Need advice for cleaning fire damaged pins

[myfairygodmother]

My sister's house burned this weekend and although everyone got out safely(the most important thing), most of their belongings were either destroyed or seriously damaged. Amazingly, we found my 15 yr old nephew's Disney Pin collection and were able to salvage a few pins. He had one of the Disney notebook style cloth pin cases FULL of pins. The only ones that I was able to find that were still recognizeable were the ones in the middle "pages" as the heat had melted around those and seemed to seal them in. They still have soot/smoke damage and I wondered if anyone had any advice on how best to try to clean these??? Anything I should definately not use on them??? Thanks so much for your help!!!

PS--The pin with Mickey shaking the fireman's hand survived!!!

 

[Eeyore's Pal]

I would try some good old laundry soap and water -- maybe <b>not</b> the kind with bleach.

I cannot tell you how many times we have washed pins in our shorts or pants pockets! Including some older cloissone pins.

I haven't see any damage done yet.

If it helps, we wash all our laundry in Tide Free and Clorox II liquid.

 

[Raulandpinboy]

I would try an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner that might do it.