PDF download Download Article PDF download Download Article

Copper makes beautiful jewelry, household items, and decor, and you likely want to keep your items looking their best. However, exposure to oxygen causes copper to develop a black patina over time and your pieces might become stained. Fortunately, you can restore the rose gold luster of your favorite copper pieces using products you likely have in your home. With a little elbow-grease, you may be able to get your precious pieces looking new again.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Using Vinegar and Salt

PDF download Download Article
  1. Pour the salt into a clean bowl, then slowly add the vinegar. Use a spoon to stir the ingredients together to make a paste. Keep stirring until the paste appears consistent. [1]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Clean Copper
    Dip your clean towel into the paste to coat the towel. Get a generous amount of paste onto the towel so there’s enough to scrub the copper piece. [3]
    • You can use any type of clean towel. For instance, a dishcloth or paper towel will work great.
    Advertisement
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Clean Copper
    Use the towel to rub the salt and vinegar paste into the copper item. Rub the dark stains vigorously to help remove them. Apply a firm, even pressure to pull up the stain. [4]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Clean Copper
    If your copper item has dents or crevices that are stained, scrub these spots with a toothbrush. Apply the vinegar and salt paste to the toothbrush, then work the bristles into the grooves to help remove the dark spots. [6]
  5. Hold the copper item under warm running water to remove the excess paste. Use your fingers to gently wipe off the paste. Then, use a clean towel to wipe your copper item dry. [8]
    • If there are any spots remaining on the copper, apply pressure with the cloth to remove them.
  6. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Boiling Away Tough Stains

PDF download Download Article
  1. Measure out 1 cup (240 mL) of vinegar into a large pot, then add 1 tbsp (17 g) of salt. Use a measuring cup add 3 cups (710 mL) of warm water to the pot. Then, stir the ingredients to combine them. [9]
    • If you’re cleaning a large copper piece, use a bigger pot and double the ingredients for the cleaning solution.
  2. It’s safest to put the copper into the pot before you start boiling the solution. Place the item into the pot and make sure the stains are covered by the cleaning solution. It’s okay if part of the item is not covered, as long as you aren’t trying to clean the exposed area. [10]
    • It’s okay to clean more than 1 piece at a time if they all fit into the pot. For instance, you might clean 2 copper mugs at the same time or a handful of copper jewelry pieces.
  3. Turn the burner on high heat to heat the pot. Monitor the pot as it heats to boiling. After it reaches boiling, adjust the heat to keep it at a rolling boil. [11]
    • Stay near the pot while it’s heating to make sure it doesn’t boil over.
  4. The vinegar and salt will draw out the stains or black patina. Check the water to see if the discoloration is leaching out of the copper and into the solution. Let the item boil for up 15 minutes. [12]
    • If the item looks clean before you get to 15 minutes, it’s okay to turn off the pot early.
  5. After 15 minutes, turn off the burner so that the solution and the copper item will start to cool. Leave the pot to cool for 30 minutes to an hour. [13]
    • Don’t try to handle the copper while it’s still hot. The metal may burn your hand, so be careful.
  6. Watermark wikiHow to Clean Copper
    Remove the copper item from the solution and use a soft, clean cloth to dry it. Use firm pressure as your rub the copper to buff it into a shine. [14]
    • If you see any remaining stains, rub them vigorously with your cloth to try to buff them out.
  7. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Removing Tough Stains with a Lemon or Lime

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Clean Copper
    Hold a lemon or lime on a cutting board. Then, use a sharp knife to slice it in half. Keep both halves of the fruit to use as a cleaner. [15]
    • You can use either a lemon or a lime to clean copper, but lemons are more commonly used.
  2. Pour a small amount of salt on a plate, then press the fleshy part of the lemon or lime into the salt. Apply a thin layer of salt over the fruit flesh. [16]
    • Leave some salt on the plate so you can dip the fruit in more salt as needed.

    Variation: If your piece is delicate or small, mix enough lemon juice into the salt to make a paste. Then, use a soft cloth to work the paste into the copper piece. If the stains are deep, let the lemon paste sit on the copper piece for up to 1 hour. [17]

  3. Watermark wikiHow to Clean Copper
    Use light pressure to press the fleshy part of the lemon or lime into the copper item. Vigorously rub the copper to remove the stains or patina. Pay special attention to areas that have dark stains. [18]
    • Dip the lemon or lime half in the salt as needed. If the first lemon or lime half starts to squish before the item is clean, switch to the second half and resume scrubbing.
    Salt and lemon juice worked perfectly! "I poured 2 tablespoons of salt and 1/4 cup of lemon juice into a plastic container and let the copper parts set for a few minutes. I shook them a few times and brushed them with an old toothbrush. Worked perfectly! Rinsed with water and dried." - William G.
    I finally cleaned all my copper cabinet knobs. "I used the vinegar and salt formula to clean 23 copper cabinet knobs. I left the handles in a half-gallon jug of formula for five hours and the grime from the 1960s finally came off!" - Barbara S.
    Did you know that wikiHow has collected over 365,000 reader stories since it started in 2005? We’d love to hear from you! Share your story here .
  4. Hold the copper item under a stream of warm water until you don’t see anymore fruit flesh or salt. Turn the item over in your hands as you rinse it so that it’s thoroughly cleaned. [19]
  5. Watermark wikiHow to Clean Copper
    Use a soft, clean cloth to dry the copper item. Apply a firm pressure to lightly buff the piece. [20]
    • If you notice any remaining stains, vigorously rub those spots with your cloth to help bring them up.
  6. Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Scrubbing the Copper with Ketchup

PDF download Download Article
  1. Use a clean dish cloth or paper towel. Squeeze the ketchup onto the cloth or dip the cloth in the ketchup. [21]
    • Keep the ketchup nearby so you can apply more as necessary. For large pieces, you may use a lot of ketchup.
    • The acids in the ketchup dissolve copper stains.

    Variation: If your copper pieces are small, cover them with ketchup and leave them to sit for 30 minutes. [22]

  2. Watermark wikiHow to Clean Copper
    While using salt is optional, it might the ketchup more effective. To use the salt, simply sprinkle a light layer on top of your ketchup. The ketchup and salt will mix together as you scrub the copper. [23]
    • Add more salt each time you add additional ketchup.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Clean Copper
    Use your cloth and firm pressure to apply the ketchup-salt mixture over the surface of the copper. Vigorously rub the areas that are stained. Apply the ketchup in a thin layer over the copper item. [24]
    • If you’re treating a small stain, it’s okay to only apply the ketchup to that area. However, it’s also okay to treat a large item with ketchup.
  4. You don’t need to let the ketchup sit on small stains that are coming up with scrubbing. However, leaving the ketchup in place for up to 30 minutes can draw out the stain more easily. Set a timer and wait for the ketchup to work. [25]
    • You can always try scrubbing first and then let the ketchup sit on the item if it’s not coming clean.
  5. Hold the copper item under running water to rinse it clean. Use your fingers to scrub off any stuck-on ketchup. Keep rinsing until the water runs clear and the item looks clean. [26]
    • Use a toothbrush to remove stuck-on ketchup spots.
  6. Use a soft, clean cloth to dry the copper item. Apply a firm pressure to the piece to lightly buff it. Additionally, vigorously rub any areas that still look stained. [27]
  7. Advertisement


Expert Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do you remove oxidation from copper?
    Kadi Dulude
    House Cleaning Professional
    Kadi Dulude is a House Cleaning Professional and the Owner of Wizard of Homes, a New York City-based cleaning company. Kadi has over 10 years of experience and manages a team of over 90 registered cleaning professionals. Her cleaning advice has been featured in Architectural Digest and New York Magazine.
    House Cleaning Professional
    Expert Answer
    Try using vinegar! Vinegar may be enough to remove oxidization on your piece of copper.
  • Question
    How do you remove oxidation from copper?
    Kadi Dulude
    House Cleaning Professional
    Kadi Dulude is a House Cleaning Professional and the Owner of Wizard of Homes, a New York City-based cleaning company. Kadi has over 10 years of experience and manages a team of over 90 registered cleaning professionals. Her cleaning advice has been featured in Architectural Digest and New York Magazine.
    House Cleaning Professional
    Expert Answer
    If your copper item got oxidized, try to wet the copper surface and then scrub it with salt.
  • Question
    How can I stop a copper bracelet from tarnishing?
    Community Answer
    Apply several thin coats of lacquer.
See more answers
Ask a Question
      Advertisement

      Reader Videos

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      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. [28]
      Advertisement

      Things You'll Need

      Using Vinegar and Salt

      • Vinegar
      • Salt
      • Cloth
      • Water

      Boiling Away Tough Stains

      • Large pot
      • Vinegar
      • Water
      • Salt
      • Cloth

      Removing Tough Stains with a Lemon or Lime

      • Lemon or lime
      • Cutting board
      • Knife
      • Salt
      • Water
      • Cloth

      Scrubbing the Copper with Ketchup

      • Ketchup
      • Salt
      • Cloth
      • Container (optional)
      • Water

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If you have a copper item that you need to clean, cut a lemon in half and squeeze out all of the juice. Mix salt into the juice a little at a time until it forms a paste. Dip a soft cloth into the paste, then rub the cloth over your copper to remove any tarnish. When you’ve finished cleaning the copper, rinse it off with warm water and polish with beeswax to give the item a lasting shine. If you want to learn how to use vinegar or ketchup to remove tarnish from copper, keep reading the article!

      Did this summary help you?
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 2,007,258 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • William G.

        May 5, 2016

        "I poured 2 tablespoons of salt and 1/4 cup of lemon juice into a plastic container and let the copper parts set for ..." more
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement