ClimbLab Technology

Ultrasound Cavitaion Cleaning

Implosion of water bubbles resulting in high pressure water jets blasting impurities of a surface

Ultrasound cleaning is a well known and well proven technology used in different industries, where gentle and thorough cleaning of complex geometries and porous structures is needed.  


It's the ultimate solution for cleaning of climbing holds if well designed. 


High frequency transducers vibrate the tank bottom and all 4 sides, to create extreme pressure variations in the water. These pressure variations cause the formation and implosion of billions of bubbles everywhere in the water inside the tank. The collapse or implosion of these bubbles result in high velocity water jets and shock waves towards nearest surfaces and facilitate a uniform and very efficient "micro-scrubbing". The pressure and velocity of these jets is similar to that of a pressure washer but reaches all angles and blind-holes of climbing holds, without any labour.  


The cavitation process is extremely sensitive to temperature, air contents in the water and the soap. Furthermore, "soft" materials such as climbing holds can dampen the water pressure variations and reduce the cavitation effect. 


Both ClimbLab founders have decades of experience and patents within ultrasound technology and have worked extensively to find the unique parameters for this application. 

Ultrasound cleaning machine

ClimbLab ultrasonic cleaner

Conventional ultrasonic cleaning machines only have transducers mounted on the bottom plate of the tank or a submerged ultrasound box, but these solutions cannot clean several layers of climbing holds as we wanted.   


The ClimbLab machine is designed with 3D ultrasonic effect and is capable of cleaning several layers / crates of climbing holds.
There are ultrasound transducers mounted on tank bottom and all four sides. In total 4200 Watts ultrasound power.  


The ClimbLab machine is designed with the lowest possible ultrasound frequency to compensate for cavitation dampening from "soft" climbing holds and to get highest possible velocity on micro jets.


The ClimbLab machine has integrated heating elements and temperature control. We recommend washing at 30-45°C. Colder temperatures will reduce the cleaning effect dramatically and warmer temperatures introduces risk of bleaching of older types of holds.


The machine is insulated on the sides and the lid to reduce heat losses and evaporation.  

UltraGrip cleaning soap

Soap for climbing holds

Traditionally acids have been used to clean climbing holds as it chemically dissolves the magnesium really well.
You can however not remove rubber contaminations without subsequent pressure washing or scrubbing. 


One of the limitations with acids, besides from imperfect cleaning, is the fumes from the chemical reaction and the requirements for ventilation. Many climbing gyms handle strong acids without taking the right EHS precautions. 


The ClimbLab UltraGrip soap is alkaline. Our approach is to dissolve the grease and sweat that binds the magnesium particles to the climbing holds and then knock off magnesium and rubber with the ultrasonic power. 


An advantage of this, is that the holds are completely degreased and don't need to be "pre climbed" to get the right feeling of friction.


There is no chemical reaction with the magnesium and you have no toxic fumes you need to remove by ventilation.


Our soap is biodegradable and extremely durable. (see cleaning process for results). With a dilution as low as 4% you only use 6 liters of soap each time you change the water in the ultrasonic cleaning tank.


You will be able to clean more than 40 crates with average sized holds before you need to change the water solution. 


With 6l of soap you will be able to clean 2.500 average sized holds. 



Crate design 

crates for climbing holds

The Euro standard crate design has been chosen to ensure the best possible Ultrasonic cleaning. The open grit structure of the bottom and the sides of the crates ensure that the Ultrasonic effect can reach the climbing holds without being absorbed by the crate.


The material of the crate is chosen to get the least possible cavitation dampening. The material is also compatible with the soap and high temperatures. 


The system is also compatible with the US crate format 23,75" x 15,75". E.g. the open grit storage straight wall containers from Akro Mils.