You can easily clean a copper penny using a common household item: ketchup.
Cleaning Pennies with Ketchup
Ketchup contains vinegar and tomato acid, both of which are effective at dissolving copper oxide, the substance that makes pennies look dull and tarnished. Here's how to clean a penny using ketchup:
- Apply Ketchup: Place a small amount of ketchup directly onto the surface of the dirty penny.
- Rub: Using a soft cloth or an old toothbrush, gently rub the ketchup over the penny. This helps to agitate the copper oxide and allow the acids in the ketchup to work more effectively.
- Time: Continue rubbing for a few minutes. You'll likely see the penny start to become brighter as you rub.
- Rinse: Once the penny is clean to your liking, rinse it thoroughly with water to remove all traces of ketchup.
- Dry: Finally, dry the penny completely with a soft towel to prevent water spots.
This method is quick, easy, and uses materials you likely already have at home. According to the provided reference (10-Aug-2023), this method is proven to work using the mentioned technique.
