BKBRIGGS Posted August 1, 2021 Report Share Posted August 1, 2021 What is the best way to clean marbles? And has anyone ever used a rock polisher on them? Thank You, Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad G. Posted August 1, 2021 Report Share Posted August 1, 2021 No !! I'm so glad you asked before you threw your marbles into a tumbler to a certain doom, along with being etched by the abrasive, the marbles will hit and bang together, further destroying them. "Never" use a rock polisher or tumbler on marbles, it will almost instantly ruin the surface. Instead of leaving it shiny like a rock it etches the glass giving it a rough "sea glass" like feel and appearance rendering the marble completely worthless. Good old fashioned elbow grease, a little soaking in water using a "non abrasive" soap & a brush will do miracles, maybe a couple times around but usually one good cleaning will do the trick. There are several different methods people use, a non abrasive soap & water is just one way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Parson Posted August 1, 2021 Report Share Posted August 1, 2021 Ok, I’m sticking my chin out; Can’t you put them in the dishwasher? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jten Posted August 1, 2021 Report Share Posted August 1, 2021 I use an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner they do not cost a lot. works great on pontils on handmades and my wife uses it for her jewelry and eyeglasses Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Parson Posted August 2, 2021 Report Share Posted August 2, 2021 23 hours ago, Chris Parson said: Ok, I’m sticking my chin out; Can’t you put them in the dishwasher? Seriously, can you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akroorka Posted August 7, 2021 Report Share Posted August 7, 2021 I would never put my marbles in a dishwasher. I have hard water and the drinking glasses get etched all the time. I soak mine overnight or longer in glass cleaner with an ammonia base. I buy it concentrated so it must be diluted. Cheaper and just as good if not better than the premade stuff. I have found a few "filled marbles" this way. Folks have been known to fill the imperfections with a variety of glass repair products over the years and the ammonia flushes these out rather well. I have always thought of getting an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner to take rust spots off. Will they work for this?? Marble-on!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marbleized Posted October 31, 2021 Report Share Posted October 31, 2021 I put the marbles in a plastic container or baggie with water and Dawn detergent. I know some will probably cringe at the baggie, but after soaking for a few hours to overnight, I open a sliver of the ziplock and pour out the dirty water. Then I put the marbles in a plastic plant pot with holes and rinse, put them on a terry towel, wipe individually with a soft cloth or towel and they are sparkling again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bumblebee Posted February 14, 2022 Report Share Posted February 14, 2022 I have also used diluted hydrogen peroxide in a warm water bath on especially dirty marbles. It seems to pull off some of the gunk that liquid detergent does not. If you want to be a complete purist then use only distilled water so the marble surface has no hard water streaks on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davesnothere Posted June 29 Report Share Posted June 29 I use an ultrasonic cleaner as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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