penny project: step 1 / clean those pennies

I'm working on a crazy jewelry project made out of pennies. I want to do it in the cleanest way possible since pennies are super dirty and if they were made before 1983 they're solid copper and develop quite a patina

what you'll need to clean a penny
-white vinegar
-table salt
-pennies (the older the better)
-a glass container
-snacks


pour some vinegar into your glass container. I filled my container to about 0.75"

add some table salt (about a tablespoon) to your vinegar and stir

add pennies -- make sure they aren't touching and let them soak for 5 minutes. 
after 5 minutes rinse your pennies and let them dry 

watch as gluten free cornbread disappears

admire your super clean pennies and gather them up for step 2 (coming soon)