How to Clean Chain Mail

If your hobbies include participating in Renaissance fairs, fantasy games or other historical reenactments, or if you are a collector, it might be time to clean the dust and grime off ye olde chain mail. Your chain mail might be constructed of aluminum or steel. The cleaning process is the same for both. Clean your chain mail to a high polish and you'll be the most glorious knight of the realm. The method works for chain mail jewelry as well.

Things You'll Need

• Gentle dish detergent
• Towel
• Paste wax
• Soft cloths

Instructions

1. Fill a sink with warm water and a few drops of gentle dish detergent. Put the chain mail in the sink and swish it around gently, then rinse it well with clean, warm water. Hang the chain mail and allow it to air dry, or lay it on a thick towel.

2. Put a small amount of paste wax on a soft cloth and wipe it on one section of the chain mail. Rub the wax in well, and then wipe it off with a clean, dry cloth. Wax one small area at a time until the entire chain mail is polished.

3. Wipe on a thin coat of paste wax and let it dry on the chain mail for at least an hour, then use soft cloths to polish the chain mail. The wax will help to keep the chain mail clean and will prevent rust.

Tips & Warnings

• Never use steel wool, sandpaper, wire brushes or caustic acids to clean chain mail.

References

• Armor Cleaning Instructions
• Care and Cleaning of Chain Mail
• Chain Mail Community