How to Use Malic Acid to Clean Pennies

Tarnished pennies tend to turn dark and dingy. The build up can render the minting dates undecipherable, which is a nightmare to an avid collector. Soaking copper pennies in malic acid restores shine and luster. Malic acid reacts with metal oxide, rendering it soluble and removable. Natural apple juice is an inexpensive source of malic acid. Soaking pennies in apple juice strips away the tarnish and exposes the bright copper surface once again.

Things You'll Need

• Tarnished pennies
• 100% apple juice
• Plastic food container
• Wooden spoon
• Strainer
• Paper towels
• Hair dryer

Instructions

1. Pour one-half gallon of 100% pure apple juice into a large plastic food container.

2. Add up to one quart of tarnished pennies. Spread in an even layer. There should be enough apple juice to completely immerse the pennies. Cover the container and let sit for four to five hours.

3. Uncover the container and stir the pennies using a wooden spoon. Spread in an even layer and let sit another hour or two.

4. Uncover container and pour the apple juice and pennies into a large strainer. Rinse the coins thoroughly with cold water. Remove all residue of apple juice before drying or the pennies will be sticky.

5. Place rinsed pennies in a thin layer on paper towels. Air dry or use a hair dryer for quicker results. Shuffle and separate coins with fingertips periodically until dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Use only pure apple juice without added sugars.

• Shallow containers, such as sheet cake containers, work best.

• Supervision of small children is recommended. Pennies are a serious choking hazard.

References

• Finishing.com