The invention relate to an ultrasonic cleaning apparatus (1) for treating textile products comprising a body (2, 3) including an opening (7), wherein at least a portion of the body (2) is formed as a gripping element, an ultrasonic transducer (4) receiving ultrasonic wave signals generated by an ultrasonic signal generator, and an ultrasonic wave emission surface (6) coupled to the ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic cleaning apparatus is characterized by a control device (16) adapted to detect the ultrasonic wave emission surface (6) being in contact or in close proximity to an object and to stop the operation of the ultrasonic transducer (4) upon detection of the ultrasonic wave emission surface not being in contact or in close proximity to the object.