Cleaning coins with citric acid

All coins, especially copper ones, turn black over time. One way to remove oxide and other types of contaminants is to clean the coins with citric acid. This is the fastest and easiest way to restore metal money to its original form. In this article, you will learn how to properly clean coins with acid. You will also get acquainted with other effective means and methods of their use.

to contents ↑

What you need to know about cleaning coins with citric acid?

Before you begin, pay attention to the metal of which the coin is made. If it is of great value to you, then do not take risks and contact specialist jewelers. In most cases, you can clean the coins with citric acid yourself at home.

to contents ↑

How to clean coins with citric acid?

Silver and copper coins are cleaned differently with citric acid. Determine the metal of your coin and get started using one of the methods described below.

Cleaning coins from copper

To use this method in this case you need to be extremely careful and act strictly according to the instructions. If everything is done correctly, then all the dirt and stains will come off right before your eyes.

For work you will need:

• not a metal container for the solution;
• lemon acid;
• water.

The technology is as follows:

1. Pour water into the container.
2. Pour in acid crystals - choose the concentration of the solution yourself, based on the degree of contamination of your subject.
3. Stir until acid is completely dissolved.
4. Put the coin in the solution.
5. Wait until one side has a distinctive copper color.
6. Flip to the other side and repeat the procedure.

Important! Citric acid removes all traces of oxides on copper, but with them it also removes patina. It will need to be restored on its own.

To restore patina at home, follow these instructions:

1. Place the cleaned item on the back of the ventilation grill in the kitchen.
2. Hold it there for a few days.

Important! After such actions, the patina looks natural and beautiful. It lays down smoothly, without additional efforts on your part, unlike other methods.

Cleaning silver coins with citric acid

Citric acid is practically safe for such a metal. Silver dissolves very slowly in acid, but plaque and oxides disappear much earlier.

To clean silver coins with citric acid quickly and easily, you will need:

• ceramic or plastic bowl;
• warm water;
• lemon acid;
• Toothbrush.

The technology of the recovery procedure looks like this:

1. Take 1 tbsp. warm water.
2. Dilute in it 2 tsp. citric acid.
3. Dip the coin in the solution for 10 minutes.
4. Remove and rub with a toothbrush.
5. Softened dirt and oxide can be easily removed with a brush, without harming the body of the object.

Important! Do not leave the product for a long time in solution. Control the process.

to contents ↑

How to clean coins with soap?

The question, what soap and how to clean the coins correctly, is most often asked by someone who values ​​his subject very much and does not want to cause even minor damage.This product is ideal for removing various types of dirt and restoring the attractive appearance of the product. It is recognized as the safest and most delicate.

Soap cleaning is suitable for coins of any metal, but is one of the most labor-intensive and lengthy processes. The thing is that the solution of this agent, as a slightly alkaline medium, gently and slowly affects the formation on the surface.

Important! Be prepared for the fact that the whole procedure can take several months.

Which soap is suitable for cleaning coins?

To work with coins, choose only laundry soap. Other varieties contain many different impurities, which can adversely affect the coating of coins. Moreover, the darker the soap - the better, the faster and better you will clean your coins.

To clean the coins with soapy water you will need:

• soap;
• water;
• capacity for solution;
• soda;
• tough little brush.

How to clean coins with soap?

To achieve good results, follow these steps:

1. Prepare a soap solution.
   • Fill a non-metallic container of water.
   • Grate the soap and place in water.
   • Boil the solution over low heat until a homogeneous, dense mass is obtained.
2. Remove the solution from the fire and place coins in it.
3. Leave the products to be cleaned in solution for a day.
4. Remove and rinse with warm water.
5. Brush and rinse again.
6. If the first time you didn’t remove all the dirt from objects, repeat the process. The resulting solution can be used several times.
7. After eliminating all stains and oxides from the surface, treat the entire surface with soda using a brush - this will protect it from the appearance of a white coating from soap, which will inevitably appear after such cleaning.

to contents ↑

How to clean coins with oil?

Another method of cleaning coins from plaque is with oil. You can take any oil: vegetable, petroleum jelly and others. You will need:

• capacity in which the coin will “cook”;
• oil;
• brush;
• coin.

Such coin cleaning is done as follows:

1. Pour oil into a container.
2. Put on low heat and simmer.
3. Put your coins at the bottom of the tank.
4. Digest until all unwanted stains disappear.
5. Remove the container from the heat and cool the contents.
6. Brush and rinse with warm water.

Important! Be careful when handling boiling oil, as there is a risk of burns if handled with care.

to contents ↑

Alternative methods for removing oxides and dirt

Compared to all previous methods, cleaning with kefir is less dangerous, but longer. For this reason, this technology is not very popular, but still finds adherents. For this method you will need:

• fresh kefir or other similar product;
• ceramic deep plate;
• stiff bristle brush.

Processing items is as follows:

1. Pour kefir into a plate.
2. Immerse coins in it.
3. Hold them there for several hours.
4. Rinse and brush with running water.

to contents ↑

Electrolysis of copper coins

This method requires your attention and caution. When used correctly, your products will be cleaned right before your eyes. You will need:

• glass;
• cold water;
• AC / DC adapter;
• stainless steel spoon;
• clamps;
• salt and soda.

Important! Take the adapter from the old phone, and get the clips in any radio parts store. Please note that the use of electrical appliances when cleaning coins requires attention and concentration. If neglected, you can get injured.

For safe and quality work, follow the instructions:

1. Attach the clamps to the bare wires of the adapter.
2. Pour water into a glass.
3. Add salt to it and stir.
4. Use the clip to connect the negative wire to the coin.
5. Connect the positive charge clamp to the spoon.
6. Immerse both objects in water so that they do not touch each other.
7. Turn on the adapter.
8. Watch the water around the appliances darken with dissolving dirt and oxide.
9. Turn off the device and remove the coin.
10. Treat it with soda and rinse in clean water.

to contents ↑

A universal way to clean any coins

If you can’t exactly determine which metal or alloy your product is from, use the method described below. You will need such tools:

• ammonia;
• Toothpaste;
• soda and soap;
• water;
• container for solution;
• Toothbrush.

Important! For effectiveness, ammonia is mixed with other effective means. Such a solution is able to dissolve the greenery formed on the coin’s body, rust and other oxides.

How to use these tools:

1. Prepare soap and soda solutions.
2. Take 50 ml each and mix.
3. Add to them 150 ml of toothpaste and 50 ml of ammonia.
4. Put in the mixture all items that require removal of dirt.
5. Keep them in solution until they are clean.
6. Periodically remove and wipe with a brush.
7. At the end of the procedure, rinse with running water.

to contents ↑

Useful Tips

1. If possible, contact specialists better when it comes to valuable products made of expensive metals.
2. Try not to rush when choosing tools and processing methods, give preference to mechanical and delicate.
3. Properly store valuables, taking into account all the instructions of specialists in this field.

to contents ↑

Stock footage

Now you know about all the possible ways of cleaning coins at home. Use these tips carefully and carefully and you will be able to restore the attractiveness of objects without damaging them.