Sonic Stain Remover

image Would this thing actually work? It's described as an ultrasonic stain remover that "will remove virtually any clothing stain, no matter how stubborn." The fact that the ad copy keeps repeating the phrase 'utilizes ultrasonic technology' without actually explaining how or why it's supposed to work makes me skeptical. I guess the ultrasonic sound waves are somehow supposed to break up stain particles? If it did work as advertised, it would be useful. (via Red Ferret)

Business/Finance

Posted on Tue Apr 05, 2005



Comments

I think I'll save myself some money, and continue removing stains the old fashioned way - soap, water and elbow grease. 😏
Posted by Smerk  on  Tue Apr 05, 2005  at  11:42 PM
Tide (Procter & Gamble) sells one, too.

Tide Buzz

Consumer Reports has done <a >cnt_id=450895&FOLDER;<>folder_id=29171&ASSORTMENT;<>ast_id=333135">a review </a>of the Tide one, but I'm not gonna spend $5 just to see it.

Maybe this is what the woman from the Kentucky Fried Movie needed. (Although shouting the stains out seemed to work for her 😊 )
Posted by Rod  on  Wed Apr 06, 2005  at  12:12 AM
Well ultrasonic technology is employed to break up kidney stones; perhaps it works similarly with stains. Unfortunately, patients treated for stones with ultrasound experience a much higher recurrence than those treated conventionally. Which begs the question, are garments treated ultrasonically more likely to develop new stains than those just tossed in the wash?
Posted by andychrist  on  Wed Apr 06, 2005  at  12:42 AM
If it works on any stain, no matter how stubborn
What does it do to the dye?
Posted by Sharruma  on  Wed Apr 06, 2005  at  02:28 AM
It has no detrimental effect on the colours of your fabric.
Posted by Smerk  on  Wed Apr 06, 2005  at  02:45 AM
I would just think from it's description that it rubs really quickly, a lot. I can see how that works, but the little head thing looks terribly small. If you had a stain the size of a half dollar, you'd be ultrasonic-ing for HOURS.

I use some oxy stuff. I think it works b/c it has perioxide in it.
Posted by Maegan  on  Wed Apr 06, 2005  at  04:57 AM
It says it only "Virtually" removes stains. That word is a tricky one.
Posted by X  on  Wed Apr 06, 2005  at  07:51 AM
I just happen to subscribe to Consumer Reports.com. Here's what they have to say about Tide Buzz:
Tide Buzz, a new stain-removal system from Procter & Gamble and Black & Decker, uses a cleaning solution and ultrasonic energy to clear stains from clothing before laundering. You insert a bottle of Tide's solution into the unit's base and put a
Posted by Nymph  on  Wed Apr 06, 2005  at  07:57 AM
Hmmm, interesting! Thanks for posting the bit from CR.
Posted by Winona  on  Wed Apr 06, 2005  at  09:31 AM
Nymph, thanks for the "consumers" info.

"You can also buzz spots off clothing that you're wearing." Uh, even skidmarks?

😊
Posted by Rod  on  Wed Apr 06, 2005  at  10:10 AM
with Oxyclean you may use or sell any device for cleaning (CD player, toothbrush, your hand) and it will work.
Posted by Loxx  on  Wed Apr 06, 2005  at  11:51 AM
Ultrasonic cleaners are nothing new. They're used in laboratories a lot to clean specimens, tools, parts, anything. However, in that case they usually aren't used on fabrics, and usually don't use detergent, you just soak your sample in solvent (ie. alcohol, acetone, etc.). I know there's a bunch of ultrasonic jewlery cleaners out there.
Posted by brian  on  Wed Apr 06, 2005  at  12:58 PM
Excerpt from the ad for this cleaner:
"Utilizes ultrasonic technology
Posted by Pat Kerfoot  on  Wed Apr 06, 2005  at  02:25 PM
Yeah, Pat, I was pretty sure 120 vibrations p.s. was in the audible range.

If ultrasonic cleaners work (and apparently they do), they must work in a way analogous to how washing machines work-- agitate the clothes, watch parts, or whatever in a cleaning solution (e.g. soap and water) until the dirt shakes loose.
Posted by Big Gary C  on  Wed Apr 06, 2005  at  04:12 PM
"You can also buzz spots off clothing that you're wearing."

Hmmm, I think I feel a new pick-up line coming on:
"Hi, there. Too bad about that drink you just spilled. Let me try my new ultrasonic vibrating stain remover on that..."
Posted by Big Gary C  on  Wed Apr 06, 2005  at  04:15 PM
Could it work on a birthmark or a mole. I bet I got some stains it couldn't get out.
Posted by booch  on  Thu Apr 07, 2005  at  12:04 PM
Who cares if it works, the model is just plain HOT!
Posted by Wally  on  Thu Apr 07, 2005  at  05:12 PM
Sorry, guess I just miss the Dusty girl...
Posted by Wally  on  Thu Apr 07, 2005  at  05:13 PM
That model IS one of the Dusty girls, isn't she?

Anyway, I'd be happy to remove stains from clothes she's wearing, any time.
Posted by Big Gary C  on  Fri Apr 08, 2005  at  04:53 PM
I bought the Tide Buzz for $9.99 two weeks ago at a store called "Tuesday Morning."

I've tried it on ketchup and grass stains; so far so good. I think that Shout would have removed these stains as well though.

I'll try to remember to write back when I've given it a serious test.
Posted by cairob3  on  Tue Jul 12, 2005  at  08:12 AM
I just bought the Tide Buzz machine for $9.77(Canadian) at XS Cargo. I had a gravy stain on a shirt that had set for a couple days. I had tried Shout, Stain away, Oxy and just letting it sit with liquid detergent on it, none of it worked. The Tide Buzz got it out no problem and saved the shirt from the garbage. Ten bucks well spent.
Posted by Pammy66  on  Tue Jan 24, 2006  at  06:05 PM
I bought a GC Ultrasonic Stain remover from the website above. It removed Ink Stain and Grass stains from my Son's sport kits without scrubing. A bit more expensive than the Buzz, but the design is slick and it does the job. Very pleased with it.
Posted by Mary Richards,  on  Tue Mar 28, 2006  at  02:37 AM
Sorry the website did not appear above.http://www.ultrasonic-stain-remover.com
Posted by Mary Richards,  on  Tue Mar 28, 2006  at  02:39 AM
I tried Tide Buzz today. It doesn't work well with ground in perspiration stains, but it cleaned my wedding ring pretty nicely. Put your ring in a shallow dish and cover with water. Turn on (normal setting) and place the ultrasonic tip close to the ring and go around it. Don't need to touch the ring. It will excite the water which will even clean the dirt from engraved letters. It's fun buzzing water and watching water drops vaporize. Glad I only paid $10 for it.
Posted by rcozer  on  Tue Oct 10, 2006  at  03:08 AM
I bought a buzz for $12 and have already more than recouped my money in stains removed. I even removed an old paint mark from a favourite shirt using lighter fluid as the couplant. If you put some detergent and water in a small container you can even clean jewellery.
I guess one of those pond fogger devices could also work well. I know that the ultrasonically generated stream hurts if you put your finger in it.
Posted by Trevor  on  Wed Oct 18, 2006  at  11:44 AM
Bought the tide buzz today for 1.99 at Christmas tree shop and refills for 59 cents who cares if it doesn't work now thats a deal!!
Posted by Jason  on  Thu Jun 19, 2008  at  07:54 PM
Like Mary Richards, I have also used the GC ultrasonic stain remover. It removed ink stain and curry. I tried everything and nothing worked. Now i use it all the time on my 6 year ,s clothes. A bit pricy but does the job and a good long term investment. I am really pleased with it.
Posted by Joyce Eigbokhan  on  Fri Jun 20, 2008  at  04:45 PM
Skidmarks?...
U got skidmarks on you, with a name like Rod ya betr wach owt 4 dem zpeed bumps!
Posted by ok  on  Sat Apr 11, 2009  at  11:05 AM
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