\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. it helped me to find my manipulated variables.". Place your coin into an aluminum tin pan. Check the coins date and compare them to online resources or get advice from coin collectors before cleaning coins. Wet the coin with water and roll in baking soda. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Ketchup can restore the copper glow of a penny. Pour the . If your pennies are scratched and newer than 1982, they may end hollowed out. Try cleaning your quarters, dimes, and nickels using these techniques. Let your kids use an old toothbrush to apply the paste to each coin, scrubbing gently. A standard eraser is an excellent tool for cleaning dirt off of pennies dated after 1982. However, rolls of pennies that you get your local bank are almost certain not to contain any valuable coins. Thank you for the article. Yes it will remove most dirt and oils. Cleaning pennies can be a fun activity for kids of all ages. Exactly how do you clean old coins with vinegar and baking soda? Dilute with1/2 cup water and add 2 tablespoons of white vinegar. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. 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 makes them harder to distinguish from other coins and may make you reluctant to handle them. Pour the lemon juice into a small container or bowl and add the salt. I hope that it helps others as well. Start by adding a quarter cup of white vinegar, or lemon juice, into a cup or glass. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. The dirtier and deeper brown color your pennies are, the longer it will take to bring out the orange-red color. Clean grout by applying a baking soda paste made of baking soda and water. While this method will remove surface contamination, it may not make the copper penny bright. Dip a corner of the paper towel into the liquid. Place your pennies at the bottom of the cup or glass so that they are not stacked on top of each other. Then, stir in 1 teaspoon (6 g) of salt. Rinse the coins thoroughly under running water until they shine and then dry them with paper towels. Coins:We help you identify U.S. coins worth money! Enjoy! WARNING: all DIY methods of coin cleaning will damage the coins! To restore pennies to their original luster, simply plop them into a solution of vinegar and salt, let them sit for a few minutes, then rinse them off and watch them shine like new. To clean your pennies with vinegar you should prepare a bowl with warm vinegar, place the pennies inside for 5-10 minutes and then rub off the tarnished layer with a toothbrush. A clear, shallow bowl (not metal) 2 clean steel nails. Dry the penny with a soft clean cloth. Place the pennies into the solution, making sure that they do not rest on top of each other. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. (Details below.). Pat the coin dry with a soft cloth. Go through your wallet, drawers, car and anywhere else that change tends to pile up to find pennies in need of cleaning. Place the coins on a paper towel to air dry. 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. Allow them to sit in the liquid for about two hours and then flip them over. Vinegar and Salt Make a solution of vinegar and salt and let the pennies soak. Lincoln Memorial Penny (1959 to Today) Values and Prices. You probably already have everything you need, Small, physical, and repetitive motions (may be difficult for grandma or grandpa to help), A quarter cup of tomato ketchup (or three ketchup packets from your favorite fast food place), Physically easier than the pencil eraser method, Ketchup can splatter on people and things, Does not bring out the bright copper color on the penny, 2 tablespoons Bon Ami cleanser (or baking soda), 8 oz. Pick up a little ketchup on an old toothbrush by dipping it in the ketchup. Remove hard water stains by placing a vinegar-soaked towel over the affected area. Ordinary vinegar can be used to rid old coins of the gunk theyve gathered over time. Place the coin in the second container filled with the remaining distilled water. Gently swirl the cup so the penny is completely covered with ketchup. If youre attempting to clean a large amount of pennies, you may need to empty the dish and mix up some fresh solution periodically. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,414,495 times. 3 Ways to Clean Rusty Coins - wikiHow 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 small circular motions produces the best results. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Mix a teaspoon of salt into the liquid by stirring until it is dissolved. Use a common pencil eraser on your pennies to remove the oxides like mistakes on paper. How to Clean Wheat Pennies Safely and Without Damage - Discover Detecting Baking Soda. The same applies to any piece of Fe.) 6. % of people told us that this article helped them. "Like vinegar, it cannot harm you and will not be harmful when cleaning places where you store your food.". Do not mix coins. If your pennies literally have soil or some sort of unidentified gunk on them, you will need to remove that before trying to make your pennies bright and shiny. While this process is extremely long, the final result is worth the wait. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. If this does not bother, you and you simply want to restore the coin for yourself you can use a baking soda paste. Depending on the type of metal that your coin is made out of, Goo Gone may also restore the shiny surface to the coin. 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If you do this with any collectible coins, you will lower their value and can even ruin them. Allow them to sit for five minutes and then use a soft-bristle toothbrush to scrub the coins lightly. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. 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. Rinse the baking soda off with fresh . 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.