\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Therefore, zinc (a much cheaper metal) started being used. 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. Katie Holdefehr is the associate editorial director at Real Simple. Add the coins, and rub each one until the surface looks shiny. (Image credit: Credit: BSIP/UIG via Getty Images), Fragment of 1,000-pound meteor that exploded over Texas could reveal new insights about our solar system, See photos of stunningly preserved 52-foot-long Book of the Dead papyrus from ancient Egypt, Dark energy could lead to a second (and third, and fourth) Big Bang, new research suggests, Detecting life on Mars may be 'impossible' with current NASA rovers, new study warns, Haunting 'mermaid' mummy discovered in Japan is even weirder than scientists expected, Largest asteroid ever to hit Earth was twice as big as the rock that killed off the dinosaurs, Medieval synagogue that predates the Inquisition found hidden under Spanish nightclub, The ultimate action-packed science and technology magazine bursting with exciting information about the universe, Subscribe today and save an extra 5% with checkout code 'LOVE5', Engaging articles, amazing illustrations & exclusive interviews, Issues delivered straight to your door or device. Real Experiences. For those especially nasty pennies, scrub them with a scrubber or toothbrush after they've been resting in the solution for a bit. This article has been viewed 69,924 times. Generally, low levels of acids contained naturally in vinegar remove the patina on the penny. This type of cleaner is also the best way to polish brass and clean other metal surfaces. To create this article, 129 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. Agitate the water with your hands to create sudsy water and place the dirty pennies into the tub. This fun process begins by taking the powdered cleanser (or baking soda) and placing it in a small bowl or container. Hold it there for about 10 seconds, then pull it out. Rub the baking soda into the face of each coin with your fingers to scrub away the dirt and grime. When you put your pennies in a vinegar and salt mix, the vinegar and salt react together and remove the copper oxide. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. 7 Rare Wheat Pennies To Collect & What Theyre Worth Today, This 1982 Copper Penny Is Worth $10,000! 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. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Fill a washtub with warm water and add a squirt or two of dish soap. My love for coins began when I was 11 years old. Let the pennies soak for 10 minutes. This was so helpful! Vinegar alone is not strong enough to remove the worst buildup from old pennies. As time passes, the copper reacts with the different impurities in the air. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Lincoln Memorial Penny (1959 to Today) Values and Prices. Pour your pennies into the bowl and stir them gently with a spoon. To make pennies shiny again, fill a small glass bowl with cup (60 mL) of white vinegar If you dont have any vinegar, you can use lemon juice instead. Pennies are made from copper or copperplated zinc. You may want to use one of the above methods such as lemon juice or ketchup to brighten the surface of the copper. If you want to go ahead and clean corrosion off of your old coins, baking soda likely is the safest route to follow. 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. Should Coin Collectors Clean Their Coins? A clear, shallow bowl (not metal) 2 clean steel nails. pH is a measure of how acidic or basic a substance is, on a scale from 1 (very acidic) to 14 (very basic), with a neutral value at 7. If you dont have any vinegar on hand, a 1:1 ratio of water to acetone will produce the same effect. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Rub the paste over the surface of each penny, using your fingers to coat the entire surface. A quick wash will also help neutralize the overpowering odor of the vinegar. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.
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