How to clean Pokémon cards without damaging them
A Pokémon card can be cleaned, but not with just anything. Card stock doesn’t like water or alcohol, and the varnish scratches at the slightest dry rub. Here is the safe care routine, for a card you are storing, selling or displaying.
- Only clean when needed: a properly stored card stays clean.
- Never water, alcohol, soap or wet wipes.
- The product goes on the microfibre cloth, never on the card.
- Put the card in a sleeve as soon as it is clean.
When should you clean a card?
- When a mark or fingerprint is visible.
- Before a sale or a trade.
- Before sending it for grading: see how to clean a card before PSA grading.
- When a holo has lost its shine.
There is no need to clean well-protected cards regularly: every bit of handling is one more risk.
What you should never use
- Water, soap, hand sanitiser: the card stock warps.
- Alcohol and acetone: the ink can run.
- Paper towels, tissues, ordinary cotton: their fibres scratch the surface.
- An eraser: it wears down the varnish.
The safe routine
- Lay the card on a flat, clean surface.
- Remove dust with a light pass of a dry microfibre cloth.
- Spray the cleaning spray onto the cloth, then wipe the back and borders gently.
- Clean the corners with a precision cotton swab.
- If needed, revive the holo with a very small amount of shine gel, then buff.
- Put the card straight into a clean sleeve.
The complete kit
The Pokémon card restoration kit
Alcohol-free cleaning spray, shine gel, 2 microfibre cloths, 5 applicators and 10 cotton swabs: everything you need for €59.
See the kit – €59Special cases
- Yellowed card: part of it cleans off, part doesn’t. See yellowed Pokémon card: can it be fixed?.
- Ground-in dirt or stains: see removing dirt from a card without making defects worse.
- Curved card: cleaning won’t change it, see how to flatten a warped card.
Frequently asked questions
Can I clean a Pokémon card with water?
No. Even a little water makes the card stock warp and can leave rings.
Does cleaning remove scratches?
The spray removes dirt. The shine gel removes surface micro-scratches. A deep scratch will not disappear.
Which microfibre cloth should I choose?
A soft, clean cloth kept only for cards, without fabric softener. Wash it regularly.
Should I rub in circles?
No. Light wipes in one direction, without pressure, are better.