Abstract: A controlled agitation cleaning system, for cleaning parts with a flammable cleaning liquid, has a container with an interior volume sufficient to accept a quantity of the cleaning liquid and an opening through which an item to be cleaned can be placed in the cleaning liquid. A lid closes the container opening. Several agitation nozzles extending in liquid-tight manner through a wall of the container, with each nozzle arranged to direct the volume of cleaning liquid flowing through that nozzle toward an associated container volume portion, when an air-operated pump moves the cleaning liquid through the nozzles. The pump is activated only when the lid has provided a positive closure of the container opening.