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Found a weird way to clean a really dirty calcite sample from a cave in Kentucky
I had this calcite piece from Mammoth Cave that was covered in a thick, dark mud film. Soaking it in vinegar, the usual trick, just made it fizz and left a chalky mess. On a whim, I tried a 50/50 mix of water and hydrogen peroxide in a plastic tub for about two hours. The mud just lifted off in sheets without touching the crystal faces. Has anyone else found a good cleaning method for delicate minerals that won't dissolve in acid?
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johnson.paul7mo ago
So the secret to cleaning cave mud is basically just the same stuff I use on a bad stain in the laundry... that's kind of perfect. Guess my next mineral hunt will be in the laundry room.
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keithbutler7mo ago
Agree with grace607, it's not a full fix. But hey, if it gets the worst of the mud off before the real work, that's a win.
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grace6077mo ago
Cave mud needs way more than laundry detergent.
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