I was wondering about the fumes with the ultrasonic cleaner...the methylated spirits heat up pretty fast too....but the fumes are tolerable in a well ventilated room (ie window wide open!). I did manage to make chlorine gas when I was in Jr High Chem...that was fun...got sucked into the schools air conditioning system and they had to evacuate the rooms. Lessons learned...as they say...
As for my approach, if letting the item soak in the bleach, I then remove it after about an hour or two, then lightly scrub with an old toothbrush, then put in water and clean some more....doesn't take long to look like new.
Beano Boy, I am using the bleach straight...are you suggesting that I should I dilute it with water???
One thing for certain, I hope to get away from that nasty Dettol smell...the stuff works but stinks!
As for 'Simple Green', I have tried it a few times and it just doesn't clean as well as methylated spirits or Dettol.....but that said, straight bleach is my new cheap friend!