What Liquid Cleans Coins the Best?
If you are looking for a liquid that cleans coins the best, there are several options available. You can use vinegar, citrus juice, Coke, or 100% acetone nail polish remover. These liquids are fast-acting and can clean the copper and zinc of your coin quickly. However, they can also damage and devalue your coin if not used properly. Using a gentle cleanser like dish soap, or rubbing the coin with a pencil eraser can be a good alternative to these fast-acting liquids.
Pennies pick up germs from people as they are handled, so it is important to keep your pennies shiny and clean. Cleaning them can make it easier to display your collection and more hygienic to handle your coins.
Vinegar
Depending on how dirty your pennies are, you may need to soak them in vinegar for an hour or more to completely clean them. To do this, place the pennies in a glass container and cover them with white vinegar. The acid in the vinegar will dissolve the copper oxides on the penny, making it look shiny again. This method is a great way to teach children about the chemical reactions that happen on the surface of a penny.
You can also use a teaspoon of baking soda to scrub your pennies. Then rinse them off and dry with a cloth. This method is safe for all pennies that are made of copper, but it will not be as effective on pennies that are plated in silver or gold.
Citrus juices, such as lemon or lime, are also a good choice for cleaning your pennies. Lemon juice, in particular, is effective at removing copper oxide. If you are not sure which type of fruit juice to use, you can try a small amount on one of the pennies first. This will help you determine whether the juice is too harsh or too weak to safely clean your coins.
The refreshing can of Coke that you enjoy on a hot day at the pool is another great way to clean your pennies. The phosphoric acid in Coke can also dissolve the copper oxides on your penny, causing it to look dull.
Hydrogen peroxide can also be used to clean your coins. This liquid is safe for most coins and can be used in place of other commercial coin cleaners. To use it, simply place the coins in a small bowl and cover them with hydrogen peroxide. Soak the pennies for 30 minutes to a few hours, or overnight, then rinse them and dry them.
Lastly, you can use a large aluminum pie dish to soak your pennies in 100% acetone nail polish remover. This liquid is not as fast-acting as some of the other methods, but it can be very effective at removing stubborn stains and corrosion on your pennies. Just remember that this method should only be used on a single penny, as repeated exposure to acetone can cause abrasions and damage the surface of your coin.
