With coins that are already scratched and in poor condition, cleaning them won't decrease their value because they usually are not worth much anyway. Warm soapy water and a toothbrush won't damage them further. Avoid strong chemicals because they usually cause severe pitting and will destroy the appearance of the coin. Silver coins can be improved by soaking overnight in white vinegar and sodium bicarbonate mixture after washing in soapy water. I must stress though that this advice only applies to coins that are already damaged and have no value. Any coin that has value will decrease in value if cleaned.