\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. The salt helps lift black spots off of old copper coins. While there are other ways to clean pennies that involve the use of chemical cleaners that contain acids or other harmful chemicals, these three are effective and safe for children. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This recipe also makes an excellent homemade brass cleaning solution. . While there was little purpose in cleaning the coins that I was about to hand over to the bank teller, the dramatic transformation of watching dingy, grime-covered coins come out sparkling clean was oddly satisfying. Mix 1 teaspoon (5.69 g) of salt with the vinegar. This turns that bright orange-red color into a dull brown but can be removed from the surface of the coin. Note: For pennies minted after 1982, refer to method 5. This mixture unlocks an effervescent fizz of carbon dioxide that cleans and freshen drains. Allow them to sit in the liquid for about two hours and then flip them over. Wait about five minutes and check your pennies. You can also lightly scour the pennies using a toothbrush or cotton swab for a more thorough cleaning. Pennies get dull and dirty because the copper in the pennies reacts with oxygen in the air to form copper oxide. Olive oil is an excellent solution for cleaning pennies and bringing back their shine and is a safe way to clean old coins without damage. Stir the salt until it dissolves into the vinegar. Combine the white vinegar and table salt in a small container or bowl. Allow the coins to soak for a while to loosen up years of gunk. Especially dirty coins can be left to soak for up to five minutes. When it is clean and shiny to your liking, flip the penny over, and repeat the same process on the other side. Bonus: Put a couple of new steel nuts or bolts in the pan with your pennies. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Unlike the bleach-ammonia mixture, combining soda and vinegar won't hurt anyone but don't expect the mixture to do a good job cleaning, either. Consider adding salt to your vinegar/citric acid/soda. Scrub any stubborn spots with a grill brush or kitchen scrubber. Baking soda has a pH of 9, while vinegar has a pH of 2, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Read more in our privacy policy. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Stir until the salt dissolves. Rinse with warm water, then dry. Dip a clean, soft cloth or sponge into the paste and rub it on the tarnished silver. Once the washer is filled, before the wash cycle starts, drop in a cup of vinegar. Scrub pocket change with baking soda and vinegar. This fun process begins by taking the powdered cleanser (or baking soda) and placing it in a small bowl or container. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. Take one coin out of the vinegar at a time and immediately sprinkle a pinch of baking soda on the surface. Rinse the penny and your fingers under clean running water and dry with a soft cloth. If you're a serious coin collector, you can hire professional services to clean coins in a way that won't diminish the coins' value. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. According to Amanda Morris, associate chair of the chemistry . First, the water bath method, followed by the acetone bath method:How To Clean A Coin Without Damaging ItWatch this video on YouTube. When I first began collecting coins and wanted to learn how to clean them, I learned that mixing baking soda and vinegar in a glass creates a highly potent solution that can strip away dirt and grime from coins. Heres how it works. This makes them harder to distinguish from other coins and may make you reluctant to handle them. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Once youve rinsed the pennies, set them aside on a layer of paper towels to dry. If the pennies are clean, but not shiny, mix a paste of baking soda and water and rub into the pennies. Other coins can be worth thousands, and in rare cases, millions. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This technique is an easy way to clean silver coins and zinc pennies without causing damage, too. However, it will not give them a mirror-like shine. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. In her free time, she works on perfecting new cake recipes to share with others. The chemical reaction created by mixing salt and vinegar can also react with other types of metals, potentially causing rust, discoloration or mild corrosion. What does vinegar do to coins? Pat the coin dry with a soft cloth. Place your pennies at the bottom of the cup or glass so that they are not stacked on top of each other. Any type of eraser works to remove the build of dirt. Hold it there for about 10 seconds, then pull it out. Pure water has a pH of 7. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to scrub the surface of the coins gently to remove dirt. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. This article comes with a significant warning from coin collectors and appraisers worldwide. "When you are cleaning using baking soda or vinegar, you are actually doing very complicated manipulations of molecules," said May Nyman, a professor in the department of chemistry at Oregon State University. If your dish cloths/towels are white, add bleach into the load when you wash them. As a base, baking soda dissolves organic compounds like dirt, grease and other sticky ickies. Green is an indication of corrosion that cannot be fixed. White vinegar and water are two of the best basic ingredients for cleaning copper pennies. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Pour your pennies into the bowl and stir them gently with a spoon. Sprinkle in about 1 tablespoon baking soda. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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