Are your tattered banknotes often rejected by vending machines? Or maybe you want to get your banknotes back neat, flat, and looking like new? Below are some ways that you can try to tidy up tattered banknotes.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Ironing Banknotes
Step 1. Place the money on a flat surface
An ironing board is a good base for ironing banknotes. If you don't have an ironing board, you can use a table. However, if using a table, place a T-shirt or cloth to protect the table from the heat of the iron.
Step 2. Wet the banknotes with water
Spray some water on the banknote. You can use the spray feature on the iron you are using. Water can help remove wrinkles on the money when ironed.
If your iron doesn't have a spray feature, use a spray bottle. Alternatively, you can also wet the banknotes in the sink with low water pressure
Step 3. Use the lowest temperature
Use the lowest temperature on the iron to dry the water-soaked banknotes. When using high temperatures, the banknotes may be damaged.
Step 4. Iron the money slowly
Start ironing the banknotes in a straight line and in one direction. Repeat this process several times until the banknote looks no longer wrinkled.
- Do this carefully so that the wrinkles on the banknotes do not become permanent. If it is difficult to keep the notes flat, you can layer them with a shirt. By doing this, the shirt will weigh down the note and keep it flat when ironed.
- Start ironing the money while the iron is still heating up. This method works best when the lowest temperature of your iron is hot enough.
Step 5. Allow the banknotes to return to their normal temperature for about 1 minute
Be careful that freshly ironed notes will be too hot to touch. Once the temperature of the coin returns to normal, you can turn it over and start ironing the new side of the coin.
You can re-wet the un-ironed side of the bill if it's still quite limp
Step 6. Save money horizontally
Once you're satisfied with the results and the money has returned flat, you're done. Take the flat banknotes back and put them in the wallet horizontally.
Method 2 of 4: Tidying Banknotes Using Flat Edges
Step 1. Hold the two opposite ends of the note
You should hold the banknote as flat as possible. Hold it firmly, but be careful not to tear the note.
Step 2. Rub the banknote on an even edge
Make sure you rub the entire surface of the bill on the edge of the plane being used. By doing this, the wrinkles on the banknotes will disappear.
- The fringes of vending machines are a great area to try this method in. This is because generally vending machines will not accept loose money. However, you can also try this method on any angular surface, such as walls and table edges.
- If the edges of the selected plane do not align your banknotes, try using a more bent or sharp edge.
Step 3. Turn the money over and smooth it out again
If you only flatten one side of the note, there may be new wrinkles or creases on the other side. Therefore, turn the money over and repeat the above process on the other side of the money. This is done so that both sides of the bill are equally neat and wrinkle-free.
Step 4. Check every corner of the money
It is difficult to flatten every corner of the note using the edge of the table. When you've finished flattening and refinishing the center of the note, look at each corner to check for creases. If there are creases, fold them in the opposite direction to disguise them (the same as removing creases and creases from fabric or carpet).
Step 5. Repeat until the banknotes are neat again
Keep repeating this process until the vending machine accepts the note. If the machine still refuses, use another banknote.
Method 3 of 4: Tidy Up Banknotes by Pressing
Step 1. Wet the banknotes
Spray some water on the money. Use a spray bottle to wet the money evenly. Unlike before, make sure the banknote is a little wetter. However, do not wet the money with too much water or by soaking.
Step 2. Clamp the note between two heavy, flat objects
An object that is suitable for clamping money is a heavy book, such as a dictionary or phone book. These two objects will press and clamp the banknote to dry.
- Place a water-permeable cloth between the book and the note. This cloth will speed up the drying process and keep the book from getting wet. Use a cotton cloth, towel, tissue, or other absorbent material to help dry the note.
- When you are ready to give up this book, you can place the note along with a water-absorbing cloth into the inside of the book you are using. Place the book flat so that the money doesn't shrivel or fold as it dries.
- Banknotes can also be placed between two panes of glass. By doing this, the banknotes will be clamped firmly and evenly. In addition, this method also takes up less space than using books.
Step 3. Check the state of the paper money that is drying
Let the money dry for 1 night. Check the money every few hours to see how it is. Change the water absorbent cloth used if necessary. This is done so that the drying process of banknotes runs smoothly and stably.
- The banknotes will dry out after a few days. If the money is still not dry after a few days, change the absorbent cloth more often. In addition, you may also wet the banknotes too much.
- Store in an area that is not dark or damp to prevent mold from growing.
Step 4. Repeat this process if necessary
After the banknote is dry, it will return flat and free of wrinkles and creases. However, if the money is still shrinking, you can repeat this process. Make sure the note is not too thin or fragile before repeating this process.
Method 4 of 4: Using Water and Soap on a Flat Surface
Step 1. Put the banknotes into a basin filled with water
The basin doesn't have to be completely filled with water, but make sure the entire banknote is submerged in it. The basin used must have a flat bottom. It doesn't matter which side of the money is pointing up. However, to make it less complicated, point the front of the note up.
Be careful with the temperature of the water used. You should use warm, but not hot, water. Hot water can fade the color of banknotes
Step 2. Pour a small amount of dish soap into the basin
Pour a teaspoon or two of dish soap into the basin. Dish soap as much as 2 tsp. will make the note look new and stiffer than using just 1 tsp. soap.
Step 3. Use a bristle brush to scrub the banknotes with soapy water
Rub the banknote from end to end. Do not put too much pressure on the banknote so that the ink does not smudge. The lost money can no longer be used. Rub the money with sufficient pressure, as if combing hair, from top to bottom.
Rub the banknote in a circular motion. Do not rub horizontally so that the money does not run off
Step 4. Turn the note over when the front has been rubbed, then place the back of the note facing up in the basin
Rub the back of the note again with a bristle brush.
Step 5. Remove the banknotes from the basin after cleaning both sides
Dish soap will help restore the condition of the banknotes to like new.
Step 6. Iron the note on the ironing board
Observe the small gurgling sound that comes out of the banknotes. This sound comes from water evaporating from freshly washed banknotes. Start ironing one side of the note. Never spray water on banknotes, except when the iron is on the money.
Step 7. Iron the opposite side of the coin
Step 8. Done
Your banknotes will look like new.
Tips
- If the above method doesn't work, you can use another banknote!
- Fold freshly tidied money up properly when you put it in your wallet. This is done so that the money is not tangled.
- Start ironing the money while the iron is heating up. That way, the money won't be damaged (especially if the iron's lowest setting is hot enough).
- Generally you can exchange crumpled money for new ones at the bank. Check with the bank you use to find out how.
Warning
- Be careful when handling wet bills. Wet paper is generally very fragile and breaks easily. If it is torn, take the money to the bank to be replaced.
- Always keep an eye on a running iron.
- Never steal money from a closet or storage facility that you have no access to in order to tidy up the money and return it. No criminal really means when he says he will return the stolen money. If it's your money, it's okay to fix and tidy it up. However, if it's not yours, stay away and don't ask.
- Be careful when using the iron so it doesn't hit your hands!
- It doesn't matter what kind of banknote you use, whether it's an old model or a new model that is wrinkled and out of shape (the level of smoothness of the texture doesn't matter either). This process can be applied to any banknote.
