The Easiest Way to Clean Saw Blades & Router Bits

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Purchase the Ultrasonic Cleaner shown in this video for only $35! (as of June 2025) – This is an Amazon Affiliate link

Let’s be honest—cleaning saw blades and router bits is one of those shop chores nobody looks forward to. You know it needs to be done, but soaking in degreaser and scrubbing each individual tooth feels more like punishment than maintenance. The mess, the fumes, the procrastination—it all adds up until your “dull” blade turns out to be just dirty and underperforming. In fact, here’s an old video from 2012 showing how I used to do it: How to Clean Blades & Bits

Here’s the deal: if you want your tooling to last and your cuts to stay crisp, regular cleaning is a must. But that doesn’t mean it has to be miserable.

Enter the ultrasonic cleaner!

This little countertop gadget, commonly used for jewelry, bike parts, and car bits, has quietly become the easiest way to clean saw blades & router bits in my shop. It uses high-frequency sound waves to blast away pitch, resin, and gunk, all while you sit back and relax (or let’s be real, go sharpen something else or check Instagram).

Just mix a simple water-based cleaning solution like Zep Industrial or Simple Green Pro, pop your bits or blades into the bath, and let the cleaner do its thing. In 5–10 minutes, your tools come out looking shockingly fresh, with zero scrubbing and no chemical war zone left behind.

In the video, I break down:

• Why gunk buildup causes more issues than you think (hint: heat + friction = damage)

• Why your “dull” blade might just be dirty

• How ultrasonic cleaning works (it’s oddly satisfying)

• What solution and settings I used

• The dramatic before-and-after results that’ll make you rethink your whole cleaning routine

Bottom line? If you’re tired of scraping gunk by hand, the easiest way to clean saw blades & router bits is probably already sitting in someone’s garage—or waiting in your online cart. This simple upgrade has already changed the way I care for my tools, and it might just do the same for you. And remember, after you clean your blades and bits, be sure to coat them with something to protect from rust, like Blade Coat! 

Shown in the Video

Ultrasonic Cleaner ($35 on Amazon as of 6/25)

Zep Industrial Cleaner

Simple Green Pro (This is a good alternative to what I used)

Blade Coat

Larger Ultrasonic Cleaner (This is the one I’d buy if budget wasn’t a concern)

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