Method for cleaning mechanical parts using a portable parts washer

A method for cleaning mechanical parts with recirculating cleaning fluid, the method comprising:

• obtaining a portable parts washer configured for rotation between an in-use horizontal orientation and a totable vertical orientation, the parts washer comprising:
• an outer shell comprising outer sidewalls extending upward from a bottom panel to a top edge when the parts washer is in the horizontal orientation;
• a wash basin comprising inner sidewalls extending upwardly from a floor panel to the top edge to define a wash basin opening, with the inner sidewalls being spaced inwardly from the outer sidewalls and the floor panel being spaced above the bottom panel to define an internal reservoir surrounding the bottom and sides of the wash basin and configured to receive a cleaning fluid from the wash basin through at least one basin drain aperture defined in the floor panel when the parts washer is in the horizontal orientation;
• and
• a handle formed into one of the outer sidewalls and adapted to suspend the parts washer in the vertical orientation;
• carrying the parts washer in the vertical orientation by the handle to a location proximate the mechanical parts to be cleaned, with the parts washer maintaining a predetermined amount of cleaning fluid within the wash basin;
• placing the parts washer on a support surface;
• rotating the parts washer to the in-use horizontal orientation;
• connecting a pumping unit to a source of electrical power;
• and
• activating the pumping unit to withdraw the cleaning fluid from the internal reservoir and to discharge the cleaning fluid onto mechanical parts placed within the wash basin.