Dirty/broken iPod charge port

Last night, i noticed that my iPod 5th generation wouldn't charge. I had my mom buy me a new cord for it, but it didn't help at all. I even tried plugging it into different outlets/computers. I had a closer look, and the pins didn't LOOK bent, but I saw that ONE of the eight pins is extremely dirty. I asked Apple what to do, and they said to send it in for repairs. I don't want them to say they can't fix it, and send me a new one. Is there anything i can do to clean it or fix it? The battery is completely dead and it won't turn on.