GoJo_Dingo
Two Pair
Only someone who was currently cleaning would understand!
Ultrasonic Chip Cleaning (41 Viewers)
- Thread starter ski_ex5
- Start date
Sadly cleaning is only half the battle …. Then comes the oiling
Saying goodbye to all that hooker juice is wonderful though
GoJo_Dingo
Two Pair
Indeed!
maxim_666666
Flush
I'll make my contribution... Ultrasound really does it quickly and well...
GoJo_Dingo
Two Pair
How about an automated chip oiler?
Can do it faster by hand. Going at a steady pace I can knock out a rack in about 12 minutes.
Rooster410
3 of a Kind
I asked ChatGPT how much TSP to use lol.
“Using Lundmark TSP in a 6L Ultrasonic Cleaner for Poker Chip Cleaning”
Lundmark “TSP” Hard Surface Cleaner – a trisodium phosphate substitute (sodium metasilicate) – is a popular choice among poker chip collectors for deep-cleaning chips. It effectively strips grime without heavy scrubbing, especially when used in an ultrasonic cleaner . When cleaning chips (plastic, clay, or ceramic) in a 6-liter ultrasonic tank, it’s important to use the right amount of cleaner, properly dilute it with water, and take precautions based on chip material. Below are recommendations and tips from experienced collectors:
Recommended Dosage and Dilution in a 6L Cleaner
• Amount of Lundmark TSP: Collectors typically use about 1 tablespoon of Lundmark TSP powder per liter of water in an ultrasonic bath. One well-known cleaning guide suggests dissolving 2 tablespoons of Lundmark TSP (sodium metasilicate) into about 8 cups of hot water (approximately 1.9–2 liters) . This ratio can be scaled up for a larger tank – for a 6 L ultrasonic cleaner, that equates to roughly 6 tablespoons of the TSP substitute in the full 6-liter volume (since 6 L is about three times the ~2 L used in the example).
• Dilution with Water: Always dilute the TSP substitute in water – never use it dry on chips. The powder should be fully dissolved in warm or hot water before cleaning. In the example above, the 2 tablespoons of Lundmark TSP were first dissolved in ~2 cups of very hot water, then additional water was added to reach ~8 cups total . Using warm water improves cleaning efficacy; many users heat the solution to around 40–45 °C (~105–115 °F) for best results  . Tip: Using distilled water is recommended by some collectors to avoid mineral residue, but tap water can work if it’s not very hard .
• Mixing and Usage: Once the TSP is dissolved, pour the solution into the ultrasonic cleaner’s tank. For a 6 L cleaner, you can mix the powder in a smaller volume of hot water (to dissolve it) and then fill the tank up to 6 L with additional water. Ensure the cleaner is well mixed throughout the tank. Most users run the ultrasonic with the heater on to maintain the warm temperature. The Lundmark TSP solution does not foam like dish soap, which makes it ideal for ultrasonics. (In fact, members found that using dish soap in the ultrasonic led to a “foamy mess” and mediocre cleaning, whereas the TSP solution cleaned much more effectively .)
Cleaning Process and Timing
Using the proper concentration, an ultrasonic cleaner can clean chips very quickly. The general process is:
1. Load the Chips: Place the chips in a basket or holder (many use a plastic salad-spinner basket) so they are not resting on the tank floor. For example, ~40 chips can be cleaned per batch in a rotating cage .
2. Set Temperature: Ensure the cleaning solution is warm (~110 °F / 43 °C). The ultrasonic action itself will raise the water temperature, but pre-heating helps  .
3. Set Time: Cleaning time depends on soil level and chip type. Experienced users suggest very short ultrasonic cycles – often 30 seconds to 2 minutes maximum – with the TSP solution:
• Light soil: ~30 seconds can suffice for lightly dirty chips (e.g. lightly soiled ceramics like Chipco chips) .
• Heavy soil: 60 seconds up to about 2 minutes for very grimy chips. For instance, heavily gunked clay chips might need ~1–2½ minutes, and dirty plastic injection-molded chips (e.g. Bud Jones casino chips) around 60 seconds .
4. Agitation: If possible, agitate or rotate the chips during the ultrasonic cycle. In one method, the basket of chips is manually rotated about half a turn per second so all chip surfaces get equal exposure . This helps knock loose dirt from recesses (like textured mold designs on clay chips) more evenly.
5. Rinse and Dry: After the ultrasonic cycle, immediately remove the chips and rinse them in clean water. It’s important to rinse off all TSP residue to stop the chemical action . Chips are then patted dry and left out to air-dry completely (often overnight) on towels . For clay chips, once fully dry, many collectors apply a light coat of mineral oil to restore color vibrancy lost during cleaning  (cleaning can strip oils from clay, leaving them a bit dull or chalky).
Note on Ultrasonic Time: It’s generally advised not to exceed about 2–3 minutes in the TSP solution, even for very stubborn grime. If a short cycle hasn’t fully cleaned a chip, you’re better off repeating a second short session or doing some manual scrubbing, rather than running an excessively long ultrasonic cycle. One guide cautions that if chips aren’t clean after ~2½ minutes, continuing much longer could risk fading the chip’s colors . In practice, most dirty chips come clean well within 1–2 minutes using the recommended TSP mix. The powerful cleaning action of the sodium metasilicate solution means you don’t need very long runs (in fact, collectors report it “eliminated nearly all the fading problems” they saw with longer, hot soaks using other cleaners) .
Precautions and Variations by Chip Material
Different poker chip materials can all be cleaned with the Lundmark TSP solution, but there are a few material-specific precautions and slight method tweaks noted by experienced users:
• Clay Chips (Compression-Molded “Casino Clay” Chips): These are the typical clay or clay-composite chips (e.g. Paulson, TRK, ASM/CPC chips). They tend to accumulate embedded grime in their textured surfaces. The TSP ultrasonic method is very effective for them, but use caution with duration and concentration:
• Fading and Color Safety: Standard casino clay chips (Paulsons, etc.) generally tolerate the recommended TSP solution well when used briefly – thousands of such chips have been cleaned with no damage . However, avoid overexposure. Strong alkali cleaners can leach dye if chips are left too long. Certain chips are known to be prone to color changes: for example, some bright red or light blue Paulson chips (specific ones like Tachi Palace $5s or Eldorado $1s) have “irrecoverably” altered color after extended soaking . To be safe, do not exceed the needed cleaning time, and consider a test batch first. If you notice color tinge in the solution or any fading, stop immediately. Using slightly less TSP (a milder solution) is an option for very delicate or rare clay chips – one collector of older leaded Paulson chips noted he had “no ill effects” when cleaning them because he “go[es] pretty light on the TSP” for those batches .
• Inlays and Hot-Stamps: Clay casino chips often have either foil hot-stamps or printed inlays. Hot-stamped chips (gold/silver foil embedded in the chip surface) generally hold up if cleaned gently – one user reported cleaning hot-stamped chips with sodium metasilicate with “no discoloration or other problems” . Still, be gentle: avoid any scrubbing directly on hotstamps, and limit ultrasonic time to what’s necessary. Paper inlays (especially on vintage chips, e.g. TR King (TRK) chips with shaped inlays) can absorb water if soaked too long. Prolonged exposure might cause ink to bleed or the inlay to loosen . It’s wise to test a couple chips from a set first: if you see any ink bleed under the laminate or logo shift, you may want to revert to hand cleaning for those. Most modern clay chips with glued inlays (Paulsons) are well-sealed and won’t have an issue with a quick ultrasonic bath, but never leave them soaking unattended.
• Post-Cleaning: Clay chips should be dried thoroughly. Because water and strong cleaner can strip oils from the clay matrix, chips may look dull after drying. Collectors often restore the finish by sparingly oiling the chips after they’re fully dry (a few drops of mineral oil rubbed on each chip, then wiped off, brings back vibrancy). This step is optional but common for clay chips.
• Plastic Chips (Injection Molded Plastic): Many casino chips (like Bud Jones or Abbiati chips) are injection-molded plastic, often with embedded metal weights and graphic inlays. Home game chips (ABS plastic with metal slug) also fall in this category. These non-porous plastic chips generally handle ultrasonic cleaning well:
• Cleaning Strength: Plastic chips usually don’t suffer from color fading as clay might, and the hard plastic is durable. The same Lundmark TSP solution concentration (1 tbsp/L) is used for plastic chips. Grime tends to sit on the surface or in recesses, and the ultrasonic bath shakes it loose effectively. Heavily soiled plastic chips (e.g. roulette chips used in casinos) came clean in about 60 seconds with this method . You can use similar timing – often 30–60 seconds is enough for most plastic chips, or a bit longer for very stubborn dirt. There’s usually no need to go beyond ~1–2 minutes for plastic chips.
• Precautions: While plastic itself is not harmed by TSP, be mindful of any labels or inserts. Some plastic casino chips have in-mold labels or laminates; ultrasonic cleaning shouldn’t delaminate them if done briefly, but avoid extremely hot water which could soften adhesives. Also, if the chips have metal weighting inside, dry them well after rinsing to prevent any internal rusting or oxidation (the plastic casing should protect the metal, but it’s good to air-dry thoroughly). Warping is generally not an issue at the moderate temperatures used, but don’t overheat the cleaning solution beyond ~50 °C to be safe.
• Note: Most plastic chips won’t require oiling after cleaning (oiling is for porous clay). Once dry, they’re ready to use. If a plastic chip has a smoky odor from casino use, you can use the vinegar deodorizing soak described later for smell.
• Ceramic Chips: Ceramic poker chips (e.g. Chipco, Matsui, BG, and other “ceramic” or polycarbonate composite chips) have a very smooth surface with printed graphics. They do not have mold recesses or porous clay, so they tend to be the easiest to clean:
• Cleaning Needs: Often, ceramic chips only have surface dirt which an ultrasonic bath will remove extremely quickly. Collectors report that even “lightly soiled Chipcos” come clean with about 30 seconds of ultrasonic cleaning . You can use the same TSP solution concentration; it’s effective at cutting any grease or grime on the surface. Because ceramics lack tiny crevices, you might even succeed with a slightly weaker solution or a quick hand wipe – but using the standard mix ensures even the toughest grime (like cigarette tar or grease) is dissolved.
• Precautions: Ceramics are quite robust to water and chemicals – the printed layer is usually dyed subsurface or well sealed. Still, avoid any overly harsh abrasives on the printed faces to prevent scratching the graphics. The ultrasonic/TSP method fortunately requires no scrubbing on ceramics in most cases. Just be sure to rinse them well afterward to remove any cleaner residue, as dried TSP could leave a powdery film on the smooth surface if not rinsed. There are no issues with warping or fading on ceramics under normal use. As always, it’s a good idea to test one chip first if you’re unsure about the print, but community experience shows ceramics handle this cleaning without damage. No oiling is needed after – just dry them and they will look as originally intended.
Additional Tips from Experienced Collectors
• “Go Easy” on Valuable or Old Chips: If you’re cleaning very valuable or sentimental chips, start with a milder approach. You can try using half the usual amount of TSP or a shorter cleaning time as a test. Many collectors have successfully cleaned rare chips with TSP ultrasonic methods, but they emphasize caution: inspect the first batch carefully to ensure there’s no adverse effect before doing the rest .
• Pre-Soaking for Heavy Grime: For extremely dirty chips (caked with cigarette gunk or dirt), some hobbyists do a pre-soak before the ultrasonic step. A common technique is to soak the chips in a sink or basin of warm water with a degreaser for 20–30 minutes to loosen grime. The Chip Spa (a professional chip cleaner) notes he soaks chips in “warm, almost hot” water (about 2 gallons) with cleaning agents added, sometimes for up to an hour (checking every 20–30 minutes) . The soak solution can be a mild dish soap mixture or an OxiClean solution rather than TSP, to gently start the cleaning. After soaking, the ultrasonic with TSP can finish the job much faster. This two-step method reduces the total time chips spend in the harsher chemical. In many cases, a long soak loosens 95% of the dirt so that only a light touch with a brush or Magic Eraser is needed to make the chips like new .
• OxiClean as an Alternative: Oxygen-based cleaners (like OxiClean) are sometimes used instead of TSP, especially for those worried about harsh chemicals. OxiClean can safely lift stains but works slower. One collector shared that a typical OxiClean bath recipe is about 3 tablespoons of OxiClean per ~1.5 quarts of warm water, with chips soaked ~15 minutes (with occasional stirring) before rinsing – this can be done outside the ultrasonic or in it (with no ultrasonic action) . The upside is that OxiClean is gentler (“not as aggressive on the chips”), but the downside is speed: in direct comparisons, the TSP ultrasonic method “is much quicker” at removing heavy grime . Some users prefer OxiClean for newer chips or light cleaning, and use TSP for the really tough, greasy cases or when they need fast results. Important: If you do use OxiClean or any detergent in an ultrasonic, be aware they can foam up. Use small quantities and watch the unit, or simply use OxiClean as a pre-soak outside the machine. Always rinse thoroughly after, as OxiClean can leave a white residue if it dries on the chips.
• Avoid Regular Dish Soap in Ultrasonic: Dish soaps like Dawn are excellent for hand-washing chips, but in an ultrasonic they tend to produce too many suds and can actually clean less effectively for heavy grime. A forum member tried a strong Dawn solution in the ultrasonic and found that even after 15 minutes it only partially cleaned a few chips, and created a lot of foam . The conclusion was that while a drop of dish soap won’t hurt, it’s not nearly as efficient as the TSP or OxiClean methods for deep cleaning. Save the dish soap for manual scrubbing or a light pre-soak if needed, but don’t rely on it as the main ultrasonic cleaner for dirty chips.
• Mechanical Touch-Up: After the ultrasonic bath, if you still see a few specks of dirt (for example, in engraved denominations or mold patterns), you can gently scrub the chips with a soft toothbrush or rub with a melamine foam sponge (Magic Eraser). Many report that the ultrasonic + TSP gets chips “about 95% clean” and a quick once-over with a Magic Eraser “gets ’em like new” . Stubborn gunk in tiny crevices can also be picked out with a wooden toothpick or a plastic dental pick, which won’t scratch the chip. If you find yourself scrubbing most of the chip, it means either the ultrasonic time was too short or the solution is spent – consider running another short ultrasonic cycle with fresh solution for remaining chips instead of laboriously hand-scrubbing each one.
• Odor Removal: Old poker chips, especially clay ones, can absorb cigarette smoke smell or mildew. Cleaning them will help, but often the odor persists. A great tip for odor is a vinegar rinse after cleaning. Prepare a bowl with a dilute white vinegar solution (about 5% vinegar in water – essentially straight household vinegar strength) and let the cleaned chips sit in it for 5–10 minutes . White vinegar neutralizes many odors. Afterward, do a final rinse in plain water and dry the chips. Collectors have found this very effective for cigarette smell. (Do this after the TSP wash and initial rinse – you don’t want to mix vinegar into your ultrasonic tank as it could neutralize the cleaning solution.)
• Safety Precautions: Lundmark TSP (sodium metasilicate) is a strong cleaner, so handle the solution with care. Wear gloves when mixing or retrieving chips to avoid skin irritation. It’s also wise to wear eye protection in case of any splashes. Do not put your fingers in the ultrasonic bath while it’s running – the ultrasonic vibrations can be painful or harmful to living tissue . Generally, there aren’t serious fumes from using TSP in an ultrasonic (users report no noticeable odor or “gas” release during use ), but ensure you have some ventilation just in case, and avoid breathing any dust when measuring the powder. After you’re done cleaning, wipe down your work area – the solution can be slippery if spilled. And of course, keep the TSP powder container sealed and away from children or pets.
By following these guidelines, you can effectively clean large batches of poker chips in a 6-liter ultrasonic cleaner. The typical dose is ~1 tbsp per liter of water (so about 6 tbsp in a 6 L tank) of Lundmark TSP substitute, well-diluted and heated. This method, vetted by many chip collectors, can save hours of manual scrubbing and restore chips to their former glory. Just remember to adjust the approach for the type of chip: keep exposure brief and controlled, especially for delicate older clay chips, and always rinse and dry thoroughly. With the right technique, even heavily soiled plastic, clay, or ceramic chips can come out clean, vibrant, and ready for play
“Using Lundmark TSP in a 6L Ultrasonic Cleaner for Poker Chip Cleaning”
Lundmark “TSP” Hard Surface Cleaner – a trisodium phosphate substitute (sodium metasilicate) – is a popular choice among poker chip collectors for deep-cleaning chips. It effectively strips grime without heavy scrubbing, especially when used in an ultrasonic cleaner . When cleaning chips (plastic, clay, or ceramic) in a 6-liter ultrasonic tank, it’s important to use the right amount of cleaner, properly dilute it with water, and take precautions based on chip material. Below are recommendations and tips from experienced collectors:
Recommended Dosage and Dilution in a 6L Cleaner
• Amount of Lundmark TSP: Collectors typically use about 1 tablespoon of Lundmark TSP powder per liter of water in an ultrasonic bath. One well-known cleaning guide suggests dissolving 2 tablespoons of Lundmark TSP (sodium metasilicate) into about 8 cups of hot water (approximately 1.9–2 liters) . This ratio can be scaled up for a larger tank – for a 6 L ultrasonic cleaner, that equates to roughly 6 tablespoons of the TSP substitute in the full 6-liter volume (since 6 L is about three times the ~2 L used in the example).
• Dilution with Water: Always dilute the TSP substitute in water – never use it dry on chips. The powder should be fully dissolved in warm or hot water before cleaning. In the example above, the 2 tablespoons of Lundmark TSP were first dissolved in ~2 cups of very hot water, then additional water was added to reach ~8 cups total . Using warm water improves cleaning efficacy; many users heat the solution to around 40–45 °C (~105–115 °F) for best results  . Tip: Using distilled water is recommended by some collectors to avoid mineral residue, but tap water can work if it’s not very hard .
• Mixing and Usage: Once the TSP is dissolved, pour the solution into the ultrasonic cleaner’s tank. For a 6 L cleaner, you can mix the powder in a smaller volume of hot water (to dissolve it) and then fill the tank up to 6 L with additional water. Ensure the cleaner is well mixed throughout the tank. Most users run the ultrasonic with the heater on to maintain the warm temperature. The Lundmark TSP solution does not foam like dish soap, which makes it ideal for ultrasonics. (In fact, members found that using dish soap in the ultrasonic led to a “foamy mess” and mediocre cleaning, whereas the TSP solution cleaned much more effectively .)
Cleaning Process and Timing
Using the proper concentration, an ultrasonic cleaner can clean chips very quickly. The general process is:
1. Load the Chips: Place the chips in a basket or holder (many use a plastic salad-spinner basket) so they are not resting on the tank floor. For example, ~40 chips can be cleaned per batch in a rotating cage .
2. Set Temperature: Ensure the cleaning solution is warm (~110 °F / 43 °C). The ultrasonic action itself will raise the water temperature, but pre-heating helps  .
3. Set Time: Cleaning time depends on soil level and chip type. Experienced users suggest very short ultrasonic cycles – often 30 seconds to 2 minutes maximum – with the TSP solution:
• Light soil: ~30 seconds can suffice for lightly dirty chips (e.g. lightly soiled ceramics like Chipco chips) .
• Heavy soil: 60 seconds up to about 2 minutes for very grimy chips. For instance, heavily gunked clay chips might need ~1–2½ minutes, and dirty plastic injection-molded chips (e.g. Bud Jones casino chips) around 60 seconds .
4. Agitation: If possible, agitate or rotate the chips during the ultrasonic cycle. In one method, the basket of chips is manually rotated about half a turn per second so all chip surfaces get equal exposure . This helps knock loose dirt from recesses (like textured mold designs on clay chips) more evenly.
5. Rinse and Dry: After the ultrasonic cycle, immediately remove the chips and rinse them in clean water. It’s important to rinse off all TSP residue to stop the chemical action . Chips are then patted dry and left out to air-dry completely (often overnight) on towels . For clay chips, once fully dry, many collectors apply a light coat of mineral oil to restore color vibrancy lost during cleaning  (cleaning can strip oils from clay, leaving them a bit dull or chalky).
Note on Ultrasonic Time: It’s generally advised not to exceed about 2–3 minutes in the TSP solution, even for very stubborn grime. If a short cycle hasn’t fully cleaned a chip, you’re better off repeating a second short session or doing some manual scrubbing, rather than running an excessively long ultrasonic cycle. One guide cautions that if chips aren’t clean after ~2½ minutes, continuing much longer could risk fading the chip’s colors . In practice, most dirty chips come clean well within 1–2 minutes using the recommended TSP mix. The powerful cleaning action of the sodium metasilicate solution means you don’t need very long runs (in fact, collectors report it “eliminated nearly all the fading problems” they saw with longer, hot soaks using other cleaners) .
Precautions and Variations by Chip Material
Different poker chip materials can all be cleaned with the Lundmark TSP solution, but there are a few material-specific precautions and slight method tweaks noted by experienced users:
• Clay Chips (Compression-Molded “Casino Clay” Chips): These are the typical clay or clay-composite chips (e.g. Paulson, TRK, ASM/CPC chips). They tend to accumulate embedded grime in their textured surfaces. The TSP ultrasonic method is very effective for them, but use caution with duration and concentration:
• Fading and Color Safety: Standard casino clay chips (Paulsons, etc.) generally tolerate the recommended TSP solution well when used briefly – thousands of such chips have been cleaned with no damage . However, avoid overexposure. Strong alkali cleaners can leach dye if chips are left too long. Certain chips are known to be prone to color changes: for example, some bright red or light blue Paulson chips (specific ones like Tachi Palace $5s or Eldorado $1s) have “irrecoverably” altered color after extended soaking . To be safe, do not exceed the needed cleaning time, and consider a test batch first. If you notice color tinge in the solution or any fading, stop immediately. Using slightly less TSP (a milder solution) is an option for very delicate or rare clay chips – one collector of older leaded Paulson chips noted he had “no ill effects” when cleaning them because he “go[es] pretty light on the TSP” for those batches .
• Inlays and Hot-Stamps: Clay casino chips often have either foil hot-stamps or printed inlays. Hot-stamped chips (gold/silver foil embedded in the chip surface) generally hold up if cleaned gently – one user reported cleaning hot-stamped chips with sodium metasilicate with “no discoloration or other problems” . Still, be gentle: avoid any scrubbing directly on hotstamps, and limit ultrasonic time to what’s necessary. Paper inlays (especially on vintage chips, e.g. TR King (TRK) chips with shaped inlays) can absorb water if soaked too long. Prolonged exposure might cause ink to bleed or the inlay to loosen . It’s wise to test a couple chips from a set first: if you see any ink bleed under the laminate or logo shift, you may want to revert to hand cleaning for those. Most modern clay chips with glued inlays (Paulsons) are well-sealed and won’t have an issue with a quick ultrasonic bath, but never leave them soaking unattended.
• Post-Cleaning: Clay chips should be dried thoroughly. Because water and strong cleaner can strip oils from the clay matrix, chips may look dull after drying. Collectors often restore the finish by sparingly oiling the chips after they’re fully dry (a few drops of mineral oil rubbed on each chip, then wiped off, brings back vibrancy). This step is optional but common for clay chips.
• Plastic Chips (Injection Molded Plastic): Many casino chips (like Bud Jones or Abbiati chips) are injection-molded plastic, often with embedded metal weights and graphic inlays. Home game chips (ABS plastic with metal slug) also fall in this category. These non-porous plastic chips generally handle ultrasonic cleaning well:
• Cleaning Strength: Plastic chips usually don’t suffer from color fading as clay might, and the hard plastic is durable. The same Lundmark TSP solution concentration (1 tbsp/L) is used for plastic chips. Grime tends to sit on the surface or in recesses, and the ultrasonic bath shakes it loose effectively. Heavily soiled plastic chips (e.g. roulette chips used in casinos) came clean in about 60 seconds with this method . You can use similar timing – often 30–60 seconds is enough for most plastic chips, or a bit longer for very stubborn dirt. There’s usually no need to go beyond ~1–2 minutes for plastic chips.
• Precautions: While plastic itself is not harmed by TSP, be mindful of any labels or inserts. Some plastic casino chips have in-mold labels or laminates; ultrasonic cleaning shouldn’t delaminate them if done briefly, but avoid extremely hot water which could soften adhesives. Also, if the chips have metal weighting inside, dry them well after rinsing to prevent any internal rusting or oxidation (the plastic casing should protect the metal, but it’s good to air-dry thoroughly). Warping is generally not an issue at the moderate temperatures used, but don’t overheat the cleaning solution beyond ~50 °C to be safe.
• Note: Most plastic chips won’t require oiling after cleaning (oiling is for porous clay). Once dry, they’re ready to use. If a plastic chip has a smoky odor from casino use, you can use the vinegar deodorizing soak described later for smell.
• Ceramic Chips: Ceramic poker chips (e.g. Chipco, Matsui, BG, and other “ceramic” or polycarbonate composite chips) have a very smooth surface with printed graphics. They do not have mold recesses or porous clay, so they tend to be the easiest to clean:
• Cleaning Needs: Often, ceramic chips only have surface dirt which an ultrasonic bath will remove extremely quickly. Collectors report that even “lightly soiled Chipcos” come clean with about 30 seconds of ultrasonic cleaning . You can use the same TSP solution concentration; it’s effective at cutting any grease or grime on the surface. Because ceramics lack tiny crevices, you might even succeed with a slightly weaker solution or a quick hand wipe – but using the standard mix ensures even the toughest grime (like cigarette tar or grease) is dissolved.
• Precautions: Ceramics are quite robust to water and chemicals – the printed layer is usually dyed subsurface or well sealed. Still, avoid any overly harsh abrasives on the printed faces to prevent scratching the graphics. The ultrasonic/TSP method fortunately requires no scrubbing on ceramics in most cases. Just be sure to rinse them well afterward to remove any cleaner residue, as dried TSP could leave a powdery film on the smooth surface if not rinsed. There are no issues with warping or fading on ceramics under normal use. As always, it’s a good idea to test one chip first if you’re unsure about the print, but community experience shows ceramics handle this cleaning without damage. No oiling is needed after – just dry them and they will look as originally intended.
Additional Tips from Experienced Collectors
• “Go Easy” on Valuable or Old Chips: If you’re cleaning very valuable or sentimental chips, start with a milder approach. You can try using half the usual amount of TSP or a shorter cleaning time as a test. Many collectors have successfully cleaned rare chips with TSP ultrasonic methods, but they emphasize caution: inspect the first batch carefully to ensure there’s no adverse effect before doing the rest .
• Pre-Soaking for Heavy Grime: For extremely dirty chips (caked with cigarette gunk or dirt), some hobbyists do a pre-soak before the ultrasonic step. A common technique is to soak the chips in a sink or basin of warm water with a degreaser for 20–30 minutes to loosen grime. The Chip Spa (a professional chip cleaner) notes he soaks chips in “warm, almost hot” water (about 2 gallons) with cleaning agents added, sometimes for up to an hour (checking every 20–30 minutes) . The soak solution can be a mild dish soap mixture or an OxiClean solution rather than TSP, to gently start the cleaning. After soaking, the ultrasonic with TSP can finish the job much faster. This two-step method reduces the total time chips spend in the harsher chemical. In many cases, a long soak loosens 95% of the dirt so that only a light touch with a brush or Magic Eraser is needed to make the chips like new .
• OxiClean as an Alternative: Oxygen-based cleaners (like OxiClean) are sometimes used instead of TSP, especially for those worried about harsh chemicals. OxiClean can safely lift stains but works slower. One collector shared that a typical OxiClean bath recipe is about 3 tablespoons of OxiClean per ~1.5 quarts of warm water, with chips soaked ~15 minutes (with occasional stirring) before rinsing – this can be done outside the ultrasonic or in it (with no ultrasonic action) . The upside is that OxiClean is gentler (“not as aggressive on the chips”), but the downside is speed: in direct comparisons, the TSP ultrasonic method “is much quicker” at removing heavy grime . Some users prefer OxiClean for newer chips or light cleaning, and use TSP for the really tough, greasy cases or when they need fast results. Important: If you do use OxiClean or any detergent in an ultrasonic, be aware they can foam up. Use small quantities and watch the unit, or simply use OxiClean as a pre-soak outside the machine. Always rinse thoroughly after, as OxiClean can leave a white residue if it dries on the chips.
• Avoid Regular Dish Soap in Ultrasonic: Dish soaps like Dawn are excellent for hand-washing chips, but in an ultrasonic they tend to produce too many suds and can actually clean less effectively for heavy grime. A forum member tried a strong Dawn solution in the ultrasonic and found that even after 15 minutes it only partially cleaned a few chips, and created a lot of foam . The conclusion was that while a drop of dish soap won’t hurt, it’s not nearly as efficient as the TSP or OxiClean methods for deep cleaning. Save the dish soap for manual scrubbing or a light pre-soak if needed, but don’t rely on it as the main ultrasonic cleaner for dirty chips.
• Mechanical Touch-Up: After the ultrasonic bath, if you still see a few specks of dirt (for example, in engraved denominations or mold patterns), you can gently scrub the chips with a soft toothbrush or rub with a melamine foam sponge (Magic Eraser). Many report that the ultrasonic + TSP gets chips “about 95% clean” and a quick once-over with a Magic Eraser “gets ’em like new” . Stubborn gunk in tiny crevices can also be picked out with a wooden toothpick or a plastic dental pick, which won’t scratch the chip. If you find yourself scrubbing most of the chip, it means either the ultrasonic time was too short or the solution is spent – consider running another short ultrasonic cycle with fresh solution for remaining chips instead of laboriously hand-scrubbing each one.
• Odor Removal: Old poker chips, especially clay ones, can absorb cigarette smoke smell or mildew. Cleaning them will help, but often the odor persists. A great tip for odor is a vinegar rinse after cleaning. Prepare a bowl with a dilute white vinegar solution (about 5% vinegar in water – essentially straight household vinegar strength) and let the cleaned chips sit in it for 5–10 minutes . White vinegar neutralizes many odors. Afterward, do a final rinse in plain water and dry the chips. Collectors have found this very effective for cigarette smell. (Do this after the TSP wash and initial rinse – you don’t want to mix vinegar into your ultrasonic tank as it could neutralize the cleaning solution.)
• Safety Precautions: Lundmark TSP (sodium metasilicate) is a strong cleaner, so handle the solution with care. Wear gloves when mixing or retrieving chips to avoid skin irritation. It’s also wise to wear eye protection in case of any splashes. Do not put your fingers in the ultrasonic bath while it’s running – the ultrasonic vibrations can be painful or harmful to living tissue . Generally, there aren’t serious fumes from using TSP in an ultrasonic (users report no noticeable odor or “gas” release during use ), but ensure you have some ventilation just in case, and avoid breathing any dust when measuring the powder. After you’re done cleaning, wipe down your work area – the solution can be slippery if spilled. And of course, keep the TSP powder container sealed and away from children or pets.
By following these guidelines, you can effectively clean large batches of poker chips in a 6-liter ultrasonic cleaner. The typical dose is ~1 tbsp per liter of water (so about 6 tbsp in a 6 L tank) of Lundmark TSP substitute, well-diluted and heated. This method, vetted by many chip collectors, can save hours of manual scrubbing and restore chips to their former glory. Just remember to adjust the approach for the type of chip: keep exposure brief and controlled, especially for delicate older clay chips, and always rinse and dry thoroughly. With the right technique, even heavily soiled plastic, clay, or ceramic chips can come out clean, vibrant, and ready for play
Actually, because the majority of these chips were hot stamps, the piling was easy. I just put the mineral oil on the rag/j-cloth, rubbed it all around to get it distributed over the cloth surface, put on on a slightly yielding flat surface (a busted leather chip case), then one by one dragged the chip face quickly over the surface of the cloth, flip over and repeat, and laid them on a towel or bedsheets for air drying overnight. Lightly wiped the rolling edge a barrel at a time while racking up and that was that.
AI does tend to prattle on a bit, doesn't it?
dizzyChipper
Pair
maxim_666666
Flush
A real scientific breakthrough in the field of chipology...
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