Q&A for How to Clean Coins

Before you do anything, remember that you should never clean coins that you think may be collectible as this can greatly devalue them. If this isn't an issue, then for oxidized pennies, you can soak them in 1/4 cup vinegar mixed with 1-2 teaspoons of salt for a few minutes. Just be sure to rinse off the vinegar with water after you've soaked them, since any remaining vinegar residue could cause the coins to oxidize again.

Yes, Coca Cola contains phosphoric acid, which can help remove oxidation or dirt from coins like pennies. But never clean a coin yourself if you think it may be valuable and there are many, much less sticky cleaners out there that will clean coins as well or better!

First, if you think your coins might be of any value, do not clean them at all, since you can possibly damage them by soaking in cleaners like vinegar. If you want to clean the coin for some other reason, vinegar should work fine. First, rinse your coins in some cold water to get rid of any dust or grime on the surface. You can also use a toothbrush to remove surface gunk if you wish. Then mix together 1/4 cup of vinegar and 1-2 teaspoons of salt in a bowl that can hold all your coins. Submerge your coins in the solution for a few minutes, rinse them in warm water to remove any vinegar (which could corrode the coins if left on them) and then polish them clean with a cloth or paper towel. If this isn't enough you can try repeating the process and soaking the coins for a little longer.

Be sure to never attempt to clean coins that you think may be valuable! If you're cleaning them for some other reason you can try soaking in vinegar, or using baking soda and a toothbrush to try to remove corrosion abrasively. Soaking in mineral oil, olive oil or acetone may also be viable options.

You can use any fizzy drinks; the acid shines.

If the coin has numismatic (collectible) value, then cleaning them will reduce the value of the coins. These numismatic coins should be left alone. If the coin is in circulation, then the coin will stay at face value. So in short, cleaning won't increase the value of any coins.

Try using isopropyl alcohol, or search how to clean coins with baking soda.

Put some vinegar on the rusty area for about 10 minutes, then rub the vinegar off with a wet sponge or toothbrush.

Coins are not susceptible to mold so soak them in soapy lukewarm water for 10-15 minutes and scrub them, but not too abrasively.

Put your coins in a container with some mild soap. Wait 5-10 minutes, then take them out and gently brush them with an old toothbrush. Coins are not susceptible to mold.

Put your coins in a container with some water and a mild hand soap. Wait for 5-10 minutes, then take the coins out and wash them off. Dry the coins.

Avon Skin So Soft takes tar and sap off of car mirrors, and should work nicely for your purpose.

Dish soap does not diminish the look of a coin, unless the coin has been scrubbed too abrasively.

A good way is to use an isopropyl alcohol bath, a cola bath, or an acetone bath.

You can't thoroughly clean coins just with hot water; they need chemicals to be clean. I recommend using the alcohol and salt trick.

Put some vinegar on the black area for about 10 minutes, then rub the vinegar off with a wet sponge or toothbrush.

Around 1/4 cup vinegar and 1-2 teaspoons of sugar.

Vinegar and salt can clean pennies. Simply stir vinegar and salt together, put the pennies in, and take them out after ten seconds. Wipe off the excess liquid. Don't do this on valuable coins in case of an after effect.

Vinegar or any other acidic substance would help immensely. Scrub the coins with a toothbrush and then wipe them off with a q-tip.

Put the coins in to soak for several days, then rinse off what’s loose. Scrub with a toothbrush to remove excess dirt, then put it in your ultrasonic cleaner with a drop of mild hand wash and run 5 minutes at a time. Some coins will require more work than they are worth.

Take aluminum foil and scrub it off. Try not to touch the acid because it is not good for skin or clothing.

You can get the dirt off using lemon and salt.

Go to a professional so the precious coin isn't damaged. Scratching your anniversary coin is the last thing you would want.

Put some vinegar on the affected area for about 10 minutes, then rub the vinegar off with a wet sponge or toothbrush.

Soak the coins in vinegar, and then get remove the vinegar and dry your coins.

You can mix baking soda and water to make a paste and rub that on the coin, then rinse it off.

The short answer is to make sure the coin you're cleaning is still in circulation. Cleaning any coin that might one day be worth more is generally a bad idea.

Try the cola or alcohol bath if there is ash or charred stuff on the coin. If no amount of cola can clean off the substances, see a professional if the coin means a lot to you, and you are willing to pay for its cleaning.

Ye,s but this is suggested for pennies because they react more with the copper due to the acidity levels in the lemon/lime juice.

This is normal for copper coins, like pennies. Copper appears greener as it ages. If the coin is not copper, it may have come into contact with something that gave it a green coating.