How do I make a crumpled dollar bill be smooth like new again?

This may sound like a silly question, but if your main currency is not US dollar like me... then this is a serious matter..

Ok here's the case.. a couple weeks ago a friend came to visit me in Jakarta and he left his pouch that contains all his cards and money at the plane cabin. So all he got in his pocket was 2 x $20 and 1 x $10 ($50). Because they were crumpled dollar bills so the money changer wont accept his money, even if someone willing to take his dollars they give such loooooow rate.

So, being a good friend, I took his dollar and give him my IDR (Indonesian Rupiah). So he can at least pay for his hostel and dinner, since he wont let me pay for his expenses (he could just borrow my money and pay me back later, but he's too proud to do that :p).

So... now I'm left with crumpled dollar bills on my hand..

USD $1 = IDR 8500ish , so $50 is around IDR 425,000. But because they are crumpled.. so the highest rate I could get for $1 is IDR 7000, that means I'll get max IDR 350,000... IDR 75,000 lower than I should have get (thats around $9 difference). But if I can only get IDR 6500 or IDR 6000 for one dollar... then meh you do the math how much I'll get and the difference.

Unless.. I can find a way to make those crumpled dollars smooth and sleek as new again. Well not exactly as new, but close enough..

Any kind of suggestion or tips are greatly appreciated :)

Comments

[iceng]

steam pressing does it for me.

A

[Burf]

+1
and a quick spritz of spray starch before ironing will make it as nice and crisp as a new bill.

[rickharris]

+2

[Kiteman]

Steam ironing under a smooth, slightly-damp cloth, such as a tea towel, and then dry under pressure, say in a flower-press with blotting paper, or sandwiched between several layers of (white) paper towel under a stack of heavy books.

[diyoutdoorsman]

Can't you take the bills to a bank or currency exchange and exchange them?

[md4v3]

Well... in order to exchange a crumpled dollar bill to a new one, i have to exchange the US dollar to an official USA government bank. I have to look for that bank somewhere in Jakarta and i'm not even sure about their policy here, they might have different exchange policy in US and in foreign country.
Its too much fuss..

And anyway, note that here in my country (or most any other country that dont use dollar) a dollar bill is just a piece of paper. We use our own currency not Dollars or Yen or Euros. The analogy is like a value of a mint condition book/comics compared to one with crumpled/damaged cover. Get it?

Even with my country's own currency, i cant just exchange a crumpled/damage money to just any bank. I have to exchange it to the central government national bank (Bank Indonesia).

I use the steam pressing and starch spray, not bad at all :)

[diyoutdoorsman]

I'm sorry about all the trouble you're having with the exchange. I have travelled extensively throughout the world, however I have not been to Jakarta. In nearly every conuntry I have been in the exchange of currency has been relatively easy if conducted at a bank or a licensed currency exchange service. If you're trading currency like a comic book I think you have more concerns than the condition of the bill.

[rickharris]

OR take it to a bank i don't think they can refuse it if it's good currency even if it's crumpled.

[md4v3]

Well... in order to exchange a crumpled dollar bill to a new one, i have to exchange the US dollar to an official USA government bank. I have to look for that bank somewhere in Jakarta and i'm not even sure about their policy here, they might have different exchange policy in US and in foreign country.
Its too much fuss..

And anyway, note that here in my country (or most any other country that dont use dollar) a dollar bill is just a piece of paper. We use our own currency not Dollars or Yen or Euros. The analogy is like a value of a mint condition book/comics compared to one with crumpled/damaged cover. Get it?

Even with my country's own currency, i cant just exchange a crumpled/damage money to just any bank. I have to exchange it to the central government national bank (Bank Indonesia).

I use the steam pressing and starch spray, not bad at all :)

[rickharris]

:-) Ok by the way your English is perfect - are you a local or visitor.

[md4v3]

haha thanks, i'm 100% Indonesian :)
If ever you decide to have a vacation to Indonesia (we have 17,000 islands, including Bali and Lombok)..
just remember to bring perfectly smooth dollars and dont left your valuables at the plane's cabin.
Thank you for the tips though :)

[Vyger]

I would wash it with a little bit of detergent so its clean and then when its still wet use a cloths iron set to a low heat and press them on a sheet or something like that which will absorb any water.

[md4v3]

Thank you for the tips :)