You might want to refrain cleaning the collectible chips (meaning the ones you don't use for games). If you ever decide you want to sell them, some in the collector community dislike clean but used chips. None of my collectible chips are cleaned and I don't intend to clean them either. That said, very few of those are truly "dirty".
If you mean to hold on to them, do whatever you would like. The cleaning advice above is spot-on.
Being new to this space, I think this is an interesting point.
As a newbie it's hard to understand why someone would prefer a chip in dirty condition. I picture a classic car collector who would prefer a car in unwashed condition.
For classic car collectors the original paint is very important for many obvious reasons (i.e. you can't hide repairs). A new paint job would take away authenticity of the car: "They are original only once".
But when it comes to a poker chip, cleaning will not alter the chip in any way. And even in casinos I guess that chips will be cleaned once in a while. So what's the point of having them uncleaned (dirty)?
A used casino chip - even when cleaned - has all his history engraved to the surface (different grades of worn). For myself I currently see no convincing argument not to clean the chips when they come in dirty and I want to collect them; ie. having them on display; potentially sell them later.
I wouldn't want to have filthy chips on display. Hygiene is important.
If later on dirty chips sell for higher prices, one can always stop cleaning them...
Also it's a bit paradox: Chips in mint and excellent condition gain higher prices - but when it comes to "Casino used" or even bicyle tires some prefer them dirty?
When I look at the classic guitar collector market, there is so much demand for used gear that brand new flawless instruments get intentionally damaged in a way to make them look "used". Customs shops sell heavy relic guitars for higher prices because the demand for original old guitars is so high.
Okay I compare apples and oranges here but I think each collector market has their own demands and develops crazy habits. So as a newbie in this space it was really amazing to learn that some collectors prefer uncleaned chips.
I like to imagine that even poker chips need some love... I keep clean what I care about and love.
