Money is constantly passing from hand to hand and you can never know where the bills and coins have been before it comes into your possession. As a result, dirt and in many cases a swarm of bacteria tend to accumulate on the money. Coins can become sticky if you store them in the car glove box under your takeout drink cup, while bills tend to discolor and accumulate dirt and germs as they pass from hand to hand. Banking institutions advise against cleaning money, especially banknotes, but as long as you are careful, it is generally possible to recover even money in poor condition.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Washing the banknotes in the washing machine
Step 1. Convert the bag you wash your laundry with into a bill washer bag
Get an old laundry bag in the washing machine or buy a new one at an undergarment store. You will use it to protect the bills inside the washing machine. The laundry bags are small, zip fasten and are made of a fine mesh that is designed to safely wash the most delicate undergarments. The bag will prevent the flow of water and the movements of the basket from destroying the banknotes.
- From past experience, you may have found that bills can withstand accidental washing in the washing machine. Since most currencies are made from durable cotton and cellulose fibers, if you adhere to certain parameters, you can wash them in the washing machine without risking damaging them.
- Bags for washing linen generally cost less than 10 euros.
Step 2. Insert some bills into the bag
Select the dirty bills that need to be washed and place them in the laundry bag. Make sure they are separate and laid out flat. It can also be useful to add a folded cloth napkin or other small item of laundry in addition to the banknotes, to prevent them from being banged excessively during the wash cycle.
It is not recommended to wash many or all of your bills. You should only wash those that are really dirty and can pose a health risk
Step 3. Wash the bills in cold water with a gentle cycle
Insert the bag into the drum and pour a small amount of detergent into the detergent compartment. Set a program suitable for washing delicates and turn on the washing machine. Wait for the wash cycle to finish
- From time to time, pause the program and watch the bills to make sure they haven't come out of the bag and aren't breaking.
- If you are dealing with particularly old or fragile banknotes, consider stopping the wash cycle early to prevent them from getting damaged.
Step 4. Lay the bills out to dry
Take the bag out of the washing machine and take out the clean bills. You will need to be very careful as, being wet, they will be even more delicate than normal and could tear easily. Separate the bills and spread them out on a towel or flat, dry surface. Let them dry completely before you go back to handling them.
- If possible, leave the bills under a low-speed fan to circulate the air so they dry faster.
- Banknotes should be left to dry naturally in the air, so as not to take any risks. Do not put them in the dryer and do not use a hairdryer or other heat sources.
Method 2 of 3: Wash the Coins with Soap and Water
Step 1. Fill the sink with warm water and add a mild soap
Let the hot water run and fill the sink or bowl. Add a small amount of a mild liquid soap and make sure it is well distributed in the water. To get rid of dirt and bacteria that accumulate on the coins as they pass from hand to hand, simply use hand soap or dish soap.
If you are a collector or want to safeguard the condition of the coins, it is preferable to use liquid soap. This is because most detergents contain abrasive elements that could erode the decorations of the coins
Step 2. Leave the coins to soak in the soapy water
Place the coins on the bottom of the sink and soak them for 10-30 minutes, depending on the amount of dirt. The hot water will dissolve the dirt and dust that has accumulated on the metal; meanwhile, the soap will kill bacteria and erode stains.
- You will see that the water will darken slowly as the heat and soap dissolve the dirt.
- After soaking the coins for a while, gently scrub them using a sponge, toothbrush, or cotton swab. Throw away the tool you used when the job is done.
Step 3. Rinse the coins carefully
After they have been soaked in soapy water for a long time, remove the cap from the sink and transfer the coins to a colander for easy rinsing. If there aren't many coins, you can also rinse them one at a time. Use cold water and rinse them on both sides until there are no traces of soap left.
Rinse the coins very carefully, otherwise there will be a patina of soap that will stick to the dirt
Step 4. Place the coins on a towel to dry
Spread a super absorbent towel on the table and place the coins on it. Blot them with a free corner of the towel to absorb excess water, then allow them to air dry naturally. After about 10 minutes, they should be clean, dry and ready for worry-free use.
Do not leave the coins completely wet because the humidity could damage, discolor or worse oxidize the metal
Method 3 of 3: Clean Coins with Acetone
Step 1. Purchase a bottle of pure acetone
Go to the hardware store and buy a package of pure acetone for industrial use. Do not use cosmetic acetone which is used to remove nail polish as it contains perfuming substances and other chemicals that could ruin the surface of the coins.
In addition to dissolving the dirt that accumulates on the coins, acetone will kill bacteria and disinfect them
Step 2. Pour approximately 50ml of acetone into a container with the top open
Pour the acetone into a container that has a very wide opening. Use only the amount you need to submerge the coins placed horizontally. The vapors released by acetone can be harmful if inhaled, so you must operate in a well-ventilated room.
- Be careful not to inhale the acetone fumes and protect your eyes. Work next to an open window or in the garden so that the vapors are carried away by the air.
- Use a glass or ceramic container. Acetone can corrode plastics, polystyrene and other synthetic materials.
Step 3. Leave the coins to soak in acetone for only a short time
Drop them to the bottom of the container you poured the acetone into. Since it is a powerful solvent, the coins will only need to soak for 1-2 minutes. In a short time the acetone will be able to dissolve even the most stubborn dirt.
- Acetone can irritate the skin, so wear gloves to protect your hands.
- From time to time, move the coins around the bottom of the container to remove any dirt that has been dissolved by the acetone.
Step 4. Rinse the coins with distilled water
Stir them one last time to loosen any remaining dirt particles, then remove them from the container. Let the acetone drain for a few moments, then transfer them to a container with distilled water. Alternatively, you can pour distilled water directly onto both sides of the coins. After rinsing them thoroughly, dab them with a clean cloth and let them air dry naturally.
It is better to use distilled water because compared to tap water it does not contain fluorine, chlorine and other chemicals that could trigger an unwanted chemical reaction when it comes into contact with the metal of the coins
Advice
- Delicacy is the best weapon to get a good result when you have to clean the coins. Do not use harsh chemicals or abrasive tools that could damage them.
- If the money is particularly dirty or damaged, you can go to the bank and have it replaced.
- You can try using lemon juice for a gentler, more natural alternative to acetone.
Warnings
- Acetone should be handled in a well-ventilated area using suitable skin and eye protection.
- Don't touch your mouth, eyes and any other orifice after handling dirty coins. Coins in circulation can harbor up to 3,000 types of bacteria, including staph. Harmful bacteria and viruses can also lurk in the fibers of banknotes and survive for more than two weeks.
- Sanitize the sponges, toothbrushes and other utensils you used to clean the coins or throw them away.
