Method of cleaning and/or sanitizing jewelry and other small parts

A method of cleaning and/or sanitizing jewelry and other small parts comprising the steps of:

• adding a microwavable fluid to a microwavable generally cylindrical container defining a container axis for receiving fluid;
• heating the container in a microwave oven to heat the fluid to a temperature of at least 170° F.;
• depositing items to be cleaned on a basket or carousel dimensioned to be removably receivable within the container, the basket defining a basket axis that is substantially coextensive with the container axis when the basket is received within the container and being configured to be rotatably supported when received within the container;
• and
• spinning the basket about the basket axis when the basket is received within the container immersed within the fluid, whereby spinning the basket within the fluid when immersed within the fluid in contact with the items to be cleaned and the resulting turbulence dislodges soil particles and contaminants on the items to be cleaned.

A method of cleaning and/or sanitizing jewelry and other small parts comprising the steps of:

• using a generally cylindrical microwavable container for receiving a microwavable fluid and defining a container axis and having a bottom wall and a top opening at opposing axial ends along the container axis;
• placing a basket within the container for supporting items to be cleaned, the basket being dimensioned to be removably receivable within the container having a basket axis that is substantially coextensive with the container axis when the basket is received within the container and being configured to be rotatably supported for rotation on the bottom wall about the axes when received within the container;
• adding a microwavable fluid into a microwavable container to a predetermined level;
• placing the container into a microwave oven;
• heating the microwavable fluid to a temperature of at least 170° F.;
• removing the container from the microwave oven when the desired temperature has been reached;
• and
• agitating the container and its contents mechanically remove surface contaminants from the jewelry and/or small parts.