| How do you clean a fossil?

How do you clean a fossil?

Zero X asked:


What cleaner or chemical is best for cleaning a fossil you found at home?
Also, how long should the fossil be in the solution?

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Comments

2 Responses to “How do you clean a fossil?”

  1. Turbidite on June 16th, 2009 8:33 pm

    Depends on the rock matrix that the fossil is in. For most fossils, mild acetic acids (basically vinegar) are used.

  2. mudmusher on June 19th, 2009 6:40 am

    The gentler the method, the better. Since we don’t know what exactly you’ve got, I would suggest a soft toothbrush and a gentle stream of running water. I wouldn’t even use soap until I knew more about what your fossil is composed of.