Bioremediation (CRC SmartWasher) and aqueous parts washers sidestep AS 1940 entirely — the cleaning fluid is non-flammable, so the flammable liquid storage classification doesn't apply. For workshops trying to simplify their dangerous goods compliance, this is a meaningful benefit beyond the disposal economics.

For solvent parts washers that remain in service, organic-vapour respiratory protection is recommended for operators during sustained cleaning sessions — see the Respirator Guide for AS/NZS 1716 Type A cartridge selection. Eye protection per Safety Glasses Guide is required regardless of system type.

NSW EPA waste classification and disposal economics

Used parts washer solvent is regulated waste in every Australian jurisdiction. The classification determines the disposal route and cost.

For a workshop running a 60L solvent washer with 6-weekly disposal cycles: approximately 8-9 disposal cycles per year × $300 per cycle = $2,400-$2,700 annual disposal cost. A SmartWasher SW-23 has $0 disposal cost in that period. The ROI maths is straightforward — at $2,400 annual disposal saved, the $3,167 SmartWasher pays back in roughly 16 months.

The decision tilts harder toward bioremediation in jurisdictions with rising waste disposal fees and stricter EPA enforcement. NSW EPA has tightened classification and audit on hazardous waste over the last decade. Workshops that haven't done the maths recently may find the breakeven case has shifted significantly in favour of switching from solvent.

Maintenance, filter changes and fluid replenishment

The right maintenance schedule keeps a parts washer working as designed. Skipping it turns a $3,000 bioremediation system into a contaminated tank that no longer cleans parts.

CRC SmartWasher maintenance schedule:

• Daily/per-use: Empty parts basket of debris. Wipe sink after use. Check fluid level.
• Weekly: Visual fluid inspection. Check pump operation. Confirm heater operating (fluid warm to touch).
• Monthly (critical): Replace OzzyMat FL-4 filter. This single rule keeps the bioremediation system functioning indefinitely. Skipping monthly filter changes is the #1 cause of SmartWasher failure.
• Quarterly: Top up OzzyJuice fluid to compensate for evaporation and drag-out on parts.
• Annual: Full visual inspection, check heater element fuse, replace if blown. Check pump assembly. Verify pump pressure adequate at nozzles.

Solvent parts washer maintenance schedule:

• Daily/per-use: Empty parts basket of debris.
• Weekly: Check fluid contamination level. Visually inspect for sludge buildup.
• Every 4-12 weeks: Drain contaminated fluid for licensed disposal. Optional: pour off clean upper layer for reuse, dispose only of bottom sludge (workshop-tested but doesn't eliminate disposal cycle).
• Refill: Fresh mineral spirits or AU-formulated parts washer solvent.
• Annual: Tank inspection, pump service, gasket replacement on heated models.

Pump assemblies, heaters and control boxes are workshop-serviceable. AIMS stocks the full range of SmartWasher replacement parts — 220V heaters ($149-$161), pump assemblies ($306-$540), control box assemblies, fuses, toggle switches, nozzle kits, ball valves, baskets, and casters. Service repairs are typically less than 1-2 hours' labour with parts available next-day.

AU brand guide — CRC SmartWasher, Purasolve + what AIMS doesn't stock

CRC SmartWasher dominates the AU bioremediation parts washer category — same market position CRC holds in brake cleaner. Backed by extensive consumable supply (OzzyJuice, OzzyMat filters), spare parts ecosystem, and AU distribution depth via AIMS and similar industrial suppliers. Purasolve is the AU-manufactured premium industrial alternative — workshop and production engineering capacity above the SmartWasher tier, manufactured locally with full AU service support.

For ultrasonic parts washing — small intricate components like carburettors, fuel injectors, watch and instrument parts — AIMS can source through specialty suppliers but doesn't currently hold benchtop or industrial ultrasonic stock. Source on request.

AIMS-stocked range deep dive

AIMS stocks 60+ parts washer products across two main brands plus extensive consumables and accessories.

Tier 1 — CRC SmartWasher bioremediation (main units + complete accessory ecosystem):

• SW-23 Mobile Parts & Brake Washer — $3,167.92
• SW-28 SuperSink — $3,539.76
• SW-37 Mobile Heavyweight — $4,369.57
• Starter Kits SW-23-4 / SW-23-8 / SW-25-8 — $3,695-$3,935
• OzzyJuice SW-4 20L recurring fluid — $203.64
• OzzyMat FL-4 multi-layer filter recurring — $38.69
• 40+ accessory and replacement parts SKUs — heaters, pumps, control boxes, casters, baskets, nozzle kits, fuses, covers

Tier 2 — Purasolve Australian industrial premium:

• Purasolve PS6 Part Washer Cleaning System — $4,156.45
• Purasolve PS6 Kit + 3× ESPSK-20 — $4,607.59
• Purasolve Basket Rotary Part Washer 75L / 180L / 275L — $20,357 / $32,633 / $49,104
• Purasolve Pressure Sprayer 1.5L — $44.81

Browse the full parts washers and cleaners collection for the complete range. For sizing assessment, ROI calculations, or to discuss a workshop solvent recycling switchover, contact the AIMS team for technical advice.

Common parts washer mistakes

Selection checklist

1. Are you currently paying for solvent disposal? If yes → SmartWasher bioremediation ROI is fast.
2. What's your daily parts cleaning volume? 1-5 components → SW-23 or PS6. 10+ components → SW-28/37 or Purasolve. 50+ batch → Purasolve Basket Rotary.
3. Workshop fire/ignition control concerns? Bioremediation or aqueous — sidesteps AS 1940 entirely.
4. Heavy oil/grease contamination? Heated system mandatory — all SmartWasher and Purasolve units are heated.
5. Small intricate parts (carbs, injectors)? Ultrasonic 3L+ benchtop — source through specialty supplier; SmartWasher does the larger components alongside.
6. Batch cleaning, production environment? Purasolve Basket Rotary 75L/180L/275L.
7. Mining service workshop, heavy industrial? SmartWasher SW-37 or Purasolve Basket Rotary 275L.
8. Want to eliminate hazardous waste classification? Bioremediation (CRC SmartWasher).

For workshop ROI assessment, sizing advice, or to discuss switching from solvent to bioremediation, contact the AIMS team or call (02) 9773 0122. Adjacent product guides: Brake Cleaner Guide, Contact Cleaner Guide, Industrial Degreaser Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a parts washer?

A parts washer is a self-contained workshop cleaning system that uses solvent, aqueous chemistry, or bioremediation fluid to clean oil, grease and contamination from mechanical components. Four chemistry classes exist: solvent (mineral spirits/kerosene), aqueous (hot detergent), bioremediation (CRC SmartWasher OzzyJuice), and ultrasonic (cavitation cleaning). The contained design is what distinguishes a parts washer from a bucket of solvent in the corner — it provides containment, filtration, optional heating, AS 1940 compliance, and limits operator exposure.

Is a parts washer the same as a pressure washer?

No — completely different products. A pressure washer is a high-pressure water spray for cleaning surfaces (cars, patios, equipment exteriors). A parts washer is a contained chemistry-based system for cleaning mechanical components in a workshop. Different products, different audiences, different retailers. Pressure washer spare parts (Ryobi, Karcher, Workzone, Gerni, Spitwater) are not stocked at AIMS — see the brand-specific service network or consumer retailers.

What's the difference between a solvent parts washer and a bioremediation system?

Solvent parts washers use mineral spirits, kerosene or dedicated parts cleaning solvent — flammable, hazardous waste classification, disposal cycle every 4-12 weeks at $200-$400 per drum via licensed waste contractor. Bioremediation systems like the CRC SmartWasher use OzzyJuice aqueous fluid + bioactive OzzyMat filter — non-flammable, no disposal cycle (fluid topped up rather than disposed), self-regenerating cleaning capacity, sidesteps AS 1940 storage compliance. ROI of switching is typically 12-18 months on the SmartWasher SW-23 for workshops paying regular solvent disposal.

How does a CRC SmartWasher work?

OzzyJuice cleaning fluid circulates through the parts washer. Contaminated fluid passes through the OzzyMat FL-4 bioactive filter where microbes consume hydrocarbon contamination (oils, greases, fuel residue), converting them to water and carbon dioxide. The 220V built-in heater warms fluid to 40-50°C — optimal for microbe activity and faster cleaning. Cleaned fluid returns to the tank. Used OzzyJuice oil/grease stays around 1,400 ppm indefinitely with monthly filter changes — compared to 20,000+ ppm in standard aqueous systems. No solvent disposal cycle, no flammable storage compliance.

Do I need a parts washer or is a bucket of solvent enough?

For more than occasional parts cleaning, a parts washer makes more sense for three reasons: (1) AS 1940 — a bucket of solvent above threshold quantity is non-compliant flammable storage in most workshops; (2) Fire risk — open solvent in a workshop has documented incident history; (3) Quality — filtration and heated fluid clean parts faster and more thoroughly than a bucket. Entry-tier SmartWasher SW-23 is $3,167 and pays for itself inside 18 months in any workshop currently paying solvent disposal costs. For one-off occasional use, brake cleaner aerosols are cheaper.

What fluid goes in a CRC SmartWasher?

Only CRC OzzyJuice SW-4 (or SW-7 for brake-cleaning specific variants). The fluid is formulated to work with the OzzyMat bioactive filter — microbes break down hydrocarbon contamination only with the matched fluid chemistry. Using mineral spirits, kerosene or any other solvent in a SmartWasher destroys the bioremediation function and contaminates the system. Conversely, OzzyJuice cannot be used in a standard solvent parts washer because there's no bioactive filter to regenerate it.

How often do you change parts washer fluid in a SmartWasher?

Never, in the conventional sense. OzzyJuice is topped up to compensate for evaporation and parts drag-out (quarterly is typical for top-up). The fluid never reaches the "needs disposal" state because the OzzyMat bioactive filter continuously regenerates cleaning capacity. The critical maintenance rule: replace the OzzyMat filter monthly. Skipping monthly filter changes is the #1 cause of SmartWasher failure — the bioactive media stops working and contamination accumulates.

What's the difference between Purasolve and CRC SmartWasher?

CRC SmartWasher is the bioremediation system — bioactive filter + OzzyJuice fluid, mid-tier workshop pricing $3,167-$4,370 plus accessories. Purasolve is the Australian-manufactured premium industrial range — PS6 manual sink at $4,156-$4,608 (one step above SmartWasher in build and capacity), plus Basket Rotary batch washers at $20,357-$49,104 for production engineering and heavy industrial. SmartWasher is the right choice for workshops switching away from solvent disposal cycles. Purasolve PS6 is the next tier for premium AU workshop manufacture. Purasolve Basket Rotary is a different product class entirely — enclosed batch cleaning at production scale.

Are parts washers covered under AS 1940?

Solvent parts washers using flammable hydrocarbons (mineral spirits, kerosene, dedicated solvents below flash point thresholds) are covered under AS 1940:2017. Total flammable liquid storage in the workshop determines compliance class — tank capacity, bunding, ventilation, ignition control and signage are mandatory. Bioremediation (CRC SmartWasher) and aqueous parts washers use non-flammable fluids and sidestep AS 1940 entirely — a meaningful compliance simplification for workshops trying to reduce dangerous goods management.

How do I dispose of used parts washer solvent in Australia?

Used non-chlorinated solvent waste is controlled waste in most jurisdictions — disposal via licensed liquid waste contractor only, not general bin or drain. Cost is typically $200-$400 per drum. Chlorinated solvent waste (perc, TCE, methylene chloride) is hazardous waste — same licensed contractor route, slightly higher cost ($300-$500 per drum). Aerosol cans must be fully discharged before recycling. SmartWasher OzzyJuice doesn't generate a disposal event under normal operation — the fluid is topped up rather than disposed of.

Hot tank vs cold-cleaning parts washer — which do I need?

Hot tank (heated 50-80°C) cleans 3-5× faster than cold-cleaning on heavy oil and baked-on grease. Trade-offs: heater electricity consumption, 15-30 minute warm-up time, slightly higher noise from circulation. For any workshop with regular parts cleaning load, heated wins. All AIMS-stocked parts washers (CRC SmartWasher and Purasolve) are heated. Cold-cleaning is a legacy budget approach typically associated with consumer-tier solvent parts washers.

What size parts washer do I need for an automotive workshop?

Single-mechanic workshop with 1-3 components/day → SmartWasher SW-23 ($3,167) or Purasolve PS6 ($4,156). Small fleet workshop 5-10 components/day → SW-23 or SW-28. Larger fleet 4+ bays with daily brake servicing → SW-28 SuperSink ($3,539) or SW-37 Heavyweight ($4,369). Heavy machinery or mining service workshop → SW-37 or Purasolve PS6. Production engineering batch cleaning → Purasolve Basket Rotary 75-275L. Sizing depends on parts size as well as volume — SW-23 sink is 1092 × 686mm; SW-37 is 1219 × 885mm for larger components.

Can I use bioremediation fluid in a solvent parts washer?

No. OzzyJuice is formulated to work with the OzzyMat bioactive filter — without the matched filter, the bioactive process doesn't happen and the fluid just becomes contaminated aqueous degreaser with no regeneration. Standard solvent parts washers don't have a bioactive filter slot. Conversely, you cannot use mineral spirits, kerosene or solvent in a SmartWasher — it destroys the bioremediation system and the heater isn't rated for flammable fluid. The fluid and the washer are matched chemistry — keep them together.

Do I need ventilation for a parts washer?

Solvent parts washers require ventilation adequate to keep solvent vapour below WES (workplace exposure standard) and below LEL (lower explosive limit). Local exhaust ventilation is typical for enclosed workshop spaces. Bioremediation (SmartWasher) and aqueous parts washers have minimal vapour load — general workshop ventilation is adequate. The vapour load reduction is one of the secondary advantages of switching from solvent to bioremediation — reduces respiratory exposure as well as fire risk.

What does a commercial parts washer cost in Australia?

Entry industrial bioremediation: CRC SmartWasher SW-23 at $3,167. Mid-tier: SmartWasher SW-28 SuperSink $3,539 or SW-37 Heavyweight $4,369. Premium AU manual sink: Purasolve PS6 $4,156-$4,608. Production batch cleaning: Purasolve Basket Rotary 75L $20,357 / 180L $32,633 / 275L $49,104. Plus consumables — OzzyJuice $203.64 per 20L drum, OzzyMat filter $38.69 monthly for SmartWasher. Mineral-spirits solvent parts washers from consumer retailers start around $500-$1,000 but carry $200-$400 per drum disposal costs every 4-12 weeks.