Question on cleaning nickels

[Count Boris]

Hello Everyone
This is my question. Ive read different methods on cleaning nickels. One called for placing the nickel in ketchup. Another, using a combination of salt and vinegar. To me, it's just another form of acid. So the coin value is null. Why not just use a metal cleaner? Since you destroyed the coin value anyway. Am I looking at this totally wrong?

[Jeffro]

I don't think there is a "right" way to look at cleaning....

Everyone seems to have their own opinions, but most usually agree that anything of value should not be cleaned.

If you just want to shine up a common coin, you'll get about as many ways to do it as their are personalities.

I try and stick with non-chemical, non-electrical methods myself.

Different gunk that has attached itself to your coin will require different methods to clean it off. So there's no real best way to clean 'em all.

I personally think a coin that metal polish has been used on looks so completely unnatural that a complete novice would know there's something not right about that coin. Others really like the look.

Try it out on a newer nickel first and see what you think.