Abstract: A method for cleaning industrial parts includes sequentially and alternately exposing the parts to direct free-air impingement spray and immersion cleaning. Contaminated or dirty industrial parts stored or contained in a tote are cleaned by placing them in a rotating wash drum which includes a compartment for securing the tote within the wash drum. During the cleaning cycle, the wash drum rotates about a generally horizontal axis thereby tumbling the parts from the tote secured in the wash drum to a perforate wall section of the wash drum and then back into the tote. The parts are sprayed by a number of specially designed nozzles which are positioned within the wash drum and directed radially downward. The parts are alternately exposed to direct free-air impingement spraying when they are disposed on the perforate wall section of the drum and then to immersion cleaning when they are contained within the tote.