baking soda cleaning

mdless

In anothr forum someone mentioned baking soda cleaning of coins. Anybody know what that is? I never got a response in the other forum. Also when I've got cruddy coins lately, I soak 'em in lemon juice and it takes the crud right off. (course it changes the coins to a funky coler around the edges too... )

ddbird

Lemon Juice has citric acid...though VERY mild it is acid and will alter the coins surface. Baking soda will have the same effects and will alter the coins surface.

Stick with the potato method, or vegetable oil soaking. Acetone (Organic cleaning compound, not acidic or basic) for silver too.

loditom

All the baking soda method is,is taking your coin(silver) getting it wet and pour some baking soda on it,and then rub it between your finger's and then rinse it off.It will scratch the coin's surface some,not where it's totally noticable.But if you just want to be able to see it better,that's the method.
Know this method is fine for those coin's in bad shape or of no numastic value

Do not use this or any other method of cleaning on any coin that could be a keydate or of some value,take them to somebody that is a profesional!!!!!HH,Tom

lordmarcovan

Rubbing between the thumb and forefinger with a baking soda paste is a way to clean stubborn crud off silver. It does leave the coin with a flat, "scrubby" appearance afterward.

Obviously, as loditom mentioned, it is not something to be done to a potentially valuable item, but sometimes there is little choice.

I usually use toothpaste instead. Like the baking soda, it is mildly abrasive, but not quite as much so.

Of course, electrolysis or other methods may be preferable.

Lamborghini518

<<vegetable oil >>
I always thought it was olive oil. does it matter?
I'd stick with the potato idea. Speaking of which, I forgot to take something out of the tater before I left to Florida. it's been in it for 5 days. I'm going to take it out now and see what it is.

mdless

I've not had good results with the potato method.

lordmarcovan

The potato method is for crusty copper only. It will do nothing for silver. I thought we were talking about silver, since that is what I mostly use baking soda on.

JJ69

<< <i>I've not had good results with the potato method. >>



The one time I tried the tater treatment it turned 3 experimental dug wheats pumkin orange, and 1 came out looking Ok.
Be hard pressed to recommend it with odds like that, but maybe it was an extra potent spud or something.

BoxTopp

I can make a silver coin look brand new with baking soda & vinegar

Lamborghini518

<<I soak 'em in lemon juice and it takes the crud right off. (course it changes the coins to a funky coler around the edges too... ) >>
Always add water to the lemon juice, that's what I said when I suggested it several months ago.

I've got to try that baking soda & vinegar meathod, It sounds like it would do a great job.

grip

I stay away from the acid cleaners,and use H202 35%.I use it on my uncleaned romans
and works real good....DO NOT get on hands,It will bleach them.
Al