How To Clean Pennies

There may come a time when it is imperative to know how to clean pennies. Perhaps funds are low and clean coins are needed to pay for a much needed meal. Perhaps it's donation time and there are too many unneeded pennies laying around going to waste. Pennies can be cleaned in minutes with a few household items.

Materials Needed

• Vinegar
• Bowl or Jar
• Table Salt
• Paper Towel

1. Pour half a cup of vinegar into a bowl or jar. The measurement does not have to be exact, just eyeball it.
2. Add a teaspoon of table salt. This is a very common kitchen item. If not readily available, pick up a few packets from a nearby restaurant.
   
3. Mix the solution.  Make sure that the salt dissolves in the vinegar.
4. Drop the pennies into the solution for at least ten minutes. Placement is key. 
5. Swish the pennies around in the solution.  All of the pennies should be covered by water. Try to make sure each penny has breathing room.
6. Get the pennies out of the solution. Fingers or a spoon can be used for this task.
   
7. Set the pennies on a paper towel to dry. If a large amount of pennies have been cleaned a towel can be used.

Tips

• In a pinch, common household items such as hot sauce or ketchup can also be used to clean pennies. Just use the sauce instead of the solution.
• Please do not use this method on valuable, collectible pennies. This method may diminish their value.