Question about cleaning a really stubborn fossil

I was trying to clean this crinoid fossil from a creek bed near Lexington, and it was just caked in this orange iron oxide crust. I tried a dental pick for hours and got nowhere. Out of pure frustration, I grabbed some white vinegar from the kitchen and let it soak overnight. Woke up, rinsed it off, and the crust just flaked right off with a soft brush. I know acid can damage stuff, but a 5% vinegar soak for 12 hours was the perfect trick for this specific gunk. Has anyone else used a weird household item on a fossil that actually worked?

3 comments

3 Comments

pat_murray534d ago

Wow, you ever try a vinegar soak on other iron-stained fossils?

young.ryan3d ago

Seriously, vinegar? @phoenix_singh25, I was a total skeptic until I tried it.

phoenix_singh254d ago

Nice trick with the vinegar! Did you check if the fossil itself felt any softer or chalky after, like the acid ate into it a little? I'd be nervous it might weaken the actual specimen over time.