Hello Timsebrell,
Yes for sure you can. That is the same procedure I use. You just need to take care not to force open the most inner coils because that can alter their shape and damage the integrity of the spring. I wipe it clean with a lint free rag soaked in kerosene. I sometimes run it through the ultrasonic afterwards to complete the cleaning process without contaminating my solution. Another way I have done it is to soak the spring in a pan of older cleaning solution then move it to a second pan of used solution then on to the ultrasonic. Both ways work well for me.
Hope this helps, Dan
