Why Does Lemon Juice Clean Pennies Better Than Vinegar?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Vinegar has a pH level of 3.0, while lemon juice has a pH level of 2.3. This means that lemon juice is

a slightly stronger acid than vinegar

. The stronger the acid, the better it will clean copper pennies.

How long does it take lemon juice to clean a penny?

Instructions: Put a dirty penny in the cup and cover it with lemon juice. Wait

about five minutes

then remove the penny and wipe it off with a paper towel.

Why does lemon juice clean a penny?

Vinegar and lemon juice are

acidic and will remove the copper oxide

, leaving the pennies shiny.

What juice cleans pennies best?

Those tart little lemons work to remove copper oxide because they contain citric acid. Since

lemon juice

has the highest concentration of citric acid of any fruit, it works the best. Other juices that rank highly include lime, grapefruit, and orange juice.

Will lemon juice or Coke clean a penny better?

Coke and off-brand colas will quickly remove the tarnish. Just don’t drink the coke afterward. Coke contains phosphoric acid that cleans the oxides. Try a variety of citrus juices to see which works best or simply

let your pennies soak in lemon juice

.

Does hydrogen peroxide clean pennies?

Hydrogen peroxide can prove effective in removing various materials, including organic material. To clean using this method, place your

coins in a small plastic container, fill with enough hydrogen peroxide to cover, and soak for 24 hours

.

Will lemon juice clean a penny?

Vinegar and lemon juice are

acidic and will remove the copper oxide

, leaving the pennies shiny.

Why do pennies turn green in vinegar?

Why did the unrinsed pennies turn blue-green? When the

vinegar and salt dissolve the copper-oxide layer, they make it easier for the copper atoms to join oxygen from the air and chlorine from the salt to make a blue-green compound

called malachite.

Does it devalue coins to clean them?

It is best not to clean rare coins as removing the patina can significantly reduce the value of them. For this reason, most coin hobbyists almost never clean their coins. In fact, 99% of coins do not increase in value after you clean them, but

many will be greatly devalued

.

Why does vinegar and salt clean pennies?

The combination of vinegar (a weak solution of acetic acid), and table salt (sodium chloride)

helps to dissolve the copper oxide

, and also forms the blue copper(II) ion, which is soluble in water. The penny becomes shiny again!

How do you clean a green penny?

There are several methods available for reverting green pennies back to their former shiny copper glory. To clean about two dozen,

stir 1⁄4 cup of white vinegar and 1 teaspoon of salt until the salt dissolves

in a non-metallic bowl. Soak the pennies in the mixture for five minutes.

How do you clean a penny experiment?

In one cup,

pour enough vinegar to cover the penny

. In the other cup, pour enough liquid soap to cover the penny. Wait at least ten minutes. Remove the pennies, rinse them in water, and rub them with a paper towel.

How do I clean dirty coins?

Take the coins out and

sprinkle some baking soda over them

; then use a soft-bristled toothbrush to brush them clean. Rinse them out thoroughly with hot water; using tongs or gloves to hold them to avoid burning your fingers. Place them on a soft, cotton towel and leave to air dry.

Can Coke dissolve a penny?

Theoretically,

yes, it will dissolve a penny

, if you left it in for YEARS, and kept replenishing the Coke with fresh Coke. … PENNIES ARE MADE OF COPPER, WHICH WILL DISSOLVE IN THE PRESENCE OF ACID, ONE OF THE MAIN INGREDIENTS IN ALL SODA IS PHOSPHORIC ACID. THE pH of soda is quite low, due to the phosphoric acid content.

Will Dr Pepper clean a penny?

Can Dr Pepper clean pennies?

Pepper because they have phosphoric acid

in them, which actually in its pure form, is used as a rust removal agent (lemon-lime sodas have citric acid in them, and they’re also reported to have similar cleaning uses). …

Maria LaPaige
Author
Maria LaPaige
Maria is a parenting expert and mother of three. She has written several books on parenting and child development, and has been featured in various parenting magazines. Maria's practical approach to family life has helped many parents navigate the ups and downs of raising children.