Due to the variety of cleaning methods available, a couple issues may occur when cleaning tubes. The first issue may arise if the wrong tool is selected for the job. Similar to no two vessels being alike, no two tube cleaners may work for the same job. This makes it very important to communicate details about the job to find the right tube cleaner, brush, or head. The second issue involves incorrect usage of a product. Each tube cleaning method is different based upon the application. Thus, it is important to be well informed on how to use the tool properly before cleaning.

As a general rule, drills are most often used for cleaning of hard powder, hard deposit, and rock solid deposits. Occasionally, they can also be used for scale or soft deposits of medium or heavy thickness. For lighter deposits or for more organic, soft deposits, other cleaning tools (i.e. brushes or descaling tools) would be more economical and efficient.

In order to make the right decision, make sure you are well informed on your vessel and the equipment you will be using. Refer to the following tables for more information on the different tube cleaners, brushes, and heads available.