You have a denim jacket or a big wall display with lots of enamel pins that you got from searching for limited editions. Enamel pins are not just made of metal and paint they are like symbols of who you are.
Here is the thing, enamel pins can get damaged. When the gold plating on your enamel pins gets dull because of oxidization and they get scratched from being worn every day your enamel pins can start looking old if you do not take care of them.
This guide will instruct how to clean the dirt off your enamel pins without hurting the finish and how to store your enamel pins so they keep looking good for a time.
Why Do Enamel Pins Get Dirty?
Typically made of metals like iron, zinc, or brass, at the end of the day, enamel pins are not strong enough to withstand everything.
If you have soft enamel pins, you will see that the metal parts that stick out are higher than the rest. These high parts create low areas for the paint to go into. These little low areas are like magnets for dust and lint. It is very hard to get dust and lint out of these areas once they get in.
Hard enamel pins are smooth and flat. The smooth, glossy surface of hard enamel pins gets fingerprints on it very easily. No matter what kind of enamel pin you have, the metal part will eventually react with the air. This makes the enamel pin look dull and old, which is something that nobody likes.
Cleaning your enamel pins often will keep them from looking old and dirty.
The Ultimate Enamel Pin Cleaning Guide
You definitely don’t need to go out and buy fancy industrial cleaners for your custom pins. Honestly, stay away from those harsh chemicals anyway. They are way too aggressive and can actually get right through the enamel or, even worse, permanently peel the metal plating off. Once that happens, there’s no fixing. Your pin will be ruined.
Keep it simple instead. Here are some much safer ways to get them looking brand new without risking any permanent damage.
Method 1: The Gentle Soap and Water Technique
The safest method for everyday dust, dirt, and sticky glue residue.
What You Need: Mild liquid dish soap. Warm water. A toothbrush or a cotton swab. A microfiber cloth.
The Steps:
- Mix the Solution: Drops of mild dish soap added in a small bowl of warm water.
- Dip and Scrub: Dip your toothbrush or cotton swab into the soapy water. Gently brush the surface of the pin. Be extra gentle with soft enamel pins to get into the corners without scratching the metal.
- Rinse: Wipe the pin with a damp cloth or give it a quick rinse under lukewarm water to remove any soap residue.
- Dry Completely: Use a clean microfiber cloth to dry the pin completely. Never leave water sitting on your pins, as this can cause the metal to rust. You can use isopropyl alcohol drops to wipe them clean too.
Method 2: The Polishing Cloth (For Tarnished Metal)
Your enamel pins may start to look a bit pale and are turning dark. This is because the metal edges or the back of your pin are getting tarnished. The metal in your pin is reacting to the air and the moisture around it.
This is something that happens to the metal in your pin over time. If you do not do anything about the tarnish timely, your pin will keep looking worse. It will be old and discolored.
What You Need: A jewelry polishing cloth like sunshine cloths work wonderfully.
The Steps:
- Rub Gently: Take your polishing cloth and gently buff the metal areas of the pin.
- Avoid the Enamel: Keep the polishing cloth on the metal plating. While generally safe, too much rubbing on the painted enamel parts can sometimes dull the finish.
- Wipe Down: Finish by wiping the pin with a standard microfiber cloth to remove any polishing residue.
Method 3: The Ketchup Trick (For Stubborn Tarnish on Brass/Copper)
If your metal pins are starting to look dull or dark you can use things from your kitchen like ketchup or white vinegar to make them look better. Weird but the acid in ketchup and white vinegar is good for removing the tarnish from your metal pins. You do not have to buy anything to make your metal pins look nice again.
Just remember to use ketchup or white vinegar on the metal parts of your pins that are not painted or colored. Do not use ketchup or white vinegar on metal pins that have paint or a special finish on them.
What You Need: Ketchup/white vinegar and a rag.
The Steps:
- To make your enamel pins look nice again you can try something from your home kitchen. Apply a bit of ketchup or a drop of white vinegar to a cotton swab.
- Then take the cotton swab. Rub it on the metal part of the enamel pins that is tarnished. Just let the ketchup or vinegar stay on the metal part of the enamel pins for a minute or two.
- After that use a cloth to wipe the ketchup or vinegar from the metal part of the enamel pins. When you are all done, make sure to dry the metal part of the enamel pins so the enamel pins do not get water spots on them.
What NOT to Do When Cleaning Enamel Pins
To keep your collection from getting ruined stay away from things, like bleach or acetone. These heavy duty cleaners are too strong, they will damage the paint and your pins will look bad.
Another big mistake people make is putting their pins in water for a time. This might seem okay to many but it is not. If water gets into the metal your pins will rust and you will not be able to fix them.
Do not use a rough scrubber or steel wool to clean your pins. These are too rough. Will scratch the metal and the enamel. If you want your pins to look new and shiny just use light ways to clean them and do not try to use strong cleaning methods.
Your pins will stay nice if you clean them with non rough materials and avoid using tough things on them.
Enamel Pins Caring and Preventative Tips
Keeping your pins clean is half the battle. How you store and wear your pins actually matters more in the run. If you want your pin collection to last you have to be smart about where you keep your pin collection.
Your pins need to be kept in a dry spot because moisture is bad for metal. If you live somewhere where humidity is at peak then you can put silica gel packets in your storage case to keep your pins dry. This will stop your pins from getting rusty.
You also have to be careful with the sun. Do not leave your pins in sunlight because the sun will make the colors on your pins fade. Your pins will look old and washed out if you leave them in the sun for too long.
When you wear your pins, use locking pin backs of the rubber or butterfly clutches that come with your pins. Locking pin backs is the way to keep your pins safe while you are walking around.
Try to pick up your enamel or lapel pins by the edges when you put them on or take them off. The oil and sweat from your fingers can hurt the finish on your pins over time. So the less you touch the face of your pins the better your pins will look.
FAQs
What cleans enamel pins?
A toothbrush or cotton swab that is soaked in soapy water and drops of alcohol.
Which cleaner works for enamel pins?
The best cleaner for your enamel pins is soapy water, as it is safe and effective.
Which way can enamel pins be restored?
You can use a polishing cloth or a product such as Flitz. Be very careful not to polish the soft enamel but instead focus on polishing the metal parts of your enamel pins. A polishing cloth is safer.
What removes oxidation from enameled metal pins?
Remove oxidation off your enameled metal pins by using vinegar, baking soda, or lemon juice mixed with a soft pad and warm water, as these are the best cleaners for your enameled metal pins.
Keep Your Enamel Pins New & Tidy
It really comes down to this: if you want your pins to stay as vibrant as the day you got them, you have to take care of them. You have to clean them. Proper care is what keeps your pins from falling over time.
To keep your pins in good condition, just keep them in a dry spot and away from moisture. This way, your favorite pins will keep that personal touch for years. You will be able to enjoy them for a long time.
If you want to add something to your collection The Eagle Patches USA is the place to go. We make good custom enamel pins that last a long time.
You do not have to pay anything to ask about a design. So why not inquire about a design today!
