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In December 2025, the US Treasury Department officially announced the suspension of new penny production, citing rising production costs to 3.69 cents per coin, in addition to a decrease in overall cash transactions. While pennies are no longer produced, the estimated 114 billion pennies still in circulation retain their status as legal tender. They also make great, budget-friendly tools for everyday home projects. So, instead of letting your spare change gather dust in the jar, you can put all that extra money to work solving common household problems. from Balancing a shaky roof From hanging a heavy window curtain perfectly straight to a fan or steadying an uneven table leg, the often-overlooked penny is surprisingly versatile. Here are seven uses for pennies you may have never thought of.
1. Fix a wobbly table or chair.
If N Unsteady chair Or your home table is driving you crazy, reach for a quick fix for this nuisance for just a penny. First, determine which leg is causing the problem. Once you know which one it is, simply slide a penny under it to create stability. If even one penny doesn’t do the trick, try adding another. You can also tape or glue two or three pennies together to increase the thickness and height of your homemade shim.
2. Balance the ceiling fan.
If you your Ceiling fan Too cold and it starts to make a racket as it moves around, it can be very wobbly. A small penny could be just the fix. Attach a penny to the top of the ceiling fan blade – near the center – using painter’s tape or masking tape. Run the fan to determine if you’ve found the culprit; If not, try a penny on another blade until the noise disappears. You may have to shift the penny a few inches off center just to get it in the right spot. Once you find the best placement, attach the penny permanently with superglue.
3. Save the cut flowers.
If you’re looking for Extending the life of fresh cut flowers Put a penny in the vase of water you bring home from your garden or from the supermarket or flower shop. The copper in peonies acts as a fungicide, preventing the growth of fungi and bacteria that can spoil your beautiful bouquet. Just keep in mind that pennies minted after 1982 are made of 97.5 percent zinc instead of copper, so that won’t do the trick. Instead, look for pennies from 1982 or earlier for this clever use.
4. Reduce algae growth in your bird bath.
To attract birds to your yard, you want to Make sure your bird bath stays clean So they can enjoy safe water to drink and splash around. If not, dirty water can attract mosquitoes and pose a health hazard to visiting birds. Also, the dirt and algae that accumulate can stain the bird bath, causing sore eyes. In addition to adding a bubbler and sealing the bird bath with a clear, non-toxic sealant, you can help maintain a pristine bath with a copper penny. Place a penny (here again, make sure it was minted before 1982) in the bottom of the basin to prevent algae from growing.
5. Measure the tire treads.
Deciding whether it’s time to invest in a new set of tires is as easy as performing a quick, budget-friendly DIY inspection using pennies. from Measure your remaining tread depthInsert the coin directly into one of the grooves of the tire with President Lincoln’s head facing down. If its entire face and head remain fully visible, your traction has worn down to a dangerously low level, indicating that you will need to replace the tire immediately. However, if the top of its head is partially hidden under the rubber, your tire still has more than 2/32 inch of tread left, meaning you can safely drive a few more miles before heading to the shop.
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6. Keep curtains straight.
If your Curtains or draperies Make homemade curtain weights from pennies that swing around and don’t hang straight. One approach is to open the bottom stitching of your drapes, slide in some pennies to add weight, and then close the material back up. Another method is to glue a stack of pennies together on a paperclip; Then place the pennies in the open hem of the curtain using a paperclip to hold the DIY weight in place.
7. Get rid of carpet indentations.
Rearranging furniture gives your home decor a new look, but the process can leave unwanted behind Dents on your carpet That catches your eye. Believe it or not, a penny can provide a simple solution. Simply spray some water on the carpet and gently rub a clean penny in circles over the indentation. Pennies provide a smooth edge to shake and lift any flat fibers to their original height.
Meet the tools of the year 2025
