how to clean coins?

**jacqueline** · 07-03-2006, 08:23 AM

I just got all the change out of my car (which is filthy). Some of the coins have liquid lipgloss on them and others have bacitracin (antibacterial ointment) on them. Any suggestions on how to clean them--they are so sticky!

**YankeeMom** · 07-03-2006, 08:32 AM

Can you soak them in a bit of degreaser? Like simple green? Maybe even some Dawn dish detergent? It sounds like most of the gunk is oil-based so hot soapy water or degreaser will do the trick.

HTH
Heather

**AmyMCGS** · 07-03-2006, 09:48 AM

Well, this is probably not helpful, but this is what popped into my head when I saw this post.

When we were in high school we used to pour Taco Bell hot sauce over our change (yes, on the tray in the Taco Bell) and watch it "eat" the gunk off the coins. Then we'd wipe them off with a napkin and admire our shiny coins.

**baxjul** · 07-03-2006, 10:20 AM

Or soak them in Coke.

**jacqueline** · 07-03-2006, 12:32 PM

thanks everyone for the tips. i was way off base thinking about rubbing alcohol for some reason--musta knew in the back of my head not to try it. i actually used dawn w/bleach dish liquid--lots in a pan of warm water and then dried by hand with a paper towel. some weree still a little greasy, but all in all it worked. and i came up with $7.06 to add to the change jar. i can't believe i had seven bucks in change riding around in the car. yippee!!

ps that taco bell story is funny (and scary! glad i never eat their hotsauce!)

**Missy** · 07-03-2006, 04:30 PM

man, and I love hot sauce ~~

I have used windex to clean the grimy coins off when i have been in the car cleaning.

**AmyBoz** · 07-03-2006, 06:08 PM

drop 'em in a cup of vinegar

**santoria** · 07-04-2006, 04:57 PM

I remember pouring salt on pennies....

maybe try some dish detergent - its made to get food and grease and ickies off....which reminds me I have to clean out my change thingy too.....spilled a pop there this weekend.