Getting Medals Clean Again. Suggestions?

Ketchup cleaned my mum's copper basket!

The silver one might perhaps only be silver plated and it’s worn off with all the polishing?

kittylester I've heard that the enzymes in ketchup/tomato sauce can help break dirt down. But didn't think to try it myself. I'll give it a go!

Germanshepherdsmum The silver medal has a tiny stamp embedded in it so it is not plated.

Take a magnifying glass to it to check. Silver plated items are also stamped but not with a hallmark.

Silver plated have EPNS on them.

My uncle cleaned brass by electrolysis in a soda bath (I think it removes a little of the surface layer though). Maybe research that - but you couldn't clean anything plated that way.

Glaze is outstanding, it’s a toilet cleaner that also cleans metals.
I use it for the brass hob plates on my range.
An old fashioned hardware shop is the best bet or online.
www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjKxsWi6qf1AhW1Q0EAHROfBQUQFnoECAMQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cpd-direct.co.uk%2Fcleaning-products-equipment%2Fcleaning-chemicals%2Fwashroom-toilet-cleaners%2Fglaze-toilet-cleaner-amp-descaler-1ltr&usg=AOvVaw1KCBdXkzqt2yy_kUrOoGBq

Yes, it is hallmarked stamped. DH just found a magnifying glass.

There is way to do it with bicarbonate of soda, aluminium foil, boiling water and I think maybe salt ? I used to do it myself and it worked very well, but have not done for many years as I got rid of my brass and gave my silver jewellery away, so I'm not sure of the ratios of each ingredient,or if I've remembered them all, ??but you put foil in the bottom of your washing up bowl shiny side up and add bicarb and boiling water and then add your items making sure they are touching the foil, leave for a few minutes then rinse off well and buff up with a clean soft cloth. I remember it from those tricks of the trade tips programmes that used to be on the beeb. You might find a clearer answer with the right ingredients on you tube, but try it out on something else that's not so precious first though just in case

Sago and highlanddreams I'll add your suggestions to my 'to try' list!

(My brain is a like a sieve so I'm writing them down)

I've tried highlanddreams method on various silver and silver plated items. I don't think the proportion of the ingredients matters much. I line large bowl with aluminium foil, add a few tablespoons of baking soda and salt, pour in boiling water, then add items. Interestingly, I get a sulphurous smell after a few minutes, and the foil gets a dark coating.
My understanding is that the tarnish is due to sulphur in the atmosphere and when you do this treatment, it transfers to the foil. Main thing is, it works.
Google for more info.
May need to use old toothbrush to get into crevices.
Ultrasonic bath may also help if you know someone with one. I got a cheap one in Aldi or Lidl and it works well for jewellery.

Don't use salt on anything silver, it corrodes it, dulls it and eventually pits it.

I use an ultrasonic cleaner, I make jewellery as a hobby.

TwinLolly

Sago and highlanddreams I'll add your suggestions to my 'to try' list!

make sure you find the right recipe and test something first though, don't put your precious medals at risk

DH uses Silvo Liquid for his and Brasso Cloth for his dad's Flying Bullet and both work well.

Another thing that works for me for some things with ingrained dirt is Oxyclean or one of the generic brands. Soaking things in a fresh solution often seems to dislodge dirt and you can see it bubbling up with the released oxygen gas bubbles.

Rubbing medals with any abrasive cleaner will gradually wear away the design - any gentler cleaning method will be preferable.

Highlandreams There is way to do it with bicarbonate of soda, aluminium foil, boiling water and I think maybe salt ? I used to do it myself and it worked very well, ....you put foil in the bottom of your washing up bowl shiny side up and add bicarb and boiling water and then add your items making sure they are touching the foil, leave for a few minutes then rinse off well and buff up with a clean soft cloth.

I have used this method and it does work. Howver, it is baking soda NOT bicarb.

It is great for pieces with loads of nooks and crannies.

Here's a YouTube video showing how to do it

www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjGlcrejar1AhWKEMAKHSj3ANUQFnoECA4QAw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dl04jWkl6Qxo&usg=AOvVaw3c2_KBL34CQc2zi-mYOQcn

Baking soda and bicarbonate of soda are the same. Baking powder is different.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202201/medium-737414-medals-side-1.png https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202201/medium-50773-medals-side-2.png

Silver medal on the left, bronze on the right.

The silver one is looking very nice now (not really good in the photo though) and the bronze one still needs more cleaning.

I'm using different methods suggested, where one fails or stops, I try another, and hope the final result will be good.

I have Dad's WW2 medals and would like to have them cleaned and mounted. What kind of professsion would be doing this?
And what kind of metal are they likely to be made of, to know how to clean?

Tamarind, not tamarind juice, the proper one. You can buy a small slab from any Asian store.