Hints From Heloise

Dear Heloise: Would you please print in your column a solution for cleaning pennies. Thank you. Irma, Brunswick, Maine

Many times cleaning coins may take away value, so be sure you don’t use this method to clean any coins that may be valuable. If you’re not sure of the value, check with a coin dealer.

For the easy cleaning method, try this. Pour some vinegar into a medium-size bowl and add a teaspoon of baking soda. Put the pennies in the mixture as it starts to fizz and let them soak for a few minutes. If they are really dirty, you may need to scrub them with a nail brush to remove all the yuck. Rinse well and they should sparkle like new.

Vinegar and baking soda are two of the best economical and environmentally safe cleaners around.

-Heloise