You can clean penny coins safely at home using mild methods, but you should avoid harsh scrubbing or strong chemicals, especially for older or potentially valuable coins.

Quick Scoop

  • Use the gentlest method first (distilled water and mild soap).
  • For shiny copper pennies (non-collectible), a brief vinegar–salt soak works very well.
  • Post‑1982 zinc pennies need extra care because acid can darken or damage them.

Step 1 – Check if the penny is collectible

Before cleaning, quickly check whether the coin might have collector value.

  • Look for very old dates, unusual mint marks, or obvious errors; those are best left uncleaned because cleaning can lower value.
  • If you just have common pocket change and want them to look nicer for crafts, experiments, or kids’ projects, gentle cleaning is fine.

Step 2 – Safest “universal” gentle clean

Use this method if you don’t care about perfect shine and just want dirt and grime off.

  1. Rinse each penny under a light stream of distilled water to remove loose dirt.
  1. Add a drop of mild dish soap to a bowl of distilled water and gently swish the pennies.
  1. If needed, lightly move a soft‑bristled toothbrush over the surface; do not press hard.
  1. Rinse again with distilled water.
  1. Pat dry with a soft, lint‑free cloth or let them air dry on a towel; avoid rubbing to prevent scratches.

This is the best approach if you’re unsure about the coin’s value.

Step 3 – For dull copper pennies (fun/home use)

For regular copper pennies you’re cleaning for fun (not for collectors), mild acids clean tarnish very well.

Vinegar + salt method

  1. Mix white vinegar with table salt in a small non‑metal bowl until the salt dissolves.
  1. Place the pennies in the solution in a single layer and let them soak for 1–3 minutes.
  1. Gently scrub with a soft toothbrush if needed to remove stubborn tarnish.
  1. Remove the pennies and immediately rinse thoroughly with clean water so the acid stops reacting.
  1. Dry completely with a soft cloth.

Ketchup or similar acidic sauces

  • Rub a thin layer of ketchup over the penny with your fingers or a soft toothbrush, wait a minute or two, then rinse and dry.
  • The mild acids in ketchup help restore the copper color but should not be left on for long.

These methods are popular for kids’ science experiments because you can clearly see the before/after change.

Step 4 – Extra care for modern zinc pennies

Pennies made after 1982 are mostly zinc with a thin copper coating, and acid can damage or blacken them.

Safer options:

  • Start with only soapy distilled water and a very soft brush, as in Step 2.
  • If they are still badly stained, short, cautious soaks in very dilute vinegar followed by immediate rinsing may help, but discoloration is still a risk.

Some specialized cleaners like trisodium phosphate (TSP) can be used by collectors on zinc pennies, but they still need gentle handling and thorough rinsing and drying.

Extra methods people use (and when to avoid them)

People sometimes try stronger or more unusual approaches:

  • Baking soda paste: mildly abrasive; can help with surface grime but may scratch delicate or collectible coins.
  • Commercial tarnish removers or bathroom cleaners: can make coins look bright but usually destroy numismatic value; only consider for non‑collectible, decorative coins.
  • Rock tumblers or scouring pads: good for large batches of junk coins you don’t care about; will scratch and permanently alter surfaces.

If a coin might be valuable, experts generally recommend not cleaning it at all or taking it to a professional.

Simple example routine for “pocket change” pennies

If you just want everyday pennies to look nicer for a jar display:

  1. Separate older, unusual, or damaged coins to keep uncleaned, just in case.
  1. Do a gentle soap‑and‑water clean on the whole batch (Step 2).
  1. For the dullest copper pennies, give them a 1–2 minute vinegar–salt soak, then rinse and dry.
  1. Lay them out to air dry fully so no moisture remains, which helps prevent new spots forming.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.