How to Clean Pennies with White Vinegar

A favorite and easy Science and Practical Life activity for young children is cleaning pennies. Try cleaning pennies in white vinegar and compare how well it works to using lemon juice.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tray with small bowls
• Dirty pennies
• White vinegar
• Cotton swabs
• Paper towels
• Sponge for clean-up

1. Set up the activity on a tray to keep it contained. Gather dirty pennies in a small bowl. Pour some white vinegar into a small cup or bowl. You will only require a few drops per penny. Place cotton swabs into another small bowl or basket.

2. Dip a cotton swab into the white vinegar and scrub one side of the penny until it is clean and shiny. Use clean cotton swabs and more vinegar as needed.

3. Repeat on the other side of the penny.

4. Pennies should then be dried on a paper towel. If they feel sticky when dry, rinse them in water and dry them again.

5. Always wash your hands after handling dirty pennies.

6. Clean up the tray and work area with a soapy sponge. Replenish supplies as needed.

Tips & Warnings

• Compare the results of using white vinegar with using lemon juice.
• Try out other liquids to see what works.
• Hypothesize about what else white vinegar may clean around the house or the classroom.

Resources

• How to Clean Pennies with Lemon Juice

[AnneZ]

on 7/31/2009 I love this tip! My son and I are cleaning our pennies today! 5*s