Log InRegister
Quick Links : The Mindat ManualThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryMindat Newsletter [Free Download]
Home PageAbout MindatThe Mindat ManualHistory of MindatCopyright StatusWho We AreContact UsAdvertise on Mindat
Donate to MindatCorporate SponsorshipSponsor a PageSponsored PagesMindat AdvertisersAdvertise on Mindat
Learning CenterWhat is a mineral?The most common minerals on earthInformation for EducatorsMindat ArticlesThe ElementsThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryGeologic Time
Minerals by PropertiesMinerals by ChemistryAdvanced Locality SearchRandom MineralRandom LocalitySearch by minIDLocalities Near MeSearch ArticlesSearch GlossaryMore Search Options
Search For:
Mineral Name:
Locality Name:
Keyword(s):
 
The Mindat ManualAdd a New PhotoRate PhotosLocality Edit ReportCoordinate Completion ReportAdd Glossary Item
Mining CompaniesStatisticsUsersMineral MuseumsClubs & OrganizationsMineral Shows & EventsThe Mindat DirectoryDevice SettingsThe Mineral Quiz
Photo SearchPhoto GalleriesSearch by ColorNew Photos TodayNew Photos YesterdayMembers' Photo GalleriesPast Photo of the Day GalleryPhotography

Techniques for CollectorsMisting as a Cleaning Technique

28th Nov 2016 20:40 UTCD. Peck

Cleaning light dirt and dust from delicate specimens. I have found that if I fill a window washing spray bottle with room temperature water and a few drops of dish detergent, hold the specimen upside down, and spray the solution up into the crystals, the dirt tends to dislodge and run out of the specimen. I then repeat with clear water. It is simple and easy on fragile specimens. (Of Course: not on water soluble crystals, but maybe alcohol used the same way would work?)

28th Nov 2016 20:55 UTCReiner Mielke Expert

I find a more controlled method is to put the sample in the cleaning fluid upside down and then gently shake it. It is difficult to contol the velocity of the water coming out of a spray bottle but easy to control the movement of the specimen and thus the relative velocity and force of the liquid.

29th Nov 2016 03:29 UTCD. Peck

Hi Reiner, that is another approach. The velocity from the spray bottle is pretty much controlled by how hard you push the plunger and the distance of the orifice from the specimen. I don't know that one approach is better than the other, probably not. But I have had good luck with the spray bottle, and it is surprising the amount of dirt I get out of supposedly clean specimens.

29th Nov 2016 17:30 UTCReiner Mielke Expert

Hello Donald,


I use both methods but for really delicate needles I find it too difficult to control the distance and pressure with a spray bottle and often end up blasting crystals off.

29th Nov 2016 17:34 UTCD. Peck

That would not be good!

29th Nov 2016 19:01 UTCSteven Kuitems Expert

Another variant is to use clear color free liquid hand soap, rub hands together to produce abundant bubbles then turn on warm water in a very gentle stream onto one hand and dribble this gently onto your fragile specimen. This allows the bubbles to lift off tiny dust particles and gently flow off and down from the specimen then follow with a gentle flow of warm water off of your hand/fingers onto specimen and let dry. The key is the lifting off ability of the bubbles. Immersion in soapy water is not as effective in the physical micro-lifting ability. It is not a forceful process at all. Just the physics of bubbles.

You could try all three methods and compare.

Steven

29th Nov 2016 19:15 UTCD. Peck

Sounds good, Steve.

29th Nov 2016 19:19 UTCReiner Mielke Expert

"Immersion in soapy water is not as effective in the physical micro-lifting ability" That is why you have to move the specimen gently back and forth. Also by being fully submerged the cleaning action and forces are the same throughout the interface. Dribbling could cause matting whereas lifting out vertically and drying that way does not.

29th Nov 2016 21:58 UTCWayne Corwin

I've used denture tablets to do cleaning also, it's pritty gentel.

30th Nov 2016 02:28 UTCSteven Kuitems Expert

I have used the dribbling technique on extremely fragile fibrous species like chlorophoenicite and no matting. Excessive agitation causes more breakage of fragile crystals in my experience. So different techniques with different types of specimens but again I have used the bubbles from the dribbling technique on some of my rarest and most fragile species with out any negative effects in preparation to have them photographed. The lifting effect of bubbles on tiny dust lint etc seems to be to key to this working. I typically wet the specimen gently even with immersion before using the soap bubbles. I once checked the water from agitating a submerged agitated specimen and was dismayed at how much I lost, I filtered out the particles and checked under the scope but if you have lots to spare that might not be an issue

Steven
 
Mineral and/or Locality  
Mindat Discussions Facebook Logo Instagram Logo Discord Logo
Mindat.org is an outreach project of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.
Copyright © mindat.org and the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy 1993-2024, except where stated. Most political location boundaries are © OpenStreetMap contributors. Mindat.org relies on the contributions of thousands of members and supporters. Founded in 2000 by Jolyon Ralph.
Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Contact Us / DMCA issues - Report a bug/vulnerability Current server date and time: April 25, 2024 19:12:15
Go to top of page