How to Clean Copper

Whether it’s a coin, a pan, or a trophy, copper has one of the nicest-looking finishes among common metals. Copper can retain its finish for quite a while, although it is prone to stains and tarnish. A shiny copper piece looks like it’s worth its weight in gold. Cleaning copper is an easy task that you should do from time to time to maintain the shiny metallic luster of your coins, pans, and trophies.

What Causes Copper Stains?

Fresh copper has a pink or peach color. Copper is particularly sensitive to air; the reddish or orange color found in copper is usually caused by oxidation. Over time, pure copper - or alloys with a high proportion of copper - will turn green with tarnish.

Tarnish from oxidation is not the only stain that you have to worry about. Here are other things that can cause copper to stain:

• Burn marks
• Grease and oils
• Acids and other strong chemicals like fuel and gasoline
• Corrosive substances like washing soda and pollution

Tools

Copper polish is readily available from hardware and home care stores. Copper polish is quite easy to use, although it’s not fit to use around coins, pots, and pans. For pans and coins, copper polish can leave trace amounts of toxic chemicals. The good news is that copper can be cleaned using stuff found in your home.

To clean copper without using harsh chemicals, you need the following tools and ingredients:

• Lemon juice (use fresh-squeezed lemon juice instead of juice powder)
• Cream of tartar
• Old toothbrush
• Sponge
• Boiling salted water

Steps

1. Mix lemon juice and cream of tartar together to make a paste.
2. Rub the paste on the copper using an old toothbrush.
3. Allow the lemon juice and cream of tartar paste to set for five minutes.
4. Wipe the paste off with a sponge, and boil the copper piece in boiling salted water for five minutes. Your copper item should have that fresh, pinkish color that it came with the day you bought it.

Whether it’s a coin, a pan, or a pot, the sheen and luster of copper is something that will last for generations as long as you take care of it properly. With these tips, you’ll never have to worry about your copper items losing their shine again.

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