How to clean copper at home

Copper utensils: how to clean them at home, different methods

Humanity has long been using copper to create various household items. This material melts easily, is lightweight and looks very beautiful. Various things are made from copper: jewelry, coins, farming tools. Copper utensils are in particular demand; just remember the old shiny samovars, which continue to be used in many homes. But you need to be able to properly care for and clean copper utensils so that they continue to delight you with their shine for a long time.

Simple ways

Over a long service life, the copper surface inevitably oxidizes. Before cleaning copper cookware at home, you need to make sure that there is no varnish layer on the coating. If there is one and its condition is ideal, then it is enough to wash such dishes with detergent. To do this proceed as follows:

1. A solution of products and water is applied to the surface of the dishes (proportion one to five).
2. They wait twenty minutes.
3. Then simply wash the dishes with a sponge in the usual way and wipe them dry so that there are no streaks left.

If the paintwork has chips, it must first be completely removed. This gives access directly to the copper surface, because the dishes can be used without additional coatings. Clear this layer in this way:

1. The desired item is immersed in a solution of water and baking soda. Usually take a tablespoon of the substance per liter of water.
2. The container with copper is set to boil for half an hour. If the water boils too much, the solution is simply added during the boiling process.
3. Then the copper object is pulled out and the remaining varnish is removed from it with a stiff brush.

Cleaning green deposits

You can clean copper dishes from green deposits using a solution of soda ash and paper glue. The procedure is quite simple:

1. Three cans of glue are dissolved in five liters of water, a large handful of soda is added.
2. Immerse the cleaning item in the resulting composition and boil for half an hour.
3. The hot dishes are removed and quickly immersed in ice water. After this, any dirt can be easily cleaned with a regular cloth.

If such components are not available, you can use regular lemon. To do this, carry out the following steps:

1. Take a whole lemon and cut it lengthwise.
2. Pour a spoonful of soda onto the lemon half.
3. Use this half of a lemon to clean the surface of the copper utensils.

This product works thanks to citric acid. This acid in powder form works in a similar way. It is simply diluted with water until a thick consistency is formed. Then dip a sponge into this paste and wash the dishes in a circular motion.

Lemon juice or powdered acid is also used in combination with regular salt and flour. All components are simply diluted in equal quantities with water. The thickness of the mass should resemble rich sour cream.

If you resort to the old proven method of cleaning copper with a solution of alcohol, ammonia or kerosene, then if possible, do this in the fresh air. It is enough to dip a cloth in the product and use it to wipe the dishes that have lost their former copper shine.

Other methods

If you have ammonia and sodium borate, you can prepare a special solution for cleaning copper products. To do this, dilute 70 g of sodium and 20 ml of alcohol in half a liter of water. Mix this composition thoroughly. Then they just need to process the desired surface of the product. If necessary, repeat the procedure.

You can use a solution of vinegar and salt; boil the desired products in it for half an hour. If you have goi paste, you can apply a little of the substance to the surface using felt cloth and polish it. The paste contains abrasive materials with chromium particles, which is what cleanses. Goi paste also gives the dishes a mirror shine.

Sulfamic acid is only suitable if the copper utensils do not contain impurities that could turn black due to contact with this component. Use acid only after protecting the skin with gloves, as it causes serious burns.

Cleaning samovars and teapots

All methods are also suitable for cleaning copper samovars, teapots and Turks. It’s just that it’s a little more difficult to clean the inside, because limescale deposits appear there from boiling water. One proven method is to use potato peelings:

1. After peeling the potatoes, leave the skins, wash them, pour them inside the dishes and pour boiling water over them.
2. Boil water with potato peelings for three hours.
3. Then drain the contents of the dishes and wash them in the usual way using detergent.

Read more about how to clean a copper Turk in this article. 

After such cleansing, you need to boil water in a copper bowl a couple of times, replacing it with a new one each time to remove any remaining plaque. Vinegar essence 75% is suitable for cleaning such kitchen appliances. It's quite simple to use:

1. Pour 300 ml of essence into a copper container and add warm water so that it completely fills the entire volume of the container.
2. The solution is left to stand for two hours, then all the liquid is washed off and the vessel is cleaned with a brush.
3. All that remains is to rinse the product under water to get rid of residual acid, which can affect the taste of the water.

After such cleansing, you need to boil water in a copper bowl a couple of times, replacing it with a new one each time to remove any remaining plaque. Vinegar essence 75% is suitable for cleaning such kitchen appliances. It's quite simple to use:

1. Pour 300 ml of essence into a copper container and add warm water so that it completely fills the entire volume of the container.
2. The solution is left to stand for two hours, then all the liquid is washed off and the vessel is cleaned with a brush.
3. All that remains is to rinse the product under water to get rid of residual acid, which can affect the taste of the water.

Another proven method is to use lemon zest. Skins from tangerines, oranges, and limes are also suitable. Then proceed like this:

1. The skins are placed in the vessel, filling half the container with them. Instead of zest, you can take two packs of citric acid.
2. Pour in a little water - do not fill it completely, otherwise the liquid will begin to splash out when boiling.
3. Boil for half an hour, then drain the water and clean the walls of the product with a brush.

The procedure is repeated if necessary. You can also use store-bought products to descale teapots.

But detergents for washing machines and dishwashers are not suitable for copper cookware: they are more aggressive and can damage the copper surface. The selected purchased product is used strictly according to the instructions indicated on the package.

In the case of a samovar, it is recommended to disassemble it into its components before cleaning, since many different curved parts cannot be washed so easily by simple boiling.

If stains appear on copper utensils, you should not be upset; you can resort to different methods and means that give good results. It is quite easy to restore a copper surface to its former beauty.

The procedure is repeated if necessary. You can also use store-bought products to descale teapots.

But detergents for washing machines and dishwashers are not suitable for copper cookware: they are more aggressive and can damage the copper surface. The selected purchased product is used strictly according to the instructions indicated on the package.

In the case of a samovar, it is recommended to disassemble it into its components before cleaning, since many different curved parts cannot be washed so easily by simple boiling.

If stains appear on copper utensils, you should not be upset; you can resort to different methods and means that give good results. It is quite easy to restore a copper surface to its former beauty.

Source: https://nashdom.life/chistka/chem-chistit-mednuyu-posudu-v-domashnix-usloviyax

How to clean copper?

How to clean copper from various types of contaminants without damaging the metal and so that it shines again? This question is often of interest to modern needlewomen who make various jewelry from copper, as well as modern housewives who still use copper cutlery and other kitchen utensils made of this metal.

Despite the fact that copper is a fairly plastic and wear-resistant material, it is susceptible to oxidation, so when exposed to moisture, an unpleasant greenish coating appears on the surface of copper cutlery or jewelry. If you cook food in dishes made of oxidized copper, the food will acquire an unpleasant taste and smell, and will also become unsafe for health.

Also, the surface of copper products may darken, so you need to know how you can clean metal from various types of contaminants at home effectively and safely.

Cleaning copper at home

To clean copper at home, it is enough to use the simplest folk remedies. Experienced housewives do not recommend using abrasive household chemicals for cleaning metal, as such products can damage the surface of the product.

Using the example of cleaning a copper pot, we will show how to easily and quickly clean this metal from green deposits, blackness or dust.

1. The first step is to thoroughly rinse the copper product in the usual way using dishwashing detergent, and then wipe the surface dry. Apply the selected cleaning agent to the surface.
2. If you decide to use a homemade cleaning solution, you will need to make it in advance.
3. Next, you need to thoroughly wipe the surface of the copper product with a lint-free cloth. A microfiber cloth is perfect for this purpose; you can also use a soft sponge or an old toothbrush.
4. Once you are sure that there are no dirt or deposits left, the copper pot, cutlery or jewelry can be washed under running cold water.
5. To restore shine to a product made of this metal, you can additionally use lime or lemon juice, which you also need to thoroughly rub on the copper surface. Don't forget to rinse the product after completing the procedure.
6. Now you need to wipe the copper product dry with a towel or clean cloth.
7. Afterwards all that remains is to polish the copper using a suitable compound.

Many people are also often interested in how to polish copper at home. For this purpose, you can use a special paste based on trivalent chromium oxide. The texture of this paste resembles plasticine. A piece of GOI paste is rubbed onto the cleaned copper surface, then the copper product is washed and wiped with a towel. You can polish and grind this metal using tooth powder, but finding such a product is quite difficult.

In the table below we have collected the most effective and popular folk remedies for cleaning copper products at home.

Means	Mode of application
Table vinegar	Table vinegar is very often used in households to clean various contaminants from the surface of kitchen utensils. This is because it is an effective and safe product that will definitely not harm either the object requiring cleaning or the person. To clean the copper surface from dirt and dust, as well as carbon deposits, you need to wash the product in the usual way and dry it. Then you should apply vinegar to the copper and add table salt on top. Next, you should clean the dirt using a cotton cloth in a circular motion until the desired result is achieved. Then all that remains is to thoroughly rinse and polish the copper product. More information about this method can be found in the video below.
Liquid soap	You can effectively clean copper even from old plaque using liquid soap or dishwashing detergent. To do this, pour water into the pan so that the product requiring cleaning can be completely contained in the liquid. Add a little liquid soap to the water and then bring to a boil. As soon as the water boils, reduce the heat and place a copper object into the liquid. We boil the metal until the surface begins to clean itself. After this, you will need to rinse the copper item under running water and, most likely, clean it additionally with soda to remove the most stubborn stains. Otherwise, boiling does an excellent job of removing even the oldest plaque.
Citrus	You can clean copper from blackening using citrus fruits. To do this, rub the surface of the product made of this metal with half a lime, adding a little table salt or baking soda. You can also squeeze the juice from a lemon, mix the liquid with baking soda and rub the resulting mixture onto a copper surface. The effect of cleaning will be noticeable almost immediately. Be sure to thoroughly rinse, wipe and polish the cleaned surface to prevent oxidation of the metal.
Wine vinegar and flour	To independently restore the previous appearance of a copper product, you should prepare the following solution. Mix 200 milliliters of vinegar and two teaspoons of table salt in a deep bowl. Pour regular wheat flour into the bowl so that the result is a mass reminiscent of sour cream. Mix the homemade copper cleaning solution thoroughly. We thoroughly wash the copper cutlery and dry it with a towel, then fill the spoons and forks with the prepared solution. Leave the copper to clean for 20-30 minutes. After this, we rinse the copper under running water and polish it with a dry cotton cloth.
Ketchup	Few people know, but you can clean copper at home with ordinary ketchup without additives. To do this, simply apply tomato sauce to the contaminated area of ​​the copper product, and then wait half an hour. After the specified time, the copper will be cleaned; all that remains is to remove the plaque and ketchup with a sponge or cloth.
Amidosulfuric acid	This method cannot be called completely folk, because we will use amidosulfuric acid. You can purchase such a product in a specialized store. Note! Only 100% copper can be cleaned in this way, because the presence of impurities in the metal can cause the product to darken. Products should be cleaned in this way in accordance with the instructions on the acid packaging. Don't forget to wear rubber gloves when working with this substance.

In order to polish a copper product for preventive purposes, you can use only fabric, for example, wool or suede. If the copper has darkened, you will have to use additional products. You can find commercial products at your local hardware store that are specifically designed for cleaning and polishing copper and similar metals.

Cleaning copper coins at home is easy; just use one of the methods described above. Collectors also often polish and clean copper coins in melted laundry soap.

Experienced housewives advise storing copper cutlery in special cases, putting a small piece of chalk in there. This way you can protect products from oxidation. It is recommended that the copper should not be exposed to direct sunlight. It is better not to store copper items near heaters and radiators.

If you often wear copper jewelry, try to wash and polish your bracelets and chains after each use. From prolonged contact with the skin, copper also becomes covered with a greenish coating. Moreover, such plaque may remain on the skin.

Having studied in detail all the effective means for cleaning copper, now you know how to keep objects and products made from this metal clean at home.

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Source: https://xclean.info/kak-pochistit-med.html

How and with what to clean copper products from blackness and green and white deposits at home

Copper products have remained relevant and popular for several centuries. But their noble appearance is often spoiled by a greenish dull coating that forms on the surface layer due to an oxidative reaction with air. You can clean copper objects from oxides using modern chemical products or simple home techniques. Convenient and non-hazardous cleaning options will return your household utensils and other items to their original shine and attractiveness.

Reasons for the raid

Dishes, furniture fittings, jewelry and other things made of copper need periodic cleaning to remove green deposits. This need is associated with the characteristics of the metal. Due to prolonged exposure to air or exposure to temperature, such things become covered with a dark greenish film. Oxides are especially noticeable on dishes that are constantly used in the kitchen. Darkening can only be removed by cleaning.

Jewelry with copper behaves differently. They sometimes darken, but then return to their original state. It is widely believed that this behavior of the metal is a reflection of the health of the owner of the jewelry. In reality, such changes only reflect a reaction to environmental indicators: fluctuations in humidity, pressure or temperature.

Important!

Oxides on copper cookware are especially dangerous. If plates and pots are not cleaned for a long time, the metal releases toxic substances that are harmful to human health.

Metal oxidation

Copper in its usual state has a reddish tint. If a metal is exposed to air for a long time, it acquires a red-violet or blackish tint due to a layer of oxides forming on its surface. Prolonged exposure to high humidity conditions provokes the formation of a layer of hydroxides on a copper product. Then a greenish color appears. An acetic acid layer of blue-green color also appears on the copper from contact with vinegar. It is a poisonous substance.

Raid

Before you start cleaning, you need to determine whether the item is actually made of copper. The easiest way to do this is to use a magnet. Copper makes little contact with the magnet, but even the resulting attraction quickly disintegrates. Therefore, if a magnet sticks firmly to the surface of a thing, it is definitely made of another metal.

Then they determine whether there is plaque on the object or whether the peculiar layer is just a coating of varnish. Then a small amount of baking soda is quenched with vinegar and the resulting liquid is dripped onto the surface of the item. If a liquid quickly brightens an object, then the darkened layer is oxides that need to be gotten rid of.

Cleaning copper products at home

Copper products that are constantly used should be cleaned regularly. A simple rinse under the tap in dishwashing detergent is suitable. Instead, you can wipe down copper items with sanitary gel. If these methods do not bring cleanliness and a significant part of the product remains covered with plaque, more aggressive cleaning methods are used.

Vinegar with salt

In this case, rub the item with a soft cloth using a special product. It is mixed from 1 cup of ordinary vinegar and 1 tbsp. l. salt. After cleaning objects from oxide, they are washed with clean water and wiped thoroughly.

Another method for cleaning copper at home is to boil the item in a solution of salt and vinegar. For it, add 1 glass of ordinary vinegar and 1 tbsp to 3 glasses of water. l. table salt. The copper product is placed in the prepared solution and left to heat up. After 15 minutes of boiling, it is possible to remove all the green deposits. Then the item is taken out and washed under running water with detergent.

Important!

This cleaning method is used for copper items with or without a protective coating.

Cleaning with ketchup

This is an easy and affordable method to clean copper products from plaque. In this case, cover the surface of the copper item with the sauce and set aside for 30 minutes. Then polish the surface with a soft cloth, and wash off the remaining ketchup with warm water. This method returns the lost shine to the item. In the same way, you can clean copper utensils from patina using kefir.

Cleaning with salt and lemon

In this way, you can clean a copper basin at home or large copper products until they shine, for example, samovars and pots. Cut the lemon into two parts and sprinkle the cut area with coarse table salt. Then polish the surface of the kitchen utensils.

You can make a special paste for cleaning copper. For it, mix table salt, baking soda and flour in equal volumes, then add lemon juice to form a paste-like mass. This product is used to rub the surface layer of the object until it shines. After cleaning, the item is washed with heated water. As a result, the copper product acquires a mirror shine.

Using Baking Soda

It is convenient to use baking soda to clean copper at home in combination with lemon juice. Use the resulting liquid to wipe the surface layer of the item with a soft cloth and then rinse. Instead of lemon juice, you can clean copper with citric acid dissolved in water and soda.

Another way to use baking soda to clean copper from oxides is by boiling:

1. Dilute 1 tbsp in 1 liter of water. l. soda and lower the product completely into the liquid.
2. The container is set to heat up and boil for half an hour, after which the heating should be turned off.
3. Then the product is washed with heated water and wiped completely.

Important!

Using the proposed method, green deposits are removed from a copper product. It is also used to remove damaged varnish on copper items.  

Vegetable oil

An excellent means for cleaning copper is vegetable oil. It's even better to use olive oil. This method is good because it is natural, environmentally friendly and harmless. Therefore, it is especially recommended to use it when you need to clean valuable items from oxidation.

To do this, olive oil is poured into a deep container and copper objects are placed in it. After 10 days, they are removed and cleaned with a soft brush or cloth. Then they return to their place. Such actions are repeated every 10 days for two months.

Use of chemicals

Sulfuric acid removes darkening and green deposits from the surface layer of copper very well. It is mixed in equal proportions with water and a copper bracelet or other objects are placed in the liquid. When the seething begins, take the item out and wipe it well with a soft cloth. Then the item is laid out on a flat surface to dry. This cleaning method returns the product to its original shine.

Important!

When working with sulfuric acid and other aggressive substances, put rubber gloves on your hands, and protect your respiratory organs with a respirator. 

Another cleaning method is to use the drug Trilon-B. The substance is stirred in water in a ratio of 1:10. Afterwards, the copper product is lowered into the resulting liquid and observed. When the required degree of cleanliness is achieved, the item is taken out and washed with clean water.

Cleaning Copper Coins

Coins made of copper and its alloys are often found in the collections of numismatists. Over time, their appearance deteriorates. A yellow film appears on coins if lead is included in the alloy. You can get rid of such a substance by immersing objects in a vessel with a solution of laundry soap. After 2-3 hours, the coins are taken out and wiped with a rag soaked in table vinegar. After such cleaning they become shiny.

You can remove blackness from copper using citric acid:

1. Mix a solution of 200 ml of water and 2 tsp. citric acid.
2. Soak a piece of cotton wool with the product and wipe the parts of the coin.
3. After cleaning, the products are rinsed well.

Reddish deposits from coins, crosses and bracelets made of copper are removed by treating with ammonia. Things are dipped in ammonia for half an hour, and then washed in heated water.

Removing black and green plaque

To degrease the surface and remove the patina, use a mixture of turpentine, oxalic acid and ethanol. A solution is prepared from these equal volumes of funds. A rag is moistened in it and the products are wiped. Another cleaning method is to use crushed chalk and kerosene. The substances are combined to form a thick mass and used to polish objects.

When the layer is insignificant, it can be easily removed with ordinary soap. It is dissolved in water and the entire thing is dipped into the soapy solution. Then polish with a thick sponge.

A greenish and black layer on copper utensils indicates its unsuitability for cooking and preserving food. Such products must be cleaned before use.

Cleaning rust

In addition to plaque of various shades, rust appears in the top layer of copper objects, which is iron oxides in the form of flakes. To remove it, use strong acidic solutions, and to wash products, use a baking soda solution.

An acid solution is poured into a cup made of ceramic, glass or other inert material and the copper product is immersed in it with tweezers. A reaction will begin, during which rust is removed and dark smoke comes out. When the process is complete, the product is carefully removed and placed in a baking soda solution to neutralize the acid. The washed item is thoroughly wiped with a rag.

Important!

When handling acid, be sure to protect your hands with rubber gloves, wear a protective mask or goggles and a respirator.

Cleaning a Turk, samovar or kettle

The exterior of this kitchen utensil can be cleaned using any of the suggested methods. The inside is much more difficult to clean. There, objects are oxidized by water, but also covered with a lime layer.

To remove dirt from the inside, potato peelings are used. They are placed in a bowl and poured over with boiling water. Then set the utensils on the fire and boil the cleaning for an hour. Then the contents are poured out, and the utensils themselves are washed in heated water with detergent.

To complete the cleansing, boil plain water several times in a cleaned container. This gets rid of traces of limescale.

Useful tips

To ensure that copper items last longer, they should not be cleaned with abrasives or rubbed with metal brushes. Copper is a fairly soft metal and is easily scratched by hard objects.

It is better to store copper utensils, jewelry, embossing and coins in a special cabinet. It must be dry and ventilated. In such conditions, things made of copper retain their attractive appearance. If objects are kept in constant humidity under conditions of a significant increase in temperature, they quickly lose their attractiveness and become covered with patina.

You cannot cook food containing foods with a high acid content in copper cookware. This renders kitchen utensils unusable. When cookware has a decorative coating, it should not be polished or cleaned with abrasive materials. Such items can only be washed in heated water using a soap solution. Periodically wipe all copper utensils with a clean, soft cloth to prevent dust and soot from settling on them.

Finally

To maintain the attractiveness of copper products, it is important to clean them regularly. If previously this was done only with vinegar, salt or citric acid, now other, more effective methods can be used.

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How and with what to clean copper? Review of 5 simple methods, video

Copper products are quite common in everyday life. These can be not only coins or antique decorated items, but also kitchenware and other utensils. Their luxurious look fits perfectly and transforms any interior.

However, the impression can be spoiled due to the unpresentable appearance of copper objects due to the formation of an oxide film on their surface, giving the metal a dull green tint. Therefore, the question of how to clean copper remains relevant for many owners of such trinkets.

Why does copper require regular cleaning?

Timely care of copper utensils and other products is of no small importance. This is due to the darkening of objects and the appearance of an oxide film on them. Oxidation occurs most in those metals that are often exposed to high temperatures or are exposed to open air for a long time. Thus, copper pots or plates that are constantly used in the kitchen quickly acquire a dark shade. Only cleaning will help them.

With copper jewelry the situation is the opposite. They may darken over time and then return to their original shiny state. There is an opinion that the appearance of copper jewelry reflects the state of health of its owner.

But this factor is primarily associated with constantly changing environmental conditions: humidity, temperature and pressure. However, some representatives of alternative treatment prescribe copper bracelets to their patients to strengthen their well-being and improve the performance of the cardiovascular system.

Copper utensils came to us from ancient times and continue to remain at the peak of popularity. This is due to the increased thermal conductivity of copper, due to which food in pans made of this metal remains warm for a long time. However, its constant use is fraught with darkening and loss of characteristic shine.

If you do not regularly clean copper and utensils from oxides, this can become hazardous to your health. The metal will begin to release toxins, so you will not have to use the kitchen utensils for their intended purpose.

How to clean copper at home?

Fortunately, housewives have come up with effective ways to solve the problem of how and with what help you can clean copper well without resorting to specialists.

Method No. 1

Vinegar and salt. Using these components, you can remove oxide on the metal surface using one of the following methods:

1. It assumes the following procedure:

• Pour table vinegar over a copper object and sprinkle it generously with table salt.
• Rub the surface with a soft cloth until it becomes shiny again.
• Rinse the product and polish with a dry cloth.

2. Less labor-intensive and associated with the preparation of a solution:

• Dissolve one tablespoon of vinegar and half a glass of table salt in a deep saucepan with warm water.
• Immerse the copper item in the cleaning solution until it is completely covered with liquid.
• Place the pan on the fire and bring the water to a boil. Boil until all contaminants are washed off the product.
• Rinse under running water and polish.

Method No. 2

Fresh lemon juice:

• Cut the citrus fruit into two halves.
• Rub the lemon juice into dark areas.
• Wash and polish the item.

To make the result more noticeable, you can sprinkle salt on the lemon halves.

Method No. 3

Lemon juice and table salt:

• Squeeze the juice from the fruit into a bowl and mix it with salt. It should be a paste.
• Treat the entire surface of the product with the composition applied to a soft cloth.
• Rinse, dry and rub the item.

Method No. 4

Soap solution. This is the most common and effective remedy, popular with many housewives. It will quickly remove visible dirt. Need to:

• Add shavings of laundry soap or dishwashing detergent to a bowl of warm water.
• Wipe all dirty areas with a sponge soaked in the solution.
• Rinse with water.

If the items you are going to clean are small, you can completely immerse them in a solution of soap and water for 30 minutes. This way you will save time and effort.

Method No. 5

Ketchup. An unusual but effective method to help clean copper products. The procedure will be as follows:

• Pour the red mass into a container that will accommodate the copper product.
• Place the product so that the ketchup completely covers it. Add tomato component if necessary.
• Leave for 40-60 minutes.
• Rinse with warm water and dry.

This “bath” is more suitable for small-sized jewelry.

How to “make” copper products shine?

In addition to the question of how to clean copper, many are also interested in how to give products made from this metal a natural shine. There are also effective ways for this case:

• A mixture of vinegar, wheat flour and table salt. You need to mix the ingredients: salt and flour in equal proportions, add vinegar until you get a mushy consistency. Apply the paste to a soft cloth and rub the copper until shiny. After this, rinse with water.
• Black and white newspaper. Use lumps of paper to polish objects until they shine.

If you ignore timely care of copper products, over time they will become ugly, dull and darkened. All of the above methods are accessible and easy to use, but this does not make their effectiveness any less and replaces the work of any highly qualified specialist.

Source: http://VseoZolote.ru/precious-metals/kak-pochistit-med.html

How and how to clean copper at home

Copper was one of the first metals mastered by man back in prehistoric times. Weapons and tools, household utensils and jewelry were made from copper.

And all these millennia, people have been faced with the question: how to clean copper products from the stains that inevitably appear on them.

How to clean copper

Why copper products need to be cleaned regularly

During use and storage, copper products become covered with a dark or green coating. The oxide film is formed as a result of the interaction of the metal with atmospheric oxygen. Heating or using the item outdoors or in rooms with high humidity accelerates plaque formation. At the same time, dishes and decorations lose their appearance and look untidy. In the sailing fleet, most of the metal parts of the ship were made of copper, and there was even such an expression as “scrubbing a piece of copper.”

In addition, the chemical compounds that make up plaque can have harmful effects on human health. Therefore, copper products must be cleaned regularly.

Copper oxidation

Since ancient times, people have been improving cleaning methods, using both mechanical and chemical methods.

Effective cleaning methods

Today, the arsenal of tools that can be used to clean copper has expanded significantly. Together with ancient vinegar, sand and wire sponges, a large number of both specially designed products and those adapted by folk craftsmen are used. Among the latter there are some quite unexpected ones.

 How to clean copper

• Tomato ketchup. Apply a small amount of tasty seasoning to the stain and leave for several minutes. Rinse off with plenty of water.
• In case of light stains, you can try washing them with a regular gel detergent. The gel is squeezed onto a soft sponge and then applied to a copper object. After leaving for a minute, rub the surface and rinse with water.
• Used for large products, such as a samovar. Cut the lemon in half and rub the half over the surface of the product. Next, clean with an elastic fluffy brush and rinse with water.
• Vinegar dough. Mix vinegar and regular table flour in equal parts. Stir until a homogeneous paste-like mass is obtained. Next, the paste is spread in a thin layer on the surface to be cleaned. After waiting for complete drying, remove the product with a rag or wooden spatula. The product must then be polished with a soft cloth.

If the above methods do not lead to success, use the following method:

• Prepare a stainless steel basin or pan.
• Pour vinegar and add a couple of tablespoons of regular table salt. Stir thoroughly.
• Immerse the item to be cleaned in the solution and bring to a boil.
• Remove from heat and leave to cool at room temperature.
• Drain the cooled solution, rinse the copper object and wipe dry.

Cleaning copper with vinegar

If you decide to clean copper, take precautions. The use of protective gloves and glasses is mandatory. If you dilute vinegar essence, you should ensure ventilation of the room.

Cleaning copper at home

Copper utensils and jewelry should be cleaned regularly. With regular care, copper cleaning is carried out by regular washing or wiping with kitchen or sanitary gel. If plaque covers a significant area and cannot be removed by simple means, more radical cleaning methods are used.

How else can you clean copper?

• Citric acid powder is diluted at the rate of a tablespoon of acid per liter of water. Add a teaspoon of table salt and stir thoroughly. Use the resulting solution to wipe away plaque stains using a sponge or cloth. The method is convenient for items that do not fit in the sink: large figurines, door and window fittings, samovars, teapots, etc.
• Black deposits should be cleaned with ammonia. If you have to clean dishes, be sure to thoroughly rinse the utensils with plenty of water. If ammonia enters the human body, it can lead to serious poisoning. In the case when individual stains merge into a continuous layer of plaque, it is better to soak the entire product for one to three minutes.
• It is better to clean red stains with an ammonia solution with a strength of no higher than 10%. Carefully! Ammonia is poisonous. Be sure to provide adequate ventilation.
• It is good to clean yellow and black stains with a mixture based on regular 9% vinegar. To one part vinegar, take one part salt and two parts water. Immerse the item to be cleaned in the tank with the solution and bring the mixture to a boil. Carefully monitor the disappearance of stains - as soon as they have dissolved, stop boiling and allow the tank to cool. Next, the product should be rinsed with plenty of water and wiped dry.

Before you begin cleaning the entire copper item from oxides, you should test the effect of the cleaning composition in an inconspicuous place or in a small area.

If the product is effective and does not damage the surface, you can clean the entire product.

If you simply clean copper, the stains will go away, but the item itself will not shine. A dull surface can be made shiny using one of the following methods:

• Mechanical polishing with newspaper or printed leaflet printed with black ink only. Rub the surface until the shine is restored.
• Wiping with a weak solution of hydrochloric acid. Precautions must be taken: the room must be well ventilated, and the use of protective gloves and goggles or a transparent face shield is mandatory.
• Mix equal parts vinegar, table flour and regular salt. Stir until it becomes a thick paste. Apply the paste to the cloth and polish the surface until shiny. At the end of the operation, rinse the item with warm water.

Polished copper

To restore the shine to copper products, you should regularly care for them. Then it will be possible to do without the use of strong chemicals that are hazardous to health.

As copper products are used or stored, their shine gradually fades, and they begin to become covered with plaque - oxide films. They have a variety of shades - from dark green to light blue.

There are several main causes of plaque:

• Due to contact with oxygen in the air, the copper surface becomes covered with a layer of green patina.
• Copper jewelry darkens when it comes into contact with skin and sweat secretions. If the copper darkens very quickly, it may indicate a health problem
• Plaque also occurs when there is high humidity or direct contact with water.

Craftsmen often deliberately patina their products, giving them a more antique appearance. This is the so-called “noble patina”

Cleaning copper from white deposits

The white coating is also an oxide film. It most often occurs on the surface of copper alloys. Its color is determined by the metals that make up the alloy. This oxide layer can be cleaned using the following methods:

• when the content of other elements in the part material is low, sulfamic acid is used. This potent chemical should be used with great care, limiting the time and area of ​​exposure. Careful adherence to safety precautions is mandatory.
• A mixture of two tablespoons of salt per glass of whey is made. The resulting composition is rubbed onto the surface using a soft cloth. After you have finished cleaning, you must thoroughly rinse and dry the product.
• You can also clean white deposits with regular ketchup. A little seasoning is applied to the item, the acidic environment of ketchup restores its original appearance and shine. After cleaning, rinse with plenty of water and wipe dry.
• A thick layer of white plaque should be cleaned by boiling in a mixture of table salt and 9% edible vinegar. The item is boiled until the plaque dissolves, cooled slowly and washed with plenty of cold water.
• Another way to clean white plaque is a mixture of ammonia and powdered chalk. The resulting thick paste after mixing should be applied to the object and rubbed with a stiff brush. At the end of the process, wash and dry the surface.

To properly clean copper objects, you have to spend a lot of time and effort, but brightly shiny products will be pleasing to the eye.

How to clean copper from black and green deposits

If you need to clean copper from green and black deposits, use the following methods:

• Moisten the cloth with a mixture of oxalic acid, turpentine and ethanol and wipe the object several times. Ethanol degreases the surface, acid dissolves the oxide layer.
• A mixture of powdered chalk and kerosene is made. Lump chalk should be pre-crushed. This product can not only clean, but also polish copper objects.
• Warm soapy water (or other non-abrasive detergent). The product is completely immersed in the solution and wiped with a thick sponge.
• To clean copper products, you can also use a special composition for cleaning copper coins and medals Trilon B.

Cleaning with ammonia

Important: Black and green deposits are harmful to health; kitchen utensils covered with them cannot be used for preparing and preserving food.

Cleaning copper from rust

When copper objects come into contact with iron objects, in addition to patina, rust may appear on them - flaky iron oxides.

Rust can be cleaned with strong acid solutions. The sequence of operations is as follows:

• Prepare two containers of the same size made of ceramic, glass or stainless steel.
• Wear personal protective equipment: goggles or a clear face shield, gloves and a respirator.
• Pour an aqueous soda solution into one container.
• Pour the acid solution into the other.
• Slowly and carefully, using tweezers or pliers, completely submerge the copper object.
• During the reaction, dark smoke will appear.
• After cleaning the copper object, it should be removed from the container with the acid and immersed in another with a solution of soda for quenching.
• Rinse and dry the item being cleaned.

Removing rust with cola

In addition to chemical reagents, Coca Cola drink can also be used to clean copper products. It contains orthophosphoric acid. (A good reason to think about whether you should drink such a drink)

Precautions when cleaning copper

To preserve the health of people and material assets, you must strictly follow the safety rules:

• When working with chemically active substances, be sure to ensure ventilation of the room.
• Clothing and shoes should be tight and not leave any exposed skin.
• The use of protective gloves and glasses (face shield) is mandatory.
• Do not lean over containers with reagents, especially if a violent reaction occurs with the release of gaseous products and splashing.
• To avoid scratching the surface, do not clean copper products with hard wire brushes or rough abrasives.
• There is no need to keep objects in acidic solutions longer than necessary - in addition to the oxide layer, it is also possible to dissolve the product itself.
• Valuable figurines, coins and decorative items should be cleaned only with mild products. It would be a good idea to consult with experienced specialists.

Timely and regular care will allow you to maintain a beautiful appearance, true color and radiant shine for many years.

Source: https://stankiexpert.ru/spravochnik/materialovedenie/chem-i-kak-ochistit-med-v-domashnikh-usloviyakh.html

Popular methods for cleaning copper products at home

How to clean copper at home? This question has been known to mankind since ancient times. Its relevance is explained by the fact that copper products have been and remain popular in the 21st century. Previously, copper was highly valued, it was equated with gold. However, later the cost of its production decreased, and now not only jewelry, but also dishes and interior items are made from copper.

Copper has gained enormous popularity not only due to its attractive appearance, but also due to its good thermal conductivity and resistance to corrosion, and doctors recommend wearing jewelry made from this metal in case of heart and vascular diseases.

Methods for removing plaque from copper products

With the active use of copper kitchen appliances and the constant wearing of jewelry made from this metal, copper is exposed to oxygen, heat and moisture. This leads to the formation of a greenish coating on the surface of the products. It is impossible to prevent the appearance of such a patina, however, there are many proven ways to clean copper without difficulty and special costs.

These techniques will help restore the lost shine to copper utensils and jewelry:

1. Cleaning copper with regular tomato ketchup is one of the easiest ways to make copper cookware shine with renewed vigor. To do this, apply it to the surface to be cleaned and leave for 1-2 minutes. After this, the ketchup is washed off under running warm water and the surface of the product is thoroughly wiped. This procedure will quickly return copper cookware to its original appearance.
2. There is a second option for cleaning copper using tomato paste. You need to dilute the ketchup in a small container with water, immerse the product there and leave for 10-12 minutes, depending on the degree of contamination. Then remove the item and rinse thoroughly in running water. However, this method is only suitable for small products.
3. Cleaning a copper basin for making jam is a difficult task for many housewives. The whole difficulty lies in its size: not every house has an even larger container than a basin. However, a way out of this situation was found - you can use lemon juice or just a piece of it. To do this, you just need to rub the stained areas with lemon juice until the stains disappear, and rinse off the remaining residue with plenty of water. You can also clean a copper samovar, inherited from your grandmothers.
4. You can also clean copper at home using the so-called “vinegar test”. To prepare it, you need to mix wheat flour and vinegar in equal quantities. Next, this mixture is applied to the surface of the product and wait until it dries completely, after which the resulting crust is removed along with all contaminants. Copper will acquire greater luster if, after cleaning, you polish its surface with a soft piece of cloth.
5. Do you need to quickly make your copper cookware look presentable? Vinegar is a universal assistant for removing oxide films from metal; it is used to remove contaminants from copper, brass and bronze. To do this, you need to prepare a solution from water and vinegar, with the latter 50%, add 2 tablespoons of table salt and stir until it is completely dissolved. Afterwards, the solution is brought to a boil and contaminated objects are immersed in it. It is recommended to boil for 10-15 minutes, but for severe or old stains, the time can be increased. Next, remove the item from the boiling water, allow it to cool and wash it in cool water. It is important to keep in mind that this method is only suitable for small-sized products.
6. If the dirt does not look scary, then you can use one of the simplest cleaning products for copper products - soap solution. You just need to dilute liquid soap in warm water and wipe the contaminated areas with a piece of soft cloth. Then you should thoroughly rinse off any remaining foam and wipe the surface dry with napkins or cotton cloth.

These simple methods will help remove stains and restore the original appearance of jewelry, interior items, and even an antique samovar at home.

Nowadays, copper coins are no longer made, but those that were inherited from grandparents now have antique value. This is what makes the question “How to clean copper coins” relevant.

There are several ways to clean copper coins at home, the choice of one of which depends on the color of the coating on the metal surface:

• If the surface of the copper is covered with a yellowish coating, then it is better to clean it with a 9% vinegar solution. You can prepare this solution yourself: you need to mix 1 part vinegar and 9 parts water. After the plaque has completely dissolved, the coins should be removed and washed under running water.
• It is quite possible that there is a reddish coating. It is better to remove such contamination by dipping a coin in a 5% solution of ammonia or ammonium carbonate. It is better to buy them in specialized stores. As the coin itself is cleaned, the solution will turn red. When the coating is completely removed from the surface of the copper, the coins are removed from the container with the solution, washed and dried with a napkin.
• Greenish patina is best washed off with a 10% citric acid solution. The same phenomenon will be observed here as in the previous cleaning method. As soon as the solution turns a characteristic green color, the coins are taken out, rinsed thoroughly in running water and dried.

Cleaning copper coins requires a lot of attention and accuracy, so if you are confident in the high antique value of a particular coin, then it is better to entrust the removal of contaminants from its surface to a professional.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bam1IE5TRy0

To ensure that your favorite dishes or exquisite jewelry serve you longer, you should pay attention to the rules, the implementation of which will extend the life of copper products:

1. Copper products should be stored in rooms with low humidity - moisture from the air can accelerate the formation of an oxide film on the surface of the metal.
2. When cleaning copper, you should only use a soft cloth or sponge to avoid scratching the metal. Also, do not use abrasive products to clean copper.
3. Do not use copper utensils coated with oxide. The ingress of oxidation products into the body will seriously harm your health, so you should not neglect cleaning products that come into contact with food.
4. It is also not recommended to store food in copper containers - this will only shorten its service life, and it is unlikely to enrich the food with useful compounds. But the content of harmful substances will definitely increase.
5. We must not forget about personal protective equipment. Before cleaning any product, take care of the skin of your hands and wear rubber gloves.
6. It is important to remember that after any method of cleaning copper, it is recommended to boil the products in clean water and dry thoroughly. This will certainly help get rid of any remaining copper cleaner.
7. In order for the dishes to serve longer, you need to polish them more often.

How to easily clean copper?

Giving original shine to copper products

It is not enough to clean the copper surface of the oxide film; you also need to restore the shine and attractive appearance of the products. There are also several effective ways to do this:

• Crumpled newspaper will not only help get rid of stains on glass, but will also help restore shine to tarnished copper items. To do this, their metal surface is thoroughly rubbed with a piece of crumpled newsprint.
• You can also use salt, wheat flour and vinegar mixed in equal parts. Using a piece of cloth, rub the copper product with this mixture until it shines, after which it is washed off with plenty of water, and the surface of the metal is dried.
• When performing the following procedure, you must equip yourself with a pair of rubber gloves. A piece of cotton cloth is soaked in a solution of hydrochloric acid and the surface of the copper is gently polished with it. It must be remembered that working with hydrochloric acid requires high-quality personal protective equipment and good ventilation in the room.
• Another way to make the surface of copper utensils shiny is to use kerosene and chalk, which you can buy at any office supply store. To do this, the surface of the object is lubricated with a small amount of kerosene, and then rubbed with ordinary school chalk using a soft woolen cloth.
• One of the easiest ways to polish copper products is to use toothpaste or powder. However, cleaning copper requires the same care as brushing your teeth, so you need to be very careful when polishing the surface of the metal.

If you do not clean copper products in a timely manner, they will become covered with a dark coating and stains, and eventually the surface will lose its decorative properties and become cloudy, and timely cleaning of the dishes in which food is prepared must be followed, just as a clean person looks after his teeth, trying do not become a dental visitor.

To prevent this, you need to know how to clean copper and regularly pay attention to the cleanliness of utensils made of this metal. Careful attention and timely cleaning of copper at home will not only ensure beauty, but will also allow copper utensils and jewelry to please the owner’s eye longer.

Source: https://metmastanki.ru/chem-chistit-med-v-domashnih-usloviyah

How to clean copper from plaque at home

If you store old or commemorative coins (for example, commemorative Soviet money), copper jewelry at home in a box, over time they oxidize and darken.

To restore their original appearance, you can use special cleaning products designed to remove green deposits and oxides. But you can effectively get rid of plaque at minimal cost.

Good helpers in deciding how to clean copper at home are common products found in the kitchen.

Causes of plaque

Copper is a typical metallic element, shiny with a red tint. In the open air, as a result of oxidation, it darkens and gradually acquires a rusty brown color. It turns green on very thin sheets.

Oxidation

When copper products are exposed to the atmosphere, a thin layer of corrosion products forms on their surface, the color of which changes over time. This layer in its final form is called patina, characterized by the green color observed on oxidized examples of ancient Roman dishes from excavations.

Home cleaning of copper products

There are many ways to clean copper. Both chemical pastes and solutions and toothpaste are recommended. It is difficult to say which option will be better for cleaning copper products. The effectiveness of cleaning depends on the age of the item, the degree of plaque density, etc. You may have to try several options for cleaning the oxidized surface.

Salt + vinegar

Mix salt and vinegar in a free proportion to form a paste. Apply it to the oxidized object. Use a thick layer of paste and apply it so that the copper is completely covered.

Leave the paste on for 15 minutes to allow the mixture to penetrate as deeply as possible into the plaque.

Dampen a sponge with vinegar. When cleaning an embossed item (eg, coin, nickel, vase), use a soft toothbrush. It will be able to clean the product more effectively and remove plaque in the recesses.

Thoroughly clean the item of oxide using a circular motion.

Ketchup

The fact that ketchup can save copper bracelets, chains, crosses, and rings from oxidation seems incredible. But it is so. Just put the items in ketchup for a few hours and see for yourself.

Important! In addition to copper, this product cleans brass well.

Lemon + salt

Lemon in combination with salt removes green deposits from copper well. Mix lemon juice and salt to form a paste. Apply a homemade cleaner to the surface of the copper item. Apply the paste with a cloth, very carefully to avoid scratches. Don't rub, the paste will work just fine.

Source: https://chistyulka.ru/uhod/chem-pochistit-med-v-domashnih-usloviyah

How and with what to clean copper products?

NATA KARLIN

Copper is one of the oldest metals, the qualities of which were discovered by man. Since then, people have made everything from this metal - arrows for spears, dishes, candelabra, statues, coins and jewelry. Today, copper is also used in many products.

Including for creating high-voltage wire lines. It is considered a lucky sign if a copper weather vane is installed over the house. The copper wedding is celebrated under the number of luck – seven. This metal is very similar in quality and appearance to gold.

However, there is a big disadvantage - copper darkens and turns green over time, and the products lose their original shine and attractiveness.

How and with what to clean copper products at home?

As already mentioned, copper items have an unpleasant feature - they darken and turn green. From a chemical point of view, everything is explained simply - an oxidation process occurs. But from the philistine side, it does not look very aesthetically pleasing.

Especially when it comes to antique copper jewelry, coins from a numismatist’s collection, or tableware. It is necessary to clean the item so as not to spoil it, not to erase the design, and to give it a presentable appearance.

The easiest way to buy copper cleaner is at a hardware store, but why pay a significant amount when you can do it at home?

Before starting work, make sure that your product is entirely made of copper alloy. An item coated with a thin copper layer can deteriorate under the influence of potent substances. For this category of products, we use a simple cleaning method - a solution of laundry soap and a cloth.

Determining whether your item is 100% copper or not is easy. If you apply a magnet to an item and it sticks, then the item is not made of copper. Most likely, the metal base of the object is covered with a copper layer.

It is also worth considering the varnish coating of the product. Damage to it can lead to rapid oxidation of copper and loss of appearance of the product. If the item was varnished, be patient and hardworking, and follow the tips below:

• Remove the varnish completely. This will avoid partial disruption of the surface layer, and will make it possible to clean the item evenly. To do this, take 1 tablespoon of soda for every liter of water. Pour the solution into a container that will fit the item completely, and immerse the item. Boil the solution and leave to boil together with the copper product for half an hour. As the water boils, add it again. Take a dish sponge and use the back of it to scrub off the varnish.
• The varnished surface of a copper object can be cleaned quickly and easily. To do this, take half a liter of water and 100 g of dishwashing liquid. Apply the product to the item and leave for 20 minutes. Rub the item with a sponge and rinse with running water. Dry the item with a soft cloth.

So, there are several ways to clean copper products:

• Lemon and soda . Lemon perfectly removes green deposits from the surface of copper products. Cut the fruit in half, pour a little soda on it and clean it as you would with a regular sponge. The acid will eat away the plaque, and the soda will clean the depressions of the relief pattern. If you don't have lemon on hand, use citric acid. Only in this case, take a damp sponge (cloth), dip it in acid diluted to a pulp and clean the product in a circular motion. If the product has a grooved pattern, you can use an old toothbrush instead of a sponge.
• Cleaning agent and water . This recipe is suitable for copper cookware. It is advisable to clean trays, plates, bowls, mugs and glasses carefully so as not to further intensify the oxidation process. Therefore, any cleaning agent (including soda) diluted in water will work great. Place the dishes in the solution for several hours, the dirt and deposits will dissolve, and they can be cleaned off using the back (hard) side of the dish sponge.
• Running water . If you recently bought something made of copper and see initial signs of oxidation, you can eliminate them using ordinary running water. Place the product under running hot water from the tap and carefully clean off any green deposits.
• Lemon juice, wheat flour and table salt . Mix all ingredients in equal proportions, dilute with water to obtain a liquid paste. Apply the mixture to a cloth and clean the product. This product has been used for a long time, and not a single housewife has left a negative review about it.

• Ammonia . To clean a copper item, take an ammonia solution from the pharmacy, moisten a sponge with it and wipe the surface of the item. In this case, there is only one recommendation - it is advisable to carry out the procedure on the street. You can be poisoned by ammonia fumes indoors. With its help, you will remove not only the green coating from the product, but also the darkening.
• Kerosene. This product should only be used with a woolen or cloth cloth. Wet the product with water, dip a rag in kerosene and wipe the copper surface. An additional component is regular white chalk powder.
• Ketchup . It sounds strange, but with its help you can quickly and thoroughly clean copper products. Apply the product to the surface in a thin layer and leave for 12 hours. Then carefully polish the product with a cloth.

How to clean copper coins at home?

Professional numismatists do not ask such questions. They have recipes that have been tested over the years with which they clean copper and other coins.

Special mixtures and compositions available on the market will not damage the rare item and will make it shiny and attractive.

However, many of them use mixtures that they prepare themselves, using the simplest ingredients. If you have copper antique coins at home and need to clean them, follow the instructions below:

• Yellow plaque . This problem occurs in products whose alloy contains a large amount of lead. You can fix the problem using table vinegar (9%). To begin with, coins are placed in a solution of water and laundry soap for 3 hours. After this, take out the coins one at a time and clean them with an old toothbrush. Rinse each coin with warm running water and dry. Apply vinegar to a cloth and wipe the products on each side to the desired shine.
• Green plaque . In this case, food grade citric acid is used. It is necessary to rinse the coins thoroughly using regular tap water and a soft cloth. Dilute citric acid at the rate of 1 teaspoon per half glass of water. Dip a cotton pad into the solution and clean the coins on each side. At the end of the process, rinse with water and wipe the item dry. You can replace citric acid with oxalic acid. This product is several times more aggressive than citric acid. Therefore, its portion should be twice as small. At the same time, it is necessary to work with gloves.

• Red plaque . In this case there are two ways out. The first is to leave everything as is, in order to make the appearance of the product even more attractive, closer to the effect of antiquity. The second is to clean it until it shines. It's not difficult to remove it. It is necessary to stock up on a 5% ammonia solution. Dip copper coins into the liquid one at a time, rinse with cool tap water and wipe dry. You can replace ammonia with ammonium carbonate, but you need to wear gloves when working with it.

Those who like a reddish coating (patina) on copper coins can create it themselves. To do this, take the following components:

• Distilled water – 1 l;
• Potassium permanganate (manganese) – 5 g;
• Copper sulfate – 50 g.

Mix all ingredients in an enamel bowl and heat over low heat. Do not bring the solution to a boil. Turn off the gas and place copper coins in the solution. Monitor the reaction by removing and turning over the coins periodically.

After you have achieved the desired effect, you need to remove the coins from the solution and apply a mixture of benzene and denatured alcohol to the surface. Mix the components in equal proportions.

January 14, 2014, 10:51

Source: https://sunmag.me/sovety/14-01-2014-kak-i-chem-chistit-izdeliya-iz-medi.html

Methods and rules for cleaning copper yourself at home

Copper products are not only coins that are collected by numismatists, but also a variety of decorative items that have beauty and elegance. But over time, the metal becomes covered with oxides.

Copper oxide is a brown or black deposit that appears on copper products when exposed to moisture. This coating gives coins and jewelry an unattractive appearance.

For this reason, every owner of such products wonders how to clean copper with their own hands at home.

Cleaning copper with lemon

What not to do?

Before you start cleaning copper from dirt and oxides, you should know which cleaning agent should not be used for this purpose.

This is a powder containing abrasive particles that can scratch the metal, after which it will be impossible to return it to its original appearance.

The use of any acids (citric, sulfuric, hydrochloric) can also damage a copper product, especially if we are talking about a coin made of copper. Fragile copper decorative items should not be boiled or exposed to hot steam, otherwise they may break.

Facilities

You can clean copper at home using the following means:

1. Soap solution: this is the easiest product to make and is ideal for caring for copper if the product made from it is slightly dirty. It is enough to soak the copper product in warm soapy water for several hours, rinse it and wipe it dry.
2. Soap paste: If the item needs a more thorough cleaning, you can prepare a soap paste. This is easy to do: take a bar of soap and rub it on a fine grater, then add water to form a thick paste. This mass needs to be coated on a copper product. It is advisable to leave the pulp for several days - this approach will improve the cleaning result.
3. Lemon: you can take half of this fruit and carefully rub the cut side of the copper product. At the end of the procedure, the item should be gently cleaned with a brush.
4. Vinegar paste: cleaning copper with this product is very effective. To prepare the gruel, you need to take equal parts of salt and flour, then combine them with vinegar so that it looks like a dough. The mass is applied to a copper object and wait for it to dry. As soon as the mixture dries on the metal surface, it should be brushed off and the product itself should be rinsed thoroughly.
5. Ammonia (ammonium chloride): This remedy is excellent if the copper product is covered with a thick layer of patina. The powder must be poured into a deep vessel, and the copper object must be heated. After this, touch the ammonia powder with a hot product. Thus, you need to treat the entire surface of the product.
6. Ketchup: This food product is often used to clean copper products. You need to apply a thick layer of ketchup to the item and leave it for a few minutes. Afterwards, the product should be rinsed with water and wiped dry with a cloth.
7. Kefir: This drink contains an acid that effectively removes dirt from the surface of copper products. It is enough to saturate microfiber or cotton wool with kefir and start cleaning the copper object.
8. Olive oil: This product is suitable for cleaning small copper objects, such as coins. However, the owner of such products should prepare for the fact that cleaning may last a month, but the main advantage of this cleaning method is that the oil cannot harm the metal in any way. How to clean copper: you need to take a deep bowl and pour olive oil into it, then put copper items in it. After a few days, they are taken out and cleaned with a soft brush, after which they are immersed in oil again. Over the course of one to two months, this action is repeated 5-6 times.
9. Trilon-B: when answering the question of how to clean copper, this product should be mentioned. It is diluted in water in the following proportion - 1 part Trilon-B and 10 parts water. The item to be cleaned is immersed in the resulting solution and its condition is monitored. As soon as the desired result is achieved, the copper product must be removed and washed in running water.

Cleaning copper with ketchup

If a copper decor item has become tarnished, but has not yet become dirty, you can clean it with crumpled newspaper (this is how windows were cleaned in the past).

Many owners of copper products are wondering not only how to clean copper from dirt, but also how to give it an ideal appearance. To do this, you need to prepare a product consisting of the following components:

• water - 1 liter;
• potassium permanganate - 5 grams;
• copper sulfate - 50 grams.

A solution is prepared from these components and heated over low heat to 80 degrees. Afterwards, a copper object is immersed in it for several hours. Cleaning is completed by rinsing the product with clean water. After drying, you can coat the metal with a layer of a mixture consisting of alcohol and benzene, taken in equal parts.

If a copper product has a high value from the point of view of history and culture, then it is recommended to entrust its care to a professional, since improper cleaning can lead to damage to a valuable item.

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Source: https://DedPodaril.com/lityo/kak-pochistit-med.html