Clean Copper

Cleaning copper can be done in a number of ways, mostly using what you have at home already. Here are some of the most preferred methods.

Steps

Vinegar And Salt Method

Table salt and vinegar combinations reduce oxidization from copper.

  1. Pour vinegar and salt over the copper.
  2. Rub in. Keep rubbing to remove any tarnishing and grime.
  3. Rinse off.
  4. Polish up with a clean, soft, dry cloth.

Vinegar And Salt Method [1]

  1. Place 1 tablespoon salt and 1 cup white vinegar into a large pot. Fill with water.
  2. Place the copper item into the pot.
  3. Bring to a boil and continue boiling until the tarnish comes off.
  4. Remove item. Once cooled, wash with soap in hot water. Rinse and dry.

Lemon/Lime Method

You can clean tarnish off items like copper pots and plates by using lemons.

  1. Cut two lemons/limes into halves.
  2. Rub over the tarnished areas until removed. If you want, add salt to the lemon/lime half.
  3. Rinse and polish. You may rub copper item with a scotch brite pad before rinsing.

Lemon And Salt Method

  1. Squeeze lemon juice from one lemon.
  2. Add salt and mix to form a paste.
  3. Rub the paste over the copper with a soft cloth.
  4. Rinse off with warm water and polish. Polish with beeswax for a lasting shine.[2]

Salt, Vinegar And Flour Method [1]

  1. Place 1 tablespoon of salt in 1 cup of white vinegar.
  2. Make a paste by adding flour gradually. Mix together well.
  3. Apply the paste to the copper and smear over tarnished areas.
  4. Leave for 15 minutes to one hour.
  5. Rinse with warm water and polish.

Ketchup Method

Believe it or not, ketchup is excellent for removing oxidation from copper. This method is probably better for small areas due to the mess.

  1. Add the ketchup in a light to moderate film.
  2. Let it sit for a few minutes.
  3. Rub vigorously with a non-scratch pad.
  4. Wash away. Try it on a penny to see if it works.

Sulfamic Method

This method is best used with oxidized/tarnished copper, where the copper is the only material of the piece being cleaned. Other metal that may be making up the material may become tarnished and/or pitted from the sulfuric wash.

  1. Using rubber gloves, mix sulfamic acid and water to a concentration that is ample for the piece you plan on cleaning. Directions for volume and mixture rates can be obtained on the sulfamic packaging.
  2. Dip the copper portion of the product into the solution.
  3. Once the solution stops bubbling, remove the product and rinse thoroughly.
  4. Air dry in a cool place. The result will be a brightened copper product

Tips

  • There are commercial copper polishes available to purchase.
  • Keep decorative copper items dusted regularly to prevent grime build-up. Use a cold, damp cloth for dusting.[2]
  • Another way to clean copper is to use the salt and aluminum foil method that is used to clean silver. Put a layer of aluminum foil in a bowl, add hot water and enough table salt so that no more will dissolve and then put the copper item in the bowl. Make sure the item is covered in the salt water, and that the copper touches the aluminum foil, scratch it against the aluminum foil if you have to. Wait a few minutes. Unlike the silver process, the removed tarnish stays on the copper, so it won't look clean, but the reacted tarnish can be wiped off with a soft cloth.

Warnings

  • Decorative lacquered items should only be washed in soapy water and dried thoroughly. Polishing or scrubbing such copper items will remove their protective coating.[3]

Things You'll Need

  • Vinegar
  • Salt
  • Lemons
  • Cleaning cloth
  • Polishing cloth
  • Beeswax

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Doityourself, Copper Cleaning, Care and Repair
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 AskYahoo, How do you clean copper?
  3. ↑ Howtocleanstuff, How to Clean Copper
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