Copper naturally tarnishes over time due to a reaction between the metal object and its environment, but it can be easily returned to its original state.
Metal pieces made of copper add warmth and elegance to any room. Over time, however, theyre bound to lose their luster, developing a layer of tarnish. Even in optimal conditions (a cool, dry setting out of direct sunlight), tarnish cant be avoided—and while it isnt harmful, it can be unsightly. Luckily, its easy to polish away. Youll want to take extra care when it comes to cleaning copper—if you scrub too hard, you can scratch the metal and remove the finish. But with the right cleaning supplies, you’ll be well on your way to safely restoring your most beloved copper pieces.
Make a paste and scrub: Use lemon juice and salt or vinegar and salt to mix a cleaning paste (as described above). Apply and scrub the copper with a sponge. Rinse and dry: After scrubbing, rinse in warm water and dry the copper with a lint-free dishtowel.
How to Clean Copper With Ketchup
If vinegar doesnt do the trick, try ketchup. “The acid in the tomatoes will remove the tarnish,” says Leslie Reichert, a green cleaning coach and the author of The Joy of Green Cleaning.
- Cover the surface of the copper item with ketchup.
- Gently use a microfiber cloth to remove any tarnished areas on the copper item.
- After rubbing ketchup around the item, thoroughly rinse it with water to remove any ketchup.
- Dry with a microfiber cloth.
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How to Clean Copper With Lemon and Salt
Cleaning copper with lemon and salt is a natural and effective method ideal for copper cookware, but it may not be suitable for all types of copper objects. “Avoid using this method on items with delicate or sensitive finishes, valuable antiques, or items with decorative elements that scrubbing could damage,” says Sokolowski.
- Cut a fresh lemon in half and squeeze the juice into a bowl, removing any seeds.
- Sprinkle a generous amount of table salt or coarse salt onto half the lemon.
- Gently rub the salted lemon onto the tarnished areas of the copper item.
- Repeat with the remaining lemon, if needed.
- After treating all tarnished areas, rinse the copper with water to remove lemon juice and salt residue.
- Dry with a microfiber cloth.
How do I make the perfect copper bullion bars? – Devil Forge
FAQ
How do you smooth out copper?
What does vinegar do to copper?
What does baking soda do to copper?
How do you Polish copper?
Buff the copper’s surface with a cloth. Use your polishing cloth to buff your polish into your copper. Apply a decent amount of pressure to remove any tarnish. Keep polishing until your copper shines. Rinse and dry your copper. Use clean water to rinse off any remaining polish after you’re done. Then, gently pat your copper dry.
How do you make a copper patina?
Boil some eggs and crush them inside of a plastic bag. Set the copper item inside and wait 4-24 hours for the patina to develop. For a more hands-on option, soak the item with white vinegar, ammonia, and salt for a green patina. Use baking soda for a brown patina. Looking for a unique color?
How do you Age copper?
We’ll show you how to age copper to a darker brown or create a more noticeable green, or greenish-blue, patina. Boil some eggs and crush them inside of a plastic bag. Set the copper item inside and wait 4-24 hours for the patina to develop. For a more hands-on option, soak the item with white vinegar, ammonia, and salt for a green patina.
How do you clean copper?
Mix ¼ cup of baking soda with ¼ cup of vinegar (or lemon juice) to form a paste. Using a microfiber cloth, apply the paste and buff the copper. Rinse with warm water and dry with a clean cloth.