wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This technique is extremely easy and involves no liquids that can spill and make a mess. While holding the penny with one hand, use the soapy toothbrush to scrub the dirt and gunk off the surface of the penny. This makes them harder to distinguish from other coins and may make you reluctant to handle them. 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. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. To create this article, 129 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. Stir until the salt is dissolved. Using chemical cleaners or scrubbing the coins could leave scratches and marks that will be easy for a skilled appraiser to pick up on. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. OK, as I start every post I write about how to clean coins Im going to put this blanket statement out there: That being said, some people will still engage in cleaning coins anyway in an attempt to make it look brand new again. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a2\/Clean-Pennies-Step-6-Version-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Clean-Pennies-Step-6-Version-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a2\/Clean-Pennies-Step-6-Version-4.jpg\/aid132323-v4-728px-Clean-Pennies-Step-6-Version-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"

\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Baking soda is the common name for sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3). Rub the baking soda into the face of each coin with your fingers to scrub away the dirt and grime. Fill a washtub with warm water and add a squirt or two of dish soap. 0:00 / 7:01 Cleaning Coins With Baking Soda & Vinegar See How Well This Method Works TheFunTimesGuide 1.74K subscribers Subscribe 169K views 3 years ago #coins #coincollecting. Wet the coins and place them into a container. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Its okay to let the coins air dry, as long as theres no standing water on them. Take one coin out of the vinegar at a time and immediately sprinkle a pinch of baking soda on the surface. Pour cola over the top of the coins until they are covered. Baking soda has a pH of 9, while vinegar has a pH of 2, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Thank you for the article. A dirty penny is usually the result of years of accumulated dirt. Pennies are made from copper or copperplated zinc. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. As time passes, the copper reacts with the different impurities in the air. If the pennies are clean, but not shiny, mix a paste of baking soda and water and rub into the pennies. Tips for Using Vinegar and Baking Soda to Clean Mix a fresh batch each time you need it and . Add the coins in a single layer, so none of the coins are touching. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. However, the acid can also wash away a coins patina, significantly lowering the value of the coin. In our experience, the name-brand cleanser produces the best results. James Bucki is a nationally-recognized coin collector and numismatic expert and author, sharing his knowledge and specialized training in coin grading, minting errors, and collection techniques. You're in the right place! bottle of Goo Gone brand adhesive remover, Easily removes glue, tape residue, and adhesives, May have to let the coin soak for a while. % of people told us that this article helped them. Start by adding a quarter cup of white vinegar, or lemon juice, into a cup or glass. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. White vinegar and water are two of the best basic ingredients for cleaning copper pennies. This solution not only removes dirt and grime but washes away copper oxide from pennies. Place your coin into an aluminum tin pan. If you want to go ahead and clean corrosion off of your old coins, baking soda likely is the safest route to follow. You Could Find This Rare Penny In Your Pocket Change Heres What To Look For, Deny future generations the chance to enjoy your coin in its wholly. This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Then, stir in 1 teaspoon (6 g) of salt. Vinegar dissolves zinc. If the foreign substance on the coin is not easily removed, place the coin in the small bowl and let it soak for a bit. 6. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. You could see the penny change before your eyes. This method is the best way to clean your pennies, and it will produce a very bright orangey-copper color on your pennies. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Once youve rinsed the pennies, set them aside on a layer of paper towels to dry. So, thats what you need to know about proper coin cleaning! When you remove the coins and wipe them with a cloth or paper towel, they should look shiny. To easily apply this cleaner to any bathroom surface, put it in a squirt bottle. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. If youre attempting to clean a large amount of pennies, you may need to empty the dish and mix up some fresh solution periodically. Rub the front surface of the coin with the tip of an eraser. Cleaning pennies can be a fun activity for kids of all ages. Enjoy! Gentle cleaning methods that use natural items like vinegar and salt are preferable to commercial coin cleaners, which usually contain harsh chemicals that can easily damage the coin. NY 10036. Thank you. For example, a wheat penny can be worth anywhere from 4 cents to $10. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. In a suitably sized cup, bowl or basin, stir salt - approximately 1 tablespoon of salt per cup of vinegar - into white vinegar until it's dissolved. Scrub pocket change with baking soda and vinegar. Remove the pennies from the solution and rinse under warm running water. Im also the editor at the Florida United Numismatists Club (FUN Topics magazine), and author of Images of America: The United States Mint in Philadelphia (a book that explores the colorful history of the Philadelphia Mint). For a DIY bathroom cleaner, combine 1 2/3 cup of baking soda with 1/2 cup of dish soap in a bowl. The copper that is dissolved in the vinegar will be attracted to the steel nuts and bolts. A quick wash will also help neutralize the overpowering odor of the vinegar. We hope that you enjoyed discovering how to clean copper pennies using a variety of fun and interesting techniques, and wed love it if youd share our copper coin cleaning recipes and tips with family and friends on Facebook and Pinterest. Mix 1 2/3 cups baking soda and 1/2 cup liquid soap in a bowl. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Using the old, soft toothbrush scrub the face of the coin softly. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Thats because a coin is usually only considered cleaned if it shows hairlines or other signs of damage consistent with an abrasive cleaning as would be caused by the methods explained earlier in this post. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. was vinegar, salt and tomatoes) or with coca-cola. Using small circular motions produces the best results. You can even use tamarind juice instead of vinegar or lemon juice. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Tested. If you can't find this exact brand name, you can substitute baking soda. Baking soda is a naturally occurring mild alkali (base) that helps dirt and grease dissolve in water. Stir until the salt dissolves. While holding the penny with your other hand, rub the mixture onto the front and the backside of the penny at the same time. A clean steel screw or bolt. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Pour the lemon juice into a small container or bowl and add the salt. Spray the paste with vinegar before scrubbing the grime away. Old pencils with erasers that are rock-hard will be difficult to use and may leave deep scratches in the penny. This post may contain affiliate links. If the shine is not restored after you use Goo Gone, use the soap and water, or the pencil eraser method as described above. Any type of eraser works to remove the build of dirt. wikiHow is a wiki, similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Now pour some baking soda into a small dish and add some water to make a thick paste. By using our site, you agree to our. In this video, Im showing you how to safely clean coins yourself. Regularly add boiling water with a grease-fighting dish soap down the drain to prevent the buildup of greasy clogs. Why does hydrogen peroxide fizz on cuts? There should be enough liquid that pennies lying flat on the bottom of the container will be fully submerged (if not, add more liquid). Pour a small amount of Goo Gone into a small bowl. While holding the coin on a flat surface rub the Goo Gone onto the surface of the coin. Allow them to sit for five minutes and then use a soft-bristle toothbrush to scrub the coins lightly. The friction does the work. Use a common pencil eraser on your pennies to remove the oxides like mistakes on paper. This turns that bright orange-red color into a dull brown but can be removed from the surface of the coin. This procedure gives your pennies a nice DIY copper polish that you can also use for copper items throughout your home. A clear, shallow bowl (not metal) 2 clean steel nails. This recipe also makes an excellent homemade brass cleaning solution. Let the pennies sit for two more hours and then rinse them under warm water to wash away the dirt and soda residue. Although this is using acid to clean your coins, it is a very low-level acid that is safe to use. But their colors were pink. "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. Yes it will remove most dirt and oils. All that has to be done is to mix the baking soda and vinegar together (about 1 part baking soda and 4 parts vinegar is the ratio I always followed) in a bowl or glass then immerse the coins you want to clean; this mixture seems to work especially well on pennies. Hold each coin under running water to rinse away soapy residue. You may not be able to erase every last trace of discoloration on very old pennies. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. There are only two methods I recommend to anyone who wishes to clean coins at home: What this method of coin cleaning does is wash away loose surface particles without damaging the coins delicate surfaces. Both of these contain salt and vinegar that is mildly acidic and cleans copper coins with ease. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Baking soda has a pH of 9, while vinegar has a pH of 2, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Baking Soda. Using Vinegar and Salt 1 Put 1 tsp (5 g) of salt into 1/4 c (2 oz) of vinegar. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Use 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50ps and pound coins and 2-pound coins. Ive contributed hundreds of articles for various coin publications including COINage, The Numismatist, Numismatic News, Coin Dealer Newsletter, Coin Values, and CoinWeek. Make a simple but powerful fruit fly trap by putting a small amount of apple cider vinegar in a small mason jar with a couple of drops of dish . If you would like to add a little bit more shine to your penny, do the "Bon Ami Cleanser or Baking Soda" method described below. "Baking soda is the opposite of vinegar. Rinse with warm water, then dry. Take one coin out of the vinegar at a time and immediately sprinkle a pinch of baking soda on the surface. Place your pennies at the bottom of the cup or glass so that they are not stacked on top of each other. The use of vinegar and salt to clean pennies goes way back. Learn more Today, not much is available to buy with a penny; so many people tend to toss them into a jar, saving them until they are worth dollars. Consider using anything acidic: lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, and even sodas have been said to help clean rust off of old coins. While regular soap and water remove the grime, it doesnt remove the tarnish. Rinse the penny and your fingers under clean running water and dry with a soft cloth. Add the coins, and rub each one until the surface looks shiny. Live Science is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. The combination of acid and chloride may make your cleaning solution even more powerful. Place the coins on a paper towel to air dry. Do not mix coins. Heres how it works. An easy way to clean copper pennies and coins to remove the build-up of grime is with soapy water and a little elbow grease. While holding the penny on a flat surface with one hand, use the old toothbrush to work the tomato ketchup into the surface of the penny using small circular motions. Use your fingers to work the cleaning paste into the surface of each coin and then rinse them under warm water to wash all residue away. Unfortunately, many of the popular methods seen online are actually detrimental to coins and could leave yours with only a fraction of their original collector value! Sprinkle in about 1 tablespoon baking soda. Start a one-minute timer. Remove hard water stains by placing a vinegar-soaked towel over the affected area. 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. Flip the coin over, and let it soak for a few more moments. I used to experiment with rubbing toothpaste on some of my coins years ago, but I ended up ruining every coin I cleaned with it. Press the wet brush into baking soda and listen to the oddly satisfying hiss :) Scrub the penny in long strokes applying a decent amount of pressure. Last Updated: March 14, 2022 This can be especially damaging for pennies that already have a significant amount of scratching and wear. Dip a clean, soft cloth or sponge into the paste and rub it on the tarnished silver. For those especially nasty pennies, scrub them with a scrubber or toothbrush after they've been resting in the solution for a bit. Let the pennies soak for 10 minutes. If you're thinking of cleaning coins with Baking Soda and Vinegar you'll want to watch this video FIRST and THEN read our helpful tips for cleaning coins safely at home yourself:All of our tips for CLEANING COINS SAFELY are here: https://coins.thefuntimesguide.com/cleaning_coins/These are the REASONS YOU SHOULD NOT CLEAN COINS (and what you should do instead):https://coins.thefuntimesguide.com/how-to-clean-coins/Here's a list of ALL THE WAYS people are cleaning coins today:https://coins.thefuntimesguide.com/how_to_clean_coins/This is HOW YOU CAN TELL if a coin has been cleaned:https://coins.thefuntimesguide.com/cleaned-coins/============================SUBSCRIBE to get more COIN TIPS: https://bit.ly/COINSyoutube Hit the BELL next to SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss a video!============================ABOUT The Fun Times Guide To U.S. Bringing luster back to copper pennies is easy once you know which ingredients get the job done. ", "The vinegar and salt worked real well, fast too.