I have about a ton of pennies in a tub down my cellar. Over time they have developed a sort of bluish colored substance on them. It's almost like some sort of mold. It's not that they're valuable or anything. I just want to cash them in. Does anyone know a good way to clean them? I really just want some kind of solution I can pour in the tub. I don't want to clean each one individually. Thanks in advance for all your answers!
2006-08-12 10:36:52 · 13 answers · asked by mdadinnj1 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Cleaning & Laundry
hot water with vinegar and baking soda. It will melt right off.
2006-08-12 10:39:07 · answer #1 · answered by parental unit 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do not use any food product ever.
Use acetone the hardware stuff not the nail polish remover.
Use it in a glass container that can be capped (I suggest canning jars) in a well ventilated area (like a garage or balcony). Acetone will not damage the coins, so you don't have to worry about leaving them in too long - some jobs take a day or two, if the contamination is bad. The stuff evaporates extremely quickly so keep the container capped off as well as the container it came in. It eats plastic too so keep it in a glass or metal container. Glass is preferable when working with coins. Don't inhale it, and when you're done just hold the coin by the rims while the excess acetone evaporates off the coin's surfaces.
May leave a thin film on copper, if so just use distilled water to rinse it.
But that damage sounds permanent if it has oxidized then only some osmosis will restore it and that is very complicated.
2006-08-15 10:59:56 · answer #2 · answered by Man 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Babysister is right about the hot water, vinegar and baking soda. But I think I tried that once with my kids and we left pennies in way too long and they came out kind of corroded - so don't overdo it!
2006-08-12 10:41:29 · answer #3 · answered by Kris 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you could probably rinse them off in hot water if you are going to be cashing them anyways, you can go to a store that has them con things where you pour your coins in there and it couts them for you. but the vinegar thing would be the best
2006-08-12 10:41:42 · answer #4 · answered by Stacey 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Taco Bell Taco sauce is excellent for cleaning pennies! I am not kidding. Makes them shine like new.
2006-08-12 12:15:33 · answer #5 · answered by sweetnessmo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
use lemon or lime juice we did a science project for school on this several times with different juices and these two came out the best and made them the shiniest.
2006-08-12 14:21:55 · answer #6 · answered by Lilybell 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think either vinegar or ammonia will remove that, but test it first before you go pouring a whole bottle on them.
2006-08-12 10:39:28 · answer #7 · answered by Sabina 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Vinegar or boil them in Cola
2006-08-12 10:39:11 · answer #8 · answered by schizoidrew 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can clean copper with lemon juice. Your going to have to do it in small batches. Make sure you use real lemon juice don't dilute with water. Test one first and you can see if your going to have to use rea lemons or lemon juice.
2006-08-12 11:02:20 · answer #9 · answered by lacegee 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
babysisterch beat me to it she is right, but I normaly dont use the baking soda
2006-08-12 10:40:42 · answer #10 · answered by Adam D. 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋