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?

3 comments

3 Comments

johnson.paul21d 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.

keithbutler21d 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.

grace60721d ago

Cave mud needs way more than laundry detergent.