Coins can get grimy, dirty, and corroded over time since they spend several years in banks, drawers, purses, gutters, and pockets. If your coins are corroded, you will require a strong solution to clean them effectively. Hydrogen peroxide is a potent cleaning agent that will give you remarkable results.
The article below discusses how to clean coins using hydrogen peroxide and gives you the best tips to adhere to. Remember that hydrogen peroxide is referred to as a multi-purpose cleaner. It is used for household cleaning and is the best coin cleaning product.
How to Clean Coins Using Hydrogen Peroxide?
Hydrogen peroxide is a perfect and all-natural solution to help you clean coins. The process is very simple and involves dropping the coins in the solution and leaving them for 1-2 days.
However, before dropping the coins in hydrogen peroxide solution, it is imperative to ensure that you get rid of debris and dirt. When cleaning, it is recommended that you avoid using metal polish or any jewelry cleaner. Instead, ensure that you rinse the coins using clean running water.
If you think that your water is corrosive, ensure you incorporate distilled water instead. You can also use a mild dish soap bar to help loosen the dirt on the coins. Additionally, use a soft toothbrush or your fingers to remove any excess dirt on the coins precisely.
The following are the steps that you should adhere to when cleaning your coins using hydrogen peroxide:
1.Select a Potent Concentration
Hydrogen peroxide can act as an oxidizing and reducing agent. Thus it is incorporated as the best agent for cleaning various metal surfaces. However, it is imperative to ensure that you precisely clean the coins with the right concentration.
Hydrogen peroxide is a mildly acidic solution, and you should apply the right concentration. The solution you select should have a concentration of 35% and should never be more than 40%.
If the solution is too mild, it will not effectively remove the impurities on the coins, while if the solution is too concentrated, it will end up corroding the material. You can purchase hydrogen peroxide either from local or online stores.
2.Safeguard Yourself
When cleaning the coins, it is imperative to wear protective clothing such as a dust coat and gloves. It is also essential to wear safety goggles to avoid damaging your eyes. It is a precautionary measure to protect your body from contacting the acidic solution. The dust coat also ensures that your clothes are protected from the harsh acidic solution. Also, ensure that you don’t inhale vapors of this chemical as it can cause choking if you inhale an excess amount of the solution.
Also, it is important to note that in case of any mishaps and you contact the acidic solution, you can take the following steps:
- If you inhale the solution, you can go out in an open field and take in fresh air. Ensure you monitor your oxygen level and if you experience any difficulty in breathing, seek medical help immediately.
- If the solution comes into contact with your eyes, you can ensure that you continuously apply cold water for an average of 10-15 minutes.
- In the event of skin contact, ensure that you remove the corroded clothes and apply cold and clean water.
- When the burn is very severe, you can incorporate soap or disinfectant creams.
3.Proceed with the Cleaning Process
Before starting the cleaning process, ensure that you gather all the items you will need in the cleaning process. Select an adequate container depending on the amount of the coins and put in hydrogen peroxide. Ensure that you put in enough hydrogen peroxide such that your coins are fully submerged. Ensure that you don’t mix the hydrogen peroxide with any other solution.
After mixing the hydrogen peroxide in the container, ensure that your coins are completely soaked. You will note that some small bubbles will start to appear, which indicates that the peroxide is slowly wearing down the impurity material.
4.Leave the Coins to Soak
Ensure that your coins soak in the hydrogen peroxide solution for 24 hours. You can then scrutinize the coins to check if they are clean or not. If the coins are not clean, ensure that you repeat the steps in the cleaning process.
5.Rinse the Coins with Clean Water
After you are sure that your coins are clean, remove them from the container, rinse them using clean tap water, and air dry the coins. You can also incorporate a hairdryer to speed the drying of the coins.
6.Store the Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a very corrosive solution, and you need to ensure that it is stored or disposed of safely. It is also important to note that the solution is highly flammable and should ensure that you keep it away from any sources of heat or ignition.
Also, exposing the solution to moisture will make it lose its chemical reactivity and become less effective. Therefore, when storing the solution, it is imperative to keep it away from moisture. Since the compound has a corrosive action on metals and tends to react with some bases and compounds it is imperative to store it correctly.
Can Hydrogen Peroxide Corrode the Coin Surfaces?
Hydrogen peroxide is a very acidic solution and will corrode any impurities present on your coins’ surfaces. To ensure that the acidic solution does not eat away the coin’s surface, it is imperative to ensure that you monitor the coins regularly to make sure that you have used the correct concentration of the solution.
Can you Wash all Coins with Hydrogen Peroxide?
Hydrogen peroxide is recommended in the washing of coins that are used regularly. If you have old coins or coins of historical significance, it is imperative to consider washing them with mild chemical agents.
Key Takeaway
The article above comprehensively covers how to clean coins with hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is one of the most common washing agents available in local and virtual stores. The acidic solution effectively removes corrosion and dirt from the coins. Consider incorporating a solution with a concentration of below 40% to protect the structural integrity of your coins.
