What is the quickest way to clean copper pennies (lots of them)?

Question

Mostly just caked on dirt and mineral deposits. Have tried lemon juice and salt. Any other suggestions?

Answer 1

On The Discovery Channel, there's a show called Mythbusters. They did a special about getting a penny clean.

Cola worked in 48 hours. Before cleaning, the penny looked horrible, almost beyond recognition. The penny looked like a brand new penny after soaking.

The only thing is, the part that touched the dish was not clean because the cola could not reach it. So, if you use this technique, shake up the mixture so the pennies are evenly coated.

Answer 2

Soak them in water to loosen and remove the dirt. Then to further clean and restore the shine try:

Immersing them in Coca Cola for a couple of days.
Is it a wives tale that it cleans coins? Perhaps not. Supposedly it eats stuff right off.
It would be fun to find out!

Answer 3

Try vinegar and salt. Usually makes them look like new. Put a layer of pennies in a shallow pan, pour vinegar til they''re covered. Then pour regular tablesalt on top of them Tadah! :-)

Answer 4

I accidentally spilled some BAM on a penny setting on my counter top. Cleaned it right away. Incidentally BAM is the most powerful bug killer I*ve found yet. Stops them dead in their tracks.

Answer 5

I heard that if you soak them in coke cola for three or 4 days, the tarnish washes right off.Can't hurt to try. Good luck.

Answer 6

Try Taco Bell Taco sauce. That's what I used to use.

Answer 7

Vinegar and salt...rinse...repeat

Answer 8

any kind of hot sauce, such as Tabasco, etc.

Answer 9

vinegar