Laundered some money.

[Deleted User]

Not sure if this is in the right place (this is the closest forum I could find, to match my question), so mods please move it, if it's not right.

I accidentally left my wallet in my trousers, when I laundered them.

In addition to my cards and Driving Licence (all thankfully survived), there were three £20 notes.

They dried OK, albeit a bit wrinkled, and are currently in the middle of a stack of DVDs, being squashed flat again.

My question is, can I still spend them, or should I change them at the bank?

My worry is, the detergent might have affected them, and they might look like forgeries, under a UV checker.

McKneff

Spending them shouldn't be a problem, but if youre worried just pop into the bank with them or use the auto machines till thingys, next time you do the shopping.

powerful_Rogue

http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/banknotes/pages/damaged_banknotes.aspx

Poppie68

Bedsit Bob you've disappointed me.....from your title I was expecting to read of your exploits in being part of an international drug ring or similar not about three soggy £20 notes....

[Deleted User]

McKneff wrote: »

or use the auto machines till thingys, next time you do the shopping.

Actually, that's what's worrying me the most. Those SS tills seem to be very sensitive, to less that perfect notes.

I think I might just pay them into my account.

unholyangel

Going through the washing machine wont affect its validity under a UV light nor the pens you get (well not unless the washing machine seriously disintegrated the banknote but ime, they're quite robust/hard wearing).

Some fakes are so good however, they even fool the banks

Ectophile

I believe the worry with the UV lights is that normal white paper fluoresces under UV, but the special bank note rag paper doesn't. However, most washing powders contain optical whiteners that do fluoresce. So the notes look like forgeries, even though they are not.

unholyangel

But thats not why you check notes under a UV light. Its for things like this:

bap98189

I've washed notes loads of times and never had an issue spending them. As long as they are intact and look OK, I wouldn't worry about it. Just use them like you would normally.