If the bills are heavily damaged, contact the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.
Time-Saving Procedures to Dehydrate Cash
1. Spread the Money Out
Begin by separating the bills and laying them out flat on a dry, absorbent surface such as a towel or paper towels. Ensure there’s enough space between each bill for optimal air circulation.
2. Use a Fan or Hairdryer
Direct a fan or hairdryer at the money from a distance to avoid tearing. Keep the heat setting low to prevent damage. Move the fan or hairdryer around to ensure even drying.
3. Iron the Bills
Place a clean, dry cloth over the money and iron on a low heat setting. Apply light pressure and avoid ironing directly on the money itself.
4. Silica Gel Packets
Silica gel packets absorb moisture; place them in a container with the wet money and seal it overnight. The packets will draw out the moisture, leaving the money dry.
5. Rice or Salt
Submerge the money in uncooked rice or salt in a sealed container. The rice or salt will absorb the moisture, effectively drying the money. Keep the money submerged for several hours.
6. Oven (Low Heat)
Preheat the oven to the lowest possible setting (150-175°F or 65-80°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the money out in a single layer. Dry for 10-15 minutes, monitoring closely.
7. Vacuum Sealer
Place the money in a vacuum sealer bag and vacuum seal it. The bag will remove moisture from the money, leaving it dry.
8. Freeze and Vacuum Seal
A. Freeze the Money
Place the wet money in a freezer-safe bag and freeze it overnight or for several hours. Freezing helps extract moisture from the bills.
B. Vacuum Seal the Frozen Money
Remove the money from the freezer and immediately vacuum seal it in a vacuum sealer bag. The vacuum will remove any remaining moisture, resulting in dry money.
9. Professional Water Removal Services
For larger amounts of wet money, consider consulting a professional water removal service. They have specialized equipment and expertise to quickly and effectively dry money.
10. Avoid Using Microwave
Never attempt to dry money in a microwave; the heat can damage the bills and cause a fire hazard.
Comprehensive Guide to Rapid Bill Drying
Use a Hair Dryer
Using a hair dryer is a quick and effective way to dry money. Place the money on a flat, non-flammable surface and hold the hair dryer about 6 inches away. Use the lowest heat setting and move the hair dryer back and forth over the money until it’s completely dry.
Microwave Drying
WARNING: This method should only be used as a last resort, as it can damage the money if not done carefully.
Place the wet money on a plate lined with paper towels. Microwave on low power for 10-15 seconds at a time, checking the progress frequently. Remove the money from the microwave when it’s completely dry.
Iron Drying
Place a clean, dry cloth or paper towel over the wet money. Use an iron on the lowest heat setting and press down gently for a few seconds. Lift the cloth or paper towel to check the progress and repeat until the money is dry.
Vacuum Drying
Use a vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment to suck up any excess moisture from the money. Place the money on a flat surface and hold the hose close to the bills without touching them. Move the hose back and forth until the money is dry.
Fan Drying
Place the wet money in front of a fan and let it dry naturally. This method takes longer than the others but is less likely to damage the money.
Sunlight Drying
If the weather is sunny, you can spread the wet money out on a flat surface and let it dry in the sun. This method can also take longer, but it’s safe and effective.
Table of Drying Times
| Method |
Drying Time |
| Hair Dryer |
5-10 minutes |
| Microwave |
10-15 seconds (per 10-15 second interval) |
| Iron |
1-2 minutes |
| Vacuum |
5-10 minutes |
| Fan |
30-60 minutes |
| Sunlight |
1-2 hours |
Additional Tips
Avoid using high heat, as this can damage the money.
If the money is heavily waterlogged, blot it with a clean, dry cloth or paper towel to remove excess moisture before using any of the above drying methods.
Once the money is dry, check for damage and lay it flat to prevent warping.
Essential Tips for Quick and Effective Money Drying
1. Spread the Bills Out
Lay the wet bills flat on a clean surface, ensuring they do not overlap or stick together. This allows air to circulate freely and dry them faster.
2. Use a Fan or Hair Dryer
Direct a gentle stream of cool air from a fan or hair dryer towards the bills. Keep the device at a distance to avoid tearing or burning them.
3. Apply Silica Gel Packets
Place damp bills in a sealed container with silica gel packets. These packets absorb moisture, speeding up the drying process.
4. Iron on Low Heat
Carefully place a clean towel over the bills and iron them on the lowest heat setting. Monitor the temperature regularly to prevent damage.
5. Use a Microwave
Place the wet bills between two dry paper towels and microwave them for 10-15 seconds in short bursts. Check the bills frequently to ensure they are not overheating.
6. Blot with Paper Towels
Gently pat the bills with clean paper towels to absorb excess moisture. Avoid rubbing, as it can damage the ink.
7. Dampen with a Fan
Use a slightly damp fan to gently blow air over the bills. The moisture helps soften the fibers and speed up drying.
8. Natural Drying
In a warm, dry environment, spread the bills out and allow them to air dry. This method can take longer but is less likely to damage the bills.
9. Vacuum Drying
Use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment to gently suck up excess moisture from the bills. Be careful not to apply too much pressure.
10. Table of Drying Methods
| Method |
Time to Dry |
Effectiveness |
Risk of Damage |
| Spread out |
Slow |
Low |
Very low |
| Fan/Hair dryer |
Fast |
High |
Moderate |
| Silica gel packets |
Medium |
High |
Very low |
| Ironing |
Fast |
Very high |
High |
| Microwave |
Very fast |
Very high |
High |
How To Quickly Dry Money
If you find yourself with a stack of wet money, don’t panic! There are a few quick and easy ways to dry it out.
1. Air dry. This is the most gentle method, but it can take a few hours or even days for the money to dry completely.
2. Use a fan. Point a fan at the wet money to help circulate the air and speed up the drying process.
3. Use a hair dryer. Set your hair dryer to the lowest heat setting and hold it about 6 inches away from the wet money. Move the hair dryer back and forth to avoid overheating the money.
4. Use a microwave. Do not put wet money straight into a microwave as this will damage the money and render it unusable. Put dry brown paper bag in microwave, place money inside paper bag and microwave for 15-20 seconds. Open microwave oven door to release steam and turn paper bag over and microwave for another 15-20 seconds. Check the money to see if it’s dry. Repeat as necessary.
People also ask
Can you put wet money in the dryer?
No, you should never put wet money in the dryer. The heat from the dryer can damage the money and make it unusable.
What do you do if you accidentally wash money?
If you accidentally wash money, don’t panic! The first thing you should do is take the money out of the washing machine and spread it out on a towel to dry. Once the money is dry, you can iron it on a low heat setting to help smooth out any wrinkles.