How to clean and care for your running medals

You finished your race, felt that medal settle around your neck, and it's been proudly on display at home ever since. But between sweat, road dust or trail mud, and the passing of time, your medals can quickly lose their shine. Good news: with a few simple steps you can restore (and keep) their brilliance for years.

A medal is not just a piece of metal. It's tangible proof of your effort — the 5 a.m. training runs, the doubts at kilometre 30, that finish line crossed with your arms raised. It deserves care, just like your preparation did.

Why medals tarnish over time

Most running medals are made of zinc, brass or plated metal, covered with a protective varnish. This varnish wears down with time, exposure to air, humidity and above all… race-day sweat, which contains fairly aggressive acidic salts. As a result, your medal can oxidise, dull or develop small stains. Nothing irreversible — as long as you use the right technique.

Gentle cleaning: the method that actually works

Forget abrasive products and the toothpaste trick you sometimes see online: they can scratch the varnish. The right method is simpler than it sounds:

Mix lukewarm water with a drop of mild soap (Marseille soap or neutral washing-up liquid). Dip a microfibre cloth or cotton bud in the solution and gently clean the medal's surface, paying attention to the reliefs and engravings where dirt builds up. Rinse with clean water using a damp cloth, then dry immediately with a soft cloth to avoid water marks. For the ribbon, a simple hand wash with a little mild detergent usually does the trick, as long as you let it dry flat.

Store it well to prevent damage

The best way to preserve a medal is to prevent damage in the first place. That means proper storage: avoid piling it in a drawer with other metal objects that could scratch it, and choose a dry spot away from humidity and direct light.

That's exactly why at Finisherzone we design solutions for preservation as much as for display. Our Records Board (€54.99) lets you hang your medals flat, protected from knocks, while telling your running story at a glance. Our wooden Hexagons offer elegant individual storage, perfect if you prefer building a modular wall medal by medal. And for those who like a cleaner style, our metal medal hangers combine sturdiness and a premium finish, without ever rubbing directly against your medals' metal.

Regular care, not a chore

No need to clean your medals every week. A quick once-over every two or three months is plenty to preserve their shine, especially if they are well displayed and protected from dust. Think of it as a little ritual: a few minutes to relive each race, each finish line, each personal best.

Your medals tell your runner's story. They deserve to be pampered as much as showcased. Discover the full range of Finisherzone medal hangers and displays in our store, and give your race trophies the setting they deserve.