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How to Clean War Medals

Collecting war medals is a great way to learn about history. Maintaining your war medals will keep them in collectible condition. Improperly cleaning war medals can destroy their beauty and value. Always store your war medals properly, and clean them, as needed. Properly-stored war medals do not need a great deal of cleaning. Collectors often obtain pieces that weren't stored properly and need to be cleaned.

Things You'll Need

Mild dish detergent
Can compressed air
Lint-free towel

Instructions

- 1
  Hold the war medal right-side up in the palm of your hand. Place a can of compressed air approximately 4 to 6 inches from the war medal. Spray the medal with the compressed air in a back-and-forth, sweeping motion without getting it wet from the compressed air.
- 2
  Flip the war medal over and repeat Step 1.
- 3
  Set the war medal on a lint-free towel. Turn the kitchen faucet on a low stream. Adjust the water temperature to room temperature, or just slightly warmer.
- 4
  Place a small drop of mild dish washing detergent in the palm of your wet hand. Rub your hands together to form a light lather. Pick up the war medal and gently wipe it with the lather.
- 5
  Place the war medal under the running tap water and rinse it well.
- 6
  Pat the war medal dry with a lint-free towel. Place your war medal in proper storage.

Collecting Memorabilia