Cleaning
- Wipe the pin with a soft, dry microfiber cloth.
- For dirt, use a cloth barely dampened with warm water and a drop of mild dish soap.
- Use a soft toothbrush around raised lines and edges.
- Dry completely, especially around the post.
Avoid abrasive polishes, jewelry dips, alcohol on glitter or epoxy areas, and soaking. Never put pins in a washing machine or dishwasher.
Tarnish
Modern plating is sealed, but pins kept in damp places can dull. Gently polish metal areas with a dry cloth. Antique finishes are meant to be dark in the recesses; do not try to polish them out.
Glitter, epoxy and printed pins
Glitter and printed areas are protected by epoxy. Clean them with a dry or barely damp cloth only, and keep them out of hot cars, where epoxy can soften.
Storage
Store pins on a board, in a pin book or flat in a box with dividers, out of direct sunlight. Bags of loose pins scratch each other. See 30 ways to display enamel pins.
Wearing
Take pins off before washing clothes, use locking backs on bags and jackets, and check clutches occasionally. Our guide to types of pin backs explains which back to choose.
Caring for pins on uniforms and lanyards
Pins worn daily on uniforms see the most wear. Hard enamel holds up best. Rotate pins between uniforms with care, put them on after the garment is on to avoid catching the fabric, and replace worn clutches early. On lanyards, two posts and a locking back keep heavier pins from swinging.
Collections and displays
Keep displayed pins away from bathrooms and windows; humidity and sunlight are the main enemies. Felt banners and cork boards are gentle on posts. If you store pins long term, keep them in their bags with a small silica gel packet.
Written by the Enamelore team, who proof every order. Questions about this guide? Email hello@enamelore.com.
