How to Clean Coins

Running water is the ideal way to loosen dirt and grime from coins without scratching them, although mild soap could also work well.

Combine a small squirt of liquid soap with warm tap water in a container, and gently rub each coin through this solution, taking care not to come in contact with each other and cause scratches.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is a non-toxic and gentle cleanser used to effectively eliminate dirt and corrosion from metal surfaces. Additionally, baking soda acts as an ideal abrasive to clean tarnished coins without scratching their surfaces – leaving your coins looking brighter than ever! Cleaning coins with baking soda will make them look new again.

Vinegar is another common household product that can help clean pennies and other metal objects, like coins. Its acidic nature helps break down copper oxide deposits on coins to leave them looking cleaner. Soaking coins in vinegar may make them easier to clean with a toothbrush later. Note: when soaking coins it is important to use distilled water rather than tap water as tap water may contain fluoride that reacts with certain metals such as copper or silver.

Lemon juice contains citric acid, which can also help remove tarnish from coins. When using this solution it is best to soak coins one at a time so as to prevent bumping of one coin against the next and creating scratches. After soaking is completed it is also important to dry coins thoroughly so as to avoid further moisture or vinegar residue build-up in their environment.

If lemon or vinegar fails to do the trick, another effective approach may be combining equal parts water and baking soda to form a paste. Apply this paste directly onto a coin before gently using an old toothbrush to gently scrub away tarnish on its surface with care. You may repeat this process multiple times until all tarnish has been completely removed from it before rinsing them with distilled water again afterwards.

White Vinegar

Domestic distilled white vinegar is an invaluable kitchen staple, and one of its many uses includes cleaning copper coins of any build-up of gunk. This method makes light work of keeping old pennies looking their best while protecting their value as collectors’ items.

Vinegar can also be used to remove corrosion from other metals, including steel nuts and bolts. Vinegar works particularly well for cleaning copper coins; however, other forms of silver, nickel-clad coinage, zinc and brass items will benefit. The low levels of acid present in vinegar will dissolve any rust or buildup over time leaving your coin looking like new again!

To use vinegar to clean coins, fill a small glass or other noncorrosive container with enough vinegar to completely submerge one penny and allow it to soak for at least 30 minutes – or ideally over night – before rinsing it thoroughly under running water before setting it on a paper towel for drying.

Vinegar contains an acetic acid which will break down and remove tarnish from copper pennies, returning them to their vibrant orange-red hue. If they’re particularly tarnished, this process may require multiple soaks in vinegar to get them completely cleaned up. However, be wary of using other harsh cleaning agents such as ammonia, chlorine bleach, muriatic acid (pool grade), hydrochloric acid or any other chemical which could corrode or damage copper coins like ammonia.

If vinegar isn’t your cup of tea, a baking soda scrub often works just as effectively. Just apply a thin layer to the surface of your coin and gently scrub away any discolorations using a toothbrush or cotton swab. Rinse with water afterward and leave to dry on paper towel as one of the simplest methods available to you for keeping copper coins looking their best without damaging their condition or appearance. Once dry, place it into a coin bag or other storage container to protect from potential contaminants that could damage its metal over time.

Distilled Water

One of the simplest methods of coin cleaning is rinsing them in distilled water, as this water is free from fluoride and other contaminants that can react with metal coins. It’s especially good at getting rid of corrosion or stains that don’t respond well to other methods.

To use this technique, hold a coin under gently running tepid water for several seconds before placing it on a soft cloth to dry. Be careful when patting or rubbing it as this could scratch its surface and give inaccurate readings.

Alternative coin cleaning methods use vinegar. This works particularly well when dealing with extremely dirty coins that have become covered in dirt and grime over time. Start by boiling a kettle of water. When the boiling point has been reached, begin adding spoonfuls of baking soda slowly while continuously stirring your solution until all grit and grime has dissipated into solution. Additionally, table salt can act as an abrasive to scrub away stubborn dirt particles more effectively.

Another effective method of coin cleaning is an isopropyl alcohol bath. This mildly acidic universal solvent can dissolve built-up dirt and rust deposits quickly. Use warm water as the medium for mixing up your isopropyl alcohol solution; for an abrasive scrub you can also add some salt. Regardless of which approach you take, after soaking your coins make sure they’re completely rinsed; vinegar can corrode their surfaces if left on their surfaces for too long.

If your coin remains filthy no matter your efforts, consider having it professionally cleaned by a numismatist. While this will cost slightly more, its results will make for more attractive coins that shine brightly than those which have become dirty over time.

Olive Oil

One of the easiest and simplest ways to clean coins is soaking them in distilled water for several hours to several days, depending on their level of contamination and type. Rub your finger or an old toothbrush gently against each coin during this process to loosen any gunk or stickiness from them and when finished soaking, dry your coin completely using a soft cloth or towel.

Olive oil can also help loosen stubborn gunk from coins, making them easier to clean with soft-bristle brushes. Just be sure to only use small amounts diluted with distilled water so as to not damage them in any way!

Chemical cleaners may help break down and dissolve any stubborn grime on coins that have become severely dirty or encrusted, though there is a higher risk of damaging it by doing so. Lemon juice, Noxon brass polish and vinegar are among the many available solutions that may be used for coin cleaning purposes.

No matter which method you employ to clean coins, remember that their condition greatly determines their value. Be wary of using anything too harsh as this could damage or destroy them and be of little interest to collectors.

To keep your coins safe and sound, always store them in a plastic container when cleaning them. Glass, china or metal containers can cause scratches that tarnish coins; to work efficiently on one coin at a time is preferable as multiple coins might bump into each other in a container and scratch themselves accidentally. Rinsing coins after cleaning solutions such as alcohol helps prevent moisture damage; hot running water may serve as an acceptable replacement if distilled water is unavailable – these two alternatives should do just as well for protecting against moisture damage.