How to Safely Wash Paper Bills & Coins (With Expert Tips)

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Easily remove stains, dirt, and germs from your cash & coin
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Currency changes hands constantly. You never know where your money has been! As a result, coins and paper bills can quickly get dirty and germy, and nobody likes that. But is it possible to wash your money? If so, how? In this article, we’ll walk you through the most popular (and safest) ways to clean paper bills and coins.

How do you clean money?

For paper bills, wet a sponge, squeeze out excess water, and add a drop of mild soap. Gently wipe both sides of the bill with the sponge. Dip the bill in clean water to rinse it, then leave it to air-dry. For coins, soak them in warm soapy water for 25 minutes, says cleaning expert Grettel Monge, then let them air dry.

Section 1 of 5:

Cleaning Dollar Bills by Hand

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  1. 1
    Wet a sponge with water and mild soap. Paper money is fragile, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be cleaned! The best way to clean paper dollar bills is with a little bit of soap and water. Wet a clean sponge until it’s dripping wet, then squeeze out most of the water before placing a small dab of mild soap on it. [1]
  2. 2
    Use the sponge to wipe down the front and back of the paper bill. Place the bill on a flat surface. With a gentle hand, wipe the soapy sponge over the back and front of the bill. Be very careful with this, as wet bills are more prone to breaking. [2]
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  3. 3
    Rinse the bill in a clean tub of water. Fill a shallow tub, bucket, or sink with clean water. Then, carefully dip the sudsy paper bill in the water to rinse it. Remove the bill quickly to avoid letting it sit in the water for too long. [3]
    • Some say to run the bill under the tap with a low trickle of water. While you can do this, it may accidentally tear the bill due to the water pressure.
  4. 4
    Leave the bill out to air-dry. Lay the paper bill on a clean towel or paper towel to air-dry, flipping it periodically. You can also hang it on a clothes line or let it sit out in the sun to speed up the process.
    • Only repocket the money once it’s fully dry.
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Section 2 of 5:

Cleaning Dollar Bills in the Washing Machine

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  1. Lingerie bags are small, zip-up bags made of fine mesh that are designed to safely wash delicate undergarments. But in this case, you can also use them to wash money in the washing machine! Place your dirty bills inside the lingerie bag. Make sure all the bills are separated and laid out flat.
    • It may be a good idea to put a folded hand towel or another small washable item in the bag with the paper money to keep it from getting knocked around as much during the wash cycle.
    • Disclaimer: There’s no guarantee that your paper money won’t be damaged when cleaning it in the washing machine, so hand-washing the bills is generally a safer option. [4]
  2. Set the washing machine to a gentle wash cycle on a cold temperature setting and turn it on. Place the lingerie bag containing the money in the washing machine as it fills. Add a very small amount of detergent to the load. Let the money complete the cycle in the wash.
    • Stop the washing machine and take a look at the bills every now and then to make sure they aren’t tearing or coming apart in the wash.
    • If the bills you’re cleaning are especially old or fragile, consider stopping the wash cycle early to prevent possible damage.
    • Why don’t the bills disintegrate in the washing machine? Dollar bills are constructed mostly of cotton and durable cellulose fibers, meaning that they can safely be cleaned in a washing machine under the right conditions. [5]
  3. Take the lingerie bag out of the washing machine. Remove the loose bills from the bag. Be very careful: the wet money is delicate and can be easily torn. Separate the bills and lay them out on a towel or another flat, dry surface. Let the bills dry completely before handling.
    • Leaving the bills beneath a ceiling fan on a low setting allows air to circulate around them, which can help dry them faster.
    • Paper money should only be air-dried, just to be on the safe side. Never put loose bills through the dryer or use a hairdryer or other heat source to dry them.
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Section 3 of 5:

Washing Coins with Soap & Water

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  1. Run some warm water into a sink or shallow basin. Add a small amount of mild liquid soap to the water and make sure it’s evenly distributed to form a soapy solution. For cleaning coins that change hands often, most standard dish or hand soaps will work. [6]
    • Mild soaps are preferable if you’re a collector or wish to preserve the condition of the coin. Most detergents contain abrasive elements that can wear away a coin’s detailing.
    • Disclaimer: This method should only be used on inexpensive coins, not collectibles. If you have a collectible coin you’d like to clean, bring it to a professional to avoid accidentally damaging it.
  2. Place the dirty coins into the soapy water solution. Cleaning expert Grettel Monge recommends letting them soak for 20 to 30 minutes, depending on how dirty they are. The warm water loosens the caked-on dirt and grime, while the soap kills bacteria and eats away at stains. [7]
    • Use a sponge, scrubber, or Q-tip to lightly scour the outer surface of the coins after they’ve had a chance to soak. [8]
  3. Once the coins have had ample time to soak, drain the dirty water from the sink or basin. Then, transfer the coins to a kitchen strainer to rinse them, or simply hold them up to the faucet by hand. Run cool water over both faces of the coins until all traces of soap have been rinsed away. [9]
    • Failure to rinse the coins sufficiently can cause them to retain a thin coating of soap that dirt and grime can later stick to.
  4. Lay out an absorbent towel and place the coins on top. Pat the coins with one end of the towel to remove excess water, then let them air dry. [10] In roughly 10 minutes, the coins will be clean, dry, and ready to be handled without worry!
    • Don’t allow water to stand on coins that have been washed and rinsed. The moisture can damage or discolor the metal.
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Section 4 of 5:

Washing Coins with Acetone

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  1. Make sure to purchase the industrial-grade variety of acetone . Cosmetic acetone, usually sold as nail polish remover, sometimes contains scents and other stripping chemicals that can ruin the finish of a coin. [11]
    • Acetone is useful not only for dissolving the grime built up on dirty coins, but it also kills bacteria.
  2. Pour the acetone into a container with a wide opening. You won’t need to use a lot—only enough to submerge the coins when they’re laid flat. Acetone fumes can be detrimental to breathe, so make sure to work in a well-ventilated area. [12]
    • Use a glass or ceramic container. Acetone can eat through plastic, styrofoam, and other synthetic materials. [13]
  3. Drop the coins you wish to clean into the bottom of the acetone-filled container. Acetone is a powerful solvent that’s perfect for dissolving all sorts of stuck-on messes. The coins only need to soak for a minute or two to remove the worst of the grime. [14]
    • Direct exposure to acetone may cause irritation to the skin. Wear gloves to protect your hands when working with acetone.
    • Move the coins around in the acetone periodically to shake off lingering dirt.
    • Use a Q-tip to gently wipe away any remaining residue or grime.
  4. Take the coins out of the acetone bath. Whisk them through the acetone one last time to remove any remaining loose dirt. Shake off the excess solvent. Then, transfer the coins to another receptacle containing pure distilled water. You can also pour the distilled water over both sides of the coins to rinse them. Blot the coins with a clean towel and leave them sitting out to dry.
    • Distilled water should be used in place of tap water because it does not contain fluoride, chlorine, and other chemicals that might react negatively with the metals used to make the coins. [15]
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Section 5 of 5:

FAQs

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  1. 1
    Why do people wash dollar bills? Most people wash dollar bills to avoid germs; however, criminals may wash money to make it look older. Counterfeit money or fake money is often run through a washing machine to try and make the bill appear worn or used. [16]
    • At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, washing paper bills became popular, as people were frightened that their money would transmit the virus.
  2. 2
    Is it safe to wash paper money? It’s relatively safe to wash paper money. While it’s not expertly advised to run your paper bills through a cycle in the washing machine, sponging down a loose bill is pretty safe. However, wetting a paper bill can make it more fragile, causing it to rip and tear more easily. Because of this, it’s important to use caution when cleaning paper money.
    • The safest way to wash paper money is with highly pressurized and heated carbon dioxide; however, this is only done on a professional level. [17]
  3. 3
    Do banks accept dirty bills? Yes, banks will accept dirty bills, but they’ll also let you exchange them for cleaner ones. Most banks will accept dirty bills in exchange for cleaner, crisper bills, especially if they’re especially dirty or mangled. [18]
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    How do criminals clean the black ink off the banknotes from heists?
    Tom De Backer
    Top Answerer
    That ink is designed to stay on there, so you can't just wash the bills or scrape off the ink. Criminals also don't care about getting rid of the ink. The money usually circulates in their inner circles first in the criminal underworld, as in "You buy my drugs with your stolen money, I buy your guns with my stolen money." They don't usually deposit it into their bank accounts, at which point the bank would check the money for ink.
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  • Question
    How can I clean black ink from money to restore it to normal banknotes?
    Lina DaSilva
    Top Answerer
    These inks are meant to be permanent and are difficult, if not impossible, to remove without damaging the notes. Attempting to clean them can be considered tampering, which may be illegal. It's best to take the notes to your bank, explain the situation, and they may verify and exchange them for you.
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  • Question
    Can washing remove the heavy perfume from the bills I get at the bank? I'm allergic to perfume, and the bills smell unpleasant.
    Lina DaSilva
    Top Answerer
    Place the bills in a sealable plastic bag with baking soda to absorb odors without damaging the bills. Let them sit for a day or two, then gently brush off the baking soda. Alternatively, air them out on a clean surface in a well-ventilated area, away from direct sunlight.
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      Tips

      • Money that is especially dirty or damaged can be exchanged for currency in better condition at any bank.
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      • When cleaning money, the gentlest approach is the best. Avoid harsh chemicals and cleaning methods that might damage currency.
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      Warnings

      • Thoroughly sanitize or dispose of any sponges, scrubbers, or other utensils used to clean dirty money.
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      • Do not touch your mouth, eyes, or any other orifice after handling dirty money. Widely-circulated currency may host as many as 3,000 different types of bacteria, such as Staphylococcus, and harmful bacteria and viruses can live on porous paper money for over two weeks.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/4nLFBYnvBAg?t=22
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/4nLFBYnvBAg?t=25
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/tlHO1dD--Fo?t=142
      4. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/20/magazine/how-to-clean-paper-currency.html
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/pLgaHykY_o0?t=22
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/it91IG3Nof0?t=50
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/it91IG3Nof0?t=57
      8. ↑ https://youtu.be/it91IG3Nof0?t=67
      9. ↑ https://youtu.be/it91IG3Nof0?t=95
      1. ↑ https://youtu.be/it91IG3Nof0?t=99
      2. ↑ https://coins.thefuntimesguide.com/2014/08/cleaned-coins.php
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/13IsKehQwEw?t=466
      4. ↑ http://www.wisegeek.org/what-will-happen-if-i-put-acetone-on-plastic.htm
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/13IsKehQwEw?t=510
      6. ↑ https://www.foodnetwork.com/how-to/packages/food-network-essentials/what-is-distilled-water
      7. ↑ https://finance.cornell.edu/sites/default/files/detect-counterfeit.pdf
      8. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/20/magazine/how-to-clean-paper-currency.html
      9. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/20/magazine/how-to-clean-paper-currency.html

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To clean paper money in the washing machine, start by placing a few bills in a lingerie bag along with a folded hand towel, which will prevent the money from getting knocked around as much in the wash. Then, place the bag in the washing machine with a small amount of detergent, and wash the money on a gentle cycle using cold water. Finally, remove the bills from the bag and lay them out flat on a towel to dry. To learn how to clean coins, scroll down!

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        Apr 3, 2020

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